Silvermane knights stood at a healthy distance; ready to defend should they need it. However, Baelor wanted to be the one to slay this beast. It was Eren's body after all.
"The ones above, always plotting and scheming... Humans, after all these years they still are yet to change; still greedy, still hungry, still power lust... Still a plague." The monster turned away from the elf. Gazing upon the moon large in the sky.
"So, you are to continue your works until you feel you quenched your hunger for the gods?"
"Yes, as has been my purpose from the start. The source of all rot, will fear the shadows once more." A task so extraordinary in scope but said with equal amounts of simplicity and arrogance.
"Then why all the chaos, the cartel in the jungles of Mexico. The human bomb levied against the dominus. Even the torture of the idol. What purpose do they serve?" A question had plagued the guild master since learning of the monsters' actions. They seemed chaotic, without any clear pattern.
"My, my, my... I would expect that elvish brain of yours, would have pieced together my goal. After all, it's only the first of many parts." The monster leaned in close. Breath smelt of ash and sweet bone, he could tear the smooth skin of Baelor if it wished.
"War."
"War..." It clicked for the elf.
"War?" Jun spoke up from behind; confused.
"Between those who bleed red and those who bleed black. A war to draw the eyes of those above down upon us. And in kind to wipe out those green abominations. The cherry blossom queen... Justice served, but can you guess who will take the blame for her murder?"
"A war between the blood tooth cartel and the dominus. Escalated so that it took the life of a much-loved idol. The goblins will retaliate, against Japan and in turn... Japan will return favour." A blade would cut down the Reaper without a second thought, but Eren was still in there.
"Clever, clever elf."
"Let Eren go." Jun stepped closer; seraph put the Reaper on the backfoot
"You assume I hold him by the neck? He gave himself freely, willingly." A mocking word to the apprentice.
"Liar! Eren would never-"
"Eren was suffering whilst you were busy playing superhero. You watched him spiral down until all that was left was to feel nothing." The Reaper stared down at the boy, like a god towering over an ant.
The Reaper was yet to lie. He spoke with cold truth and facts. Perhaps a little relief that he could finally discuss his host with someone else.
"Jun, it's okay." An outstretched hand from Baelor. Calm and collected; a stark contrast to the boy.
"You have already set in motion war; very well. But I suspect you wish Eren to see it through?" The elf posed the question.
"Yes... The stronger he grows, the greater we become. He will need every drop of power, to bring ruin to the heavens above."
"Then leave beast. You are no longer welcome here." A cold gaze, like a sharpened katana. The elf would not allow the monster to exist in this world. Not for long anyway.
Once Eren is back, a stronger hold he will need to have on the white-haired man. A path of self-control and discipline will be necessary. Until the day comes, when Eren can discard the ring into the deepest part of the abyss. The guild would keep watch over it until then.
"You elf. The gods and their schemes, humans, and their desires... But you. What do you want from my host?" White orbs looking the elf up and down, from sword to hair and everything in between. An intensity that would send many fleeing.
"What I want? I simply wish to help Eren. He deserves that much at least." The elf answered but the ring was not satisfied with the answer. A knowing smile, that grew wider and wider.
"Very well... Your secrets will soon become known. My host will see, we all will." Turning away from the elf; standing in the open awaiting for some grand transformation to take place.
Nothing.
The smirk of the Reaper vanished. Only a silence; left to right the Reaper searched for something that was not there.
"Bring him back!" Jun ordered the reaper in a threatening tone.
"Eren's gone... The soul, I cannot find it." A panic in its movements and tone.
"What have you done?" Jun stepped closer to the creature.
"I-I did nothing." For the first time, the voice sounded weak. A worry to its words.
"You must have done something or-"
"Jun." Baelor held out a hand for the young man.
The host had proven itself an honest sort. It would not lie to them. Especially when its existence was tied directly to Eren's. But the question remained, what happened to the master of death. A soul cannot simply vanish, especially one with the burden of reaping.
"If the beast cannot produce Eren..." A hand raised high; a large light cast into the sky.
"Then we will send you back to whence you came!" The light wiped out all the shadows around it. The tendrils dissipated, leaving only the monster standing alone.
---
"Don't do this elf. If I die Eren will never-"
"I'm not going to kill you... You will be brought back to the Silvermane guild to be contained."
"No!" Double scythes summoned from nothing. The reaper took a defensive stance.
"Bring him back!" Jun charged with Seraph in hand.
A downward strike; the reapers blocked the blow. Both stood still against one another's strength. Each pushing against the others' weapons.
"Careful young one, you wouldn't want to hurt your masters pretty-"
*Thawck*
A punch straight to the front teeth of the Reaper. Jun was not in the mood for words, especially the for man who wore his masters face. In fact, Jun needed to let off a little steam. Angry at Eren for not trusting him to share the burden.
"Heh... Good. I can see why Eren likes you, so much." Spitting out the blood onto the floor.
"You know nothing about Eren..." Jun swung down again with seraph but the monster was too fast.
Ducking under the swing; an opening to the young man's left flank. A quick slash left a long cut along the armour. Luckily it did its job.
A jump over Jun, aiming for the back of his neck. Seraph blocked without hesitation. The sentient sword parrying the Reaper away. Allowing Jun to draw an additional sword from his belt.
*Schiiing*
*Shiiing*
*Clack*
*Shiiing*
Fast-paced strikes from all directions. A constant flurry of attacks that kept the Reaper on the defensive. Sparks flew from each clash. Jun joining in with his sword; pushing the Reaper to its limits. His skill growing by the second.
"Without my shadows I'm only half the fighter." A back flip from the reaper. Attempting to put distance between itself and Jun. Only for Jun to leap after it.
*Clang*
Both Seraph and Jun stopped by two different hands.
"But still far too strong for you." It said whilst kicking the boy to the ground.
His bone whip summoned in place of his left scythe. Swiping it in the air, like a snake that grew with each crack. Silvermane knights took notice of the commotion and began to move in.
Stopped by a hand from the elf.
"Let them fight."
A nod from the knights as they stopped just short of the fight.
Jun meet the whip with fast sword swings. Each strike became more difficult to predict. As the whip would change trajectory and speed. Getting longer and more vicious with each hit. Tired quickly, panting heavily under the armour.
*Shiiing* *Cling*
Two more lashes; one that cut deep under his arm another that struck across the chest. Each one drew more and more blood. Jun became overwhelmed at the superior fighter.
"A shame... You could have been a great warrior." A coiled whip; aimed to tear straight through the armour.
*SCHIIIING*
Blocked mid-air by Baelor; sabre drawn with a blue elegance to its tip.
"Eren would be most disappointed, if something happened." A kind smile towards Jun. The guild master stepped forward. The Reaper's smile returned; a worthy opponent had arrived.
The blue light still shining high into the sky. Illuminating the masked figure in a faint glow; the shadows around the Silvermane still faded.
"The only way you will bring this form back is in pieces." A grin as a whip and a doubled handed scythe were held at the ready.
"I am fully capable of breaking you down to the to the required parts. Reassembling as I see fit." The elf's threat wiped the smirk from the Reaper. A flash of light.
*Schiiiik*
Blocked with a scythe, the elves blade aimed for the neck. A downward swing was blocked by a taught whip. Bouncing off the bones, the sabre aimed low, cutting deep into the monsters' thigh. A deep gash; black ichor flowed freely.
The Reaper pushed back by the elf, creating distance and time. The whip swung to keep the elf at bay.
However, Baelor was quicker than the Reaper anticipated it. Each slash of blue blade cut closer and closer to flesh. Backflips and parries until the Reaper were pinned at the back of the ruins.
"Your form... Eren's weakness, without your soldiers you lack the abilities to truly challenge superior opponents."
"Eren is more capable than you give credit." Two feet against the half-crumbled wall. Kicking off, flying forward to close the distance. Scythe aimed for the knees of Baelor.
Baelor jumped over; but not before the whip snaked up a sliced just under his golden eyes.
Landing on his feet gracefully, two fingers feeling the blood drip from the wound.
"Eren is always full of surprises." He chuckled at the thought of the man who defied all expectations.
"Your magic will fade. And you will grow weary. How long can you last elf?"
A monster with cunning to match his strength. The Reaper once again spoke with merit. A stalemate will continue to drag on until one side tires. Baelor will eventually slow and that's all the Reaper would need.
But what then. Do the Silvermane knights' risk themselves against the monster. Does Jun step in, or worse. Will the public or the ward 17 guilds catch the attention of such a prolonged battle.
The longer this goes, the more at stake for the Silvermane. The more likely the Reaper will win. One way or another.
'Eren... Where are you?' Baelor thought as he glanced at the moon. Hoping that the universe would listen to his pleas for a moment.
He did not want to kill another friend… He had enough blood of his kin to last an elven lifetime.