Chapter Summaries

Shade helped Mr. Otto reunite with his deceased wife in the Underworld, then recovered a rare Special Rule Card and a Heart of the Living Dead from his remains. He and Miss Larson rushed back to the mountain, where they arrived late to find Claire Reinhart waiting at the summit.

• Shade bid farewell to Mr. Otto, who stepped off the boat and continued toward the Underworld Moon while waiting for his wife.
• Shade recovered the Ancient Fairy Tale: Snow White Princess card and the Heart of the Living Dead from Mr. Otto's corpse.
• Shade returned Mr. Otto's remains to Old Mrs. Otto, then left with her and Miss Larson before Mr. Meyer and the others woke.
• Shade and Miss Larson discussed their gifts and the lesson Miss Larson had gained before realizing Claire Reinhart was still waiting on the mountain.
• Shade and Miss Larson rode the Unicorn to the summit at 6:43 p.m., where Claire Reinhart complained that Shade was fifty-four minutes late.

After Claire completed the Crown of Glory trial, Shade joined her celebration banquet and tested whether the Snow Mountain peak matched the place in his vision, but found no effect. The Elders discussed the delayed Ten Thousand Spirits Festival and the danger of returning dead, and Shade and Claire ended the evening talking about Stella Larson’s possible role in the unfolding Fated Story.

• Shade congratulated Claire, then jumped from the Spire Platform to test whether the Snow Mountain peak matched his vision, but the attempt had no effect.
• Shade and Claire returned to Snow Mountain Hall, where the Elders explained that The Church would delay the Ten Thousand Spirits Festival and shorten it to three days.
• Shade told the Elders about helping Old Mrs. Otto and showed them the Special Rule Card he had received; Elders Vilda and Ursa raised concerns about investigating the undead in town.
• Claire refused Elder Ursa’s suggestion that she stay on the island next year, and Claire stopped Shade and Elder Harald from playing Rhodes Cards so she could walk with Shade.
• At the docks, Shade told Claire that Stella Larson was a Protagonist Candidate and said he would support her only if she chose to accept that fate.

Shade reassured Claire about his feelings before visiting her by the moonlit shore, then dreamed of Little Mia turning into a cat-eared girl. On Monday, Iluna and Luvia brought news about the Church’s Doppelganger investigation and Shade drew a copy of the Tobesk Morning News as his new weekly gift, while preparing to visit the Ice and Snow Castle.

• Claire worried that Sivie’s arrival would make her less special to Shade, and he promised to keep visiting her every day.
• Shade told Claire that his greatest flaw was greed for beautiful and interesting souls, and they kissed by the shore before he walked her home.
• Shade dreamed that Little Mia vanished and a cat-eared young lady appeared in her place, then woke with a racing heartbeat.
• Iluna reported that the Church had found nothing abnormal about the Doctor and that she would help search for Doppelgangers in the city.
• Luvia said the Church might lead a joint investigation with the Seer Association into the Chosen of Fate, delaying Shade’s trip to Fatumonst Island.
• Shade planned to visit the Ice and Snow Castle with Ellie, then drew a copy of the Tobesk Morning News as his weekly gift.

Shade returned to Chloe’s castle on the Snow Mountain and learned from the maid Winnie that it was a laboratory for freezing living beings’ time. He discovered that Ellie was its only successful long-term subject, and Winnie asked him to care for her or let her rejoin modern Unicorns.

• Shade visited the Academy to tell Daniste he would pick Emilia up for the island the next day, then traveled to the Snow Mountain with Ellie and Little Mia.
• Shade found the castle restored and learned the Whisper Element had nearly vanished after Winnie dealt with the problem.
• Winnie told Shade that Chloe was absent and explained that the castle had been one of her laboratories for freezing living beings’ time.
• Winnie said the experiments could stably freeze most lives for no more than five hundred years, but Ellie had remained frozen until the Sixth Epoch.
• Winnie explained that Ellie’s pre-freezing memories had blurred and asked Shade to care for her or help her live among modern Unicorns.

Shade learned the conditions for claiming Chloe's castle and discovered that only its hidden key remained to be found. Winnie described the castle's facilities and powers, while Shade learned the Demon had come seeking a weapon and had driven Ellie away.

• Shade said he planned to send Ellie to Saint Byron's after she recovered and explained that Winnie could care for her.
• Winnie said Shade had met three of the four conditions for owning the castle and that he still needed to find its key, possibly at an undiscovered Temple of Fate on the Snow Mountain.
• Winnie explained that Shade could visit the castle and use its library, laboratories, and Teleportation Gate Room, though the gates needed recalibration and the castle could not yet belong to him.
• Shade learned that Winnie held the rank of Twelfth Ring and that the castle's active Mystic Lock-like power came from her connection to it.
• Winnie confirmed that she had cleared the Demon from the Fourth Floor and said it had come to the island searching for a weapon, mistakenly believing the castle held it or clues to it.

Shade explored Chloe’s castle with the maid, discovering its rooms and valuable ancient materials, including Philosopher’s Stone, Mithril, and Adamantine. The maid then revealed that Fatumonst Snow Mountain was the Land of Fate, where the God of Fate had left a snake-shaped passage between the mountain’s inside and outside.

• Shade toured the castle with the maid, Ellie, and Little Mia, learning about its floors and respecting the restriction on entering the fifth floor.
• In the Magic Potion Laboratory, Shade took Philosopher’s Stone, Mithril, and Adamantine with the maid’s permission.
• Shade ate lunch in the castle while the maid cooked, and Ellie asked him for an apple after eating salad.
• Shade visited the empty buildings around the castle with the maid and asked why Chloe had built her laboratory on the Snow Mountain.
• The maid explained that Chloe called the mountain the Land of Fate and said a Divine Miracle there had led to Ellie’s birth.
• The maid told Shade that the God of Fate had bored a cave through the mountain, creating a passage between its inside and outside through the concept of Ouroboros.

Shade learned the legend of the God of Fate’s final visit to Fatumonst Snow Mountain and its sealing of the Errors of Fate. After leaving the castle with Ellie and Little Mia, he found the Middle Spring and reached an underground lake in the cave.

• The Ice Maid explained the Möbius-like nature of destiny and recounted the God of Fate’s seven-day journey, ending with the god sealing the released Errors of Fate within the Snow Mountain.
• Shade discussed the legend with the Ice Maid and concluded that the Snow Mountain connected to destiny itself, though he did not fully understand her explanation.
• Shade explored the castle’s Fourth Floor library, examining its ice-slab books and noting their alchemy, potion, and ice-related contents.
• Shade left the castle with Ellie and Little Mia, then headed to the Middle Spring Claire had mentioned.
• Shade followed the map through a cave to a large underground lake, where Claire had swum through an underwater passage the day before.

Shade brought Ellie and Little Mia to the Fatu People’s hidden Cold Pool, where the cats entered the water and Shade heard a conversation from the past between Luvia and Claire. Their discussion left Shade wondering what Luvia was seeking in the spring and how it connected to the Chosen Ones.

• Shade opened a concealed passage to the Cold Pool and reassured Ellie about the murals depicting the Fatu People’s burial customs.
• Shade offered Little Mia water in a cup, while Ellie drank directly from the spring.
• Shade transformed into a silver cat and dived into the spring eye; Little Mia followed him, and her orange fur began to glow faintly underwater.
• Shade heard Luvia and Claire speaking from the past and learned they had come to investigate the murals, contact Claire’s ancestors, and seek clues about the vanished Upper Spring.
• Luvia told Claire that candidates of Fate needed to shine through their actions, then asked her to help find the real Upper Spring, which had disappeared twelve hundred years earlier.

Shade explored the Snow Mountain spring and learned how its water veins could reveal disturbances in fate. He sensed four Relic-related disturbances, found a ring Relic beneath the lake, and tracked the disturbance near Kael-Todd Town to a man wearing the emblem of The All-Number-One Society.

• Shade overheard a past conversation in which Luvia told Claire that the Snow Mountain’s water veins could reveal fate and help locate Relics.
• Shade examined the spring’s murals, recorded them in the Moon Library, and then entered the cave lake alone to sense the flow of fate.
• Shade detected disturbances in four directions, including one near Kael-Todd Town, and found a ring Relic buried beneath the lakebed.
• Shade rode Ellie to the mountain’s foot, left her and Little Mia in the Cedar Forest, and followed the disturbance while concealed by an illusion.
• Shade found a black-robed middle-aged man writing in a notebook and recognized the holy emblem of The All-Number-One Society around his neck.

Shade encountered a Father-like Puppeteer wielding The Puppeteer's Script and fought him and his summoned humanoids. The battle paused for an exchange of questions, with Shade asking why the notebook was no longer with the Blood Spirit School.

• The Father-like man repeatedly asked whether Shade was a Candidate with the Serpent's Shedding, while Shade recognized the Black Notebook as The Puppeteer's Script.
• Shade attacked with Thunderclap Wave, then used the Dice of Destiny, Adele's Time Stop, and Laguerre's Leap to strike through the man's heart.
• The Puppeteer's Script let the man survive and summon numbered humanoids, which Shade repeatedly shattered while failing to seize the phantom-like notebook.
• The man analyzed Shade's powers and asked when he had become a Protagonist Candidate and how many key Fate Nodes he had found.
• Shade instead asked why The Puppeteer's Script was in the man's hands rather than belonging to the Blood Spirit School.

Shade fought Father, who used the Angel Level Relic The Puppeteer's Script to manipulate fate and guide three humanoid summons. Father vanished into the notebook after a tense standoff, and Shade reunited with Miss Larson and Ellie in the forest.

• Shade and Father resumed their battle, and Father revealed nine Destiny Rings and used the notebook and three humanoid figures to control events around Shade.
• Shade used Laguerre's Leap and a Transformation Spell to escape the summons, then fired Arrow of Night at Father but watched fate divert the shot.
• Shade noticed footsteps approaching and realized Miss Larson might be in danger, but he stayed hidden when Father vomited blood and suspected a trap.
• Father destroyed the blood, vanished into the Black Notebook, and his summons disappeared with him.
• Shade checked the site, then questioned Miss Larson when she arrived with Ellie and Little Mia; Miss Larson explained she had come looking for Tear Gland Fern to help Shade.

Shade and Claire investigated the cult relics targeting Miss Larson while Shade recovered an ancient Fatu People relic from Middle Spring. Elder Harald explained the ring’s history and the vengeful priest who had taken it, leaving its connection to that old conflict unresolved.

• Miss Larson told Shade that Ellie had destroyed the golden humanoid after Little Mia meowed, and Shade returned with her to Snow Mountain Hall.
• Shade explained that The All-Number-One Society and the Misfortune Order had targeted Miss Larson, and he and Claire suspected the remaining Mirror relic belonged to a neutral or good-leaning faction.
• Claire identified the Seer Association as a possible source of the power Shade sensed in the city, then sought the Witch Council’s help in obtaining a relic for Miss Larson.
• Claire recognized Shade’s ring as the missing Ring of the Ice Heart Walker and described its ability to steady a Ring Arcanist’s mind, along with its deadly danger to users without ice and snow power.
• Elder Harald told Shade and Miss Larson that a young Fatu priest had taken the ring and two other relics after turning against the tribe, then vanished while promising revenge.

Claire met Sivie Aurora and Adele Isabella in the Council, reported Stella Larson’s attack, and arranged for Sivie to help after her fleet reached Fatumonst Island. Adele secretly misread their conversation as part of the Witches’ hidden ties to Shade, while the three agreed to share the Fifth Epoch wine at the Council’s next meeting.

• Claire entered the Council and learned that Sivie’s fleet would reach Fatumonst Island on Wednesday.
• Adele Isabella told Claire that the Council could not yet exchange relics and asked whether Stella Larson was safe.
• Claire described Stella’s attack while concealing Shade’s role, and Adele silently inferred that Shade had defeated the cultists and learned about The Puppeteer’s Script.
• Sivie discussed preparations with Claire and agreed that protecting Stella was their immediate task.
• Claire explained that the Fifth Epoch wine came from the Ice and Snow Castle, and Sivie suggested sharing it at the Council’s regular meeting.

Shade received the Ring of the Ice Heart Walker from Elder Harald and brought it home, where he and his companions discussed the seven themes of the drama unfolding on Fatumonst Island. The chapter left them considering which factions and candidates would take part in the contest to become Fate’s Chosen.

• Elder Harald gave Shade the Ring of the Ice Heart Walker as payment, and Shade placed it on Little Mia’s tail after Miss Larson declined to take it.
• Shade returned home with Little Mia and brought Galina and Luvia a bottle of Fifth Epoch red wine before recounting the day’s events.
• Luvia connected the island’s seven images to key story events, including the Demon Sword’s defeat and the Everlasting Rose, and identified them as themes of the drama whose leading figure would become the Chosen of Fate.
• Luvia and Galina discussed the Misfortune Order, the All-Number-One Society, and the Seer Association’s possible candidate, while Galina suggested Luvia use a blank Serpent’s Shedding to become a Protagonist Candidate.

Shade prepared for his final trip to the Gravestone Wasteland while Luvia and Galina stayed with him before the journey. At the Sacrificial Ground, Sister Devlin gave him the God of Death's Mark, granting him three death-based attacks for the next 24 hours.

• Luvia declined to use the Serpent's Shedding for now, and Shade discussed the missing materials and process for making the Ink of Fate Rewriting.
• Shade and Luvia reviewed the ancient springs needed for Snow Mountain Water, and Luvia joined him in bed when she could not sleep.
• Galina came to talk with Shade and Luvia, and the three spent the night together.
• Early Tuesday, Shade visited Sister Devlin at the Sacrificial Ground before leaving for the Gravestone Wasteland and asked her to send a message to Sister Belen.
• Sister Devlin gave Shade the God of Death's Mark, which let him use an attack of death's essence three times within 24 hours.

Shade entered the Time Corridor for his third Grave Robbing task, arriving in the Gravestone Wasteland with the goal of learning the Old God’s secret. After Soul Butterflies surrounded him with illusions of the dead, he used his Red Butterfly transformation to drive them away.

• Sister Devlin accompanied Shade home, and Galina and Luvia saw him off as he set out with Little Mia and the items needed for the journey.
• Shade entered the Time Corridor and received a task to help mortals learn the secret of the Old God, the Bone King, with a reward of the Miracle Spirit Rune—Envy.
• Shade emerged in a grave in the Gravestone Wasteland, found a gold bracelet, and waited with Little Mia for the young ladies to arrive.
• Soul Butterflies appeared and surrounded Shade with illusions of people he knew, including Detective Sparrow Hamilton and several dead allies and enemies.
• Shade transformed into Red Butterflies, mingled with the blue-fire swarm, and caused the Soul Butterflies to fly away.

Shade returned to the Gravedigger's Cabin and learned that the Swollen Lady had attacked the group while he was away, leaving the witches injured and Miss Violet exhausted. As Shade treated their wounds, he discovered that the curse on Theresa's arm was trying to assimilate her into the Swollen Lady's avatar.

• Shade reunited with Sister Belen and Theresa in the increasingly dangerous Gravestone Wasteland and learned that Miss Violet and Miss Liard had survived.
• At the cabin, Shade found Miss Violet asleep and heard how the group had gathered enough Burial Objects before the Swollen Lady attacked Theresa and Sister Belen.
• The others had driven the Swollen Lady away at great cost, suffering injuries that included suppressed flames, soul wounds, a damaged arm, and impaired eyesight.
• Shade purified the lingering evil power in Miss Liard's eye and restored her sight with Sunlight Healing.
• Shade examined the black runes and rot on Theresa's left arm and discovered that the Swollen Lady's power was cursing and assimilating her.

Shade reignited Sister Belen’s Primordial Fire so she could heal Theresa, and Miss Violet explained the Swollen Lady’s origins and weakness. As the group prepared to leave the Gravedigger’s Cabin for the World of the Living, Shade summoned three miraculous feathers and discovered a book titled “Eternal Slumber Scripture.”

• Shade shared his Primordial Fire with Sister Belen, burning away the evil entity’s influence and restoring her flames.
• Sister Belen treated Theresa’s cursed arm, while Shade awakened Miss Violet with a potion and his Miracle Technique.
• Miss Violet explained that the Swollen Lady was an ancient Chosen One whose undead nature made it vulnerable to powers that harmed the undead.
• The group learned the location of their destination and prepared to leave the Gravedigger’s Cabin, leaving supplies behind for possible survivors.
• Shade recited a line from the Soul-Soothing Angel’s scripture, causing three miraculous white feathers to appear.
• After a noise came from the chest, Shade opened it and found a leather-bound book titled “Eternal Slumber Scripture.”

Shade and his companions examined the Eternal Slumber Scripture and divided three Angel Feathers among those most at risk before Sister Belen shared the restorative sorcery Dark Moon Grace with him. The group left the stone house and followed Miss Violet into the wilderness, guided by secrets from the scripture.

• Shade identified the Eternal Slumber Scripture as a later copy and learned that it contained ancient formulas, rituals, and records of the wilderness.
• Miss Violet explained that the three Angel Feathers could revive someone after a fatal attack, and the group gave them to Miss Liard, Theresa, and Sister Belen.
• Sister Belen told Shade that fusing a flame had granted her a new power, then taught him the sorcery Dark Moon Grace, which restored stamina, Spiritual Power, and spirit beneath a silver moon.
• Shade cast Dark Moon Grace over the group, and everyone felt its restorative effect.
• Miss Violet took the lead with the scripture, and the five people, two Hounds, and one Cat left the stone house and entered the misty field of tombstones.

Shade and the Witches fought their way across the wasteland, destroying a sentient Bone Repository before Netherflame Knights pursued them. Shade lured the knights away from the group and escaped them with illusions, then summoned a Small Wooden Boat to speed his journey after the others.

• Shade and the group fought off a flock of Crow corpses, using water and ice to destroy them after Miss Liard identified their weakness.
• Miss Violet recognized a Bone Repository and led the group around it, but the building came alive and attacked them.
• Miss Violet restrained the creature with a Divine Ritual while Sister Belen burned it from within, and the group continued onward after the building collapsed.
• Netherflame Knights caught up with the group, so Shade drew them away while the Witches and Hounds continued toward the Temple.
• Shade transformed into a Silver Wolf and split into three illusions to divert the knights, then used Calm Stance to hide until they passed.
• Shade transformed back into a Silver Wolf and summoned a Small Wooden Boat, which began gliding between the tombstones.