Chapter 67: Emory

Emory, Romie, Aspen, Tol, and Vera confront Cornus Clover, who appears youthful despite living two centuries earlier. Clover explains he was trapped in the godsworld where time flows differently, gathered knowledge and power from the divine fountain, and has awaited the next keys to restore balance.

Sidraeus challenges him, and Clover reveals that Sidraeus can only regain his true form if Atheia’s pieces reunite—knowledge Clover learned in the godsworld. Emory deduces Clover siphoned power from the keys and the fountain, corrupting the ley lines. Clover admits he consumed both Atheia’s and Sidraeus’s power to rival the gods, initially to protect Tidecallers, but now to replace the gods.

When Clover threatens Sidraeus, Emory rusts off the magic damper, freeing him. Clover counters with a devastating blast, briefly forcing Sidraeus’s spirit from Keiran’s body before pinning the group with Glamour. Drawing on the ley line, Clover raises ash-and-bone creatures that seize Romie, Aspen, and Tol, declaring the keys must die for Atheia’s return. The creatures vanish with the keys.

Emory breaks the Glamour and attacks Clover on the starlit path, trying to siphon his power. Clover strikes back with a conjured blade, but Keiran steps between them and is impaled. Sidraeus’s umbral form separates and retreats to the sleepscape, foiling Clover’s plan to use him.

Umbrae swarm to shield Emory; Clover withdraws in a cloud of dust. Emory finds Keiran dying and moves to heal him, but he begs her to let him die to be free of Sidraeus’s stain. Keiran dies in her arms, leaving Emory with the knowledge that Clover has the keys and intends to complete his godhood.