79. Echoes of Thunder

Kaladin and Highmarshal Azure fight off a Fused assault on Kholinar's walls. In a dramatic aerial combat, Kaladin kills a Voidbringer—the first the Wall Guard has brought down—but learns it will be reborn unless the Heralds' prison is reestablished. Azure then reveals the full extent of the enemy forces massing outside the city and agrees to finally confide in Kaladin about the situation.

Kaladin and Azure rush to the top of the city walls where Fused are attacking Kaladin's section. The Voidbringers dive repeatedly, scattering formations and killing soldiers from the Eighth Platoon. Kaladin restrains himself from using Stormlight, knowing it would attract screamers and endanger the mission to save the city. He reorganizes scattered troops into defensive positions across multiple squads. One Fused Lashes Kaladin backward, but he reorients himself mid-fall using his understanding of the sky and momentum, diving into a guard tower. When the same Fused pursues his men, Kaladin crashes into it midair. The two combatants spiral through the sky while Kaladin, gripping the creature with one hand, manifests Syl as a Shardknife. After an extended struggle, Syl directs him to strike upward toward the creature's heart. Kaladin's blade finds something brittle and hard, killing the Fused. He crashes onto the wall walk, forced to draw Stormlight to heal from the impact. The remaining Fused retreat. Upon questioning, Kaladin learns this is the first Voidbringer the Wall Guard has actually killed, though he realizes it will be reborn eventually. Azure then shows him the horizon ablaze with thousands of sphere lights—the entire enemy army has marched through the storm and masses outside the city. With only days before they must attack, Azure finally agrees to explain everything and tells Kaladin to come with her.