A woman asserts control over her mate, commanding him not to move while preparing a cloak from his scales, demanding respect and obedience. The mate, confused by her sudden kindness, wonders if it's a new tactic. Meanwhile, a messenger informs the woman about a crisis: the water is contaminated with Soulrot, a dangerous infection that causes males to become uncontrollably aggressive. Faced with this threat, the woman must decide how to protect her people as hostility looms, leaving the group on edge about the escalating danger ahead.