Director Morn warns that losing the competition will erase the vault's future, so the team must secure a funding spot. Fayra urges caution, calling it a trap, but President Chey signs and insists their tamers will prove themselves. Volunteers scramble; Sylva is picked to fight. Rylan bursts forward, demanding to take her place and declaring, "I'm your brother." Sylva refuses, arguing this is the vault's fight, while the director bets they will make rivals crawl out of the vault in tears. The episode ends with Sylva facing an immediate choice: yield to Rylan or lead the do-or-die match herself.