Even if Erik technically was still a human, he still counted as a demon. The priests and holy knights would hunt down him relentlessly. He shrugged, that didn’t matter now. He had still a few coins and there were taverns in the outskirts. Even if calling them outskirts was a stretch.

Houses build upon houses, dirt, shit and children, all together in that abomination that was the outskirts. Home to thieves, murders and rapists. And demons now. While walking upon a street, he heard something strange:

“Would you stop struggling! We only want your money, but if you still resist we would be forced to take something else”

Erik turned, there were three men.

“No, please” a woman cried as he tried to protect a small child

“You had this one coming!”

Suddenly the wall shook, it was the sound of broken bones, the bandit turned only to see one of his death on the floor.

“Who are-” Erik charged the other one, stunning him with his shield. Then turned to cut the throat of the other with his axe.

“Thanks” the woman longed to Erik, “but, why did you save me?” Erik didn’t turn, seeing how one of them was trying to crawl out.

“Have you any idea how much time has passed since I last had a good dinner” Erik face twisted into that of a crow, “I need blood. Yours” jumping on him like a wild animal, he assaulted his throat.

When he was done, the three men were dead, and the woman nowhere to be seen.

“Two silver coins? What are we monks?” said Erik while counting his loot. He had hoped to gain something more. He went to the nearest and cheapest tavern and took a bath.

Furthermore, he needed to change clothes and repair his equipment. Routine for him, but still hard. Then he began thinking about what to do. He looked at the black tome that he brought with him. Incomprehensible for him. Maybe, he could sell it at a high price? Was that book enough to kill? He didn’t know.

While on his philosophical musing a large lighting stroke, huge clouds of smoke stood high not far from the tavern. “What is happening?!?”