Chapter 245

This chapter follows multiple characters in the aftermath of Odium's ascension and Dalinar's sacrifice. Hoid awakens on a distant world and learns of Roshar's devastation; Adolin leads the Unoathed in Azimir and receives news of Dalinar's death; Shallan discovers she is trapped in Shadesmar and negotiates with the Ghostblood leader; Sigzil travels with an Iriali caravan carrying a mysterious Dawnshard; and Taravangian secretly preserves his city and loved ones in the Spiritual Realm while wrestling with his hatred of Dalinar's choices.

Hoid regains consciousness on a distant world with skyscrapers and firearms, learning his body regenerated from a cell culture Ulaam preserved. He discovers that time flows differently between worlds—months there equal hours on Roshar—and learns of catastrophic changes: Odium has been unleashed and combined with another Shard, a permanent storm covers Roshar except Azimir, Urithiru is trapped in a glass bubble, and Radiants worldwide have lost their powers. Ulaam warns that Autonomy is moving and advises against immediate return. Hoid initially despairs at his failures but later realizes Dalinar's choice may have been strategically sound. In Azimir, Adolin convenes with the Unoathed—ten Shardbearers who took up Shards to save the city. Maya returns from Urithiru with devastating news: Dalinar is dead, Renarin freed Ba-Ado-Mishram, and the Everstorm now blankets all lands except Azimir. Radiants still function within Urithiru but cannot leave the Physical Realm. The endless rain ceases, revealing sunlight confined to Azimir's borders. In Shadesmar, Shallan discovers Cultivation's Perpendicularity has vanished, trapping her in the realm. She negotiates with Thaidakar through a seon, learning that time dilation around Roshar will persist for approximately seventy to eighty years. She secures Ala the seon as her agent and arranges for another seon, Olo, to carry messages to Azimir so she can communicate with Adolin. Sigzil, bearing the burden of a Dawnshard, joins an Iriali caravan leaving Roshar and encounters a highspren who shares tales of Kaladin's journey in Shinovar. Taravangian, now wielding Retribution, has secretly preserved Kharbranth's population in the Spiritual Realm, creating a false paradise while hating Dalinar for having been correct about the necessity of sacrifice.