In this chapter, we learn that we're in the midst of a cycle of rebirth, and that the cycle is about to come to an end. We're also introduced to the "Hesham" booth, where we find out that the two of them are going to live together. We learn that the "thing in the cocoon" is a "negative emotion" that is "invaded by pain, hatred, sorrow, despair" and eventually "mixed together" . We also learn that "evacuation" is the best way to "control the water" because it's "sparser rather than blocked" , and "the divine power of forced suppression" isn't enough to "deter" the negative emotions. The two men agree that one person is not enough to defeat the cycle, but that now there's a second person who has accumulated "hundreds of life insights" and can "dilute" negative emotion. They're going to fight with their backs against the river, but whether or not it works, they'll never part with each other. "hope mercy put back," says the two men, "there's no notion of time here." We learn, however, that "the cycle is collapsing," but that "our business is not yet over yet." The "mirror array," the "eastern lands," and the "next god" are all on opposite sides of the exit, waiting for them. The only way to get through is to return to "reality," and that's the only way they can