The siege had lasted three days. Smoke hung over Lumora like a shroud. The streets were lined with rubble, and the air smelled of ash and iron. Kasim stood on the wall, his cloak torn, his hands blistered from the sword's hilt.
Below, the court's army moved like a tide — banners snapping, drums pounding. The sound was endless, heavy, like thunder that refused to fade.
Arjun joined him, limping slightly. "They'll strike again before dusk," he said.
Kasim nodded. His throat was dry. "We're running out of arrows."
"Then we fight with what we have." Arjun's voice was calm, but his eyes were tired.
Kasim looked down at the glowing shard in his hand. Its light was faint now, pulsing weakly. "It's losing strength."
Arjun placed a hand on his shoulder. "No. It's waiting for you to find yours."
The Battle
When the attack came, it was sudden — a roar of horns, a wave of fire. Siege towers rolled forward, and arrows rained down. Kasim shouted orders, his voice hoarse.
"Hold the line!"
He ran along the wall, helping a wounded guard to his feet. The man's armor was dented, his face streaked with soot. "They're breaking through!"
Kasim turned. The gate was splintering. He could hear the crack of wood, the screams of men.
Arjun drew his sword. "We end this here."
They charged down the steps into the chaos. The courtyard was a storm — fire, steel, shouting. Kasim's blade met another, sparks flying. He smelled blood and smoke, felt the sting of sweat in his eyes.
A soldier lunged. Kasim blocked, twisted, struck. The man fell. Another came. Kasim's arms burned, his breath ragged.
Then he saw Lord Daren.
The noble stood near the gate, his armor gleaming, his sword raised. "You should have given me the shard, boy!"
Kasim's voice was steady. "Lumora doesn't belong to you."
They clashed. Daren's strikes were heavy, precise. Kasim barely kept pace. His blade slipped once, cutting his own hand. Blood dripped onto the shard.
The crystal flared.
Light burst from it — blue, fierce, alive. The air trembled. Daren staggered back, shielding his eyes.
Kasim felt the heat surge through him, not burning but awakening. The shard's glow spread across his arm, his chest, his sword.
Arjun shouted, "Kasim! Now!"
Kasim swung. The blade struck Daren's sword, shattering it. The noble fell to his knees, his armor cracked.
The soldiers froze. The light from the shard filled the courtyard, washing over the walls, the fire, the smoke.
Kasim lowered his sword. "Lumora stands."
Aftermath
When the battle ended, the city was quiet. The fires still burned, but the enemy had fled. Kasim stood among the ruins, the shard dim again, resting in his palm.
Arjun approached, his face streaked with ash. "You did it."
Kasim shook his head. "We did."
Arjun smiled faintly. "Lumora will remember."
Kasim looked toward the horizon. The sky was gray, but somewhere beyond the smoke, dawn was breaking.
He whispered, "So will I."