The Burning God

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses graphic violence.

The Southern forces stop for the night in a large cavern. Rin introduces herself to the troops, many of whom are former miners who defected to the Southern forces after being abused by Hesperia. Jiang remains “lost inside himself” (296). Kitay reports that Souji and Gurubai are urging their troops to defect; Daji wants Rin to kill them, though Kitay protests.

Gurubai faces his death nobly, but Souji tries to run. Rin orders his Iron Wolves to capture him. The next morning, she tells an assembled crowd about how Souji sold her out and imprisoned their forces in the mountain. She knows she is scapegoating Souji, who thought he was saving the South. She lets the Southerners mob and kill Souji.

Venka guesses they’re going to wake the Dragon Emperor. Rin confirms. Jiang can no longer walk and must be sedated. He mistakes Rin for someone named Hanelai and begs her not to wake Riga and to kill Daji. Daji tells Rin that the Jiang she knew was “a fake, an imitation” (321) and the real Jiang is taking over. Daji wants to press on until Jiang gets his mind back, even if the fake Jiang is terrified of the prospect.