The victory at Tarmon Gai'don, though hard-won, left the Pattern of the Wheel itself scarred and weakened. The prolonged exposure to the True Power, the raw and corrupting energy of the Dark One, had left its mark on the fabric of reality, creating tears and distortions that threatened to unravel the very foundations of the world. The aftershocks of the Last Battle reverberated across the land, manifesting in strange and unpredictable ways.
The seasons, once predictable and reliable, became erratic and volatile. Unseasonal storms raged across the continents, unleashing torrential rains, devastating floods, and crippling droughts. The delicate balance of nature was disrupted, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen alike.
The veil between the worlds, the barrier that separated the realm of mortals from the realms of the spirits and the dead, grew thin and porous. Ghosts and apparitions wandered the land, haunting the living and stirring up ancient fears. The spirits of the dead, restless and tormented, sought to communicate with the living, whispering secrets and warnings from beyond the grave.
The wildlife grew strange and unpredictable, some animals exhibiting unnatural aggression, others displaying bizarre mutations. The plants withered and died, their leaves turning black and their roots decaying. The land itself seemed to be rejecting the touch of life, succumbing to the lingering influence of the Shadow.
The channelers, those who could wield the One Power, felt the distortions in the Pattern more acutely than anyone else. They experienced headaches, nausea, and vivid nightmares. Their ability to channel became unreliable, their weaves flickering and collapsing without warning. Some channelers succumbed to madness, their minds shattered by the chaotic energies that surged through the world.
Rand, still struggling with his grief and his guilt, sensed the unraveling of the Pattern with a growing sense of dread. He knew that he had a responsibility to restore balance to the world, to heal the wounds that had been inflicted by the Last Battle. But he felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task, unsure of where to begin.
He convened a council of the most powerful and knowledgeable individuals in the world, including Egwene al'Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the Aes Sedai, Elayne Trakand, the Queen of Andor and Cairhien, and Tuon, the Empress of the Seanchan. He tasked them with finding a way to repair the damage to the Pattern, to restore balance to the world, and to prevent the forces of chaos from overwhelming the light.
The council deliberated for weeks, debating the various options and considering the potential consequences of each course of action. Some advocated for a radical solution, a complete cleansing of the True Power from the world, even if it meant risking further damage to the Pattern. Others argued for a more cautious approach, focusing on mending the tears and distortions in the Pattern, strengthening the veil between the worlds, and restoring the natural order.
The debates grew heated, the tensions rising, and the threat of a schism loomed large. The leaders of the world, already weary from years of war, found themselves facing a new and daunting challenge, a challenge that threatened to tear them apart. The weight of the world rested on their shoulders, and the fate of humanity hung in the balance. The choices they made would determine the future of the Wheel, shaping the destiny of generations to come. The stakes were higher than ever, and the path ahead was fraught with peril. The shadows of the past lingered, threatening to consume the present and darken the future. The scars of the Pattern were a constant reminder of the fragility of the world and the enduring power of the Shadow.