Summary

Salathiel finds himself on the brink of death, disoriented and in pain. He lies on the ground with a raging fire nearby, barely able to move, trying to recall the events that led to his current state. Death seems imminent, and as he struggles to survive, his thoughts linger on Mirari and his sense of duty to protect her. He then thinks of Gaven with mixed emotions. Salathiel wrestles with his desire to reunite with both Mirari and Gaven, though he feels powerless and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. As his strength wanes and death approaches, he is comforted by mysterious whispers, possibly signaling the end of his life.

Analysis

Each book of the Alliance series begins with a first-person perspective from a main character. Although the character is not named, it can be implied that the narrator is Salathiel, who is...