“The Ancient Ones took counsel. This was their decision; that they would go from the gardens before the Silver Waters⁠—leaving, since they could not kill it, the Shining One with its worshippers. They sealed the mouth of the passage that leads to the Moon Pool Chamber and they changed the face of the cliff so that none might tell where it had been. But the passage itself they left open⁠—having foreknowledge I think, of a thing that was to come to pass in the far future⁠—perhaps it was your journey here, my Larry and Goodwin⁠—verily I think so. And they destroyed all the ways save that which we three trod to the Dweller’s abode.

“For the last time they went to the Three⁠—to pass sentence upon them. This was the doom⁠—that here they should remain, alone, among the Akka, served by them, until that time dawned when they would have will to destroy the evil they had created⁠—and even now⁠—loved; nor might they seek death, nor follow their judges until this had come to pass. This was the doom they put upon the Three for the wickedness that had sprung from their pride, and they strengthened it with their arts that it might not be broken.