Edward asked in a trembling voice, trying to comprehend the presence of this mysterious entity before him: "Who are you? And can you truly avenge me?"
The servant replied with a chilling calmness, adjusting his white gloves: "I cannot give you my true name now, Master; for the names of our kind are our chains. You must discover it yourself by searching through your family's history. At the moment you utter my true name, I shall be freed from this covenant and depart. For now, I am merely a 'shadow' bound by the drop of blood that fell upon the Ferguson Ring."
The servant pointed to the ruby ring, which was beginning to cool on Edward's finger, and continued: "As for revenge... I cannot kill your enemies directly on your behalf. The covenant dictates that I be your 'tool,' not your 'substitute.' I will teach you how to take revenge, I will protect you with my entire being, and I will be your mastermind, but your hand must be the one to end their lives. Mark my words, Master: revenge is a dish best served cold... and with precision."
Edward asked, trying to summon his courage: "How shall I call you then?" The servant smiled a mysterious smile that revealed a strange glint in his crimson eyes: "Call me 'Tula'... until the time comes when you discover who I truly am."
Suddenly, Tula's tone grew sharper and more serious, his features cloaked in a terrifying solemnity: "However, Master, you must know that power in our world is never granted in vain. Everything has a price; nothing in this life is free, especially when it involves a covenant with a being like me. Are you ready to pay the price so that the pillars of this contract may be completed, and my protection over you becomes absolute?"
Edward did not hesitate, for injustice had already scorched his heart: "I will pay... I have nothing left to lose. But, are you not already my servant? Why must I purchase protection with an additional price?"
Tula replied, stepping toward Edward and turning the room's air into frost: "This price is for the 'Eternal Oath.' I will be with you like your shadow; no man or demon shall be able to harm you as long as I am by your side. I will do whatever you command without restriction or condition... even if it means burning this entire city to the ground."
Edward fell silent for a moment, then said firmly: "Agreed... what is the price?" Tula whispered, leaning close to Edward's face until the latter felt his cold breath: "One of your eyes... Master."
Before Edward could utter a word, a pain beyond human experience surged through his body, as if a dagger of ice had pierced his skull. A silent scream was trapped in his chest as he covered his left eye with his hand. When he opened his right eye, he found the world split in two; one half visible, and the other drowned in eternal darkness.
Tula extended his hand, in which a black blindfold of fine silk had suddenly appeared. He said in a tone of deep appreciation: "Please, Master... wear this blindfold. Your safety and your prestige are of the utmost importance now. And now, I shall prepare a warm bath for you to change these clothes, while I prepare a dinner worthy of the beginning of the new Ferguson era.