Death Gate

Baelor took a long sip of his tea, letting the warmth soothe his throat.

"I expect this conversation will take some time." Eren nodded, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the room once more. Each painting, each book, a unique piece to an ever-growing puzzle of knowledge. The elf cleared his throat, setting the cup aside.

"To begin, our masthead; Our binding ties, in exchange for my guidance, knowledge, and experience. You, Eren, will reclaim the lost grounds of my guild. Furthermore, you will assist in the activities within the bounds of the guild."

"Those conditions seem fine... But what exactly is the guild?" Eren asked cautiously, having been with a guild that cost him everything, Eren was somewhat sceptical. Baelor raised his hand, gesturing to the paintings, scrolls and banners hanging from the walls.

"This is the guild." His voice filled with pride. "We are the Silvermane, dragons of dusk, knights of the eternal star... We are the children of the fallen dawn." His words loud and confident, filled with passionate conviction. The elf's features hardened, eyes sparkling with intense emotion, reminiscent of the legendary figures from eons past.

"What, so the homeless outside..." Eren gestured out the door with his head.

"Once were warriors; sons and daughters of valance. Now they reside in the darkness of this mortal coil; broken, forgotten and without hope, awaiting the day when the veil lifts and the light shines once more. The world ill just to you, more so in their eyes."

"They were rankers?"

"Mostly yes; some have since lost their spark. Purpose lost to time, memories dimming in the wake of light." Baelor looked towards the fire, gaze growing distant.

A heavy silence weighed in the room; only the crackle of the flames dared disrupt it. For a time, the pair sat in quiet contemplation. Each wrapped in thoughts of their own. The fire burned low in the hearth, sputtering in the last gasps of life, desperate for another log.

"And how can I help?" Eren asked, finally breaking the silence.

Baelor smiled softly, golden eyes glistening.

"As you grow in strength and experience, you will learn to harness your talents better. As such you will aid in reclaiming the fortresses of our guild, restoring us to glory. You have come across our foes already; The Crimson bandits."

"Is that what they are called? They seem nothing more than common thugs." Baelor frowned at that statement, his eyes sharpening, piercing Eren's skin like blades.

"Do not mistake them for what you see on the surface; they are a parasite that seeks to gorge themselves on this cities underbelly. Extorting, stealing, killing. Low they maybe on the order of things but dangerous in number."

"The deal is fine so far; but how will you help me? And why did Death ask this of you?" Eren asked warily, Baelor was certainly hiding much about his true motives.

"In truth, Reaper Eren there is not much I can teach you in the art of combat and strategy. You reapers; an amalgamation of man and the abyss, wield powers beyond comprehension. I am surprised that you have gone without knowing thus far, your lord is far too capable for simple ignorance." The elf spoke kindly, finishing his tea in one fluid motion.

"An envoy from your realm was sent; tales of your valance and power spread from his lips. Stories that impressed my ear so deeply, and then he kept speaking about you, repetition after repetition. He was quite taken with your actions..."

"He didn't happen to have blonde hair and emerald eyes; also, a bit of a pervert?" Eren added hastily.

Baelor let out a hearty laugh; Only one reaper fit the description. "Oh no not-"

"Hellllllllllllllllooooooooooooooo!" Lucifer kicked the door in; a smirk stretched across his smug face. The two others shot a quick glance his way, both expressions already exacerbated.

"Did you miss me? I have missed you~." Lucifer walked in with the supermodels strut, swaggering across the room, flopping onto Eren's lap dramatically; wiggling around like a puppy.

"Get off me, your too heavy." Eren barked, pushing him away.

A sad pout appeared on Lucifer's face. "How dare you! I weigh the perfect amount."

"Welcome, Reaper Lucifer." Baelor welcomed calmly, bowing his head.

"No need for formalities, I prefer Lucifer. So, you have met my little friend." Eren resisted the reaper's embrace, desperately trying to push his hands away. "Have you got him started on his quest yet? Hmm hmm hmm?"

Baelor closed his eyes, breathing slowly; regaining his inner focus. "Yes, I was informing Eren of our terms-"

"Oooh that sounds fun!" Lucifer replied childishly. "Have you given him his rank?" Lucifer continued to digress from the conversation at hand.

"Not-"

Lucifer interrupted again. "Honestly Baelor, what do we pay you for?" The blonde elf pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Eren... Follow me please." Rising to his feet, the elf walked briskly to one of many bookcases, pulling on a leather-bound grimoire; sliding open revealing a set of stairs that led downward.

 ---

Eren followed closely behind; descending into the earth, deeper and deeper below ground. Damp brickwork lined the walls; moisture dripped down to the floor leaving a trail of moss in its path. An uncomfortable humidity clung to his clothing, beads of sweat collecting on his skin, coolness to stave away the heat. Most annoying of all was Lucifer flicking his white locks around, like a cat playing with yarn.

Finally, they emerged in a large open space; cold air stung his face, the warmth of before now replaced by icy chills. An orb of blue light sat at the centre, chained firmly in place, glowing brightly under cables and wires protruding from below; casting a dark ominous shadow across the room. Tables and benches lined up neatly across from it, books and papers scattered orderly.

"Please touch the orb." Baelor motioned his hand towards it. The orb before him was the same one that gave Eren his abilities, as well as the beginning of his fall into darkness. But now things would be different, there was nothing to fear, no longer alone in the unknown.

With only slight hesitation, Eren placed his palm against the surface, waiting anxiously for his fate. The orb pulsated softly beneath his touch, warming ever so slightly, shinning brighter with each second until eventually Eren had to squint to protect his sight. Light emanating in blinding arcs across the room; bathing the three in dazzling rays of multicolour.

"Congratulations, Eren." Baelor smiled, waving his hand from the monitor he stood behind.

"Ex - rank; Harbinger class." Lucifer leaned over his shoulder to read.

"Harbinger; draws power from the inevitability of death destruction and decay, wielding necromantic powers and the ability to absorb souls." A strange satisfaction bloomed within him; that once great emptiness now filled with something tangible.

"I will adjust your rank to a C-rank warrior, we want prying eyes unaware of your power." The process was a lot less complicated than last time, less hurdles needed.

"And too finish." Baelor passed a small glass screen device Eren's way. The screen glows with a faint blue hue; numbers, icons and words written across it.

"The newest model, although they are very much the same as each other."

The ring which has been dormant for the time he had been back with the living awoke. Tendrils reacting to the technology; wrapping tightly around it.

*Crunch*

The phone enveloped in black tentacles, bending, and twisting under unimaginable pressures; reducing to rubble and dust, crumbling to the floor. Eren held his breath, silently hoping they would say nothing.

"It didn't like it... Oh my god." An illusionary screen projected from the ring; 'System update in progress' displayed across the centre in bold lettering.

"Fuck's sake, this is something straight out of a fantasy manhwa." Eren groaned, rubbing his temples in frustration. Lucifer just giggled. The elf held back his words, letting out a long sigh.

"Can you see a screen Eren? Like an AR interface?"

Eren opened his eyes; to his astonishment, a glowing holographic display lit up in front. Like the phone he just had; stats, biography, a map, skills, abilities, traits, items. All the same functions yet vastly easier to navigate and use; it even functioned without pressing keys.

"AR screens are associated with the administrator class, that ring is certainly full of surprises."

Eren tapped around checking the different functionalities. "I'll go through how you can access the menus another time. Is there anything else?"

"I have one more gift, a token of our allegiance; From my land I have brought forth this." In the palm of Baelor's hand laid a cloak black as deepest night, soft to the touch and sturdy in make, length falling to the knees.

"May it serve you in the darkest depths, cloak you in shadows unseen. Wear it with pride Eren Heart." Bowing slightly, Baelor handed it over, gesturing for Eren to wear it.

Slowly Eren slipped on the jacket, snugly fitting his form; tight to the body, light as a feather, flowing smoothly across his skin.

"Until next time." Baelor bowed low, offering another phone. Perhaps one he will not break.

Eren took his leave, closely followed by a pestering Lucifer. "Hold a moment, reaper." Baelor called after Lucifer.

"What is it?" The reaper whined. Eren left the pair, journeying back out into the night.

 ---

Clouds gathered overhead, moonlight obscured, blanket of darkness hung heavy in the sky. Skulking through shadows and alleyways; his cloak flowing gently in the wind. Streaks of azure light flash from time to time, Eren jumping high into the air, descending to another rooftop in a single bound.

Below, only three roofs from home; a young pair walked close together. One of the two, a woman no taller than 5'6, slim built; long sleek hair tied back; wearing a thick coat to fend off the chill in the air; the other man, well-built; tall and lanky in contrast, towering above her.

'It's one in the morning? Who are these people?' Eren wondered.

Gaze unmoving from the strangers before him. Their bodies pressed against each other, his hand's keeping her warm under the night sky.

"It's not safe around here." He whispered into her ear. Quickening his pace, eager to return home.

The gang from earlier in the day emerged from a side-street, 7-strong, closing in around the couple.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Jun and his dear sister. Hiding a precious gem this one is, nice and cute; just my type!" A youth with dirty blonde hair and light brown eyes sauntered over; sizing up his prize.

"Listen, she's done with work tonight, just let us pass." The boy pulled his sister closer into him.

"Let you pass... Pfthahahahahaha!" The older man mocked.

"I think she can work another shift with us." He reached his hand out; brushing his fingers gently across her cheek.

Suddenly, the boy called Jun grabbed his wrist, stopping his advances.

"We don't want any trouble, please let us-" Without a moment's notice the blonde man slammed his forehead hard into Jun's nose; cracking it on impact. His sister let out a muffled gasp, hand is reaching out.

"Stupid bitch!" He slapped her across the face with force; knocking her to the ground. "This girl belongs to us now; I suggest you forget about her. Got it?!" Jun glared daggers at him, hatred burned in his eyes.

"Touch her and I'll kill you-"

Eren felt his blood boil. Acting on instinct, Eren jumped down sticking to his favoured shadows landing with ease.

The whip struck the dim light overhead; shattered, raining small fragments down upon the group below.

"Whose out there!?" Someone shouted.

Eren struck first, flesh smashed against concrete, breaking apart his slender bones on impact. The once cocky youth lay in agony, cradling his bloodied face, groaning in pain. Another blow found its mark; cracking ribs like sticks of twigs.

"Show yourself!" the leader roared. Fists glowing red, fire coalescing around his skin. Another member attacked in the confusion; taken into the blackened folds of night; screaming in pure agony, before quickly losing consciousness.

Fire spewed from the blonde gangster's fists, lighting the street in amber hues.

*Crack*

Number 4, 5, 6 all fell in succession. Blood splattered from broken faces and whip lashes. The final members turned tail, fleeing for their lives.

"S-Screw this!!!" The blonde leader screamed back; racing into the night.

A sharp pain radiated from his heels, cut with one swift strike, collapsing to the ground. The figure in the night was on him; Knee digging into his back, hand grabbing his hair; pressing his face down onto the cold stone pavement, grinding hard into his skin.

"W-Who are you?! You piece of shit!" Eren punched the man a few times, just enough to daze him.

"Do you want to live?" Eren asked harshly.

"Y-Yeah..." He stuttered in reply.

"Then deliver a message to your boss; This district, your territory... is MINE." Voice a low growl in the bandit's ear. The blonde man struggled under Eren's weight, but nodded frantically in acknowledgment.

Eren stood releasing the pressure on his back. Leaving the writhing bandits in the street. Disappearing into the night.

The young man and his sister quickly limped home, leaving the wreckage in their wake.

'That should send a message to those pricks.' Eren thought, already feeling his new purpose coursing through his blood. Perhaps finally he has found a purpose amongst the chaos and disorder; maybe now he would find balance in the world again.