The founders lead you to the heart of the gem.

It’s a throne room. Or a prison. Or both.

The Core pulses with purple light, a massive crystalline structure that seems to contain the very essence of Eldermoor. And sitting on a throne of shadow at its center is Varek—the Hollow King, the betrayer, the architect of three centuries of suffering.

He doesn’t look surprised to see you. If anything, he looks pleased.

“Magnificent,” he says, rising. “You freed them all. I genuinely thought you’d fail at least one.” He gestures at the founders, who have taken positions around you. “Look at you. The four who thought they could change the world, and the child who carries their delusions.”

“It’s over, Varek,” Seraphine says. “We’re going to end the Binding. Free our souls. And destroy what you’ve built.”

“Are you?” His smile is terrible. “And how do you plan to do that? The Binding isn’t a simple spell. It’s a contract. A bond written in blood and soul and three hundred years of power. Breaking it will release energy enough to level the city.”

“Someone will contain it,” you say. “We’ve planned for that.”

“Ah, yes. Your sacrifice.” Varek’s eyes gleam. “And who will it be? One of your newfound allies? One of the founders themselves?” His gaze fixes on you. “Or the child of light, finally fulfilling the destiny they were created for?”

Your allies emerge from side passages—Mira, Theron, Wren, converging with the founders. Seven against one. It should feel like victory.

But Varek is laughing.

“You still don’t understand. None of you. I’ve been preparing for this moment for three hundred years. You’re not ending my reign.” He spreads his arms wide, shadow coiling around him like living armor.

“You’re completing it.”