Chapter LXXIII

Summary

• The chapter begins with the protagonist waking up, severely injured, on the bank of a river at night. He has been saved from drowning by the creature Diago, who had dragged him out of the water.
• He realizes that he has significant wounds – small puncture wounds on his forearm and more heavy bleeding from his stomach. He has in his clutches the Heart of Jovan, a valuable item.
• The protagonist notes that he should have died, especially considering his physical state prior to the fall into the river. But he discovers that his injuries are not as severe as he originally thought.
• The character Emissa had tried to kill him, and he struggles to understand her motives. He highlights his own struggles and potential changes due to an experience in a place called the Labyrinth.
• He continues to navigate the environment, eventually nears a half-day to Callidus, apparently a friend of his, amidst the pain. He decides to eat some food before embarking on the journey.
• When he finally arrives, he finds Callidus and an unidentified man badly injured. Callidus is alive but barely, he manages to hold a short conversation with the protagonist.
• Callidus reveals that his attacker, who was from a group known as the Anguis, had him hostage for an hour before being killed by the creature, Diago. The Anguis had apparently ambushed the safety teams and tried to kill them all.
• The protagonist then attempts to help Callidus, promising to relay a message to his father about his involvement in Seven. They continue on, though Callidus eventually slips into unconsciousness.
• The protagonist carries Callidus all the way to the Academy, where despite his efforts, Callidus dies. He ends up stumbling into a location called a quadrum where he lays Callidus’s body down at Veridius and Emissa’s feet and vows revenge against them.
• The protagonist manages to complete a task by placing the golden pyramid onto a chest before finally collapsing himself.