Woken at night, Darrow follows Cassius into the snowy north under the pretense that Sevro has found Roque. As they ride, Darrow realizes the trap: Cassius knows about Julian. Cassius recounts the Bellona–Augustus feud and claims the ArchGovernor used the Institute to cull Julian, a kind but ill-suited son.

Cassius reveals a holo—sent by the Jackal—that shows Darrow killing Julian in the Passage. He explains Sevro tried to steal it, confirming its importance. Darrow warns that the Jackal, the ArchGovernor’s son, is manipulating them and urges unity, but Cassius rejects any alliance, enraged by the betrayal.

Their arguments escalate: Darrow insists he had no choice in the Passage and calls out Cassius’s own brutality with Titus; Cassius condemns Darrow as a beast. They duel. Though Darrow is faster, Cassius’s practiced precision prevails; with a deft maneuver, he drives an ionBlade into Darrow’s belly with the charge off, ensuring a bleeding wound.

Cassius departs, leaving Darrow in the mud. Overwhelmed by agony and terror, Darrow regresses into helplessness, thinking of Dancer’s hopes, his father’s sacrifice, and Eo’s dream as blood pours out. He longs for release and home as the cold and pain consume him.