Lysander meets Atalantia in her eccentric meditation garden aboard Annihilo, where she has gathered Primuses of Carthii, Votum, and Falthe. Skepticism greets Lysander’s return; Asmodeus jeers and Scorpio questions his authenticity. Lysander admits Cassius raised him for ten years, alarming Ajax and intriguing Atalantia, who demands Cassius’s body—then learns it was stolen and desecrated after Bellerephon’s death.

Lysander introduces Diomedes and Seraphina Raa, bearing the Dominion Seal and authority to seek a truce. They reveal Romulus’s death on Akari’s Path, which the Core derides. Lysander urges respect and argues for alliance. He then deduces the Minotaur seized Venus’s dockyards and was betrayed, exposing a logistical weakness that makes the Rim’s strength useful.

Atalantia probes the Rim’s capabilities, but Diomedes withholds specifics. She nonetheless agrees to pursue an alliance after the imminent operation and offers guest-right by sharing bread. Unveiling a massive Iron Rain onto Mercury, she claims Atlas has compromised planetary shields and intends to trap nine million Martian slaves and break Mars’s pact with Luna by killing Darrow and his legions.

When Atalantia demands a demonstration of good faith, Diomedes refuses to fall, bound to diplomacy. Seraphina volunteers to join the Iron Rain, satisfying Atalantia’s demand. After they depart, Ajax attacks Lysander over his years with Cassius; Lysander confesses fear of predatory court politics and insists the Rising’s failures necessitate a reformed Society.

Atalantia declares Lysander’s return must remain secret until he proves himself. Seeking legitimacy, Lysander asks to fall in the Iron Rain to earn his scar. Atalantia grants it with an intimate blessing. Lysander chooses to rain with Ajax, and Atalantia sends them to muster, vowing to meet in Tyche before the assault.