Thomas discovers the canopic jar chamber containing 847 preserved souls. Finds the pharaoh's still-beating heart jar and decides to carry it to the Hall of Judgment.

Ironfort and four other settlements defect to Kael's Southern Union in a single day. The Confederation hemorrhages 25 percent of population in twelve hours. Cael refuses to retaliate, maintaining democratic principles even as Confederation crumbles.

The wrapping chamber holds thousands of hanging linen strips. Thomas encounters Sarah, Jennifer's graduate school friend, partially wrapped mid-process. Jennifer breaks down in grief. Thomas confirms Sarah's consciousness was released when the curse broke, offering painful comfort.

Tomas experiences joy when Elsa suddenly arrives alive with news that Jorin and Sera survived. Sera recovered from deadly fever. This transforms Tomas's commitment from abstract duty to personal stakes. He witnesses first 1000 volunteers departing for Kharaven with peaceful certainty.

Kael Thorne arrives at New Haven with five hundred armed men offering formal alliance requiring Confederation surrender and his rule. Cael refuses, declaring the Confederation will remain democratic and independent. Kael leaves with a threat.

Thomas enters the natron pool chamber where preserved bodies float in crystalline salt at various stages of decomposition. Jennifer grieves a recognized colleague, David Chen, and Thomas learns the curse has processed 847 victims over three millennia.

Cael leads 20 scholars and soldiers on expedition into Level Seven of Hollow Deep to verify ritual requirements and find mental shielding technology. Party experiences crushing psychic assault from Wurm Lords and loses 10 members to hallucinations and despair.

A tremor rocks the Confederation settlements. Damien reports the seals are degrading faster than calculated. Cael and Damien decide to blame it on normal geological activity. Mira discovers the lie and confronts Cael. She agrees to keep the secret despite her moral objections.

Thomas descends into the mummification chamber and discovers the curse forces embalmers to torture living victims on the embalming table. Using his divine authority earned through countless deaths, he commands them to stop and grants mercy to a dying raider.