Chapter 120

Szeth confronts a new Honorbearer at the Dustbringer monastery and discovers it is his sister Elid, who reveals before being summoned away that the pilgrimage is actually an audition for him to become a Herald in a reformed Oathpact. Meanwhile, Sigzil and the Radiant leadership struggle to defend Narak against overwhelming odds with dwindling resources, and Venli discovers a hidden golden pool beneath the plateau—Odium's source of power that he is fighting to protect.

Szeth arrives at the Dustbringer monastery, where Nin informs him his test involves a single opponent. Szeth deliberately refuses to fight, instead opting to seek answers about why his people were corrupted by an Unmade and why Honorbearers vanish to smoke when killed. He dodges every attack from his opponent without retaliating, conserving energy and attempting dialogue. When he recognizes the fighter's voice, he discovers it is his sister Elid, who became an Honorbearer after his departure to prove she was not weak. Szeth refuses to kill her, dismisses his Blade, and embraces her instead. Before being summoned away by Nin, Elid reveals the truth: the Oathpact is broken, the Heralds are degrading, and Szeth is being auditioned to replace the dead Herald Jezrien. Nin confirms Szeth has been fighting dead Honorbearers throughout his pilgrimage and that Szeth's father is also dead, having been taken by the Voice. Kaladin and Syl witness this revelation, with Syl questioning whether reforming the Oathpact will actually stop the Fused given the Everstorm's role in their return. In a parallel scene, Sigzil leads a meeting of Radiant generals at Narak, discussing catastrophic losses and dwindling defenses. General Habrinar believes they will lose the war regardless of Dalinar's champion battle, but Sigzil reveals he has a possible strategy involving the agreement between Dalinar and Odium, though he has not fully worked out the details. He commits to making his plan work despite the near-impossible odds. Separately, Venli and her group discover a massive golden pool beneath Narak's main plateau—Odium's pool, analogous to Cultivation's and Honor's pools, which grants Odium his power. Venli realizes Odium has fought so fiercely for Narak because of this hidden source. A guard arrives reporting that their forces have been discovered by both singers and a dangerous-looking Fused.