Aftermath of the anchoring. Petyr stands alone at the dais as the expedition departs. The harmonics shift warmer when he speaks - Cael recognizes him. Sera confirms global tremor cessation and all seals stabilized. Mira orders the return.

Abigail's nightmares, phantom corruption reach, forearm scars. A mid-tier demon throws her into a wall - humiliating without the power. Arthur gives honest counsel: the silence stays heavy, carry it, not gracefully. Dawn comes.

Vane confronts Gaius about Prometheus program, threatens coup. Now includes Vane revealing the approaching Vaalin anomalies as additional justification for maintaining secrecy. Gaius discovers the true depth of the machinery, activates ancient Guard network.

After a catastrophic failed assault on Belphegors infrastructure - Petrillo wounded, Dominick cut, the team outmaneuvered by coordinated demon-vampire tactics - Arthur proposes a suicide mission using his seal resonance. Abigail objects. Dominick challenges Arthurs sacrifice pattern on the rooftop.

Jim's fleet approaches Carthage Gap outnumbered 212 to 300. He devises a flanking maneuver through the civilian Verity Corridor, emerging behind Hektor's defensive crescent. The formation disintegrates as Jim forces an engagement, losing the escort Gundersen in the opening minutes.

Thomas enters the crypt beneath the corrupted church and discovers 100+ mummified bodies in various stages of failed transformation. He finds Patricia Harrow's suicide journal revealing her horror at watching James transform their daughter.

Maven wakes from recurring fire dreams aboard Evelyn's Grace in orbit over Jaril. She prepares for the day, reflecting on her scars, damaged lungs, and rivalry with her perfect twin Alyssa.

Commander Vance commands the Eclipse during a fierce space battle against the fifth corrupted ship, which attacks in coordination with a hidden second vessel. Kate, monitoring from the CIC, senses the hidden ship and warns of an ambush.

Smugglers Askeld, Moot, and Reggie discover the legendary Arcadia station in Sector Six after their warp drive fails. Exploring the massive ancient vessel, they discover hundreds of preserved human bodies and encounter something alive on the station.