Charlie reflects on Miss Young’s phrase “time is a shadow in the mind,” as days lose definition in Deep Maleen. During sporadic practices, Yanno dislocates his shoulder and Doc Freed, once a Citadel physician, resets it. Charlie listens rather than talks, assembling a hazy history of Empis: a waning monarchy under the Galliens, elected councils, and everyday acceptance of magic.

Freed recounts Elden’s rise and the origin of “Flight Killer”: monarch butterflies once darkened Empis’s skies until Elden raised his hands and they fell dead in drifts. Freed longs to see one; Charlie confirms they still exist but withholds that truth. Charlie also wonders about Hana’s incursion and worries about his father back home.

Returned from practice, the prisoners find Kellin in Iota’s cell with a massive newcomer, Cla, rescued from Lake Remla. Kellin, euphoric that the thirty-two are complete, declares playtime over and the Fair One imminent. Over steak, Cla scorns the others and, when Iota corrects him at the water bucket, drops Iota with a blinding throat punch, leaving Iota hoarse and shaken. Kellin intends Charlie to face Cla.

That night Charlie dreams of Princess Leah—beautiful, whole—and her maid urging, “Help her,” while Leah tells him, “You’re faster than you think.” He wakes to Pursey’s leftovers containing a tiny note: Pursey is Percival, who offers help and hints at a dangerous escape via the Officials’ Room. Charlie destroys the note.

Sausages at breakfast signal the Fair One. Aaron arrives and bullies a reluctant Hatcha out of his cell. In the team room, Kellin posts the first-round seedings, including a midday break marked “NOONS.” Any refusal means torture. Friends are split across matches—Jaya vs Hamey among them—and the day’s finale is set: Cla to Charlie. The prisoners steel themselves for the lethal tournament.