Johann Weyer stood with his arms crossed, gazing at Azazel beneath the strange twilight of the Codex's realm. His eyes softened for a moment, but his voice remained measured.
"If you want to see me again," he said, "you'll need to bring the Codex something worthy—a demon's heart. That's the price. Knowledge isn't free, boy."
Azazel swallowed. "I understand."
Johann continued, stepping forward and placing a hand on the book's leather-bound cover. "And if you ever wish to borrow my power—the strength I once held—you'll need to do more than bleed. You must speak the Oath. Aloud. With the Codex near you."
Azazel nodded. His mind burned with questions, but Johann raised a hand to silence them.
"One more thing. Keep this book hidden. Never let it fall into another's hands. Not even those who claim to be allies. The Codex obeys only its bearer—but that won't stop others from trying to use it."
His voice grew quiet. "Prepare yourself well, don't forget that the oath takes some time."
There was a long pause.
Then Azazel murmured, "I love you, old man."
Johann didn't answer at first. But then his face cracked into a small, proud smile—the one Azazel remembered from childhood.
And then the light faded.
Azazel blinked, heart racing. He was still standing in the underground chamber, in front of the pedestal. The Codex lay open before him, glowing faintly, silent as ever.
He slowly closed the book.
Everything he had seen, everything he had heard—it was real. But the chamber was quiet again.
He needed to breathe. To move. To think.
Azazel headed to the training area deeper in the cellar. There, surrounded by old targets, dummies, and dust-coated weapons, he began running drills. Sword forms. Dodges. Knife throws. Stretching.
The movements helped. The burn in his muscles distracted from the ache in his chest.
He moved until the exhaustion dulled the flood of thoughts.
When he finally sat down, panting in the stillness, he made his decision.
Tomorrow night, he would go to the Church of Saint Eleutherios.
Now—he was ready for the first test.