Chapter 241

Szeth kills his corrupted family members and father while struggling against Nightblood's hunger, ultimately choosing to live rather than die. Simultaneously, Dalinar renounces his oaths as Honor's vessel, releases the Stormfather, and allows Taravangian to claim Honor's power as a final gambit to distract Odium and buy time for his allies.

Szeth moves through the Shadesmar realm killing his sister and confronting his father Neturo, who reveals he has served the Unmade since learning of their existence years ago at the monastery. After learning his father was following him seeking answers, Szeth mercifully kills Neturo with Nightblood, but the sword's hunger intensifies and begins consuming Szeth's physical form. Szeth nearly surrenders to death before recognizing that Kaladin's teachings about choice apply not only to himself but to Nightblood itself. Kaladin, weakened and unable to reach Nightblood's sheath, speaks to the sword as a sentient being rather than a tool, helping it recognize it is not a thing and can choose not to kill. Nightblood stops its rampage and falls silent. In Shadesmar, Shallan witnesses two massive storms clashing—Dalinar and Odium—while being manipulated by Sja-atat, who orchestrated events to ensure she would have influence regardless of the outcome. Sja-anat warns them to return to the Physical Realm before the Oathgate spren transport Renarin and Rlain away, leaving Shallan stranded as the sky destabilizes. Dalinar, realizing that continuing to hold Honor's oaths serves no purpose and that true honor requires breaking a binding contract to prevent harm, renounces all of his oaths to Taravangian and releases the Stormfather. The Stormfather is vaporized, and Taravangian—believing he has won—claims the freed power of Honor for himself, ascending to godhood as Retribution. Dalinar's final gambit is to ensure that the other gods in the cosmere recognize Taravangian as a greater threat than Odium, redirecting their attention away from Roshar. With his last strength, Dalinar rises against the devastating winds, having heard someone whimpering in pain within the storm.