Seems like they're preparing a new part of Time Temple.

There is one thing that proves she is QUITE strong. All cygnus knihts don't posses power on their own, it all comes from the Empress Cygnus. Thats why when she went evil, the powers of the Cygnus went evil too. At least that's what I got from the quests.

This.
As far as I can tell, the empress in and of herself doesn't do much, but as we can see when she turns evil, is capable of a hell of a lot. It seems to me now that she is the source of power, but doesn't wield it directly. She also has to keep Ereve floating, which is going to take a lot of energy.