Gate info:
Name: The endless warehouse
Opening time: Every 12.3333 days for 12 days and 33.3333 minutes.
Danger level: C+++++
Owners: None
Last clear: 3 years ago
Rewards for clear: Everything and anything. So long as you find it.
Closing: 03: 21: 47: 33
---
Friday...
Today was the day; The deadline for Thanatos's deal was over. Eren was still pondering over that decision.
Thanatos was pacing back and forth in the endless concrete flooring with walls made from crates and shipping containers that stood well above even the tallest man. The place looked more like an industrial warehouse than a gate. An eerie liminal space, where reality blurred at the corners of your mind.
Jun was playing with a ball against the wall as they waited. They had been here for several hours by this point. Waiting for Saku to find the Lih'burne Essence hidden amongst the vast expanse of this never-ending gate.
Apparently, one could find many drops within this gate. However, you would have to painstakingly search through every container until you find what you needed. Not fun at all. A better use of time to just clear gates until you found your goal.
"How long does it take? We need to get the ritual started." An impatient Thanatos said.
"Don't rush him, he is working on it, isn't that right Saku?"
"Yes master. Currently your forces have found over 88% of the essences needed."
"Good work Saku!" Jun cheered from where he was sat.
Saku, is already providing a very useful addition to Eren's forces. Taking on a more administrative role, organising all the shadows into efficient squads, working in unison. They would have spent days searching for these things if not for Saku's help. It's only been about three hours.
Eren doesn't play favourites. But if he did, Saku would be very high up there. A fact that must remain hidden however. For those words would sooner start a revolt within the ring than anything else.
"Master, we have found all the essences needed. Returning them all now." Saku spoke from the shadows.
"Good job."
"Wait, does he know what a sweet soul is?" Jun finished playing with the ball and returned to Eren's side.
"My knowledge is limited in that area of expertise, master Jun." Being called master was a little strange for Jun. He didn't hate it however.
"Leave that to me..." Thanatos didn't cease pacing as he spoke. The Reaper was hiding something, being so far away from his family. It had begun to change him. Hair that once belonged to a hard-working ramen chef was now long and youthful, dark purple tinting began to take hold.
'What are you hiding?'
*Pat* *Pat* *Pat*
Shadow wolves prodded along the concrete flooring. Each one carried in their mouths a small vial filled with glowing orange liquid that bubbled and fizzed. Handing them over to Jun who put them into a small bag at his side.
"Good boys..." Giving a pat to each one; which they appreciated greatly. Tails wagging as they returned to the shadows once more.
"I'll meet you at Madame Laveau's on Eosar. Hand me the ingredients, I'll have them prepared for the ritual." Hands outreached for the bag of ingredients. Thanatos was a little bit jittery today; something Eren had picked up on.
"How about 'we' meet you at Madame Laveau's. We will keep it safe until then." Eren refused the deal.
"She needs time to prepare all the-" Thanatos attempted to say but was cut off.
"We have time, unless you need to get something done before then?" Eren questioned the Reaper once again.
"I just want to get back to my family." A truthful response.
Eren could understand that feeling. The one of being apart from those you love; especially from the other side of the veil of the dead. But it wasn't enough to dissuade him of that gut feeling that he should just kill the Reaper and be done with it.
"And you will see them soon." Eren and Jun turned to leave.
"You- Just don't be late." Thanatos remained within the gate as the two left. He held a sombre expression as he looked onto the endless expanse.
---
"What's wrong Eren?" Jun asked as they stepped out into the sunlight of ward 7. A place much like any other ward; albeit it's more commercial nature than residential.
"He is hiding something, no?"
"Yeah, but what could it be?" Asked Jun, a little unsure of what Eren was thinking. Smart enough to sense the deception. Not quite skilled enough to realise the meaning yet.
"We need to head home first... I need to ensure we have some insurance before we continue with our plan." Eren spoke quietly to himself.
The two headed back through the train system, arriving home. Only a few more hours of the day had passed, meaning that there was still plenty of time to get the job done before the day was done.
However, a presence was felt on the air.
Death's presence; Eren had been feeling this sensation quite recently, First Gabriel and Lucifer, then Thanatos, even that lich Valarie. Was this the rings doing?
*Click*
"Eren! I told you he will return." The shrill high school like enthusiasm of Lucifer.
"Lucifer? How did you get into my home?" Eren asked the blonde man who looked more like a model than an agent of death.
"Your sister kindly let me in. She's just in her room doing some studying. Oh, also look who else is here!" Lucifer pulled Gabriel from around the corner. Looking more annoyed than usual to be next to Lucifer.
"What do you two want?" A little scornful that Lucifer decided that he should let Gabriel anywhere near Emi.
"You were asked by Death to kill Thanatos, correct?" The two had been sent to check on their progress, though Lucifer was using this as a chance to visit again.
"I was." Eren said. Taking off his coat.
"Why is it he still lives?"
"We came to an agreement. He would offer his reaper soul in exchange for freedom."
"..." Once more a look of disbelief was etched onto Gabriel's face.
"Oh, Eren. I thought you hated bothersome tasks? Why oh why have you gone and made it more so?" Lucifer asked the question. Speaking like Eren has crossed a line that he would happily cross himself.
"Yes, I am aware of this process and its requirements to become human. Did he ever tell you about what this freedom entails? Has he mentioned what a sweet soul is?" Gabriel asked as Eren entered the living room.
Eren stopped, turning back to Gabriel. How did he come to know about the separation potion.
"No..." He answered. A look of suspicion crossed his face.
"A sweet soul. A soul that has been untouched by life's hardships, still innocent to the world. His life for that of a child, or less likely someone pure of heart." Explained Lucifer.
"What!?"
"Thanatos plans to escape death by sacrificing another... A child." Gabriel explained it simply. The disgust was obvious within Eren's expression.
"That lying-" Eren began to speak but stopped. He had to think. His plan was now completely up in the air.
"I suggest that you reconsider the deal you made with the reaper. It is better to take a life of one tainted than one of the pure."
"Master, what are we going to do?" Asked Jun. He hadn't realised the cost for such a ritual.
"We just end it. Kill that lying bastard and bring back what's left of him to Death."
"Which you should have done initially. From now on, Lucifer will be accompanying you." Gabriel spoke with authority as if expecting no resistance.
Lucifer gave a giddy smile. Both completely unfazed by the nature of their dealings.
"I'll be fine on my own." Eren began to speak but was cut off by Gabriel.
"You don't get a choice. You clearly need guidance on this task. Lucifer will ensure that it gets completed with upmost zeal." The Reaper said, looking to Lucifer who still wore an enthusiastic expression on their face.
"Next time we meet I expect to see a soul. Understood?" Gabriel's authoritative voice resounded. Leaving through the front door, a flapping of large wings could be heard before silence.
"Well, well, well, Eren. Just like the old times. Me and you, infinite possibilities for things we could do." Lucifer wrapped his hands around the Reaper's shoulders; pulling close to them.
Eren was not amused by this situation, but Lucifer didn't seem to notice, or care for that matter. "Oh, and I suppose I have room for you too Jun." He winked.
The insinuation went well over the young man's head.
"Right. So, let's go back to Eosar... Again." Eren sighed, pushing Lucifer away.
"Jun, I want you call Baelor. Were gonna move his family... Just in case." He said, picking up the ingredients once again.
***
Eosar:
Back at the hole in the wall in Eosar's dark underbelly. The trio arrived in Madame Laveau's shop. The smell of burning incense lingered in the air; a low light of flickering candles cast long dancing shadows along the walls of the room. It was a small shop, filled with all manners of trinkets and baubles.
Lucifer was immediately drawn to a human skull that lay on a pedestal in one corner of the room.
"Can we go shopping afterwards Eren? It's been so long since I've had a chance to do something like this." The blonde man asked whilst inspecting the skull in their hands.
"No, were here for one thing. Not to entertain your whims." Eren replied bluntly.
"Oh? Are you sure? I can show you a wonderful time Eren." Lucifer teased the young reaper.
"Lucifer..." He warned.
"You... Do you have the stuff?" From behind shelves of trinkets and baubles stepped a big man. Akin to a bodybuilder, dressed for a ritual in black and gold robes. One of the underlings of Madame Laveau's group.
"Yes, we do. Now how about you let us in to see her." Eren demanded, not wanting to play games.
"Follow..." The brute motioned them to follow. Walking down into the stairs of the old shop into an ancient underground. Old, moss-covered stone walls that dripped from water on the ceiling; a damp smell that was overpowering from the incense.
They came to a large chamber that was well lit from candles placed about the room. A large ritual circle lay in the middle, a place for the ingredients. Large enough also to hold a body.
"Children of Death. I welcome you back." Madame Laveau had a knowing expression on her face when she greeted them. He small form waddled into the centre.
More big brutes were seen in the chamber; guarding all the exits and entrances. Even Thanatos, who was only seen a couple of hours ago looked like a different being. Longer hair, paler skin, and a youthful glow.
"Put the ingredients here." Laveau pointed to the circle on the ground. Taking up behind it.
Another look around the room; A small boy, no larger than 10 was sat, cowering on the cold stone floor. He wore rags and had a dirty appearance. But the eyes were what gave away the fear. Eyes of a terrified child.
"This is for a child's soul?" Asked Eren, holding the ingredients in hand, but not placing them down.
"Yes, a sweet soul. Come now child. Before the sweet-"
*Flick* *Thunk*
The small form of Laveau dropped to the ground. Bone whip having cut her in half; the body instantly turned into dust. Her minions immediately stepped forward.
As if they would allow a child to die in place of Thanatos. This was their plan. To ensure nothing like this can happen again. All parties present are punished.
*Fwoosh*
Lucifer's blade flashed through the air, cleaving several of the large brutes in a single strike.
"What have you done?!" Thanatos screamed. His face twisted into something feral, unhinged, and full of hatred.
"A sweet soul. You would sacrifice a child so that-"
"I would sacrifice anything to be with my family again!" He bellowed. He seemed bigger now, muscles growing slowly, eyes that glowed a dark red.
"Hmph." Lucifer let out a small chuckle.
"Please. Did he tell you that those aren't his biological kids or that we earned the love of his wife. He took the place of someone else and stole their skin." Lucifer said, almost giggling as the last few words left their mouth.
"..." Thanatos was silent. His face a mixture of fury and disbelief.
"Some poor soul died in an 'accident' to which Thanatos immediately took the opportunity to take a vessel to the other side. He is nothing more than a parasite to the real man, a fake living a life that was never meant for-"
*Crack*
A split second was all it took, A large blacker skinned Thanatos smacked Lucifer into the stone walls of the chamber. Eyes full of bloodlust, the man turned to Eren. His appearance had changed drastically, no longer was the young man now a beast of a man.
"You will not follow!" A roar more than a voice bellowed out of the being's throat.
The beast; on all fours began to charge Eren and Jun. A swift side step, Eren let the creature pass by. However, it's speed and reflexes were far better than expected.
*Woosh* *Crash*
Eren dodged a massive backhand that left a hole in the wall behind where they had been. Long arms that had claws for hands. Black fur that covered most of its body, with a long tail. A face like that of a skulled jackal, with sharp fangs. Its eyes glowed a deep crimson.
A dark room; allowed for all Eren's knights to arise. Surrounding it in an instant.
Thanatos did the smartest thing he could have done. He fled.
A large beast, rushing up through the tiny stairwell of Madame Laveau's shop, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Heading out of the shop and into the city.
"Should we go after him?" Jun asked brushing off pebbles and stone from his clothes.
"..." Eren looked back to the small child, cowering in a corner of the room. Tears in his eyes and hands over his head.
"No. We know where he is going. Go help Lucifer." Eren picked up the small boy and comforted the child.
Lucifer was left in the wall like a fly stuck in a spider web. Groaning as the two along with the boy pulled him out. His hair in a dishevelled mess.
"That hurt..." Lucifer complained as they managed to get them out of the hole in the wall.
"You'll live." Said Eren, brushing off some stone dust and rubble from the blonde man's suit.
***
Osaka:
"Akemi!? Hana, Kojūrō?! Where are you?" Thanatos arrived at Akemi's parents' house. An empty house, no life inside of it at all. The night chill provided a haunting feeling, that of a lingering sense of loss.
"Please we need to go. The Reapers are going to be-"
"Here." Lucifer finished, Eren and Jun entering the traditional Japanese style home.
The place was large, but an emptiness filled its corridors and rooms. It was once a very lively house. But now, the only thing left was a monster; alone and confused. A beast in a human's skin.
*Whack* *Thud*
Eren struck Thanatos in the head. Now no longer a ravenous monster but still a tall and bulky man. He tumbled to the ground, landing on the porch outside the house.
"Neat trick, changing into your true form like that." Eren commented, stepping out of the house, and looking down on Thanatos.
"But you have nowhere to run. No place to hide." The Reaper added.
"What did you do to them?" Thanatos asked. Not making eye contact with the Reaper.
"Nothing... I had them moved somewhere else. Just in case you pulled some shit like this." Eren replied.
"You... You don't understand what it's like! Living in that hell for all eternity!" Thanatos shouted at Eren. Even louder for Death to hear as well.
"Watching over a line of the dead for all eternity. Where you're going, you will wish you were there." The bone whip coiled around Thanatos, squeezing as hard as he could on the neck.
"P-Please... Spare me. I-I..."
"Look into my eyes. Tell me again why I should spare you. What could possibly-"
A hand rested on Eren's shoulder. Turning, Eren saw Jun who had an empathetic look in their eyes.
"Master... If it were Mei I would do anything to be with her. If it were Emi-"
"But would you sacrifice a child for your own desires? Would you take a life so that yours could continue?" Eren asked the question, to which Jun paused for a moment.
"Would you?"
Eren first instinct to smack Jun for those words. How could such a question even be asked? However, something inside made the man stop, pausing for a moment as the words sank in. He had already made a deal with the Death. To come back, to be with Emi, to have a new life.
How was that different? How many lives have been taken because of his actions?
*Gasp*
Eren let Thanatos free from the whip's grasp.
"You..." Thanatos struggled to stand. His head was bleeding, a massive cut from when Eren had struck them earlier.
"Is there anyway... To get a sweet soul WITHOUT... Taking the life of a child?"
"Yes..." Lucifer finally spoke up, stepping into the scene. "It involves a little bit of this and a little of that... But no child sacrifices required." The blonde man said, leaning in towards Eren with a knowing smirk.
"Does it involve taking any life?"
"Not a whole one..."
"Can I leave him in your hands then Lucifer?"
"Anything for you." Lucifer gave a playful bow. "However, I expect something in return. Something… only you can achieve." Giving his trademark school girl grin to Eren.
"Fine..." Eren sighed, giving up on trying to understand what he meant.
"You have until Sunday night." Eren began to leave. Jun following along.
"Your no better... than any of us." Thanatos spoke between coughing and spluttering. Strange to chastise a man who just sparred you.
"All the Reapers. Would do anything to escape that place." He continued.
"But we would never... Ever make a deal with Death. Only a desperate soul would." A dark chuckle emanated from Thanatos's mouth. His voice taking a more sinister tone.
"I would have taken the life of a child. But you will take the life of everything..." The wounded man spat out.
*Whack*
Eren gave a horse kick to the man's mouth. Leaving them slumped on the ground. "You know nothing."