From a young age, Adora had been afflicted with the Decay. This devastating illness is common during Darkover events--Once common knowledge, this fact is now lost to time. Shadows eat at the bodies of the afflicted until they became a lowly, mindless beast called a "thrall".

    In the center of this world lies an odd statue. It was once worshipped as a relic of the world's creator, and has curiously defied destruction. The light that it exuded could stall the effects of the Decay. As holy light could mitigate the disease, it was believed to be a marker of sin.

    With his childhood friend Edelmir, the two joined the Church hoping to relieve Adora's condition. They covered his shameful marks using makeup, masking their supposed heresy. Truthfully, many in the Church were such victims. Anyone and anything that could reveal Adora's past was burned to the ground. Some might call it a twisted form of justice, for they cast out their own child for his suffering.

    To rise through the ranks of worship, the two embraced the virtue of sin. The Church was glorious, it decided morality itself. Flatter the powerful, and condemn those who object. The desperate congregation furthered their own despair.

    Sacha's light was brilliant, it was irresistible... Adora, who had lived his life in darkness, fell in love with the heretic they condemned. If he left the Holy City, his life would come to an end; But if his fate was inevitable, he wished to die at her side.

    Edelmir, consumed by the fury of her friend's death, devoted her days to the pen. She would become the most vindictive author of the Revolution. She wrote tirelessly about Sacha's crimes, determined to show the world the monster that stole Adora's light.

    ...More and more people fled the capital. Her footsteps rang through the desolate halls of the cathedral. The Holy City was all but empty, and the few people that remained looked upon her with scorn... Their deceitful faith had been abandoned.

    What could she do but follow? Her loneliness was too great to bear. And in the center of a camp bustling with life, he stood at her side... The friend she lost long ago.

    Sacha's light had lifted the curse from his body, and soon the world roared again. Edelmir was condemned by both the crowds and herself, crushed by the guilt of what she'd done to their savior. But it was Sacha who reached a hand out towards her, granting the salvation of forgiveness.

    No matter how hated she may be, Edelmir resolved to fight for the world Sacha paved. With Adora--no, with everyone, they would forge their light anew. Come what may, they would stick together... This she vowed with her entire soul.