Threads of the black manuscript

Nezra found no rest that night, tormented by the hellish images Azrel's words had imparted. When dawn broke, she rose exhausted but determined. While her coven sisters readied for the day's rituals, Nezra slipped away under the pretense of an errand in town.

In truth, she drove to the local university library seeking answers the witching community lacked. Endless databases and archives held knowledge untapped by magical means. After several fruitless hours scouring topics on the occult and ancient grimoires, a slip of parchment caught her eye - a fragment from an antiquated bestiary listing infernal hierarchies.

Buried in an footnote referenced The Black Manuscript, an undocumented blasphemous text said to predate even The Necronomicon. Nezra photocopied the page, heart quickening. At last, a tangible lead! She packed her findings and hurried to share them with Mika, hoping her friend's logical mind could pick apart clues the witches missed.

Dusk fell as they pored over musty library books together. A breakthrough came when Nezra noticed stylistic similarities between a crumbling woodcut and arcane symbols from the book of shadows. "This Medieval codex depicts rituals to contact the same demon king Azrel claims dominion over. But it was lost centuries ago..."

Mika frowned thoughtfully. "Unless portions survived in fragmented form, adapted into later grimoires as their origins blurred. Like a game of posthumous telephone between dark practitioners." She met Nezra's excited gaze. "I think you may have found the genesis of The Necronomicon at last. But where does this trail actually lead?"

Nezra knew only one who could answer that question. As night deepened, she bade Mika goodbye and drove to the forest, determination overcoming reservations. This time, her summoning would be flawless - and Azrel would provide clarification, willing or no. She had endured enough half-truths from the demon. Answers would be had, one way or another...

As night fell, Nezra drove out to the forest glade once more. Setting up the warding circle took on a practiced ease, though her nerves still hummed with anticipation. Upon completing the array, she paused to steady her resolve before calling out the summoning incantation in a clear voice.

Smoke swirled at the perimeter but nothing else happened. Frowning, Nezra tried again with more force behind the words. Still no response. A prickle raised the hairs on her neck—she sensed Azrel's mocking gaze observing her from the shadows.

"Show yourself, demon! I command your presence this night."

Silence. Nezra grit her teeth and began preparing a binding ritual, determined to force the creature's appearance if needed.

Before she could start, a low chuckle echoed from the dark trees. "Your commands amuse me almost as much as that spellwork, little witch. You really thought a lowly summoner like yourself could compel the lord of the Ninth?"

Azrel materialized in a swirl of leaves, looming just beyond the wardline. His eyes glowed like the heart of a furnace. "However, I find your fire entertainment enough that I deign to answer your impertinent summons...for now."

Nezra maintained a calm facade. "There are holes in the chronicle of that book and its origins you've evaded filling. I ask again—what came before The Necronomicon? Reveal the name and author of this 'Black Manuscript' precursor."

The demon grinned, sharp teeth glinting. "Ah, so the mouse has uncovered crumbs leading to greater mysteries. And you expect me to simply unwind it all in tidy explanations?" He cocked his horned head calculatingly. "What will you offer in return for such forbidden fruits, mortal?"

Nezra's heart raced but she refused to back down now. "Name your price, demon. I have withstood your intrigues so far and will risk more to slake my thirst for forbidden wisdom."

Azrel's smile twisted into something hungrier. He began to circle, his sibilant voice caressing Nezra's ears. "Your daring pleases me, little witch...very well. Three tasks I shall set, as before—complete them successfully and I will reveal all about the first grimoire. But this time, should you fail...your soul is mine to despoil, not just claim."

He disappeared in a sulfurous cloud, his final parting words reverberating ominously: "Look to the new moon for your first challenge, Nezra. May the gods have mercy...for I shall have none."