The Orphan, as a young child, plays with butterflies through a hazy, dream-like field. The dream's scene dissolves into the marketplace at the Lost City, where the Orphan shows the Tender Toymaker the wooden butterfly they carved. Now in the field once more, they paint the toy together. The Toymaker is afflicted with the darkness sickness, purple crystals covering their arm. The Toymaker headpats and hugs them fondly, then tucks them in to sleep.

The Orphan awakes from their dream, alone. They bring their ever-treasured butterfly toy as they emerge into a bustling camp and climb up pipes, walking along the wall towards the marketplace.

The Last City is located in what will become the Golden Wasteland. The camp is at the foot of a great mountain ringed in imposing walls and crawling with pipes. These walls are heavily guarded, with citizens lining up at a gateway inward. The Elder of the Vault allows a sick citizen through. The Orphan glances up at the summit and the floating structure atop it, both shining with a cold light.