Episode 8 of Shadow and Bone commences deep within the impenetrable Fold, where darkness engulfs the group as they brace for the unknown. Having traversed five markers without a Volcra attack, the tension mounts. Down in the cramped cabins, Jesper, Kaz, and Inej also steel themselves for the approaching challenge, but Jesper's ammunition falls woefully short.
Meanwhile, Nina and Matthias arrive in Arkesk, desperately searching for a place where they can coexist without being defined as a witch and a witch hunter. Faced with the prospect of court-martial and abandonment, Matthias tries to suppress these thoughts as they sit downstairs, indulging in waffles. Suddenly, Matthias slumps forward on the table, only to be seized by a Grisha named Fedyor, who swiftly takes him hostage. This act shatters any lingering trust between Nina and Matthias, despite her pleas that it was necessary to save him. Fedyor is headed for Hellsgate, where Matthias will be imprisoned—a fate that happens to be in the town of Ketterdam.
Inside the Fold, Alina unleashes her powers, blasting a narrow tunnel forward. But it's far too small to dismantle the Fold itself. It turns out that this was never Kirigan's plan. He intends to wield the darkness as a weapon, using Alina as his pawn.
Down in the cabins, Kaz and the others stumble upon an unexpected passenger—Mal. He, too, seeks to kill the General, making him an unlikely ally in their struggle. Suddenly, the boat halts as Kirigan showcases his might. He manipulates the darkness, pushing the Fold's boundaries, swallowing East Ravka whole. He declares to the crew that their battle is over; they can redraw the maps and reshape the world as they desire.
Mal lunges from the crowd, gun in hand, aiming for Kirigan. But he is swiftly restrained by the Grisha and forced to the ground. There, Alina struggles to harness the light, but it's overwhelming.
Kaz and his companions, despite their valiant efforts, managed to strike Kirigan, yet realized the deed was in vain as Kirigan's might far surpassed theirs. As the menacing Volcra descended upon them, Alina reached out for Mal, only to be halted by the sudden appearance of the mythical stag. Swiftly understanding her destiny, Alina grasped the knife on the ground and thrust it into Kirigan's hand, severing the sinister bond between them. With this connection severed, Alina harnessed her immense powers and pushed back the encroaching darkness. Kirigan was bewildered, but as Alina explained, the stag had chosen her, not him.
Mal, with precision and ferocity, knocked the Black General off the skiff and unleashed a hail of bullets upon him. The Volcra swooped down, seizing Kirigan, as if feasting upon his fallen pride. Mal, having secured victory, hastened back to the skiff to find Alina unconscious. She gradually roused, enabling them to pilot the skiff forward, escaping the dreaded Fold. Reunited, the group emerged into the wintry fields, united once again.
Kaz, realizing the immense value of the Sun Summoner, deliberated over whether to hand her over. However, the lure of such a precious treasure outweighed any such thoughts. Alina glanced back towards the Fold, cognizant that this battle was merely a precursor to a larger conflict. Kirigan's betrayal of his own people cast the fate of the world into uncertainty. "Saints become martyrs before they become heroes," Kaz murmured, as they plotted their next move.
The gang, including Kaz, resolved to acquire a vessel and set sail for Ketterdam. Coincidentally, the vessel they chose was the same one that held Matthias captive. As they discussed their strategy, Nina eavesdropped from a distance, her ears perked. Mal and Alina, determined to bring down the Fold, decided to form an alliance, unwavering in their resolve. However, a shadow loomed over their plans—the Darkling was still alive. As we shifted our gaze to Kirigan, we saw him emerge from the Fold, issuing a command to the Volcra to follow him, leaving the future of this world hanging in the balance.
