[1][2] In Bucharest in 2004, Father Dumitru and several nuns perform a violent exorcism on Sister Adelina Marinescu, who is believed to be possessed by the demon Agares.

Nicole follows a secret passage into the underground chamber where the exorcism was performed, and takes pictures of the cross where Adelina died before Bishop Gornick throws her out.

Bishop Gornick tells Nicole that Adelina was mentally ill, not possessed, then goes on to infer that Father Dumitru was a rogue priest who overzealously performed an inordinate amount of exorcisms.

Nicole returns to Father Anton who theorizes that the demon allowed Adelina to die because it no longer needed her and could transfer its evil into someone else for another possession.

Vaduva recounts how the seeming suicide of Father Gabrielle, a close mentor who unexpectedly threw himself from the monastery's bell tower, triggered Adelina's transformation.

Over dinner with Father Anton, Nicole confides in him how she lost her faith when her terminally ill mother died following a decision to abandon medical treatment for trust in God.

Another visit with Vaduva reveals that Adelina fell in love with a man who led her away from the church, but the relationship ended unexpectedly.

Father Anton brings a bottle of wine to Nicole at her hotel as an apology for how he left things the night before.

While driving, Nicole notices rays of sunlight, which her mother once said were signs from God, seemingly directing her to a cemetery.