Vis keeps trying to form a Harmonic link with Tash so that he can see through the iunctus's eyes, but his usual methods fail. When Caeror asks whether Vis is using Caecilius's deeper philosophy rather than simple visual similarity, Vis changes approach and focuses on Tash as a person. That shift works: Vis suddenly sees himself from Tash's perspective, notices his own black eyes and the Instruction Blade jutting from Tash's chest, and is overwhelmed by Tash's terror and helplessness. The shock throws Vis to his knees, blind and retching.

Once Vis recovers enough to speak, he tells Caeror that Tash is not just hurting but utterly afraid and unable to resist what is being done to him. Caeror is horrified by that realization, but also recognizes that the experiment succeeded because Vis truly connected to another person's experience. Caeror removes the blade, apologizes, and speaks privately with Tash. Even though Vis is revolted by the violation and doubts he can repeat it, Caeror returns with Tash's continued consent and argues that they must keep going because Ka inflicts this kind of domination on countless people.

As they leave the waterfall chamber, Vis questions what he is becoming and asks whether killing Ka is truly the only path. Caeror answers that Ka's power is not something ordinary Will can outmatch and says Vis should think of another solution as impossible rather than merely unchosen. Caeror then reveals a second test: Ka's pyramid in Duat is protected by a barrier, and Yusef believed only someone who is Synchronous can survive contact with it. Though exhausted, Vis agrees to continue.

During the walk, Caeror explains that the tomb carvings record names, deeds, families, and hopes for the afterlife. He then opens a hidden ancient doorway with glowing glyphs and leads Vis into preserved black-stone passages built by the same lost civilization that made the Channels. Beyond them lies an underground garden, still functioning after four thousand years, where crops grow under artificial light. While Caeror stops to speak with Khensu, Vis wanders, marvels at the living plants, and briefly befriends Nofret, a hungry girl sneaking beans who tests whether he will expose her and then playfully shares her theft.

Caeror next leads Vis deeper into the complex. A low hum in the air immediately unsettles Vis because it matches the sensation he remembers from the Anguis attack and the vision of a pyramid like Duat. At the end of the corridor stands a flickering golden door covered in glyphs and a symbol like the one used to activate a Channel. The pulsing light and thrum trigger Vis's trauma so completely that he relives the fear, blood, screams, and helplessness of Anguis; despite Caeror's reassurance that he is safe, the panic becomes unbearable, and Vis flees.