Ruhn and Lidia move through the sewers while Ruhn updates Flynn and Declan by phone: Isaiah and Naomi were not at the triarii’s private barracks, their rooms look untouched for days, and even Declan’s hacking suggests the Aux doesn’t know they’re gone. Ruhn concludes Celestina likely wants their absence unnoticed, raising the possibility they were killed. They agree to scout again, check public execution squares for signs, and rendezvous at sunset.

As they continue, Ruhn brings up the childhood story Lidia once told him, and Lidia admits it came from her mother—who “let her go.” Lidia then confesses she repeated that act by giving up her own sons to strangers to keep them safe, and Ruhn insists the sacrifice makes her a true mother. Their bond deepens as Ruhn commits to whatever relationship Lidia wants, and Lidia says she will buy him a beer if they survive.

Lidia receives a message from the Depth Charger and panics: Pollux has taken her sons. The news abruptly shifts Lidia’s focus from the broader war to an immediate, personal crisis, and Ruhn is left to absorb the new stakes tied to Pollux.

At the Northern Rift, Hunt faces Celestina, with Isaiah and Naomi beside her, after they arrive to stop the Harpy’s attack despite Asteri orders to stand down. Hunt’s rage at Celestina’s betrayal explodes; he attacks, but the halo limits him. Refusing the Asteri’s leash, Hunt cuts through the halo’s spell within himself and then, using the same method, destroys Isaiah’s halo as well, freeing Isaiah’s power.

Hunt resumes the fight, but Bryce rushes to the Rift, and Celestina tries to stop her, pleading for another way. Bryce warns Celestina that Bryce and Hunt will kill her if necessary, but Bryce ultimately insists Celestina does not deserve to die and refuses to let Hunt carry that burden. Celestina yields and swears, on Solas, to help them.

Bryce reveals the next move: use the Mask with Theia’s star to raise the Fallen by binding their remaining soul-tethers (anchored to their retained wings) into the Asteri’s mech-suits at Mount Hermon, with Declan hacking access and Isaiah and Naomi commanding them. Bryce assigns Celestina to occupy Archangel Ephraim so he cannot reinforce the capital. With the plan set, Bryce and Hunt open the Northern Rift—summoning Prince Aidas, whom Bryce welcomes back to Midgard.