Prelude to the Stormlight Archive

In this prelude, the immortal Herald named

After a devastating battlefield where human warriors and mysterious beings called thunderclasts fought, the Herald known as a divine protector of humanity. In the aftermath of what appears to be a major battle, only two of the ten immortal warriors known as the Knights of a ring of eight swords and encounters his companion . Together, they discuss a momentous decision: the is now ending, and those who have sustained it must abandon their posts. proposes that by leaving behind his sword, they may break the cycle of repeated catastrophes that have plagued the world. knows the cost—one of their number, , has died in this battle and will suffer eternally in the realm between. justifies the sacrifice as preferable to all ten continuing to bear the burden. reluctantly places his blade among the eight others, leaving a symbolically empty tenth position. The two part ways, heading in opposite directions across the devastated landscape, neither looking back.