Based on what we know, the soul who lies has to be the Cave Bear Goddess. But what if the one last divine weapon—the last fallen star—isn’t the thing that brings upon the end of all days? What if it’s the thing that will prevent it?

“I don’t know how, but I think the last fallen star is still the answer to all of this,” I start. “It’s supposed to be a weapon. So maybe that’s how we unplug her, by using the weapon against her.”

The sound of beating wings descends on us, and I look up to see Areum land on the crown of Mr. Pyo’s head. Luckily for him, she’s still dove size. He yelps and rolls into a ball, covering his head with his hands.

“You are correct, Riley Oh,” Areum says. “Only a weapon forged in the Godrealm—a piece of the divine itself—has the power to sever the link between a goddess and her gifted clan. The last fallen star is a divine weapon, and therefore an appropriate tool with which to carry out such a task. All you need is a threading spell.”

“What’s that?” Emmett asks.

Auntie Okja responds. “It reveals the threads that connect a witch to a patron goddess. The council has had to perform this kind of spell on rogue witches from time to time, when they weren’t willing to tell us which clan they belonged to. The spell can not only reveal the link, but also make the connection vulnerable.”

Areum gives a jerky nod. “Reveal the threads that connect the goddess to the Gom, then cut them with the last fallen star. That is the way to sever the link between the Cave Bear Goddess and all the healers.”

I let out a gleeful yelp. I guess being able to fly freely between the Mortalrealm and the Godrealm means you pick up some useful knowledge.

“And just by chance,” I ask Areum, “do you happen to know where we could find this divine weapon?” I don’t know why I didn’t ask her earlier, but better late than never.

She squawks. “I do not know where it is, but I know who does.”

Emmett comes over and nudges me in the side. His eyes are sparkling. “I told you she might come in handy!”

My heart soars as the sweet taste of hope returns to my tongue. We can still do this. Areum will lead us to the person who knows where the last fallen star is, and with it in our hands, we’ll await the goddess’s return. When the Cave Bear Goddess sees that I’ve retrieved what she asked for, she’ll give back Hattie. And once my sister is safe and sound, we’ll unplug the goddess from the Gom clan. The plan is kind of devious, sure, but no more so than a goddess impersonating a Gom.