In “A Testament of the Toll” (121), a religious book from the far future, the author states that the Living Tone emitted a great sound or the Great Resonance in the Year of the Raptor, heralding a new era and breathing life into “the mind-machine of humankind” or the Thunderhead (121). Tonist curate Symphonius’s commentary on the testament interprets the account as the Great Tone giving rise to humanity, which till then existed only as an idea in its head, during the origin event of the Great Resonance. Academic Coda’s analysis of Symphonius suggests readers take the devout cleric’s interpretation with a huge pinch of salt.

Meanwhile, a mysterious character called the Toll, revealed to be Greyson in the next chapter, holds court among the ruins of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge of New York. Greyson is dressed in purple robes and is being marketed by Mendoza as a holy man who can directly speak to the Thunderhead. Lost for direction without the Thunderhead, whom they have always approached for answers and instructions, people have been clamoring to meet the Toll.

One of these seekers is the artist Ezra Van Otterloo. Dissatisfied with his profession of painting inoffensive public murals, Ezra wants guidance on how to be an exceptional artist.