Kieran rarely ventured out of the heavenly realm, as his presence tended to intimidate humans. However, he had an urgent need to gather more information about the mysterious threat they were facing. Fiddling with the delicate golden band on his finger, he decided to temporarily leave the heavenly realm in search of answers. With a twist of the ring, he vanished and reappeared on the bustling streets of the city, his eyes scanning the surroundings in search of clues.

In his nearly 5,000 years of existence, Kieran had witnessed a few instances of evil infiltrating the mortal realm, but they had always been small and easily eradicated. However, this time felt different, and he couldn't quite put his finger on why. Despite his divine powers, he could sense a distinct difference, but he struggled to explain or comprehend it. 

Unease?

Uncertainty? 

Regardless of what he called it, he had to press on.  Determined to find answers, he walked up and down the city streets, hoping for a stroke of luck or a sign that would guide him.

As he wandered, his attention was captured by a newsstand, where a headline caught his eye.  

Fiery Inferno Unveils Sinister Scheme: Coffee Stop Targeted in Intentional Act of Arson

A picture was below the headline of a man in singed clothes in handcuffs, being drug away by police officers. 

In the gripping aftermath of this chilling investigation, Taylor Key is taken away in handcuffs after having run from police officials after callously starting the huge fire at Sunflower Cafe 

Intrigued, Kieran examined the profile of the culprit, realizing that this could be a starting point in his investigation.

In an instant, he appeared at the scene of the coffee shop. The remnants of the devastating fire still lingered, and the area was cordoned off with police tape. Kieran walked through the ashes, rubbing the fine particles between his fingers. "Normal mortal ash," he murmured to himself, taking mental note of his findings. He could still see the faint outlines of the victims amidst the ash, and he wondered if there was any connection between them.

With a determined resolve, Kieran continued to explore the destroyed shop, hoping to uncover any clues that would shed light on the situation. Placing his hands over the disturbed piles of ashes, he attempted to visualize the lives that were lost, searching for any patterns or connections among the victims. However, his efforts proved fruitless, and he couldn't find any discernible link between them.

Turning his attention to the shop owner, who was absent during the incident, Kieran considered the possibility of a personal grudge against him. Just as he contemplated this, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Watching as the policemen surveyed the scene and gathered evidence, Kieran discreetly examined their name badges, looking for the one in charge. He approached the captain, who froze momentarily upon sensing something around him. The captain's uneasy demeanor caught the attention of another officer. 

“You okay, Captain?”

He shook his head. 

“It feels so uneasy here. I’ll never get used to people’s cruelty.” He said somberly. 

The other officer nodded in agreement. 

Kieran gently placed his hands on either side of the captain's head, using his divine abilities to gather information about Taylor Key and where he was being held. 

He knew that had to be his next stop, nonetheless he was uniquely aware of the potential danger if Taylor was indeed an evil soul. 

Satisfied with the information he had obtained, he allowed them to continue the investigation.

Now outside the police station, Kieran focused on lowering his aura to avoid drawing attention. He sought out a secluded alley and took a deep breath, closing his eyes and raising his right hand. With each breath, tension built in his palm, and gray smoke began to swirl around him. Placing a finger to his lips, he exhaled and flicked his hand, sending his aura into an object nearby. The object illuminated with smoke momentarily before settling down. This wouldn’t last long and he knew it. 

Kieran appeared inside the police station, determined to locate Taylor Key. He found the cells empty and continued his search until he stumbled upon a few interrogation rooms. There, he discovered Taylor shackled to a chair, his head hanging low. Kieran materialized in front of him, prepared to disappear as soon as he was noticed, but Taylor remained unfazed. Puzzled by this, Kieran questioned how Taylor could not sense his presence.

Observing Taylor closely, Kieran waited for his aura to fully return. To his surprise, there was no indication that Taylor was a void being. Although this all but confirmed his suspicions, he would need to wait on his aura to confirm this. 

How? Kieran asked himself. How is it not sensing me?

He knew it would only be a matter of minutes before his aura returned to him, so he sat and observed the man. 

There was nothing special about him, he was an average looking mortal. Was he not an evil spirit? Kieran would need his full aura to be able to confirm his suspicions. 

He stood across from him, waiting and watching. Taylor made no movements, and his breathing was slow and steady. 

In time, the full strength of his aura had returned to him. 

Nothing… He thought. 

This all but confirmed his theory, but he walked up to the man anyway, and placed both hands on either side of his face. He looked through his memories for any sign of possession, or interaction with evil souls, and there was none. He was just a man with an intense ill placed grudge. 

His hands fell to his sides. 

But can humans really be this horrible? 

He backed away, troubled by what he saw. 

So many beautiful lives ceased to be in this realm because of jealousy? He blinked slowly as this thought crossed his mind. 

With this realization, his plan had come to a dead end. 

Would the evil show itself if I remained? He couldn’t help but wonder. Kieran knew it was worth a shot, because he had nothing else to go on at this point. 

As he exited the station, he began to walk the streets, contemplating his next move. With his eyes wide open, he observed the diverse individuals around him, casting a cautious glance at anyone who seemed out of the ordinary. Eventually, he found himself at a picturesque park just as the sun began its descent. Seating himself on a bench, he quietly observed the people passing by. In this mortal realm, he preferred to remain in his ethereal form, a wandering soul. The attention drawn by his physical presence always seemed to be either fear or desire, and he had grown weary of both during his role as the God of Death spanning nearly 5000 years.

Lost in thought, he mused about the mortals who were inexplicably captivated by him. The night passed, and with the rising sun, he resolved to resume his exploration of the city streets. As the wind picked up, he gazed upward, watching the petals from the surrounding trees gracefully dance through the air. Having served under the enigmatic Almighty since the beginning of time, Kieran had ample time to reflect on the immense power wielded by their creator. Although he himself held great power as a deity, he couldn't help but wonder about the unfathomable might possessed by the Almighty to bring forth beings like him.

Often, he found himself questioning why he had been chosen and bestowed with the title of the God of Death. Yet, as time passed, the answer became increasingly evident. Despite occasionally contemplating whether this role was a blessing or a curse, he refused to entertain such thoughts. He understood the vital role he played in the grand plan of the Almighty, even if the specifics remained elusive.

Kieran's eyes darted around, surveying his surroundings, as he continued his aimless wanderings through the city. By noon, he had traversed several city blocks repeatedly, when suddenly, a familiar sensation washed over him, prompting him to place his hand upon his heart. "May it be quick and painless," he silently prayed, a solemn expression etched upon his face.

His thoughts drifted back to the true reason for the fire. It was all over a woman, the arsonist felt like she had been stolen, and had become so enraged by their marriage that he decided to burn down their business, and he didn’t care at all that there were people inside. 

During his walk, he noticed his Angels gradually emerging, one by one, and moving in unison towards a common destination. Only seven of them possessed the ability to perceive him in his spiritual form, so the crowd of angels were all unaware of his presence. Intrigued, Kieran decided to discreetly follow, needing to uncover the reason behind their synchronized movements. He trailed behind the angels, and as he did, someone unexpectedly turned to face him. Despite the acknowledgement, he remained silent, his black hair cascading in front of his face. The individual bowed respectfully, mouthing the words "Your Grace."

It was Mors.