The lead vampire, Mephistopheles, tosses Kiril to the side to face the cabal, specifically warning his fellows that the “daughter” is here. As the combat is joined, Adele notices an ally of Kiril’s sneaking around the second floor searching for a good vantage point with his shot gun. Seeing that the numbers are in their favor, she studies the lead vampire, seeking the source of his fiery powers. She learns that he is Claimed and then decides to call on the spirit of the University to help them. Kiril finds himself battling the giant Nimrod. The giant seems to have the upper hand until Kiril lashes back with inhuman force. Another vampire is subdued by a shotgun blast to the head and a quick punch and jerk by Mammon with his punch daggers. Mammon and Miguel then duel with the other underling vampires. Colt meanwhile is trying to draw the leader out and getting burned for his troubles.
As the damage to the vampiric bikers accumulates, most decide to cut and run, moving with inhuman speed. Mephistopheles however is hit with a blast of water as the University acts to save the library from the spreading flames. The cabal descends on him as he lies stunned on the library steps. Surrounded he sinks into the concrete. As they try to contain him and exorcise the spirit, he reappears in the form of a bat. However Colt quickly grapples him and with Adele’s help, Mammon and Colt stuff him into a cage, wrapped in metal wires. Their prisoner in hand, they head for the sanctum to complete the exorcism.
Meanwhile Adele and Miguel join Kiril and his mortal ally at a nearby diner to discuss the current affairs of the city. Probed by Adele, Kiril describes his geomantic theories and why he believes the signs point to more danger. He describes how the city is laid out according to precise geomantic principals, starting from the very terrain and replicated in the early city planning. In his theory the city is pulled between two poles of yin (static energy) and yang (dynamic energy). Moreover these poles have physical representations: the Antediluvian, the White Lady, the Dark Man and one unknown other located in Gary.
However it seems that the Dark Man, who is some sort of immortal magic user and not a vampire, is trying to overturn the cycle of ebb and flow. He is pushing it alternatingly to be more dynamic and more static as if he wants to break the system. Adele hypothesizes that the Dark Man is corrupted somehow. The question still remains of who set up this system in the first place. Adele catches that Kiril is holding back and when forced he admits that the main yin pole, the Antediluvian, is waking up.
Meanwhile back at the sanctum, Mephistophles transforms painfully back to human form as Mammon and Colt reach the front door. Free of the wires and cage, he fills Colt with supernatural fear and dashes for freedom, the cabal’s guard dogs nipping at his heels.
Elsewhere Valkyrie finishes work for the evening. A call from Quick confirms that the majority of the Arrow supports her position. Together they plan to confront Lealtad in the morning and talk sense into her. She then drives toward the sanctum where she earlier sent Eckhart.
As she nears the house, she sees a car that swerved off the road into a sign post. In her headlights she sees someone at the driver side door crouched over the person inside. She stops and cautiously approaches. Realizing this is a vampire she encountered before and seeing Colt and Mammon coming up the street in pursuit, she telekinetically knocks the creature off the man. With the mortal groggy but still alive, Valkyrie then subdues the vampire by pinning him to the ground with magic. Thwarted again, Mephistopheles sinks into the concrete. Mammon however seeks out his mind and attacks it, attempting to force him to talk. The vampire refused and allows himself to fall into a coma.
Noting his location, Mammon and the others return to the sanctum after Colt heals the mortal. As they all arrive, Adele notices Eckhart in Shadow, standing at the door to the sanctum. She invites him to join them. He graciously materializes and makes himself a salad, declining her offer of cookies due to his vegan diet. The cabal discusses their various findings, coming to the conclusion that Carbon Zero must be dealt with swiftly.
With this, Valkyrie confronts Lealtad the next morning. With Arrow members assembled behind her, she convinces Lealtad to hear her out. After an impassioned argument in private, she convinces the Adamant Sage to see reason. The elder Arrow agrees to stay her attacks on Eckhart and to accept his help in defeating the true threat.
With that the Adamantine Arrow assembles a strike force. The Ebon Cross joins them alongside their allies Eckhart, Athaliah, and Miguel. In Shadow, Eckhart leads them to a tower of ash and cinders by the river’s spiritual reflection. The warriors cut through fire elementals defending the rogue mage. As Valkyrie slices through the defenses, Colt finds a vantage point and armed with a sniper rifle waits for his shot. The Pentacle Mages are joined by flaming angels sent by Midas. As Carbon Zeroe’s forces are snuffed out, Colt gets his shot. The first shot shatters his spine, almost paralyzing him. Colt takes a second shot, ending the threat forever. As the battle concludes, they see the river spirit rise from the waters and gaze at Colt before disappearing again.
The battle over, life begins to return to normal. Eckhart leaves, warning Athaliah that the matter of his students’ deaths is not over and he will return for vengeance on her and her alone. Mammon turns his attention to the slumbering vampire under the street, intruding on its mad dreams. The knowledge there unnerves him but confirms much of what they suspected. He also learns that the White Lady is Adele’s true mother. Valkyrie meanwhile receives word from Cicero that he is alive and well but journeying for the moment.