In the end, only the rightful will decide, and the despair vanish through thick air of regret.

In the heart of the Lower Side, the season of giving had arrived, transforming the usually muted streets into a tapestry of vibrant joy. Colorful banners fluttered in the gentle breeze, hanging from crooked lampposts that lined the narrow alleyways.

Laughter mingled with the sounds of children playing, and the aroma of hearty stew filled the air, heralding a much-needed respite for its weary residents.

Council Kruger and the Council of Econa stood at the forefront of this day of giving, overseeing the distribution of relief goods that had been generously donated by those in the wealthier parts of the city. "You see, Kruger," Councilor Freya said, a soft smile illuminating her usually stern face, "today's success is a testament to the spirit of our community. Even amidst adversity, we can unite to support one another."

Kruger nodded, his gaze drifting over the gathering crowd. "It's a start, but we must ensure this coming together isn't just a fleeting moment of charity. Real change takes root only when we address the root of our problems."

Meanwhile, the Eight Knights had taken it upon themselves to distribute food and supplies. Terron in their gleaming armor, they moved through the throng, handing out bags filled with grain, vegetables, and other essentials. Children's faces lit up like candles at the sight of the knights, hope flickering back to life in their eyes.

Valeria and Dineress, watched the scene unfold with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow.

"It's wonderful to see the relief goods being given out," Valeria remarked, crossing her arms. "But it feels different now. The joy is overshadowed by a heavy cloud of despair."

Dineress sighed, the weight of their town's struggles evident in her tone.

"I know what you mean. It's as if the laughter hides an undercurrent of desperation. People are longing for real change, not just temporary fixes."

The two friends turned their heads as Harim and Terron approached. Both young men had been friends since childhood, and their families had long held positions of power in the community. "What are you two deep in conversation about?" Harim asked, curious.

"Just lamenting the state of the town," Dineress replied, her eyebrows knitting together. "It feels like every time we try to lift ourselves, we're pushed back down. The events of today are reminiscent of a band-aid over a gaping wound."

Terron shook his head, concern etched on his face. "I didn't see any of this when our fathers were ruling. Back then, the streets were alive with hope. What changed?"

Harim, ever the thinker, pondered aloud. "Perhaps it's because they kept things hidden from us. We lived in a bubble, shielded from the struggles others faced. Now, it's hard to ignore the struggles of our people."

As the day wore on, the conversations around the vibrant stalls shifted from mere gratitude for the relief efforts to a collective yearning for meaningful change. The Eight Knights, at the center of the day's festivities, overheard snippets of these conversations. Dineress's bittersweet observations echoed through the crowd, pressing upon them like a weight that refused to lift.

"I think we need to take action, not just stand by while others dictate our fate," Valeria said, her voice resolute. "This is our home. We should dream bigger for the Lower Side."

As the Eight Knights continued their work in the midst of celebration, a sudden fog rolled in, thick and dense, shrouding the vibrant colors of the scene in a ghostly gray. The laughter of children faded into a hushed murmur, and the warm glow of the festive lights dimmed in the eerie stillness.

A dark silhouette emerged from the fog, drawing the attention of the knights and the gathering crowd. The figure moved with an ethereal grace, cloaked in shadows that seemed to swirl around her like a living veil. Circles of curious eyes turned towards her, a mix of awe and apprehension washing over the onlookers.

As the fog thinned just enough for the details to emerge, a mysterious woman stepped into view. She wore a long, flowing robe that glimmered faintly as if woven from the threads of twilight itself. Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, dark with hints of silver, framing a face that held both strength and sorrow.

The Eight Knights instantly straightened, their usual demeanor of camaraderie replaced by a sense of vigilance. Valeria, her heart racing, spoke up first, "Who are you? What brings you here in such a dark time?"

The woman's eyes, deep and knowing, scanned the crowd before settling on the knights. "I am known as Kamille," she said, her voice a soft melody that cut through the tension. "I have come to share a warning... and a hope."

Dineress, stepping closer, felt an inexplicable pull toward the woman. "A warning? About what?" she asked, her curiosity piqued amidst the dawning fear.

Kamille raised her hand, and the fog swirled at her command, revealing ethereal images—visions of despair, of their town's struggles reflected in the faces of its people. "Your community stands on the brink of a reckoning. The issues you face are deeper than mere charity can address. It is time for the destined to rise, to confront the shadows that bind you."

Terron exchanged glances with his comrades, uncertainty resting heavily on their shoulders. "And what's the hope you speak of?" he asked, a hint of skepticism threading his words.

With a serene smile, Kamille continued, "Hope lies not in what is given, but in what can be forged together. You possess the strength, the unity, and the spirit to create lasting change. But it will require courage to face the truth of your circumstances."

"Assemble your hearts and minds, Eight Knights," she urged, her conviction radiant. "The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but only by confronting them can you bring light back to the Lower Side. The despair you feel now will only vanish if you dare to act."

The fog began to recede as Liora stepped back into the shadows, her figure dissolving into the mist. The crowd stood still, a mix of bewilderment and a growing sense of purpose igniting within them.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

NIGHT

Determined to seek clarity, Valeria headed toward the west gates, drawn by an unseen force. The path was dimly lit by flickering lanterns, their warm glow contrasting with the cool air that enveloped her. As she approached the gates, a sense of purpose filled her.

She needed to understand the warning like the warmth of sunlight after a long storm.

The gates loomed ahead, tall and formidable. Valeria rested her hands on the cool iron, gazing beyond the threshold into the darkness that lay ahead.

It was then that she heard footsteps behind her, deliberate and measured. Turning, she found herself facing Aldena, the infamous soothsayer of their town—a figure cloaked in both mystery and controversy.

"What are you doing out here at this hour, Valeria?" Aldena asked, her tone laced with an edge of challenge.

The moonlight caught the sharp contours of her face, highlighting the fierce glint in her eyes. "You should be careful. The night holds more dangers than you realize."

Valeria squared her shoulders, feeling a rush of defiance. "I am seeking answers, Aldena. Unlike you, I won't hide away in fear of the dark. I met Kamille earlier today, and I need to understand her warning."

Aldena's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "So, you've fallen for her charms, too. It's easy to be swayed by mystical nonsense when we're desperate for answers. But do you think she's here to help us? Or is she simply drawing us into her web of deception?"

"I don't believe she's deceiving us!" Valeria retorted, her voice rising. "You're so quick to dismiss anything that doesn't fit neatly into your worldview. Kamille spoke of hope and change. She warned us of the despair that is creeping in, but she also showed us the possibility of something greater."

Aldena stepped closer, her expression turning serious.

"Hope is a dangerous thing. It lures people into a false sense of security. You speak of change as if it's a mere wish waiting to be granted. You have to fight for it, but you also need to be prudent. Not everyone who claims to offer help has good intentions."

Valeria felt the temperature drop around them, an ominous shiver creeping down her spine. "Maybe you're the one who's afraid, Aldena. Afraid of letting go of your cynicism. We need a spark to ignite the change we desire, and Kamille could be that spark. We can't let fear paralyze us!"

"Fear is sometimes the only thing keeping us alive," Aldena replied sharply, her eyes narrowing. "You think it's as simple as believing in fairy tales? This isn't a story where the heroine gets everything she wants in the end. The world is messy, and sometimes, the price for hope is too high."

Valeria stepped back, her heart pounding. "And what do you propose, then? That we remain stagnant, mired in despair, while you wield your soothsayer reputation as if it grants you wisdom over the rest of us?"

Aldena's expression softened momentarily, revealing hints of weariness beneath her bravado. "I'm not saying we shouldn't aspire for better, Valeria. But we must tread carefully. You're passionate, and that's admirable, but I've seen that passion lead to ruin."

"Maybe that's what it takes, Aldena! We can't afford to stay silent any longer," Valeria shot back, determination igniting her voice. "The Lower Side has suffered long enough—we need to unite and strive for change together."

Silence enveloped them as the gravity of their words settled. The tension crackled in the air, the moon casting elongated shadows across the ground. Aldena looked away, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "Unifying is one thing; trusting blindly is another," she finally said, her tone subdued. "We're in darker times than you realize."

MINUTES LATER

Out of nowhere, Kamille emerged, perched ominously atop a stone sculpture that loomed over the square like a long-forgotten sentinel of darkness.

Her presence was both captivating and chilling, as tendrils of fog coiled around her, amplifying the sinister aura that enveloped the woman.

Shadows seemed to flicker in her wake, and an unsettling thrill coursed through the air, hinting at the malevolent power she wielded.

"I see you're all in quite the disagreement," Kamille said, her voice smooth yet tinged with an underlying intensity. The group turned, shocked, caught off guard by her sudden emergence.

Valeria, still reeling from the unexpected sight, glared at Kamille. "What do you want? We're dealing with our own issues here," she snapped, her frustration spilling over.

With a smirk, Kamille leaned forward, her silhouette slipping in and out of the thickening fog as if it were part of her essence. "You should make time, dear Valeria. Because I come bearing a revelation—a curse, to be exact. A curse bestowed upon me by none other than your late mother."

Valeria recoiled slightly, her brows knitting together in suspicion. "What do you mean? Why would she curse you?"

Kamille's expression turned serious, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper that still carried over the fizzling sounds of the gathering crowd.

"Your mother sought to protect you from the darkness of this town, but in trying to shield you, she inadvertently bound me to this despair. I am a reflection of the struggles you all face—cursed to walk this path until the roots of suffering are severed."

Valeria felt a chill run down her spine, her heart racing with confusion and a growing anger. "This is absurd! My mother wouldn't curse anyone. She wanted to help!"

Kamille raised an eyebrow, her confidence unwavering. "Help? Or hide? Understand this: true strength lies in confronting the pain. You need to embrace it, not avoid it. Only then can we break the chains that bind us all—to me, to your past, to this town."

With a snap of her hand, Aldena enveloped the scene in impenetrable darkness, swallowing the vibrant festivities and murmur of the crowd into an eerie silence.

In this void, Valeria found herself pulled from her friends and thrust into an oppressive shadow, a captive surrounded by swirling darkness. Kamille, too, was ensnared, her ethereal presence dimmed but not extinguished.

Panic rose within Valeria's chest as fear gripped her heart. But deep within her, a spark ignited.

She summoned the strength of her spirit, channeling it into a warm light that began to glow fiercely, pushing back against the shadows. The darkness quivered at her radiance, unable to fully contain its brilliance.

Suddenly, the blackness fractured as Valeria's glow pierced through, illuminating the space like a beam of sunshine breaking through the most persistent of storms.

Aldena, taken aback, stumbled backward, her expression shifting from malevolent confidence to surprise and confusion.

Kamille, too, was momentarily shocked, her powers momentarily dimmed in the overwhelming warmth of Valeria's light. "Valeria!" she gasped, recognizing the potential held within the girl. "You have the power! Let it shine!"

Valeria's heart swelled with courage as the light expanded, casting away the shadows that threatened to engulf them both.

"You won't keep us in the dark, Aldena!" she declared, her voice strong and unwavering. The darkness began to unravel at her feet, revealing the shapes of the knights and the frightened townsfolk.

Aldena's once-commanding presence wavered as she glared at the radiant girl, anger mingling with fear. "You think your light can save you? This darkness is eternal!"

But Valeria, resolute and unyielding, stood firm. "Darkness cannot exist without light. I won't let you take this community's hope away!"

With each pulse of her glow, she imbued those around her with courage, igniting renewed determination in their hearts.

The Knights, inspired by her bravery, rallied beside her, forming a protective barrier against Aldena's encroaching darkness.

Dineress, gaining her senses, transformed the energy of the moment into something greater. "Together, we must stand against the shadows. The light within us is stronger when we unite!"

The crowd, now awash in newfound hope, began to chant Valeria's name, their voices merging into a chorus of strength that echoed back toward the sinister figure shrouded in darkness.

As the light grew, pushing back the encroaching dark, it became clear that the power of unity could not be extinguished.

Aldena, realizing she was losing her grip, lashed out in frustration, but Valeria's glow only intensified. At that moment, the Lower Side was no longer just a place of despair; it was a battleground for hope, determined to reclaim its light.