Episode 10 of The Sandman opens with a dramatic confrontation between The Corinthian and Rose, along with Jed, in their hotel room. He vows to safeguard them from Morpheus's grasp, yet Rose's piercing insight pierces through his deception. Unaffected by his charade, she resolves to depart and head back home. However, Corinthian proposes a different strategy - remain in the hotel, evade Dream's watchful ravens, and join his ranks.
As Corinthian delivers a keynote speech downstairs, Dream makes a surprise appearance. With the killers slumbering, reflecting on their grisly deeds, Dream reveals that Corinthian has instilled a new terror within them. Unfortunately, Corinthian's strength has escalated since their last encounter, and with Rose Walker as the epicenter of his Dreaming, blurring the boundaries between dream and reality, our hero faces daunting challenges.
Rose stands at a crossroads, torn between Corinthian and Dream, each pulling her towards their own agenda. Faced with a choice, she decides to temporarily raise the walls and forge her own path.
In a dramatic turn, Dream annihilates The Corinthian, shattering his essence and claiming his skull. He vows to the remaining killers that their nightmare is over, and from this moment on, they will bear the agony of their victims' suffering and mourn the fallen. Some killers surrender to the authorities, while others opt for a fatal escape. One thing is certain - the Serial Convention is now history.
As Rose and Jed set off towards the hospital, Lyta enters the throes of childbirth. The entire family gathers, save for Gilbert, who claims a pressing need to "return home." Rose remains apprehensive, fearing Dream's vengeance. Lyta encourages her to seize control and even suggests eliminating Dream to safeguard Gilbert.
That night, Rose succumbs to another dream, but this time, a gargantuan vortex opens, swallowing all she holds dear. Dream appears, urging her to regain her composure, pointing out the immense damage she has wrought - yet nothing beyond his capability to repair. Nevertheless, Rose's fate lies in her hands. To restore balance, she must perish. Or at the very least, the Vortex must be extinguished.
Amidst the barren landscape, Fiddler's Green emerged, standing steadfast beside Dream. He beckoned Rose, urging her to walk towards him, embracing his destined role. As he vanished into a flurry of leaves and petals, the desolate wasteland transformed into a verdant tapestry of fields and meadows, vibrant with life.
Just then, Unity Kincaid made her appearance, determined to seize the Vortex for herself. She scorned Dream and coveted the power, which manifested as a colossal ruby heart. With Unity now the rightful bearer of the Vortex, she embraced her destiny, slumbering peacefully in her bed, yet sacrificing herself so that Rose could live. Unity insisted that her fate had been sealed long ago, much to Rose's dismay. Before her final breath, Unity hinted that the father of her child possessed golden eyes, eyes that belonged to Desire.
As Rose clung to life and chose to stay with Jed and the others, Dream ventured to Desire's chambers. He reproached his sibling and their devious scheme, yet Desire retaliated, vowing to spill blood the next time.
In his realm, Lucienne approached Dream with momentous news. A new tome had materialized in the library, authored by Rose Walker, signifying the restoration of her life's trajectory. Meanwhile, Dream had undergone a transformation, initiating a new era of Dreaming. He granted Gault wings and her heart's desire, enabling her to become a Dream, not a nightmare. With Dream occupied, he entrusted Lucienne with overseeing the Dreaming in his absence.
As the episode drew to a close, the scene shifted to Hell, where Lucifer was confronted by Lord Azazel. The legions of Hell stood poised at Lucifer's command, ready to assault the Dreaming and, by extension, the Waking World. With the generals urging action, Lucifer resolved to strike, bringing Morpheus to his knees and inciting the wrath of God.
