Groups of volunteer firefighters. probably low ranked water mages, guards, as well as the more curious citizens of the city, raced past Mors as alarm bells rang behind him.

Walking slowly, taking note of the response times as well as mentally preparing himself for what was to come, the sun was already breaking through the clouds by the time Mors had reached Aldrec's shop.

Passing the now empty cart, Mors opened the door, quickly scanning the room before entering. Last night's experiences, coupled with his confrontation with the angels, had shown him just how easy it was to be killed in this world. While he did not fear death, he had something he needed to do and as such, was prepared to be overcautious.

Seeing that Aldrec and Mira were cooking breakfast, he stepped in causing Mira to turn around. "MORS! You're late. I nearly burnt breakfast."

Falling into a chair at the table, Mors looked at her as he placed his head on the table, the bag's under his eyes and his extremely pale skin making him look more like a skeleton than one of the living. "I am going to sleep."

Pouting Mira put her hands on her non-existent hips. "Not before you eat! Go upstairs and wash up."

Not having the energy to argue, Mors struggled up the stairs, watched bemusedly by Aldrec. "Mira, dear. Remember the conversation we had when I got back? He's a dangerous demon; you can't go provoking him like that. He's listening to you now, but you don't know when that will change. Your only half Nephilim, your powers are not as strong as your mothers."

"I haven't even used my powers," Mira sweetly smiled as she put a plate full of sausages, eggs and green vegetables on the table where Mors was previously sitting. "After he had looked into my eyes, I could tell he wasn't a bad demon; he's just hurt and alone."

"Mira..." Aldrec was at a loss at what to say. "He has and will do terrible things; he is not the person you think he is."

Laughing Mira returned from the stove with her father's breakfast. "Maybe it's part of my powers, but somehow I just know he will not hurt us... at least as long as we don't betray his trust. What he does when we are not around is none of our business."

The conversation died as Mors walked into the room and slumped into the chair, eating the meal that was placed in front of it.

Almost inhaling it, he pushed the plate to the side and let his head hit the table. "Aldrec, have you finished the paralysing poison I asked for?"

Aldrec took a small phial out of his pocket and hesitantly slid it across the table. "...Yes."

"Good.... The mana cores are in the blue sack. Next to it is a purse filled with coins. Once you have complete your task, rent a carriage and a couple of bodyguards and pack your belongings. You leave tonight."

Picking up the purse, quickly taking a peek inside, Aldrec's pupils went wide. "This.... this is a small fortune."

Mors closed his eyes. "I am purchasing this shop and compensating you for your services, with that you should be able to establish yourself in another city without worrying about finances for a while. I am going to sleep. Wake me a few hours before dusk."

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Leaving the demon to sleep, Aldrec began his tasks with a complicated look. He now had the means to provide his daughter with the life she deserved. However the price he had to pay wasn't cheap, and he wasn't sure how he would live with his conscience. -"If he was a devil, I am pretty sure I would have been selling my eternal soul."

==== Dusk ====

Outside Aldrec's store, a large carriage, pulled by four raptor-like creatures, waited as a few heavily armed adventurers loitered about.

"Who would have thought a guy with so much money would live in such a dump." Joked one of the men as he kicked a pebble to the side of the street.

"Probably some noble's love den." Chuckled another. "The brutal murders by that doped up guard probably put the willies up em. Jacks said that he'd had a few relocation requests today."

A female voice echoed out of a full set of plate armour. "I heard the guy even took their mana cores to sell on the black market; They only found a few on him so they think he might have stashed them somewhere thinking he would return for them."

The old man sitting in the driver's seat laughed. "Nah, I bet he had an accomplice. Then again why they would leave something that would sell so handsomely on the body, I have no idea."

The group fell silent as the store door opened and Mira and Aldrec emerged with the last of their luggage. Behind them was a pale looking man with a grim, almost frightening expression.

"Look Nads, you and him look like you would get on like a house on fire. You could play, scare the children for your first date." Laughed the old man as he took a swig from a silver canteen.

The armoured woman cocked her head as her gaze swept over Mors. "Nah, he's nothing but skin and bone. I'd break him in a heartbeat."

Noticing Aldrec's eyes nervously darting between the adventurers and the young man, The woman known as Nads realised that he was their real employer and gave him a slight bow. "Sorry for our disrespect Sir. We may be a bit foul-mouthed, but I guarantee we are the best of the best."

Heaving a sigh of relief, that did not go unnoticed to the adventures, Aldrec and Mira climbed into the carriage and closed the door, Mira giving a final wave to Mors.

Slowly walking up to the armoured woman, Mors stared into the slits in her helm. In the dying light she didn't manage to get a good look at him, but now they were this close together, her skin tingled in warning as she looked deep into his blood red, reptilian eyes. "Do not disappoint for even the ends of the earth will not be far enough for you to run."

Mors turned around and walked back into the store, closing the door behind him and letting the woman take a deep breath. Revealing a nervous smile underneath the plate helm, the woman jumped up next to the old man and signalled for them to start moving. -"On second thought... he might break me."