The return to Venshale felt heavier than the journey into the forest. The city walls rose through the fading light like tired stone giants unable to guard anyone anymore. Daniel walked at the center of the group his legs aching from the long trek and the weight of the Echo’s pressure still clinging to his chest. Elara walked close beside him her eyes scanning every rooftop as if shadows could leap from anywhere. The demon envoy remained silent lost in thought his steps steady but strained.

Human citizens gathered near the gate murmuring as they watched the mixed group enter. Some looked hopeful. Others looked frightened. A few glared at the demons with clenched fists hiding shaking hands. Daniel read each expression like lines in a book and felt how fragile the city had become. One spark could tear everything open.

The throne regent was waiting in the courtyard surrounded by guards. His face tightened as he saw the cuts on the demon envoy’s armor and the exhaustion in everyone’s movements. He stepped toward Daniel. What did you find.

Daniel looked him straight in the eyes. The Echo attacked us. They used our own fears against us. They know we are trying to expose them.

The regent’s jaw clenched. And you survived.

Elara answered We survived because Daniel stopped them from breaking the group apart. Without him we would have turned on each other.

The demon envoy nodded. The Echo uses emotion as weapons. They nearly succeeded. But the outsider made us hold to our truth instead of their lies.

The regent listened with a troubled expression. He motioned them into the council hall. The air inside felt cold and still like the stone walls were listening. The regent dismissed most guards leaving only a few trusted soldiers.

He looked at Daniel again. Tell me everything.

Daniel spoke slowly carefully. The Echo hides in the deepest parts of the forest feeding on fear. They send hallucinations into the minds of humans and demons making each side believe the other is preparing for war. They twist memories and emotions. This cycle has been going on for generations. Every war may have been shaped by these creatures.

The regent sat down heavily as if the truth had physically struck him. So we have been manipulated for centuries. My father fought demons his father fought demons our entire history built on a lie.

The demon envoy bitterly added And ours built on the same lie.

Daniel walked to the center of the hall. Not a lie. A shadow. A shadow we never dared to face. Now that we know the truth we can break the cycle. But only if we work together.

The regent leaned forward his voice low. The council will not accept this easily. Many already distrust demons. Many already distrust you. If I present this truth without proof the people may rebel. The nobles might accuse me of weakness.

Daniel read the fear behind the regent’s eyes. Not fear of demons. Not fear of the Echo. Fear of failing his own people. Fear of losing control. Fear of being remembered as the ruler who let everything collapse.

He said gently You are afraid of your people turning against you. That is not weakness. That is because you care. But fear will push you to hide this truth. And if you hide it the Echo wins.

The regent looked away his voice cracking. Responsibility is not as simple as your calm words stranger. I have thousands of lives depending on me. If I make the wrong choice the city falls.

Daniel stepped closer speaking softly but firmly. Then let me help you carry that fear. Let me help you understand the people who distrust you. Your fear does not make you unfit to lead. It makes you human. But if you let it choose for you then the Echo will use it.

The regent’s lips trembled. He did not cry but he looked like someone who had not let himself breathe in years.

The demon envoy spoke quietly The Echo will attack again. They will look for cracks in your leadership. They will prey on anyone who doubts you. If we wait they will strike first.

The regent stood slowly. His expression changed. Still frightened but sharpened by resolve. What do you propose counselor.

Daniel answered We tell the truth. To the council. To the soldiers. To the guild. We show them the Echo’s influence. We bring human and demon witnesses forward. We speak openly before fear controls the story. If we control the narrative the Echo loses power.

The regent hesitated. If they do not believe us.

Daniel held his gaze. Then we make them believe.

Elara stepped forward her voice steady. Daniel can speak to the council. He can read the room better than any of us. They cannot twist his words if he stays calm. He can defuse panic before it spreads.

The demon envoy nodded. And I will stand with him. A demon and a human speaking as one will say more than any speech.

The regent slowly nodded. Very well. We call the council at dawn.

Daniel exhaled. A heavy battle waited ahead but it was a battle of minds not swords. And he knew the Echo would try to twist every moment. They would target the weak the uncertain the angry.

As Daniel left the hall he glanced at the dark windows above. He sensed a faint shift in the air like someone whispering behind a closed door.

The Echo knew the council was coming.
And they were already preparing their attack.