Two weeks after the carriage accident...
***
"Where am I…?"
"It's so dark… am I floating? Down? No… up? I don't know. I can't see anything…"
….kill…
"…Kill? Kill what? What do you mean?"
…kill…kill…kill… you have to kill more…
"What the hell…? No! Why would I kill anyone? Are you the reason for this darkness? Why are you hiding—?"
KILL… KILL… KILL… YOU HAVE TO!! YOU HAVE TO KILL MORE!!
"AaaAAA—!"
Azazul shot awake, gasping. He was in his room again, drenched in a cold sweat.
His heart hammered in his chest as he slowly turned toward the mirror.
His reflection stared back—but something was wrong.
His left eye… the grey eye… was gone.
In its place was a swirling void of endless darkness. A hollow, bottomless pit that felt like it was staring into him.
A chill ran down his spine.
Instinctively, he checked his right eye—still there, still shimmering gold.
"What the hell?… this is so not right…"
The dark void flickered—then vanished.
His normal grey eye returned.He didn't sleep again.
***
The next morning, Azazul stood in front of the mirror, running a hand through his hair.
'Should I tell Uncle Matthew? …No. He'll think I've lost my mind.'
'But that eye… and that voice…'
A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.
Meira burst in with her usual energy.
"Happy birthday, Zaz! We're finally the same age again!"
She stopped mid-smile.
"What? Did something happen?"
'Should I tell her? …No, she would think i'm insane.....well if I'm going insane, she'll probably be the reason.'
She kicked him in the shin.
"AAHH—! Why did you do that?!"
"Because you're ignoring me. Breakfast is almost ready, Zaz, come on! Speak!"
"Okay, okay. I've been having nightmares."
"Nightmares? What kind?"
Before he could answer, she smirked.
"What? You want me to sleep in your room tonight? Scaredy-cat."
She burst out laughing.
Azazul sighed.
"Do you want to hear it or not, meimei?"
"First of all—stop calling me that. Second—go on."
'Where do I even start?…'
"Ever since the carriage accident, I keep having nightmares. I forget most of them, but last night's… felt real. I was surrounded by darkness—like I was part of it. And something in it kept whispering… kill. Over and over."
Meira's expression turned serious.
"And last night…?"
"Last night," he said quietly, "I woke up with the nightlight still on. I saw myself in the mirror… my left eye was gone. Replaced by a void of endless darkness. It felt… terrifying."
"Are you going to tell Dad?"
"I don't know… Should I?"
"Well, he knows something. Let's get breakfast and talk about it."
As they walked down the hall, Meira noticed Azazul's pale face. Without saying anything, she slipped her hand into his.
He shot her a quick glance but didn't pull away.
Why would he?
With no real family… Meira was his safe haven and the sister he never had.
They entered the dining room.
Matthew and Emma were already seated.
Emma smiled warmly.
"Happy birthday, Azazul. I made your favorite—pancakes with mixed berry jam."
Azazul thanked her, pulled out a chair for Meira, then sat across from Matthew.
Matthew finally spoke.
"Happy birthday, Azazul. When you're done eating, we need to talk."
Azazul frowned, confused.
Matthew continued, "Don't worry. I actually have a present for you."
Azazul relaxed slightly.
"Good… I also needed to talk to you."
"Well then," Matthew said. "Eat first."
Azazul picked up his fork—but paused.
The small chain on his wrist… was cracked.
He ignored it and continued eating.
After breakfast, Matthew stood.
"Azazul. Follow me."
Meira squeezed his hand before letting go.
Azazul entered the study for the first time.
The dark blue walls, the fireplace, the polished wooden desk—it all felt grand.
Matthew sat behind the desk.
Azazul sat across from him.
Matthew folded his hands.
"So… what did you want to tell me?"
Azazul took a breath.
"Since the carriage accident, I've been having nightmares. I can't remember all of them, but last night I was floating in darkness. Something kept whispering for me to kill. And when I woke up… my left eye turned into a void."
Matthew didn't react with surprise.
That scared Azazul more than anything.
"…You knew?" Azazul whispered.
Matthew nodded.
"Azazul, that eye is your ancestor's lineage. You are the vessel for that darkness."
Azazul blinked, stunned.
"Ancestor's lineage? Vessel? What are you talking about?"
"The darkness in your eye is the reason you live with me—and the reason your mother is hiding," Matthew said evenly. "That eye is destruction incarnate. Now that you are seven, it's time to start training."
"Just me and you?"
"Yes. Meira will stay here with Emma. You and I are leaving."
"For how long?"
"Until you're twelve. When you return, you'll enter the academy along side Meira. We leave tommorow i know it's short notice....but the sooner the better.
Azazul swallowed hard.
"Tomorow?....Where are we going?"
"Azaroth."
"…The Azaroth Mountains? But that place is full of B-rank monsters and above—how am I supposed to train there?!"
Matthew gave a small, tired smile.
"You'll manage. I also saved something for you."
He placed a long red box on the desk.
Azazul leaned forward.
"What is it?"
"A sword," Matthew said. "I've never unsheathed it. It's too heavy—it needs a master. Maybe you're that master."
"Oh… okay."
Azazul stood. "I'll go pack."
He thanked Matthew and left.
****
That night, Azazul lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
'I'm a vessel for darkness…? What does that even mean?'
'What powers will that eye give me? And at what cost?'
'And mom… why is she hiding? Why couldn't she stay a little longer…? Does she even know I miss her…?'
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
Meira stood at the door.
"Oh—hey. Nightmare?"
She shook her head.
"No. Since it's our last night together… I thought maybe I could sleep in your room. If you don't mind."
Azazul smiled.
"Sure, you scaredy-cat."
"I'm NOT—!"
She sprinted inside and flopped onto the bed with dramatic force.
They played board games, ate snacks, and talked until their eyes drooped.
Azazul couldn't sleep—not with the nightmares lurking.
But then Meira's voice came softly:
"Hey… you can't sleep either, can you?"
"…You're awake?. Wow i thought you were in your fantastic dream world."
"Yeah. And… Zelly?"
She rolled over and stared into his eyes.
"I'll be waiting for you. Go get strong. And don't die."
Azazul chuckled.
"Come on, meimei. I'm a tough bastard."
She laughed softly.
"…That didn't sound right."
"But when I come back," he added, "you better be just as strong. Even stronger."
She nodded once—and fell asleep right there.
Azazul followed soon after.
The next morning, everyone ate breakfast in unusual silence.
A carriage rolled up outside and the servants carried their luggage.
At the door, Meira stood stiff and quiet.
Azazul placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Take care of yourself, okay?"
She nodded.
He headed toward the carriage—
—then Meira grabbed him, pulled him back, and kissed his cheek.
His face flushed instantly.
"Take care, Azazul," she whispered.
Inside the carriage, Matthew said:
"The road to Azaroth is long. You should get some sleep."
Azazul didn't argue.
He closed his eyes and drifted off almost instantly.