Akin wonders why his family hasn’t come for him, but he realizes that the people in Phoenix appreciate his presence. Gabe introduces him to the work being done in the village, showing him the textile mill and the blacksmith. Gabe also shows Akin the village’s money, which has a phoenix emblem that symbolizes rebirth. Akin accidentally calls this mythology a lie, upsetting Gabe. However, Gabe eventually laughs, relieved that Akin is just like a “real” kid who makes mistakes.

Two new children—constructs like Akin—arrive in Phoenix, having been captured and sold. This excites Akin, and he asks to meet them. Akin and the new children explore each other. He discovers they are siblings—one human born and one Oankali born. The elder displays signs of femaleness, while Akin predicts that the younger, influenced by the sibling’s femaleness, will be male.

The humans, accompanied by Akin and the new children, Amma and Shkaht, venture into the mountains for reasons unknown to Akin. During their night camp, Akin overhears a discussion among certain human adults—notably, one called Neci—about the idea of severing new children’s tentacles while they are still young. This concerns Akin. Stancio, Neci’s husband, challenges this proposal, asking her, “How many times would you torture children?” (141).

As Neci keeps whispering to others about severing the girls’ tentacles, Akin takes matters into his own hands by teaching Amma and Shkaht English. The three children discuss escape, their parents, their homes, and their observations. Akin is reminded of his own isolation from his sibling and Lilith. This leads to a disagreement with Tate.

The group finally arrives at an old prewar city that was “smashed and covered by the Oankali” (151). Here, humans, known as “salvagers,” are excavating the site. Amid the ruins, there is a museum displaying old human objects from a distant past. The area has become a bustling hub for trade and conversation among many humans.

The human called Neci states that she intends to take one or both of the girls, Amma and Shkaht, while advocating for cutting their tentacles. Attempting to rally support from other salvagers, she faces both resistance and agreement, heightening tensions. Fearing harm, the girls decide to leave. Though Akin wishes to accompany them, he acknowledges that they will travel more quickly and safely as a duo. Despite his distress, he allows them to induce a deep sleep in him before departing.

Upon waking, Akin tells Tate about Neci’s plans to take the girls and cut their tentacles, prompting their escape. Neci and Macy, who shared the intent to sever the girls’ tentacles, visit Akin’s tent. Tate staunchly defends Akin against them and confronts them about their plan.

During a conversation with Tate, Akin discusses the conflicts among humans and between humans and the Oankali. As Akin lies awake at night, he ponders why the Oankali don’t permit the human resisters to have their own “Akjai” faction; Akjai are Oankali without human contact or genetic material, but humans without Oankali contact or influence do not exist. He reflects that “[h]e [is] Oankali enough to be listened to by other Oankali and Human enough to know that resister Humans [are] being treated with cruelty and condescension” (173).

A year elapses in Phoenix. A human named Sabina catches Akin tasting objects to understand them better. Akin explains the significance of this practice to her; in turn, in his quest to learn more about being human, he asks Sabina to help him understand why human children put things in their mouths.

Akin embraces the humans as his “teachers,” forming a close bond with Tate. Through this connection, he discovers that humans desire to have their own children and a place they can call home. This leads him to understand the profound yearnings within the human experience.

Gabe invites Akin to watch a play in which he is performing—an experience Akin appreciates despite being accustomed to only “true” stories. Subsequently, Gabe and Akin embark on a trip, exploring the world together, a journey that Akin thoroughly enjoys. During this excursion, Akin gathers information about various organisms they encounter, intending to share the details with Nikanj upon his return home.

Soon after Gabe and Akin return from their trip, the Oankali arrive—including Lilith and Tino, who is revealed to be alive—surprising Tate and Akin in the garden. Tate attempts to jog Tino’s memory of their past interactions in Phoenix, but he does not remember. The Oankali and Lilith explain that they intentionally left Akin with humans so he could learn from them, sacrificing his chance to bond with his sibling.

Akin decides to go with the Oankali and shares his gathered information with Nikanj. Gabe, fearing Tate will join the Oankali, arrives. Akin assures the Oankali that Tate and Gabe are his friends. Though Lilith encourages Tate and Gabe to come with them, they firmly refuse.