Episode 1: The Sacrificial Offering

The temple was silent except for the flickering of candles and the rhythmic chanting of the priests. Elias knelt before the altar, his pulse steady despite the weight of responsibility pressing on his shoulders. He had trained for this moment his entire life—to strengthen the divine seal that imprisoned the Demon God, Raziel.

High Priest Varian stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Elias’s shoulder. “You are blessed, Elias. Chosen by the gods themselves. Your sacrifice will keep the darkness at bay.”

Elias nodded, gripping the ceremonial dagger before him. The blade shimmered with divine runes, a relic of the gods. He knew what he had to do—spill his own blood, let it be absorbed into the seal, and ensure the Demon God remained locked away for another century.

But as soon as the blade sliced across his palm, something went horribly wrong.

A violent tremor shook the temple. The candles were snuffed out in an instant, plunging the room into darkness. A pulse of energy—cold, suffocating, ancient—rippled through the air, knocking the priests to the ground. Elias gasped as an unseen force wrapped around his body, lifting him from the floor.

Then, a voice. Deep, rich, laced with amusement and something far more dangerous.

“You were trying to imprison me again, little priest?”

Elias’s breath caught in his throat. He turned his head, and there—standing amidst the ruins of the shattered altar—was him.

Raziel.

The Demon God’s crimson eyes burned like molten fire, piercing through the darkness. His long silver hair cascaded past his shoulders, untouched by time. The sheer force of his presence made Elias’s knees weak, but he couldn’t afford to falter now.

Swallowing hard, Elias forced himself to meet that gaze. “I— I was meant to strengthen the seal, not break it!”

Raziel tilted his head, an amused smirk playing at his lips. “And yet, here I stand. Do you know what that means?”

Elias felt his throat tighten. “It means…” His voice wavered. “It means I failed.”

Raziel stepped closer, his boots making no sound against the stone floor. “No, little priest. It means you freed me.”

Elias’s heart pounded. That wasn’t possible. The gods wouldn’t allow it. He had followed the ritual exactly as he was taught.

“Lies,” Elias whispered, trying to steady his breath. “You’re trying to deceive me.”

Raziel chuckled—a low, velvety sound that sent shivers down Elias’s spine. “You wound me. I only speak the truth.” He reached out, and before Elias could recoil, his fingertips brushed against Elias’s forehead.

A sharp, burning sensation erupted between his eyes. Elias gasped, his entire body locking in place. A glowing mark—an intricate, twisting sigil—etched itself onto his skin.

Raziel’s smirk widened. “That mark binds us, priest. Your blood freed me, and now, you belong to me.”

Elias’s breath hitched. “You can’t—”

“Oh, I can,” Raziel interrupted, his voice dropping to a whisper. He leaned in, his lips dangerously close to Elias’s ear. “And you will soon learn… that there are far worse things than being bound to a Demon God.”

Elias’s vision blurred, the last thing he saw before darkness took him was Raziel’s knowing, wicked smile.

To be continued…

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