It's another day. The city of Arcadia has yet to face the catastrophic fate foretold by the infamous shrouded women. Life slowly returns to normal. While some remain skeptical, many find comfort in the belief that the guardian angel may have intervened. Perhaps the threat was neutralized before it reached Arcadia—that thought is enough to return most people to their daily routines.
Khnouphis stands by the window of his office, overlooking the market in front of the townhall. The townsfolk are busy with their usual errands, as if the recent meteor shower had been nothing more than a passing storm. Yet he feels no unease.
"All praise to the gods of Eden…" he murmurs, offering a quiet prayer in gratitude for whatever divine protection may have been granted.
He turns away from the window and returns to his desk. The stack of paperwork that had weighed him down yesterday is now gone. With no more immediate duties, he begins planning a ceremony.
Khnouphis leaves his office, walking through the corridor until he reaches the heavy golden doors of the building. He knocks. The guards stationed outside promptly open the doors. One of the muscular guards bows and speaks:
"Good morning, sire. Is everything alright?"
"There's no issue. I simply need someone to inform the townspeople; I'll be delivering a speech in front of the townhall this afternoon. Can we arrange for an announcer?"
"Of course, my lord. Right away."
"Thank you," Khnouphis replies before turning and heading back inside.
"My pleasure, sire." The guard bows once more and closes the door behind him as the sound of retreating footsteps fades. He turns to the other guards and begins organizing a city-wide announcement.
***
Daniil strolls across the front yard of his home. His younger sisters dart back and forth, laughing as they chase each other through the open space. The fields have already been tended to, and with no more work left for the day, he is free. His father naps inside despite the early hour, while his mother washes laundry at the well.
Daniil looks up at the sky. "It's a beautiful day. Not too hot, cool breeze, perfect sunlight." He closes his eyes and draws in a deep breath. "I wish I had more days like this."
From the distance, a group of four men approaches. Three of them are hoplites clad in armor; the fourth wears a plain robe, unarmed, holding a large scroll in his hands. They walk with purpose, and soon reach the Alkmanis yard. Daniil and his sisters pause their play to watch the unfamiliar visitors. The robed man exchanges a few quiet words with the soldiers.
From the back of the house, Meri appears, a bundle of damp laundry in her arms. She freezes when she notices the men, then turns and hurries inside.
"Dear, wake up!" she whispers urgently, nudging Andreas, who lies motionless on the carpet.
He stirs and sits up in confusion. "Huh? What is it?"
"There are men in armor outside. What should we do?"
"What?" He scrambles to his feet and peers out the door.
The group finishes their quiet exchange. The guards take position, and the robed man steps forward. In a loud, clear voice, he speaks. His words carrying across the village, prompting neighbors to emerge from their homes.
"Akouete! Akouete! Akouete!"
A small crowd gathers in the Alkmanis yard. Daniil and his sisters are quickly swallowed by the mass of villagers. Meri and Andreas step outside to listen.
"The Mayor of Arcadia calls for a public gathering. This afternoon, those who are interested, assemble at the Agora. That is all."
Murmurs ripple through the crowd. People turn to one another, whispering theories and speculations. Then, gradually, they begin to disperse. The messenger and his guards turn and walk back down the road they came from.
Daniil's sisters rush to their mother's side. He walks over to his parents, who stand quietly on the doorstep.
"It must be about the prophecy," Daniil says.
Andreas strokes his chin, then nods. "Maybe. What else could it be? You thinking of going?"
"I don't know."
"I'm not. I'm too tired."
"They said it's not compulsory," Meri interjects softly.
"Exactly. And besides," Andreas adds, turning back toward the house, "nothing's happened so far. Probably nothing important."
He steps inside. Meri follows, guiding the girls in with her. Daniil remains at the doorstep, gazing down the path the visitors had taken.
"Just a few hours ago, everyone was on edge… strange how quickly things have calmed down."
***
It's afternoon. A massive crowd has gathered before the steps of the townhall. Guards hold them in place, forming a barrier to keep order. Shops have shuttered, and vendors have paused their trade. The people wait, curious and expectant, for the host of this sudden event to appear.
Admetus stands on the staircase alongside several guards.
"What's this all about?" he asks.
"My lord, the mayor called for an emergency address. I'm afraid I don't know the specifics," one of the guards replies.
"I figured as much… I want to know what it's regarding," Admetus mutters, his gaze scanning the restless sea of faces before him.
The grand doors of the townhall open. Khnouphis steps out, met with a roar of cheers from the crowd. Known for his tireless dedication and compassion, he is deeply loved by the people. He raises a hand, acknowledging their adoration, and gradually the applause dies down.
Positioning himself atop the steps, Khnouphis begins to speak—his voice firm, clear, and commanding.
"Citizens of Arcadia," he calls, drawing every eye to him. "We all remember what happened just days ago. Shrouded women, cloaked in black, came forth bearing grim prophecies. Yet gave us no names, no truth behind their veils."
"They claimed destruction was upon us. They told us to flee, to abandon our homes and lives if we valued our survival. And yes, the meteor shower seemed to support their claims. But…"
He pauses, sweeping his gaze across the gathered crowd.
"…as you can see, Arcadia still stands. The city lives. Their words were nothing more than a cruel lie meant to rattle our spirits."
Murmurs of agreement ripple through the audience. Some shout in affirmation, others nod quietly.
"But what truly unsettles me," Khnouphis continues, "is not their warning, it's their arrogance. The assumption that we would run. That we would panic. That we would abandon everything we've built at the whim of faceless voices!"
The crowd erupts with cheers. From the stairs, Admetus watches his childhood friend deliver the rousing speech.
"We do not falter!" Khnouphis cries. "We do not yield to fear! We do not flee! We stand, proud and strong, and we protect what is ours! No force will strike us down. Not now, not ever!"
The response is deafening. Some cry out. Some weep openly. His words strike deep, reigniting the courage that had been drained from the hearts of many over the past days.
"Do not fear, brave Arcadians! We are victorious! We are the chosen of the gods! No demon, no disaster, no doom shall undo us!"
The crowd explodes into a frenzy of emotion. His voice carries such conviction that it moves even the most skeptical. Tears mix with laughter. Hope is reborn in Arcadia.
But just then…
Khnouphis, still standing at the top of the stairs, is about to speak—
"Today—"
A piercing sound echoes inside his ears. It almost resembles thunder.
A sickening schllk followed by a crack, coming from just below his chest.
He freezes.
The crowd before him puts their hands over their mouths, not in awe, but in utter horror. Their faces turn pale with fear. The same fear they had declared themselves immune to moments earlier. But now, what stands before them shatters all their defiance.
Khnouphis looks down at his body.
A massive spearhead, clearly not something a human could wield, protrudes from his belly. Blood pours out like a broken fountain, gushing uncontrollably.
He looks up, then turns to his left where Admetus is standing. Admetus's face goes pale. He screams—
"KHNUM!"
Khnouphis collapses on the marble steps. Admetus rushes toward him.
"No, no! Someone get a medic! Hurry! HURRY!" he yells, cradling Khnouphis in his arms.
One of the guards turns to call for help from inside the building, but before he can, another monstrous spear impales him. The force sends him flying into the crowd.
A woman in the crowd screams. Chaos erupts. People shriek and scramble in every direction. The entire gathering, nearly half the city's population, scatters in blind panic. Some even trample over the fallen guard's body in their desperation to escape.
"How disrespectful, you pests… Turning your backs on me? How dare you?"
A deep, thunderous voice bellows from the top edge of the townhall. Admetus looks up.
Standing there is a figure, one that, no matter how you look at it, can only be described as—
"A… demon?!"