Waverider

As the students prepare, Trellis wonders if he made the right decision to step away from the throne. Riva admires him for putting the needs of his people above his own. They approach Cielis in the sky for the last time. They arrive and meet a woman named Miss Pine. She is amazed that Ronin has found new stonekeepers. Miss Pine tells them that Cielis has had to close for business due to the many citizens overwhelmed by shadows. Bren and Janis encounter a citizen under the influence of a shadow who tells them to leave. They banish the shadow but warn the citizen that the shadow will return to feed on his fear, guilt, and shame. The citizen reveals that he abandoned his wife and child to pursue his dream in Cielis. Bren and Janis encourage him to make it right with his family. He runs off promising to find his family, but Vigo believes he will regress.

Two leaders of Cielis, General Puk and Sergeant Birch, spy on Miss Pine and debate fighting the stonekeepers to keep control of the city. General Puk suggests that they cede power to the Guardian Council, though Sergeant Birch dismisses them as children.