Denied servants, Navani presents herself composed and meets Raboniel in the occupied tower’s library. Pressed for the flying machine’s secrets, Navani sketches conjoined fabrials and explains aluminum’s role in isolating planes for lateral motion. Raboniel’s comments about Voidspren reluctance trigger Navani’s revelation: ancient Soulcasters are spren manifest in metal, not cages holding spren.

The two trade constraints—Raboniel’s Radiant-suppressing weapons and Navani’s finicky vertical systems—and debate ideology. Raboniel claims the war will end through shared knowledge under singer rule; Navani outwardly agrees while inwardly planning to stall and survive.

Inspecting her scholars, Navani confirms several were killed in the crystal pillar room blast. Rushu reports finding no Stormlight or Voidlight remnants, implying the strange sphere is gone. Raboniel enforces titles and orders the scholars to continue designs and write-ups, hinting their theories will still be tested. Navani complies publicly and quietly begins planning how to get them out of this.

Meanwhile, Kaladin dreams of a storm-dark world where misty foes become dead messenger boys—including Tien—then a vision of Bridge Four slaughtering one another. Moash appears, urging oblivion, before plunging into a chasm. Kaladin awakens in darkness beside comatose Teft, wracked by pain and doubt.

Syl arrives via a small vent, suggests the Sibling—once a Bondsmith spren—may still live, and scouts the area. Kaladin discovers a gemstone latch that opens their hidden door despite his lack of Stormlight. Regaining some purpose, he plans to scout for water, food, Stormlight, and a real weapon before attempting anything larger.