The frame story concerns a Russian rags-to-riches billionaire named Alexei Romanovich Zvolinsky (based on the real-life Schliemann), who pursues his lifelong dream to unearth physical evidence of the Elefseya (ЭЛэфсеиа), an ancient epic he has read and held dear since childhood, despite mockery from his peers.

It is revealed that Elef and Misia are Leontius' biological siblings who were adopted by Polydeuces after an oracle declared that "The one born when darkness (Erebos) devours the sun (Helios) will weave destruction."

Misia briefly becomes the apprentice of courtesans named Cassandra and Melissa, while Elef is placed among the workers building Ilion's wall, where he is physically abused and molested by the sadistic high priest Nestor.

Though concerned by foreboding events relating to herself and her brother, Artemisia accepts her fate has in store when she offers herself to Scorpius as a sacrifice to the water god Hydra in place of Sophia's assistant Phyllis.

Elef arrives to Lesbos too late to find Artemisia already dead ("The Dying Virgin with the Moon's reflection in Her Hand – Parthenos"); consumed in grief and utter hatred, he embraces Thanatos's temptation to enact revenge on those who wronged him.

Fulfilling Thanatos' prediction that he will be fully united with his human vessel once he slays his own mother, Elef/Amethystos – now fused with the god – opens the Gates of Hades before confronting Moira, at which point the Elefseya abruptly ends.