Dawn broke over the city, but there was no warmth in its light. Bells rang from every tower, summoning the citizens to the central square. Guards banged their spears against the ground, shouting for everyone to kneel.
Shino stood at the edge of the crowd, hood drawn low. His actions from the previous night had already traveled like wildfire through the streets — whispers of the stranger who had broken the Prophet's staff. Fear mixed with excitement. Some looked for him in secret hope; others prayed he would vanish, lest the Prophets punish them all.
Trumpets blared. The crowd parted as a figure emerged from the great temple — tall, robed in shimmering white, chains of gold coiled around his arms. His face was hidden behind a mask carved to resemble a serene, smiling sun.
"The Prophet of Chains," someone whispered near Shino, voice trembling.
The Prophet raised his arms. The golden chains clinked softly, catching the morning light.
"Children of the Light," his voice thundered across the square, "a heretic walks among you. A shadow in our holy dawn. He defies the will of the True Light and dares to touch what is sacred."
The crowd lowered their heads. No one breathed.
"To cleanse this city," the Prophet continued, "we must tighten the chains that bind us together. Obedience will keep you safe. Resistance will bring ruin."
At his gesture, guards dragged forward three prisoners — two men and a girl, their hands tied, faces bruised.
"These," the Prophet declared, "are Doubters. They have questioned the Light. For the crime of doubt, they shall be unshackled from life."
Gasps rippled through the people. The girl was no older than sixteen.
Shino's hands clenched beneath his cloak. Every part of him wanted to move, to strike — but he forced himself still. The Prophet was baiting him. He could feel it.
The executioner raised his blade. The crowd turned their faces away.
Shino's voice cut through the silence.
"Stop."
The word was quiet — yet it carried like a knife.
All heads turned. The Prophet's masked face swiveled toward him, the golden chains swaying.
Shino stepped forward, throwing back his hood. Gasps erupted. Someone shouted, "That's him!"
Guards moved immediately, surrounding him with spears. The Prophet's voice was calm, almost pleased.
"So… the shadow shows itself."
Shino's eyes locked on the Prophet. "Chains of light are still chains."
A murmur ran through the crowd. The Prophet tilted his head, as though amused. "You speak like one who wishes to be broken."
"I speak like one who sees truth," Shino replied.
The Prophet gestured, and the guards closed in. Shino moved — swift as lightning — striking one guard's spear aside and disarming another. The square erupted in screams.
But before Shino could reach the prisoners, the golden chains on the Prophet's arms came alive, shooting outward like serpents. They wrapped around Shino's wrist mid-strike, burning with a strange light.
Pain lanced through him — not just in his body, but in his mind, as though the chains were reaching for his thoughts.
"Bow," the Prophet commanded.
Shino's knees buckled under the pressure. The crowd watched, silent, horrified.
But Shino did not bow.
With a cry, he wrenched his arm free, the chain snapping with a sound like shattering glass. Sparks of golden light rained across the square.
The Prophet's mask tilted slightly — surprise? amusement? It was impossible to tell.
"This city will not hold me," Shino said, his voice low but carrying.
The Prophet simply raised his hand, and more chains slithered from his arms, circling the square like living creatures.
"Then let the city become your cage," the Prophet said.
The ground shook. The temple bells rang without being touched. The very air grew heavy, as though the whole city had turned its gaze upon Shino.
Before he could act, the chains struck again — not just at him, but at the buildings, the exits, sealing off every street. The crowd scattered, panicked.
Shino stood alone in the square, surrounded by a circle of golden light.
The Prophet's laughter echoed through the city.
"This is only the beginning," he said. "The Chains of Light will teach you despair."
And then — with a single gesture — the Prophet vanished into a storm of golden sparks, leaving Shino standing amidst the glowing chains, his escape cut off.
The bells kept ringing.