The capital was a city at war with itself. The once-grand walls stood in stark contrast to the chaos within, as buildings were scorched and ruined, their ashes drifting in the air like the remnants of some forgotten age. The streets were eerily quiet, save for the occasional flicker of movement—shadows that vanished into alleys, whispers that disappeared before we could listen. It was as if the entire city had been abandoned, yet every inch of it screamed with the tension of a battle long lost.
As we entered the heart of the city, a sense of dread settled over me. The Flame burned brighter within me now, its power thrumming through my veins like a constant pulse, but it wasn’t enough. I could feel the weight of the Hollow Court’s influence suffocating the very air we breathed.
The capita
