Chapter 78: Darrow: The Monster in the Storm

Summary

• Darrow and Sevro communicate via coms with Sevro reporting on recent events involving Volga.
• Volga, initially awkward, gave an impressive speech and discarded her gold and jewels in a show of breaking hierarchy, which strongly resonated with the Obsidians present.
• The Obsidians, inspired by Volga's actions, also shed their decorations, displaying unity and rejection of materialism.
• Volga declared her intention to return to Mars to find her honor and fight alongside the Reds.
• Sevro has to help free captives before he can visit Athena's ships and jokes about stealing relics for Darrow.
• Darrow interacts with Diomedes, who is wary but cooperating, and declines Darrow offering him caffeine.
• In conversation with Cassius, Darrow confirms Diomedes's commitment and Cassius expresses acceptance of Darrow's previous involvement with Aurae.
• Cassius and Darrow discuss the impending trip to Io and the possibility of encountering the Ascomanni who are likely scavenging for resources after Fá’s death.
• They will assist Diomedes in contacting Ionian fighters hiding on Io in bunkers as a tactical move for mutual benefit and to protect the supply chain.
• Cassius speculates about the Ascomanni's lives and what sort of nightmares their children might have.
• The camaraderie between Darrow and Cassius is explored, with Cassius expressing deep appreciation for their friendship and Darrow affirming him as a brother.
• Darrow reflects on his journey, his friends, his resources, and feels a sense of accomplishment with how things have turned out.
• The two share heartfelt sentiments and Darrow reveals the name of the new blade form he discovered, "Breath of Stone," rooted in the memories of the mines.
• The chapter ends with a suspenseful encounter as Cassius and Diomedes spot Core warships, including Darrow's former ship, the Morning Star, now sporting the enemy's colors, indicating a looming threat.