Chapter 9 Summary

Orpheus watches Destruction leave the nearby island as a shooting star. Minutes later, Delirium enters Orpheus' sanctuary. He greets her as his revered aunt, and she says her goodbyes to him. She leaves and is replaced by Dream. Orpheus asks after his mother Calliope, who Dream had recently freed from imprisonment by a mortal. They talk for some time, and Orpheus, like Destruction, tells Dream that he has changed. Dream again denies it. Finally, Orpheus tells his father that, though he is scared, he is ready. Dream kisses him on the forehead and then closes Orpheus's eyes in death.

Dream walks out of the sanctuary with his son's blood on his hands. Despair appears and asks after Destruction, whom she was fond of as well. Delirium says that Destruction asked after Despair, and Delirium hands Despair a flower, which Despair takes with her...