Chapter 238

Kaladin speaks the Fifth Ideal of the Windrunners, expelling the darkness Ishar had been carrying from all the Heralds. He severs Ishar's Bondsmith tethers, freeing Syl, Nale, and Szeth, then gives Nightblood to Szeth to face the six corrupted Honorbearers. Simultaneously, Dalinar attempts to draw Honor's power through a perpendicularity at Urithiru, while Renarin and Rlain shatter a gemstone prison containing a dark storm.

Kaladin's Fifth Ideal is accepted by the Wind itself, unleashing a surge of power through his Bondsmith tether to Ishar. The dark cloud Ishar had carried—centuries-old corruption from Odium—explodes outward, affecting all nine Heralds and leaving them gasping as the oppressive darkness lifts. Though this does not heal their ancient wounds, it opens a path forward. Kaladin then uses Nightblood to sever the cords binding Syl, Nale, and Szeth to Ishar, freeing them. However, the six Honorbearers—created from that darkness—begin to rise in rage. Nightblood, having learned the Surges from its connection to Kaladin, demands to be wielded and to destroy. Kaladin recognizes that Szeth must face this fight and tosses him the sword, which now feeds on Kaladin's own Stormlight rather than Szeth's soul. As Szeth prepares to engage the six Honorbearers—including Neturo, who weeps in horror at being forced into this form—Nightblood restores his Lashings, granting him the full power he once possessed. At Urithiru's perpendicularity, Dalinar confronts Taravangian's assertion that Honor's power will reject him as an oathbreaker. Dalinar reaches through the perpendicularity, calling for the power, and experiences a vision showing Renarin and Rlain at a cliff's edge holding a gemstone prison. Despite Shallan's pleas, they shatter it together, releasing a dark storm.