The house destroyed, everyone takes a moment to process what just happened. A lich appears, naming himself as a potential Acererak, and questions Wengir on their guests. Wengir is only able to explain that they're trying to kill each other, so "Acererak" sits off to the side to watch. As the party works their way through the enemies, Wengir realizes that he stands a chance of loosing. He commands the dungeon denizens to flood the town. His command issued, Acererak freezes time and asks what they intend to do about the situation. Their only course of action as they see it is killing Wengir and destroying the monsters. The lich informs them that the only way to stop the assault is to attune to the heart of the dungeon, a task that Ward realizes is basically impossible for mortals to accomplish. Ward asks if the lich would do so, but he refuses. He does offer an alternate deal: in exchange for leaving him alone and keeping his presence a secret, he will destroy the dungeon and thus hault the attack. The dungeon will eventually rebuild and a new master will take over, allowing it to be used as it was once again. If their presence is made known to anyone ever, Ward will belong to the lich. Ward agrees, and the lich creates a magical band of runes around his forearm, marking their deal on his skin. They grant the party and Talthis a teleport that will go off in a few seconds, then returns to their seat on the side. Wengir is killed, the book retrieved, Luna sees Celia disappear around a corner, Talthis exchanges words with the lich in Celestial, Idanra leaves by his own means, and the party is teleported away. The False Acererak casts Meteor Fall.

Outside, adventurers and monsters are poring out of the dungeon, and the sky is burning red. The Red Prince and his people are helping deal with the monsters, the Eternal Horizon hovering overhead in the blazing red sky. An enormous asteroid collides with the shard barrier, presses through it, and collides with the ruins comprising the dungeon within. Heat, something that does not pass through shard barriers normally, wash over the party. The buildings outside shake and a spout of debris errupt from the tunnel they had used to access it. The sky appears broken above, a permanent eclipse giving way to starry skies. People are evacuated and assisted. As things settle down, Madame Argosia and her goons approach Chassath to offer assistance, surprising everyone present. Ultimately there are fewer casualties than there could have been, though still casualties. Ward attempts to gather the scattered party members up, but is caught by GREENHAIREDETERNALHORIZONGIRL. She explains that they were hired in case exactly this sort of thing happened, so is delighted that she will be getting a lot of money for this job.

Beck and Cici find Dorean. Cici hasn't been able to find Eri and is clearly beside herself with worry as she searches for him. Beck, noticing that Dorean has been beat to crap, makes her sit down to rest. Dorean recruits Ward to help find Eri. Ward is able to find and rescue them, trapped in a collapsed building protecting two kids. Ward also locates Idanra, sitting unnoticed in a park with a bunch of animals surrounding him. Ward thanks him for his assistance, and apologizes for him summoning, as he had only sent Henrietta out to open the door. Idanra explains that he simply received a message passing along that Henrietta requested assistance for Ward, unaware of who sent along the message and describing them as "grim." He cautions Ward that he likely has until autumn to straighten things out, as that is when he will be most easily within the Duke's grasp. Ward asks if he's ever heard of an archfey coming back only half way. Idanra describes physically cursed creatures, but their spirits coming back strangely is unlikely. After their conversation, Idanra disappears, and the animals disperse. Ward resummons Henrietta and asks who she was talking to, but Henrietta doesn't respond.

Over the course of the evening, the party gathers again at the Stitch household. Eri is laid up on the couch being fussed over by Cici; they also request that Ward feed Princess for them while they recover. Dorean has been confined to her father's chair, with Eck in charge of keeping her there. They tell Dorean what they heard Madame Argosia offer to the guild. The party's meeting with Ashley is explained to Talthis. Talthis explains that it was Cecily's idea to call on the Eternal Horizon for assistance, and that they don't want to know how much they're paying them. Ward requests that all present refrain from discussing what happened in the dungeon for his sake; several not-very-veiled threats are made regarding Ward's safety. Talthis heads back into town around the time Invicta arrives and sits on Dorean's lap. Ashley explains that she still wants her book; Vera says they still want the explanation for why she killed that guy. Ashley leaves, providing her inn location and promising to see them in the morning. Luna expresses frustration and leaves for a walk. Vera leaves for the airship.

Introduced

• False Acererak

Returning

• Ashley - played by Mia
• Wengir
• Idanra
• Talthis Vim
• Leonora
• Madame Abigail Argosia
• Chassath
• Cici
• Beck
• Eri "Thumbs" Pyxis
Princess
• Alibi
• Merely
• Invicta
• Suspicoius as heck raven

Mentioned

• Aristophalin
• Incapacitated man
• Cecily

• Spellbook (obtained by Vera from Wengir)