Chapter 11: Welcome to the new world

The morning light filtered through the grimy window, filling the room with a dull yellow glow. Birds sang their songs outside, chirping away in the rising dawn. Beams of sunlight painted a soft image across Eren's bed, brushing against his white hair.

As if waking from a dream, Eren's eyes fluttered open, for a moment it felt as though everything that had happened was nothing more than a nightmare, it was 10 years ago and he was late for university. But all dreams end.

Eren stood up slowly, muscles aching with each movement, the mattress lacked the comfort of Lucifer's loft but was at least his own.

The scent of bacon wafted in through the cracks in the door. His stomach growled like an angry wolf; his feet drawn to the kitchen before his brain had a chance to catch up.

"Good morning." Eren spoke in a tired voice. His father flipped a few rashers over, deep black, almost charred to a crisp.

"Morning son."

"Do you want any help?" Eren asked, leering at the blackened pieces of meat.

"No, no. Have a seat." The older man quickly turned, pushing him out of the kitchen. Eren had inherited his mother's love and skill in the kitchen, often being tasked with cooking during his childhood.

"Are you sure? I could-"

"Don't worry son, I've been holding down the fort since your mother passed. This is nothing." His voice carried more confidence than his cooking, even the blind could see that the cooking was barely edible.

"Either way, this is lunch for work today."

"Work? Isn't it a Saturday?" Eren questioned.

"Times have changed Eren. People need to work harder, put in more hours just to keep us all afloat." His voice went solemn.

"It's a cruel world now, even more so than before. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer. Super powers and all."

"Yeah... it seems things haven't gotten better." Eren agreed. The two continued the conversation until a shuffling in the hall interrupted, the creak of the floorboards gave it away.

Emi appeared in the archway between the hallway and living room. Dark circles beneath her eyes, her face gaunt and exhausted. Sleep obviously evading her.

"..."

Once more shocked by her brother's presence, Emi remained silent; hiding behind the couch once more.

Eren waved sweetly at her, inviting her to join them. She eyed him warily, shuffling her body along the furniture, refusing to break her gaze.

"It's time for me to go. You two should reconnect, try to remember what being siblings used to be." The old man spoke while putting on his coat. "I'll see you both tonight."

Emi shot an uneasy look at him, unsure of what to do now. The door shut with a click, leaving her alone with her brother. She did not speak for what seemed like an eternity.

To breach the divide Eren took the first step. Taking a seat by her side, turning on the tv. Like they used to do when she was young.

"What do we want to watch?" His voice is calm and smooth, like trying to attract a stray kitten.

"..." Emi snatched the remote from his hand, flicking through until she reached what she wanted.

"Battle idol Season VI? Sounds… interesting."

The screen erupted into action. Two girls, wielding glowing batons, one blue, and one pink. Dancing around a large arena. Suddenly clashing together, sparks flying from their weapons. Bright flashes illuminated their faces, revealing their features, both heavily panting, sweat glistened in the light of the stage. Audience in an uproar with each exchange of blows.

'The arena.' Eren thought, flashes off his own battles in the realm of death playing in his mind. Watching with intent curiosity. Neither party speaking to each other, occasionally sharing a glance or reaction to the show, a small piece of common ground to connect on.

However, the common ground became short-lived. With the end of battle came talking, and talking. The idols continued their battle verbally, nonsensical arguing filled with childish insults. Forced laughter and egregious melodrama The stuff Eren only witnessed on western TV shows.

In the corner of his eye, Eren spotted his younger sister smiling, even giggling at times. Her face softening at each remark, becoming engrossed with the show.

At last, a crack in the ice, an opening to pierce her frozen heart.

---

'That was awful.' Thought Eren.

"Is this really what passes for entertainment these days?"

"..." Emi crossed her arms, refusing to give an answer.

"Now what? The whole day ahead of us, whatever shall we do?" He spoke in a dramatic flair. Emi continued her intense stare.

Her brown eyes piercing him, scrutinising every fibre of his body. She wasn't like a cat; she was a cat. If Eren made any surprising movements she would jump, hissing in anger and swiping at him before disappearing back into the shadows, never to come back out.

"How about we go outside? I want to explore-"

The hiss came, leaping back into the shadows behind the couch, only her glare remained visible.

'This is a headache.' Eren sighed. Although a cunning plan came to mind.

"Although, I do recall a sister that loved a certain sweet shop not far from here. Maybe some delicious strawberry candy."

Her face flinched; mouth slow. Eyes betraying the true desire. 'Got you.'

"Well, I guess I'll just go to that sweet shop myself." Turning on his heel Eren slowly strode towards the exit. As the door opened, he glanced back over his shoulder.

"Wait!" Her voice squeaked out. A slight smile peeking from Eren's lips.

"I-I'll come... if... I can get... one?" Hesitant, shy, but finally able to string a sentence together.

"Of course. Let's go."

Eren stepped into his first dawn in ten years. The sun, forgotten in death's realm, pierced his eyes and wrapped him in a warmth long forgotten. It had been years since he had a chance to enjoy something so simple, time in the land of the dead always felt endless, endless days of endless nights.

Despite all the warmth, the block was barren, abandoned by the living long ago. The sidewalks cracked and littered with debris. Weeds breaking through, thriving on the broken concrete. People once bustled through the street; chatting amongst themselves in the warm morning glow.

But the city changed; the people changed; the buildings had changed. They all changed, life had changed. He was still stuck in the land of the dead.

'At least it's warmer here,' Eren laughed internally, feeling a longing for a place he no longer knew.

Emi trudged close, sticking to his side, nervous to enter the streets. Wrapped up in a thick winter jacket that dwarfed her size and scarf wrapped around her face; even her dark raven hair was obscured, all to cover the world outside her sanctuary.

"Cold?" Eren asked.

"N- no." A mumbled response came from underneath the scarf.

'She's definitely cold.' Eren thought, noting how she shivered in the gentle breeze. Eren smiled at Emi's quiet acceptance, his heart feeling just a little lighter.

Eren himself strangely wasn't affected by the cold. Only wearing a long shirt and shorts. Never one to feel the cold; he still did feel a prick from the chilly wind.

However, the cold didn't even tickle his skin.

There was something pulling at him, a name echoing in his mind—Haruto. He hadn't thought of him in years, not since the day everything fell apart. What had become of his best friend? Did Haruto even remember him? Eren wasn't sure what he was looking for, but he knew he had to find out.

The pair walked for a long time in silence, the occasional car drove past but other than that; it was quiet. Darkened windows peered out at them like soulless eyes following their every move. Every shadow seemed to lurk with hidden faults; the buildings cast eerie shadows across the pavement, shrouding the pair in darkness.

"This is the place." Eren spoke out, stopping in front of a large building. Much like home this apartment complex carried the same dimensions, but was almost immune to the march of time, retaining its white pallor; windows bright and inviting. Unlike home, this place was clearly well taken care of.

Climbing the stairs until they reached the 5th floor, apartment 517. Eren knocked firmly on the door, only waiting a few moments before shuffling feet approached the door, a grunt sounded from behind the wood.

A girl, no older than when he last saw Emi, short black hair, light brown eyes, fair skin, white T-shirt, and black shorts. "Good morning, is Haruto home?" He asked.

The girl looked him up and down with narrowed eyes, "Dad! Someone is here to see you." She called back into the house.

The sound of heavy footsteps grew closer. For a moment Haruto went un recognized, his face matured, an angular jaw line now in place of a boyish smile. His brown hair lost its youthful softness, muscles once toned as thin as paper; the only unchanged feature, his eyes. Green emeralds still shining, still full of life and warmth.

"Eren... How?" His mouth agape, completely frozen.

"Hey Haruto, long time no see." A smile spread across his face.

"I saw you die... I-I don't understand." Haruto stumbled on his words, trying to wrap his mind around what was happening.

"You think a little thing like death can stop me?" Eren nictated playfully.

"It really is you." Haruto smiled wide, tackling him into a hug.

"It's so good to see you man!" Haruto exclaimed.

"It's good to see you too, my friend." Eren replied warmly.

"You've got a lot of explaining to do." Haruto gestured inside, inviting Eren and Emi inside.

"Who is this little one? Do you have a kid now?"

"Yes, where are my manners, Eren this is my daughter Maya. Maya, this is an old friend of mine from high school."

The girl bowed her head, greeting them both.

"Hello Maya, it's nice to meet you." Eren bowed back.

"Hello." Her eyes widened slightly, recognising the name from many stories she had been told in the past.

Emi shuffled into the apartment, pulling down her scarf. Her cheeks rosy from the cold. The pair spent a time catching up, Eren relaying tales of his time in the land of the dead; Haruto sharing stories of his own.

Maya listened intently, fascinated by the world beyond. Emi sat too, a mixture of intent listening and want of strawberry sweets. As much as she would never admit it, deep down she loved hearing about the wonders of the afterlife.

After what seemed like hours, Eren stood up.

"Thanks for having us, but we really must get going. Before I do you wouldn't happen to know what happened to Rika?"

Haruto pulled out a small piece of paper, quickly scribbling down the details. "She moved and got married."

"Married? To who?" Shocked to hear his former lover had moved on. Anyone would feel a slight hurt at that news.

"Yeah, some ranker. I did lose contact with her a while ago. I've also given you Akira's location too."

'Akira too?' the traitorous dog and last gasp ally of Eren's final days.

"Trust me, he'd want to see you too. He never forgave himself for not being able to stop what happened." Haruto put his hand on Eren's shoulder.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it." Eren replied in kind, shaking hands before taking his leave.

"I won't lose contact this time." They both shared a smile.

"Let's go Emi, I promised this one some strawberry candy." A subtle look of excitement graced her face, quickly fading away into a blank stare.

"Oh, the place by that park, I'm sorry Emi, that's closed." He looked down at her sadly. Emi's eyes widen in shock and disappointment.

"We'll find somewhere." Eren reassured her.

---

The walk home brought back the silence from the start of the day, even more awkward than before. Emi shuffled her feet; clinking against the pavement, staring at the ground in front of her. Occasionally looking up at Eren, quickly averting her eyes when he returned her gaze.

Lost in thought, trying to decipher what to say or do. Many ideas playing in his head but all seeming like a bad move.

"How about... I cook my famous fried chicken tonight?" A subtle look of excitement graced her face, almost pleading him to continue.

"I seem to recall a young lady who would gorge herself on my cooking." He winked, smiling wide.

"..." A brief pause; her mouth slowly moved, trying to form the words.

"I... like... chicken." Her voice a low whisper.

"I'm sure dads got some things in the pantry, so I'll be making my infamous fried chicken!"

Siblings' steps now in unison, walking with a lighter step. A tiny smile crept across her face, still hidden beneath the scarf.

However, their peace was short lived. The base of their home, infested with a gang of youths, blocking the stairwell up. Clad in matching red leathers, insignias scrawled across their jackets.

A stench filled the air; body odour and cheap liquor reeked out; fouls smell of tobacco rooted to the side of the building

"Hey." One whispered, causing the others to turn. Attention squarely on Eren and Emi.

"Well, aren't you a sweet sight." One called out, a few boys whistling behind him. "You want to join us? We can have a good time."

Eren replied with a cold stare, Emi hiding behind in his shadow. Squeezing through the wall of thugs.

"Hey, we're talking to you," the thug growled, stepping in front of Emi.

"I don't know man. The look on his face gives me the chills." One mumbled to another.

"Relax, that shit head ain't got no balls. His eyes tightening on Emi.

Emi's eyes widened in fear, her breaths shallow. She struggled, her hands trembling as she tried to free herself.

"Let her go," Eren said, his voice cold, controlled—but the look in his eyes was anything but. The thug chuckled, glancing back at his friends for support.

"Or what? You gonna do something about it?"

Eren grabbed the young man's wrist, grasping it tight enough to turn his skin white.

"Let go." Eren spoke calmly.

"Hey man, we were just messing around." The thug whined in pain. Eren didn't relent, squeezing harder and harder.

"S-Sorry! Please!"

Finally, he let go. Throwing the boys hand away from Emi.

"Keep your hands off my sister." His voice cold, carrying a hint of hostility. "Fuck man! You nearly broke my fucking arm." He nursed his hand in pain. The thugs bristled with anger, ready to pounce.

"Fucking prick, you're going to regret that!" One shouted out. As the siblings ascended the stairs, ignoring the passing hostility. Back home Emi walked straight to her room, disappearing into the darkness.

"Emi I..." the door slammed shut before Eren could finish his sentence.

'Back to zero.' He sighed. All the work spent breaking down the door of her heart had now been undone. The boulder had rolled back down the hill, crushing everything in its path.

With a heavy heart Eren went to prepare dinner, picking out various ingredients from the pantry; spices, rice, chicken thighs and dashi. Faint hope that dinner would bring them together again, but his hopes were not high.