During a violent storm, Venli bursts into Jaxlim’s home clutching a faintly glowing emerald. She reveals she has finally trapped a stormspren by approaching lightning strikes, noting that “the other side” teems with spren in the moment after a strike. The spren’s light looks smoky and dark, unlike others. Venli names it the key to “stormform,” calling it power, while Eshonai warns it could destroy the listeners.

Venli argues their people are already being destroyed and urges trying a new solution rather than obeying ancient songs. Cut by the implication, Eshonai leaves, stepping into the tempest to think. She walks to the edge of Narak’s plateau, calls to the Rider of Storms for guidance, and declares she will not surrender their minds, even if it means rejecting old gods. Yet she knows the Five will demand they test Venli’s discovery.

A grinding noise draws Eshonai’s attention. Lightning illuminates an immense chasmfiend gripping the chasm rim only feet away, watching her. Eshonai holds still, refusing to act like prey. The beast lowers its head, closing the distance in the darkness between flashes.

Then a small spren of white fire appears like a falling star, circling Eshonai. By its light, the chasmfiend withdraws into the chasm. Heart racing, Eshonai attunes Anxiety and hurries home. The mysterious white-fire spren follows her, even as the looming decision about stormform becomes unavoidable.