The Gates of the Capital – The Heart of the Empire and the Shadows of the Past
The Sight of the Capital – The Heart of the Empire Revealed
After three days of travel, the Wolfwood team finally saw the capital.
The sight was breathtaking:
massive black‑and‑gold walls,
the Emperor's symbol — the black sun — above the gates,
the palace towering over the city, its spires scratching the sky,
and magic vibrating in the air, both awe‑inspiring and threatening.
Vanessa stopped before the gate.
Behind her mask, her eyes darkened.
"Wolfwood… this place… is full of shadow. My past. My family. And… Umbra's trace."
Andras stepped beside her.
"Then it's time to face it. Not alone."
Vanessa nodded softly.
At the Gate – The Imperial Guard Receives Them
At the gate, a line of imperial guards awaited them.
Black armor, gold trim, perfect discipline.
The commander stepped forward.
"Young Wolf. The Emperor awaits you. The interrogation will be held tonight."
Andrea frowned.
"Too fast. Too… prepared."
Anita whispered:
"A trap. Obviously."
Vanessa looked at the commander.
"And the Dolermo house? Where are they now?"
The commander bowed.
"The Dolermo estate is in the upper quarter. The Emperor has ordered that the Black Raven… receive separate escort."
Vanessa tensed.
"Separate… escort?"
Andras stepped forward.
"No. The Raven stays with me. With my team."
The commander's face did not move.
"The Emperor's command is not up for debate."
The air tightened.
Vanessa whispered:
"Wolfwood… this is because of the bloodline. The Emperor… wants to see me. Alone."
Andras clenched his fist.
"I won't allow it."
The Streets of the Capital – Intrigue at Every Corner
The team was escorted into the city.
The capital was nothing like the provincial towns:
every street spotless,
every building ornate,
every person wearing a mask — not literally, but in behavior, voice, gaze.
Eris Scarlett spoke softly:
"Light… fades here. As if the city itself hides secrets."
Andrea nodded.
"This place… is not for us."
Fireburp shouted:
"But it's huge! So much space to blow things up!"
Ersi:
"NO! Absolutely not here!"
Ironclaw sniffed.
"Many food smells. Much meat. I like this city."
Anita sighed.
"You see food everywhere."
Vanessa walked silently beside Andras.
Behind her mask, her eyes moved constantly — watching, analyzing, remembering.
"Wolfwood… I grew up here. The Dolermo house… was strongest here. But… something changed. The air… colder. The house… quieter."
Andras nodded.
"Your past… waits for you here. And so do we."
The Dolermo Estate – The Gate to the Past
The team arrived in the upper quarter.
The Dolermo estate was enormous:
black marble walls,
red banners,
the Raven symbol above the gate,
and a strange, familiar shadow‑vibration in the air.
Vanessa stopped.
Her hand trembled.
"Wolfwood… this… used to be my home. But… something is wrong. The house… is too quiet. Too… empty."
Andras stepped beside her.
"Then we go in. Together."
The gate slowly opened.
And in the courtyard stood a young girl.
She was about fourteen.
Thin, clutching books, wearing glasses, shy.
Her hair was black, like Vanessa's.
Her voice trembled:
"Vanessa… sister?"
Vanessa froze.
"Tessa…?"
The girl nodded.
"Yes. It's me. The new head of the Dolermo house. And… I've been waiting for you. All of you."
The team stared in shock.
Andras whispered:
"She… is the new head of the Dolermo house? A child?"
Pain filled Vanessa's eyes.
"The family… is dead. The house… collapsed. And Tessa… was left alone."
Tessa stepped closer.
"Vanessa… the Emperor… wants you. And… Umbra too. And I… don't know which one I fear more."
Shadows of the Capital – The Emperor's Message
Before anyone could speak, an imperial courier arrived.
"Young Wolf! A message from the Emperor!"
He handed over a letter sealed in black.
Andras opened it.
The letter was short:
"Tonight. In the palace.
The Wolfwood team and the Black Raven must appear.
The interrogation begins."
Vanessa paled.
"Wolfwood… this is a trap. I know it."
Andras nodded.
"Yes. But we're going. Because if we don't… the Empire will see us as enemies. And Umbra will get closer."
Vanessa whispered:
"Then… tonight we face the Emperor. And… my past."
Andras placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Not alone. Never again."
Vanessa blushed.
"Together."
The Emperor's Palace – The Night of the Interrogation
Night in the Capital – In the Shadow of the Palace
The sun had set, and the lights of the capital slowly lit up.
The palace towers rose like black silhouettes into the sky, golden lights shimmering on the walls as if the city itself were breathing.
The Wolfwood team prepared to depart in the courtyard of the Dolermo estate.
Vanessa held her mask in her hand.
Her eyes darkened, her voice soft.
"Wolfwood… the palace… is not like the city. There, every word, every movement… can mean life or death."
Andras nodded.
"Then we stay alert. And we stay together."
Tessa — the fourteen‑year‑old, bookish new head of the Dolermo house — clutched her books nervously.
"Vanessa… please… don't be alone with the Emperor. He… he is not like in the legends."
Vanessa smiled, but fear hid behind it.
"I won't be alone. Wolfwood will be there."
Andras stepped beside her.
"We'll all be there."
The Road to the Palace – The Heart of the Empire
The team was escorted by imperial guards toward the palace.
The streets of the capital were empty — as if everyone knew something important would happen tonight.
The palace gate slowly opened.
The inner courtyard was enormous:
black marble,
golden decorations,
floating light‑orbs,
and magic vibrating in the air, unsettling and heavy.
Andrea spoke quietly:
"This place… is too clean. Too perfect."
Eris Scarlett nodded.
"Light… does not feel comfortable here."
Anita placed her hand on her sword.
"The Emperor… is watching us. Every step."
Fireburp shouted:
"This place is too big! Where can I blow something up?"
Ersi:
"NOWHERE!"
Vanessa looked at the palace gate.
"Wolfwood… are you ready?"
Andras nodded.
"Yes. And you?"
Vanessa smiled.
"No. But I'm going."
The Throne Room – Before the Emperor
The doors of the throne room slowly opened.
The hall was vast:
black marble pillars,
golden lights,
floating sigils,
and at the far end, a tall throne.
On the throne sat a figure.
The Emperor.
He was not old.
He was not young.
His presence… was timeless.
His eyes glowed gold — just like Selene Veyra's.
The Emperor slowly raised his hand.
"Young Wolf. Wolfwood team. Black Raven. Welcome to the heart of the Empire."
His voice was deep, calm… and dangerous.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Your Majesty. In the name of the Dolermo house—"
The Emperor interrupted.
"The Dolermo house… is dead. Only you remain. And the little girl."
Tessa flinched.
Andras stepped forward.
"Why did you summon us?"
The Emperor slowly stood.
"Because the future of the Empire… depends on you. And because Umbra… has returned."
The hall darkened.
Shadows moved along the walls.
The Emperor's voice deepened.
"Umbra… is my blood. The traitor of the Veldran house. And your enemy, Young Wolf."
Vanessa froze.
"Umbra… is related to the Emperor?"
The Emperor nodded.
"My son. The one I exiled. The one who now… turns against the Empire."
The team stood in shock.
Andrea:
"The High Councillor… wasn't Umbra's father."
Anita:
"Then Umbra… is a prince."
Eris Scarlett:
"Light… did not foresee this."
Fireburp:
"Then he's a bad prince!"
Ersi:
"A very bad one."
The Emperor looked at Andras.
"Young Wolf. You saw the future. You saw death. And you… changed it."
Andras clenched his fist.
"And I will again."
The Emperor smiled.
"That is why I summoned you. Because the future… does not belong to Umbra. It belongs to you. And to the Raven."
Vanessa stepped forward.
"What do you want from us?"
The Emperor slowly raised his hand.
A black sigil appeared in the air.
"Umbra hides beneath the capital. In the heart of the Empire. And only you can stop him."
The sigil flared.
The hall darkened.
And from the shadows, a voice whispered:
"Young Wolf… Raven… you found me."
Umbra's shadow appeared on the wall of the throne room.
Vanessa cried out:
"Wolfwood! He's here! In the palace!"
Andras stepped forward.
"Umbra! Show yourself!"
The darkness smiled.
"I am already here. And the game… begins now."