Chapter 3: Reaper training - Malphas

Day 2:Eren awoke from his sleep feeling refreshed and alert, the taste of Lucifer's weird fruit in his mouth had subsided. He sat up slowly, still a little bit tender. His ribs ached from the hit, however there was no evidence of any broken bones or swelling. 'Another mystery of this place.'"You look so peaceful when you sleep, little dove." The familiar voice broke the silence of the arena. Lucifer sat on a lawn chair, as if he was enjoying the morning sun. As if there would ever be sun in the land of the dead."Are you ready to continue? We have lots to accomplish today." Lucifer grinned at him mischievously.Eren nodded silently, climbing to his feet, and stretching out his muscles. Lucifer strutted over to him, stopping a few meters away. "Let's continue where we left off yesterday, I want you to try and hit me again."Eren stepped forward and took up a fighting stance, right foot forward, left foot back, arms raised in front of his chest. 'This is going to be painful.' Eren thought to himself as Lucifer dashed towards him.A punch at the reapers head, aiming for his nose. However, Lucifer caught it easily, throwing his balance off. He threw a kick at Lucifer's leg, hoping to trip him up. The blonde reaper jumped over it effortlessly, kneeing Eren in the face.Eren's nose cracked loudly; broken, blood dripping from his nostrils, bent a little side-ways.'Damn it.' He cursed inwardly, stumbling back. Lucifer kept advancing, not giving him a chance to recover. Lucifer jabbed once more this time, Eren was prepared. He blocked the attack, deflecting it to the side. Countering with his own flurry of attacks, forcing Lucifer back.Unlike yesterday's fight, Eren was able to connect with Lucifer's nose. Sending him reeling back in pain. "Good, the fruit is starting to take effect." Lucifer smirked, wiping the blood from his nose.The taste of the weird fruit returned, filling Eren's mouth. "What did you feed me?" Eren questioned, pushing down that nauseating feeling."It's called the reaper fruit, only lord death can pronounce it's true name. Rather than give strength to the body, it allows you to grow stronger through combat with an experienced opponent. Or in other words; Anything I can do you can do better. And baby, I'm perfect." Lucifer sang happily as he twirled around.Eren sighed heavily, this is going to be a long journey. "Again." Lucifer smiled, charging at him once more. ---Hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks. Eren's training was progressing smoothly, every day was a new challenge brought forth by Lucifer. Often it would be some form of sparring, he and Lucifer would do battle with each other for hours.Some days it would be martials arts of some sort, other days it would involve weapons. Swords, daggers, spears, staffs, axes, hammers. They all were tried, even a gun at one point.And if it weren't sparring, it was testing his endurance. Lucifer had him run laps around the arena, swimming in the black ocean, lifting weights and all sorts of other torturous exercises. Lucifer even insisted he take off his shirt, Eren didn't understand the reasoning for that nor did he question it.Something about experience channelling better with skin-to-skin contactWith each day he stood a little bit taller, pushing a little bit harder. Finding previously difficult techniques becoming that much simpler.Day 25:"Perfect, do it again." Lucifer instructed. Eren held a black dagger in his hand, its blade coated in fresh blood. He swung it at Lucifer, who parried it easily. "Wrong, try again." Lucifer critiqued him, slapping the back of his head.Eren grunted in annoyance, but obeyed without complaint.Although, he has grown in such a short period of time. He still lacked the polish of his mentor.Eren gritted his teeth, swinging the blade at Lucifer's chest. Lucifer sidestepped, catching his arm in the process. Eren used his free arm too jab Lucifer in the throat, forcing him to release his grip."You are improving, my little dove." Lucifer purred, massaging his neck. "Remember that variety is the spice of life.""Next, we will do-" Before he could finish his sentence, the air around them changed. It was tense and electric. The sky above began to change, darkening and swirling with shadows."Ughh...He's here." Lucifer groaned, slumping his shoulders. A figure descended from the clouds, shrouded in black shadows. Its presence alone was enough to make even Lucifer wary.It landed softly on the ground, its wings dissipating into the air. The figure wore a neatly pressed black suit, and red tie. His skin was as pale as porcelain, and his eyes were cold and soulless; A full head of black hair gelled back, exposing his angular features. A lanky man with a menacing aura."Lucifer." The figure spoke, his voice smooth like silk, yet as cold as ice. "Malphas... What brings you here?" Lucifer replied nervously, shifting uncomfortably in place.Malphas' eyes wandered around the arena, before falling on Eren. Sneering at the young reaper with disdain. His face resembled that of a skull, his features gaunt and sunken. With little white dots to illuminate his eyes. "Is this the one?" He asked curtly, walking towards Eren."Yes, he is the one, now would you please leave? We are in the middle of training here." Lucifer tried to explain, however Malphas ignored him completely."Lucifer the fool, always looking for an excuse to bring in a new toy."Eren held his tongue as the tall man circled around him, watching his every movement. Malphas sniffed the air like a predator would do to its prey, closing his eyes and focusing. Eren resisted the urge to tell the reaper to piss off."Pathetic." Malphas spat, opening his eyes once more. The blank voids filled with emotionless disgust.Kicking Eren with a surprise attack to his knee, sending him crashing to the ground.Eren hissed in pain, clutching his knee. Gritting his teeth as the pain began to fade."How could Lord Azazel possibly allow a lowly creature like you to become a reaper? It's... ridiculous." Malphas mocked him, placing his foot on Eren's shoulder, pushing him down into the dirt."Leave!" Lucifer ordered, charging at Malphas knocking him off Eren."He is mine to train, not yours to torment!" Lucifer roared furiously. "If he cannot handle the likes of me, then there is no hope for him." Malphas pushed him away, straightening his suit."Begone Lucifer, I will handle the boy."Lucifer stood in consternation, unsure what to do. He looked back at Eren, who was standing up and glaring daggers at Malphas. However, an idea had struck him. Lucifer leaned down to Eren, handing him his dagger. "Survive against him, my little dove." He whispered into Eren's ear, before stepping back, unveiling his wings, and taking flight into the air.Malphas stared down at Eren, unfazed by Lucifer's display."To think Lord Azazel would waste such valuable resources on a brat like you. Unfortunate-" Eren dashed towards Malphas, swinging the blade at him. Malphas sidestepped, throwing a punch at Eren's head. The immense power behind the blow surprised Eren, such a thin man hiding that much strength.Eren rolled away, jumping to his feet, and raising the blade again. Malphas glanced down at the dagger with contempt, "Is that all?" Eren mocked him, an enraging smile on his face. Malphas cracked his neck from side to side, before charging at Eren. He threw another punch at Eren, who deflected it with the dagger.Malphas slaps Eren across the face with an open palm, sending him stumbling back. A thin line of blood dripped from the cut on his cheek, staining the white sand."You fight like a little girl." Eren snarled through clenched teeth. Malphas raised his eyebrow in surprise. "Little girl? Childish insults and bravado. Do you mock me human?" Eren didn't answer, instead delivering a headbutt to Malphas' nose.*Thump*Malphas took a step back, wiping the blood from his nose. "Oh, it seems you aren't entirely incompetent after all." Malphas remarked dryly, as if he was irritated by the very fact.Eren swung the blade at Malphas' throat, aiming for his neck. But Malphas blocked it effortlessly, kicking Eren's legs out from under him. Knocking him to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust.Eren swung with an uppercut to his jaw, Malphas evaded. Eren swung again and again, with each blow going faster and harder. Eren's training with Lucifer was paying off, his body had become more durable and stronger. His attacks landed against Malphas' defence, creating an opening. Eren jabbed the dagger into Malphas' stomach, piercing through his skin.Malphas stumbled back, clutching his wound. The blood poured freely from the deep cut, staining his pristine suit."This...Boy!" His face contorts into a grimace. "Enough of this game." Malphas reached behind him, withdrawing a black curved dagger. Dwarfing Eren's own.Malphas lunged at him, thrusting the blade towards his chest. Eren parried the blow, however Malphas managed to slash Eren across the shoulder, cutting through the fabric of his shirt. Eren hissed in pain, moving away from the oncoming attack.The blades sleek, curved design shone brightly, despite the faint light of the cloudy sky. Malphas zipped forward, too fast for Eren's eyes to follow. Cutting a gash across his thigh. Eren growled in frustration, leaping back, putting distance between them. His heart pounded against his ribcage as adrenaline flooded his system.'Damn it! He's strong, too strong!' Malphas struck again, slicing his arm. Another cut formed on his arm, adding to the growing collection.Time began to slow for Eren; his body had quickly adapted to the situation. His senses sharpened, the adrenaline pushing his mind into overdrive. Each strike from Malphas was easy to predict, it became like second nature to him.Annoyed, Malphas increased the speed of his attacks, however Eren's reaction time kept up. He moved out of the way of each attack, anticipating every move."You can't win." Malphas sneered, "You're the pussy who can't win without relying on tricks." Eren retorted, blood pumping through his veins.A smile formed on his lips as his body took control. 'Now's my chance.' He lunged forward, jabbing at Malphas' throat. Malphas stepped back and parried the blow, the razor-sharp blade tearing through Eren's forearm."This ends now." Malphas declared, attacking harder and faster. With each strike that is parried, it grew in power and speed. Eventually, Malphas went to a level Eren couldn't reach. Even with his augmented senses, Eren could barely keep up. Blood dripped from the countless cuts covering his body.Finally, Eren's dagger is knocked from his hands, falling onto the soft sand. "You lost, human." Malphas glared down at him coldly, piercing his stomach with his blade. Eren's eyes widened as the pain hits him, like fire burning through his flesh. He clutched at his stomach, blood pouring from the wound. Slumping over, gasping for air. Malphas raised his blade above his head, preparing to deliver the final blow."You were never going to be one us." Malphas plunged his blade downwards, aiming for Eren's heart.With no other choice, Eren caught it, stopping the blade mere inches from his chest with his open palm. The sharp steel easily cutting through his palm."Argh!" Eren winced, gritting his teeth as the cold metal sliced through his flesh."To think you would catch that..." Malphas snarled, pushing the blade down harder. The pain intensified as the blade pushed deeper into his hand."I'm impressed, little human." He sneered, twisting the blade slightly. Eren groaned in pain, struggling to keep up the pressure."Emi." He muttered under his breath, thinking about his sister. Her image driving him to keep fighting. ---The sky rumbled overhead, the clouds darkening and swirling with shadows. The air swirled as a sudden gust of wind came over them. Lucifer, with wings spread rips Malphas away from Eren. "I thought I told you to leave." Malphas dusted himself off, preparing to continue the fight."Stop." A new voice echoed throughout the arena, commanding all their attention. Lucifer stepped back from Malphas, bowing his head slightly. Malphas snapped his gaze up to the sky, where a winged figure descended gracefully."Gabriel, what brings you here?" Malphas questioned, a hint of irritation in his tone."The same could be said of you, Malphas." The newcomer replied calmly, ignoring the scorn in his voice.Gabriel was tall, with pale skin that glowed in the gloom of the wasteland. His hair, tousled in a cascade of silver over a part of his face. A figure of elegance and menace, his most defined feature was his eyes. Emerald green, contrasting with the ethereal paleness of his skin. And finally, his wings; white and smooth like a swan's feathers. He wore a sleek red suit with matching pants and shoes. His body emitted an aura of grace and power."Lucifer has informed me that you have challenged Lord Azazel's judgement, is that correct?" Gabriel asked, landing gently on the ground."Yes." Malphas nodded curtly."What was your reasoning for such an act?" Gabriel inquired, raising his magnificent eyebrow slightly."This... Human!" Malphas spat the word out like it was poison, pointing at Eren."I wanted to prove to our lord that he is not worthy of being one of us. If he could not best me in combat, what hope does he have?""Whilst I agree with you in theory-""What!" Lucifer interjected, shocked by Gabriel's words. "You said you would help-"Gabriel held up his hand, silencing him. "However, you must go through the proper channels if you wish to intervene in the business of another."Malphas glared at Gabriel, clearly annoyed but still maintaining his mask of professionalism. "Very well, you will live for a while longer, Human." He conceded reluctantly, turning his gaze to Eren.His wings expanded, preparing to take flight. "Malphas." Gabriel spoke again, giving pause to the gaunt man."You will do well to not question Lord Azazel's judgment, again." Malphas remained silent, taking flight into the air without another word.Eren grunted, wincing in pain as the blade was pulled out of his hand. The crimson liquid poured freely from the wound. Eren clutched his stomach tightly, trying to stop the bleeding.Gabriel walked towards Eren, staring down in contempt at the battered young man. "Lucifer, make sure he is trained well." Gabriel turned and strode away from them. Lucifer sighed in relief, looking down at Eren worriedly."Let me see what he did too you." He knelt and grabbed Eren's hands, inspecting the damage. "That was some impressive stuff little dove, you have got to tell me how you managed to survive against him." Lucifer beamed happily, squeezing his hand tighter."Ow... you're hurting me." Eren protested weakly.Lucifer placed a palm on his chest and muttered something under his breath, his hand glowed with a soft blue light. The bleeding stopped; the cuts slowly closed. However, it left scars behind, marking the places where Malphas had struck."It's good as new!" Lucifer smiled, patting Eren on the back. "Thanks." Eren muttered, looking down at his hands, two deep scars were left where the blade cut through."Now tell me... How did you do it?" Lucifer questioned; eyes filled with excitement. "Eren?" Lucifer poked at him impatiently.Eren had fallen unconscious, lying in the sand of the arena."I suppose I can wait. We have all the time in the world."