Belphegor's binding breaks completely at 3:47 AM. The team assesses the catastrophic power shift: full greater demon manifestation with no modern precedent. Arthur declares they cannot fight him directly. They retreat to an abandoned farm outside Camden.

The Consortium's opening salvo devastates Infinity. Jim executes a close-range maneuver inside the battleship's broadside arc. The escort Windlass is destroyed with 61 crew. Maven watches from Silvent Academy, timing economic disruption on Regamon.

Maren discovers a financial conspiracy involving shell companies and a blind trust foundation, revealing the Cairn family's sophisticated network for hiding assets and secrets.

Survivors establish daily routine. Marcus proposes escaping via a truck from Gamma Building. The core group (Wilson, Emily, Kira, Marcus, Antoine, Rebecca) forms an extraction team to retrieve the vehicle in three days. Fifteen defenders will hold Alpha-8.

In the med bay, Kate sits vigil over recovering Commander Vance, plagued by survivor's guilt and the knowledge that her actions draw the Hollowing toward them. Chelsea comforts her, revealing that Kate's presence gives her and others reason to live, not just strategic value.

Traq tracks down Emoria (Ria), a criminal information broker, after she helps Gunther Finn escape Terminus. Through surveillance and deception, Traq poses as a wealthy off-worlder and catches Emoria in a bedroom ambush.

Haatim channels the Gift as Abigail's lifeline as time fractures around the ritual site. He analytically tracks his failing reserves — blood pouring, hands trembling, knees giving way. Arthur tells him to spend everything; the team will catch him when he falls.

Arthur, clearing the east corridor, moves instinctively toward Belphegor after hearing Emma's analysis. Dominick intercepts him physically, arguing the math: Arthur's body, broken by Hell, needs eight seconds to close; Dominick needs four.

Three sequential battles test different command approaches. Abigail's channeled terrain deployment kills efficiently at Riverside Crossing with 41 dead.