Following Lord Asriel's tear through the worlds, Lyra and Pan journey to the strangely deserted city of Cittàgazze. Whilst the Magisterium refuses to acknowledge this new world exists, Mrs Coulter interrogates Katja, an imprisoned witch. Lyra crosses paths with Will Parry, who she reluctantly teams up with. While exploring the city, they meet children who warn them about Spectres. Although children are unaffected by Spectres, they can consume the souls of adults. At the witch council, Lee Scoresby reveals he is seeking out an explorer who could offer Lyra protection. Against Serafina's wishes, Ruta tries to rescue Katja. Lyra realizes there is an Oxford in Will's world too, and he reluctantly agrees to take her.
