Final Countdown
With the reappearance of the Cardinal of War and Flame, the final stretch of the Fiend's training underwent a change of pace.
While Kieran had not been lax in his efforts to galvanize the Fiends, he could never truly compare to the Cardinal in that regard. He was too proficient in the Way of the Fiend, bringing it to a consummate level that Kieran aspired to reach.
The old man was a genuine Archmaster and carried a presence forged in the hellish crucible of war, tempered by the peril of the Land of Ruin and honed by the march of time. Kieran had felt the effects of Cardinal Weiss' presence firsthand. It provided clarity and grounded those in its scope by painting a grim perspective — either battle without fear or restraint… or prepare for your demise.
Kieran could not compare in any of those elements, but he had his specialties.