Chapter 25

Adolin takes a lift to the monarchs' meeting with Emperor Yanagawn of Azir, discussing fear and leadership; meanwhile, Shallan (disguised as a crem scraper via Lightweaving) and Gaz monitor for Ghostblood activity from the ground floor, learning that Gaz has overcome his gambling addiction through the support of his friends and now finds purpose in their work.

Adolin encounters Colot, a former Windrunner squire turned Cobalt Guard, waiting in the lift queue and brings him along on the emperor's lift. During the ride, Emperor Yanagawn confides in Adolin about his fears regarding the invasion force advancing on Azir (estimated at fifteen to twenty thousand soldiers) and his anxieties about leadership. Yanagawn reveals he was formerly a commoner and thief before his elevation, asking Adolin how he bears the weight of past failures. Adolin admits his constant guilt over Kholinar's fall and his cousin Elhokar's death, noting that sword training helps. Yanagawn expresses that his ceremonial role shields him from tactical responsibility but sometimes makes him feel cowardly. The lift accelerates at unprecedented speed due to the tower's awakening. Meanwhile, on the ground floor, Shallan in her Radiant aspect monitors Adolin's movements, concerned about potential Ghostblood threats. She and Gaz, disguised via Lightweaving, discuss their surveillance strategy. Gaz reveals he has stopped gambling entirely after his friends Stargyle and Red intimidated every gambling den in the tower to prevent him from entering. He explains that his addiction stemmed from the emotional crash after losses, not the gambling itself, and that working with Shallan's group now provides the genuine thrill and purpose he once sought in gambling. Shallan makes an awkward joke about dull knives, and they receive word from Shob that a Ghostblood has been spotted.