Shallan attacks Formless and, using Adolin’s training, wrestles the disguised figure to the ground. When the anti-Stormlight dagger burns away part of the illusion, Shallan sees that Formless is actually Iyatil wearing a Lightweaving. Shallan drives the blade into Iyatil’s eye; Iyatil instinctively draws in Stormlight to heal, and the contact between Stormlight and anti-Stormlight destroys her from within. From that success, Shallan confirms her theory that anti-Light can kill a Radiant if healing is triggered while it remains in the body.

As Mraize recoils over Iyatil’s corpse, Shallan explains how she deduced the truth. The seon in her communications box had overheard her fears and plans, so the Ghostbloods had been using that knowledge to manipulate her throughout the journey. Shallan also realizes Iyatil had been assigned to shadow her, not Dalinar. While Shallan talks, Mraize discreetly takes a second anti-Stormlight knife from Iyatil’s belt, leaving Shallan effectively unarmed as Iyatil’s corrupted inkspren escapes the body.

The confrontation becomes personal. Mraize says Shallan has killed his babsk and that his honor now requires him to act against her, even if Iyatil’s death also freed him. Shallan, shaken because Mraize is the mentor she most feared losing or having to destroy, tries another path: she Lightweaves a possible future in which he leaves Roshar as her side’s agent to other worlds. Mraize visibly longs for that life, but rejects it, says the Ghostbloods are not finished, and claims he will take Shallan to Thaidakar for judgment while assuming control of the Rosharan branch.

Elsewhere, Yanagawn waits with only ten fighters against hundreds and realizes his position is nearly hopeless. Colot observes that the enemy is being deliberately held back, though no one knows why. The answer arrives when the throne-room doors explode open and Adolin strides out in glowing blue Shardplate after hurling an orange-blooded foe into the hall. Adolin crushes the enemy’s gemheart underfoot, then presents Yanagawn’s reclaimed Shardblade, turning a desperate stand into a moment of restored authority and hope.

At the same time in Shinovar, Kaladin chases Ishar as Szeth suddenly declares, I am the law, and a massive column of light erupts from him. The Honorbearers collapse and shield their eyes, and Kaladin realizes Szeth appears to have reached the Skybreakers’ final Ideal despite not seeming to finish his quest in the expected way. Kaladin tries to use the moment to speak to Ishar while the Herald is clearheaded, but Ishar says he learned from Dalinar’s previous attempt and has prepared countermeasures. Shielded by his own Stormlight and still in control, Ishar remains dangerous and unconvinced.