Ch. 793May my mercy outweigh my wrath
After Garos killed the Lord of Black Blood, the Midsummer Gods celebrated their victory while preparing for a possible war with the Gods of Rage. Talos hesitated over whether to attack the Midsummer Gods, leaving the wider conflict poised to escalate.
- The Lord of Black Blood's death plunged his believers and the surviving Shepherd Worlds into grief, while his faith began to collapse.
- The Midsummer Gods celebrated Garos's victory, and Titania urged them to prepare for war because Talos might use the death as a pretext to attack.
- Garos sensed a greater storm brewing, considered the threat posed by other intermediate deities, and returned to the Joyful Court at Titania's summons.
- Ambrola, Auril, and Talona gathered with Talos and urged him to wage war against the Midsummer Gods under the pretext of avenging the Lord of Black Blood.
- Talos demanded a reason to forgive the Midsummer Gods, torn between his desire for destruction and his instinct for survival, while the goddesses tried to keep him from backing down.