Kaladin wakes from a crushing nightmare in hiding with Syl, Teft, and Dabbid. The Sibling alerts them a new node lies in the market well, already under enemy control. Dabbid, ready to go alone, returns Kaladin’s spear and fabrial and speaks his first words. Determined to stop the corruption—or destroy the node—Kaladin chooses a direct descent through the atrium, using Navani’s counterweight device to mimic Windrunner flight.

Elsewhere, Navani tries to force an audience with Raboniel by claiming a breakthrough. A Deepest One delays her with a spanreed, revealing the Fused anticipated a diversion. Navani realizes the trap likely targets Kaladin at the well.

Kaladin’s dramatic arrival draws Heavenly Ones and the Pursuer. He survives a grapple by using a scalpel and Syl’s help to adjust the device, but he’s outmatched. Seeking a manageable fight and time for Syl to scout the node, he challenges Leshwi to a duel. The Heavenly Ones hold back as Leshwi engages, quickly discerning his limited maneuverability and wounding him.

Leshwi offers surrender and talks of peace, but Kaladin refuses to trust Odium. He feints agreement to ground combat, then breaks past her, following Syl’s signal to the well. He dives, battles a Fused guarding the pumps, and disables the sapphire and its glass sphere, destroying the node. The Pursuer springs a trap by sealing the well and weighing it down with people, leaving Kaladin suffocating and panicked.

Remembering Hav’s maxim—never run, always retreat—Kaladin searches for the outflow, drops a gemstone to find “down,” and uses the fabrial to pull through submerged tunnels to a reservoir. Exhausted and bleeding, he surfaces, steals Stormlight from lamps, and staggers toward the surface.

Emerging amid singer troops, Kaladin fights free but finds his healing failing as the Sibling’s corruption deepens. Pursued by soldiers and a Heavenly One, he sprints into an active highstorm, choosing the tempest over capture.