The series is set in a sprawling, high-fantasy world where magic exists, but only certain women can safely wield it. These women, called Aes Sedai, are organized in a powerful tower and are dedicated to maintaining balance and peace. Their greatest enemy is the Dark One, a primordial evil sealed away millennia ago by a male leader who went mad, tainting the male half of the magical source. Now, the Dark One is stirring, and prophecies speak of a reincarnated champion, the Dragon Reborn, who will either save the world or break it utterly.
The story follows a group of young villagers from the Two Rivers: Rand al’Thor, Perrin Aybara, Mat Cauthon, Egwene al’Vere, and Nynaeve al’Meara. Their lives are shattered when a mysterious Aes Sedai named Moiraine arrives with her Warder, Lan, fleeing a terrifying evil. Moiraine believes one of the five youths is the Dragon Reborn, but she does not know which one. She leads them on a perilous journey, pursued by the Dark One’s monstrous servants.
Season two picks up months after the shocking events at the Eye of the World. The group is scattered across the world, each on their own path. Rand, now aware he is the Dragon Reborn and can channel the male half of the power, is in hiding, grappling with the madness that comes with his abilities and the fear of his own destiny. He seeks training and answers from a mysterious man who claims to be an old friend.
Egwene and Nynaeve have traveled to the White Tower to train as Aes Sedai. Egwene shows immense potential but faces harsh tutelage, while Nynaeve struggles with blockages to accessing her extraordinary power. Perrin, haunted by the violence within him, embarks on a quest to find the Horn of Valere, a legendary artifact that can summon heroes from the grave. He is joined by a warrior from a nomadic tribe.
Meanwhile, Mat, left behind in a cursed city, is trapped and battling a malevolent dagger that is corrupting his soul. His story intertwines with a hunt for the very same Horn. Moiraine, having lost her ability to channel, is estranged from Lan and returns to her powerful family, scheming to protect Rand and prepare the world for the coming conflict from the shadows.
The season weaves these separate threads as the forces of the Dark One grow stronger. A new threat emerges in the form of the Seanchan, a brutal, empire-building force from across the ocean. They use a terrifying form of control over women who can channel, collaring them as slaves. Their arrival brings conquest and suffering, culminating in a devastating personal loss for Egwene.
All paths converge in the great city of Falme. Rand is forced to publicly declare himself as the Dragon Reborn in a battle in the sky against the Dark One’s champion. Perrin and his allies fight to protect the Horn. Egwene, having endured terrible captivity, leads a desperate rebellion of the collared channelers. The season concludes with the world now aware the Dragon Reborn has returned, the Seanchan threat established, and our heroes forever changed and preparing for the greater war to come.