KING DAVID POV
It was a very cold and snowy day. I was taking a walk with my special adviser, Jaden.
We talked as we entered the woods.
"You... Your Majesty… we're in the woods," he said nervously, his voice trembling.
His fear irritated me. "So what's wrong?" I asked, my voice cold and sharp.
"N-nothing, Your Majesty. I just think... it might not be safe here," he stammered. "Do you know my name, Jaden?"
"Y-yes, Your Majesty."
"Then say it."
"Great King David Ravenholt, my king."
"Exactly. And you know very well that this kingdom bears my name—St. David Kingdom. Everything in it bows before that name. The name you just spoke belongs to a warrior and a god. That is me. So you have nothing to fear, Jaden. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied, bowing his head.
We continued walking until we heard a low, slow voice behind us. It said, "Help... please help me." We turned and saw a dirty old woman in torn clothes, lying on the ground. She looked blind. But just a moment ago, she hadn't been there. Jaden moved forward to help her, but I stopped him.
"Hold it! Are you out of your mind? You were going to help this godforsaken thing? Do you even know where she came from?"
"But Your Majesty... She needs help. She's clearly blind," Jaden said, pity in his eyes. "Silence at once! Being my special adviser does not give you the right to defy my command. This woman is a witch. She has committed two or more atrocities, and this... this is her punishment." Jaden stood up straight.
"Alright, Your Majesty. I understand."
"Good. Let's go," I ordered.
Suddenly, the woman grabbed the end of my robe and began wailing. I yanked out my sword, sliced off the piece of cloth she held, and drove my blade through her palm, pinning her hand to the ground. "Don't ever touch me with your filthy, cursed hands again," I snapped. I pulled out the sword, wiped the blood off, and tossed the torn cloth away.
Then the woman rose to her feet. Her voice changed—louder, echoing. "Just as I have always known... heartless and arrogant. You haven't changed, David."
"How dare you speak my name? I am King David!" I roared. "That title—'King'—doesn't suit you. It belongs to those with kind and pure hearts." Fury surged through me. I thrust my sword into her chest. But she didn't flinch. She didn't even blink. Instead, her appearance changed. She became younger, like a woman in her middle years. Her clothes turned white.
And then—my sword crumbled into ashes in my hands.
I was a bit scared. Who could this be?
Then Jaden said, "They are real."
"What's real?" I asked.
"She's a member of the Seraphic Keepers."
I had heard of them—holy and pure beings. Half-gods who protect, judge, and punish humans. And I hated them deeply.
"Seraphic Keepers? How dare you trespass into our kingdom!" I thundered.
"You dare to show arrogance to the leader of the Seraphic Keepers? You will pay for your sins," she said in a cold, hushed tone.
"I pay for no sins!" I growled, curling my hands into fists and throwing a punch at her.
But she caught my hand mid-air using her powers, and the grip inflicted intense pain.
"I shall place a curse on you, David. You shall turn into a monstrous beast by moon-out…"
As she spoke those words, I groaned, agony surging through my veins like fire.
"…If exposed, you will end up killing the people you love. And as for you, Jaden—you are blessed. You have a good heart," she said, then disappeared.
I collapsed to the ground, weak.
"Your Majesty, are you okay?" Jaden asked.
"Stay away from me," I replied angrily.
I was feeling strange at that moment—my head was spinning, my heart was beating rapidly, and my breathing had slowed. I was very weak; I could barely stand.
I could see Jaden saying something, but I couldn't hear a thing. My vision was blurry.
I closed my eyes and opened them a minute later—only to see Jaden staring at me, his eyes wide open in shock.
I could see the fear written all over his face. Then, to my surprise, he turned and ran.
I stood up slowly, more confused than I had ever been in my life.
Rain began to fall from the dark clouds above. I tried to take a step, but fell again.
I looked down into a puddle of water—and saw my reflection
My eyes were red. ''What's happening to me?'' I said, breathing heavily.
I felt my bones breaking and my body growing larger and hair growing longer in every part of my body; the shift was so painful.
I became a wolf and lost my senses, and I ran straight to the palace. I was so fast that I still met Jaden running, and then I followed.
Jaden increased his speed when he saw me coming; we both entered the palace at the same time. Servants started running for their lives; guards surrounded me, but I killed them all by ripping their hearts out one by one and tearing them into pieces.
I strode into the palace then I saw Jaden—he was standing with my wife. She was pregnant and clutching two children I didn't even recognize.
I ran toward them and leapt.
Jaden, along with the two children, managed to escape just in time.
But I landed on my wife.
Without control, I tore into her.
The next moment, a sharp pain shot through my shoulder—a spear had pierced me.
I roared in agony.
I turned and it was Jaden. I wanted to attack him but he quickly gave me a cut on my jaw and pierce my paw to the ground then I became weak and unconscious.
The next day, I woke up in a cage. My body was back to normal—but I was naked.
"Get me out of here!" I shouted angrily.
The guards rushed over, quickly opened the cage, and handed me clothes to wear. Moments later, Jaden appeared.
I walked up to him and punched him hard in the jaw, knocking him to the ground.
"You!" I pointed at him. "You betrayed me!" I shouted furiously.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," he pleaded, bowing his head in shame.
Then my children entered the room, their faces stained with tears.
"Why are they here?... Where is your mother?" I asked.
"She... she's dead, Your Majesty," a guard answered, summoning the courage to speak.
"Dead?" I echoed in disbelief.
I turned to Jaden, my voice filled with rage. "This is all your fault! Lock him up. But before that—give him two hundred lashes. And gather the army. I'm going to kill that bastard sect leader."
"Please, please, Your majesty," Jaden begged for his life, but I ignored him and stormed out.
I assembled troops and invaded the realm of the Seraphic Keepers. We slaughtered many of their members and warned the humans to stop worshipping them—or face death.
This enraged the leader of the Seraphic Keepers. In her wrath, she strengthened the curse, binding it to my bloodline—every firstborn son would inherit the beast.
Since then... I have known no peace