In order to save Bravil, Qing and Natasha decide to try and separate out the corrupting spirit from his own before it becomes too entangled. Olivia and Amelia find a surviving Bosch creature: an armored snail-octopus-vermite abomination that isn't able to resist being dragged back to play host for the dark spirit.

Natasha erects wards around Bravil and the monster, while Qing works to pull the dark spirit from the fallen Jupani. The snail-monster reacts unexpectedly: actually pouncing on the strand of spirit that Qing is drawing towards it. Feeding on the Boschian corruption, it grows larger and more dangerous, straining the ward.

Amelia tries distracting it from outside the ward, while Bannan and Olivia actually enter it, but aren't noticed right away. Olivia missteps and gets slimed by the monster's trail, the ward is dropped and Qing and Natasha attack the creature with magic.

And then everything falls apart in a rush, and the group is talking to the present-day Bravil again.