They moved through the city before dawn.
The lower quarter of Darrien — called Lantern Row in better times — was a maze of narrow streets and broken stones. The lanterns overhead hung dark and cold, their vast frames barely visible in the fog.
The air was different here: thinner, colder, pressed in by something unseen.
"Fear," Ren murmured as they walked. "It creeps in when the light fades."
Kira's fingers hovered near her belt, where a wand of ashwood nestled beside her chalk. "I can feel it."
Ahead, a rusted ladder led to the first dead lantern.
"We'll need to climb," Ren said, slinging his rope over a shoulder.
As they ascended, shadows coiled beneath them — too thick to be natural. Kira's breath caught. "Something's watching us."
"Darkborn," Ren said grimly. "Creatures born from the absence of light. They were only myths— until the lanterns began to fail."
At the top, the lantern's heart chamber yawned open — empty. No crystal, no warmth. Only shadow.
Kira drew a warding circle, her voice low. "Without a heart-stone—"
"There's still a way," Ren said. "If we can channel your light."
Kira's throat tightened. No one had ever trusted her magic this deeply — not even herself.
But she saw no doubt in Ren's eyes.
Taking a breath, she placed her hands against the cold metal. "Guide me."
He rested his palm over hers — a steady presence. "You are the light. Let it flow."
Kira closed her eyes, feeling the deep well of power within — bright, fierce, waiting.
She reached for it— and the shadows screamed.
Below, dark forms began to writhe and climb, clawing toward them.
Ren drew his blade, eyes flashing. "Hurry."
Kira poured her light into the lantern — silver threads weaving through rusted veins.
The metal shuddered.
A pulse.
Another.
Light burst forth.
The lantern flared alive, blasting back the Darkborn with searing radiance. They shrieked and scattered into the fog.
Kira swayed, drained. Ren caught her, holding her steady.
"You did it," he whispered.
She looked up at him, breathless. "We did."
Below, the people of Lantern Row emerged from their homes — eyes wide, faces upturned toward the new light.
Hope began to flicker in their hearts once more.