109. Neshua Kadal

Dalinar enters a vision during the highstorm to gather intelligence on his enemy, but Odium uses the opportunity to invade the vision and confront him directly. During the encounter, Dalinar pulls Venli into the vision to negotiate, but Odium's arrival forces both of them to witness his devastating power before Dalinar manifests as a Radiant Knight and partially shields them from his assault.

Dalinar and Navani examine mysterious garnet crystal veins in Urithiru's tower, theorizing the structure may be a living entity. As a highstorm approaches, Dalinar deliberately enters a vision despite warnings from Navani and the Stormfather, believing he needs direct intelligence about Odium's intentions. He finds himself in a vision of Nohadon's ancient palace and uses his presence there to pull Venli, a Parshendi woman, into the vision under the guise of the king's advisor Karm. Dalinar attempts to negotiate peace, offering concessions and asking what a truce would cost. Venli, initially hostile over human slaughter on the Shattered Plains, demands Alethkar itself as the price of peace, rejecting compromise. Before substantive negotiation can occur, Odium breaches the vision and begins destroying it with overwhelming force, disintegrating the city and palace. Dalinar manifests as a Radiant Knight—a form Venli recognizes as "Neshua Kadal"—and uses Stormlight to stabilize a portion of the balcony and surrounding structures. As Odium's destruction intensifies, Venli retrieves Timbre, a small spren, and Dalinar ultimately catches her hand as she falls into an expanding chasm, pulling her back to safety. The vision collapses and both are ejected from it. Dalinar then encounters Odium on a plain of white stone, where Odium subjects him to excruciating pain before offering cryptic reassurances about eventual peace. The Stormfather, having held Odium back during the vision, emerges traumatized by the encounter's toll. Dalinar fears his attempt at negotiation with Venli has destroyed any hope for peace.