When Jonas plays the composition, he experiences vivid memories of events he never lived. The symphony is based on the "mathematics of memory," ancient patterns developed by a secret society that can manipulate human consciousness and memory through sound. Jonas meets Mira, a blind violinist who can "see" the music's hidden structure. Together they perform the complete symphony, triggering a series of disappearances among the audience as consciousness transfers occur between prepared hosts. Jonas learns his own family was connected to this society - his grandfather was a member, and his father committed suicide due to overwhelming transferred memories. As rival factions of the society emerge from dormancy following the performance, Jonas and Mira flee Vienna for Budapest, where they activate a nexus point in an old meeting place once used by Franz Liszt.