Includes SPOILERS for Mistborn era 2, Wind and Truth, and The Sunlit Man

This classic Mistborn prophecy still has narrative elements to yield, and one major Cosmere change could contribute to them. It’s been 19 years since The Final Empire hit shelves, and Brandon Sanderson is still developing his epic tale of ages on Scadrial. Mistborn era 2 saw a time jump of over three centuries, though the effects of the original trilogy still loomed heavily over the overarching narrative. This includes the original Terris Hero of Ages prophecy, which still has predictions to be theorized about.

Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth’s ending saw one of the most significant changes yet. Similar to Sazed claiming two Shards at the end of Mistborn era 1, the far less benevolent Taravangian now possesses two Shards of his own, making him a tremendous threat that no cosmic entity can ignore. Mistborn era 3 will focus primarily on Scadrial, but this Cosmere tie-in will undoubtedly have an effect.

Harmony Will Probably Become Discord In Mistborn: Era 3

Ruin Will Always Be More Powerful Than Preservation

The Terris prophecy has long suggested that the Hero of Ages would one day be known as Discord. Era 2 saw Sazed struggling to maintain the balance between the Shards of Ruin and Preservation, with Ruin’s power slowly taking control. The natural progression is for Harmony to become Discord once the Shards reach a proper imbalance, which could have drastic effects on Scadrial, creating a harsh but necessary era for the planet’s people. Read the segment of the prophecy below:

His name shall be Discord, yet they shall love him for it.

Audiences know from The Sunlit Man that Scadrial’s future will involve phenomenal ingenuity in space travel. Harmony’s Intent pushes him to allow the humans of Scadrial the freedom to make choices of their own, but the progression into Discord could force his hand more directly. Hardship could create the superpower Scadrial needs to be to defend itself in the space age from external threats, and Mistborn’s intended fourth era is expected to be a space opera. This would mean Northern and Southern Scadrial competing in a space race throughout era 3, like the USA and USSR in real life.

Ati was regarded as a kind and noble man, but even he struggled to control the Vessel of Ruin.

Odium Becoming Retribution Adds More Pressure To Harmony

Harmony Faces Two Powerful External Threats

The latest book of The Stormlight Archive saw Taravangian taking up the Shard of Honor, adding to him already being the Vessel for Odium. The two Shards ed together, and he became Retribution. Notably, the moment he acquired this much Investiture, every Shard in the Cosmere turned its attention to him, as he immediately became a threat that couldn't be ignored. Harmony was already planning to work against Odium, but now he’ll have to do so sooner. Hopefully, other inactive Shards will start flocking to his aid after ignoring his previous requests.

The time between Mistborn eras 2 and 3 will likely see Harmony discussing possibilities with the likes of Hoid and Kelsier, figuring out a plan. With Retribution and Autonomy seemingly having some sort of pact, the threat against the Cosmere is more significant than ever, and Harmony is the best hope of defeating them. However, Harmony’s internal struggle is going to be a major X-factor for Sanderson to play with. Discord could push Scadrial toward what's necessary for the greater good, but it might also create terrifying problems.

How Mistborn: Era 2 Set Up Harmony Becoming Discord

Era 2 Laid The Foundation For Harmony's Transformation

Mistborn era 2 wasn’t a narrative that Brandon Sanderson originally intended for his overarching Scadrial story, so it was never going to be the one that drastically altered the scope of the planet’s Shards. That being said, it continued to sow the seeds of changes soon to come, with the Mistborn trilogy expected to be one of the most epic, game-changing sequences in the Cosmere so far. There are a few factors to suggest a major change for Harmony.

The threat of two dangerous external threats, Autonomy and Retribution, will continue to force Harmony into becoming Discord.

Autonomy, the Shard from Taldain, began an assault on Scadrial in era 2, and though Wax and Wayne thwarted her attempt, she’ll certainly be back. The threat of two dangerous external threats, Autonomy and Retribution, will continue to force Harmony into becoming Discord. Mistborn era 2 already saw Harmony beginning to see a dark double of himself, and the expected technological progression of Scadrial during the foreshadowed Cold War period could be the result of this change.