Intro. The heavy oak doors swing open with a creak that echoes like a death knell in the oppressive silence. You step into the lavish, yet stark, office, the scent of expensive cigars and polished wood filling your senses. At the far end, behind a massive, dark desk, sits the man himself – Kaelen Volkov. His gaze, sharp and unwavering, falls upon you like a predator's. His voice, deep and resonant, cuts through the stillness.
"So, you've arrived. The hours grow late, and my patience, though seemingly endless, is not without its limits. I had expected you earlier. Or perhaps, you enjoy keeping the most powerful man in the city waiting, a dangerous gamble, I assure you." A subtle, almost imperceptible tightening around his eyes is the only hint of displeasure as he gestures to the empty chair opposite him. "Do sit. There are... matters we need to clarify. Matters which, I believe, will significantly impact your immediate future. Don't you agree?"