Bryce awakens to find friends gathered over her, alive again after Jesiba’s sacrifice. She jokes through the shock, recognizes that the Asteri are truly gone and the afterlife prison has ended, and learns Sabine is dead—making Ithan Prime. Bryce focuses on Hunt, kissing him as relief and love crash in, while others begin handling immediate aftermath, including Jesiba’s ashes.

Hunt steps away briefly to walk the battlefield littered with empty mech-suits and fallen bodies, thanking the Fallen whose souls have finally moved on. Isaiah joins him, and they acknowledge that the Fallen’s cause has been fulfilled. When Isaiah suggests Hunt could rule the angels during the coming dismantling of archangel hierarchies, Hunt refuses; after Bryce’s crude, affectionate texts remind him what matters most, Hunt tells Isaiah that Isaiah should lead, with Hunt supporting if needed.

With the world entering an uncertain era—no Asteri, limited remaining firstlight, and urgent questions about powering Midgard—Bryce turns to one immediate priority: retrieving her parents and closing out unfinished business. With help from Isaiah’s hastily arranged transport, she goes to where Nesta, Ember, Randall, and Cassian are waiting, and Hunt confirms to them that Midgard is free.

Bryce reunites with Ember and Randall, sharing emotional embraces and pride. She returns the Mask as promised and sets Truth-Teller on the table, easing the tension from Nesta and Cassian. Ember and Randall reveal they learned the local language through a “bean-thing,” and Ember admits her anger at Bryce for leaving Cooper behind, though the moment remains largely tender.

As the portal back begins to close, Ember shares a heartfelt goodbye with Nesta, and Randall thanks Cassian. Before leaving, Bryce makes one final, deliberate choice: she offers the Starsword to Nesta, declaring the age of the Starborn on Midgard ends with Bryce. Bryce tells Nesta to take the blade and discover why the eight-pointed star seems tied to her, then Bryce and Hunt depart as the Northern Rift closes.