AFTERWORD

Chapter 134

119. Unity

Overview

Dalinar embraces his pain and mistakes, achieving the Fourth Ideal and becoming Unity itself—manifesting a Perpendicularity that draws together the ten Knights Radiant and transforms the battlefield. Multiple character arcs culminate as Kaladin and Shallan manifest fully, Renarin gains access to unlimited Stormlight, Lift confronts Szeth's nature, and Taln awakens after four thousand years.

Summary

Dalinar faces Odium directly and refuses to surrender his pain and responsibility for his past crimes, declaring that he will not be absolved by the god. He recites the Words—"I will take responsibility for what I have done. If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man"—and the Stormfather reconnects with him fully. A surge of gloryspren envelops Dalinar as he reaches into both the Cognitive and Spiritual Realms, combining all three realms into one and manifesting as Unity itself. This act creates Honor's Perpendicularity—a column of light that pierces all three realms and bathes the battlefield in Stormlight. Kaladin, Shallan, and Adolin emerge from the light as full Knight Radiants, their powers fully awakened. Jasnah displays her own Radiant abilities, transforming and destroying enemies with ease. Renarin experiences a surge of power from Glys and discovers a well of unlimited Stormlight within him. Szeth, covered in grey streaks from contact with the vines, walks toward the light; the sword consuming him reveals itself as a spren, hungry but sated by the abundant Stormlight. Taln awakens in camp with Ash, who confesses that four thousand years have passed since his capture. Rather than rage, Taln accepts this as a gift—time for humanity to recover between Desolations. Teft, in darkness with his spren, speaks his Words: "I will protect those I hate. Even... even if the one I hate most... is... myself." Eight more Radiants materialize around Dalinar, though he notes that nine of the expected ten have arrived. Elhokar does not come through. Dalinar orders his forces to hold the city: Renarin to secure the Oathgate and summon reinforcements from Urithiru, Shallan to create illusions and distract enemy soldiers, Jasnah to defend the breach in the wall, Kaladin to face Amaram, and Lift with Szeth to retrieve a ruby. Dalinar himself walks toward the water to confront the Thrill.

Characters

  • Dalinar KholinAchieves the Fourth Ideal and manifests as Unity, creating a Perpendicularity and becoming the focal point for the Knights Radiant to emerge
  • OdiumConfronts Dalinar directly; is stunned and forced to retreat as Dalinar's power overwhelms him
  • StormfatherReconnects with Dalinar after he speaks his Words; witnesses and affirms the bonding as something new and different from Honor's former bonds
  • Renarin KholinFollows Jasnah through the city, gains access to unlimited Stormlight, and receives orders to secure the Oathgate
  • Jasnah KholinDisplays full Radiant powers, crystallizing and destroying soldiers, and receives orders to hold the wall breach
  • Kaladin StormblessedEmerges as a full Knight Radiant from the light and receives orders to face Amaram
  • Shallan DavarManifests as a full Knight Radiant with Shardblade and receives orders to create Lightweave illusions to distract enemy forces
  • Adolin KholinAppears from the light as a full Knight Radiant, wounded but present as a defender
  • Szeth-son-son-VallanoWalks from the battlefield toward the light with grey-streaked skin, pledges service to Dalinar, and receives orders to retrieve a ruby with Lift
  • LiftHolds back vines attacking Szeth; interacts with the sword spren and receives orders to get a ruby
  • AmaramAttempts to attack Dalinar with Oathbringer but is thrown back by the light; climbs to his feet as a threat Kaladin is tasked to face
  • ParshwomanRemains unmoved as Dalinar manifests his power and witnesses his transformation
  • TalnAwakens in camp and learns from Ash that four thousand years have passed; accepts this as a gift for humanity's recovery
  • AshConfronts Taln with news of four thousand years of abandonment; he grants forgiveness rather than anger
  • TeftSpeaks his Fourth Ideal Words in darkness with his spren, accepting self-hatred as something to overcome
  • NavaniObserves the pillar of light and gloryspren from the wall, exulting in Dalinar's display
  • FenBacks away from the storm of light with her consort, witnessing Dalinar's power
  • WyndleExpresses excitement as Lift holds back the vines during Szeth's struggle
  • GlysCommunicates with Renarin through a well of power, expressing excitement at the vast strength available
  • Two divine figuresAppear in shadow behind Jasnah; the Stormfather recognizes them as ancient divinities