When he approached the summit of Mount Purgatory in
Purgatorio, Dante suddenly turned to see that his faithful guide, Virgil, was no longer at his side. Now, in the Empyrean, something similar happens, as Beatrice returns to her rightful place in order to resume her praise of God. Now that he has attained the ability to contemplate God firsthand, Dante no longer needs Beatrice (who has symbolized indirect revelation of God).