Outside Lasting Integrity, Shallan watches the Windrunners prepare to carry Adolin, Gallant, and a small group through Shadesmar by air. She jokes with Adolin about his excessive gear, but the scene also reminds her how much Maya has improved; Maya’s growing awareness gives Shallan hope that Testament might one day heal as well.

Shallan and Adolin then notice deadeyes standing in the surf with their eyes scratched out. Maya explains that some are not merely wandering near living bearers but are tied to lost Blades—Shardblades abandoned for so long that people stopped thinking about them, causing the Blades to vanish from the Physical Realm while the deadeyes remain trapped in Shadesmar. The revelation deepens Shallan and Adolin’s determination to help deadeyes, and Adolin immediately begins thinking about practical ways Navani might help locate or comfort them.

Before departure, Shallan checks on Vathah, who is practicing Soulcasting and Lightweaving with growing skill and chooses to remain with the caravan for the slower return journey. She notices his interest in Ishnah, confirms that she will bring all of her spren with her rather than leave them behind, and parts from Felt and the others as the honorspren leaders arrive to send the party off.

Kelek refuses to accompany them, but he gives Shallan an important warning and a piece of parting instruction. He tells her that with two bonds she may perceive troubling things, then explains that light, matter, energy, and Investiture are different forms of the same essence; because of that, Lightweavers of old could sometimes give temporary substance to their illusions. That insight reframes Shallan’s past experiences, and Kelek’s further advice—not to dismiss something because it is fleeting, or value something merely because it is eternal—helps her see the trip as meaningful rather than a failure. Their emotional farewell ends with Shallan hugging him and Kelek admitting that he wants to be better.

Shallan joins Adolin, Maya, the Cryptics, and the Windrunners. Drehy explains that they are flying toward the Azimir Oathgate, using a restored Shadesmar compass and taking advantage of changes brought by Navani’s bond with the Sibling and Urithiru’s awakening—news that surprises Shallan. Once airborne, Shallan endures the uncomfortable flight while Adolin and Gallant clearly delight in it, and she pauses to admire and memorize the image of them racing through the sky. The chapter ends with that brief joy interrupted when the group is suddenly attacked.