The Ancient One spoke his final declaration to Shade beneath the moon:
"We have said far too much. I am not your friend, nor am I strictly your enemy. I am merely a remnant sitting idly upon a throne, something long dead. I will not wait for you to summon a god. Next, I will use all my strength to kill you all. Time will witness everything, and time will guide everything, in the name of Yggdrasil."
Gripping the armrests on either side of the throne, the old man upon it took another deep breath. It was as though heavenly light descended from above, pure white radiance completely enveloping his body. As that white light appeared, the golden light within the clock face behind the throne flowed even faster, while the great tree farther behind it grew increasingly bright.
The emerald radiance shone as though it were about to set the canopy ablaze. The entire awakened forest gathered all its strength here through its roots and crown. The power accumulated over five epochs of sitting upon that throne—by nature and trees, time and paradox—erupted all at once tonight.
Not a god, yet surpassing one. Though his body had not changed in size, the old man on the throne grew larger and larger in everyone's perception. He seemed to still be seated upon the throne, yet it was as though he had already risen. He seemed to be before their eyes, yet also seemed to be everywhere.
But even with such mighty power, Shade could see that the weariness in the old man's green eyes could no longer be concealed. He was truly tired, more tired than anyone alive or dead tonight:
"God Summoner, visitor from beyond time, one favored by the Silver Moon, an accident beyond all accidents, audience beneath