Awakening 20

Awakening 20 is the twentieth episode of the Awakening animation series. It was released on February 7, 2023.
== Synopsis ==
“Time is running out before Alistair and his allies have to make a move against Sylvana. But is there any trace left of his former wife?”
=== Additional Info ===
I am sorry to say that there’s going to be one last hiatus in the production of Awakening. We’ve got a few episodes left, however the remaining episodes aren’t even started yet. It’ll be months before there’s another episode of Awakening, but once it comes back I’m going to aim to release the remaining episodes regularly to finish things up once and for all.
== Production ==
* Director, Producer: Sam Mokler
* Writer: Paul Sell
* Animator: Hector Amavizca
* Artists: Gabriel Carroll, Fil Romero
* Lead Animator: Mimi Alves
=== Cast ===
* Alistair – Ricco Fajardo
* Isabelle – Sarah Wiedenheft
* Sylvana – Miranda Greene
* Chris – Chris Young
* Jessica – Leslie Burk
* Claire – Brittany Lauda
* Ashley – Ashley Sahler
* Zephys – Chelsea Simmons
== Plot ==
Director Zephis informs Alistair about Sylvana massing her forces in the ruins of their old village and suggests that he stay away until their attack tomorrow. She and her aides teleport away and Alistair and Jessica agree its best to join the DSC to defeat Sylvana.
Meanwhile up in the bedroom Ashley and Clair are using Mana Transfer to try and restore Isabell's powers faster now that she no longer needs to donate blood for the ritual. While it may weaken them at least until tomorrow it seems to work and Izzy begins to get her magic back. Just as the transfer completes Chris at last stirs awake much to Izzy's joy. While he's still ashamed he let Sylvana trick him and find the island Izzy swears never to hold that against him and is just happy he's okay. As the four of them talk Chris says how he may not have been fully conscious but he did overhear most of what happened last night and he already knows about the destruction of Fox Island as well as the truth of Alistair and Izzy being mad at him for his secrets. While she remains hurt and conflicted Chris and the others point our how life's been so hard on Alistair in isolation and how he's been punishing himself for his past mistakes out of shame ever since. Izzy begins to see their point and think things over about her master.
Out in the backyard Jessica asks Alistair if he's honestly prepared to finally end this and kill Sylvana. While Alistair knows he has to stop her by any means he also holds onto hope that there's still a part of the uncorrupted Sylvana still in there and maybe a chance to save her. Jessica suggests Alistair try one last time to reach her through their soul bond like she did and maybe get through to the women he loves. Alistair musters his power and links with her.
In her newly established fortress Sylvana is informed by one of her followers of more forces flocking to her armies and she praises herself on the success of her new curse. At that moment Alistair links with her. Sylvana asks if his apprentices now see the truth of who he is but Alistair says this is between the two of them. He pleads with Sylvana to end this madness and let go of the past. He says how he went through the same pain of loosing Amber but the Nonbloods who killed her are long dead and the world has changed so much since that time. For a brief moment Sylvana seems conflicted but as Alistair tries to plead with her to end the hate and think of their children she is angered that he sealed her away and she never got to see them again. Despite Alistair's pleas Sylvana refuses to back down and expresses only hate for him now. The link ends and Sylvana welcomes Alistair's coming retaliation.
Back on Cinder Isle Alistair awakens from his meditation and Jessica asks how it went. He informs her that unfortunately the women he once loved is lost to him and he sees no choice but to kill her and end this madness. Jessica understands that must be hard but that she'll stand by him. At that moment Izzy comes out and agrees that its time to leave the past behind and focus on saving the future. With her powers returning she forgives Alistair for his lies and is ready to prepare for the final battle. Alistair praises both her and Jessica saying how he'll need both of their help to end this and kill Sylvana. Izzy is glad he's committed to that goal and asks what their next move is.