Chapter 221

Odium contemplates his strategy against the power of Honor protecting Dalinar, considering various methods of attack but ultimately deciding not to strike due to his oath and the risk of retaliation from Cultivation. When Dalinar successfully returns from the Cognitive Realm, Odium experiences a moment of alignment with Honor's power regarding the plight of Roshar's singers, reinforcing his conviction that he alone can unite and rule the cosmere for the greater good.

Odium considers multiple approaches to neutralizing the power of Honor that shields Dalinar, including imprisoning the power in the Cognitive Realm or Splintering it across space. However, he recognizes that direct conflict would violate his oath against striking first against another Shard and would leave him vulnerable to Cultivation's assault, potentially jeopardizing his larger cosmere conquest. He instead placates his own power with other emotions while awaiting Dalinar's return. When Dalinar emerges back into the Physical Realm as planned, Odium feels relief and vindication. In a moment of alignment with Honor's power, Odium contemplates the suffering of Roshar's singers and other abused peoples across the cosmere. This shared concern crystallizes his conviction that he must rule all existence alone—as Taravangian embodying Odium—to ensure justice and order prevail, and he resolves that the time for action has come.