The story begins in the remote mountain village of Two Rivers. Moiraine, a member of the powerful, all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, arrives with her guardian, Lan. She is searching for the reincarnation of an incredibly powerful individual known as the Dragon. This person, born again, is destined to either save the world from the Dark One or break it entirely in a final battle. Moiraine believes the Dragon could be one of five young villagers: Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, or Nynaeve.
After their village is attacked by monstrous Trollocs, Moiraine flees with the five youths, embarking on a perilous journey to the White Tower, the home of the Aes Sedai. Along the way, the group faces numerous threats and begins to discover their own hidden abilities. Egwene shows a strong potential to channel the One Power, the magical energy that drives the world. Nynaeve, the village Wisdom, reveals her own extraordinary power in a dramatic display.
Their journey is fraught with danger and separation. Rand gradually uncovers the shocking truth about his own birth and heritage, leading him to a terrifying realization about his identity. Perrin grapples with a newfound and frightening connection to wolves, a result of a tragic event. Mat is corrupted by a malicious, ancient dagger that fuels his paranoia and distrust.
The group eventually reaches the great city of Tar Valon. Here, political intrigue within the White Tower threatens their safety. Moiraine, working with the Amyrlin Seat, the leader of the Aes Sedai, maneuvers to prepare for the Dark One’s growing threat. The narrative splits as Egwene and Nynaeve begin their training as Aes Sedai novices, while Moiraine takes Rand on a separate path.
The season culminates at the Eye of the World, a legendary source of pure power. Moiraine, Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and Nynaeve confront the Dark One’s forces there. In a series of visions and battles, Rand is forced to accept that he is indeed the Dragon Reborn. He faces a manifestation of the Dark One, channeling immense power to seemingly defeat him, though the cost and consequence are unclear.
In the aftermath, the world believes the Dragon is dead, but Moiraine knows the truth. Rand chooses to walk his own path alone to protect his friends. The group is scattered: Perrin sets out to find Mat, who was left behind, corrupted; Egwene and Nynaeve return to the White Tower to continue their training; and Moiraine and Lan begin a new search, now aware that the Last Battle is coming sooner than anyone feared. The final moments reveal that the Dark One’s seal is broken, and his influence is already spreading across the land.