The Aquae Eldath

The party's first lesson in healing magic at the House of the Moon reveals something unsettling about Reverie's connection to Selûne. When she channels the goddess's power to revive a dead plant, the flowers bloom in pastel colors—only to develop black dots that spread like rot from the inside out. Her mentor, Lunar Sierra, snatches the plant away before the other children can see, whispering that Reverie "passed" before asking her to come to the office after class. The boy beside her, Quill, stares in disbelief, and the scene cuts to the present day.

Morning at the Elf Song Tavern

The party wakes after their first real night's sleep in over ten days, having survived the tavern brawl with Dead Eye's crew. Rona is up first, training on the roof with a book on martial combat that blends magic with arms. Lucia is a reluctant early riser, while Reverie sleeps in until the noise forces her up. When they gather downstairs, the conversation turns unexpectedly philosophical. Rona asks Lucia what happens when a warrior dies—not physically, but morally, emotionally, spiritually. Lucia deflects at first, then admits that death is "ever present, constantly there, ruminating above" for him. Rona presses further, and Lucia reveals he is not afraid of death. "Should be," Rona replies, and the moment hangs in the air before Reverie breaks the tension by announcing they