Since faking his death two years ago, Greyson has been traveling the world with his entourage and Morrison, trying to curb the Sibilants, an extremist sect of Tonists who believe in destroying all sound-producing instruments in the world, including their own tongues. Sibilants consider Greyson a false prophet, trying to fill the shoes of the deceased Toll. Greyson often summons a sign from the Thunderhead to stop a Sibilant group from their destructive activities, such as getting a flock of birds to descend on them by secretly manipulating the nanites of the birds.

Morrison enjoys working for Greyson. He finally has a purpose in life and has developed a rapport with Sister Astrid. Curate Mendoza continues to organize the Toll’s appearances and is laying the ground for the story of his resurrection, even though Tonists do not believe in rebirth. The Thunderhead seems reasonably content, but everything changes when it witnesses the mass gleaning at the stadium. The Thunderhead laments, telling Greyson the gleaning is the “grim fulcrum upon which many things will pivot” (340).

Tenka believes the monumental information Citra is uncovering should be made public by Anastasia herself in public broadcasts. In her first short broadcast, Citra announces that she is alive.