Sylina signals for Atrius to stand down, fearing the Sightmother will kill him. The Sightmother approaches Sylina, touching her cheek and projecting both motherly love and cold anger through her magic. The Sightmother reveals the Pythora King has not been a man for a very long time. She explains the Arachessen belief that suffering and conflict forge strength, implying the Sisterhood deliberately perpetuated the endless war in Glaea.

Devastated by this betrayal, Sylina realizes her life’s work was built on lies. The Sightmother declares Sylina was never meant to learn this truth and demands to know why she disobeyed orders. When Atrius steps forward to protect Sylina, the Sightmother uses her magic to bind him. To save him, Sylina lies and claims their intimacy was part of her mission to gain his trust, and Atrius is shocked and hurt by her apparent betrayal. The Sightmother reveals Sylina’s true mission was to assassinate Atrius and prepares to kill him with the blessed dagger. Sylina argues that sacrificing an acolyte of a rival goddess would be a valuable offering to Acaeja, and the Sightmother grants Sylina a second chance to redeem herself through this sacrifice.