While Tas-son-Dar weighs a choice of allegiances, Sha, Erytl Photrak, and Orlan explore the dark reaches of Urithiru. Lured by the sound of a crying child, the group is ambushed by three figures clad in colourful robes. These attackers—commanding cloth to attack—are defeated, though the child mysteriously vanishes. Among the loot, the group finds a note for Sha marked with a symbol depicting a palm holding a flame.

The group is invited by Navani Kholin reports the encounter to her. She tasks them with finding the Sibling in exchange for investigating the attackers' robes. In the hidden halls, they discover a scroll bearing the Sibling’s symbol and learn of the Unmade, specifically Re-Shephir (the Midnight Mother). They narrowly avoid a Fused patrol—alerting Sebarial to the threat—before returning to Navani with the scroll.

As they leave, the ardent Zahel warns Sha that she is being hunted by the Undying Palm. He mutters to her "My breath to yours. My life become yours", enhancing her speed.

On their way home, a shadow-creature leads the group back into the depths to meet Re-Shephir herself. The Unmade demands secrecy and a glimpse into Orlan’s mind; in exchange for these favors, she grants Orlan a spike for increased strength and helps her to control her surge of progression better. The group departs, shaken by their pact with one of Odium’s Unmade.