Odium turns away from watching Sja-anat's agents in the Spiritual Realm and fixes his attention on Dalinar instead. As Taravangian does so, he accepts his grief over destroying Kharbranth and interprets that loss as necessary proof that his new convictions are real.

Odium reaffirms his larger goal of remaking Roshar and then the cosmere. He believes Cultivation has already made her moves and failed, but he is frustrated that Dalinar remains a serious obstacle because Dalinar's future is difficult to read.

Odium realizes Dalinar's choices are clouded to future sight, much as Cultivation's strike on Kharbranth had been, because Dalinar is tainted by someone else who can see the future. Looking at Dalinar trembling and isolated in the Spiritual Realm, Odium convinces himself that his own plans would be a kindness because they would let Dalinar reach his full potential.

From that belief, Odium clarifies what he truly wants from the coming contest. He thinks he can profit from either result, but the outcome he most needs is Dalinar's submission and alliance.

Odium therefore settles on a deliberate strategy: he will break Dalinar down so Dalinar can be rebuilt in Odium's image. Drawing on long experience hurting Dalinar and then dealing with the pain that follows, Odium coldly prepares to turn that skill against his old friend once again.