Lidia meets the transport pod on a pier near the Eternal City, with Ruhn at her side, as her sons Brann and Ace are reunited with their fathers, Renki and Davit. The joyful embraces make Lidia certain of what she already feels: Ruhn is her mate, steadying her with quiet support while she watches her family come back together.

Lidia explains to Brann and Ace that she is saying goodbye for now, sending them back Below with their dads until conditions on the surface stabilize after the Asteri’s fall and the coming crisis from draining the firstlight grid. She mentions the Ocean Queen has powered her fleet without firstlight and might hold answers; Lidia also confirms she has formally resigned from the Ocean Queen’s service and received a warning that their paths will cross again.

Brann accepts Lidia as “Mom,” hugs her, and then surprises Lidia by hugging Ruhn and thanking him for what Ruhn was willing to do to save them. Ace is guarded but sincere, thanking Lidia and warning her to take care; when Ace learns Ruhn once shot Lidia, Ace’s suspicion hardens, and Lidia jokingly promises Ruhn will pay for it. As the pod departs with Renki, Davit, Brann, and Ace, Lidia holds Ruhn’s hand, grateful her sons are alive, free, and back in her life.

In Nena’s ice and snow, Bryce reopens the Northern Rift—not to the Fae home world, but to Hel—to send the assembled forces back. As the last depart, Apollion tells Hunt that Hel has no hold on him; Bryce thanks Apollion for not giving up on Midgard, and Apollion admits he wants the matter ended and to see his brother at peace.

Bryce and Aidas exchange a sharper, more personal farewell: Bryce asks if they will meet again, then rejects the idea, saying their definitions of “pet” differ, while still thanking Aidas for his kindness at the Oracle. Aidas tells Bryce that Theia would be proud; Bryce suggests even a Prince of Hel might be welcomed into the afterlife if he is good, and she kisses Aidas’s cheek. After both princes return Bryce’s farewell gesture, Bryce seals the Northern Rift completely, and she and Hunt share a relieved, warming moment as Hunt jokes his demon-hunting days may be over.

Tharion returns to the Meat Market, drawn there despite learning the Ocean Queen has forgiven him and even offered him a command aboard the Depth Charger. He finds the market largely intact after the fire, already shifting to a new order as grunts unload firstlight canisters to stockpile for the coming scarcity. Armed and uncertain about his future and the power grabs ahead, Tharion heads in to find the Viper Queen—only for Ariadne to intercept him from the shadows, calling him foolish for coming back.