THE BETRAYAL WITHIN THE WALLS**
1. THE DANGEROUS CALM
Harmonia had settled into a deceptive stillness.
After the chaos of division, the city looked healed on the surface. Markets reopened. Councils reconvened. Laughter returned to public squares. To many, it felt like victory—as though the storm had passed and left nothing but clean air behind.
But Christian had learned that silence after a storm was not peace.
It was assessment.
He stood at the balcony of the council hall, looking down at the city's winding streets. From above, everything appeared orderly. From within, he sensed something else entirely—like a fracture hidden beneath smooth stone.
Christiana joined him quietly.
> Christiana: "You're watching the people again."
Christian nodded without turning.
> Christian: "I'm listening."
> Christiana: "For what?"
> Christian: "For what they are not saying."
She leaned against the railing.
> Christiana: "Disunity thrives in unspoken things."
Christian finally turned toward her.
> Christian: "Yes. And he leaves before the damage becomes obvious. That way, we blame ourselves instead of recognizing the enemy."
Christiana's eyes narrowed.
> Christiana: "You believe he's still here."
> Christian: "No," Christian replied slowly. "I believe he planted something that is still growing."
---
2. STEADFAST, THE UNMOVING
Among the leaders of Harmonia, none were more respected than Steadfast.
He had been there long before Christian's arrival—before the recent unrest, before the whisper of Disunity reached the city. He was disciplined, articulate, deeply committed to order. His words carried weight, and his presence commanded trust.
That was precisely what troubled Christian.
Steadfast approached him later that day in the council corridor.
> Steadfast: "You have the gratitude of Harmonia."
> Christian: "Gratitude is temporary. Wisdom must remain."
Steadfast smiled politely, but it did not reach his eyes.
> Steadfast: "You speak as though we are still under threat."
Christian studied him.
> Christian: "We are."
Steadfast folded his arms.
> Steadfast: "The city cannot live in constant alert. Unity requires trust."
Christian replied gently,
> Christian: "True unity requires truth before trust."
The air shifted between them.
> Steadfast: "You see danger everywhere."
> Christian: "Because I have learned how it hides."
Steadfast inclined his head slightly.
> Steadfast: "Perhaps you see too much."
Christian said nothing—but the silence spoke volumes.
---
3. A WHISPER IN THE QUIET PLACE
That night, Steadfast remained alone in the council hall long after the others had departed. The lamps flickered low as he knelt—not in prayer, but in thought.
That was when the voice came.
> Disunity: "You built this place."
Steadfast stiffened.
> Steadfast: "Leave."
> Disunity: "I am only stating truth."
Steadfast stood.
> Steadfast: "Truth does not arrive uninvited."
Disunity stepped from the shadows, calm and composed.
> Disunity: "Then why does it feel so familiar?"
Steadfast's jaw tightened.
> Steadfast: "What do you want?"
Disunity walked slowly around him.
> Disunity: "I want you to notice what others already do."
> Steadfast: "Which is?"
> Disunity: "That the city listens to Christian more than to you."
Steadfast turned sharply.
> Steadfast: "That is not true."
> Disunity: "Isn't it?"
Disunity leaned closer.
> Disunity: "When he speaks, councils pause. When you speak, they consider."
Steadfast clenched his fists.
> Disunity: "You protected Harmonia for years. He arrived during a crisis and took the praise."
Steadfast whispered,
> Steadfast: "I serve, not for praise."
Disunity smiled.
> Disunity: "Then why does this bother you?"
Silence answered.
---
4. PRIDE DRESSED AS PEACE
The next council meeting began calmly—but tension sat beneath every word.
Steadfast rose to speak.
> Steadfast: "Harmonia must reclaim its independence."
Christian looked up.
> Christian: "Clarify your meaning."
> Steadfast: "We are relying too heavily on outside authority."
Christiana spoke carefully.
> Christiana: "Unity does not mean isolation."
Steadfast's tone hardened.
> Steadfast: "Nor does it mean submission."
Murmurs spread.
Christian stood.
> Christian: "Say plainly what troubles you."
Steadfast met his gaze.
> Steadfast: "You have overstayed your usefulness."
The chamber fell silent.
> Christian: "When did this become personal?"
Steadfast replied sharply,
> Steadfast: "When leadership became overshadowed."
Christiana stepped forward.
> Christiana: "This is not your voice."
Steadfast laughed bitterly.
> Steadfast: "So now disagreement is betrayal?"
Christian answered quietly,
> Christian: "No. But pride pretending to be peace always is."
---
5. THE FRACTURE BECOMES VISIBLE
That evening, Steadfast gathered a group of loyal Generals.
> Steadfast: "Order must be restored."
One hesitated.
> General: "Against whom?"
Steadfast paused.
> Steadfast: "Against interference."
Christian intercepted them at the inner gate.
> Christian: "Stand down."
> Steadfast: "You do not command me."
> Christian: "No—but truth does."
Disunity's voice whispered from nowhere and everywhere.
> Disunity: "You are right. Take control."
Steadfast's hands trembled.
> Steadfast: "I only wanted to protect the city."
Christian stepped closer.
> Christian: "Then listen—before this becomes destruction."
For a moment, clarity returned to Steadfast's eyes.
> Steadfast: "What have I allowed?"
Disunity hissed,
> Disunity: "Finish it!"
But Steadfast dropped to his knees.
---
6. MERCY OVER TRIUMPH
Christian lowered his sword.
> Christian: "The war was never against you."
Christiana knelt beside Steadfast.
> Christiana: "Return while repentance is still louder than pride."
Tears streamed down Steadfast's face.
> Steadfast: "I listened to the wrong voice."
Disunity screamed in rage—and vanished.
---
7. THE COST OF SEEING CLEARLY
Later, Christian addressed the city.
> Christian: "The most dangerous enemy does not break gates—he enters thoughts."
He looked across the gathered people.
> Christian: "Disunity does not arrive with hatred, but with wounded pride."
Christiana added,
> Christiana: "Guard your hearts more carefully than your walls."
---
8. THE SHADOW WITHDRAWS
Deep in the Underworld, Disunity knelt before Apollyon.
> Apollyon: "You failed."
> Disunity: "I learned."
Apollyon smiled darkly.
> Apollyon: "Then prepare the next snare."
> Disunity: "Next time, I will not aim at leaders."
> Apollyon: "Then where?"
Disunity whispered,
> Disunity: "At homes."
---
9. A SOBER VOW
That night, Christian stood beneath the stars.
> Christian: "The war has entered private places."
Christiana nodded.
> Christiana: "Then we follow."
Christian tightened his grip on the Sword.
> Christian: "We will not lose what unity has rebuilt."
Far away, a door creaked