The storm finally broke.
At dawn, horns sounded across the city. Kasim woke to the noise — deep, harsh, echoing against the stone walls. He rushed to the balcony. Smoke already rose from the outer gates. Soldiers poured in, their armor flashing in the pale light.
Arjun joined him, his face grim. "The court has chosen war."
Kasim's chest tightened. He could hear the clash of steel, the cries of men, the pounding of boots. The smell of smoke drifted through the air, sharp and bitter.
The Streets
They ran through the streets. Merchants abandoned their stalls, bread and cloth scattered across the ground. Children cried, mothers pulled them into doorways. Dogs barked wildly, sensing the chaos.
Kasim gripped his blade. His palms were sweaty, his breath uneven. He hated that he felt fear, but he could not deny it.
Arjun's voice was steady. "Stay close. Watch everything."
They turned a corner and saw soldiers breaking into houses. A man shouted, "For the court!" as he dragged a family out. Kasim's stomach twisted. He wanted to strike, but Arjun held him back.
"Not yet," Arjun whispered. "Choose your moment."
The First Clash
The moment came quickly. A group of soldiers spotted them. "There!" one shouted. Steel rang as they drew their blades.
Kasim stepped forward. His heart pounded, his arms shook, but he raised his sword. The first soldier lunged. Kasim blocked, sparks flying. The sound was sharp, ringing in his ears.
Another soldier swung. Kasim ducked, the blade slicing air above his head. He rose quickly, striking back. His blade cut across the man's shoulder. Blood spilled. The soldier cried out.
Arjun fought beside him, calm and precise. His strikes were clean, his movements controlled. Kasim tried to copy, but his breath came ragged, his arms heavy.
Still, they held. The soldiers retreated, muttering curses.
The Siege
By midday, the city was burning. Smoke rose from the rooftops, the smell thick and choking. The sound of horns mixed with screams. Kasim's ears rang, his throat dry.
He saw men fighting in the streets, women carrying water, children hiding under carts. The city was alive with fear.
Arjun pulled him aside. "Listen. This is not just a fight. This is a siege. The court wants to break Lumora, not just take the shard."
Kasim swallowed hard. "Then what do we do?"
Arjun's eyes were sharp. "We lead."
The Choice
That word hit Kasim like a blade. Lead. He was still just a boy, wasn't he? His hands shook, his breath uneven. But the people looked at him — eyes wide, desperate, searching for hope.
A woman cried, "Help us!" A man shouted, "The boy carries Lumora!"
Kasim's chest burned. He raised the shard. Its glow cut through the smoke. The crowd gasped.
"We fight," Kasim said. His voice was not loud, but it carried. "We fight for Lumora. We fight for truth."
The people rallied. Men grabbed tools, women carried stones, children shouted. The city rose with him.