Shadowpact is reunited, but also facing the Unbound. Enchantress explains: long ago a wizard sought to create a slave race by creating a meme, a "virus of the mind" that would infect anyone who heard it, and substitute ambition for pleasure. But he was not immune to his own creation, and once infected the slaves had no master save their own appetites. Enchantress wishes to seal the portal and go; there are too many of them. Nightmaster won't accept that. Marrin, the only adult in Myrra who is not Unbound, explains his plan - it will kill people, but it will end the Unbound. While Warlock's Daughter and Zauriel keep their flying ships from approaching the path to Earth, Enchantress devises a counter-meme, a set of virtues, and installs this in Nightmaster's mind. He seeks out the Unbound and their magical site, and with its power, propels these ideas outward, where they disinfect the Unbound. Many die. Many more go mad. But most survive. Nightmaster understands that Myrra needs him, and elects to remain. Enchantress, realizing the finality of this decision, kisses him. And then his team says goodbye and returns to Earth.