Chapters 2202-2205 of Echoes bring the Anchor-of-Ages arc to its climax. The Crumbling Shore sequence marks the dissolution of a metaphysical anchor point that had stabilized the narrative world. The Uncarved Stone chapter introduces the Taoist pu concept — the uncarved block of potential — as a counterpoint to finished form. The arc questions whether foundations must crumble for new growth to emerge.