AFTERWORD

Chapter 64

I-6. This One Is Mine

Overview

Nine listeners are selected to bond with powerful Voidspren during the Everstorm, but the ritual betrays them: ancient Fused souls inhabit most of their bodies instead, killing the original listeners. Venli survives the ordeal with only a lesser Voidspren and discovers that her companion Demid is now possessed by an ancient warrior-soul named Hariel. As the Fused prepare to depart, Venli secretly protects a mysterious small spren from destruction.

Summary

Venli stands with eight other listeners as Ulim prepares them to receive new power during the Everstorm. Ulim promises them great strength and assures them there is no danger. As the crimson Everstorm arrives, Venli opens herself to the force pressing against her mind, experiencing intense pain as something attempts to enter her. A warm, ancient voice claims her, saying "THIS ONE IS MINE," then withdraws, allowing a lesser spren to bond with her instead. After the storm passes, Venli discovers she has taken an unfamiliar form—smaller and weaker than stormform. She finds that most of the other listeners have changed dramatically: Demid and the others now stand taller and more imposing, speaking in a language Venli struggles to understand, and their mannerisms are completely alien. One listener, Mrun, has been crushed beneath a boulder, and another, Altoki, whispers disturbing phrases. When Venli questions what has happened, Ulim reveals the horrifying truth: the Fused—ancient souls of dead listener warriors—have been reborn into the listeners' bodies, killing the original hosts. Demid is now possessed by Hariel, an ancient Fused with a dangerous temperament. Venli attempts to confront this soul to demand it leave Demid's body, but Ulim warns her that Hariel could destroy her. Hariel grants her an audience, speaking in a deep, commanding voice, and tells her that Demid is dead and cannot be restored. He informs her that Odium has a purpose for her survival and that they must travel to Alethela. As the Fused prepare to depart, Venli notices a small glowing spren near the ground and instinctively shields it from the Fused, who would destroy it on sight. She realizes she must hide this spren's existence.

Characters

  • VenliA listener who bonds with a lesser Voidspren during the Everstorm and survives the ritual, discovering that most of her companions have been killed and replaced by ancient Fused souls
  • DemidVenli's companion, a listener whose body is possessed by Hariel, an ancient Fused warrior with a volatile temperament
  • UlimA Voidspren envoy who deceives the listeners about the nature of the bonding ritual, revealing that the Fused will inhabit their bodies
  • HarielAn ancient Fused soul reborn into Demid's body, speaking with authority and demanding respect while dismissing Ulim's use of human language
  • MeluA listener selected for the ritual who becomes possessed by another Fused soul and survives the Everstorm
  • MrunA listener crushed beneath a boulder during the Everstorm, killed in the ritual
  • AltokiA listener who survives the ritual possessed by a Fused soul, but exhibits unstable behavior and speaks disturbing phrases
  • EshonaiMentioned as Venli's sister; Venli recalls her in the context of resistance to the Fused bonding process