In an unmarked van in a dusty Eternal City alley, Ruhn waits with Lidia, Bryce, Hunt Athalar, Flynn, and Declan as their broadcasted footage detonates across Midgard. Declan reports the video has spread everywhere despite imperial removal attempts, and public attention has latched onto the parasite revelations and Bryce’s past heroics. Their goal is to strike while the Asteri are pulled into an emergency fallout meeting.

Ruhn tries to steady Lidia as fear for her abducted sons threatens to overwhelm her, urging her to focus only on the mission. Bryce reinforces that distractions will be deadly, while Lidia insists she knows Pollux well enough to understand the danger. Hunt grimly warns that chaos is coming, and Bryce notes Hel’s arrival will make that warning literal.

Elsewhere, Ithan buries the fallen Prime in the meadow, hoping the Den’s pups will honor him—if any survive what’s coming. After taking a call from Tharion, Ithan tells him to head to the Eternal City with antidote doses to reach Bryce and Hunt. Ithan prepares to follow with a backpack and the Godslayer Rifle loaned by Roga, and says goodbye to Perry at the gates; when she shows him the new headline and footage about Bryce and Hunt killing Micah and Sandriel, Ithan realizes Bryce has already begun the endgame and leaves to help.

Back in the van, Declan confirms he is inside the imperial network and ready to interfere with the mech-suits. Hunt arms himself with the limited weapons Fury Axtar managed to smuggle in and accepts he must fight as himself—without the Umbra Mortis suit. Bryce carries the Starsword and Truth-Teller, and the group reviews the plan: keep the Asteri distracted by unleashing Hel and the Fallen while Bryce and Hunt slip into the palace to destroy the firstlight core, rescue Lidia’s sons, and kill Pollux and the Asteri if possible.

Lidia warns that once they exit the van they have minutes before cameras identify them, making Declan’s camera interference and Flynn’s evasive driving crucial. Lidia extracts a promise that her sons must be gotten to the coast even if sacrifices are required, and Declan and Flynn commit to protecting them. Bryce confirms she remembers the route to the Asteri throne room and learns Rigelus likely has not altered it, then privately tells Hunt she remembers every moment of his wing mutilation and enslavement—and that today they finally stop the Asteri. As Bryce steps out to begin the assault, she declares, “Through love, all is possible.”