Shallan drifts through shifting colors and half-formed visions until the trance fades and a room coalesces around her. Remembering that Mraize collapsed the perpendicularity, Shallan realizes she has been pulled into the Spiritual Realm. She checks that she still has the anti-Light knife she stole from the Ghostbloods, then studies the strange, split colors of the unreal-seeming room.

Pattern enters with Testament, followed by Renarin, Rlain, and their spren. Shallan notes that Renarin’s spren, Glys, and Rlain’s spren are unusual, red-tinted and shadowed. She apologizes for drawing Renarin and Rlain into her pursuit of Ba-Ado-Mishram, but both accept the situation, especially because Mraize and Iyatil may be hunting the Unmade’s prison. Shallan also reveals that Mraize previously captured Lift for the enemy, reinforcing how dangerous he is.

Renarin explains that they are in the Spiritual Realm and that Glys has shaped their surroundings using Renarin’s childhood memories, creating a temporary staging area rather than a true revelation of the past. The group compares what they know: Mraize and Iyatil are likely here, Dalinar and Navani are probably here as well, and the Ghostbloods may intend to use the Bondsmiths’ visions to locate Mishram’s prison. Shallan proposes joining Dalinar and Navani, but Glys and Rlain’s spren urgently object.

The two Enlightened spren explain that in this realm the powers of the gods can notice and destroy them. Honor, Odium, and Cultivation would all regard them as enemies, traitors, or abominations, so they must remain hidden and move through the visions in secret. This leads the group to a new strategy: instead of trying to find Mishram’s prison directly, they can follow Dalinar and Navani’s path while hunting Mraize and Iyatil, who are likely doing the same.

Renarin suggests killing the Ghostblood agents if necessary, and Shallan confirms that stopping them would be enough for now. Renarin insists that as sworn protectors they have both the authority and the duty to act, especially after hearing that Mraize has attacked Jasnah and aided the enemy. Shallan privately wrestles with her lingering hesitation toward Mraize, but Veil and Radiant steady her resolve.

While Renarin and Glys search for Dalinar, Shallan explores the room and reflects on Renarin’s childhood and on her own pain. Pattern gently draws Testament into the moment, and the three share a brief, emotional connection as Shallan remembers that her childhood held both suffering and real happiness. Pattern warns that the realm responds to thoughts, memories, and the soul itself. Renarin then locates Dalinar inside a vision, and the group prepares to move after him and confront the Ghostbloods.