A man was kneeling on the floor, his arms bound in chains with his head hanging over the edge of a wooden block as heavy footsteps, resounded in his eardrums.

Sandals appeared in the man's peripheral as a deep voice spoke. "Stilicho... why did you sign that accord with barbarian scum?"

"For the prosperity of the empire my friend, like we ALL should be doing." Muttered Stilicho. "Is my wife, Theodosius safe?"

"Do not worry old friend; we are not that bloodthirsty." Sighed the sandaled man as he stepped away. "We made sure it was painless for her."

Looking down to the floor, Stilicho gave a weak smile. "If only once I wish you would say yes, even though I know it to be a lie."

As he looked down the floor changed from wood to dirt, and two arrows pierced his stomach, drawing copious amounts of blood. "Ahh, this is a memory I haven't had in a long time."

A burning castle, far east in design illuminated the area as groups of men clashed. The flags attached to their backs fluttered brilliantly in the wind, proudly displaying their house.

A voice echoed out from behind the sitting man. "Nobunaga, my brother, do you know why it has come to this?"

Coughing out a mouthful of blood the kneeling Nobunaga laughed. "Because I am a fool that can't help but trust others?."

Suddenly the world spun as Nobunaga's head was removed from his body. -"I miss the abyss..."

====

Slowly opening his eyes, the sounds of the open plan bar Mors was sitting in, hammered his senses causing him to wince and blink a few times to focus his eyes.

He was currently sitting in the bar of the Desert Swan, a 4-star inn located in the upper-class area of Matn, typically reserved for nobles and wealthy merchants. -"Have to hand it to Kara's sticky fingers... I doubt anyone would think to look for a blood-crazed demon here. I just wish she would hurry up. It's been three days already."

Mors chuckled to himself, drawing the irritated gazed of a group of late teens/the early twenties adventurers, wearing shiny, almost ceremonial like armour and unused weapons.

A blonde haired man stood up from his stool, his perfect silver armour reflecting the light, and strutted towards Mors with an arrogant smile. "Whats a commoner, with such shabby clothing doing here? Shouldn't you be somewhere more suited for you... rank... like the slums?"

A few of the young women looked at the man with starry eyes causing Mors to chuckle even louder. -"Some things never change."

After taking a large gulp from the tankard in front of him, he finally spoke. "A few words of advice boy... Do not judge a book by its cover, for what really matters is often invisible to the naked eye."

The young man's face flushed red, and he slammed his hand onto the table. "And what the fuck does that mean?"

"David, I think it means he is not all that he seems." Muttered one of the boys from his group as he pushed his glasses' up with one finger.

Glaring at the geeky boy that spoke, David returned his focus on Mors. "So what if he has fancy words... you can hire a scholar for a few silvers. Why don't you lower that scrap of cloth your using as a hood and face me like a man?"

Taking a quick glance to make sure the girls were watching he continued. "Or are you nothing but a coward... Don't let my father's position, the lord of this great city, scare you. If you have an issue with my words, then speak up."

Letting out a booming laugh, Mors finished his drink before standing up. "It's as you say I am no man, just a lowly creature who has wandered into a place he does not belong. I shall retire young Lord and leave the ladies swooning over your magnificent victory and immense power."

"You dare mock me?" A vein running down Davids' forehead began throbbing. -"Not even my father has ever disrespected me so much. Who does this beggar think he is?"

Mors raised his hand as he turned his back on the David and began walking away. "Young Lord, I am only stating the facts, is it not true that the only reason you have spoken to me because you wanted to show off your power to the ladies? It's also true that I am not a human so, although I am a male, I cannot be considered a man, and although I find this kind of environment... amusing, It is not really suited to my tastes. You are the one mocking yourself, for trying to pick a fight with someone you deem inferior."

"I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL! DO YOU DARE ACCEPT." Road David.

"No, go play somewhere else."

David pointed at Mors. "Guards seize him."

Hesitating, the leader of the guards, only differentiated by the green feather sticking from his cap leant towards the fuming young man. "My lord, he had committed no crime, nor has he actually said anything that is considered an offence."

"Just you wait! I will have your head on a pike for trying to make a fool out of me." Spat David, shaking with rage.

Mors turned around, his hood covering everything but his mouth which was twisted into a mocking smile. "It is far better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you're a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. Don't you think so... my lord?"

Without waiting for a response, Mors ascended the stairs, his smile vanishing. -"For fuck sake Mors, you don't always have to have the last word... Grow up!"

Reaching the top of the stairs, he turned down a long corridor and enter a room with the number 42 on the door.

Upon entering Mors froze as, on the second bed closest to the window, bathed in warm sunlight, was the dark green, leather remains of a cocoon that had recently split open. "Kara?"