Lyria chases after Victra through a dark tunnel as Harmony retreats, using shadows and an ambush position near a widening chamber. Victra trades fire until Harmony’s rifle clicks empty, then closes, breaking Harmony’s hands as Lyria approaches. Harmony boasts she has a torchShip ready to burn and entomb everyone if she is not heard from.

Lyria stops Victra from a quick kill and exposes Harmony’s intended trap: a narrow cleft over a chasm filled with pitvipers warmed by a hot spring. Victra tears off Harmony’s optics, and together they hurl Harmony into the pit, where the vipers envenom and coil around her, implanting eggs as she finally screams. Lyria notes Harmony’s life of pain and leaves her to it.

They return to the Common, where freed slaves have corralled nearly a hundred Red Hand prisoners. Volga organizes search parties for an exit while traumatized wives vent their fury on captors. Lyria spots her girls—Lion armed and waving, Freckles sobbing—safe amid the chaos and chooses not to interfere with the wives’ reprisals.

Victra reports the main door is sealed, but external cameras show the Hand’s camp evacuating and a massive torchShip lifting from the sea. Resigned, Victra doubts any rescue answered Lyria’s broadcast. Then new scanner contacts appear; Lyria whispers that they are from Mars, hinting that help is inbound as the torchShip looms.