Chapter 98

Dalinar is cast into the Spiritual Realm and navigates visions of the Heralds at Aharietiam, witnessing the crucial moment when they decide to abandon the Oathpact and leave Taln alone in Damnation. After losing his connection to Navani and Gav, he reunites with them and learns that a Herald called 'Aunt Dova' visited Aesudan in the past. Through force of will, Dalinar uses his Connection to the Stormfather to advance to the final vision before Honor's death, arriving at Urithiru in its last days before the Recreance.

Dalinar awakens in the Spiritual Realm surrounded by violent images of his past selves, clutching the Honorblade anchor. He searches desperately for Navani but finds himself drowning in visions. The Stormfather offers help only if Dalinar leaves forever, but Dalinar uses the Honorblade to reach his destination: the day the Heralds discarded their swords after the final Desolation. Inhabiting the body of Chana, a Herald in Jezrien's inner circle, Dalinar witnesses the pivotal moment when Honor withdraws his support and the Heralds decide not to return to Braize. Ishar proposes breaking the Oathpact, suggesting that one Herald could bear the burden instead of all ten. Jezrien and the others agree to abandon Taln, the one Herald who has never broken under torture, leaving him to hold the bond alone. Nale arrives and accepts the plan; all the Heralds leave their Blades at the meeting place. After reuniting with Navani and Gav, Dalinar learns that Gav encountered a Herald called 'Aunt Dova' who visited his mother Aesudan. Confronting the Stormfather about its contradictory claims regarding its awareness during this era, Dalinar discovers that the spren was indeed present as a witness. When the vision begins to collapse, Dalinar forcibly seizes both his Connection to the Stormfather and to Navani, pulling them together through sheer will to advance to the next vision. He arrives at Urithiru on the eve of the Recreance, with three days remaining until the contest. Dalinar has successfully reached the days immediately before Honor's death.