The whole group has gathered for their decisive assault on Beshret's stronghold and the site of the Temple of Being. After a brief wait as the fleet approaches the enemy words are exchanged and plans made before Lilac departs to join the commandos ahead of the fleet. On the ground, Umeko, Anisa, Xander and the Imperial ground forces march through the canyon towards their foe, harried by cannon fire and archery rains. Umeko leads her own personal group, as does Anisa, while Xander acts as council and support. And support the army needs, as the enemy airship's batter the ground, protected behind a seemingly undefeatable barrier of wind that shields them from the Imperial cannons. As the situation begins to look grim, one of the vessels suddenly explodes, the result of Lilac and the commandos sabotage. The remaining ship's flee, while Umeko's forces press forward as the tide turns.

The push forward is interrupted as the heroes' 'side door' makes itself known, the massive fleshy worm-like sand lion erupting from the ground and devouring several cavalry before the Imperial forces turn on it. Soon Lilac arrives to interrupt the attack, stating the sand lion is just an extension of the Temple of Being, and so she tries to speak with it as her friends gather and make their descent plans. It's decided the Imperial forces will hold while Umeko's strike team enters the Temple of Being, with Keyoa also joining the party of Umeko, Lilac, Anisa and Xander. Prepared, the group descends in to the fetid, fleshy pit, which has already begun showing signs of deterioration.

Deep within the Temple of Being, the party eventually reaches the Temple's core, speaking with it as it dies, not long for the world. After gleaning the location of Beshret and those with him – including Anisa's and Umeko's nemesis: Vandringer and Hakuu. The party heads on, but not before Lilac spares a fearful, grief stricken promise to save ancient, massive creature and father of her child. Inside the central temple chamber, Hakuu argues with Vandringar about completing his art as Umeko and the others arrive. After a brief and curious exchange in which Hakuu claims Umeko is the only one who can become his masterpiece, an enemy mage begins working his spell as Vandringar assists. Umeko calls for her friends to aid her, a great fight breaking out between the heroes, Beshret, Hakuu, his handmaiden bodyguards and even Vandringar, who seems reluctant to return aggression. As the battle rages on, Umeko seems to change, defeating her handmaiden rival and turning to engage Hakuu. Meanwhile Lilac, in her beast form, overcomes her opponent, while Anisa attempts to counter both Vandringar and the orb. Eventually Anisa is able to sync with the mysterious artifact, but she is far from in control.

While the party makes progress in their battle, the situation takes a turn for the worse. Umeko becomes caught in Hakuu's grip while Lilac is put entirely on the defensive by her new opponent, Beshret, who has slain Keyoa using his wicked poison. Sensing the tide is turning against them, Anisa uses her new found control to push the orb to further transform Umeko, who grows and twists, easily overcoming Hakuu as she turns in to what greatly resembles a golden serpent. Poisoned by Umeko's fangs, Hakuu relishes in Umeko's transformation until he collapses, silent. Turning then on Beshret, Anisa enacts the same change in him – but knows it will fail. Beshret dissolves, leaving Lilac in a puddle of gore. Vandringar, seeing his prize, the orb, controlled by Anisa retreats, complimenting her on her victory, and so the battle comes to an end.

In the aftermath, Umeko is changed back to her normal Kiriga form, the woman moving to say words for the fallen Komodo, while Lilac mourns her inability to save the Temple of Being. Comfort and condolences are passed around, the party bloody and exhausted, but mostly intact. As they prepare to depart, Lilac picks up Beshret's sword and turns to head deeper in to the Temple of Being rather than wait for extraction with her friends, saying she has something yet left to do there. And so ends the decisive battle of the Temple of Being; a victory, but not without cost.