I-3. The Rhythm of the Lost

Venli descends into a chasm with followers to search for her sister Eshonai, only to discover that Eshonai is dead—drowned during the Everstorm. The spren Ulim reveals their true purpose was to retrieve Eshonai's Shardplate and Shardblade, not to rescue her. Ulim dismisses Venli's authority and emotional response, reminding her that he serves higher powers, before ordering the group to strip the corpse and depart.

Venli, now in her powerful new stormform, descends into a chasm with Demid and other followers, guided by the spren Ulim who takes human shape. Venli becomes frustrated with taking orders from Ulim and asserts that she should be in charge, though Demid counsels her to comply. As they search the debris-filled chasm floor, Venli reflects on the massive losses her people suffered summoning the Everstorm, acknowledging that power has always motivated her more than the welfare of her people. They discover Eshonai's body slumped against the chasm wall, her Shardblade driven into the stone beside her. Venli initially believes Eshonai is alive, but Demid reveals she is dead, apparently drowned while holding onto the Blade to remain in place during the storm's floodwaters. Ulim's response—"Excellent"—makes clear the mission was never a rescue. When Venli objects to desecrating her sister's body by removing the Shardplate, Ulim reveals that Eshonai resisted the transformation and was never truly committed to their cause, making her death convenient. He humiliates Venli by questioning her leadership experience compared to Odium's forces, claiming he serves higher powers than her. Ulim cryptically references "ancestors" being in charge and orders the group to strip the armor and depart. Venli complies, though she feels conflicted—experiencing moments where she can access the old inferior rhythms, particularly the Rhythm of the Lost. After the group leaves with Eshonai's stripped armor, Venli lingers with her sister's corpse and notices a small white spren, like a comet, emerging from beneath the body before departing herself.