Aric confirms to Rey that he is a Giant, admitting the secret’s release brings relief. He reflects that Rey’s kiss and voice calmed him earlier, preventing a loss of control before Professor Higgins. Rationalizing his protective instinct, he reframes saving her as strategy—using Odin’s daughter to ultimately destroy Odin. Yet his anger at her as the daughter of Odin wanes; the thought of her crying makes his heart clench.

Though disheveled from the woods, other students do not seem to notice them. Rey pulls Aric to a secluded trail by an old oak covered in carvings, including a large rune—Hagalaz—that draws Aric’s attention. She shows him a photo revealing a second rune has appeared on his back, then mentions a note from Laufey that matches the runes she has seen. Rey theorizes Aric has five runes total; each awakening unlocks more of his power. She reveals her goal: finding Mjölnir, her family’s stolen weapon, which she believes the runes map. When Aric worries he might be the monster in their story, Rey reassures him they will face it together, saying everyone has some darkness inside.