The adventurers that were sitting at the other table initially had an amused look plastered on their faces, thinking the bunch of teens in front of them were trying to fool them. However, the entire group suddenly froze, and their complexions began to match that of the adepts.

The man that had been speaking to Claire swallowed hard. "I don't suppose you guys somehow angered this demon did you?"

Bruce and Alec slowly sat back down and hung their heads as they felt a wave of despair threatening to overwhelm them. To the adventurers as well as everyone who was eavesdropping, this was a clear admission of guilt as any.

The man's face paled even further "So.... I guess that big dog there isn't yours?... and if not... I suppose it's a dire wolf?"

Everyone who was listening immediately turned to face the direction where the man was staring.

Sitting at the corner of the table, as if it was part of the adepts group, a small, snow-white dire wolf was panting from the heat.

"Y...you said the demon that attacked Kanis had a dire wolf?" Said Bruce in a shaky voice as he started to push his chair back slowly.

Looking at the group, almost as if mocking them, the dire wolf raised its head and released a bone-chilling howl, forcing everyone nearby to clamp their hands over their ears.

After 10 seconds the wolf stood up and started trotting away towards an alleyway on the opposite side of the street where two cloaked figures stood in its shadows.

"MORS!" Alice jumped up, grabbing her staff quickly followed by the other adepts, knocking the table over, sending their half-consumed food crashing to the floor.

"This is between you and a demon, we're out of here." Said one of the adventurers as they backed away from the group. It wasn't only the adventurers, everyone that had been listening backed away from the group, pulling any that hadn't with them as they began whispering to each other.

"Should we call the guards?"

"Are you mad! Shut up and get ready to run. You piss the demon off, and you're next."

Runt finally reached Mors and looked up at him expectantly as if she had completed an arduous task.

"MORS!" Yelled Claire happily as she started walking towards him only to be held back by Bruce and Aron.

Alice remained silent, not daring to even blink in case she lost track of Mors.

Releasing a sinister chuckle, Mors tossed a bit of meat to Runt and turned around disappearing into the alleyway while singing a few, haunting words to a tune that no one had heard before. "Tiiiimme is on my side, yes it is, tiiiiimme is on my side, oh yes it is, searching for the good times."

"Shit... he has our scent," spat Alec, snapping from his daze as he picked up the rest of his belongings. "We are leaving now!"

Claire stood there dumbstruck for a moment before smiling. -"He still isn't strong enough to take them on, I still have time to save my sister."

Claire joined the others as they hurriedly pushed through the crowd heading towards the northern gates.

==== Alleyway ====

"Mors that was the girl that helped me. Is she the one you were talking about?" Said, Kara, as she struggled to keep up with Mor's powerful strides. Seeing his prey so close had invigorated him enough to ignore the pain, rippling through his body.

A happy, vicious voice flowed out of Mors' hood. "Yes, that is Claire."

"Are you going to kill her too?" Replied Kara as she ran in front of him trying to see Mors' expression.

"No, just the others. Although her twin sister is one of them which may cause some... complications."

Kara fell back to Mors' side. "Why didn't you attack? You killed the others when you were much weaker."

"The situation wasn't to our advantage and. " Mors blood-lust briefly erupted, causing the birds roosting on the roofs to scatter and a child to cry off in the distance. "Where is the fun in killing them like that."

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Kara hesitated for a moment before catching up. Demons were well known for their bloody vendettas that bordered on the side of insanely obsessed. However, demons were ones that immediately took action and could be considered more like a force of nature. One that if well enough prepared for, could be stopped.

A demon who could retain its senses, precisely analysing the situation without falling to its blood-lust was a terrifying concept, even to other demons.

Kara followed in silence as they walked out into the street, briefly blinded by the light, she turned to Mors. "Where are we going?"

"To get you a status stone." Replied Mors, still lost in his own thoughts. "If you really wish to travel with me, you must become stronger."

This was the first time Mors had acknowledged her joining him, causing her to hop up and down on the spot. "REALLY! You have been trying to get rid of me for weeks, what's with the sudden change of heart? Not that I mind of course."

Mors stopped and turned towards Kara who suddenly felt intimidated. Mors was no longer acting like the injured demon he was, but as an apex predator closing down on its prey. "I have enemies much bigger than those amebas and plans far greater.

Finally seeing them in the flesh has reminded me what I must do and for that, I need people who I can trust. Ones that will break the chains of fate and take their rightful place in this shit, corrupt world."

Mors walked off to the side and into a shop with the adventures crest above its door followed by Runt.

"Hehe, you only had to ask." Chuckled Kara as she followed him. "Although I will make you tell me about your plans sooner or later."

It took a few moments for Kara's eyes to focus in the dimly light in adventures guild. Spotting Runt waiting by the door, she quickly stood beside her as she watched Mors push his way to the front of a long queue.

"Sir, there is a line for a reason." Said the clerk in a dignified manner.

"Yes, for those with time to waste." Hissed Mors as he slammed a pouch onto the counter, gold coins spilling out. Mors had been 'collecting' these coins from Kara as she was a little 'light' fingered whenever she was in populated places. "A blank status stone and a map of the Great Desert. The change is yours."

The man's eyes went wide as he realised that he would be receiving a four gold tip, an amount that would take him years to acquire, and hurried to collect the materials.

Within a minute he returned to the counter and placed a small black stone and a rolled up parchment. "Are you a member of the guild?"

Mors placed his Pathfinders seal onto the counter causing the man to smile bitterly. "Sorry Sir, I did not realise you were a member of the..."

Mors grabbed the stone and parchment before turning around. "No need to publicise it. I have what I want. Have a good day and... isn't it terrible when your so busy... living, you can't remember every customer you serve."

Realising where this was going the clerk nodded. "It is indeed terrible sir; I have to say in a few moments, I doubt I will even remember this conversation."

Mors walked across the hallway before rejoining Kara and Runt.

"You didn't have to spend all my coins." Pouted Kara.

Mors smiled. "Don't be silly; I still have enough for a few nights at a luxurious inn... just enough time for someone to complete their evolution in a nice, safe environment."

"Well, that hardly sounds fun?" Said Kara trying to contain her excitement at the prospect of being able to evolve.

"Nope but the peace and quiet will be bliss." Replied Mors before ducking down another side street and out of view.