The Faraway Paladin

Five years have passed since Will learned Mary's secret, and he is now 13. His undead parents' lessons grow ever more difficult, but Will manages to stick to it. One day, Blood gives him an assignment requiring him to escape from the ruins in the city. Will desperately tries to fight his way out, but an odd sensation of malice stops him. It turns out that malice was coming from an unexpected source.

Turning 15, Will challenges Blood to a fight with real swords as his coming-of-age ceremony, but Gus asks Will to lose on purpose. Will doesn't get a chance to ask Gus about what happened that day in the ruins before he must head into his battle against Blood.

The "God of Undeath" Stagnate's sudden appearance catches the three undead off-guard. Although his attempt to abduct Blood and Mary is interrupted by Gus, the black mist bursting from his chest leaves them no time to feel relieved. Will is unable to do anything as Stagnate says to him with a fearless smile, "It's all thanks to you."

On the verge of death, Will swears an oath to Gracefeel and rises to challenge Stagnate again. However, Stagnate tricks Will into fighting his shadow while he goes off to attack Blood and Mary. When he realizes what's going on, Will rushes back to the Temple and arrives just as Stagnate comes within reach of the two wounded undead.