In the forest, an old woman tells a boy about a mysterious ritual in which the villagers sacrifice to the gods. She says that the goddess Anubis will appear the following night and demand a gift. Peter recites the words of Anubis's invocation, which state that he has been chosen because he was born on a Sunday and bears the mysterious mark. Clara goes to her lover, Peter, who is tormented by his dreams. They find no common ground. In his grief, Peter expresses a desire to tear his heart from his chest. Azaël is drawn to Peter's heart and tells him a fairy tale. It is about an old man in the forest who has withdrawn from humanity. A frightened wolf begs him for help. The man refuses to help him because neither men nor animals have ever helped him. Peter doesn't understand why he was told this story or what Azaël wants from him. Peter's mother swears to Azaël that, in his transformed form, he will take her son's heart. She receives from Azaël the robe of the goddess Anubis. Peter fears the impending "great change." His mother reassures him, reminding him that Peter is the chosen one and bears the Mark of Cain as his own. Peter accepts. They both swear by their shared darkness. Clara and Peter confess their love. Peter tells her about the Mark of Cain. Clara asks him how he obtained it. Peter refuses to answer. Clara considers her connection with Peter lost and leaves him. Peter invokes the goddess Anubis. Anubis appears. He desires Peter's heart and tells him he will replace it with a stone that night. Anubis takes Peter's heart. Peter discovers his numbness after completing the ritual. Peter's mother denies Azaël her son's heart and, filled with remorse, understands what she has done.