Chapter 55 - What Is Written in Prophecy

Summary

In the Heart of the Stone, Rand al'Thor battles the Forsaken Ba'alzamon and ultimately destroys him with Callandor before realizing he must end the prophecy of destruction. Simultaneously, Egwene al'Vere enters Tel'aran'rhiod to locate her captured friends, shielding the Black Ajah sister Amico Nagoyin before waking to find Nynaeve and Elayne still kneeling beside her. Mat Cauthon infiltrates the torture chambers, finds the battered women, and urges them to leave, leading to a confrontation where Nynaeve strikes Amico to break the shield. Perrin Aybara, following Hopper through the dream version of the Stone, rescues Faile from a cage of falcons, reuniting with her in the waking world as the Stone's defenses begin to collapse.

Characters

Rand / Lews Therin / Kinslayer / Rand al'Thor (Dragon Reborn, countryman, country lad) — Rand enters the Heart of the Stone and confronts Be'lal, refusing to take Callandor immediately before fighting the Forsaken with a blade of red flame. After Moiraine destroys Be'lal, Ba'alzamon appears and attempts to take Rand's soul. Rand grabs Callandor, channeling immense power while walking a razor's edge of stability, and chases Ba'alzamon through shifting realities, finally killing him in the Heart of the Stone. He raises the sword to declare himself the Dragon Reborn, causing the Veiled Men and Defenders to kneel to him.
Moiraine (woman) — Moiraine strides through the battle to confront Be'lal, killing him with a bar of white fire before being hurled against a column by black lightning. She lies crumpled at the base of the column after Rand kills Ba'alzamon, appearing unconscious.
Ba'alzamon (Great Lord of the Dark) — Ba'alzamon descends from the shadows to attack Rand, claiming his soul and twisting reality against him. He flees after Rand touches Callandor, using the Stone's power to create deadly traps in the halls. Rand pursues him through shifting environments, eventually plunging Callandor into his chest, causing Ba'alzamon's shadow to vanish and his physical body to fall lifeless.
Be'lal (Forsaken) — Be'lal appears in the Heart of the Stone, mocking Rand and offering him Callandor. He engages Rand in a sword fight with a blade of black fire, driving him back before Moiraine intervenes. She strikes him with a bar of white fire, reducing him to shimmering motes and then flecks consumed by light, ending his existence in the Stone.
Egwene — Egwene navigates the dreaming Stone of Tear, breaking a large iron lock with Earth and finding empty cells. She locates the dreaming Amico Nagoyin, shields her from the One Power using thick flows of Spirit and Air, and opens her cell door. She wakes up in her physical body to find Nynaeve and Elayne have freed themselves, and she attempts to shield Amico again before Mat Cauthon arrives.
Mat / Matrim — Mat enters the torture rooms and corridor, finding the unconscious Amico Nagoyin. He retrieves her key, opens the cell, and discovers Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne inside. He urges them to flee, and after Nynaeve strikes Amico to break her hold on the shield, the group prepares to escape with Juilin Sandar. Mat follows the women out of the chamber, determined to rescue them despite their anger.
Nynaeve — Nynaeve waits in the cell with Elayne and an unconscious Egwene. She is shocked by Mat's arrival and tells him to mind his language. She steps forward and strikes Amico Nagoyin, knocking her off the bench, which breaks the shield on the women. She heals Egwene and Elayne's bruises and confronts Mat about the situation, eventually agreeing he is right to leave.
Elayne — Elayne kneels beside Egwene in the cell, unable to channel. She feels the shield waver when Amico is struck and helps check on Egwene. She glares at Mat for his language and expresses a desire to pound Joiya Byir, then leaves the cell with the others, following Mat and Juilin.
Amico / Amico Nagoyin (woman, Darkfriend) — Amico sits on a bench in the corridor, appearing half-asleep and bound by a shield. She pleads for help as Mat approaches. When Nynaeve strikes her, she falls unconscious, still in the same position, and her hold on the shield breaks. Egwene retrieves something from her pouch after she is defeated.
Sandar / Juilin (thief-catcher, Master Sandar) — Juilin waits outside the room, trying to peer down the hall. He enters behind Mat and warns the women that Amico is Aes Sedai. He explains that Liandrin spoke to him and he had to betray them. He tells Mat that he saw what speaking earned him and follows him out, admitting he is no fool.
Perrin (Young Bull, blacksmith) — Perrin hunts through the dreaming Stone, growing weaker as his flesh fades. He finds bronze doors with tiny falcons and shatters them with his hammer. He enters a chamber filled with attacking falcons, reaches a perch, and snaps the chain holding Faile. He collapses into darkness and wakes in the Star inn's dining room as Faile tends to his wounds, realizing he has freed her in the dream and the waking world.
Hopper (wolf) — Hopper trots beside Perrin in the dream, leading him to the bronze doors. He warns Perrin that his flesh is weakening because he holds on to it too strongly. He guides Perrin toward the falcon's location, turning and trotting toward the doors before Perrin reaches them.
Faile (falcon, falcons) — Faile appears in the dream chained to a perch, protected by the falcons. Perrin breaks her chain, and she kneels over him in the waking world, wiping blood from his face and calling him her poor blacksmith. She is physically present in the dining room of the Star inn, unconscious in the dream but awake in reality.