As the Merzost stealthily drains Kirigan's life, his days are numbered, adding a sense of urgency to the commencement of episode 7 in Shadow and Bone's second season. Kirigan, fueled by an unwavering determination, seeks Mal with vengeance and strives to halt Alina's strategy. Convinced that Alina's affection for him will prevent her from merging with Mal, he commands his Grisha troops to assassinate the King. Among the frontliners are his chosen protégés, Vatra, Nisho, and Fruzsi, all empowered by Baghra's bones, making the confrontation an arduous one.
Kirigan appears to Mal in a vision, offering an alternative path, hoping to dissuade him from sacrificing himself and convincing his "cousin" to abandon the fight. However, Mal remains resolute, sealing their inevitable fate.
Alina reunites with Nikolai and confesses Mal's mission. She regrets her craving for power and blindness towards Mal's plight. Nikolai offers comfort, and they devise a plan to converge their forces on Kirigan at Keramzin. However, Kirigan has fortified the stronghold, rendering the battle a formidable challenge.
In a heartfelt conversation, Nikolai and Mal exchange profound promises, with Mal entrusting Nikolai to safeguard Alina and admonishing him to "deserve her." The subsequent embrace is deeply poignant, seemingly foreshadowing Mal's impending fate as a walking dead man, a Firebird in spirit.
Inside, Alina briefs the Second Army on their strategy. She decides to dispatch a combined battalion to Keramzin to safeguard the orphanage. Nikolai's flying ship provides crucial aerial support. Amidst the preparations, Mal asserts his identity as the Firebird and suggests a direct approach to the Fold to execute their plan.
Alina attempts to dissuade him, but realizing Kirigan already knows his identity, they realize they must act swiftly. Tamar proposes a solution: halting Mal's heart for two minutes using a Heartrender. This could grant Alina sufficient time to harness Mal's amplified power and obliterate the Fold permanently. Combined with David's fusion derived from Mal's bones, they hope to achieve their goal.
The plan commences, and the flying ship embarks towards Keramzin. As it nears the outskirts, it's swiftly spotted by Kirigan's Grisha, who bring it down with fiery projectiles. The group rushes to the wreckage but finds Nikolai missing. Alongside a group of survivors, they retreat to a nearby fort, bracing for the inevitable confrontation.
On their journey, they were stunned by the formidable might of Kirigan's Grisha, witnessing from afar their breathtaking display of fiery prowess. Desperately seeking escape, they darted down into the moat, only to find more soldiers lying in ambush. Dominik's bravery was tested, and he emerged wounded, as the intensified assaults from Kirigan's Grisha overwhelmed them, and the flimsy wooden barricades offered little shelter.
Unfortunately, the characters' tactics were flawed, as they recklessly exposed themselves and attempted a forceful counterattack, ultimately failing miserably. But fortunately, Kaz and his allies arrived, swiftly reversing the tide of battle. Utilizing explosives and the poison they had procured earlier, they eliminated the remaining Grisha — Vatra, Nisho, and Fruzsi — ensuring Nikolai and the rest emerged victorious.
Meanwhile, Alina and the others faced a dire situation. David poised his blade to sever Mal's finger, but just as he struck, the shadow monsters descended upon the chapel. This was Kirigan's master plan, as he delved into the Fold, manipulating it to engulf the surrounding region. The Volcra relentlessly attacked, even threatening to drag Alina away, until Inej appeared, brandishing Neshyenyer. It seemed Jesper's destiny had been usurped, after all.
Joined by Zoya and Nina, the girls planned to flee... only to be intercepted by Kirigan. In a dramatic confrontation, he confronted Mal and Alina as they embraced for one last time. Kirigan unleashed his typical villainous monologue, knocking Mal down and wounding him. However, Alina struck the Darkling before he could inflict further harm. Yet, the Shadows remained agitated, poised for their inevitable strike.
