Adulthood Rites

Akin wonders why his family hasn’t come for him, but he realizes that the people in Phoenix appreciate his presence. Gabe introduces him to the work being done in the village, showing him the textile mill and the blacksmith. Gabe also shows Akin the village’s money, which has a phoenix emblem that symbolizes rebirth. Akin accidentally calls this mythology a lie, upsetting Gabe. However, Gabe eventually laughs, relieved that Akin is just like a “real” kid who makes mistakes.

Two new children—constructs like Akin—arrive in Phoenix, having been captured and sold. This excites Akin, and he asks to meet them. Akin and the new children explore each other. He discovers they are siblings—one human born and one Oankali born. The elder displays signs of femaleness, while Akin predicts that the younger, influenced by the sibling’s femaleness, will be male.

The humans, accompanied by Akin and the new children, Amma and Shkaht, venture into the mountains for reasons unknown to Akin. During their night camp, Akin overhears a discussion among certain human adults—notably, one called Neci—about the idea of severing new children’s tentacles while they are still young.