Chapter 10, Haroun's Wish Summary

The absolute black created by darkbulbs gives way to twilight in the ship's hold. Chupwalas wear dark glasses to improve their vision. Khattam-Shud explains the Poison Blenders customized to ruin each type of story with its "anti-story." Every Stream of Story is getting a shadow-self to cancel it out. Concentrated poisons are being released, one by one, and soon the Ocean will be dead and Khattam-Shud's victory complete. The world is not for fun, but for controlling. Since stories cannot be ruled, they must be destroyed. The poisons are refrigerated, purified, and allowed to "breathe" like fine wine. The Cultmaster next explains "The Plug," which will exactly fit the Wellspring in the ocean bed, removing the only source of renewing Story Waters. Suddenly, Mali arrives, eludes guards, and flings roots and tendrils all over the Generator, bringing all machinery...