"Your power is unparalleled," the King began, his voice calm but grave. "But with great power comes great responsibility, as you must know. It is why I must confide in you... we face a threat that no ordinary mage can confront. Not even the legendary mages we have in our service."

Kieran raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing slightly. His mind, still clouded with the remnants of rage, was now focused on the words the King spoke.

"There's something... or rather someone, lurking in the shadows of our kingdom," the King continued, his tone heavy with worry. "A dark force, a being who has been slaughtering entire villages in the dead of night. What is worse, they are turning the bodies of the fallen into demonic puppets, creatures that hunt under the cover of darkness. These creatures are not just mindless beasts—they are as powerful as any legendary mage, capable of wreaking havoc on our kingdom."

Kieran's gaze darkened as he absorbed the information. His mind flashed back to his own past, the betrayal he had suffered, the torment he had endured. His thoughts swirled with anger, but he kept his composure.

"So, what do you want from me?" Kieran asked, his voice cold but filled with a hint of curiosity.

The King met his gaze steadily, his expression serious. "We need to know who is behind this madness. We need someone with power—someone who can track them, confront them, and put an end to the terror they have brought to our lands. Your magic, your strength... it might be the only way to stop this."

Elara stepped forward, her eyes filled with concern. "But Kieran, this is dangerous. The people you are facing... they’re not like anything you’ve ever fought before. Demons, puppets... they’re too powerful."

Kieran glanced at her for a moment, his eyes flickering with a mix of determination and caution. "I’ve fought monsters before," he said, his voice steady. "And I’ll fight whatever this is. If this being is responsible for turning innocents into these creatures... I’ll make them pay."

The King nodded, though his face remained troubled. "We don’t know who the mastermind is behind this dark force, but we have reason to believe that they are hiding in the shadows. They’ve taken refuge in the Forbidden Woods, a cursed place where no one dares to tread. It’s a place filled with ancient magic, dark energies that twist the very fabric of life itself."

Elara’s expression darkened as she spoke, her voice low. "The Forbidden Woods... I’ve heard of it. It’s a place where even the bravest adventurers never return. The spirits of the dead roam there, and those who venture in are never seen again."

Kieran’s gaze hardened as he turned to face the King. "If this is where I must go, then I will. I’ll face whatever this is, no matter the cost."

The King’s expression was filled with both relief and unease. "I hope you know what you are walking into, Kieran. The being behind all of this... they are no mere sorcerer. This is a power beyond anything we have encountered. We do not know what they are truly capable of, but the destruction they have wrought in the villages is only the beginning."

Kieran’s eyes gleamed with cold resolve. "I’m not afraid."

The King’s lips tightened into a thin line. "Then you must go quickly. Every day this madness continues, more innocents will be turned into those mindless demons. If you fail… there may be no kingdom left to save."

Kieran nodded curtly, his mind already focused on the task at hand. The weight of the King’s words didn’t faze him—he had a greater purpose now, a reason to fight beyond his own pain and rage.

With a final glance at the King, Kieran turned toward Elara, who was watching him with a mixture of concern and hope.

"I’m going to end this," Kieran said, his voice resolute.

Elara stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. "Be careful. You may be powerful, but this... this is something different. Don’t lose yourself."

Kieran looked at her, his expression unreadable. "I won’t. I’m not the same person I was before."

Together, they made their way out of the throne room, the weight of the King’s request heavy on their shoulders. The road ahead would be treacherous, but Kieran was certain of one thing: whoever was behind this darkness would not escape. He would hunt them down. He would confront them. And when the time came, he would show them the true meaning of power.

As they left the capital behind, the distant sound of the wind whispered of the coming storm. The Forbidden Woods awaited, and with it, the greatest challenge Kieran had yet to face.

But he was ready.