A Promised Death

Kieran staggered as if struck by lightning. 

He stared at the zealous man with an incredulous expression because Heartsbane was a name that came to him shortly after becoming the Condemned Fiend and experiencing his Red Welcome. 

Now, it was being revealed that this name related to a weapon the Cardinal of War and Flame was forging.

More than that, the weapon embodied the heart-wrenching sensation inspired by the aftermath of war and fire. It pierced Kieran's chest, lanced through his body like a heavenly spear hell-bent on destruction, and he still had trouble breathing.

It wasn't until the Cardinal reined in whatever he supplied the weapon that Kieran gasped deeply, swallowing air like a voracious fiend. He had been seconds away from passing out.

It made him wonder, though — what kind of weapon could inspire that much dread?