At the Mizuno family estate, Crowley paced anxiously within the confines of his father's study, his footsteps echoing against the polished hardwood floors.
"Crunch, Crunch."
An unexpected sound broke through his restless movement, causing Crowley to freeze mid-stride.
Turning toward the source, he discovered Magnus casually munching on an apple that seemed to have materialized from thin air, the crisp bite punctuating the study's silence.
"Mr. Magnus, is the mission complete?" Crowley's voice carried a tremor of anticipation, hope threading through his carefully controlled tone.
Magnus tossed the apple core carelessly to the floor, his expression shifting to one of uncomfortable embarrassment. "The situation proved more complicated than anticipated. Where's your father? I need to speak with him directly."
The words hit Crowley like ice water. "Father just left to meet with the other family heads. He won't return for several hours."
"Then you'll have to do."
Magnus's understanding was immediate. Given the tremendous commotion that had occurred, it would be suspicious if the other prominent families in Pixar City didn't demand explanations from Ottarl about the disturbance.
A malicious smile twisted across Magnus's features as he beckoned Crowley closer. "Come here. Let me tell you exactly what transpired tonight."
Despite his growing unease, Crowley approached obediently, drawn by curiosity and the desperate need for answers.
Magnus leaned close to Crowley's ear, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper, "Sixth Master asked me to give you his regards."
Before Crowley could process the cryptic message, excruciating pain erupted through his chest.
Pitch-black claws materialized from the surrounding shadows, their razor-sharp points piercing through his limbs with surgical precision.
Pale, cold hands clamped over Crowley's face, muffling his attempts to scream.
"Damn you!" Magnus hissed with venomous satisfaction. "If it weren't for your family's interference, I'd still be working my peaceful cover job."
Naturally, Magnus didn't dare direct his resentment toward Azrael, nor could he risk antagonizing his organizational superiors. The eldest son of the Mizuno family provided a convenient target for his frustrated rage.
Any professional would feel bitter about inexplicably offending their immediate supervisor on their first day of work, especially when that job involved an organization as unforgiving as the Crimson Oath Society.
"Mmmmph!" Crowley's muffled struggles grew increasingly desperate as Magnus's iron grip prevented any coherent sound from escaping.
The searing agony coursing through his body confirmed that this nightmare was horrifyingly real. Nothing in his privileged life had prepared him for such brutal betrayal from someone he'd trusted completely.
Crowley's mind raced, trying to understand why Mr. Magnus had suddenly turned on him with such lethal intent.
As those pale, slender fingers gradually tightened their hold, Crowley's consciousness began its inexorable slide toward darkness.
Looking down at Crowley's limp form, Magnus paused just before delivering the killing blow. "Actually, Sixth Master will probably appreciate this gift more if it's still breathing."
Indeed, Magnus intended to present the half-dead heir to Azrael as a peace offering, hoping to forestall any potential retaliation for his earlier mistakes.
After all, crossing the Crimson Oath Society's leadership could prove fatally costly for someone in his position.
"What a waste," Magnus muttered with mock regret. "I was only looking for some entertainment."
With a theatrical sigh, Magnus melted into the study's shadows, dragging Crowley's unconscious form along with him.
Late that night, Azrael felt the familiar tingle of his contract connection, alerting him to Magnus's return to his residence.
"Why are you seeking me out again?"
Azrael frowned, genuinely puzzled. Regardless of whether Crowley had been defeated or eliminated, Magnus shouldn't be returning to report so soon.
Fortunately, the monitoring card planted in his home belonged to Alice, lacking the sophistication necessary to track his movements through the shadow realm.
A Shadowkhan materialized silently within his bedroom, extending its spectral hand to transport Azrael through the darkness.
Meanwhile, on the street outside Azrael's manor, Magnus was conducting a furtive reconnaissance of the property.
"Good, that terrifying woman doesn't appear to be present."
Seeing no sign of Alice's overwhelming spiritual pressure, Magnus released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"What exactly are you doing here?"
The cold voice from behind made Magnus's spine stiffen with terror, but he quickly turned to face Azrael with an obsequious expression plastered across his features.
"Sixth Master, I've brought you a gift."
As he spoke, Crowley's blood-matted head emerged from the pool of darkness at Magnus's feet, the heir's breathing shallow but detectable.
"Crowley?" Azrael blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected Magnus to bring a prisoner, and the implications immediately set his teeth on edge. "Why didn't you simply eliminate him? Bringing him here risks exposing my identity."
Magnus's face fell as he realized his attempt at currying favor had backfired spectacularly.
"Ah, this..."
Seeing Magnus's stricken expression, Azrael pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting off an emerging headache. "Are all the Crimson Oath Society operatives in Pixar City this... theatrical?"
After a moment of tense silence, he sighed in weary resignation. "Fine. We're already committed to this course."
"Bring him out carefully. Make sure we're not observed."
Magnus hastily dragged Crowley's limp form from the shadow pool. "Don't worry, sir. My abilities create a sound-dampening field around this area. No matter how much noise we make, nobody will notice."
Still unconscious, Crowley felt waves of agony wash over his battered body as he was unceremoniously dumped onto the cold pavement.
His mental energy began hemorrhaging uncontrollably, the psychic drain causing his awareness to flicker like a dying flame.
With tremendous effort, he forced his eyes open, and through his blood-clouded vision, he glimpsed a devastatingly familiar face.
"We meet again, Crowley."
"Azrael?!" Crowley's voice cracked with disbelief. His most hated enemy stood before him, very much alive despite the assassination he'd arranged.
Beside Azrael stood an imposing female figure he'd never encountered before, a Great Vampire whose malevolent glare promised nothing but suffering.
The [Drain] ability was actively siphoning Crowley's mental energy, making any desperate counterattack impossible. Her power was devastatingly effective against an unconscious target, though it wouldn't have been nearly as potent in a fair fight.
"I had planned to deliver some final words, but I've changed my mind. Just die here quietly."
Recognizing that Crowley had identified him, Azrael decided to abandon any pretense. Villainous monologuing was a luxury he couldn't afford, and swift execution served his purposes better than theatrical revelation.
Hearing Azrael's death sentence, Crowley writhed on the ground like a wounded animal. "No, no, no! Azrael, I was wrong! It's entirely my fault! Spare my life, and the Mizuno family's entire fortune will be yours!"
Desperation stripped away every trace of his former arrogance as survival instinct took complete control.
Then Crowley's gaze fell upon Magnus, who was trying to minimize his presence. "Mr. Magnus, has Azrael joined your Crimson Oath Society? I want to join as well! I'm willing to negotiate any terms you set!"
"If you agree, I'll ensure you receive a substantial share of the Mizuno family's wealth!"
It was obvious that Magnus held significant authority within the organization, making him Crowley's only potential lifeline.
Magnus, suddenly finding himself the center of attention, humbly approached Azrael. "Sixth Master, do you require any additional services from me?"
Crowley stared in shock at Magnus's subservient demeanor. "Sixth Master? Mr. Magnus, what are you talking about?"
He couldn't comprehend the organizational hierarchy within the Crimson Oath Society, and therefore had no understanding of exactly how terrifying the Sixth Master position Magnus referenced truly was. All he could process was that Mr. Magnus was acting like a devoted lapdog to Azrael.
Damn it all!
Even as the villain of this scenario, am I still inferior to Azrael?!
Jealousy burned through Crowley's consciousness, causing his broken body to tremble with impotent rage.
Azrael, towering over his fallen enemy, waved dismissively at Magnus's offer of assistance.
Pride manifested around Azrael like a living shadow, his dark red tentacles lifting Crowley up to eye level with effortless strength.
A voice like distant thunder echoed through the night air, carrying the weight of absolute authority.
"Surprised?"
"Tell me, is there any possibility that I might have been part of the Crimson Oath Society all along?"
As the words registered, Crowley's pupils dilated with pure terror.
"You, !"
But before he could voice his final thoughts, his head exploded in a shower of crimson.
Instantly, Pride transformed into a massive defensive barrier, shielding Azrael from the splattering gore.
"Clean this up."
Azrael's voice carried no emotion as he gestured toward the carnage.
"Yes, Sixth Master."
The darkness at Magnus's feet came alive, systematically devouring every trace of Crowley's existence.
"Starting tomorrow, maintain a low profile. I'll handle the organizational explanations."
Magnus paused, then whispered his understanding. "Yes, sir."
Looking at the scene before him, Azrael reflected with dark satisfaction. "It feels like I'm walking deeper into villainy with each step, and there's no path back to the light."
Yet somehow, that realization didn't trouble him as much as it should have.