In the Blood Forest, Poppy, Casteel, Kieran, and the others battle a group of Craven as they search for Malec. Malik, who was forced to accompany them, asks for a weapon, but Casteel refuses.

As the fighting worsens due to increased numbers of Craven, the group suspects they are near Malec’s resting place. Reaver arrives and decimates the remaining Craven with his fire breath. He reports that he found ruins nearby. The group travels to them, and Poppy performs the locator spell using Malec’s name, his ring, and her blood. It produces a trail of ash and light. They follow it into the forest to a mountain of rock and blood trees with an ominous cave. Before they can enter, skeletal, snake-filled creatures called Gyrms emerge from the darkness.

Poppy and her companions fight the Gyrms. During the battle, Poppy realizes the Gyrms are hesitant to attack her and might recognize her Primal essence. She unleashes her powers and incinerates the remaining Gyrms and their snakes.

With the immediate danger gone, the group enters the cave, where they find Malec’s tomb encased in bone chains. Reaver helps free the tomb, and the group prepares to transport it to Padonia.