Chapter 34

The protagonist falls from the sky after Líri carries them away from the village, desperately calling on Clode (a wind spirit) to buffer their descent. Líri ultimately catches them, and they crash into snow near a mountain range, only to encounter a massive male Moltenmaw (a creature) feeding on a kill. When the Moltenmaw's family arrives—a female and fledgling—the protagonist witnesses a protective family scene that visibly distresses Líri, prompting her to abruptly flee skyward with the protagonist still mounted on her back.

The chapter opens with the protagonist plummeting through clouds after falling, desperately pleading with Clode in her language to slow their descent with wind blasts. Multiple attempts to redirect the fall eastward prove chaotic—the protagonist nearly impacts jagged peaks before Líri intercepts them mid-air, crushing them against her icy chest before tossing them into soft snow. After recovering, the protagonist encounters a colossal blue male Moltenmaw feeding on a fresh kill, adopting a submissive stance to avoid conflict. Líri positions herself protectively, and the protagonist realizes she wants them to mount her back when the Moltenmaw threatens to attack. As Líri postures to appear dominant, the Moltenmaw calls out, and his family arrives: a pink female and a smaller pink-and-blue fledgling. The female begins feeding on the carcass while the buck watches protectively over his family. Observing this intact family unit visibly distresses Líri—she makes a keening, pained sound and backs away with increasing anguish. She then abruptly wheels around and launches skyward at full speed, apparently forgetting the protagonist is still mounted on her back, carrying them into the sky against their will.