Ever since X48 shared her incredible secret mask workshop with W5, the ants have maintained a carefully orchestrated illusion of normalcy. For W5, the waiting has been nearly impossible. With a work assignment near the workshop's hidden entrance, the ants are finally able to execute their plan of getting W5 up to the surface. W5 knows that this quest puts both her life and X48's in danger, but both ants are fully committed. They narrowly avoid detection when a Major finds them in the process of entering the hidden tunnel entrance to the workshop. X48 smooths over the situation and W5 continues alone. She finds a newly finished mask made just for her in the workshop. Wearing the mask, W5 is transformed and has the confidence to crawl the rest of the way, up the hollow root, to the surface. There, she learns the source of the light that inspired her quest, and discovers that the surface world is full of unknown creatures and wonders.