The Obelisk Gate
Chapter 7: Nassun finds the moon
by Jemisin, N.K.Nassun and her father, Jija, embark on a perilous journey south, outpacing Essun due to their horse-drawn cart. They barter rides for supplies, avoiding the worst of the climate chaos and predatory creatures. Passing Castrima-over, Nassun barely senses Ykka’s summons in a dream, sparing them from potential traps. Some communities they encounter remain hopeful, resisting Seasonal Law, though Nassun knows the devastation is inevitable. Jija’s resilience and skills make him valuable, but he refuses all offers to stay, driven by an undisclosed destination. Their survival hinges on speed and caution, though danger lurks in every stop.
Their journey grows darker as some communities turn hostile, attacking without reason. Jija fights their way out of one ambush, losing their cart and horses but escaping alive. In another encounter, Nassun unleashes her latent power, freezing an entire community to save themselves. The aftermath leaves Jija visibly disturbed, and they briefly rest among the frozen dead before moving on. Nassun’s abilities become a double-edged sword—protective yet alienating. Hunger and hardship persist, but she grows taller, her body adapting despite the relentless challenges.
As they near the Antarctics, Jija’s secretive behavior hints at a deeper purpose. After whispered conversations with locals, Nassun overhears him mention “the Moon,” a cryptic reference she doesn’t understand. The tension escalates when Jija trades intimacy for information, leaving Nassun to feign sleep. The landscape shifts to lush, volcanic terrain, alive with geothermal activity. Nassun senses the earth’s energy, a stark contrast to the desolation behind them. The Antarctic’s sparse population and harsh winters loom, yet the path ahead feels strangely vibrant.
The chapter culminates as they discover a bizarre rock formation—a towering, ribbon-like structure leading to a hidden plateau. Nassun senses an inexplicable pull, mirroring Jija’s fixation. The formation hints at a settlement, but the ascent seems treacherous. Nassun’s growing awareness of her power and the unknown destination foreshadow a pivotal turning point. The chapter closes with an unspoken tension between father and daughter, their shared journey teetering between survival and something far more profound.
FAQs
1. How does Nassun and Jija’s journey south differ from Essun’s, and what advantages does their mode of travel provide?
Answer:
Nassun and Jija travel significantly faster than Essun because they use a horse cart for most of their journey, whereas Essun is on foot. Their speed allows them to stay ahead of the worsening climate conditions, ashfall, and dangerous creatures like kirkhusa and boilbugs. Additionally, Jija barters rides in exchange for supplies, reducing the need for frequent stops to trade. This efficient pace helps them avoid some of the most severe threats emerging in the regions behind them, giving them a survival advantage over those moving more slowly.2. What pivotal moment reveals Nassun’s orogenic abilities, and how does this event impact her relationship with Jija?
Answer:
Nassun’s orogenic powers are dramatically revealed when she freezes an entire comm to save herself and Jija from crossbow-wielding attackers. She drains all heat and movement from the settlement, turning it into a frozen tableau. This act of extreme self-preservation horrifies Jija, as evidenced by his reaction afterward—a look that suggests fear, disgust, or distrust. The event marks a turning point in their relationship, as Nassun becomes acutely aware of her father’s discomfort with her abilities, and she vows never to use them in such a way again.3. Analyze the significance of Jija’s whispered question, “Have you ever heard of the Moon?” What does this reveal about his ultimate goal for Nassun?
Answer:
Jija’s question about the Moon hints at a mysterious, possibly mythical destination that holds importance for him. Unlike Nassun, who doesn’t understand the reference, the woman he asks reacts with recognition, suggesting that the Moon is a known—perhaps legendary—location in this world. This moment reveals that Jija has been deliberately guiding Nassun toward a specific, secretive goal, one tied to her orogenic abilities. His cautious, whispered inquiries indicate that this destination is either dangerous, sacred, or both, and that he believes it holds the key to “fixing” Nassun.4. How does the Antarctic setting contrast with the environments Nassun and Jija have previously traveled through, and what unique features does it offer?
Answer:
The Antarctics present a stark contrast to the Somidlats: while much of the world suffers under ashfall and Seasonal devastation, this region remains relatively untouched, with green trees, active wildlife, and even steaming geothermal features like hot springs and geysers. The presence of a slowly erupting shield volcano contributes to the warmth and moisture that sustain life here. Unlike the densely populated, road-heavy regions they’ve left behind, the Antarctics are sparsely settled, with vast tundra and icy southern extremes. This isolation makes it an ideal hiding place—or a destination for those seeking something rare and powerful.5. What does the final description of the “river of stone” suggest about Nassun’s impending discovery, and how might it connect to the Moon?
Answer:
The strange, columnar rock formation Nassun encounters resembles a natural pathway leading upward, possibly to a hidden settlement or sacred site. Its unusual structure—rippling ribbons of stone culminating in a plateau with a visible structure—hints at geological manipulation, possibly orogenic in origin. Given Jija’s earlier mention of the Moon, this formation may be a gateway or landmark tied to the Moon’s location. Nassun’s intuitive certainty about the place suggests a deeper, perhaps magical connection, foreshadowing a revelation about her abilities, her destiny, or the world’s hidden truths.
Quotes
1. “Nassun never speaks of what she is to strangers, but if she could, she would tell them that there is nowhere to hide from this Season. Some parts of the Stillness will suffer the full effects later than others, but eventually it will be bad everywhere.”
This quote captures the inevitability of the apocalyptic “Season” and Nassun’s grim awareness of its global impact. It reflects the chapter’s themes of survival and the futility of denial in the face of catastrophe.
2. “She does this by wrapping her arms around her father and setting her teeth in the earth and dragging every iota of life and heat and movement out of the whole comm until it is a gleaming frosted confection of ice-slivered slate walls and still, solid bodies.”
This pivotal moment showcases Nassun’s terrifying orogenic power and the moral complexity of using it for survival. The visceral imagery underscores the chapter’s exploration of power’s consequences and familial bonds under extreme duress.
3. “(She will never do this again. The way Jija looks at her afterward.)”
This brief but powerful parenthetical reveals the emotional fallout of Nassun’s lethal display of power. It marks a turning point in her relationship with her father and foreshadows the growing tension between them.
4. “The Antarctics are a stark, sparsely populated part of the world, she remembers reading in the textbooks of another life.”
This reflective moment contrasts Nassun’s current harsh journey with her lost childhood innocence. The reference to “another life” poignantly underscores how drastically her world has changed since Uche’s death.
5. “Tell me,” she hears Jija whisper to a woman… “have you ever heard of the Moon?”
This mysterious question introduces the chapter’s climactic revelation about their destination. The Moon’s significance remains unexplained, creating intrigue while demonstrating Jija’s secretive determination to reach this unknown goal.