Willow comes back to the room she's staying at, at the monastery on Zion, and finds that Sebazhan is working with a "light-machine", trying to learn how it works, so that he can possibly help with the assault on Light-of-Star's palace. They discuss ideas about what might be done to thwart Light-of-Star's plans and facilitate the taking of the palace. Then, they decide to check on the former Archon, since Sebazhan indicates that he has not been doing well.

When they arrive, they learn that Methuselah is doing poorly indeed, and a summons was about to be sent for Willow to come quickly. They go to visit the former Archon, and while they are there, Methuselah passes on peacefully.