Chapter 35: KAPITEL SIEBENUNDZWANZIG – Asar and Miseya Navigate the Desolate Underworld
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with Miseya and Asar crossing the barren deserts of the underworld. Without the safety of Morthryn’s corridors, they are exposed to soul-eaters and ghosts. The vampires’ greatest challenge is the scarcity of living prey; Asar hoards a single bottle of blood, which they ration to stay alive. Hunger gnaws at them constantly, and the smell of Asar’s wound is a torment.
To cope, Miseya bombards Asar with personal questions. He reveals his favorite color is green, the most beautiful place he has seen is Morthryn at sunset, his first best friend was Luce, and what annoys him most is “this conversation.” When she asks what he always wanted to learn but never did, he says “cello.” At first she finds this unexpected, but then realizes it fits the version of Asar she has come to know – the man who loves his home, considers his dog his best friend, and dedicates his life to fixing broken things. She promises to get him a cello when they return, though the possibility of return feels fragile.
Their physical and magical exhaustion grows, but Asar continues to drill Miseya in shadowborn magic. She feels the pull of darkness more strongly, which frightens her because of her loyalty to the sun god Atroxus. She recalls promising him eternal faithfulness and worries that her newfound enjoyment of shadow magic is a sin. In quiet moments, she fingers the tattoo in her arm and questions what Atroxus sees, and what consequences await a bride of the sun who betrays her god. She also fears what Atroxus will do to Asar once her mission is complete. She tells herself she can save Asar by winning back Atroxus’s love.
Asar leads them off the main path through a narrow crevice in the rocks. After a difficult squeeze, they emerge on a meadow with silvery gray grass, and on a hill sits a house that looks like a mortal cottage, with smoke rising from its leaning chimney. Luce perks up. Asar knocks on the door; it swings open to reveal a ghostly woman named Esme, with a gaping wound across her chest. Miseya instinctively reaches for her sword, but Asar smiles warmly and greets Esme as an old friend.
Key Events
- Miseya and Asar traverse the underworld’s wastelands, rationing blood and suffering from hunger and cold.
- Miseya asks Asar a series of personal questions; he reveals unexpected details, including his desire to learn cello.
- Miseya’s shadowborn magic grows stronger, causing her guilt over her loyalty to Atroxus.
- She worries about Asar’s fate after her mission is complete and about Atroxus’s possible judgment.
- Asar leads them through a hidden crevice to a meadow with a cottage.
- Esme, a ghostly woman, answers the door; Asar greets her as a friend, surprising Miseya.
Character Development
Miseya shows her humanity beneath her divine allegiance. Her endless questions reveal a need for connection and distraction. Her guilt over enjoying shadow magic highlights her struggle between duty to Atroxus and her natural instincts. She also demonstrates compassion by promising Asar a cello, showing she values his happiness even amid danger.
Asar reveals layers of vulnerability and warmth beyond his fearsome reputation. His answers – especially about Luce and cello – paint him as a sentimental, even playful person. His patience in teaching Miseya magic and his joy at seeing Esme suggest a capacity for loyalty and deep bonds.
Esme is introduced as a ghostly host, familiar with Asar. Her appearance and Asar’s warm welcome suggest she may be an ally, offering a safe haven and possibly information.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Hunger and Sacrifice. The rationed blood symbolizes the physical toll of the journey and the moral choices required for survival. Miseya and Asar’s shared suffering strengthens their bond.
The Pull of Darkness. Miseya’s growing attraction to shadow magic embodies the seduction of forbidden power. It contrasts with her vows to Atroxus and represents her internal division.
Home and Belonging. Asar’s love for Morthryn and the unexpected cottage in the underworld suggest that home can be found even in hostile places. The cozy, imperfect cottage stands as a beacon of safety.
Guilt and Divine Betrayal. Miseya’s worry about Atroxus’s reaction to her actions underscores the theme of loyalty to a god versus personal growth and connection.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 35 deepens the emotional and psychological stakes of the journey. The private conversation between Miseya and Asar humanizes both characters and foreshadows a possible romantic or profound bond. Miseya’s internal conflict with shadow magic sets up a pivotal choice between her god and her own nature. The introduction of Esme expands the underworld’s lore and offers a potential ally, easing the tension of their isolation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Miseya ask Asar so many personal questions during their journey?
She uses the questions as a distraction from her hunger and exhaustion, and to learn more about the man behind the legend. This also helps her feel connected to him in a desolate environment.
2. What is the significance of Asar’s wish to learn cello, and how does Miseya react?
The wish reveals a gentle, creative side to Asar that contrasts with his fearsome reputation. Miseya initially finds it surprising but then accepts it, showing she sees him beyond his past. Her promise to get him a cello symbolizes her commitment to their future.
3. Why does Miseya feel guilty about her shadowborn magic, and what does this suggest about her relationship with Atroxus?
She feels guilty because she enjoys the power, which she views as a betrayal of her vow to the sun god Atroxus. This suggests her obedience to him is strained and that she may eventually have to choose between her god and her evolving self.