Elizabeth entered the room, carrying a black box, bound by glowing runic chains and sealed with an iron lock. Without a word, she handed it to the old man, who gave her a brief nod before turning to Claus and presenting the box to him.
— "There's no turning back now, boy. Your path is already written... and believe me, it will be worse than hell. But when you're ready—open this box. What lies inside will illuminate your way. Consider it my welcome gift," said Winston, his eternal wrinkled smile stretching across his face.
— "When did I say I was one of you?" Claus asked, accepting the box cautiously and bowing respectfully.
— "You have no choice, my friend. It is your destiny. And you know it... better than all of us," Williams replied calmly.
— "The people of this world must be protected from what they cannot understand. That is our mission. In seeking the truth, we protect. We, the Awakened," added Elizabeth.
— "I understand… and I accept to become one of the Awakened. But I refuse to reveal my true face."
— "And you're right," said Williams. "Investigations are perilous. One mistake could endanger your loved ones."
— "Know that we are seen as the greatest enemies of the Church... and the Empire. For we dare to search for what they strive to bury," Winston continued.
— "Very well," Winston said. "You've embraced the path of the Awakened. Now… it's time for the Runic Inscription."
Williams closed his eyes. Suddenly, the space around them began to distort. The floor trembled, the walls pulled away, as if pushed by an unseen force. The desk, the shelves… all receded. At the center of this vast, now-empty chamber, Williams raised his arms, revealing glowing glyphs carved into his flesh. His fingers moved slowly, like a puppeteer commanding invisible threads.
The room fell into complete silence, suspended in some other world.
— "Dear Claus, please allow Lady Elizabeth to hold the box for a moment," Williams said softly.
Without protest, Claus handed the box to Elizabeth.
— "Now… remove everything covering your torso, please."
Claus unfastened his golden revolvers, his crimson gloves, his coat, his waistcoat, then his shirt.
— "Is this truly necessary?"
— "Everything is necessary, my dear friend," Winston replied calmly.
— "Sit down. Cross your legs. Close your eyes. Empty your mind. This is the last peace you'll know… for a very long time."
With a sharp motion, Winston sliced his own palm, then traced runic symbols down Claus's spine using his blood. He then drew additional sigils across his shoulders and arms in complete silence. Claus, though composed, felt a deep migraine building.
— "Now it begins," Winston declared.
He pressed his hands together. A crushing pressure filled the room, as if the very air had torn open. He began chanting in an ancient, unknowable tongue. Claus felt his soul shiver—like it was trying to escape his body. The blood markings on his skin ignited. He resisted with everything he had—until everything turned black.
---
Claus stood in absolute nothingness. A cold more merciless than death itself wrapped around every fiber of his being. He tried to speak—but no sound escaped.
Then, a voice echoed in the void:
— "Jhon…"
It was Sandra. He would recognize that voice among thousands. But from where…?
He took a step—but a hand shot out from the shadow, grabbing his leg. Then another. And another. They clutched him, dragging him downward. He fought, but in vain. His eyes mirrored a cold panic. He was sinking—slowly—into the dark.
— "Claus Bloodfall…"
The voice grew distant. The cold deeper. He felt broken, watched—by thousands of invisible eyes. His own eyes shut. His arms bound. A dying voice whispered:
— "Jhon Clain… why did you abandon me...? This isn't what I wanted…"
Sandra…, he thought.
Suddenly, his eyes burst open.
He was underwater. Choking. Struggling. Weak… too weak. He sank into the abyss.
Then—by some instinctive, divine reflex—he opened his eyes once more.
This time, he saw himself seated on a throne, surrounded by endless darkness. Below his feet: the void. Before him: the shattered moon.
— "Jhon…"
The voice came from behind.
He didn't turn. He stared at the moon.
— "What?"
— "Is this the end you wanted?"
— "No… But it was the one that had to happen."
He remained still. Silent. Contemplative.
---
Claus opened his eyes. Slowly. He was back in the chamber. Elizabeth, Williams, and Winston stood around him. The runic blood marks on his body evaporated like mist.
Williams extended a hand. Claus weakly took it.
— "Welcome back to the world, my friend… And welcome… among the Awakened," he said with a smile. Then, with a playful wink, added:
— "I'll lend you a cane to get out of here."