Nhairon kept a straight face despite knowing that whoever it was, was not afraid of him at all.
He walked slowly towards Nhairon, closer and closer. Until his details becomes more and more evident.
He looks ridiculous, but looks too threatening to simply ignore.
Every step becoming more tensed every second.
All Nhairon could do, was stare. And keep his composure. Any form of weakness could be his great disadvantage.
He needs to resist trembling, although he can already feel fear grow inside him.
The man kept smiling, and smiling.
Then he takes off his shades, but did not brush off some of his black hair covering his left eye.
All that he saw was one red eye looking at him.
Giving him chills all around.
The creature continued to taunt him with his very unnerving smile.
???: Finally found you.
He said in his deep raspy voice.
Nhairon felt confused as surely he doesn't know him.
He looks around and there were still people passing by.
Nhairon smiled back at him, assured that he won't be ambushed.
NHAIRON: You can't show yourself here, it will blow your cover.
???: You think I care about them?
NHAIRON: You are out of your mind.
???: Oh yeah, I have been...for a long time. So help me find peace.
His voice suddenly became deeper, and he began to grow sharp teeth.
Nhairon did not see his boldness becoming this great. It was rare for entities to reveal themselves this freely. They should know the rules.
This...he shouldn't do this.
He shouldn't reveal his claws so casually.
NHAIRON: What are you planning?
???: Follow me, obediently, and I...will spare that kid.
He pointed on a bench, where a child was sitting with his mother, who was too absorbed with her phone, and looking quite concerned on something.
The kid looked like an easy target. If he did abduct the kid anyone would just thought of it as another unlikely event.
Nhairon looked at him, expression beginning to grow sour.
NHAIRON: You...have no rights to claim an innocent life just so you can get what you want.
The man laughed.
???: I am a grown man, and you, don't have the rights to boss me around. And...besides...I am being nice to you, all you have to do is follow me, right?
NHAIRON: You...I don't know what you want from me. And if I did follow you, you'll have most the advantage. Do you think I'm dumb?
???: Ow, so do you want that kid to die? I thought reapers are very caring of human life. Seems like it was just another myth.
NHAIRON: Shut up! You...get the kid out of this. You have no rights to do this... You are not...hurting the kid.
???: Then come with me. Come with me and I'll be sure not to touch the kid.
Nhairon was hesitant on responding, so the man felt impatient and was about to walk towards the bench, when the reaper held his hand back.
Now made up his mind to come, in exchange for the innocent kid's safety.
NHAIRON: You, do not harm the child.
???: See? I knew you won't say no. Well if that's the case, follow me.
The two walked towards a corner, with no one passing around anymore.
There, the man opened his hands, gesturing Nhairon to take it. But of course, he was still a bit hesitant.
???: I thought we were passed this.
NHAIRON: I...fine.
He took his hand, and in a second they were in a different place. In a forest, where Nhairon was not familiar.
NHAIRON: Where are we?
???: Is that so important?
NHAIRON: You have all the obvious advantages here, I am simply asking where we are.
???: In my fortress, my secret lair.
NHAIRON: So you'll kill me then? To keep this a secret?
The reaper activated his powers and in a matter of seconds, there were already thousands of fireflies surrounding them.
The man looked unimpressed and gave a bored look.
???: I did not say that. Are you suggesting I kill you?
NHAIRON: Then what's the point of you, taking me here?
???: I want something obviously.
NHAIRON: Then make it quick. What is it that you want?
???: An answer. You see...
He began to walk forward, and his red crimson eye began to glow.
???: I am looking for someone...with eyes like this.
Nhairon looked surprised, and the first thing that came to his mind was one of Humility's best friend, Red, the reaper that mows the murdered.
NHAIRON: I do not know anyone with eyes like that.
The man chuckled, clearly in great disbelief.
???: No, I don't buy it. Your reaction says it all. You clearly know someone with eyes like this. And my sources, couldn't be wrong.
NHAIRON: Your sources clearly aren't doing their job right. They just wasted your time.
???: Ah, no, no, no. You see, I have many to prove that there was, a reaper with a crimson red eye just like mine, just wandering about Tokyo. I was finding some clues about that reaper but wow, I am so lucky to bump into you, the superior. Clearly you know him and his whereabouts.
NHAIRON: Your sources are fraud and-
???: Since the Queen of Jinxes died, I took over her since she was a close friend. The remaining Jinxes won't dare lie to me. So I know that what they say are true.
With no options left to deny, and fear that any further objections would get him hurt or trapped, he agreed to bring him to where he wanted him to be.
NHAIRON: I'll take you there.
The man smirked proudly. Seems like the Father of all Reapers isn't as noble as many thought.
He breaks the illusion and in a short glimpse, they were back from the empty corner they were once standing.
???: Now take me there.
Nhairon smiles, then quickly vanishes.
No way he'll endanger a loyal reaper, fulfilling his duty and risking his life in honor of it.
The red eyed man felt shocked at the treachery and bitterly let out his rage at the trash bins near him.
He even went as far as burning it, then leaving it behind.
Luckily, a bypasser smelled the smoke and quickly got help. Preventing any serious damage.
The man kept walking, deep in thoughts and clearly angry.
But then he smiled again.
At least he confirmed that the reaper did exist, and that he was just in Tokyo. Though, he needs more than Jinxis for an army. Since surely, that bastard of a reaper already warned the others about his existence.
He looks around him, sighing at the years wasted just for simply finding the reaper he had always wanted to capture.
A rare opportunity, that they were both on the same place.
But unlucky for him, Nhairon was a good leader.
His focus breaks when he was accidentally bumped by a kid, who fell down from the impact. It seems like the kid was running after a toy car.
He knelt and looked at the boy, clearly scratched from the incident.
He wondered how the little one didn't notice such a tall man like him. Perhaps he was too absorbed trying to catch the toy car.
Quickly, a woman called for her son, running towards the man. Another young boy with a remote control was with her. Probably the older sibling.
The woman, was clearly in a haggard situation.
She looked at him, and spoke in japanese.
: (Sorry sir, I am very sorry. My kid did not mean it.)
The man smiled politely, grabbing the kid and making him stop crying. He looked at the wound, the mother still haven't noticed it, so he touches it.
The wound healed in a blink.
The kid looked at him, unsure whether to tell his mother. The man smiles at him. Looks at the woman again, remembering some flashes of past memories and deja vu, of him once craddling a child. Then, after making sure that it was no big deal, the woman bows one last time and leaves, lecturing her two young boys not to wander too far from her.
Satisfied, the man leaves as well.
He felt very familiar feelings when he held that kid and handed the boy to the lady.
It felt heart warming.
???: Fascinating. Children are...fascinating.
A short memory played into his mind.
Him craddling a young boy, while the rain pours heavily.
His mother and father were sleeping deeply, and the boy's cries were drowned by the loud droppings of rain.
He had been watching the child from the window, as a black cat.
Worried still about the child, he enters, and morphs into his humanoid form, carrying the child, and feeling unexplainable joy from holding him.
The child laughed at his presence, and with his small fingers tried to touch his nose.
He felt so much satisfaction and happiness that it would be a lie if he said he didn't thought of stealing the child for himself.
After all. This child, should have been his.