The news of Whitechurch's destruction shocked Patria. Two weeks later, Cain, along with the Southerners not pleased by the war's end and many of the remaining Incarnates, declare the land west of Patria, separated by a mountain range, independent of the motherland - New Patria. The government was concerned the remaining Incarnates would ally with the rebels and all were ordered executed. War drew near. Schaal returns home. She thinks back to how the bullet she was shot with was mostly stopped by a dress woven of Incarnate thread, but she doesn't know why they made her wear such a dress. She woke up to learn Hank had been stripped of his rank and the military were searching for him...