Elina and Thomas, sister and brother, tackle the failure of the Carillon of Wishes, the town's hour-telling bell system. They discover the bells are coated in a draining crystalline residue similar to that found in other areas. Recognizing the need for a non-conductive buffer, they travel to the Tannery Annex to retrieve specialized linen used for insulating ceremonial bells. Elina uses the linen and a birchwood buffer, similar to materials used by Beatrice in the bakery, to temporarily stabilize the chime lever. The bells ring with a deep, warm tone, briefly stabilizing the resonance in the town square and causing a reaction at the Great Clock Tower. However, the carillon's energy is quickly drained, leaving it silent and smelling of ozone, indicating the resonant attack has intensified in response to their action. They discover a shared symbol—the reindeer antler—on the carillon housing matching the structural anchor, confirming the crisis is systemic.