Equality 7-2521 writes on paper that was made thousands of years ago as he looks over at the Golden One, who is lying on an ancient bed. They are in their home, the one they discovered at sunrise today. They had been crossing a chain of mountains; whenever they got on a ridge and could see through the forest, they could see great mountain peaks that the Uncharted Forest hid from the men of the Cities.

They climb these mountains, knowing they will not be followed here. In the distance, they see a glow, a white flame among the trees on a peak in front of them. As they get closer, they see the flame is not fire, not burning, yet it is “blinding as liquid metal.”

Finally they see that it is a house. The white fire comes from the sun gleaming on the windows. Its walls are hard and smooth, made of stone unlike the stone in Equality 7-2521’s tunnel. The house is two stories high with a strangely flat roof, and the walls are mostly windows. Without saying it, both Equality 7-2521 and the Golden One know that this house has survived the Unmentionable Times, protected by the forest. Neither of them is afraid, so they walk together to the ancient house.

It will take the couple years to learn and understand everything in this house. Today they simply take it all in with their eyes. They pull back the curtains from the windows and are surprised to find many small rooms in which twelve men could have lived. There are mirrors everywhere, and each room has glass globes with wires inside them. The sleeping hall is small, containing only two beds. They are amazed to realize that these are the only two beds in the house, which means only two people lived here.

The Golden One gasps when she discovers clothing in all colors; some of them disintegrate at her touch, but others feel soft and new. One room has shelves full of manuscripts bound with hard cloth; the writing is amazingly small. Equality 7-2521 discovers that the books are written in his language, but there are still many words he does not understand. He will begin reading them tomorrow.

Once they have seen everything, the couple decides that this is their home and they will never leave it. They are at the end of their journey. Equality 7-2521 gathers wood for the hearth and brings water from the nearby stream. He kills a mountain goat and brings it to the wonderful cooking room. The Golden One stayed in the house, for Equality 7-2521 could not draw her away from the mirror. She stands in front of it still and cannot stop looking at herself.

Later the Golden One falls asleep in the midst of “jewels, and bottles of crystal, and flowers of silk.” Equality 7-2521 carries her to bed like a child and then reads by candlelight, knowing he will not be able to sleep tonight.

Now he looks upon the earth and sky. The world seems to be asking for something—“a spark, a first commandment.” Equality 7-2521 is not sure what word he is supposed to give or what the earth expects him to witness. It seems to be waiting, with great gifts ready to lay before him; however, it also seems to be asking for a greater gift from him. Equality 7-2521 is supposed to speak for it.

He begs his heart for guidance in “answering this call no voice has spoken.” On his hands, he sees the dust of centuries hiding great secrets and perhaps evil secrets. Despite that, Equality 7-2521 is unafraid; he feels nothing but “silent reverence and pity.” He longs to learn the secret that his heart seems to know but will not reveal.