Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass)
Chapter 65
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with Elena kneeling beside an obsidian sarcophagus, a creation of the Lock, which was carved from the mountain itself to contain the Dark King, Erawan. The sarcophagus’s symbols, once glowing with power, have now faded, signifying the sealing of Erawan within. Elena reflects on the immense effort it took to forge the Lock and her unanticipated understanding of its true power. She recognizes that her act of stealing the Lock from her father was driven by a desperate need to save her companions and prevent Erawan’s resurgence. Her internal conflict revolves around the sacrifices made and the consequences of wielding such destructive power.
Gavin, injured and exhausted, observes Elena’s actions, recognizing the significance of the Lock and the extent of her sacrifice. His injuries are a testament to the price they paid during their confrontation with Erawan, and his concern underscores the gravity of Elena’s decision to manipulate the Lock’s power. Elena’s declaration that Erawan is sealed and cannot escape signifies her belief that she has contained the threat, but the lingering doubts and the weight of her actions cast a shadow over her confidence. The scene underscores the fragile victory and the uncertainty of whether the danger has truly been eradicated.
The narrative then shifts to a spectral assembly of immortal figures, representing a collective consciousness that observes Elena’s actions with a mixture of judgment and disappointment. These beings, manifestations of wind, rain, and memory, reveal that the Lock was originally forged for their purpose—to send Erawan and the Wyrdkeys back through the gate, restoring balance. Their critique highlights Elena’s perceived mistake in wasting the Lock’s potential, suggesting her father’s true plan was to use it to seal the Wyrdkeys permanently and banish Erawan forever. The revelation about her father’s intentions introduces a new layer of complexity and betrayal, challenging Elena’s understanding of her family’s motives.
In the final segment, Elena’s emotional turmoil intensifies as she confronts her memories of her mother, Mala Light-Bringer, who sacrificed herself to forge the Lock. Elena pleads for mercy, desperately asking the spectral beings to refrain from unleashing Erawan again, fearing the consequences of awakening the Dark King. The beings, acknowledging her plea, hint that Erawan will inevitably rise again, and they emphasize that her actions have delayed but not prevented this outcome. Elena’s final appeal is a plea for others to inherit her burden, revealing her deep sense of responsibility and the tragic awareness that the true fight is far from over. The chapter concludes with a sense of eternal waiting, as these higher beings, trapped in this world after wandering through a Wyrdgate, contemplate their eventual return home, leaving Elena to confront the ongoing war and her own sacrifice.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What is the significance of the sarcophagus crafted from the mountain itself, and how does it relate to the sealing of Erawan?
Answer:
The sarcophagus’s significance lies in its being forged directly from the mountain, symbolizing its immense power and connection to the earth. It was crafted by The Lock using the mountain’s very substance, which allowed it to effectively contain the Dark King, Erawan. The process required every ember of The Lock’s power to bind Erawan within the stone, sealing him inside and preventing his escape. This sealing is central to the story’s conflict, as it represents a desperate effort to imprison a formidable foe and prevent further destruction. The sarcophagus’s design and the fading symbols carved into it emphasize the culmination of this sealing process, which is vital for the characters’ hope of halting Erawan’s influence.
2. Question 2
How do the immortal figures’ perspectives reflect the broader themes of betrayal and the true purpose of the Lock?
Answer:
The immortal figures, depicted as figments of light, shadow, wind, and memory, serve as embodiments of higher wisdom and collective consciousness. Their perspectives reveal a deep sense of betrayal, as they accuse Elena of wasting the Lock’s true purpose. They explain that the Lock was crafted for a specific divine purpose: to seal the Wyrdkeys back into the gate and send Erawan home, fulfilling a promise made to their kind. Their disappointment underscores the theme that Elena’s actions—though driven by a desire to save—have diverged from the original divine plan. Their insights highlight the importance of understanding the true power and intent behind such artifacts and serve as a reminder that misusing or misunderstanding divine tools can have dire consequences.
3. Question 3
What are the moral and strategic implications of Elena’s plea to leave the Dark King sealed versus unleashing him?
Answer:
Morally, Elena’s plea to keep Erawan sealed reflects her desire to prevent further bloodshed and chaos, emphasizing her compassion and sense of responsibility. She fears that unleashing the Dark King would result in catastrophic consequences, and she seeks atonement for her perceived mistakes. Strategically, her plea suggests that she believes the current sealing is the safest option, even if it is temporary. The immortal figures, however, argue that unleashing Erawan might be inevitable and that the Lock was meant for a different purpose—sending him back to his realm. This conflict raises questions about the ethics of sacrifice and the long-term safety versus immediate moral action, challenging the characters to weigh the risks of unleashing a potentially unstoppable force against the hope of a better future.
4. Question 4
Analyze the significance of Mala Light-Bringer’s silence and her act of looking away from Elena. What does this reveal about her character and her relationship with Elena?
Answer:
Mala Light-Bringer’s silence and her act of turning away from Elena convey a profound sense of grief, regret, and emotional distance. Her refusal to meet Elena’s gaze suggests she is burdened by the sacrifices made during the forging of the Lock, particularly the cost of her own mortal life and her separation from her family. It indicates that Mala’s character embodies self-sacrifice and the pain of loss, and her silence signifies a reluctance or inability to fully confront her daughter with her feelings. This moment reveals a complex relationship marked by love, sacrifice, and unspoken sorrow, emphasizing that even divine or higher beings experience emotional scars from their actions and the burdens of their choices.
5. Question 5
Considering the chapter’s themes, how does the concept of time and the beings’ existence outside of human perception influence the story’s resolution?
Answer:
The beings’ existence outside of human perception and their fluid concept of time highlight the theme of higher, divine, or cosmic forces at play beyond human understanding. Their ability to exist in multiple places and shift through time underscores their vast power and detachment from mortal concerns. This perspective influences the story’s resolution by emphasizing that the outcome—whether Erawan remains sealed or is unleashed—is subject to forces far beyond the immediate characters’ control. It also suggests that the characters’ actions are part of a larger, perhaps eternal, cosmic plan. This understanding adds a layer of inevitability and patience, implying that the resolution depends on divine timing and choices, and that human efforts are but a part of a grander, timeless narrative.
Quotes
1. “She could feel the Dark King sleeping within. Hear the shrieks of his fell army feasting on human flesh in the valley far below. How long would they continue fighting when word spread that Erawan had fallen?”
This quote underscores the destructive presence of Erawan and highlights the stakes of Elena’s actions—her awareness of the Dark King’s power and the ongoing chaos beneath her.
2. “He is sealed. He cannot escape.”
Elena’s declaration reflects her crucial achievement in sealing Erawan within the sarcophagus, emphasizing the chapter’s focus on her act of containment and the temporary nature of her victory.
3. “Their rage rattled her bones, threatened to stop her heart dead in her chest. The one of flame and light and ashes seemed to withhold, seemed to pause in her wrath.”
This passage vividly captures Elena’s emotional turmoil and the collective anger of the divine or eternal figures confronting her, illustrating the tension between her actions and their expectations.
4. “They did not answer, their silence confirmation enough. A small, broken noise came out of her throat. Elena breathed, ‘I’m sorry.’”
This moment reveals Elena’s remorse and acknowledgment of the consequences of her choices, emphasizing her internal conflict and the tragic weight of her decisions.
5. “He will rise again one day… You have wasted our Lock on a fool’s errand, when you could have solved all, had you only the patience and wits to understand.”
This quote encapsulates the chapter’s core theme of missed opportunity and the warning that the true threat may not be fully contained, hinting at future dangers.