116. Mercy

Shallan severs her final ties to the Ghostbloods, reveals she now possesses two Shardblades after absorbing Veil, and sends a defiant message through a seon to Mraize and his masters. Meanwhile, Venli approaches the listeners' refugee camp to offer them a path to bonding with Reachers spren, attempting to heal her mother Jaxlim and provide protection through Radiant powers.

Shallan sits with Adolin in Lasting Integrity, reflecting on Testament's recovery and the consolidation of her multiple identities. She opens the seon cube that Mraize sent, discovering a reluctant spren named Ala who resists leaving confinement. Through the seon, Shallan contacts Mraize and informs him that Veil has merged with her and they are leaving the Ghostbloods. She reveals that her brothers have already been extracted by Pattern and Wit, and confronts Mraize about the organization's interest in Ba-Ado-Mishram and the gemstone containing it. She warns him that she will hunt for this gemstone before the Ghostbloods can find it and threatens him to stay away from the tower, also delivering Wit's insulting message to Thaidakar, the Lord of Scars. Mraize declares war, but Shallan accepts the challenge, having finally chosen her allegiance.

Venli approaches the listeners' camp alone after they've successfully escaped through the narrows. Initially met with weapons, she reveals her new form and uses Stormlight to prove her sincerity. Thude questions her, revealing that Venli's mother Jaxlim survived but lost her mind. Venli offers the listeners a chance to bond with Reachers spren to become Radiants and protect themselves, providing hundreds of potential bonds. She sings the Song of Mornings to reach her mother and attempts the bonding ritual. A chasmfiend is revealed to be present at the camp, explaining how the listeners escaped. As Venli sings and the bonding process begins, Jaxlim's eyes finally focus on her daughter with recognition, and Venli hears acceptance of her Ideals in her mind.