The final level of Destruction of Heavenly Bliss, the Sundered Throne, is a three-stage gauntlet culminating in the multi-phase boss fight against Malakh, the Broken Covenant. Success requires activating three Celestial Resonators by collecting Shards of Penumbra, managing elite Shattered Seraphs in the Cathedral of Dusk, and mastering the parry windows in the final encounter to achieve one of two endings.
This guide breaks down the entire level, from preparation and enemy strategies to the final boss mechanics and the requirements for the game's true ending. The critical path involves solving the Resonator light puzzle before you can access the final boss arena.
What to Bring Before You Enter the Sundered Throne
The Sundered Throne is a point of no return. Once you pass through the Ashen Gates after defeating the Twin Vicars, you cannot go back to grind or purchase items. Your build should be finalized. We strongly recommend the following loadout for a balanced approach that handles both the level's mobs and the final boss.
- Weapon: A +10 Ascension-tier weapon is almost mandatory. The Crimson Reaver (Scythe) or the Starless Gaze (Greatsword) are ideal due to their high stagger potential and wide arcs, which are excellent for crowd control against the Cherubim swarms.
- Armor: The Penitent's Raiment set, found in the Weeping Sarcophagus, offers the best balance of physical and ethereal defense, which is crucial for surviving Malakh's mixed damage profile. Its set bonus also slightly increases the i-frames on your dodge.
- Talisman: Equip the Talisman of Unseen Mercy. It grants a brief window of invulnerability after a successful parry, a lifesaver during the final boss fight. The Shard of the Ageless is also a top-tier choice for its passive essence regeneration.
- Consumables: Stock up on the maximum number of Veridian Elixirs (12) and at least five Warding Incense bundles. The incense provides a temporary 30% boost to ethereal defense, which can negate the deadliest attacks from the Shattered Seraphs.
Do not enter this level without a fully upgraded Elixir Flask. The final checkpoint is just before the boss, but the path to get there is an endurance test.
The Gauntlet: Navigating the Cathedral of Dusk
The first section of the Sundered Throne is a sprawling, broken cathedral. Your goal is to find and collect three Shards of Penumbra, which act as keys for the Celestial Resonators. The area is patrolled by two new, highly dangerous elite enemy types.
Elite Enemies: Shattered Seraphs and Hollowed Cherubim
Your primary obstacles are not traps, but enemies. Learn their patterns, or you will exhaust your elixirs before you even reach the halfway point.
- Shattered Seraphs: These towering, six-winged constructs are the level's main threat. They have a devastating three-hit combo that ends in an unblockable ethereal lance throw. The key is to dodge into their first two swings and then create distance to bait the lance throw, which has a long recovery animation, leaving them open for 3-4 hits.
- Hollowed Cherubim: These smaller, floating enemies attack in swarms of 3-5. While individually weak, their rapid-fire soul darts can stunlock you, setting you up for a killing blow from a Seraph. Use wide, sweeping attacks or area-of-effect abilities like Ethereal Rupture to clear them out quickly before focusing on the larger threats.
Destruction of Heavenly Bliss in-game screenshot
The Celestial Resonators: Solving the Penumbra Puzzle
With the Shards of Penumbra collected, you must find and activate three large, bell-like resonators. Each is in a distinct subsection of the cathedral and is typically guarded by a Seraph and a swarm of Cherubim. Activating a resonator requires you to stand near it and hold the interact button for several seconds, leaving you vulnerable. Always clear the area before attempting an activation.
Resonator Locations
A markdown table is a great way to present structured data like this, making it easy for players to scan.
| Resonator Location | Guardian Presence | Environmental Hazard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nave of Whispers | 1x Shattered Seraph, 3x Cherubim | Collapsing Floor | The floor near the far wall will crumble. Lure the Seraph towards the entrance to fight on stable ground. |
| Orrery of Fates | 2x Shattered Seraph | Ethereal Fog | A dense fog periodically rolls in, reducing visibility. Use lock-on to keep track of the Seraphs. |
| Apex of Sorrow | 1x Shattered Seraph, 5x Cherubim | Narrow Walkways | This resonator is at the top of a broken spire. Be mindful of your footing, as a mistimed dodge will be fatal. |
Once all three resonators chime in unison, the massive sealed door at the far end of the Cathedral of Dusk will grind open, revealing the path to the Echoing Chancel and the final confrontation.
Destruction of Heavenly Bliss in-game screenshot
Final Boss Guide: Malakh, the Broken Covenant
Malakh is a three-phase fight that tests every skill you've learned. He is fast, hits incredibly hard, and changes his patterns significantly between phases. Patience is your greatest weapon here.
Phase 1: The Fallen Guardian
In his first phase, Malakh is aggressive but predictable. He wields the Scythe of Sorrow and primarily uses sweeping physical attacks. The key to this phase is learning the parry timing of his main three-hit combo. The third swing is slightly delayed; parrying it will open him up for a visceral attack that deals massive damage. Stay close, circle to his right (away from the scythe), and focus on parrying that third swing. He will occasionally leap back and fire a wave of ethereal energy, which can be dodged by rolling forward through it.
Phase 2: Shattered Divinity
At roughly 60% health, Malakh will roar and plunge his scythe into the ground, shattering the outer ring of the arena. He now incorporates powerful area-of-effect (AoE) attacks. His most dangerous new move is the Gaze of Ruin, where his eyes glow before unleashing a massive ethereal beam that sweeps across the arena. You must sprint to get behind him to avoid it. His physical combos are also faster and now extend to five hits. Focus on dodging and punishing the recovery of his AoE attacks rather than trying to parry his frantic combos.
This phase is also where the secret third phase can be triggered. During a successful stagger, you will have a unique opportunity.
Destruction of Heavenly Bliss in-game screenshot
Phase 3 (Secret): The Cleansing
This phase is not about combat. If you successfully trigger it, you have already won the true ending. Malakh will fall to his knees, cleansed of the corruption. A final, poignant cutscene will play, revealing his true fate and altering the game's conclusion. If you fail to trigger this, you will proceed to kill him, locking you into the standard ending.
How to Get the True Ending ("Redemption")
Achieving the true ending requires completing a hidden objective before starting the final boss fight. Many players miss this on their first playthrough. The steps are precise.
- Obtain the Tear of Aethel: This key item is formed by combining the 'Faded Wedding Band' and the 'Petrified Tear,' both found in the Sunken City of Lyra. You must take them to the altar in the Moonlit Chapel to merge them.
- Exhaust Loremaster Elara's Dialogue: You must have spoken to Elara at every location she appears. Her final conversation reveals the true nature of the Covenant and Malakh's fall.
- Trigger the Secret Phase: During Phase 2 of the Malakh fight, you must stagger him by breaking his posture. While he is on one knee, instead of performing a visceral attack, you must use the Tear of Aethel from your quick-item slot. This prompts a unique animation called Absolution's Embrace, cleansing him and initiating the true ending.
This is the only window to use the item. If you perform a normal visceral attack or miss the stagger window, you will be locked into the standard ending for that playthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many phases does the final boss in Destruction of Heavenly Bliss have? Malakh, the Broken Covenant, has two mandatory combat phases. A secret third non-combat phase exists, which is triggered by using the Tear of Aethel during a stagger in Phase 2 to unlock the game's true ending.
Is there a point of no return in the final level? Yes. Passing through the Ashen Gates after the Twin Vicars boss fight is the point of no return. You cannot leave the Sundered Throne area to level up or buy items after this point.
What's the best weapon for Malakh? While any +10 weapon is viable, weapons with high stagger damage like the Crimson Reaver (Scythe) or Starless Gaze (Greatsword) are highly effective. They make it easier to break Malakh's posture, which is crucial for both dealing damage and triggering the true ending.
Final Take
The Sundered Throne is a masterclass in final-level design, blending a grueling environmental challenge with a spectacular, multi-layered boss encounter. It demands mastery over the game's core mechanics and rewards observant players with one of the most satisfying secret endings in recent memory. By preparing your loadout, learning the enemy patterns, and knowing the precise secret to Malakh's redemption, you can finally overcome the Destruction of Heavenly Bliss.