The days that followed the blood pact felt like a blur. Raizen could feel the Crown of Shadows pulling at him with every waking moment, its presence like a shadow that lurked just at the edge of his consciousness. The power surged within him, a force unlike anything he had ever known. But it came with a price.
The toll was immediate.
The first time Raizen wielded the Crown's power, it was like a rush of wind, a blast of energy that surged through him, sending shockwaves through the air. He had summoned a shadow army to help them escape a dangerous confrontation with mercenaries, and the army had responded to his call with devastating efficiency. His enemies had been slaughtered, but in the aftermath, Raizen could feel a searing pain in his chest — as though his very soul had been torn asunder.
"Raizen!" Zhara shouted, her voice filled with panic. "Are you alright?"
Raizen collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. His skin felt like it was on fire, his vision blurred. It took everything he had to stand, his knees trembling as he fought against the weight of the darkness now coiled around him. The power of the Crown was intoxicating, but it was also consuming him.
"Raizen," Zhara whispered, her voice full of concern. "What did you do?"
He didn't answer her at first. He couldn't. The pain was too much. It was like something was trying to claw its way out of his chest, the very essence of his being writhing in agony. It wasn't just his body that hurt — it was his soul, slowly being siphoned away by the Crown's insidious influence.
"Raizen, you've got to stop using that power," Zhara pleaded. "It's killing you."
He forced himself to his feet, sweat dripping from his brow. "I don't have a choice," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "The Crown is the only way forward."
Zhara's eyes filled with fear, but Raizen couldn't stop. The weight of his past — the destruction of Noctis, the death of his brother — all of it pushed him forward. The Crown of Shadows was his only path to revenge, and now, to power.
"You don't understand, Zhara," he said through clenched teeth. "The Crown has a will of its own. It's calling me, telling me I'm its master. I can't ignore it."
Zhara stepped forward, her hand reaching out as though to steady him. "Raizen, this isn't you. You're not the monster it wants you to become."
His eyes flickered with something darker. "I don't have time to care about what I've become. All that matters now is destroying those who took everything from me."
But deep inside, Raizen knew the truth. He had made a deal with the darkness, and it was already starting to claim him.
A Growing Shadow
The toll of the blood pact became more pronounced with each use of the Crown's power. Raizen had begun to notice strange changes within himself. His senses were heightened, sharper than they had ever been, but there was also a growing emptiness, a hollowness inside him that no amount of strength could fill. The power of the Crown was undeniable, but it was like a demon that demanded to be fed, and every time he used it, it took a piece of his humanity.
The crew could see the changes, too. Azriel, who had been quiet since the pact, now watched Raizen with an expression of deep concern. He knew the risks. He had lived through them himself.
"Raizen," Azriel said one evening, his tone cautious. "The Crown's influence grows stronger with every passing day. You're already paying the price for your ambition."
Raizen didn't look up from the map he was studying, his finger tracing the route to their next destination. "I'll handle it. I'm not weak."
Azriel's eyes narrowed. "This isn't about weakness. It's about the cost of the power you sought. The Crown will take more than you're willing to give. And eventually, it will demand your soul."
Raizen finally looked up, his gaze cold. "I'm not afraid of it. I'll do whatever it takes to reach my goal."
"Don't let it consume you," Azriel warned, his voice low. "The Crown doesn't care about your goals. It only cares about control. And it won't stop until you're its puppet."
But Raizen was already beyond hearing him. The power, the darkness, it was too alluring. The promise of vengeance, the weight of the past that had scarred him — it all pushed him forward. He couldn't stop now.
The Demon's Toll
The next battle came sooner than expected. The crew had reached a port town where rumors of the Crown's existence had drawn the attention of a notorious bounty hunter — someone who had been tracking Raizen for weeks. He was known only as "The Demon," a merciless hunter who had a reputation for eliminating anyone who stood in his way. His appearance alone was enough to strike fear into the hearts of those who crossed him. His eyes, cold and dead, were said to pierce through the very soul.
Raizen stood at the edge of the docks, his senses on high alert. The Demon was close. He could feel it — the approaching storm, the anticipation of battle. And with it, a surge of power that called to him, like a siren's song. The Crown beckoned.
"Raizen," Zhara said, her voice barely audible. "Are you ready for this?"
Raizen's gaze hardened. "I've been ready for a long time."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the figure of the Demon appeared, stepping out from the shadows. His silhouette was imposing, towering over them as he drew a massive, bloodstained blade. His grin was cruel, almost knowing, as he locked eyes with Raizen.
"You must be the one they call the 'Crowned'," the Demon said, his voice smooth and mocking. "I've been looking forward to this."
Raizen's hand twitched, instinctively reaching for the power inside him. The Crown was alive within him, whispering its promises of domination, of victory. He could feel the darkness building within him, his pulse quickening as the power surged. This was it. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
But as the power surged, so did the pain. A searing agony exploded through his chest, and for a moment, Raizen thought he might collapse. The Crown's price was taking its toll — but there was no turning back now.
Raizen gritted his teeth, forcing the pain down. "I'm going to destroy you."
With a roar, Raizen unleashed the Crown's power. Shadows erupted from the ground, swirling around him like a tempest. The air crackled with dark energy, and the Demon's eyes widened in recognition.
"You're more dangerous than I thought," he growled, raising his sword.
The battle began.
End of Chapter 5: The Demon's Toll