Brimstone Arc IV
Chapters 25-34
We’re officially stepping into Arc IV: Chapters 25–34, and we’re almost there. Only Arc V and Arc VI remain after this. I have a strong suspicion Arc IV is going to take off and have us all up in our feels.
Grab your drink, your snacks, settle in, and let’s dive in. Remember to drop your reactions, theories, heartbreaks, and crash outs in the comments as we go.
Arc IV starts now. Let’s turn the page.
Chapter 25: Foundations
Under the cover of Fisher’s shadows, they reach Elroy’s Forge. I’m wondering how Fisher and the man who is basically Saeris’s mentor/father‑figure are going to get along. This could go so many ways.
We get another reveal: Elroy knows everything. Just like the Swifts were charged with keeping Carrion safe, Elroy’s family was charged with something else.
And then the big one: There is a massive quicksilver pool hidden beneath the forge.
Chapter 26: In the End
Saeris is on the verge of another calamitous event with her power. She follows the voice of the quicksilver down to the pool, and it puts her to the test.
Chapter 27: What’s Done Is Done
The quicksilver pool beneath Elroy’s forge is massive. It’s bigger than anything they’ve seen in one place. Every time something contained quicksilver, they pulled it out and set it aside. When Saeris was taken by Madra during the events of book one, all that quicksilver turned liquid and fused together.
Elroy also knows about Solace. He’s never seen it in person, but he’s seen drawings. His father was a heavy drinker. Whatever it took to drown out the voices. Quicksilver poisoning.
There were other documents, but Elroy burned them to protect Saeris. Smack in the middle of their conversation, the quicksilver pool opened.
Fisher, worried about Saeris, went into the pool… but not without Carrion and Hayden.
Chapter 28: Seneschal
Just when I thought Fisher was coming through the pool… It’s Orious. Seneschal to King Belikon. And excuse me, but what is a seneschal?
He comes with an offer that is really a threat: Swear fealty or die.
Saeris answers by activating her Quicksilver rune and remaking Solace into two short swords just by thinking it.
And oh, yeah. She can put the dual swords back together into one sword. Activating the quicksilver rune has turned Saeris into a badass.
Chapter 29: Fortunes of the Universe
The party is back at Cahlish and Hayden is still unconscious. Important note: Te Léna couldn’t heal Saeris’s wounds.
Saeris’s swords have names now:
Erromar — the abalone‑inlaid sword, meaning mercy
Selanir — the ivory‑inlaid sword, meaning honor
Kingfisher’s quicksilver rune changed too. I’m wondering if he can channel her power now, and THAT is why he was able to access that well of magic in Zilvaren.
Chapter 30: Leash
Everlayne is getting worse.
And reading this chapter, I realized something big about Saeris. Something that feels like the heart of her current arc. She gave an edict that the vampires must bow when she enters. She is bending them to her will, forcing obedience instead of earning it. But the running theme of activating her quicksilver rune is to become one with the quicksilver, not dominate it. Every time she tries to control instead of connect, she creates resentment.
And then the scene with Zovena happens.
Saeris keeps her on her knees, continuously humiliating her even when Zovena asks to rise. She had given her an order — and then she threatened her with violence to further prove a point. It’s the exact kind of rule Malcolm used; to our knowledge. Belikon also uses fear to rule.
It made me wonder: What if Saeris gave the vampire court choice instead of command? Would they stop trying to kill her? Would they join her willingly because she offered something Malcolm never did?
Fear creates loyalty that breaks. Choice creates loyalty that lasts.
Saeris is powerful but she’s still learning what kind of ruler she wants to be.
What I’m Watching For
Elroy’s Family Charge
How much does he really know? Elroy is definitely holding on to some massive secrets.
Fisher’s Rune Change
What does it mean?
Vampire Court Dynamics
If Saeris offered choice instead of command, everything could shift.
Chapter 31: Vapor and Smoke
Awww, Kingfisher humming to Onyx. I melted. And Onyx giving him a pinecone? These two are so cute I can’t stand it.
Kingfisher and Foley finally reunite, and during a tender moment Fisher calls Carrion a friend for the first time. My heart.
Chapter 32: The Thing About Leaning
I think this might be my favorite chapter in the entire book so far. The sexual banter and teasing between Carrion and Tal? Perfection. It lightened the mood after the heaviness of the last few chapters.
This is also the chapter where Carrion decides whether he wants to be called by his true name or his adoptive name, and he chooses to remain Swift. I don’t know why, but that felt right. If Carrion decides to take up his birthright as the ruling monarch of Yvelia, will he still choose Swift?
Something is very off about the null blades Belikon’s army is carrying. Tal describes the feeling as wanting to peel out of his skin and throw himself into a burning lake of fire. Saeris feels discomfort too.
Then Saeris goes to the library at Ammontíeth, and the paper birds swarm her. I’m almost positive the book Fisher’s mother told her to find is here and it’s hilarious that Saeris hasn’t looked for it AT ALL.
And wouldn’t you know it: The birds were the book.
It’s a book of alchemy, but there has to be more to it. Edina had the gift of foresight, after all.
Saeris was told to keep it a secret from Fisher. And what does she do? Give it to him.
Chapter 33: No Regrets
Good thing Edina knew Saeris was going to give Fisher the book, but why is everyone testing her? Every time Saeris makes a choice, we are waiting to see if she’ll pass or fail and I’m tired for her.
Chapter 34: Very Wrong Indeed
Last chapter in the arc and it delivered.
An infected feeder attacks Cahlish. In the chaos, we get a glimpse of Carrion’s power (maybe). I’m thinking healing or life.
First, Saeris throws the null blade and hits the feeder. The feeder absorbs it and grows larger. When the feeder tears into Archer’s throat, the feeder dies not long after and all that’s left is the null blade.
Let’s put two and two together:
The null blade nullifies the magic of the infection
The feeders are now vulnerable to fire
The chapter ends with Archer on the brink of death. My heart dropped.
What I’m Watching For
Onyx
I’m ten toes down on this one. I REALLY don’t think that Onyx is just a fox.
Null Blades
They’re nullifying magic somehow, and I think they are the key to stopping the infection.
Edina’s Book
What’s in the booooooook?! And how did it end up in Ammontríeth?
Archer’s Fate
He’s on the brink of death. Will he survive the attack?
Arc IV Conclusion
Arc IV came in swinging! Quicksilver pool hidden beneath the forge in Zilvaren. Saeris stepping into terrifying levels of power. Carrion making a choice. Edina’s book finally making an appearance and the feeders revealing a weakness that could change the entire war. And now we’re ending on with Archer on the brink of death.
Join the Conversation
Before we dive into Arc V, tell me everything. Your theories, your heartbreak, your confusion, your favorite moments, your “WHAT WAS THAT?” reactions. Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s keep traveling through Yvelia and Zilvaren together. I wonder where we will go next.
