Interludes

Interlude: El, a being with no title, enters the Kholimar palace vault and destroys Jezrien's imprisoned soul using anti-Stormlight. He then encounters the new Odium, who offers him command of forces to assault the Shattered Plains in exchange for his service.

El approaches the Kholimar palace vault and compels four Regal singers, including the envoyform Heshual, to open it for him. Inside, El retrieves a gemstone dagger containing Jezrien's imprisoned soul—a Herald trapped long ago. Using an anti-Stormlight gemstone, El destroys Jezrien entirely, viewing the imprisonment as cruel. When Heshual reports this to the Nine, the new Odium manifests and confronts El. Rather than punishing him, Odium recognizes El's nature and proposes an alliance. Odium explains his conquest strategy: he is confident in taking Thaylenah and Azir but troubles over the Shattered Plains, where he has concentrated Fused forces. El deduces that Odium needs an Elsegate to transport additional armies and suggests Dai-Gonarthis, the Black Fisher, as the only viable option if corrupted Elsecallers or an Honorblade are unavailable. Odium appoints El as ruler with no title to lead the assault on the Shattered Plains via the Horneater Peaks, promising to send Dai-Gonarthis and granting him authority over human lands. El accepts, viewing this as a fortunate outcome compared to the execution he had anticipated.