Quite Victory

Villain (calm):

You came anyway.

Hero:

I always do.

⸻

You wear that resolve like it still fits,

Like the city didn’t outgrow myths,

I watched you fall and crawl back twice,

Still betting hearts against the dice.

Isaiah burns bright, I’ll give him that,

But light is fragile under pressure cracks,

You stand here thinking you can stall—

This ends with you,

Or ends it all.

Hero (spoken):

You don’t own endings.

⸻

Villain:

I own patience.

Hero:

I own the line.

Villain:

You’re outnumbered.

Hero:

I’m out of time.

⸻

Villain:

Fear remembers what hope forgets.

Hero:

Hope returns with interest paid.

Villain:

You fight for symbols long decayed.

Hero:

I fight so people aren’t afraid.

Both:

Say it loud, let the night decide—

Who walks away…

Who stays behind.

⸻

I’ve been wrong, I’ve been worn thin,

But I don’t quit when the odds cave in,

You rule by doubt, I stand by choice,

Even now, I raise my voice.

If this is it, then hear me clear—

The city’s stronger than your fear,

You can’t kill what’s already grown—

It lives in them,

Not me alone.

Villain (smirking):

Brave speech.

⸻

(A step behind. A breath held.)

Former Mayor (soft, close):

I told you…

You should’ve stayed gone.

(The hero falters; no graphic detail.)

Hero (quiet):

Isaiah… I’m sorry.

⸻

Villain:

Every hero trusts the wrong hand.

Former Mayor:

Peace needs sacrifice—understand.

Villain:

The symbol fades, the noise goes still.

Former Mayor:

Order breathes when hope is killed.

Both:

Night exhales, the board is clear—

Victory looks calm from here.

⸻

Villain:

You chose fear when it mattered most.

Former Mayor:

I chose survival over ghosts.

Villain:

The city will sleep, the streets will comply.

Former Mayor:

They always do—

When truth runs dry.

Villain:

Isaiah will burn, then burn out fast.

Former Mayor:

Legends don’t last.

⸻

Villain:

Quiet victory, clean and cold.

Former Mayor:

No cheers needed, the story’s told.

Villain:

Let dawn pretend it’s something new.

Former Mayor:

We own the night—

And what comes through.

Both:

Smile now, the city won’t see,

How easy hope is to bleed.

⸻

Villain (satisfied):

It’s done.

Former Mayor (exhale):

At last.