- I don't understand, I have performed the procedure exactly the same. - The royal healer scratched his head, looking at the king, shackled to his own bed, drenched in blood. The Blak Guard, the king's personal bodyguards, surrounded him with weapons sheathed but on alert. Terrified servants scrubbed the floor hastily and carried pieces of a torn body out of the room. Thankfully there wasn't much left of her.

- Sara was the third maid his majesty had attacked, Braidbeard. He grows more aggressive every day since your ritual. Sure, the king was quick-tempered before, but this? - asked Kazimir, the captain of the Blak Guard, from the chamber's entrance. He carefully stepped over the red stain on the floor and stood next to the elf healer, who was stroking his long beard, deep in thought.

The king started shaking forcefully, tugging on the bedframe. The servants all froze in fear and the guards tensed up. They didn't grab their weapons, they still couldn't hurt the king even if he attacked them. The thrashing stopped after a few seconds and the king returned to his rest. The servants looked at the guards for reassurance, who slowly relaxed their muscles.

A loud crack shocked the tense silence as the king suddenly convulsed again and broke off one of the canopy's legs. He shrieked with an otherworldly voice. Four guards jumped him at the same time, trying to restrain their ruler. The king was in great health and the curse only increased his strength. One of the guards was thrown into a nearby wall. His armor bent as he struck the hard stone. The servants jumped up and fled the room.

Strunitor Braidbeard stood unfazed amongst the chaos, observing the king. The elf healer had seen plenty of severe illnesses and curses during his centuries of life and saw each as a puzzle to be solved.

- His symptoms have worsened since I last saw him. I've handled something similar before. Although his state is deteriorating much faster than expected.
- What do you recommend? This can't go on for long before the kingdom realizes what is happening. If word gets out that his majesty has gone mad, there will be riots.
- The king must be kept in these chambers at all times until I find a solution. I also suggest that you reinforce the door. His majesty has grown much stronger since the procedure.
- How long will that be? We can't keep him locked up forever; he's the king!

- WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? UNHAND ME AT ONCE! - shouted the king in his own voice. He finally came to his senses. The guards let the seething man go, their muscles aching from the long minutes of intense struggle. - What is the meaning of this? Why am I chained to my bed? Kazimir, I demand an explanation! - Kazimir stepped forward and bowed.
- My king, it seems that you have succumbed to Jacob's Curse once again. - The king gazed furiously at the captain and around the room. Pieces of a brain still lying scattered around the floor and his garments, red stains covering the room and the anxious posture of the guards all confirmed what his captain said. Still, he refused to accept the truth.

- No, that maid, Sara was to bring me some refreshments. She should be here already! Where is that lazy servant?
- That was hours ago, my king. You appear to have murdered her with your bare hands.
- That is nonsense. What game are you playing at? Bring her to me at once! - The king glanced at his one free hand. His nails were broken off; dried blood covered the green discoloration of his skin.

Braidbeard stepped forward, shaking his head.
- I'm afraid this is more than Jacob's Curse, my king. I haven't seen effects this severe on anybody in generations. I'm afraid one of Kaos' demons had possessed you.
- You dare lie to me as well, Braidbeard? I pray to the gods every day. Perviga wouldn't allow me to be possessed! I'm faithful!
- Alas, it is the most straightforward explanation. All of the new symptoms point towards demonic possession.
- That girl must have tried to poison me! Kazimir, bring me her head! - Kazimir's legs began walking away to fulfill his king's command, but he stopped after the first step. He stared at the remaining pieces of Sara on the floor.
- What are you waiting for? I gave you an order!

Braidbeard stepped between the king and Kazimir.
- I advise you to stay bound to this bed, my king. I shall fetch an exorcist at once.
- NO! I will not be kept prisoner in my own palace! Release me at once! - The king began struggling against the shackles once more. The healer turned around and exited the chamber. The guards looked back and forth between their captain and their king. The latter shouted and thrashed around as his mind slipped away again. The captain turned to follow the healer and ordered his men to bind the king even more.

The next few weeks were busy. Priests, clerics and healers frequented the Austium Palace under false pretenses to try and cure the king's affliction. Despite their efforts, the king slowly lost himself to madness. His murderous outbursts grew in frequency and the Blak Guard isolated the whole wing. The king's food was quickly delivered on a platter and the attempts to cure him were done with the help of the guards, who held down their liege. Between these instances, the king, or whatever was left of him, wandered around the wing alone. The arrival of so many people did not go unnoticed and word got out about the king's state. Boris 'the Demon', they called him. The church demanded his head. The nobility urged him to abdicate.

Strunitor Braidbeard was at the end of his wits. He spent generations trying to cure this curse, yet he seemed to fail again and again. Baraton III, Boris' great-great-grandfather, also became possessed by a demon. But it was much milder, more manageable. Braidbeard worked day and night. He went through his notes, his ingredients, his methods. Why did his ritual work before? Why did it fail this time? He couldn't understand.

Then the banging started. The king, completely succumbing to his ailment, began bashing the door that blocked the entrance into the prison that his guards fashioned for him. It didn't stop. Without pause, the Demon besieged the door that kept him contained. The guards didn't feed him anymore. There was no need. The king had limitless stamina. The court mages and clerics placed defensive wards around the wing to stop the king from escaping through the windows. They were no longer dealing with a crazed madman, but rather the manifestation of the evil gods' will.

The wizards and healers gathered in front of the door to debate their options, Kazimir amongst them. His majesty was no more, having lost the battle against Kaos. One choice remained; a new king was needed. The Blak Guard gathered around the cracked door. Its metal reinforcement was bent out of shape, the hinges barely holding on. They waited for hours for a break in the assault against the door, preparing themselves for what came next. Then suddenly, the beast retreated. Kazimir pulled out the bars that held the door shut. He drew his sword, along with the other guards. He turned around one last time to look into the eyes of his fellow guardsmen.

- Long live the king! - he shouted, pulled the door open and charged in.