The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, #2)

Rin, Kitay, and Venka wait together on a cliff for Daji’s fleet to arrive. Nezha is stationed on the fleet’s frontlines. The Empire attacks, replicating Jinzha’s siege tactics and immediately decimating the Republican fleet. Rin saves Nezha, who has just defeated Jun, their old Master at Sinegard. However, Jun jumps off the ship before they can kill him. Together, Rin and Nezha defeat Chang En, just as Feylen enters the battle.

Rin uses her wings to rise to Feylen’s level. She distracts him and lures him to a cliff where Kitay and Ramsa planted explosives. She uses her fire on the cliff, burying Feylen, but she is shot into the water by javelins.

Underwater, Nezha finds her and surfaces them far downstream. Rin’s wings have pierced her back, and Nezha is overcome by the Dragon. He brought opium, and Rin lights it and forces him to inhale. She wants to leave to rejoin the battle. Nezha realizes they “already won” when he sees Hesperian ships on the horizon.

Daji appears. She believes there “are no victors” after their war (575). Rin taps into new reservoirs of power and pins Daji, using pressure to destroy her eyeballs. Daji shows her a vision of Nikan burning under Mugen occupation.