ChapterTrack

Chapter 51 - Against the Shadow

Summary

Rand flees the Mountain of Dhoom after escaping the Eye of the World, only to be cornered by the Forsaken Aginor on a precipice. Aginor reveals his greed and connection to the Dark One before Rand inadvertently taps into the power of saidin, manifesting as a blade of light that allows him to summon a massive elemental storm which annihilates the pursuing Trolloc army. Rand then follows Ba'alzamon into a dreamscape resembling Lews Therin's ruined palace, where the Dark One's general taunts him with visions of Egwene, Nynaeve, and his mother to break his resolve. Rand ultimately rejects Ba'alzamon's offer of servitude, uses the blade of light to sever the Dark One's cord of power from the Forsaken, and destroys Ba'alzamon's form before waking from the trance.

Characters

  • Rand — Rand flees Aginor across the mountain, eventually being cornered on a precipice. He taps into the One Power, summoning a massive storm of fire and earth that destroys the Trolloc army. He then enters a dreamscape to confront Ba'alzamon, where he uses a blade of light to sever the Dark One's power cord and destroy his opponent's form.
  • Aginor (the Forsaken) — Aginor pursues Rand up the mountain, revealing his greed and his status as one who has 'left mortality behind.' He attempts to claim Rand for the Dark One but is repelled by the power of the Light that Rand wields, eventually vanishing after his cord is severed.
  • Ba'alzamon — Ba'alzamon appears in a dream-chamber, taunting Rand with visions of his family and friends to break his will. He offers Rand servitude in exchange for power, but Rand rejects him and uses a blade of light to sever his cord of power and destroy his physical form in the dream.
  • Egwene — An illusion of Egwene appears in Ba'alzamon's chamber, standing pale and frightened to torment Rand, but she blurs and dissipates when Rand denies the vision.
  • Nynaeve — An illusion of Nynaeve appears in Ba'alzamon's chamber alongside Egwene to torment Rand, standing pale and frightened before blurring and dissipating.
  • Kari — The ghost of Kari al'Thor appears in Ba'alzamon's chamber, weeping and begging Rand for help before being seized by Fades in the illusion and screaming as she is tortured, which triggers Rand's attack.