Venli marches through barren mountain valleys with Raboniel’s strike team, moving on foot after Heavenly Ones dropped them weeks earlier. Windrunner patrols force a stealthy approach to Urithiru via the lower tunnels. Among the force are the makay‑im—Deepest Ones—aloof Fused who seem to meld into stone as they glide.

Fascinated, Venli studies their motion until Raboniel joins her. Raboniel notes Leshwi chose an “irregular” Voice in Venli, the daughter of traitors, yet rewards competence. Venli worries her hidden bond might be exposed, but Raboniel instead engages her curiosity about the Deepest Ones.

Raboniel explains that the makay‑im wield Cohesion, the Surge of Axial Connection, allowing them to intermingle their axi with stone. She claims Adhesion is not a true Surge, asserts that Fused master a single Surge eternally, and contrasts them with Radiants who wield two but leak Light and lack such intimacy with power.

When Venli asks why they serve Odium if Surges are of Honor and Cultivation, Raboniel derides the question, portraying Cultivation as a creature‑god hiding in these mountains and Honor as mere law. Odium, she says, is Passion that rewards, offering Venli “true knowledge” and “true life,” and subtly stoking Venli’s ambition.

Later, Rothan—commander of Leshwi’s soldiers—warns Venli not to provoke the Fused, noting she is valued because Leshwi values her. Venli resolves to survive what comes, as Raboniel drives the force onward; within a week, they expect to reach Urithiru and begin the real test.