The darkness of the temple seemed to close in on Raizen as he held the book in his hands. Its secrets weighed heavily on him, each word revealing more about the Crown of Shadows — and the horrors that came with it. But the book was not enough. He needed more answers, more clarity about what lay ahead. And for that, he would have to make a choice.
It was then that the familiar voice rang out from the shadows.
"Raizen," the voice said, low and cold, sending a shiver down his spine.
Raizen turned to see a figure emerging from the darkness — tall, cloaked, with eyes that gleamed with an unsettling knowledge of the past. It was someone he hadn't seen in years: Azriel, an old ally with ties to the Crown of Shadows, who had disappeared from his life under mysterious circumstances.
"Azriel?" Raizen's voice was sharp, disbelief coloring his words. "What are you doing here?"
Azriel smiled faintly, but there was something different in his expression now — something darker. "I came to offer you a chance, Raizen. A chance to understand the true power of the Crown."
Raizen's hand instinctively tightened around the book. "You've been tied to this curse, haven't you? Why should I trust you?"
Azriel's smile faded, and he took a step forward. "Trust is a luxury you don't have anymore. Not with what's coming." He gestured to the book. "The Crown will change everything, Raizen. You don't know the half of it. But I can help you."
Raizen's mind raced. Azriel had been one of the few people who knew about his past — his family's destruction, the power he had inherited. He was also the one who had disappeared when things had gotten too dangerous. The very fact that he had returned meant one thing: Raizen was stepping deeper into a world that was far darker than he had imagined.
"And what do you want in return?" Raizen asked cautiously.
Azriel's eyes gleamed with a cold, calculating intensity. "A blood pact."
Raizen's gaze hardened. "A blood pact? You're out of your mind. I'm not making any deals with you."
Azriel shook his head, his expression somber. "It's not just a deal, Raizen. It's a necessity. You want the power of the Crown, but you can't wield it without understanding it. And to understand it… you must make a sacrifice. A blood pact with those who once ruled over it."
Raizen felt a chill in his bones. The concept of a blood pact was an ancient, forbidden ritual — one that bound two individuals to a shared fate. The price was steep. But in this moment, it felt like there was no other choice. The Crown called to him, its power beckoning him to seize it, but the path was shrouded in shadows.
"What's the cost?" Raizen asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.
Azriel's gaze turned distant, and for a moment, Raizen saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. "The cost is everything. You will be bound to the Crown, tied to its will. Your soul, your blood — all of it will be sacrificed. The Crown will grant you power beyond your wildest imagination, but in exchange, it will claim a piece of you every time you use it."
Raizen's stomach twisted. He could feel the weight of Azriel's words pressing against him, but he also knew that there was no turning back. This power was the key to destroying the shadow that had consumed his past — and perhaps, even his future.
With a heavy sigh, Raizen turned to face Azriel fully. "Fine. I'll do it. But you better be telling me the truth. There's no room for lies here."
Azriel nodded, his expression grim. "The pact must be sealed in blood. A drop from each of us. And once it's done, you'll never be the same again."
Without another word, Azriel produced a small dagger, its blade sharp and gleaming in the dim light. Raizen hesitated for a moment before unsheathing his own weapon and slicing his palm. The blood welled up quickly, and Azriel did the same, the crimson liquid pooling on the stone floor.
As their blood mingled, the air around them seemed to vibrate with energy. The ground trembled slightly, and Raizen could feel the power of the Crown stirring within him, as though it were awakening from a long slumber.
"You've made the choice," Azriel said, his voice thick with a strange reverence. "Now, you must live with it."
Raizen wiped the blood from his palm, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel something changing, something stirring deep within him. It was as if the darkness itself had wrapped its tendrils around his soul, pulling him closer to the Crown — and to the abyss.
End of Chapter 4: The Blood Pact