When Rome Stood Firm

Theyearis476AD.ThegreatbeastthatistheWesternRomanEmpireliesdying.OutsidethefogboundwallsofRavenna,thebarbariankingOdoacerwaitswithpatienthunger,readytoclaimthecorpseofacivilizationthatruledtheworldforathousandyears.InsidethecoldhallsoftheimperialpalacesitsRomulusAugustus.Heisonlyfifteenyearsold.Totheworld,heisnothingmorethanapuppetemperor,aboywearingacrowntooheavyforhishead.Aplaceholderdrapedinpurplesilk,waitingforhistorytofinallyturnthepageonRome.Evenhisownpeoplewhisperbehindhisback,callinghimtheLittleDisgrace.Thenfatestrikeswithmercilessclarity.Whenhisfather,theempire’slasttrueprotector,diesinthemud,theillusionofsafetyshatters.Thesiegetightens.Romulusisabandoned.Hisgeneralsaretraitorssearchingforanewmaster,andhisownguardspreparetotradetheboy’slifefortheirsurvival.Heistrappedinacityreadytosurrenderitsemperortothebutchersbeyondthegates.Butdespairdoesnotkillhim.Inthedeepestdepthsoffearandgrief,somethingelseawakens.Thefrightenedboybreaks.Romulusrefusestobecomeasacrificiallamb.Armedonlywithastolendaggerandaburninghungerforvengeance,hecrawlsoutofhisbesiegedcitythroughthefilthofitssewers,nottoflee,buttohunt.Tonight,theyoungCaesardies.Andsomethingfarmoredangeroustakeshisplace.HistoryhasalreadywrittenRome’sobituary.ButtheWolfofRavennaisabouttorewriteitinblood.WRSFPatreon:https://patreon.com/WRSFTheImperialArchives?utmmedium=unknown&utmsource=joinlink&utmcampaign=creatorsharecreator&utmcontent=copyLinkWRSFDiscord:https://discord.gg/DarxBKRe