According to Venti, Barbatos' mortal persona, Khaenri'ah was destroyed because of its practice of the Art of Khemia, a form of alchemy that allowed for the creation of life. However, at some point during the cataclysm, a certain incident occurred that left the Tsaritsa greatly embittered. Whatever happened during that time angered her enough that she cut all ties with him as a result, despite having a relatively close relationship beforehand.