Glass Heart Syndrome

Chapter 31

As dusk descended, Eren made his way to Azrael's chambers. The hallways were nearly empty, cloaked in shadow, save for a few flickering torches that cast eerie shapes against the stone walls. His footsteps echoed as he moved, each step a steady reminder of the gravity of this meeting. He didn't know exactly what Azrael wanted, but he understood that in this world, every meeting with a figure like Azrael came with risks and rewards—sometimes in equal measure.

Reaching the large, ironbound door to Azrael's quarters, Eren took a deep breath before pushing it open. The room beyond was dimly lit, with heavy curtains drawn, leaving only a few sparse candles to illuminate Azrael's silhouette, seated in a high-backed chair.

Azrael's gaze cut to Eren the moment he stepped inside. There was something unreadable in his eyes, an unsettling calm that masked whatever thoughts lay beneath.

"Eren," Azrael's voice was low, steady, and impossibly sharp. "You handled yourself well last night. We have few here who can take down an enemy with such precision."

Eren gave a small nod, keeping his own expression neutral. "I did what needed to be done."

Azrael leaned forward, his gaze intense. "You've shown more than skill, Eren. You've shown loyalty. And that is something I value above all else." He paused, as if considering his next words carefully. "Tell me, what drives you?"

Eren felt a chill creep down his spine. He wasn't used to Azrael asking personal questions. The man preferred actions to words, power to sentiment. He knew Azrael was testing him, but he didn't know why. Still, he responded as carefully as he could.

"Survival," he said, voice steady. "And the understanding that power is the only true currency in this world."

Azrael's expression shifted, a slight curve of approval at the corners of his mouth. "Good. Power—and those willing to wield it without hesitation. That's why I've asked you here tonight."

He gestured to a chair across from him, and Eren sat, maintaining his guard.

"You have potential, Eren," Azrael continued, his gaze piercing. "But power comes with responsibilities, with choices that define you. Last night, you made a choice. And I need to know if you'll continue making those choices—even if it means discarding the weak parts of yourself."

Eren hesitated, caught off-guard by the way Azrael seemed to read into him, the way his words echoed the doubts that had been plaguing him. But he forced those thoughts away. He'd come too far to falter now.

"I understand, Azrael. I'm prepared to do whatever is necessary."

Azrael's smile grew. "Excellent. There's one more thing you must do, a test of sorts." He reached into his cloak and produced a small vial filled with a swirling, dark liquid. "This is a binding serum. It will amplify your power temporarily, but it comes with... consequences. The body grows dependent on it, and too much can damage your very soul."

Eren stared at the vial, his mind racing. This was a dangerous path, one he couldn't walk back from if he accepted it. But he understood that hesitation now would be seen as weakness.

He reached forward and took the vial, holding it carefully. "And what do you expect from me in return?"

Azrael's gaze darkened. "Loyalty. I need someone who can operate beyond the Council's reach, someone willing to make the sacrifices others won't. You would become my Shadow, my blade in the dark."

Eren felt a thrill of excitement mingled with fear. This was the opportunity he'd been waiting for—the chance to truly rise within Azrael's ranks, to secure a position that no one could take from him. But he knew it came at a price, one that would likely take him further from the person he once was.

Azrael leaned back, his gaze never wavering. "Think carefully, Eren. Once you take this path, there's no going back."

The silence stretched between them, heavy and cold. Eren's fingers tightened around the vial. He could feel the power humming inside it, the promise of strength, of dominance. But he also felt the faint tug of doubt, a shadow of his former self urging him to turn away.

He silenced it.

Without another word, he uncorked the vial and downed its contents in one swift motion. The liquid burned as it went down, a dark heat spreading through his veins, filling him with an intense, electric energy. His senses sharpened, his mind cleared, and he felt an overwhelming surge of power, raw and unfiltered.

Azrael's gaze remained steady, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his features. "Welcome to the shadows, Eren."

Eren nodded, the weight of his choice settling over him. There was no turning back now. He had embraced the darkness fully, binding himself to Azrael's will, to a path of power that offered no mercy, no escape.

And as he rose from his seat, a sense of clarity settled within him. The doubts, the remnants of his former self—they faded into the background, leaving only a single purpose: survival at any cost.