The imperial capital appeared on the horizon as the sun was already beginning to disappear.
The enormous walls stretched for miles, surrounding the city like a fortress impossible to cross. Watchtowers rose above the gates, each illuminated by magical crystals. The Empire's banners fluttered in the wind, but there was something strange about the city.
It was far too silent.
Celestine walked beside Aldren, keeping a safe distance. Leonhardt followed closely behind, his hand near his sword. Seris watched the soldiers scattered along the walls, while Lyra remained near the Guardian.
None of them completely trusted Aldren.
And he knew it.
— You're very quiet — Aldren said.
Celestine continued looking at the city.
— I'm observing.
— And what have you discovered?
— That there are too many soldiers for a city that should be at peace.
Aldren smiled faintly.
— You notice things quickly.
— That's not a compliment.
— I didn't intend it to be.
They reached the main gate.
The soldiers immediately opened the way.
No questions were asked.
Leonhardt found it strange.
— Aren't they going to check our identities?
— They don't need to — Aldren replied.
Celestine looked at him.
— Why?
Aldren didn't answer.
As they crossed the gates, Celestine felt a pressure surrounding her body.
It was like passing through an invisible barrier.
The Void inside her reacted.
A seal.
Celestine slowed her pace.
— The entire city is protected.
Aldren confirmed it.
— The capital has seven layers of protection.
— Against invaders?
— Against what's beneath it.
Celestine looked at the streets.
Now she understood why the city seemed so strange.
People walked in silence.
Many establishments were closed.
Soldiers patrolled every corner.
Magical crystals had been installed on the buildings.
— How long has this been happening? — Celestine asked.
— Since the first earthquake occurred.
— When?
Aldren answered:
— A week ago.
Seris frowned.
— Then the seal began to fail before we even knew about the ritual.
— Yes.
Celestine became thoughtful.
— And the inquisitors began arresting people to find out who might have some connection to the Void.
Aldren nodded.
— They were looking for a way to stabilize the seal.
Celestine stopped.
— No.
Aldren looked at her.
— No?
— They weren't trying to stabilize it.
She looked at Lyra.
— They were trying to feed it.
Aldren fell silent.
Seris noticed.
— You knew?
— I suspected.
Celestine stepped closer to him.
— How many people were used?
Aldren's expression became serious.
— Hundreds.
Leonhardt clenched his fists.
— And you allowed it?
— No.
Aldren stared at him.
— That's precisely why I was sent to find Celestine.
Seris let out a bitter laugh.
— So you're against the inquisitors.
— Some of them.
— And the others?
— They're following orders from someone who doesn't belong to the government.
Celestine felt the Void pulse.
— The woman.
Aldren became motionless.
— You know about her?
— I know there's someone in the palace who knows Elyndra.
Aldren's expression changed.
— Who told you?
— Valerian.
Aldren took a deep breath.
— So he's still alive.
— He is.
— That complicates things.
Celestine narrowed her eyes.
— Who is she?
Aldren didn't answer immediately.
They arrived before an enormous building surrounded by gardens.
The imperial palace.
Its golden towers shone beneath the fading light.
Aldren finally spoke:
— Her name is Seraphina.
The Void became completely silent.
Celestine felt a shiver.
— Seraphina?
— The imperial advisor.
Seris turned pale.
— That's impossible.
— Why? — Leonhardt asked.
Seris looked at Celestine.
— Because Seraphina disappeared more than a hundred years ago.
Celestine stood motionless.
Aldren continued:
— To the world, she died.
— And to the Empire?
— To the Empire, she never ceased to exist.
They entered the palace.
The interior was magnificent.
Marble columns covered the corridors.
Great paintings depicted ancient emperors.
But something bothered Celestine.
The oldest paintings had been scraped away.
Faces had been removed.
Names erased.
— What happened here? — she asked.
Aldren answered:
— History was rewritten.
Celestine touched one of the paintings.
The Void reacted.
For an instant, she saw the original image.
A woman was holding a sword.
Beside her stood Elyndra.
And behind the two of them was a third figure.
A woman with golden eyes.
Celestine immediately pulled her hand away.
— Seraphina.
Aldren nodded.
— Yes.
— She knew Elyndra.
— More than that.
Aldren looked at the empty corridors.
— They were sisters.
Celestine felt her heart stop for a moment.
— Sisters?
— Not by blood.
He continued walking.
— They were raised together by the first guardians of the Void.
The Guardian finally spoke:
— That can't be.
Aldren looked at him.
— You knew her?
The Guardian remained silent.
Celestine noticed.
— You did.
He closed his eyes.
— Yes.
— Why did you never tell me about her?
— Because I thought she was dead.
A woman's voice echoed through the corridor.
— I thought you were dead too.
Everyone stopped.
A woman appeared at the end of the corridor.
Silver hair.
Golden eyes.
A white dress.
She walked calmly, showing no fear.
Celestine immediately recognized her.
She was the woman she had seen in the painting.
Seraphina.
She stopped before them.
Her eyes fixed on Celestine.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she smiled.
— You've grown so much.
Celestine frowned.
— We've never met.
Seraphina tilted her head.
— You haven't.
She placed a hand over her chest.
— But a part of you has already been here.
The Void reacted violently.
Leonhardt drew his sword.
Seris did the same.
Aldren raised his hand.
— Don't attack.
Celestine didn't take her eyes off Seraphina.
— You knew Elyndra.
— I did.
— And you know what happened to her.
Seraphina smiled.
— I know everything.
— Then tell me.
— Not yet.
Celestine narrowed her eyes.
— Why?
Seraphina stepped closer.
— Because you're not ready to hear the truth yet.
— Decide that for me, and you'll see what happens.
Seraphina's smile widened.
— Exactly like her.
The Void inside Celestine began to pulse.
Seraphina noticed.
— It's afraid.
Celestine stood motionless.
— Of what?
Seraphina looked directly at her chest.
— Of me.
Silence filled the corridor.
Then Seraphina turned around.
— Come.
She began walking toward the interior of the palace.
Celestine didn't move.
— Where?
Seraphina looked over her shoulder.
— To the place where Elyndra discovered the truth.
Celestine finally took a step.
— And what is there?
Seraphina answered:
— The reason you were born.
The doors behind her opened.
Beyond them was a staircase descending into the depths of the palace.
Celestine felt the Void stir.
This time, the message was clear.
Don't go down.
She looked at Seraphina.
Then at the staircase.
And realized something terrible.
For the first time since she had awakened in that world, the Void wasn't trying to protect her from an enemy.
It was trying to protect her from a truth.
Celestine took a deep breath.
And began to descend.