Santiago tries to heed the alchemist’s advice as they travel through the desert and listen to his heart. At one point, he confesses that his heart is a “traitor,” as it speaks of fear whenever he sees armed tribesmen on the horizon. The alchemist replies that there is nothing to fear as long as one knows his heart well. Eventually, he observes that Santiago’s heart has formed a connection with the Soul of the World. 

One night, Santiago and the alchemist are captured by armed horsemen and taken to a nearby camp. When accused of being enemy spies, the alchemist claims that Santiago is a powerful sorcerer who can transform into the wind. The chief grants Santiago three days to showcase his power, or they will be sentenced to death. Santiago panics, but the alchemist assures him that anything is possible for a person living out his Personal Legend.

On the third day, Santiago brings the chief and his officers to a nearby cliff. He looks at the horizon and asks for help from different elemental forces, such as the desert and the wind. The wind helps Santiago address the heavens, raising a sandstorm to look at the sun without blinding himself. 

Santiago talks to the sun about love—how it is the force that transforms and improves the Soul of the World. Moved by his words, the sun directs him to “the hand that wrote all.” Santiago prays silently. He reaches the Soul of the World, which is a part of the Soul of God—and a part of him. Realizing he can perform miracles, he successfully becomes one with the wind. 

After the chief releases Santiago and the alchemist, they ride until they reach a Coptic monastery. The alchemist uses the Philosopher’s Stone in the monastery kitchen to transform lead into gold. He divides it into four parts: one for himself, one for the monk who welcomed them, one for Santiago, and the last for emergencies—in case Santiago encounters any more misfortune. Before parting with Santiago, he tells him a story from the Book of Matthew.

Alone, Santiago reaches the pyramids and starts digging until he is exhausted. At nightfall, two refugees from the tribal wars approach him and find a piece of gold among his belongings. They assume that more riches are buried in the sand and make Santiago continue digging. When he does not find anything, the two men beat Santiago until he is bruised and bleeding. 

At the point of near death, Santiago frantically confesses to his dreams of finding treasure at the pyramids of Egypt. One of the men replies that he used to have dreams of treasure buried near an abandoned church in Spain. He scoffs at Santiago’s foolishness in following such silly visions. As the two men leave, Santiago realizes with joy where the treasure actually is.

In the epilogue, Santiago is back in Spain, at the abandoned church where he once took shelter with his sheep. While digging, he asks the sky why he had to journey to Egypt if the treasure was right there all along. The sky replies that it was for him to see the beautiful pyramids. Finally, Santiago unearths a chest full of Spanish gold coins and precious artifacts. Aloud, he vows to Fatima that he is coming.