 The Watcher and his companions pursue Thaos to Twin Elms , where they finally learn the truth behind Thaos ' actions . The gods are synthetic beings created by ancient animancers to serve as a civilizing force for the world . Thaos is the last survivor of their order , and his eternal mission is to ensure that nobody ever discovers the gods ' secret . To this end , he works to discredit and suppress animancy wherever it flourishes . He stole the souls of the Hollowborn to empower the goddess Woedica , who hates animancy and would see it destroyed . Though the other gods have an interest in protecting their secret , they do not want Woedica to dominate them , and so aid the Watcher in confronting Thaos . 
