After killing Abidi, Adolin sees that his exhausted defenders still cannot survive the Fused assault for the remaining ten minutes. When Maya speaks to him, he realizes she misunderstood his earlier request and did not fetch honorspren from Lasting Integrity. Instead, Maya leads him through her perspective in Shadesmar to a host of deadeyes: forgotten spren of abandoned Blades and Plate who have not forgotten Adolin.

The deadeyes silently salute and make clear that they have come because he needs allies. An ashspren helps Adolin understand that, even though oaths failed long ago, they still choose to stand with him. Adolin thinks through the difference between an oath and a promise, sees Honor in their act of loyalty, and asks Maya for nine sets of Blades and Plate.

Back in the Azimir palace, Adolin shouts for the "Unoathed" to arm themselves. Shardblades appear in a ring around him with Plate helms hanging from their pommels, and Yanagawn is the first to suit up, proving the deadeyes' aid is real. Adolin sends Noura, Jaskkeem, and Rahel into the room with the throne and gives Noura the Azish Blade for protection, while the newly armed defenders form up. With Maya in his hand and nine allies beside him, Adolin braces to hold the corridor against the enemy.

At Ba-Ado-Mishram's prison, Renarin watches Shallan still fighting the Ghostbloods outside and speaks with Rlain about responsibility for the long conflict. Both conclude that humans chose victory instead of peace, and they decide the cracked gemstone should be broken. Renarin offers Rlain the choice as a singer, and Rlain chooses freedom for Mishram, asking that they do it together so she will see a human and singer acting in partnership.

In Shinovar, Szeth emerges in light having spoken the Fifth Ideal and briefly feels whole in body, mind, and heart. He tells his spren that true law must be personally chosen, not mindlessly obeyed, then rejects the corrupted Skybreaker order under Nale and releases the bond despite the spiritual pain. Powerless again, Szeth reaches for Nightblood to destroy once more, but Ishar stops him and uses Connection to force Szeth, Kaladin, Syl, Nale, and the Honorbearers to feel the crushing darkness he claims he bears for the Heralds, demonstrating the terrible burden at the center of the Oathpact.