The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, #3)

by Brandon Sanderson

From within the cavern, echoing, she sensed a familiar voice. “Today, men, I ask of you your lives.” Vin hovered down, listening. Though she couldn’t see into the cavern because of the metals in the rock, she could still hear. If she’d had eyes, she knew she would have been crying. “I ask of you your lives,” Elend said, his voice echoing, “and your courage. I ask of you your faith and your honor—your strength and your compassion. For today, I lead you to die. I will not ask you to welcome this event. I will not insult you by calling it good, or just, or even glorious. But I will say this. “Each moment you fight is a gift to those in this cavern. Each second we fight is a second longer that thousands of people can draw breath. Each stroke of the sword, each koloss felled, each breath earned is a victory! It is a person protected for a moment longer, a life extended, an enemy frustrated!” There was a brief pause. “In the end, they will kill us,” Elend said, his voice loud, ringing in the cavern. “But first, they shall fear us!” The men yelled at this, and Vin’s enhanced mind could pick out over three hundred distinct voices. She heard them split, rushing toward the different cavern entrances. A moment later, someone appeared from the front entrance near her. A figure in white slowly stepped out into the ash, brilliant white cape fluttering. He held a sword in one hand. Elend! she tried to cry at him. No! Go back! Charging them is madness! You’ll be killed! Elend stood tall, ...