Chapter 218

Navani learns from Wit that Taravangian has become Odium's new Vessel, replacing Rayse, and that Odium will likely ensure Dalinar returns from the Spiritual Realm to break him rather than forfeit Alethkar. Meanwhile, Adolin fights a desperate last stand at Azimir as the city falls to the singers, ultimately forced to retreat to a saferoom beneath the hospital with Emperor Yanagawn and surviving defenders.

Navani and Wit discuss the implications of Odium's interference with her Connection to Dalinar, which may constitute a breach of contract allowing them to win by forfeit. Wit reveals that the body they found was not Taravangian's but Rayse's, consumed by Nightblood—Taravangian is now Odium's Vessel. Wit explains this is catastrophic: while Rayse was predictable and vain, Taravangian is dangerous because he genuinely cares about people and will use Dalinar as a prize, wanting to break him spiritually rather than simply defeat him militarily. Wit counsels that they are powerless against a Shard's might and must simply wait and hope Dalinar can resist.

Adolin's section depicts the final hours of Azimir's defense. Fighting on the dome's outer ledge with a spear in a collapsing shield line, Adolin witnesses the last Shardbearer (another human) fall to overwhelming numbers, then watches helplessly as Abidi the Monarch emerges wearing Adolin's own stolen Plate and wielding an Azish heirloom Blade. The line shatters. Adolin, overwhelmed with rage and despair at his father's apparent unworthiness, rises with renewed fury and fights with his wedding sword given by Shallan, refusing Maya's offer of aid because he feels ashamed. He kills multiple singers before being grievously wounded, only saved by Colot and archers under May's command when Yanagawn refuses to abandon him. They fight through the city to reach a saferoom beneath the hospital. The chapter ends with the realization that Azimir and the Azish empire have fallen.