"Are you ready, Jun?" Eren asked standing on one side of the Silverman's training arena; Jun stood across from the Reaper. His tall frame and growing muscles, now much more defined compared to when he was first taken on by Eren as a trainee.
"Yes, master. You won't win this time." Jun gave a small bow. Behind him was the army of shadows. Guren and 25 shadows.
Whilst Eren had 25 souls behind him.
'Wargames' was the name for a game Eren had made. It was to simulate high numbered battles with a central commander in the middle. Guren added to Jun's side to make it fair for him.
In Eren's mind an optimal way to train one's ability, to push their limits and to improve.
One Brute, one wolf, two archers, and three swordsmen sat on the boundary line. Cheering on their master; whilst the others took a position in the arena.
"Begin!"
*Whoosh* Arrows flew past the reaper, who easily sidestepped their sudden attack.
The shadows moved together in a group formation. Charging in square formations. The enemy shadows split into two groups. Ten on each side of Jun, flanking the sides of Eren's group. However, Eren's forces remained a solid group, with himself at the front.
*Fwooosh* Another arrow fired; this time aimed at the swordsmen. They blocked it with their swords, the archers were focusing their aim at the swordsmen.
The first clash; Jun's right flank collided with Eren's left.
The shadows on either side crashed into each other like waves, the two flanks were evenly matched. Guren went straight for his master. Absorbing some essence, powering his blood magic.
*Blood shield*
*Blood arrows*
The blood juggernaut formed a large dark crimson shield and his array of blood arrows. Launching at speed; aiming for the reaper.
*Swing* *Swing*
*Crack*
Two swings from his whip and the arrows shattered. The whip then snaked towards Guren.
*Fwoosh*
*Woosh*
More arrows came at the swordsmen. The battle between Jun's shadow flanks and Eren's own were slowly becoming lob sided. Taking the essence from his shadow allies, they were weakened considerably to strengthen himself.
Sacrificing strength for strength; a gamble that was his folly. The wall of blood was slowly being pierced by the bone whip.
*Schick* *Schick* *Schick*
The whip finally contacted Guren's chest. Officially taking him out of the game. Whilst a killing blow it was, the rules state that a simple blade strike on any part of the body was considered a defeat.
Eren now turned to his student. Holding his own with Seraph floating around, and an additional sword for defence.
*Swing*
*Parry*
*Slash*
*Stab*
*Strike*
Eren's shadow's fought Jun with unrelenting force. Yet, they fell with a single sword stroke. A capable warrior was now before Eren's eyes.
"I'm ready when you are." Jun took a battle stance, holding a blade in his right, Seraph floated by his left. It was time for a duel. Eren's shadows withdrew; a guard of honour to the one who will face the Reaper.
"Show me what you've learnt." Eren's holstered his whip back into his arm. Instead using his soulless steel ability. Materializing a gladius into existence. A useful ability that allowed him access to a library of weaponry. All though intrinsically linked to the level of the skill. The higher the level, the more variety in weapons.
*Clang* *Clang* *Shing* *Scree*
Blades clashed against each other, sparks flying off the metal. Eren's gladius clashed with Jun's broadsword. Seraph, swung from behind, the blade clashed with the gladius as well. A dance between student and mentor.
"You're getting better, Jun."
*Clang* *Clang* *Swing* *Schick*
"Thanks master." Jun replied, Seraph had managed to get a few hits on the reaper, but ultimately, it was Jun that managed to knock the Gladius out of Eren's hand.
"Got you." Jun aimed for the throat. Victory was certain, only for Eren to sidestep and move past the blade. Kicking out his legs from under him.
The sparring was over. Jun, a fallen student, Eren, the teacher triumphant.
"Very well done, Jun. How long was that?" Eren asked the shadowed spectators.
'2 minutes 37 seconds'
A brute held up a crudely drawn sign with the times.
"Almost 10 seconds better." Jun was improving. His technique, speed, and power had grown considerably since the day Eren first took the man under his wing.
"You're getting faster, building endurance. But... If I must remind you about your feet again-"
"I know, I know. You'll have my legs removed at the knee, then swapped with my hands." Jun replied, standing up from the floor and bowing to Eren in thanks.
"I see you two are making full use of my facilities." A regal but friendly voice came from the arena entrance. Baelor entered with Minami closely behind.
"Thank you for allowing us to use your arena master Baelor." Jun bowed to the elf. The ever-respectful warrior that was raised with manners was clearly very thankful for this opportunity.
Minami went straight for the wolf that sat by the sideline. Silent; though her eyes commanded the beast roll over. Much like Eren's own uneasy relationship with Minami; so too were the shadows uneasy with her.
They backed away slowly as she approached the wolf. Although with its belly being rubbed the beast didn't seem to mind in the least.
"It pleases me to see the progress you've been making young Jun." Baelor spoke with pride, a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Master Baelor. I'm grateful to be a part of the Silvermane."
"I do have a request for you... We have an interview with the Tokyo times. An article about our guild and what we stand for. It would be appreciated to have our younger members represent themselves. Speaking on your values, among many other issues."
"It would be an honour sir." Jun replied with reverence. The guild had done so much for this young man. A chance to help in anyway was an opportunity that could not be passed up.
"But what about master-"
"No." The thought of having his name in print, face in social media... 'Talking' to people. Sickening to think about.
A man of the shadows. Both in sunshine and moonlight.
"I didn't expect you would." The elf gave an amused smile to Eren. "I suspect that your student would more than suffice."
Jun left to the showers. Whilst Eren towelled off the sweat that accumulated. He would also need a shower. However, Baelor's silent gaze gave pause.
"Your father... Has been caught trying to introduce 'crimson spice' onto guild territory." Spoke the elf. Voice now serious and concerned. "I would appreciate it if you dealt with this matter directly."
"Yeah..." His family problems now becoming something the rest of the world had to deal with. He left without another word. Heavy footsteps that echoed with regret for what he must do.
***
*Crash*
"Where is it?!" Mr. Heart roared over his daughter, throwing one of his many empty bottles at the wall.
Emi sat on the couch, silent and still as a rock. Eyes locked down to her feet.
"Look at me!" Mr. Heart roared as Emi refused to look her father in the face. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to face her father.
Mr. Heart was sweating profusely. Sunken eyes and a wild look that would scare any child. He was at least two days sober, yet it felt like an eternity. His mind, now clouded with a deep hunger. His skin, crawling with desire. The shakes that ran through the fingers.
"Where is my crimson spice?!" Mr. Heart yelled, pushing Emi back on the couch. Her eyes filled with tears; she tried to hold them in. The fear and the pain all bundled up in a small package of silence.
"I-I- threw it...out." She whimpered. "Y-you need to s-stop."
Eyes narrowed like daggers, Mr. Heart began to see red. The blood began to rush through his veins and his heart race. He drew his arm back, ready to slap the girl. A simple action, to relieve the anger that was swelling in his chest.
Emi flinched, shutting her eyes, and waiting for the inevitable. Only, the impact never came, only the sounds of footsteps and a grunt.
The hand was held high above her head. She was never in any real danger with her brother nearby.
Eyes opened and a look of relief washed over Emi, her brother had come, finally, to save her. The hand of her father was caught by a far stronger one. Eren's grip was like steel, firm, and unyielding. Eyes cold and full of rage.
"Emi... Go to your room." Eren spoke with authority and resolve. He didn't shout or raise his voice, but there was an unmistakable weight to his words. One that demanded obedience.
*Nod*
Emi quickly left the area. Mr. Heart tried to pull back. Trying to free himself from the steel grip of the demon before himself. Eyes filled with a mix of fear and rue. Too late that he realised he did something unspeakable.
"You have three minutes... Pack as much as you can carry. You will leave this house, leave the ward and never return."
"Wait... Son. I'll quit I swear... Just one more chance..." Mr. Heart was a man of broken pride. A shell of a man, reduced to nothing but dust. Now grovelling before a son that had never truly saw him as the father he once had.
"1, 2, 3..."
Mr. Heart got up, stumbling through jitters and shakes. Eyes becoming bloodshot, with tears falling from the corners. He bumped and fumbled over furniture, making excuses to the world around himself.
"I'll get better." "Just one more chance" and "I love you..." were all uttered under his breath.
He started grabbing as much as he could in his room; although that quickly turned into a search for more spice that may be hidden.
An image of the family; by his bedside table caught Mr. Hearts attention.
A young, happy woman, with two beautiful children. A man standing behind, proud and full of love. He finally broke down. The tears that fell, fell from a man who knew the love of another. A reminder of the life that was squandered in the wake of her passing. It was an image of better days, the ones that have long passed and will never return. He placed a kiss on that image and held it close as he hurried down the stairs.
"168, 169, 170,"
"I'll get clean..." Mr. Heart muttered, taking one look at the home that would no longer be his.
*Clasp*
"Not that. You don't get to see her smile." Eren pulled the image out from Mr. Hearts grasp.
"Wait-"
"177, 178, 179."
*Slam*
It was done. No more would this man plague their home.
In truth; Eren would have liked to have gotten his father some help. Place him within a rehab, give him treatment, anything... But this man raised a fist to his family, and no amount of substance abuse or mental instability would ever allow such an action to be forgiven. Some sins, are just far too great to be redeemed.
For once, Eren needed no supernatural influence. His heart had turned to ice long ago where his father was concerned.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Emi?" He made his way to her bedroom. The door was shut and no reply came from within.
'Fair enough.' Eren left the girl in peace.
*Click* *Hug*
The soft padding of her feet barely made a noise as the girl threw her arms around her brother. Her face buried in the black shirt on Eren's back. She began to sob.
"Please don't leave me." She said, voice choked with emotion. Her small hands trembled as she clutched onto Eren's shirt, holding onto it like a lifeline.
"I won't... I promise." He replied. His words carried a sense of finality to them. He had made a promise once that he failed to keep. He learnt from his mistakes. Never again.
***
Epilogue:
Alone in darkness. A man with no name sat in the middle of the dark. Monitors glow brightly, illuminating the room. No smell's, no sounds, nothing but the light of the screens. And the soft clicking of a keyboard.
*Beep*
A new window appeared on one of the monitors. A message.
A door opened. Light pierced through the eternal void that surrounded the man. Stepping through, were four goblins. Each at least 4 foot tall, their skin a dark green, eyes a shade of gold, ears pointy and curved upwards.
With a bigger one; at least 6ft tall. Skin, a dark red and with a hulking physique. Their leader and the one the white eyed individual were interested in.
"You called?" The goblin said in a gruff tone, it was deep, with a hint of a growl.
"Here." The white eyed man gave a picture of a silver lion. 'The Silvermane' emblem.
"Your target is the Silvermane. We need them captured; they will be used as a bargaining chip against the guild."
This shadow was a pragmatist; cold and straightforward. His goal to get back the thumbstick once held by the crimson bandits. Information that would make life difficult if it got out to the wrong people.
"Eh, what makes you think- ARRRRGGGGGHHHH!" With an aura of darkness, the goblin fell to the ground. The white eyed man stared down at the pathetic creature.
"You're not here to ask questions. You are here at my discretion to carry out a task. Is that clear?" The white eyed individual spoke in a low growl. The voice of a demon, one filled with absolute authority. The other goblins had gone silent, the air felt heavy, suffocating even.
"Yes... Yes, sir."
"Now get out." As quickly as the pressure came, it was gone.
Their goal, now clearer than ever. The white eyed man was a powerful enemy. One with authority, one who commands respect. He had given them a task. They were to kidnap members of a guild. Although, why was anyone's guess.
No matter. They were not to question the orders. They were simply to execute.