Elise shows up early for a rally at the Temple to show support for veneration of the First Ones rather than for the various vague religions practices on Rephidim. Aaron shows up as well, though his intention seems to be more just to meet "cute" females. Wynona provides some ritual protection against the rally getting rained out.

Elise is met by her mentor, Bryant vell Tremaine, a Naga, who wishes to check on her health, since she has been bedridden so long. He then leaves, but Elise has reason to be concerned for him when she spots a couple of Kavi toughs. She goes after him under the pretense of returning a book he dropped, and finds him pinned down by one of nine Kavis chanting "rikitikitikitiki", who seem to have the intention of ritually killing him.

When Elise demands that they stop, they turn on her. Aaron joins in to help Elise, but his dart has no effect on the largest Kavi, and he is pummeled by the ferretoids. Elise is already handicapped by her wounds suffered previously, and takes several more, but manages to dispatch two of the Kavis, including their leader … and when she does so, the two Kavis die in a most horrific way, wasting away under clearly supernatural effects. Elise appears to be quite unsteady after this incident.

Later, Elise regains consciousness in the Temple Middle Infirmary, where Aaron is recuperating as well. Wynona stops by to visit Aaron, while Mentor Tremaine checks on Elise. Elise bemoans her failures, but Tremaine shows that he will have none of that.