When Isla tells the Wildlings about the upcoming war, some of them choose to fight for Lightlark while others stay behind to make healing elixir. Isla then travels to the Place of Mirrors and tries to open the door to the vault again. With her powers awakened, she is able to sense something inside, but she is still unable to open it.

Later, Oro introduces Isla to his other friends, a Moonling named Calver and a Skyling named Zed. Along with Enya, they make plans to gather more forces and resources from all corners of Lightlark. The meeting is then interrupted by Azul, who announces that his people will have a vote to decide whether they will be staying on Lightlark. Should the Skylings leave, Lightlark would be weaker than ever. Isla then suggests that they should contact the Vinderland, a group of violent, disenfranchised warriors whom they fought in Lightlark. Oro rejects the idea, but Enya supports it.

During her next lesson with Remlar, Isla learns to kill a centuries-old tree with her Nightshade power and let it be reborn with her Wildling power. Remlar then commends her mastery of both life and death.

Another flashback then shows Grim taking Isla to the blacksmith, a dangerous Nightshade who makes weapons out of magical people’s blood and bones.