The moment Azazel whispered the oath and his blood soaked into the Codex's cover, the world lurched.
The air shuddered. The candles blew out.
A force pulled him—not down, but inward. Into the book. Into the seal.
Azazel had no time to scream.
Then… stillness.
He stood in a twilight realm. A circular chamber, floating in what seemed like endless void. The ground beneath him was made of stone and memory, glowing faintly with runes that pulsed to a heartbeat he couldn't place. Shelves floated in mid-air, spiraling upward into darkness. The scent of old parchment and candle smoke filled the air.
And then he heard a voice.
"Took you long enough."
Azazel turned.
There, standing at the edge of the platform, arms folded, was a man in a dark coat, his white hair tied back loosely.
His grandfather. Johann Weyer.
Azazel stared, heart pounding.
"I… I forgot," he muttered. "Or something like that."
Johann appeared beside him in an instant, smacking him lightly on the back of the head.
"Idiot," he grumbled—but his voice trembled just a bit.
Azazel blinked.
His mouth opened.
And then he broke.
He lunged forward, hugging his grandfather tightly, tears falling without restraint.
"I missed you, old man," he whispered.
Johann was quiet for a moment.
Then, with an awkward cough, he pulled back, wiping his grandson's cheek with a sleeve.
Azazel sniffed and stepped back.
"…Johann Weyer."
His grandfather laughed.
"Oh, now you're using full names?" He turned and waved a hand, gesturing around them. "This place? This isn't heaven, hell, or purgatory. It's the Heart of the Codex. Built over centuries, held together by the souls of past hunters. Including a little piece of mine."
He walked over to one of the floating pedestals, casually brushing dust off a silver-bound tome.
"This book was passed to me by my master, just like I left it for you. Each time a hunter signs their blood into its seal, it becomes a bridge—to power, to memory, to knowledge."
Azazel followed, his eyes scanning the endless shelves.
Johann nodded.
"And before you undergo the Initiation, the Codex allows you to temporarily borrow power. Memories. Strength of past holders. You'll need it. Trust me."
Azazel exhaled, overwhelmed.
"And the book?"
Johann smirked. "It's got all the knowledge of every hunter that's ever held it. But it's a picky bastard."
He raised a finger.
"To ask it a question—real knowledge—you must feed it the heart of a demon."
Azazel's eyes widened.
"Heart?"
"Yes. Rip it out. Offer it. Then ask. You'll get three answers. If the book doesn't know? You get to receive an answer on another question you ask."
Azazel stood silent.
Johann's voice softened.
"You're not alone, boy. You never were."
Azazel nodded slowly, gripping his hands into fists. He had many questions. He wanted to argue and yell at his stupid grandfather, who now seemed familiar and stranger than ever at the same time now.
"For now I can answer only one question."