Kalai – Damn it, Elliot, you people take forever to open the door.
Prof. Louis – Where's Maya? And the others?
Kalai – I let the younger ones handle it.
Prof. Louis – You checked the scale of the calamity before leaving them there, right?
Kalai – Of course. I'm not an idiot.
Prof. Louis smirks.
Prof. Louis – In that case, you're being a better teacher than I am.
He opens the door wider and calls out to the others.
Prof. Louis – It's just Kalai.
Kalai steps inside and walks straight toward Rebecca and her daughter. Rebecca greets him with a tight embrace. Alicia, however, still hesitates, reluctant to show any affection.
Prof. Louis – Very well. I was going to begin with the others, but since both her parents are here, let's finally sever Alicia's bond with Annora.
Alicia – I think you should do Violet first.
Everyone turns toward her, puzzled.
Prof. Louis – Why?
Alicia – She was the most affected out of all of us. I believe she'll be more useful than me.
Prof. Louis studies her for a moment.
Prof. Louis – Is that what you truly believe?
Alicia – Yes.
He glances at Kalai with a faint smile.
Prof. Louis – Kalai, she's just like you.
They prepare everything. Valeria gently places Violet at the center of the circle.
Prof. Louis – Let's begin.
Valeria and the professor join hands above Violet's body, chanting incomprehensible words. Suddenly, a white beam of light tears through the ceiling and strikes Violet violently. She begins to levitate.
Alicia – What is that?!
They continue chanting with unwavering intensity.
Moments later, a dark miasma begins seeping out of Violet—through her pores, her eyes, her mouth. She groans in pain.
Jheysi – They're hurting her!
Alicia – Yes! But I don't believe they'd risk her life doing this ritual.
Jheysi nods, though worry remains etched on her face. Alicia takes her hand gently, and some of the tension fades.
Prof. Louis – Kalai, now! Take the vessel and seal it!
Kalai rushes to the table, grabs the container, and positions it beside Violet's floating body. Extending both hands, he moves them counterclockwise. A swirling green vortex forms, pulling the dark miasma into the small vessel.
Alicia's eyes shine at the sight of such overwhelming power.
Violet's body drops hard onto the floor. She wakes, gasping.
Valeria quickly kneels beside her, administering healing while holding her hand.
Violet looks around.
Violet – Where's Jheysi?
Jheysi rushes forward.
Jheysi – I'm here!
Violet – Did you manage it? Did you save Alicia?
Jheysi – I tried… but honestly, she saved me.
Violet – She's here?
With effort, Violet sits up. Supported by Valeria and Jheysi, she spots Alicia standing beside Rebecca.
Violet – Hi, Alicia… it's been so long… and—
Alicia – Wait, Violet. I need to tell you something too.
Violet smiles softly.
Violet – Can we have an honest conversation?
She steadies herself and turns to Valeria.
Violet – Is there somewhere we can talk privately?
Valeria – There's a small balcony upstairs. It's cold, but it's comfortable enough for you. Go up the stairs, turn left, first large glass door. You can't miss it.
Violet – Perfect.
She heads for the stairs, and Alicia supports her.
Upstairs, they find a cozy balcony with a large sofa and a small table with chairs.
Violet – Where are you going? The sofa's way more comfortable.
Alicia laughs.
They sit at opposite ends of the sofa.
Violet – Alicia… I need—
Alicia – I'm sorry.
Violet blinks.
Violet – For what?
Alicia – For dragging all of this into your life. Into everyone's.
Violet shakes her head.
Violet – I should be the one apologizing. When you arrived at the institute, I was fascinated. I knew you were special… like something connected us. And then I abandoned you. I don't even remember when we last talked. It feels like years ago.
Alicia's voice softens.
Alicia – You changed my week for the better. If you hadn't introduced me to your friends… I would've locked myself in my room.
Violet swallows.
Violet – When I found out you were younger than me, I felt this overwhelming need to protect you. Like an older sister. I tried so hard to make you love the institute, because I knew what you'd been through.
Alicia gently lifts Violet's chin.
Alicia – You did well. You were an older sister to me. You surrounded me with incredible people—people willing to risk their lives for me.
Tears stream down Violet's face.
Violet – The cruel irony is that what connected us was a curse… and what separated us too.
Alicia smiles softly.
Alicia – I prefer to think Annora introduced me to my best friend.
Violet laughs weakly.
Violet – That's a better way to see it.
Alicia – So… no more unresolved issues?
Violet – I need to do one more thing.
She pulls out a radiant pendant—its gemstone shifting between violet, green, and blue.
Violet – Do you know what this is?
Alicia grins.
Alicia – A really cool necklace?
Violet rolls her eyes.
Violet – It's the Dragon's Eye pendant. It's been in my family for decades. I want you to have it.
Alicia – I can't accept that.
Violet – You're family now. And I'll only accept your apology if you accept my gift.
Alicia sighs playfully.
Alicia – Fine. On one condition.
Violet – Which is?
Alicia – You really will be that older sister.
Violet smiles through tears.
Violet – Completely.
Alicia takes the pendant.
Alicia – Then I accept.
Suddenly, loud noises erupt downstairs.
They rush down despite Violet's weakened state.
In the main hall, Fionna's body levitates as Valeria, Kalai, and Professor Louis conduct another ritual. At the doorway, Gregor carries Maya in his arms while Khawlah heals her. Albert and Estela restrain a blue-haired girl—Seraphine.
Alicia – Maya! You did it!
Soon, it's Alicia's turn. Rebecca and Kalai lead the ritual. The miasma fights fiercely—stronger than before.
Prof. Louis – Annora's core is resisting!
He calls Albert and Estela to intensify their relics. Their conflicting melodies clash—then harmonize. Fionna, weak, raises a glowing golden hand to assist.
Finally, the miasma is sealed.
Alicia awakens, exhausted but free.
Later, on the balcony, they debate Maya's fate. Mandy reveals how Maya defeated Seraphine with a terrifying black sword—one that seemed to cut the spirit itself.
The weight of the decision presses on them.
Alicia – I've never felt peace like I did after the ritual.
Violet nods.
Violet – I vote for sealing it.
Alicia – Me too.
They return downstairs.
Maya lies within a far more complex circle—four-pointed, intricate.
Professor Louis stands at one end. Valeria at the opposite. Kalai and Rebecca at the remaining points.
Violet – We're here.
Prof. Louis – Thank you. We can begin.
Valeria and Rebecca start chanting.
Prof. Louis turns to Alicia and Violet.
Prof. Louis – Go to the front door. Keep watch.
Violet frowns.
Violet – Why? What could possibly come from there?