Journey to the Capital – Toward the Heart of the Empire
After the Decision – The Atmosphere at Wolf Lodge Changes
The imperial delegation had left, but the air was still tense.
In the yard of Wolf Lodge, everyone stood in silence, as if still trying to process what had happened.
Andrea broke the silence first.
"Young Wolf… are you sure? The capital… is no friend."
Anita nodded.
"The Empire doesn't like people who know too much. And we… know too much."
Fireburp shouted:
"But at least there'll be things to blow up!"
Ersi immediately:
"NO! You're not blowing up anything in the capital!"
Ironclaw scratched his head.
"Is the food good in the capital? If yes, I'm going."
Eris Scarlett spoke softly:
"Light whispers: the road will be dangerous. But necessary."
Vanessa stepped beside Andras.
"Wolfwood… if we don't go, the Empire will see us as enemies. If we go… Umbra waits for us."
Andras nodded.
"Then we go. And not bowing. But… as the Wolfwood team."
Preparing for the Journey – Everyone Gets Ready
Inside the inn, quick, tense activity began.
Andrea and Eris Scarlett
checked weapons,
cleaned armor,
spread out maps.
Andrea:
"The capital is three days away. If we move fast."
Eris Scarlett:
"And if we're not attacked on the way."
Anita and Ironclaw
packed food,
prepared water‑purifying crystals from the sewers.
Ironclaw:
"I'll carry the meat!"
Anita:
"No. Because you'll eat it."
Fireburp and Ersi
sorted fire and water magic crystals.
Fireburp:
"This explodes! This too! And this—"
Ersi:
"Those do NOT explode! Those are healing crystals!"
Noelle
prepared healing teas, bandages, herbs.
She approached Andras quietly.
"Young Wolf… be careful. The capital… is not like this city. There… everyone wears a mask."
Andras smiled.
"I already have someone with a mask. That's enough."
Noelle blushed but smiled.
Vanessa and Andras – A Honest Moment Before Departure
Vanessa stood in the yard behind the inn, holding her mask in her hand.
The wind tousled her hair, her gaze distant.
Andras stepped beside her.
"Wolfwood…" Vanessa began softly. "The capital… is part of my past. The Dolermo house began there. Everything… happened there."
Andras nodded.
"Then it's time to face it. Not alone."
Vanessa looked up at him.
"Wolfwood… if something happens to me there… if Umbra… or the Empire…"
Andras interrupted her.
"It won't. I won't let it."
Vanessa smiled.
"Are you always this stubborn?"
"Only when it's about you."
Vanessa blushed, but didn't look away.
"Then… let's go. Together."
The City's Farewell – The Wolfwood Team Sets Out
The townspeople gathered at the gate.
"They saved the city!"
"The Wolfwood team!"
"Take care of yourselves!"
Children threw flowers at Fireburp, who thought they were "fire‑flowers" and almost set them ablaze.
Ersi screamed:
"NO! They're just flowers!"
Andrea and Eris Scarlett saluted the city guards.
Anita and Ironclaw took the lead.
Noelle, eyes full of tears, said goodbye to the team.
Once again, she had to stay behind and guard Wolf Lodge.
Vanessa put on her mask.
The Black Raven was reborn.
Andras stepped to the front of the team.
"Wolfwood team! Depart for the capital!"
The gate opened.
The road of the Empire stretched before them.
From Afar – Umbra Watches
Deep in the imperial tunnels, Umbra leaned over a cracked crystal.
Inside it, faintly, the Wolfwood team could be seen leaving the city.
Umbra's voice was cold.
"Go on. The capital… is my playground. There… your fate will be fulfilled."
Darkness swirled around him.
"Raven… your bloodline… is mine. Young Wolf… your future… is mine."
The crystal cracked.
Umbra vanished into the darkness.
The Road to the Capital – Forest Ambush and New Players
On the Imperial Road – Tension Slowly Rises
The Wolfwood team began their three‑day journey toward the capital.
The imperial road was wide and paved, but the surrounding forests were dense and dark.
Something unsettling vibrated in the air.
Andrea walked beside her horse, wind magic swirling faintly around her.
"Young Wolf… something is following us. For hours now."
Eris Scarlett nodded.
"Light feels it too. A shadow moves between the trees."
Anita placed her hand on her sword.
"Umbra?"
Vanessa leapt down from a branch with the grace of a rooftop cat.
"Not Umbra. Something else. But… not a friend."
Fireburp shouted:
"Then can I blow something up?!"
Ersi immediately:
"NO! Not yet!"
Andras took the lead.
"Listen. The road to the capital is full of imperial agents, mercenaries, and… those who serve Umbra. Anyone could be an enemy."
Vanessa whispered:
"And anyone could be… a spy."
The Ambush – Shadows Burst from the Forest
The team reached a narrow forest passage.
The trees were tall, the light barely filtering through.
Andrea suddenly shouted:
"Right side!"
Black‑clad figures leapt from the trees.
Not demons.
Humans.
Mercenaries.
The Empire's secret unit: the Order of the Black Sun.
Their leader wore a mask, the Emperor's seal on his breastplate.
"Wolfwood team! In the name of the Emperor, halt!"
Fireburp shouted:
"Now can I blow something up?!"
Ersi:
"Yes! Now you can!"
Fireburp summoned a fireball and hurled it into the attackers.
BOOOOM.
The mercenaries scattered.
Anita stepped forward, her ice blade glowing.
"Ironclaw! Left side!"
Ironclaw roared and lunged at one of the mercenaries.
Andrea and Eris Scarlett cleared the path with wind and light magic.
Vanessa moved through the trees like a shadow.
Her sword glowed red, every strike precise.
Andras summoned lightning.
"Lightning Net!"
The mercenaries convulsed and fell to the ground.
The fight was quick but intense.
The Order of the Black Sun did not retreat.
The Mysterious Agent – The One Who Does Not Fight
In the middle of the battle, a figure stood motionless among the trees.
A black cloak, a hood, face hidden.
She did not attack.
She did not defend.
She only watched.
Vanessa noticed her first.
"Wolfwood… there. Under the tree."
Andras turned.
The mysterious figure slowly raised her hand.
"Young Wolf. I bring the Emperor's greetings."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
Andras stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
The figure slowly lowered her hood.
A young woman stood before them.
Long black hair, eyes glowing gold.
"My name: Selene Veyra. The Emperor's Shadow. The highest‑ranked covert agent of the Empire."
Vanessa tensed.
"Shadow mage."
Selene smiled.
"Partly. But I do not stand with Umbra. The Emperor sent me. To warn you."
Andras narrowed his eyes.
"About what?"
Selene looked around slowly.
"The capital is not safe. In the Emperor's court… Umbra has allies. And someone… wants the Dolermo bloodline."
Vanessa froze.
"Me."
Selene nodded.
"Yes. And if you enter the capital… there will be no turning back."
The Warning – And the Choice
The battle quieted.
The mercenaries retreated.
The Wolfwood team surrounded Selene.
Andrea:
"Why warn us?"
Selene:
"Because the Emperor… is not Umbra. And he does not want the Empire to fall. You… are crucial."
Anita:
"And what do you want in return?"
Selene smiled.
"Only this… that you stay alive."
Vanessa stepped forward.
"What awaits us in the capital?"
Selene's eyes darkened.
"Treachery. Intrigue. And… the past of the Dolermo house. Your bloodline… is important not only to Umbra. The Emperor wants something from you as well."
Vanessa paled.
Andras stepped beside her.
"We're going anyway. We don't run."
Selene nodded.
"Then… we will meet in the capital. If you survive the road."
The woman turned into shadow… and vanished.
The Team Stunned – The Capital Is No Longer Just a Destination, but a Trap
Fireburp broke the silence.
"That… was really cool. But also scary."
Ersi:
"More scary than cool. Much more."
Andrea looked at Andras.
"Young Wolf… are you sure we should continue?"
Vanessa whispered:
"Wolfwood… if we turn back now, Umbra wins. And the Empire will hunt us."
Andras nodded.
"Then we go. To the capital. Whatever awaits us there."
The team nodded as one.
The road of the Empire stretched before them.
And their fate… wove darker and darker threads.