Katabasis

Dis’s courtyard is mostly full of middle-aged men. Alice sees them submitting their dissertations. Gradus explains that no one tells them if they don’t pass; they just wait indefinitely until deciding to try again. They enter the Writer’s Bazaar, which is full of scams that promise to help people write. Gradus isn’t convinced that the dissertations are the way to get out of Dis. Alice contemplates whether she is guilty of Peter’s death, and what type of admission of guilt would be enough to free her, should her Shade one day be in Dis.

Gradus takes her to a writing workshop with a group of professors, arguing about drafts of their dissertations until they come to physical blows. When fire begins to fall from the sky, Shades rush out to catch on fire. When Cerberus enters through the gate, they rush to get torn up. Gradus says they want pain because they want to feel something. Only one Shade, Gertrude, doesn’t join. She invites Alice to talk about her perspective, which Gradus calls a cult.

Gertrude leads Alice to the Rebel Citadel. The buildings are whole, and the air is fresh. Gertrude says that every object finds its way to Dis eventually, and they are gradually building a great city where select Shades can enjoy peace.