AFTERWORD

Chapter 128

115. Testament

Overview

Rlain says goodbye to Venli and the other listeners as they depart for the eastern settlements, while Kaladin oversees their transfer and conducts a funeral for Teft. Meanwhile, Taravangian fully absorbs Odium's power and becomes the new God of Passion, encountering Cultivation who helped orchestrate his ascension.

Summary

Rlain, still processing his Oath as a Truthwatcher bonded to Tumi (a spren touched by both Honor and Odium), travels with Venli and newly recruited listeners to the Oathgate. Kaladin transfers them to Narak on the Shattered Plains, where Leshwi and five other Fused have regained consciousness. Leshwi announces the Fused will seek a third path outside the war—the path of the listeners. Venli and her group are lowered into the chasm to trek eastward toward other listeners. Rlain decides to remain at Urithiru despite his concerns about whether humans might enslave singers again if given the chance. He and Kaladin return to the tower for Teft's funeral, where Bridge Four gives him a king's funeral by Soulcasting him to stone. Kaladin sits with Syl afterward, grappling with grief while finding peace in the moments they shared with Teft. In a parallel sequence, Taravangian absorbs Odium's full power and experiences a godly consciousness that encompasses infinite possibilities and overwhelming fury. Szeth, unaware of what transpired spiritually, believes Taravangian was consumed by Nightblood along with Rayse's body. Taravangian realizes he is free and encounters Cultivation, who reveals she orchestrated his ascension as someone capable of bearing the power with honor. Taravangian accepts her guidance but internally exults, recognizing opportunities his predecessor missed and believing he can manipulate the outcome of Dalinar's contest.

Characters

  • RlainA newly sworn Truthwatcher bonded to Tumi; says goodbye to Venli and remains at Urithiru with concerns about humanity's treatment of singers
  • VenliLeads a group of listeners to the Oathgate for transfer to the Shattered Plains to rejoin other listeners
  • TumiA hybrid spren (touched by both Honor and Odium) who serves as Rlain's bond-spren; communicates the Rhythm of War
  • DulOne of the listeners Venli has recruited to join the group heading east
  • MazishOne of the listeners Venli has recruited to join the group heading east
  • KaladinTransfers the listeners to the Shattered Plains via the Oathgate; oversees Teft's funeral and grieves with Bridge Four
  • LeshwiA Fused who regains consciousness at Narak and announces the Fused will seek a third path outside the war
  • ConfidenceA Fused who receives Venli's farewell as the listeners prepare to depart
  • SylA spren who appears in Bridge Four uniform; sits with Kaladin after Teft's funeral and discusses grief
  • TeftA deceased member of Bridge Four; given a king's funeral and Soulcast to stone
  • SkarMember of Bridge Four who relayed news that Rock will not return
  • DrehyMember of Bridge Four who relayed news that Rock will not return
  • RockA member of Bridge Four who will not return, as reported by Skar and Drehy
  • TaravangianAscends to become the new God of Passion after absorbing Odium's power; encounters Cultivation and begins plotting his path forward
  • SzethFinds Rayse's burned corpse after Nightblood's attack; unaware of Taravangian's spiritual transformation
  • NightbloodA sword that consumes Rayse's body, leaving Szeth to believe Taravangian is dead
  • RayseThe previous holder of Odium; consumed by Nightblood and left as a burned corpse
  • CultivationAppears to Taravangian after his ascension; reveals she orchestrated his elevation to bear Odium's power with honor
  • RenarinMentioned as having suggested Rlain to Tumi and informed his mother about him
  • DalinarReferenced regarding his contest with Odium and the contract binding Taravangian