The party dives headfirst into shenanigans, but Zechs quickly steers the mood in a serious direction—proposing to speak directly with Malar. Despite the risks, Galahad and Hoshino agree to help facilitate the meeting, ensuring safeguards are in place. The conversation with Malar is cryptic and frustrating, confirming more through evasion than answers. With no more straightforward path forward, Zechs severs the connection. They head toward the vineyard and soon stumble into a vision of Sloane’s past—Zechs, Arguile, Salix, and Glad transported to the Second Age. There, they witness the growing tensions between the Pantheran Pantheon and Malar’s cult and uncover that this temporal journey is meant to guide Zechs toward acceptance and closure.

Meanwhile, in the present, the rest of the party learns more about Nymora’s hidden leadership and plans defenses. Hoshino initiates a covert operation, while Shanks and Greyleaf interrogate a cult target, gathering key intelligence. Everyone then regroups at the inn and meets a new ally, Turk.

While Zechs and his group witness Malar’s avatar call for the Wild Hunt in the past, divine avatars arrive to oppose him in a chaotic battle. Afi later reveals that although Malar can be extracted, the aspect inside Zechs cannot be destroyed or contained—only managed. This adds emotional weight to Zechs as he must interrupt the ritual at his sacrifice site. In the present, Galahad incapacitates cultists preparing for the event, while Hoshino infiltrates the enemy to gather valuable intel from Five Shadow. As all groups reconvene, they plan for the night’s ritual. Zechs, Galahad, Turk, and Glad perform the ritual, while the others keep watch. Enich, revealed as Arguile’s alternate and a Paladin of Arioch, engages the team with chilling declarations of divine judgment. The ritual begins, sparking parallel battles inside Zechs’ mind against Malar and outside against Enich.Both battles are intense. Malar summons wolves and fire, countered by coordinated efforts from Galahad, Turk, Zechs, and Glad. Zechs lands several divine-infused blows while Turk disrupts Malar’s casting. Enich proves to be an overwhelming foe—casting powerful necrotic magic and holding off the team with resilient defenses and his Dread Lord ability. Salix is downed but revived, Shanks lands a critical blow with a poisoned arrow, and Greyleaf, Glad, and Zechs continue their assault. The tide turns when Galahad strikes Malar with Kana’s Fury and ends the fight. As the group returns to consciousness, the battle with Enich continues. Despite his strength and spellwork, the full force of Collateral wears him down. Galahad batters him in a brutal exchange before Glad finishes him with Sacred Flame, finally ending the threat and offering the team a hard-earned, bittersweet victory.

There’s so much happening, and we pick up with arc 26, “Nymora to Nakoroa”.

How will the rest of this story unfold?

Find out next time on the Medusa’s Cascade: Collateral Damage!