The cries of a newborn pierced the silence.
A woman, pale as a ghost, cradled the child on her lap. Her breaths came slow, ragged, her eyes dark and empty like a bottomless pit.
"I'm sorry, my son… but this is the only way. Until you are strong enough, you must remain hidden from them."
With trembling fingers, she cut into her skin. Blood welled up, and with it, she drew runes across the child's fragile body—one upon his brow, another over his heart.
Her voice cracked.
"I had to divide your soul into four pieces… But when you are whole again, find me."
Tears of blood streamed down her cheeks as her body convulsed violently.
Her head jerked back—then the abyss within her eyes shattered, shifting from endless black to a deep, vibrant green.
A weak gasp escaped her lips.
"This body's will… it's strong. I don't have long."
For a fleeting moment, her true self shone through. She looked at the child with trembling affection, a soft smile breaking through the agony.
"Your eyes… they shine like one of the fallen moons. I will name you… Azrael."
The child blinked, amethyst eyes glowing faintly as they met hers.