*Knock* *Knock*
"Eren? Where have you been? I'm nearly out of the pre-made food you- Oh, um. Hello." Emi answered the door, expecting Eren. Instead, A tall blonde man in elegant robes and a smaller woman in more traditional business attire stood before her.
Never the one to act normally around people she seldom knew; she began her nervous habits of keeping her eyes down and withdrawing into herself.
"Hello, Emi. I'm your brothers... Guildmaster." Baelor trying to find the appropriate adjective to describe himself and Eren's relationship. "May we come in?"
"O-oh... U-um sure." Opening the door to let the two into the home. "P-Please excuse my appearance. I was not expecting guests." Still trying to be polite in the presence of this magnificent person who moved with the wind.
"Think nothing of it." Smiling towards her to try to put her at ease.
"Have you seen Eren?" Minami asked politely. Whilst her master searched around with keen golden eyes.
"N-No. He said he had a mission to do. He'd be back in a few days... That was four days ago." She began to fidget with the sleeves of her oversized black hoodie. In all her anxiety, she would ball up into it to escape the pressures of the world.
"I'm sure it's nothing. Eren has never been one for communication." Another gentle smile from the disguised elf.
"Emi. Do you like fried chicken?" Said Minami.
"U-Um... Yes, I do." Emi responded as though surprised by the sudden question.
"Well then, as an apology for taking your brother away for such a long time. How about I treat you to some? On the account of the Silvermane?" Smiling sweetly at the shy girl.
"O-oh no, that's not needed. You shouldn't trouble yourself-"
"Come along." She grabbed Emi by the hand and led her down to the car. Leaving Baelor alone in the house.
With her gone, a serious expression took over. Taking his phone and tapping away.
"Mr. Jiro. Anything?" A call to one of his most loyal and trusted members.
"No... We've cleared ward 6 through 10... Nothing." A tired voice came on the other line.
"And the others? Has lady Emiko, Mr. Reece or even Mr. Jiao found something?" Frustrated, the guild master had to fight to keep his patience.
"Lady Emiko and Mr. Reece are in the next ward over, yet nothing has come back. But I do believe Mr. Jiao is still triple checking ward 17. He is rather thorough." The voice of Jiro became more hopeful at the mention of the last name.
"Good, keep searching until you feel the need to rest. Try again once you are well rested." Hanging up before any response was given.
'Eren... Where are you?' The elf thought, concern written across his face. Taking a seat at the dining table in the living room. Legs crossed and eyes closed, Baelor mediated on the issues before himself.
One of his greatest fears, the ring became him. Eren had the strength to resist the temptations of power, but it seemed it had all come undone. In a moment, the Reaper fell under the will of the ring.
Horrific actions the elf had heard. A great white fire burnt through Mexico, many men and women, whom many believed to have links to the cartel underworld have gone missing. Whatever this beast's goal was, prudent in achieving its goals.
Worse yet, there was chatter in Eosar. About an empire of greenskins and their kin being attacked without provocation. So riled up they have begun hunting the culprit with equal vicious fervour.
*Bzzt* *Bzzt*
"Mr. Baelor... Um sir, I found him." Jun said nearly inaudible over the phone.
"Where?!" Jumping from the chair to his feet.
"Ward 17. Where the... barrels were found."
"Stay as far away as possible, that beast will consume all it sees as an obstacle. I will arrive soon, with the entire guild." Quickly leaving the apartment, Baelor called for another car. Emi and Minami would be fine if they stayed together. But the master of the Silvermane would not rest until the Reaper was found.
***
Ward 17, ruins of the dusk rose idol agency:
Jun paced impatiently around the perimeter of the building, which was now nothing but smouldering ruins.
"Master Baelor." Jun stood to attention; like the soldier boy he was.
However, the squad of heavily armoured guild members behind gave pause. Anxiety about his master, replaced with fear of the armed men and women.
Light blue that reflected the moonlight. Head to toe in protective steel. Slimed contours to fit closely to each individual body. Each one had the Silvermane symbol painted on the front, a silver lions roar.
"It's okay Jun... Please step aside." The elf too wearing the sleek light blue amour. No helmet to hide his blonde hair, nor the golden eyes of wisdom. A gentle smile to the younger member of the guild. Baelor would not allow harm to come to anyone else. The Reaper's wrath was reserved for the one who created it.
"Please don't kill him..." Jun pleaded; full bow and trembling hands.
"I will try." No promises. The beast in the ruins, no longer Eren. A monster wearing the flesh of the man they all once knew.
Slowly, the Silvermane surrounded the ruins. Preventing any escape. A group of 20 strong. Although, there for exclusively to prevent escape. Not even Baelor knew what the ring was fully capable of doing. Only that it was a beast, worse than any S ranked monster. One that if left to its own devices, would consume all life.
Into the ruins; immediately two bodies spotted in a darkened alcove.
A woman, torn clothes. Bruised skin and bleeding from many orifices. Black tendrils had her arms and legs pinned to the wall. Eyes unfocused; staring blankly into nothing. Barely clinging to life.
The other a masked man. Tongue dangled freely from a wide smile.
"Eren..." Baelor stood at a healthy distance, hand resting on the hilt of an elegant elven enchanted long sabre. Faint glow of gold and blue, ready to defend should the need arise.
The white eyes of the mask looked at the blonde elf. A low smile.
"Hello... Elf." Expected hostility from the creature that dared defile the body of Eren Heart. Baelor kept a level head, for the time being.
"What have you done with him?" Jun came in behind the elf. Eyes locked onto the white mask.
"He is away... For now." Its smile grew wider and wider. Standing tall against the guild master.
"Release the girl. Please." A step forward from Baelor, drawing the sword from its sheath. Pointing it towards the monster.
"Do you know this one..." The beast pulled the lady to the middle of the ruins. A limp puppet for it to toy with.
"Kaguya Hoshino... The cherry blossom queen. I know... What she did." The white eyes narrowed onto the elf; the elf knew of her crimes.
"Yes, people like her are the reason why the world rots. She took someone pure, innocent, liberated from what the world does. For that she deserves death, not what you have done." Sympathy from the elf. Knowing the full depths of human nature.
"Very well..."
*Schiiiiik*
A long slash from ear to ear. Blood ran like a river down her chest. The woman went limp against the tendrils.
Dropped against the concrete, like a discarded plaything. No longer of any use.
"I do suppose I have room in my abyss for an Elf such as you…" The beast turned and gave a wide grin to the elf.