Part 3, The Eagle's Gift, Chapter 15, The Plumed Serpent Summary and Analysis

Don Juan and his party prepare to leave the world. Carlos' three-part luminosity is a twist of fate that strands the apprentices. Don Juan decrees that each must enter the other awareness individually. Believing that Carlos is strong enough to help one apprentice, Don Juan picks la Gorda. They all gather in la Gorda's house, shift to the left side, and are reminded of all they have been taught. Carlos receives the summation in both states before his mind locks up to avoid the pain. Later, la Gorda tells him about a last, failed, attempt to cross the bridge. Only Carlos, la Gorda, and Josefina make it across, but cannot endure the pressure beyond the "cosmic vagina."

At Silvio's house, Carlos hears that he must go on...