Chapter 88

Kaan is forced into a fighting pit before a bloodthirsty crowd loyal to his late father, where he discovers his opponent is Slátra—the ancient being he believed sacrificed herself for Elluin. After a brutal battle against razah creatures and a desperate sword fight with her, Kaan kneels defeated; Slátra then transforms back into Raeve, his mate, and the two are on the verge of execution when a moonfall strikes the mountain and Raeve summons Ignos, a Creator, to unleash devastation on Arkyn and his followers.

Kaan is brought to the fighting pits in iron cuffs and forced to his knees before a crowd of thousands who jeer and demand his death, calling him a kinslayer and traitor. He recognizes his opponent as Slátra—the ancient being with flaming wings—but realizes through her gaze that she is also Raeve, the love of his existence. As razah beasts claw free from molten wombs, they attack both combatants; Slátra dispatches them with terrifying efficiency while Kaan battles his own opponents, eventually throwing his sword to save her from a pursuing beast. Alone in the arena, they engage in an intimate sword dance, each move a give-and-take like their past dances together. Kaan's strength fails and he collapses; Slátra approaches with dual blades at his throat, following Arkyn's command to execute him. However, as she prepares the killing blow, her eyes shift from black to blue and a silver shimmer surrounds her—she transforms fully back into Raeve. She drops her weapons, kisses Kaan desperately, and declares her love. Before she can act further, a massive moonfall shakes the mountain, triggering panic in the crowd. Raeve instructs Kaan to hold her, then summons Ignos, a Creator, by speaking in the Creator's language, calling for the beast to be unleashed. The arena erupts in terror as every ember and stone ignites with the presence of an unleashed Creator, and the crowd realizes they are trapped in a cage with a devastating force.