"Ugh..." Groans from a beaten and bruised man. Eren stirred as his eyes struggled to open. Light pierced the cracks in his eyes.

  'Sht...' Slowly, he opened his eyes, revealing the room to him once more. Laying at the foot of his bed.

  "What time is it?" Eyes straio adjust to the light.

  "It's 12:00." Emi's small voice startled Eren. Dressed in her school uniform, ko her . Eyes red and swollen, like she had been g for a hours. A soft sniffle.

  "Emi." Gently he rose to his elbows; pain shooting up his bad side.

  "Why are you-" *Cough*

  Blood spattered from his mouth. A hard wretch of his lungs as they burned with each breath.

  "Why aren’t you at school?" A boured breath followed his question.

  Emi stood up, her fists ched at her side, tears falling in small streams. Leaving without another word. Her bedroom door smmed shut.

  Eren wao keep his dear sister out of his other life, but she had already seen too much. An image of him beaten and bloody, on the brink of death, would be etched into her memuilt washed over him like waves on a shore. All he could do was let out a sigh, before falling onto the floor once more; the pain still ever present.

  "I'm going to have to expin so much to her." Eren thought.

  "But how am I going to expin this..."

  *Bzzt* *Bzzt*

  A muffled buzzing noise emanated from Eren's bed.

  'Eren.

  When you are well, I will be waiting. e to the base. I will be waiting.'

  "What does he want? I gave him back his base. What more does he need from me?"

  Getting too his khen to his feet; using the bed as leverage. Eren discovered that his right arm is still shorter than his left.

  'Fuck, I hope Baelor fix this mess.'

  A quick assessment of his dition.

  'Several broken ribs, a dislocated left shoulder, dozens of cuts, and bruises that have only began to heal and a multitude of burns. Yeah, I o get stronger.' Sighing in disappoi, Reiji’s fists still felt all over his body.

  2:30 PM: Remnants of the Crimson Bandits.

  Through great effort; Eren limped his way through the shadows, each step a struggle, each breath a chore. Eventually he arrived at the crimson base. Or what remained of it.

  Rubble littered the grounds. Broken pilrs and crumbled walls, ders of burnt buildings, and the lingering smell of ash. The men and women of the homeless society beh the streets; now scoured through. ing the rubble, painting s of crimson, carrying corpses of the fallen. So much to do, but they worked with diligence.

  Eren would stop and think about the damage wrought, but as his body ached for rest.

  "Let's get this over with. Where's that damn elf?" Walking through the courtyard. Too busy to notice the Reaper amongst them. They paid him no heed.

  "Your te." The gruff homeless man who would so ofte him at the metro station. His curly beard gone; instead, a white goatee apanying a stubble covered face. Short, white hair to match his beard. If he weren't dressed like he slept ireets he would likely pass as a bouhat and the smell of a day's bour.

  "Follow."

  The top office was still heavily damaged from st nights close quatres with Reiji. Windows were broken and furniture was destroyed. The bst from Reiji's attack smelt the floors up with wood and pster. A mess that was still being ed.

  "There." The man with no name left. Returning to his clearing duties.

  Baelor sat on the edge of where Reiji's meteors had struck. Deep iatioing his blonde hair flow in the gentle breeze. At least he has found pea the destru. This was not his first time seeing such violence.

  "Please, e a. You look in need of it." A hand raised. Pointing towards the edge opposite his. Eren plied. Taking a seat overlooking all below. His guild scurrying around like an empire of ants; diligent aermined.

  "You are injured." Without opening his eyes, he spoke. Still in a calm, soft voiot an ounce of uo be felt in his words.

  "Yeah. you fix it?" Showing off the disparity between both arms. A wince of pain as he raised his arm too high.

  "Outreach your arms." With a nod. Eren did so.

  Baelor's hands began to emit a bright blue light, almost cold to the touch, like a winter's chill. "3...2..."

  *Twist* *Crack* *Pop*

  "OI! Motherfuck-"

  With a swift pull and twist. Eren's arm was returo its rightful pce; albeit with a sharp sting. No mask to dull the pain this time.

  "Better?" Baelor asked with a small smile. Eyes opeo golden sun irises.

  "Yes." A sharp intake, as his arm ached from the reallocation.

  "What did you need? I gave back yuild." Sitting ba his elbows. Enjoying a small moment of rest.

  "I have something to show you." Baelor beed Eren to follow. The mystique of the elf began to annoy him.

  'This better not be something he could have texted.'

  Behind one of the maravagant but badly charred paintings. Revealed a hiddeor; circur in design, big enough to fit three adults. However, it hasn't been used in some years.

  'Maybe not a waste of time after all.'

  A soft jingle pyed in the background. As they desded below the earth. Buttons on the sole, many. All sorted from 12 to -50. Some levels colour coded. Red, blue, green, yellow. While the others were just bck, as though deactivated. Baelor pressed for -37. A ding, then off they went; deep, deep underground.

  As the elevator desded, Baelor expined,

  "I suppose you heard the rumours of the crimson bandits sitting on a great treasure? A wealth beyond pare."

  "No."

  "Well, it is true and greater than you could possibly prehend..."

  *Ding*

  Glistening gold gleamed; gems glittered, glowing like gaxies. Goblets of gar and gilded goblets glowed in grand dispys, their grandeur grag every glinting surface.

  "Wow..."

  "Wele to my ode to my avarice. Several lifetimes of wealth, amassed from the world and worlds beyond. A small part of my horde."

  "A small part? Do I want to know how much you have?" Eyes wide with amazement.

  "In truth. I ot remember." Baelhed.

  "I suspect that I could possibly buy out the ey of Tokyo; Still this room would remain stocked." A dragon like a grin, a true hoarder of wealth.

  Across a bridge over his endless piles of wealth. They came to a stop at the tre of the room. Four pilrs surrouhem. In each, a crystalline orb, each emitting a faint glow in its' respective er. Red, Blue, Green, and Grey.

  "And these?" Eren asked, intrigued by the orbs.

  "For a quest pleted, a gift bestowed and for a bond strengthened. I give you a boon."

  "How many?"

  "As many as you wish."

  A generous offer indeed. A ce to gain four new abilities, for free, no cost on his behalf. Just like ths of old.

  'Dash. That's a bit b. What could work for the reaper?'

  'Fme breath? No that's dumb. I'm not a dragon.'

  'Night vision? What am I a cat, no.’

  'Homunculus...Homunculus?'

  "What's a homunculus?" Eren asked, curiosity piquing.

  "A living body. With no mind and no soul. A shell of potential. Give it ands and it will fulfill without fault."

  Grabbing the blue crystal; a surge of energy flowed through him. Then it quickly dissipated.

  "Thank you." A bow. "I o get back. Emi... found out."

  "Ah. A short-term problem I assure you; when my children found out about my heritage they didn't speak to me for days."

  "You have kids?" The revetion took him aback. 'Who would sleep with him?' Eren thought.

  "Several. All of whom I love equally. All human adoptions of a cruel world." He looked almost sad thinking about them. Something Eren didn't want to pry on. 'I'll ask aime.'

  "Thank you." With a bow, Ere, returning to the elevator, leaving his elven host behind. A long look around, a deep breath, and a moment to enjoy the gold and gems.

  End epilogue 1

  ***

  12:01 PM:

  *Yawn*

  "Good afternoon sleepiy." The dry chuckle of Detective Mori's voice greeted Aki as she awoke. Head resting on a pillow. Inside of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

  "I feel great. What time is it." Her statement brought a frown upon her partner's face.

  "It's just gone noon. You got knocked out. That guild master of the Silvermane is something." Arms crossed, sitting ba his chair.

  "Yeah..." The memories of what see was about to do ing back to her.

  "How screwed am I?"

  "Very. But something much worse happened while you were out."

  A shudder down her spine. What could be worse than assaulting a guild master?

  "What happened?" A nervous gulp followed her question.

  "The chefs want the captains head. For not stopping the crimson bandits siege." Mori informed. Handing her a cup.

  "Drink this. Yonna ."

  As she ehe office of the RCU. All eyes were on her. A sense of dread washed over her. Mai and Luca gave chary gres. Whilst Takeishi gave a wry smile. Proud of Aki for stig it to those big-headed guilds.

  "You got guts girl." A wink and thumbs up.

  "You. e here!" Captain Shimada was in his office. A scowl to his fad a vein popping out of his forehead.

  "Good luck..." Mori said, sitting back down.

  Like a girl who broke her dad's favourite mug. She sheepishly walked into her bosses' office. Taking a seat at the chair before the desk. Eyes downcast, hands fidgeting.

  Shimada sat back. A gre so sharp she felt the room's temperature drop by 10 degrees.

  "What were you thinking?" Voice still calm and collected, yet he simmered with fury underh.

  Aki khis was ing. "I have nothing to expin my as. I just got... angry. That man, Baelor, just came and took the crime se like it beloo him. It was disrespectful to our work and to the deceased." In hoy, she wasn't even upset at the guild master. Those men from the ward that iently saved her, and her inability to catch the Reaper. This was all ing to a head, a boiling point.

  "Sir, I'm sorry. I should've kept trol. It won't happen again."

  *Sigh*

  "You o keep that temper in check. You've lost your ore times than I have fingers. But you have never willingly struother person."

  'That's it I'm done.' Aki said in her mind. Waiting for the iable.

  "I'll pack my things sir. I'm sorry."

  Shimada sighed again. "No, you're not fired." The look of sho the detective's face. "What!? But I assaulted a guild master. What do you mean I'm not getting the boot?"

  "Because the suits upstairs want my head. They've got me pinned for not preventing the massacre."

  "But sir, you 't take responsibility for the as of the crimson bandits. This wasn't your fault." Aki was incredulous. How could he be bmed for the as of a one-man army?

  "Doesn't matter. We are supposed to monitor all this guild activity, and we didn't. All hands-on deck. We are going to need a bulletproof case. I am not letting some bureaucraticil pusher take us down."

  "Yes sir, I'll gather all the evidence about the Reaper. They will-“

  Shimada gave a long, hard gre at the youive, the look of a parent to their child, when the child had just asked a particurly stupid question.

  "Akiko, we 't use the reaper. We don't have any hard evidence of his involvement. Only testimonies of dead men."

  "Sir. You know he did this right?" Aki protested.

  "I know it, you know it the entire squad knows it. But we prove it? Hard evidenly." Shimada said with a stern voice.

  "Fuck that! I'm going to-"

  *Bam*

  Shimada smmed his hands onto his desk, causing Aki to flinch.

  "Yoing to sit your ass down and do your job detective!" Aki was taken aback by her captain's anger.

  "S-Sir, I-"

  "Take the week off. In the meantime, 'We' will build our case around the criminal anization." Shimada returo his seat. "You are dismissed."

  Without another word, Aki left, a dejected look on her face. A scolding she hasn't experienced since she was a teenager. A scolding that nearly made her cry. And she did. A few stray tears fell from her eyes as she left. She just wao find the truth.

  Her reason for being an officer. For so many years, she wao help people. To protect the i, and bring light into this dark, shadowy world, but now, her goal was being blurred.

  End epilogue 2

  ***

  *Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

  The sound of Reiji's EKG was his only way to pass the time. An incessant beeping.

  'Just my luck to survive a fight like that.' A small chuckle, which led to a wince of pain from his chest.

  A dark hospital room he y in; lights off and sky outside dark and overcast. In a void of darkness. Only the o keep him pany.

  'I wonder what Hiro will say when he finds out I'm alive. I hope his not dumb enough to find me. Shit, he will. That damn kid is too loyal for his own good.'

  His remaining arm ed to the bed; and a bandaged blooded eye. As well as numerous other wounds and injuries across his body. Nothing short of a miracle to be alive right now. Yet thanks to the marvel of modern medie, he still draws breath. Although the wasn't necessary; he wasn't going anywhere in his dition.

  "I know your there." Reiji broke through the wall of shadows; in his blind spot he could feel golden eyes watg him.

  "You always had keen senses my former disciple." Baelor's voice came from the shadows. A faint blue light began to shine, revealing the hidden elf. Dressed in fine white and Azure robes, he looked more like a nobleman than a guild master.

  "e to finish me off, eh?" A smirk on Reiji's lips. Even to the end his smugness wouldn't die.

  The elf rouo his visible side.

  *Schick*

  Casting an illusionary sword; holding it just above his remaining eye. "Every breath you take now is a gift from me and the Reaper. Your soul is forfeit."

  "Heh." A small chuckle, wing with pain.

  "I should have fought harder then. *Cough* *Cough* Maybe that new pet of yours would have e there."

  "A lesson I learnt from you; to treat your pets with kindness. A mistake I aim to never again make. He and I are equals."

  "Ha equals." Reiji let out a weak ugh. "He must be one special guy. But I suppose he would have to be. To beat me." Again, another chuckle.

  "He will bring us to ruin; or save us all from ourselves." Baelor spoke with pride for his Reaper.

  "He told me his reason for sparing me... Why did you? You have plenty of pawns in this game."

  Baelor dangled a bck thumbsti front of Reiji's eye. The ba a pocket.

  "You saw?" Reiji quizzed.

  "Yes. Something that none of my 'pawns' could ever produce. For that you have your passage."

  "I'm gd... Well... They’re going to e and finish me off soon. You might o get started."

  Baelor retreated to his shadowy er.

  "I did it 5 minutes ago. Until ime Reiji Kikuchi. I hope you find pea this world."

  *Beep* *Beep* *Beeeeeep*

  Reiji's heart rate slowed to a stop. Body still, eyes closed. Although a ruse to trick the hospital staff. His role in this world far from done.

  End epilogue 3

  ***

  Danya awoke; eyes hurt by the bright, unnatural lights above. His st thought, taking one final breath o the white-haired man.

  Then awakening in a bedroom; so familiar to him. His home in the Russian town of Vdivostok. It felt different somehow. Painful memories he once had of this room seemed to fade. It eaceful, something he hadn't felt in a long time.

  A smell drew his attention.

  "Beef stroganoff?" Danya couldn't believe it. He didn't want to. Too many times, in this life had he been led astray by dreams of fort. Returning to his family; back to his mother.

  'Another illusion.' Yet the aroma of the spices and beef. It was as if he were a little boy again.

  "My, a very beautiful pce you have here." A voice broke the silence. Looking to the window. A white man dressed in a suit and tie stood by watg the glow outside. Golden hair refleg off the light.

  "You have the most amazing view, and your interior is immacute. A wonderful home."

  The blonde man put Danya on edge. He went to prepare his power. However, his hands. Drew no blood nor did they create any spikes.

  "Who are you? What have you doo my powers?" Danya asked the blonde-haired man.

  "My name is Lucifer. Oh, and those... Well, we don't want any trouble ierlife. You are now free of the gates and all their problems. At peace." Lucifer said as he took a seat by the giant man.

  "Where am I?"

  "Valhal, heaven, nirvana, the eternal pne. All of them, none of them. We give it whatever name suits our fancy. As for the why. Well, you made friends with the one person who could send you here. Despite your sins. So wele home, Danya." Lucifer weled the Russian man.

  Danya looked to the floor in thought.

  "He told the truth." Remembering what the white-haired man had said.

  "Yes. My little dove is many things. But a liar isn't one." Lucifer smiled at the thought of Eren.

  *Step* *Step*

  Faint steps in the distance drew their attention. He would hear the same footsteps for when he was grounded. His mother sneaking him food; making sure he was well fed and cared for. A loving, g, passionate woman.

  "Mama?" Danya said, in near disbelief, after many years apart, he thought he may have fotten.

  "Yes, she is here too. Well, I'll leave you two to catch up. It's a beautiful pce to rest." Lucifer said as he went back to the window.

  "Wait. What do I do now?" Danya asked the otherworldly man. As he turo walk out of the door.

  Lucifer's smile grew on his face. "Whatever you wish. This is paradise after all." Disappearing into a white light. Now all alone; waiting for the steps that grew louder.

  *Step* *Step* *Step* *Step*

  Now the steps were at his bedroom door. Slowly the haurned; Valeriya Korsakov, a loving, g and passionate woman. Warm and affeate. Her brown hair tied back, and her green eyes sht. As beautiful as st he saw her.

  "Mama?" Danya said, tears swelling in his eyes. A deep lump formed in his throat.

  "My dear Danya wele home." Valeriya rushed to embrace her son. Tears fell from both eyes. A long, warm, loving embrace.

  "Mama. I have done so many terrible things. Things I will always regret. I've bee a monster." Guilt weighed heavily on the Russian man's mind.

  "It's ok. You were a child in a bad situation. I am and will always be proud of you no matter what. Now e, we have dinner waiting. I made your favourite." With a kiss on his forehead, they went to eat together.

  Eternal rest washing over Danya. No more would his body rot, or would his hands be stained in blood.

  Eternal light took him; he was finally at peace.

  End epilogue 4

  MaskedManNull