Chapter 53

Carl arrives at the abandoned garage of the eliminated team One Fine Pig and retrieves Penelope the pig, who has been surviving by eating gremlin remains. Meanwhile, Carl messages his contacts about the mysterious goddess Chalchiuhtlicue and learns she is a lesser-known deity associated with childbirth, water, fire, and harvests, while also preparing for a concert performance with Donut.

Carl observes the cul-de-sac now contains ten houses due to two teams being eliminated in the third heat. He encounters Osvaldo, Filipe, Radoslav, and Jasha outside their garages discussing the beers available. Carl sends a message to Rosetta, Mordecai, Tipid, and Prepotente asking about the goddess Chalchiuhtlicue. Rosetta responds that Chachi, as she is nicknamed, is not a well-known or sponsored deity but is associated with childbirth, women, water, fire, and harvests—powers that perform poorly in the Ascendency game. Carl notes his Scavenger's Daughter patch activated strangely during his conversation with Lucia. Mordecai confirms they still don't understand what's happening. Donut insists on calling the goddess Chachi due to character limits and notes the similarities between various pantheon deities. Prepotente provides Earth mythology context, explaining that the Aztec Chalchiuhtlicue was considered benevolent but also connected to human sacrifice and a flood myth. Prepotente accepts Donut's invitation to perform "In the Air Tonight" at an upcoming concert. Donut reveals a surprise duet performance with Carl that requires potions and scrolls. Carl then enters the abandoned garage of team One Fine Pig and finds Penelope the pig alive, having survived by consuming gremlin remains left behind after the team's shield activation. Carl takes Penelope with him.