It’s a tough bet, placing the world’s fate on a single young man’s shoulders—especially if none of the prophecies marking him as extraordinary specify whether he’ll save the universe or destroy it. Such is the world of Wheel of Time, however, and so the people of Cairhien, Seanchan, Saldaea, and the Westlands will have to trust that the “Dragon Reborn” will live up to his name.
But that’s not really his name, is it? While it may be clear that the fate-elected magician will acquire tremendous power, no one knows when, how, and why he’ll choose to use it. Yet, when it comes to heroes, their decisions are all that matters. Thankfully, in this case, some of his friends come with common sense, and so, like Nynaeve al’Meara, occasionally jog his memory—starting with calling him by his actual name: “Remember who you are, Rand al’Thor,” she tells him before they part ways once again. “No matter what you may become.”
Might and character can only go hand in hand if the character is already formed by the time the might appears. Lean into your powers—just don’t forget why you set out to attain them.
