Jolted awake by a predawn alarm, Violet and Xaden hastily dress for an apparent attack. Violet wears Xaden’s flight jacket to formation, where Rhiannon notices and helps conceal his insignia. Commandant Panchek announces the disturbance is the final War Games scenario, designed to mimic failing wards and multi-front border assaults.

Colonel Aetos assigns wingleader headquarters, placing Xaden at Athebyne, while each squad must select an outpost; Dain claims Eltuval for Second Squad. Cadets scramble to gear up and move to the flight field crowded with dragons. Andarna reveals a new harness that can clip to Tairn if she tires, and Tairn reassures Violet about the coming separation.

Xaden approaches and declares he is forming his headquarters squad, ordering Violet, Liam, and Imogen to join him. Dain objects, arguing Violet is a first-year and that Athebyne lies beyond the wards. Xaden counters that Sgaeyl and Tairn cannot be separated for long, and Sgaeyl’s threatening approach underscores his point.

Dain accuses Xaden of ulterior motives and warns Violet he’ll get her killed, then realizes she and Xaden are involved. Violet affirms her trust in Xaden and agrees to go. Dain, hurt, withdraws to his dragon. As Xaden returns to Sgaeyl and Violet mounts Tairn, she commits to the new path, aware the decision will change everything.