After that night, the lower quarter had changed. The rebellion had taken hold of the city, and Leon found himself swept up in it, not by choice, but by necessity. His encounters with the kingdom’s cruelty had lit a fire in him, and with Elena at his side, he began to fight back.

They weren’t alone. A small band of rebels had formed, a mix of former soldiers, thieves, and common folk who had grown tired of living under the kingdom’s thumb. Among them were people Leon would soon come to call friends: **Garrett**, a hardened soldier who had lost his family to the king’s greed; **Lyra**, a quick-witted thief who had survived on the streets for as long as she could remember; and **Sorin**, a young idealist who dreamed of a world where justice could prevail.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Each of them had their reasons for joining the fight, and together, they became a force to be reckoned with. But the weight of the war hung heavy over them, and Leon knew that the longer they fought, the more they risked losing.

Elena, though strong, had become the heart of their group. She was the one who reminded them why they fought—not for power, but for the people who had no voice. It was her belief in the goodness of others that kept them going, even when the odds were stacked against them.

"I don’t want to see you broken, Leon," she whispered one night, as they sat together by the fire, the others asleep around them. "No matter what happens, promise me you won’t let this war change who you are."

Leon looked at her, the flickering flames reflecting in her eyes. He wanted to promise her, but deep down, he felt the stirrings of doubt. He had seen too much already—the corruption, the violence. And with each battle, he could feel himself slipping further away from the person he used to be.

But for Elena’s sake, he nodded.

"I promise."