The story archetype has resolved twice so far. Myra's shade and Sebastian's Other provided insight that subsequent events forced him to use. He failed the challenges at first, blaming himself for Torres's death and believing the Other's words of self-incrimination, but he overcame. He stopped accusing himself and refused to believe in his weakness. Against Theodore, the archetype repeats twice more.

Sebastian proves himself free of guilt by treating Lily as someone he loves, rather than the object of his failure. She conflagrated Sebastian twice, and her flames represented his memories misshapen by guilt. When Theodore summons her again, her fiery footsteps indicate that Sebastian wavers internally before applying his new confidence to the present moment. However, her fire tracks disappear halfway during her run to Sebastian's arms because he stops feeling anxious. He proves himself healed.

Sebastian fully breaks from the player's memories in the archetype's next, final execution. When he shot his Other, he denied his weakness and refused a dependent relationship with the player. Just as Lily's appearance tested his freedom from guilt, Theodore's gauntlet of bosses from The Evil Within test Sebastian's resolve against our memories.

Theodore is the perfect antagonist to stir a bad player/character relationship. He thrives on unhealthy dependence, easing anxiety through subjugation. He frames his "gift" in terms of freedom ("You hold the key to easing your torment. I can guide you to the lock."), but relief only comes when someone accepts him as their leader. As we saw with O'Neal, Theodore amplifies anxiety then poses as a strongman who can save.

Fire — mastery over fear and memory — is his gift. His cohorts physically transform. Flames enwrap the Acolyes, and Harbingers wash the Lost with flamethrowers. When Theodore tries to force Sebastian back into his dependent relationship with the player, Sebastian only overcomes by fighting fire with fire.