Death Gate

Eren sat lazily on the couch staring at his phone. Going through all the sections of the 'Gates' app.

'A store, forums, social media, and even a dating section.' He thought intrigued.

'Should I... No.' Tempted to go out and find the one again.

Opening the store first; hoping to get some better gear, maybe something to ward off heat or cold. This list seemed endless, everything you could possibly imagine was there, every weapon and armour under the sun; they even had designer clothes. And yet all charged at exorbitant prices, higher and higher as he scrolled.

"Dinner is ready!" Emi called out from the kitchen. Eren was too occupied with the app to notice.

'What the fuck? 100,000 ¥ for a pair of boots?' Scrolling further, seeing numerous weapons priced above 500,000. Rank's causality linked with price. This world was bizarre.

Worst of all was subscriptions services for the gear. Paying monthly fees to keep your equipment, what an awful system. Fit for an awful world.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

"Eren!" Emi's voice accompanied by the slamming of pots and pans against the table.

"Yes?" He responded, not bothering to look up.

"Dinner's ready." Her tone slightly irritated, Eren finally took notice.

She wanted to impress her brother, asking nicely to show of her cooking skills.

However, when he got to the table; what greeted him was... less than appetizing. In front of him, a barren white plate; beansprouts to the right, and what appears to be unseasoned chicken, drizzled with soy sauce and a cup of rice. Dismayed at his sister's lack of cooking ability, forcing a smile onto his face.

'I'll eat anything my sister cooks for me.'

"How is it?" Emi asked nervously. For the first time since Eren got back, she almost seemed happy.

The food could only be described as, edible. The dish had no flow or cohesion, just thrown together. But, at the very least it is edible.

'Shit. I can't lie to her... but I can't break her heart, again.' He swallowed his mouthful of rice.

"It's... Good." He managed to push out.

A slow smile graced her lips. A light flush in her cheeks; glowing with joy.

"Did you want seconds-"

"No. Thank you." He replied quickly.

Silence overtook the table. Eren was focused on consuming the little meal left. Emi however was watching him like a hawk, staring deeply into his eyes; searching for any lies, waiting for him to eat every bit.

Even after dinner the silence continued, the pair washing dishes together; scrubbing and wiping them dry. 'How can I offer to help her cook without offending her?' Eren pondered

'No, I'll just cook from now on. She loves my cooking.' A memory of a time he would for his sister. Relishing in the thought of his sister enjoying his cooking. The way her cheeks would light up; brushing her hair behind her ears, eating contently.

It almost made him smile…Almost.

---

*Whack* *Crash*

Mr. Heart staggered into the house; accompanied by a larger man in an expensive suit, both reeking of alcohol and tobacco. Their faces flushed with drunkenness; eyes glazed over. The two stumbled through the doorway, knocking over the vase that sat on the table.

"Emi! Emiiiii!" Mr. Heart called out loudly, his voice slurred and unsteady.

"I missed you honey, come here." He stumbled towards her, arms outstretched, attempting to hug her tightly. She recoiled away, disgusted by his touch; his body odour mixed with alcohol was unbearable.

"How was work?" Eren spoke up, drawing their attention to him. His tone flat, uninterested in the answer but wanting to keep them away from Emi.

"Oh! it was fantastic." The larger man interjected enthusiastically.

"Your father here has been working hard for me, and we decided to celebrate with some drinks." He chuckled jovially.

'They smell awful.' Eren grimaced internally. 'I wonder how much money they wasted on alcohol.'

"Who is this?" Eren asked bluntly, pointing towards the man next to his father. "This is my boss, mister... mister... I can't remember his name. Phffft hahahaha!" Mr. Heart laughed loudly, slapping the man's shoulder.

The larger man, extended his hand towards Eren. "Nice to meet you. I'm Eric Morgan. Mr. Morgan to you." He extended his arm out to Eren.

A tower compared to the Heart family, nearly hitting the roof, beer belly, stubble of brown and orange and a yellowed grin. A man that had jumped straight off the boat from the west. His eyes piercing and calculating; sizing up Eren like prey.

The instincts that warned Eren of danger, blaring loudly in his mind. 'Don't shake his hand.' He ignored the gesture, turning away to the living room.

"What kind of house are you running Heart? Don't you teach your son manners? Hahahaha!" Eric laughed at his own jest, slapping his knee in amusement.

"His only joking Eren." His father spoke up.

"Emi, can you take Dad upstairs please-"

"No. Go and get us some beer. We ain't done drinking yet." Eric cut him off. Eren's eyes narrowed, glaring at the large man.

'This is my house. He thinks he can come here and act like this?' The ring began to stir, sensing his displeasure.

"Your dad is the only man who can drink me under the table. Come join us." Eric took a seat at the kitchen table, taking up half of it.

"Emi, be a sweetheart and grab us some beers." He winked at her. Emi looked at Eren, unsure what to do.

"Get it yourself." Eren replied, not moving from his spot.

"Come now, don't be rude son after all I pay your fathers wage." Eric's tone shifted, growing colder and more serious.

"I can fire him at any moment. You want that? For him to lose his job?" His gaze locked onto Eren's, challenging him to defy him.

Emi, brokering the peace gave Eric his beer. "Thanks sweetheart. Dam that's some fine meat." Eric slapped Emi's ass, hard; she jumped away. His eyes filled with lust and desire.

Emi ran from the kitchen with a squeal. Eric turned his attention to Eren.

"If I'm being honest, she needs to gain a few kilos. Your sis needs some more meat on her bones if you know what I mean?"

Eren fought back the rings urge for blood; wanting to kill the man where he stood. Also not wanting to paint the walls red. He looked over at his farther; silently pleading for him to stand up and defend Emi. He simply hung his head, sheepishly staring down in his bottle.

The boss chugged his beer, belching loudly afterward; then poured himself another.

"What's wrong Eren? Got something to say? You look annoyed. Maybe you should go put your jammies on. The adults will talk here." His father nodded in agreement, trying to avoid the confrontation brewing between Eren and his boss.

"No. I want you to leave. Now." Eren hissed through gritted teeth; his fists clenched tightly.

"Ha! He sure has some spunk. Is this about your sister? Is this you defending her honour? How noble of you... Boy." He spat out; savouring the taste of each swig.

"It's only harmless fun. Besides she will be 18 soon enough. The crimson bandits can put her to real work. Trust me, she's built for it."

Eric grabbed his glass and drank again, grinning wickedly at Eren. He knew exactly which buttons to press.

"I want you to get the fuck out." Eren spoke in a low whisper, trying to suppress his rage.

"Bhahaha! Make me kid!" He took another swig, raising the bottle in triumph.

"Your son has some backbone, Heart. You could learn a thing or two from him." Eric cheered, patting the top of his father's head; knocking his glasses off into the barely touched beer.

"Last warning, Leave!" Eren stepped closer to Eric, towering over his seated position.

"Or What? You gonna hit me?" Eric sneered, placing his bottle aside and leaning forward.

"Get the hell out of my house!" Eren demanded through gritted teeth.

*Crash*

Eric threw the empty bottle past Eren, nearly hitting Emi, hitting the wall shattering it into pieces.

The ring wanted blood and Eren was ready to bring it, in front of the ones he loved. However, a sharp jab to his cheek sent him reeling backwards. A sucker punch took him by surprise. Too focused on the ones he loved.

Eric stood above him, leaning in stooping mere centimetres from Eren's face. Alcohol wafting through his yellowed teeth.

"Next time I visit, I expect an apology. Otherwise, maybe we need to have a little house party, hmm. Get the boys from the office to have a little fun here." His glare fixed directly at Emi, still smiling deviously; licking his lips with twisted thoughts.

"That reminds me... There is another party I need to get too. Heart. Teach your son some manners. It would make life easier for everyone." Eric strode towards the door, opening it forcefully; banging against the frame, the handle puncturing the plaster, leaving a noticeable crack.

"Yes, sir." Mr. Heart answered sombrely.

Blood pooled inside Eren's mouth; droplets staining the tile floor. Eren quickly spat onto the ground.

"I'm sorry..." Mr. Heart mumbled faintly, his expression forlorn. His shoulders sagged; defeated.

"Sorry... Doesn't fucking cut it. You let him disrespect our family." Eren wiped his lips, tasting the salty copper.

"I- I did... I don't have any choice. I can't lose this job." He pleaded desperately, hoping for understanding from his son. Eren scoffed, glaring at his father coldly.

"No, you are nothing but a coward! What would mom think?" The words struck his father harder than any punch could. His eyes widening in pain and fury.

"How dare you-"

"How dare me!? HOW DARE YOU!" Eren exploded with rage.

"Mom trusted you to protect Emi... And me. And now look at where we are." Emi watched them quietly; tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. Her bottom lip trembling.

Eren noticed his sisters state, deciding to calm down for her sake; his breathing slowing gradually, suppressing the rage boiling inside him. He walked over to her, resting a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Emi, are you alright?" His concern clear in his voice. Her tears spilled down her cheeks freely, nodding slowly; too scared to speak lest her voice quivered.

"Take dad upstairs. And we can talk when you come back down. No one will 'ever' hurt you like that ever again." She hugged him tight, snuggling her head deep into his chest.

Emi took Mr. Heart by the hand up the stairs; guiding their father to bed. All the while Eren remained, gathering his thoughts, collecting his emotions. His anger subsiding but not dissipating. The blood on the floor taunting him. The ajar door was the final pull he needed.

Emi came back down the stairs. Alone "E-Eren?" Emi searched around for Eren but he had left.

"...You said you wouldn't leave again." Her voice cracked with emotion, feeling betrayed once again.

---

Eric whistled cheerfully along the sidewalk. Still night breeze cooled him from his alcoholic stupor; desolate street and dimly lit street lamps made him feel right at home. Just like the streets of England. He recalled fondly how easy it was to mug unsuspecting women. His smile stretching wider. A quiet snigger echoed through the night air.

"Do I detect the sweet scent of fresh vengeance?" He spun on his heel; peering into the abyss behind him. Eren approached slowly, deliberately taking measured steps until he stood directly before him.

"Ah! I thought it was you boy. Do you have that apology?" Eric chuckled mockingly.

"No." His eyes gleamed dangerously beneath his white locks. The man raised his posture; no longer a hunched over drunk, now poised like a viper ready to strike.

"You're not drunk." Eren muttered under his breath.

"You know? My you are a perceptive one. Your dad can't see past a bottle of wine, which makes it easier to keep in line. But you… You're something else." His words flowed like honey, coated in an insincere sweetness.

"You here to kill me? Hmmmmmmmmm" Eric rubbed his chin; pretending to ponder a question.

"All because of some little comments and harmless touching of your-"

"You will never lay another finger on her or speak to her, or anyone else in my family again." Eren growled. His aura growing dark, surrounding his figure, painting the concrete in shade.

Eric feigned shock at the threat. "How ever will you stop me?"

"You know what, you've given me an idea... after our little party. I'm going to bring some of the boys back, have a little afterparty." Eric continued to press Eren's buttons. The ring began to hum lowly,

"Bring some recoding gear, some 'equipment.' A video of a girl like her would sell for a fortune~" He sang the last part.

"No." Eren stated, drawing his weapon with a flourish. In kind Eric created crimson flames from both hands.

"If you get in the way, you can be our secondary star. You can watch helplessly~" He cackled with malice

"Stop." Images flooded his mind; horrifying thoughts.

"And after we're done, we will keep her as our own pet. The use by date on girls like her are near unlimited~."

The ring now pulsated violently. Glowing brighter with each word spoken by Eric.

"Can you imagine that soft skin." Eric licked his lips,

"Stop it."

"Sweet little moans."

"Enough." Eren pulled at his hair, trying to get the images out.

"Subtle breasts. Soft ass~"

"I can't wait to hear that pop-"

"Stop."

"Of that tight-"

"Stop!"

"Little, puss-"

"I SAID ENOUGH!" Eren's voice had an otherworldly tone, that which was not human; it was monstrous.

Eric took a step back. An eerie quite filled the night air. A strange sensation consumed Eren, something different. The ring began to glow intensely, vibrating violently throughout Eren's body.

*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

White eyes peered from the shadows around Eric.

*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

The metallic sound drew closer with every step.

Stepping into the moonlight. Black armour adorned their form, shadowed spectre clung to them, a helmet to hide their facial features, save for the white dots; focused on its target before them. A broadsword by their sides.

Eric chuckled, priming his fire magic in hand.

"A necromancer ranker. You really are full of surprises." A wave of fire washed over three soldiers, yet they were unmoved.

*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

Eric threw several waves of fire, creating small explosions within their lines. Yet they remain stalwart and unaffected.

"Hey, kid. Why don't you call of the dogs and we can settle this like grown men, Eh?" Eric gestured, trying to appeal to Eren's sense of pride, or mercy. Eren couldn't respond, trapped within his own thoughts.

*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*

The knights are within arm's reach, Eric created a fireball in front of him. "One step and you burn fuckers." He warned.

However, they took the step regardless. Fire engulfed them instantly, consuming their entire form. And yet they stood again.

"Don't you fucking touch-" One knight grabbed his wrist. Another his other hand. Together they wrenched his arms backwards. Popping out of socket.

"Arrgh!" Eric screamed in agony. The knights twisted and turned, tearing skin; tendons fraying apart, snapping violently.

*Pop* *Pop* *Snap*

"ARRRGHHH!!!!!!" Blood dripped from each open wound, muscles and ligaments fell to the pavement. Blood oozed between the cracks.

"STOPPPPPP! I'M SORRYY- ARRRRGHHHH!" Bones protruded through the skin, skin black and blue in the pale moonlight.

"EREN! PLEASSSSSEEE!"

More knights swarmed the first Knight smashed its head into Eric's nose. "ARRGGH!" More blood spilling out, this time his eyes swelling up.

Another started on his legs; crushing them against the ground with its armoured boot. Metal denting inward; grinding bone fragments into powder. Skin splitting apart. The same for the other leg. Eric screaming bloody murder.

Then another hit broke his jaw.

Again,

And again,

And again.

Until his head resembled more of a crushed fruit, flesh bruised, discoloured; bleeding from every orifice.

The Knights released their grip from Eric's mutilated corpse, dropping him under the dim street light, taking his last few laboured breaths in agony before falling into oblivion. Leaving a bloodied mess upon the pavement below.

'Mercy....' his final thought.

---

Eren stood frozen amidst chaos; his thoughts return to him. Although, muffled and distant. Trying to process the events. He was sick wanting to vomit, he wanted more craving to see someone suffer, he wanted to run away, he wanted to beat the body in front of him, it was exhilarating, it was terrifying. There was no reasoning within Eren.

The knights 6-strong, knelt at his feet. Waiting for his next command.

"Go! Away!" Eren commanded, finding his voice once more. Their white eyes met his own. With an unknown signal; They faded into the shadows below.

A mess of gore and bone scattered across the sidewalk remained, stained forever red.