Chapter 1: Awakening

Arc 1: Reaper training Eren awoke from a dreamless sleep; His vision was blurry at first but soon began to focus. A warm breeze blew across his face, ruffling his hair gently. Laying on a grassy hillside overlooking a vast valley below him, that went on for eternity, blending into the orange sunset.No injuries remained on his body; all traces of the fight had been erased. In their place, a calm feeling washed over him, relaxing his muscles, and soothing his mind.'Am I dead?' Eren asked himself as he sat up slowly. Taking in the scenery around him, this place was ripped straight out of his dreams. It was peaceful, serene, perfect. There was no pain or suffering, only tranquillity."Eren!" A familiar voice called from the distance. Turning his head towards the source,"Kyo?" His eyes widened at the sight before him.Kyo stood smiling widely at him. He looked just as Eren remembered, evidence of his demise absent from his body. His clothes were clean, without a single stain of blood on them.Eren ran towards him, his heart racing with excitement."Kyo!" He shouted excitedly. Wrapping his arms around him tightly, squeezing him as hard as he could. The hug was returned in kind, both men laughing and smiling."I'm so glad you're alright!" Eren exclaimed, releasing Kyo from his grasp. "Yeah, you too." Kyo replied, placing his hand on Eren's shoulder. "Where are we?" Eren asked, turning back towards the scenery in front of them."I'm not sure exactly, but it feels good to be here." Kyo admitted, looking at the sky above them. "Everything feels...Right, ya know?" Eren nodded in agreement."Do you think this is the afterlife?" He asked, glancing at Kyo from the corner of his eye."No idea." Kyo shrugged, "Wait. Haruto and Rika." He turned back towards the hills behind them. "There not here... are they safe?" Kyo asked worriedly. Eren smiled reassuringly, "I think so.""What makes you say that?" "Instinct. I can feel it in my gut." Kyo nodded, still looking slightly worried."Come on, let's explore this place." He began walking down the hillside towards the valley below.Whilst the pair walked, a looming shadow appeared on the horizon, growing larger with each step they took. Expansive wings began to form, spanning far above them, casting an ominous shadow. It landed gracefully in front of them, still bathed in shadow."Welcome." The figure greeted them warmly, stepping forward into the light.A man with golden locks stood before them, clothed in a black suit and a dark red tie with fiery red accents. His skin was fair and smooth, like marble stone. He had emerald eyes that shone brightly with power."Hello..." Kyo greeted him warily, looking over the figure carefully. "Who are you?" The man smiled at Eren kindly. "I am Lucifer..." Lucifer paused, lifting his hands into the air dramatically. "Welcome to the afterlife.""Wait, Lucifer as in the devil-""Shush, that is just a human interpretation, a long story that is both awe-inspiring and-" Lucifer paused mid-sentence. His eyes focusing intently on Eren's face, studying it carefully."You." His voice seemed to echo, bouncing off the walls of Eren's mind. A feeling of déjà vu washed over him."Let me look at you." Lucifer stepped forward, placing his hands on Eren's shoulder. He examined every inch of Eren's face, smooshing his cheeks together, squinting his eyes as if looking for something specific."Have we meet before?" Eren asked quietly, uncomfortable with the sudden proximity between them.Lucifer was silent for a moment before replying, "Now 'that is' a long story." He released his cheeks, a hint of sadness in his eyes."Now, come with me." Snapping back to his cheerful self. Suddenly, grabbing the pair, wings spread from his back and carried them into the sky. Soaring through the endless orange void."What the hell!" Kyo yelled as they ascended into the clouds, struggling against the grip on his arm. Eren held onto Lucifer's arm tightly, trying not to fall. The air whipped around them, sending their hair flailing wildly behind them."Hold on." Lucifer whispered as he swooped down, diving straight towards the ground below."Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" The pair screamed as they plummeted towards the earth. A black void opened beneath them, swallowing them whole. The orange sky vanishing from view, darkness encasing them.The world shifted around them, twisting, and turning as they were transported through the darkness. Finally emerging into another world, this one however, was vastly different.The temperature is far colder than the grassy field, the atmosphere is gloomy. It is a decrepit landscape with no colour; the sky is overcast, and there are no grass coverings, only an ashen sandy ground that stretches on over unending dunes. A land of death.Lucifer floated down, releasing his grip on the pair's arms. He landed gracefully onto the barren earth below, followed by Kyo and Eren landing next to him. Both fell forward onto their knees, gasping for air. Their lungs burned from the lack of oxygen. "What the hell was that!" Kyo yelled at Lucifer."My, aren't you a feisty little mortal?" Lucifer remarked, leaning in closer to him, grinning mischievously."What do you want from us?" Eren asked calmly. Lucifer stepped away from Kyo, focusing his attention on Eren. "It's what 'we' want from you, my dear Eren Heart." He replied, smiling devilishly."We?" Eren repeated, eyebrow raised in confusion."Come along now, we have such sights to show you." Lucifer waved them over, as he began walking across the barren landscape with an almost schoolgirl like skip in his step.Kyo and Eren shared a look of uncertainty before following him.They travelled for a short while before coming across a long line of people, stretching as far as the eye could see. However, these humans were different from normal humans, they had pale skin and deep eyes. Some missing limbs, others completely disfigured.They seemed to have come from all different walks of life. Men, women, children, even some form of monsters, such as goblins and elves. All of them wore matching expressions of sorrow and despair."Are those... spirits?" Kyo asked quietly, looking over the crowd with apprehension. "Indeed," Lucifer replied, his tone almost proud."These are the souls awaiting their turn to be processed." He answered, motioning for the pair to follow him. They walked alongside the sea of souls towards a colossal temple, looming ominously over the bleak landscape. Its walls were built from black marble stone, decorated with intricate designs and symbols. At the entrance stood several pillars, blazers engulfed in white flames."This is Death's temple. Where the souls are processed and sent onwards to their next life." Lucifer explained as they approached the large stone doors."So, who was right?" Eren inquired."Who was what?" Lucifer answered back a little bit perplexed."Which religion was right? Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism?""None. Well. Bits and pieces spread across all religions. An explanation for another time. Come we have much to see." Lucifer really wasn't interested in dumping the ins and outs of the afterlife to two new arrivals. A story for another timeTwo guards stood on either side of a large temple door, clad in full black armour. Their helmets covered their entire faces, leaving only their eyes exposed."Hello." Lucifer greeted with vigour, flashing them a dazzling smile. The guards turned to him, staring at him blankly for a moment before looking away, dismissing him entirely."Oh, come now, don't be like that. I'm just here to deliver these two gentlemen to our Lord and Master." Lucifer waved his hand dramatically at Eren and Kyo, emphasizing their presence.The guard raised its hand, pointing at the door behind it. "Thanks." Lucifer grinned happily, before walking past the guards and pushing open the doors.The interior of the temple was equally as grandiose as the exterior. However, whilst the exterior was of dark and gothic design the interior was more in line with modern design. White marble floors, polished to perfection. Large columns supported the massive dome shaped ceiling. In the centre of the room, the line that stretched outside began to split up into different pathways. With the smaller lines leading up a large spiral, not visible from the outsideEren and Kyo had seen many wonders in their time on earth. However, nothing compared to this place. Everything felt ancient beyond comprehension, radiating with power."Eren..." An otherworldly voice resonated throughout the room. The entire building seemed to tremble under its weight.From a black shadow, emerged a tall slender figure. Its body wrapped in a dark robe, obscuring any form beneath it. Only the endless abyss could be seen within the hood. The only physical features that were visible was two burning white eyes, staring back at Eren."Welcome, Eren Heart." It spoke again, the same echoing voice that rang in Eren's mind."Who... who are you?" Kyo asked, his voice barely above a whisper."I am known by many names, Death, Lord of souls, King of shadows, Azazel."Eren and Kyo remained silent, unable to find the words to speak. Their minds racing with a thousand questions."I've...been watching you Eren, for some time now." The being spoke slowly, its words weighted with purpose. "Why me? Why did you send me to my death? Why not anyone else?" Eren questioned, finding his voice once more.The figure seemed to consider Eren's question for a moment before answering, "Follow..." Suddenly, a shadow enveloped them, transporting them from the temple to the outside.Reappearing atop a cliff, overlooking a black ocean. The waves crashed below them violently, white foam lapping against the dark rocks. Despite the eerie atmosphere the ocean brought, it was oddly soothing."Your death, was a construct of fate." Death began, turning to look out at the horizon. "Fate!? What is that supposed to mean?" Eren interjected, angered by the cryptic answer.Death seemed to ponder before answering, "Another time." Death replied calmly. "For now, let me offer you a choice, Eren Heart." Death's voice became clearer, no longer reverberating within Eren's mind."A choice? What kind?" Eren asked cautiously. A being of death; offering a choice is not to be taken lightly."I would like to offer you the chance to be reborn, a second chance at life." Death spoke with great purpose.Eren took a seat on the cliffs edge, mulling over his options. 'Rebirth?' He looked out over the vast ocean. A gentle breeze blowing through his hair.'Another chance at life...to be with my family again.' His heart ached at the thought of them. "What are my choices?" He asked quietly, turning his gaze back to Death."You have two options, either continue on to the afterlife and rest for eternity, or be reborn as a reaper, to serve under me. Serve as my will beyond this realm." Death explained, sitting down next to him."What would I have to do?""All worlds require a balance of life and death; your duty as a reaper would be to maintain that balance. Bringing death to those who avoid the inevitable..." Eren grimaced at the thought of taking more lives.The slashing of those soldiers, flesh tearing through his blade still fresh in his mind. Never taken a life before; self-defence it was, it still was at the back of his mind."... And to bring life to those that need it most." Death added, a small ethereal bird landed on his finger, chirping happily. Eren stared at the little creature with curiosity. "Life is one balancing act after another, for there is darkness within the light, and light within the darkness." Death released the bird from his finger, allowing it to fly away."What about Kyo?" Eren asked, glancing over at his friend who was sitting cross-legged on the ground, watching them silently."Only one can become a reaper. Kyo's death was an unfortunate consequence of those who upset the balance."Eren looked back over the ocean, watching the waves crash against the cliffs below."And if I decline?" Death stood up from his seat, turning towards him. "Then you will join him in eternal rest, amongst the souls." Death held out his hand towards Eren, beckoning him to take it.Eren paused for a moment, contemplating his choices carefully. 'Another chance at life...'Eren looked down at beach below. His eye's softened, a little girl with raven hair skipped through the black sand, happily humming to herself. The small child turned her head towards Eren, staring directly at him.A joyous smile with a couple of missing teeth plastered across her face. Seeing her, it is a part of Eren that wishes to return to his family. To be reunited with his sister once more. To hold her in his arms again. To apologize for leaving her."Fine, I'll be your reaper then." He agreed finally. Taking Deaths hand, pulling himself up. "Very well, Eren Heart. If you will-""But... there are some conditions." Eren interrupted him.Death stared at him for a moment before nodding his head slightly."One: If Kyo can't be brought back, then I want him sent to the highest level of paradise."Death nodded slowly, "Kyo had sacrificed his life for yours, for that act of valour and bravery he would have been granted your request regardless."A tear trickled down Kyo's face, touched by Eren's kindness."And two: The same deal applies to my friends and family when they pass. Three: Their lives, untouched by the shadows I'm about to embrace, that's my final condition.""Your terms are acceptable, Eren Heart." Death agreed."Lucifer..." Death's voice called out to him. The blonde reaper had spent the entire time twirling his hair in self-amusement."Show Kyo the way home." Lucifer stood up, striding over to them. "Of course, my lord. It would be my pleasure." Lucifer extended his hand's towards Kyo and Eren.Flying them back to the temple.Death remained by the cliff watching the waves ebb and flow against the rocks. Deep in thought.The flight was silent for the most part, Kyo struggling to keep himself balanced whilst holding onto Lucifer's hand. The winds threatened to blow him away at any moment.But most of all, Eren could not stop thinking about the choice he made. 'Another chance at life...' He glanced over at Kyo, smiling weakly."Thanks." He spoke softly, barely audible over the wind.Arriving at the temple, at the base of a huge swirling blue gate that stood before them. "This is as far you can go Eren." Lucifer halted Eren with his hand.Kyo steeped towards Eren and held out his hand towards him. "Good luck, buddy." Eren shook it firmly, wrapping his free arm around him tightly."Take care of yourself, ok?" Eren whispered into his ear."Don't worry about me; you keep yourself safe alright? And if you see my parents and Haruto again, tell them I love them." Kyo smiled warmly, letting go of Eren's hand."We will meet again." Kyo reassured Eren, tears welling up in his eyes.The Blue gate glowed brighter, engulfing Kyo in a blinding light."Goodbye, my friend." Eren whispered softly as the light vanished, leaving only Lucifer and him behind.Lucifer grabbed Eren's shoulder, not allowing him any time to process what had happened. "Your mine now." He grinned deviously, dragging him away from the gate.He now belonged to the realm of death. A final act of humanity.