Chapter 6: The Rise of Beelzebub (Must Listen)

Johnny meets Piper, the legendary wise man, by a quiet river’s fire and is surprised to find him a frail yet sharp-witted old man. As they share a meal, Johnny presents the book with no name, and Piper, awestruck, recounts its ancient history. He tells of a benevolent king who sought the book, only for it to be discovered by Nick, a man revealed to be an immortal Oni. Nick betrayed the kingdom, murdered the royal family, and became Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies, enslaving the land in his hunt for the book and the legendary Sword of Pneuma. Piper reveals that the voice calling Johnny in his visions belongs to Angolos, the sword’s spirit, and that only Johnny can hear him. Overwhelmed, Johnny doubts his worth, but Piper insists the fate of the kingdom is in his hands. Aldrich arrives, greeting Piper like an old friend, and as the fire burns low, Johnny, burdened by what he’s learned, lays down to rest, the weight of destiny pressing upon him.