With Lexicon Anathema's assurance that you are in no rush, you decide to stay and chat a while longer. You think back to something she mentioned earlier: the Blood Seal spell. You figure that if Empyrius drew your blood to cast the spell and seal his own soul away, then he might have ulterior motives you should be wary of.

Lexicon Anathema: "What you should be wary of is conjecture. Do you not recall your blood being drawn?"

You admit that the memory is hazy, but you do remember getting injured during your confrontation with the false king. In response, the filly's horns light up a lime green glow, and using her magic, she pulls a book out from the nearby shelf.

The book opens with a brief flip of its pages before gently floating down onto the table. Unreadable glyphs flicker across the yellowed pages.

Lexicon Anathema: "When did it happen?"

Despite the raging snowstorm, you recall that it was during the last few days of summer; sometime in the middle of Sextilis this year.

Lexicon Anathema: "And where?"

In Midgard, you tell her, atop the ruins of the Cathedral in Elysia — in the very throne room that lingers in the dream. At that, Lexicon Anathema places a hoof on the pages of the book... but after a moment, she pulls back.

Lexicon Anathema: "Nothing. You must not have been there when the spell was cast. We'd need someone — or something — that was."

Moonflower: "... Ooh, I know!"

Moonflower rummages through her sidereal bag before pulling out the Yggdrasil Seed and holding it out triumphantly.

Moonflower: "Bastion said he found this in the castle after the battle!"

Lexicon Anathema: "Nh."

The hermit eyes the artifact with visible recognition, but doesn't question its presence here. Instead, she places a hoof upon the book's pages once more. A few seconds pass. Then, her horns flash brightly, and a powerful wave of magic pulses outward.

Suddenly, the house's interior is replaced with a snowy sunset, though the air feels no different. You and your companions, along with the tea table, have become see-through — sitting in midair over the rubble of a broken wall. Your attention snaps to the metallic clattering of a sword hitting the ground.

Smoke: "What did I just do?! Trailblazer‼"

Just a few dozen hooves away, you see yourself — your old self — collapsed on the ground. Your friend Smoke clutches you helplessly for a few long seconds before picking her sword up again, fury in her eyes. In front of her is Solar Flare, casting a magic shield of golden light; and across the room is Empyrius, a looming rift of red, unblinking eyes shadowing the skies above.

Smoke: "You're going to pay for this!"

Solar Flare: "Hold! There's no time. Grab our friend, and leave this place!"

Smoke: "What, and leave you to fight by yourself?"

Solar Flare: "Fear not: I will not let your efforts be in vain. But he needs you now, more than ever. Do not tarry — go!"

Smoke growls, and reluctantly stows her weapon. With her choice made, she glances back at the knight one last time, then spreads her wings and carries your unconscious body off into the storm. Meanwhile, Empyrius leans down, and scoops up the purified Philosopher's Stone you dropped.

King Empyrius: "The Magnum Opus... at last."

Solar Flare: "... I see! A clever ruse, I must say."

At Solar Flare's hooves — where you fell in battle just earlier —, splatters on the carpet begin to glow bright red, then a radiant gold. Strange patterns begin to form around the room, as though light is being weaved into the fabric of reality surrounding it.

Solar Flare: "My friend, I must bid you farewell, and my thanks. If you would indulge me a favour: pray forgive our transgressions, and offer to my dear brother the selfsame second chance you have given me. Our mission was ever greater than ourselves, and if you are here now, then I would have you see it to its end."

You realize that somehow, the paladin is addressing you. As he does, the sun sets, and Empyrius completes his spell with the Yggdrasil Seed in hoof. Nightcrawlers pour down from the sky, covering the room is pitch blackness.

King Empyrius: "The sun... is ours... the sun! The sun! Rrrgh! RrraaAARGH! THE SUN...!"

Empyrius's mortal shell begins to break apart, black smoke bursting out from beneath his armour. Then, you see something — like a ghost, bound by red and gold — pulled from his body and into the Seed. He falls to the ground as nightcrawlers flow down the walls and flood the city below.

Solar Flare: "A tragic irony, wouldn't you agree? Ha ha ha!"

And with the echo of peaceful laughter, Solar Flare rears up to cast one final spell — not with his horn, but with his whole being. The knight's body and armour alike turn to sparkling golden magic, and join together up into the clouds above the castle.

Then, the clouds part, and a beautiful sun shines down upon the city of Elysia. The nightcrawlers vanish like shadows in the light, and as the world around you grows blindingly bright, you find yourself back in Lexicon Anathema's dark, stormy room.