THE CITY THAT ALMOST FELL**
1. THE CITY OF MANY VOICES
The city was called Harmonia—not because it was perfect, but because it had once tried to be.
Its streets were crowded with merchants, teachers, artisans, and travelers from every direction. Towers of stone and glass rose side by side, symbols of old foundations and new ambition. From a distance, Harmonia shimmered with life and promise.
Up close, its cracks were visible.
Christian stood at the city's outer watchtower beside Christiana, surveying the restless movement below.
> Christiana: "It looks peaceful."
Christian shook his head slowly.
> Christian: "Peace that must announce itself is already in danger."
Christiana studied him.
> Christiana: "You sense Disunity."
> Christian: "I sense his fingerprints. Everywhere."
---
2. THE SEED OF OFFENSE
Disunity had arrived days earlier.
He walked freely through Harmonia, dressed like a counselor, speaking like a friend. He never shouted. He never accused outright. He only asked questions.
To the elders, he said,
> Disunity: "Why do the young not honor your wisdom anymore?"
To the young, he whispered,
> Disunity: "Why do the elders fear change?"
Soon, conversations turned into arguments. Arguments into factions. Factions into silence.
In a quiet hall, two Generals argued.
> General One: "You never listen."
> General Two: "And you never trust!"
Disunity smiled from the corner.
> Disunity (softly): "Such passion… such misunderstanding."
---
3. THE WARNING IGNORED
Christian requested an audience with Harmonia's leaders.
They gathered in a wide chamber, voices already tense.
> Christian: "This city is under attack."
A leader scoffed.
> Leader: "There are no demons at our gates."
> Christian: "That is precisely the danger."
Another leader crossed his arms.
> Leader Two: "We have survived worse."
Christian's voice sharpened.
> Christian: "So did Lukewarm."
The room fell silent.
Christiana stepped forward.
> Christiana: "Disunity thrives where offense is nursed and silence is praised as maturity."
One elder replied dismissively,
> Elder: "We are too wise for such tricks."
Christian met his gaze.
> Christian: "No one is too wise to stop listening."
---
4. THE NIGHT OF DIVISION
That night, Harmonia fractured.
Accusations filled the streets. Meetings dissolved into shouting. Longstanding alliances collapsed in a single evening.
From a rooftop, Disunity whispered into the wind.
> Disunity: "Just a little more pressure."
Suddenly, shadows gathered.
Minor demons—feeding on discord—emerged. Not warriors, but parasites.
> Citizen: "Why do I feel so angry?"
> Another: "Why does everyone seem against me?"
---
5. STANDING IN THE GAP
Christian moved through the city without rest.
He found two Generals arguing violently.
> Christian: "Stop."
They froze.
> Christian: "Look at me. This is not your enemy."
One shouted,
> General: "He betrayed me!"
Christian stepped between them.
> Christian: "Then confront him in truth—not in accusation."
The other lowered his weapon.
> Second General: "I was afraid to speak."
Christian nodded.
> Christian: "Silence is Disunity's favorite hiding place."
---
6. THE CONFRONTATION
At the city square, Christian found Disunity at last.
> Christian: "You have overstayed your welcome."
Disunity chuckled.
> Disunity: "I never force anyone. I only reveal what's already there."
Christian raised his shield—not defensively, but visibly.
> Christian: "Leave. This city chooses unity."
Disunity tilted his head.
> Disunity: "For now."
He faded into the crowd.
---
7. THE CITY HOLDS
By dawn, Harmonia stood—bruised, but not broken.
Leaders gathered again, humbled.
> Leader: "We nearly lost everything."
Christian nodded.
> Christian: "You almost lost each other."
Christiana addressed them.
> Christiana: "Unity must be guarded daily, not assumed."
---
8. A NEW RESOLVE
As they departed, Christiana spoke quietly.
> Christiana: "He'll return."
Christian answered calmly.
> Christian: "Yes. But so will we."
Far away, Disunity whispered,
> Disunity: "Next time, I will aim higher."
The city survived—but the war had only begun.