The group reaches the ruined Abbey of Saint Demetrius and decides to shelter there despite old seals forbidding entry. As they settle into the abandoned monastery, Brother Diaz is unsettled by the setting's resemblance to his own monastic life and even more distracted by Vigga's wet, half-undressed presence. He also has a quieter, more troubling exchange with Sunny when he notices that one of her ears was cut off by religious persecutors, which deepens his unease about simple ideas of holiness and damnation.

Inside, the others try to make themselves comfortable, but Diaz grows increasingly ashamed of his desire for Vigga. Seeking control, he goes into the chapel and prays before the image of the Saviour, confessing that his vows are failing and that part of his attraction is not only physical desire but the temptation to become a different, freer man. Instead of finding clarity, he remains divided between duty and longing.

Vigga joins Diaz in the chapel and explains that with the moon near full she may become restless, so she plans to stay apart. Their conversation turns unexpectedly honest: Diaz admits that, in his eyes, the fault for their earlier intimacy was his, not hers, and tells Vigga that if she is a monster, she is at least an honest one. When Vigga offers to have him stay with her again, Diaz initially refuses and insists that it cannot happen again.

By morning, however, Diaz wakes up naked under a blanket with Vigga, revealing that he has broken his vows again despite his resolve. Alex discovers them, is shocked, and catches Diaz in a humiliatingly exposed position. Vigga is amused and unapologetic, while Diaz scrambles to dress and follows Alex out, desperate to explain himself.

In the courtyard, Alex rebukes Diaz for abandoning the vows that define him, though she also admits that she may partly envy his willingness to seize comfort in misery. Diaz asks for forgiveness, and Alex gives it in her own rough way. Their exchange then shifts into something more important: Diaz tells Alex that the journey has changed everyone and openly praises her courage, commitment, humor, and leadership, recognizing growth in her that she still struggles to see in herself.