Dalinar enters an early vision mid-battle as a spearman among primitive soldiers. His arm is severed, and he stabilizes himself rather than immediately healing, then orders a desperate slide down a cliff to survive. A glowing Stoneward arrives, reshaping rock into steps and engaging a red‑eyed Voidbringer. Dalinar finally draws Stormlight to regrow his arm and leads survivors away, noting humans fighting for the enemy.

He summons Navani and Jasnah into the vision. They witness an unarmored Radiant-like woman using a Regrowth fabrial to heal, exciting Navani’s scholarship. Jasnah observes technological regression between visions, arguing Desolations shattered learning. She counsels Dalinar not to let detractors define him by “heresy,” then departs to explore as Dalinar and Navani follow the path he recalls.

Surveying a vast field of corpses, Dalinar asks the Stormfather to address Navani as well. They see parshmen among the dead and, in a shaded alcove, discover nine Honorblades thrust into stone—revealing this as Aharietiam. The missing tenth blade prompts the realization that the traditional story was false and that the Heralds did not end the enemy.

The Stormfather explains: the Fused are the spren of ancient parshmen—kings and warriors—twisted by Odium, reborn each time they die. To oppose them, ten Heralds formed the Oathpact, holding the Fused in Damnation but suffering torture until one broke, triggering each Desolation. Intervals shortened as their souls wore thin. At Aharietiam, nine left their Honorblades and chose to remain, abandoning Talenelat to hold alone for four and a half millennia. The “madman” who recently appeared is that Herald, and with the Everstorm, the Fused now return without Damnation’s check.

Dalinar asks about the Recreance, but the Stormfather refuses, fearing Radiants would abandon their oaths. Navani resolves to document the Honorblades. A Shin figure arrives, channeling Honor’s recorded message—“Unite them”—and the vision fades.