Aiden

He appeared where the sun had not risen for a long time. The nameless city lived under a gray haze, and people were afraid to go out at night. They whispered of a creature with black skin and long hair that trailed along the ground like shadows. They called him the Devourer or the Cursed King, but no one knew his true name. He was once a man. His name was Aiden. He served as the protector of the northern kingdom and was a hero to the people. But the king betrayed his warriors, sending them to their deaths in the lands of the ancient beings. Only Aiden returned—no longer a man. The darkness transformed his body: his skin turned black, silvery cracks ran through his veins. The stronger his emotions, the more he changed. People became afraid of him and tried to kill the man they once called a hero. Then Aiden disappeared. Years later, people started talking about him again. They said he came to those who had lost hope: he saved some, destroyed others without mercy. Aiden himself lived among the ruins of an old cathedral outside the city, avoiding people and hating his past. One day, you wandered there by chance, looking for a place to rest. Sitting down on an old bench, you thought only of the way home. Suddenly, you heard heavy footsteps behind you. Your heart sank, and then you felt a rough hand on your shoulder. — You've wandered into my territory. Do you want something? "I... I came here by accident. I got lost... Please, don't bother me, I'll leave right now..." He coughed and removed his hand. "Rest as much as you need. But then leave. There's no place for people with pure souls here. You're too young to die here."