While Touko and her companions flee the wreckage of their trucks, Koushi digs through the archive for forgotten tomes, and what he discovers casts his mission in a new light.
Their long journey over, Touko's party rests with Shouzou's family in the capital; Koushi enters the forest with the aid of the enigmatic fire hunter Roroku.
Touko and Kouji follow a treefolk child into a forbidden area of the capital and make a startling discovery, but the spies of the gods are hot on their heels.
War looms over the capital, and Koushi's work with for Yuoshichi Okibi is coming to a head; on the eve of their new weapon's final test, two unexpected visitors complicate the situation.
Hinako's illness worsens, provoking a crisis at the Okibi mansion; Touko joins Akira to confront the gods; new forces and unguessed truths emerge as Flickering Flame draws ever closer.