AFTERWORD

Chapter 166

Chapter 244

Overview

Dalinar Kholin has been killed in his final confrontation with Odium (now calling himself Retribution). Wit entrusts Sigzil with the Dawnshard—an ancient, god-like power—to keep it from Odium's hands before vanishing. Across the world, survivors grapple with catastrophic defeat: Renarin assumes leadership of Urithiru and establishes a representative government; Szeth awakens severely wounded but vows to help his people; Jasnah confronts her moral failures and isolation; and Venli discovers a new mysterious power emerging in the listeners' sacred pool.

Summary

Sigzil loses his spren Vienta and sits recovering in the medical rooms when Wit arrives with urgent news: Dalinar has died, the Sibling enters self-protective coma, and the world is ending. Wit reveals he carries the Dawnshard, an ancient power more dangerous than any Shard, which Odium must never obtain. Unable to trust a Radiant with such power, Wit gives it to Sigzil, warning him to flee the planet immediately. As Odium's presence materializes, Wit confronts the god and is vaporized; Sigzil is knocked into Shadesmar by the Dawnshard's power. At Urithiru, Renarin views his father's corpse on the roof, then addresses the highprinces and demands they adopt representative government rather than elevate a new king. He and Rlain intend to meet with the singer leadership. Navani remains comatose within a crystal, and Urithiru is sealed by a protective dome. Renarin arranges for his father to be Soulcast to stone. Jasnah, exhausted and isolated in her rooms, finds a farewell note from Wit and realizes her utilitarian philosophy has led her astray; she reflects that Dalinar's way, while imperfect, was sounder than hers. Szeth awakens in darkness on a scorched battlefield, his right arm gone. He discovers Kaladin dead nearby and Nightblood still sheathed. Learning from the sword that the Heralds have been destroyed by Retribution, Szeth collects Kaladin's remaining possessions—toys for his family—and begins walking to find help burying Stormblessed and to aid his confused nation. Venli, at Narak's main plateau, celebrates that the listeners have reclaimed their homeland and can sustain themselves using Retribution's offered Light. She discovers a new mysterious power—a blue-black liquid pulsing to the Rhythm of War—welling up from an underground pool, suggesting the singers now possess a critical role in the coming world.

Characters

  • SigzilLoses his spren, receives the Dawnshard from Wit, and is transported into Shadesmar to protect the ancient power from Odium
  • LirinExamines Sigzil in the medical rooms and is forced out by Wit before the god's arrival
  • WitArrives with the Dawnshard, entrusts it to Sigzil, and is vaporized by Odium while buying time
  • Dalinar KholinConfirmed dead on the roof of Urithiru; his corpse is viewed and arrangements made for Soulcasting to stone
  • RenarinTakes leadership of Urithiru, establishes representative government with Jasnah, grieves his father, and plans to negotiate with singers alongside Rlain
  • NavaniComatose and suspended in crystal within Urithiru; the Sibling protects her in self-imposed dormancy
  • JasnahOversees arrangements for Dalinar's body, helps Renarin address highprinces, reflects on her failed utilitarian philosophy, and receives Wit's farewell letter
  • RlainSupports Renarin emotionally, publicly embraces him to demonstrate singer-human cooperation, and plans to speak to singer leaders
  • AladarMourns Dalinar and expresses belief that he failed in his mission
  • SebarialQuestions Renarin's plan to strip away royal power but agrees to representative government
  • TeshavObserves the growing Everstorm and predicts doom for the world
  • GavinorAppears fully grown on the tower roof, previously Odium's champion, with red eyes from grief
  • GlysRenarin's spren, suggests Dalinar found the only path forward despite his death
  • IvoryConsults with other Radiant spren to understand the new situation and attempt contact with the Sibling
  • Szeth-son-NeturoAwakens severely wounded with his right arm missing, discovers Kaladin dead, grieves, and resolves to help his confused nation
  • Kaladin StormblessedFound dead with burned-out eyes and stab wounds from Nightblood; Szeth vows to arrange his burial
  • NightbloodSpeaks to Szeth from its sheath, confirms the Heralds were destroyed, and assures Szeth it did not kill Kaladin
  • VenliCelebrates the listeners' reclamation of Narak, discovers a new mysterious blue-black power welling from an underground pool pulsing to the Rhythm of War, and determines the singers have a critical duty
  • Venli's motherOffers tea and support to Venli as they observe the transformed landscape
  • TimbreVenli's spren, thrums to Hope
  • BilaCalls Venli to the discovery of the mysterious new power in the underground pool
  • ThudeKneels by the pool and questions Venli about the meaning of the new power
  • ElA Fused leader mentioned as having called a retreat the previous day; some Fused chose to remain in Narak
  • TaravangianNow identified as Odium/Retribution; vaporizes Wit but ignores Sigzil, having claimed victory over the world
  • EshonaiDeceased; Venli recalls her wisdom and remembers watching sunsets together; listeners credit her with attempting to broker peace