Dalinar awakens inside a vision, running knee-deep through the Purelake alongside spear- and hammer-bearing soldiers toward a majestic black fortress. A female Knight Radiant commands the group to seek an odd spren—Sja-anat’s corrupted spy. Dalinar spots a red-eyed face in the water and a larger shadowy escort, after which the lakebed splits and a thirty-foot thunderclast of living stone claws free. The Radiant charges in Shardplate, glowing with Stormlight, while soldiers bring hammers and faintly glow themselves.

The Almighty’s voice speaks through a nearby soldier, explaining that spren founded the ten orders to imitate what he gave men, and instructing Dalinar to refound the Knights Radiant, unite forces, create a fortress to weather the storm, vex Odium, and appoint a champion. Dalinar resolves to prepare, noting that if the Almighty could die, so might his enemy. The vision fades.

Back in his rooms, Navani records his words—remarking that he briefly spoke ancient Selay—and he recounts the Purelake, the obsidian-like fortress, and the thunderclast. They discuss his imminent proclamation to the highprinces, then debate faith and morality; Navani presses for cohabitation, Dalinar refuses, and they share a passionate kiss before she leaves under Kaladin’s escort.

After dozing, Dalinar wakes to glyphs scratched on his wall with a pried white stone: “Sixty-two days. Death follows.” Rushu examines the crude handwriting and copies it; Adolin inspects the stone and bristles at Captain Kaladin, who arrives, blames himself for a security lapse, and vows stricter protection. Dalinar downplays the intrusion but feels the warning’s weight.

Interpreting the message as a countdown to impending disaster—the Everstorm—Dalinar orders the proclamation released and a meeting arranged with the highprinces. With time short, he commits to unification and refounding the Radiants.