Chapter 199

This chapter is a flashback prologue set 7,050 years before the main story, depicting the Almighty (Tanavast) and Kor (the Stormfather) confronting Rayse after he has killed multiple other Shards including Aona. When direct combat threatens catastrophic destruction to Roshar, the three gods negotiate a binding accord to limit their power's distribution to mortals through specific restrictions, with Tanavast's Honor Shard sealing the agreement—though Rayse's resentment begins corrupting Roshar in response.

The Almighty reflects on creating a storm spren as an aspect of himself before Kor arrives with devastating news: Rayse has murdered Aona and Skai by manipulating them into conflict with each other. Recognizing the existential threat, Tanavast shows Kor visions of possible futures and convinces her that direct action is necessary. They locate Rayse on a mountaintop surrounded by singers, who have begun abandoning the Almighty's teachings to follow Rayse instead. When Tanavast and Kor attack Rayse, he forces them to witness catastrophic visions of what a full divine clash would unleash on Roshar—earthquakes, death, and devastation comparable to the annihilation that occurred when Ambition was killed. Paralyzed by these projections, they realize they cannot fight without destroying the world. Rayse proposes departure, but Tanavast refuses, fearing for other defenseless worlds. Kor presents an ingenious compromise: Shards will grant mortals only limited, controlled portions of their power, preventing any individual from becoming destructively powerful. Rayse initially resists being bound, but when Kor threatens to unite other Shards against him, he capitulates. Tanavast channels his Honor power to bind all three to this accord, and Kor explains that as Vessels for the Shards, violation of their sworn word weakens them. The three depart, but Rayse's anger begins subtly corrupting Roshar itself, just as the other Shards have shaped it.