On board the armored collection truck, Touko meets fellow reluctant travelers. Meanwhile, in the capital, the orphaned Koushi gets an unexpected offer from a wealthy magnate. Despite his misgivings, this patron could be his ailing sister's only hope.

While Koushi meets his new family and learns about the task before him, Touko struggles to keep her place on the truck. But even if she succeeds, an unexpected obstacle may cut her journey short.

While Touko and her companions flee the wreckage of their trucks, Koushi digs through the archive for forgotten tomes. What he discovers casts his mission in a new light.

Touko loses her way while running from the city watch and receives unexpected help from Kira. Meanwhile, Koushi approaches Yuoshichi and Roroku with a daring plan.

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. Who can Koushi trust, and what does he truly want to accomplish?

Hinako's illness worsens, provoking a crisis at the Okibi mansion. Meanwhile, Touko joins Akira to confront the gods. New forces and unguessed truths emerge as Flickering Flame draws ever closer.

Koushi struggles to load and operate the Lightning Cannon, but both the gods and the spiders have other ideas. Meanwhile, a chance encounter leads Touko to witness a startling scene.

While each divine clan pursues a separate goal, visions of the Flickering Flame lead Touko and Koushi toward the palace. But who is she really, and can they trust her guidance?

Takimi confronts Koushi on the palace steps. The medically minded god insists that only his medicine can save Hinako, but Koushi refuses to let his sister suffer any more experiments. As tensions mount, Kira appears—seeming not quite herself.

Yuoshichi is on the rampage, seeking revenge against the divine clans, but with the Flickering Flame now residing within his own daughter, what lengths will he go to in order to achieve his ultimate goal?