Darius endures weeks of torture, refusing to break. He dreams of Aria and holds onto hope. Kelvin's rescue team finds him as the chapter ends, connecting to the existing rescue scene from Aria's POV.
Darius leads a desperate breakout attempt, killing six war mages in a suicide raid. He's captured after buying time for survivors to escape. Emperor Marius orders his interrogation.
The siege grinds on. Darius rejects Korrathi surrender terms, choosing freedom over submission. War mages attack with fire, forcing retreat to the inner keep. Three hundred soldiers remain from two thousand.
Darius commands the defense of Riverside Keep against the Korrathi invasion. The first assault kills 200 defenders. War mages bring fire from the sky. The outer walls fall on day three.
