89. Damnation

Adolin, Kaladin, Shallan, and Azure arrive in Shadesmar—the realm of spren and the inverse of the physical world—after being pulled through a corrupted Oathgate. They must escape across an ocean of glass beads while pursued by various hostile spren and an enormous creature emerging from the depths. Shallan uses Stormlight to manipulate the beads and create platforms to carry them toward distant land.

The group arrives in Shadesmar on a white marble platform surrounded by an ocean of glass beads representing the souls of objects, with floating flames representing souls of people. Terrible spren swarm in the beads. When Kaladin draws Stormlight to assess their situation, the creatures attack, forcing him to suppress his power. Pattern explains they're in Shadesmar, the realm of thought, and something enormous beneath them is likely one of the Unmade. An enormous claw begins emerging from the depths. Shallan realizes she can use Stormlight to manipulate the beads' souls, creating solid structures to cross the ocean. She constructs a series of platforms—doors and building rooftops—to inch them away from Kholinar. Kaladin struggles emotionally, haunted by his inability to protect those left behind in the city. Adolin keeps him talking and focused as they traverse the platforms. Pattern notes that people are surrendering in Kholinar, meaning fewer souls are being lost. Kaladin's spren (Syl) reveals that the Oathgate's soul was corrupted by someone called 'He' (implied to be Sja-anat), diverting them to Shadesmar instead of Urithiru. After exhausting work crossing the beads, they finally reach a bank of dark glassy stone. Shallan collapses from the mental strain. Adolin, recognizing they cannot continue, establishes camp despite Kaladin's protests about helping those still fighting. Adolin realizes that with Elhokar dead, Gavinor taken, and Dalinar abdicating, he is now third in line for the throne.