Immortal Consequences

In the garden, Headmaster Silas confirms the Decennial is a ritual sacrifice and that the deaths of Nick, Liza, Georgia, and Tristan are real. He explains that the soul vow traps the nominees; anyone who forfeits is eliminated and fed to the Ether. Josie breaks down while the others react with disbelief. Wren confronts Silas about erasing the memories of the students, but he justifies the sacrifices as necessary and “insignificant.”

Remembering Nick’s death, Masika lunges at Silas, but August restrains her. Silas tells them they must continue to compete or face elimination. As they realize only one of them can survive, despair sets in. Silas announces the third trial will begin immediately.

Silas leads the eight remaining nominees into the woods as snow begins to fall. In a clearing, eight stone arches stand in a ring. He explains that each arch is a portal to a separate illusion trial where they must find an elixir, dismantle the illusion, and return. He vanishes.

After a tense exchange with Masika, Irene enters her portal first. Carter, Josie, August, Wren, and Masika follow into their own portals. Olivier and Emilio share a final moment together before passing separately through the last two arches.