Three months after the gate's appearance, the world had begun to settle into a new routine. People were getting used to the new changes, making the most of their new powers and responsibilities.
The father of it all, Endo sat in a darkened room, alone with his thoughts. Watching intently at several screens projected around him. His eyes scanned the screens, analysing each one carefully. Some displayed information about different gates, others showed news broadcasts from across the globe. Endo watched everything with an unreadable expression.
"Sir." Agent Mori approached from the dark.
"Agent Mori." Endo greeted him without looking up from the screens.
"Have you decided on what to do with the crusader Eren Heart?" Agent Mori asked, keeping his distance from Endo.
Endo didn't respond right away; instead, he continued to stare at the screens in front of him. "Yes." He finally spoke after a long pause.
"Remove him from this world." Agent Mori bowed and left the room without another word.
'He can't be allowed to ruin everything we will build.' Endo thought as his white eyes watched Eren's image on the screen. 'You may have everyone else fooled, but not me.'
---
Eren awoke suddenly, bolting upright from his bed. Sweat dripping from his forehead, his breathing ragged. Rika sat up next to him, looking concerned, "Eren, are you alright? You look pale." Eren didn't respond, staring blankly ahead of him. Rika put her hand on his shoulder.
"Hey." Eren blinked a few times, turning towards her.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Bad dream is all." He mumbled, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Rika moved closer, wrapping her arms around him comfortingly. "It's okay. We're safe." She whispered reassuringly.
*Buzz**Buzz*
Eren's phone vibrated on the nightstand beside him; he grabbed it and turned it on, the screen lit up the room with its dim light. It was a message from Yui. A new quest has been received.
---
Title: D-dogs prophet meting
Received from: Yui.
Gate: Unknown.
Accept? Yes/No
Description: Report to the unknown gate for a special mission from the prophet.
Reward: Unknown.
---
Eren was surprised by the quest; why would Yui send out a vague quest? Usually, they were rich in detail?
"Let's ignore it." Rika grumbled, laying back down and pulling the covers over herself.
Eren shook his head, "We are going to get in trouble again if we don't go."
Rika mumbled something incoherent, burying her face into the pillow. "Come on you." Eren hoisted up his girlfriend over his shoulder, carrying her like a sack of potatoes towards the bathroom.
After the hot shower woke the pair up, they changed into their matching D-dogs gear. A modest grey jumpsuit, it's snug and flexible, fitting like a second skin. An emblem of a barking dog that looked more like a wolf.
Heading down the stairs, the Heart household is already awake. Mr. Heart sitting at the table, enjoying a morning cup of coffee.
"You two are up early." He commented, glancing at them from behind his newspaper. "Have somewhere to be?"
"A new quest was sent out." Eren answered, grabbing a piece of toast from the plate in the centre of the table. "We'll be back later." He added before taking a bite.
Emi sprinted to the front door, blocking the pair. "Good morning, Onii-chan and Rika nee-Chan!" She shouted excitedly, jumping up and down.
Eren knelt to her level, ruffling her hair. "Morning, little sister. You're up early too." Emi nodded eagerly. "Mhmmm, I wanted to walk to school with Onii-chan today." Eren smiled at her cute innocence.
"Not today, we have work to do. You go ahead with Mom." He answered. Emi frowned, her face scrunching up with a displeased expression.
"Eren never wants to spend time with me anymore." She whined, stamping her feet on the ground.
Eren's time had been sent training with the D-dogs for the past few months, meaning less time with his family. Emi has felt the absence the hardest, being so close with her older brother.
"I am sorry, Emi. How about we play later tonight when I get home?" Emi beamed brightly. "Promise?" Eren nodded. "I promise. I'll be home at 6:30." Emi held out her pinkie; Eren took his sister's pinkie with his.
"Pinky Promise." Emi hugged him, "Ok, see you later, Onii-chan." Emi walked away, going back upstairs.
"Take care sweety." Mrs. Heart kissed the top of her head as she walked by, "Remember to stay safe."
Rika smiled warmly, "Bye, Emi." Emi waved goodbye from the top of the stairs before disappearing into her room.
The couple arrived at the designated gate, a swirling green portal that had opened in a secluded park just outside the local area. A decent hike from their home.
The morning air gave a slight chill, fogging up their breath as they exhaled. The ground was damp with dew, reflecting the rays of the sun as it rose higher into the sky.
Kyo and Haruto stood waiting for them; Kyo stretched his arms above his head, letting out a yawn. "Took you two long enough." He smirked.
"Are we the only ones here?" Eren asked, looking around. Haruto looked towards the gate. "No, I think the rest of the guild has arrived already." Akira approached them from the other side of the portal.
Akira greeted the group warmly, "Good morning." His eyes glancing over the four, except for Eren. His gaze averting from the young crusader.
"Let's get going; Endo wants to see the progress of the D-dogs." Akira ordered before turning back towards the gate.
Eren stopped mid-step; a feeling of dread washed over him. His body was screaming out, something was amiss.
'This gate feels different.'
"What." Akira exclaimed suddenly, his eyes finally landing on Eren. He frowned deeply, "Something's wrong. Let's go back."
His comrades had already entered the portal. Only Eren remained on the outside, hesitating. "I'm sorry." He heard Akira whisper before disappearing into the green swirling portal.
Eren stood all alone, the streets empty and silent around him. His heartbeat was erratic, pounding against his chest painfully. "Why am I afraid?" He asked himself quietly.
"I'm the top of the B-rank. This is just a normal gate, no different than the others." He tried to rationalize his fear, but it did little to quell the uneasiness in his heart.
His eyes caught his reflection, the hooded spectre staring back at him. This time however, it had raised its finger towards the direction of the portal. Eren could feel its invisible gaze staring directly at him.
"Follow..." An ethereal voice echoed through his mind, compelling him forward.
Eren took a deep breath before stepping through the gate, the world shifted around him. Instead of a beautiful forest clearing, it opened into a large cave system, dimly lit by a handful of torches hanging on the walls. The distant sound of a man speaking guided Eren through the caverns.
The voice grew louder with each cautious step, "You have all proven yourselves to be exceptional agents of my design. I am honoured to have you all serving under me." The voice echoed; his words carried by the cool air.
Eren peeked around the corner; A large open room lay before him. Red flames danced in torches scattered throughout the room, casting a red hue across everything. White marbled floors and white columns decorated the space. D-Dogs lined up under a large platform, several steps high.
"For you all to grow stronger, you must face evil in all its forms." Eren entered the room observing the D-dogs guild in a square formation; patiently listening to Endo speak. "For there is a great evil amongst us. An agent of chaos. A plague on humanity that must be removed."
Eren moved along the wall towards a staircase, staying hidden from view. He could see everyone from his vantage point. However, Endo locks eyes with him.
His voice rose, higher for the whole world to hear, "To grow as humans eradicate the chaos."
"KILL EREN HEART!"
The shock of Endo's command rippled through the room, quickly turning into cries of confusion. "What? Kyo asked stunned.
"Endo, what are you saying?" Haruto called out to Endo. He moved to climb the steps but was stopped by Agent Mori. The guild master Akira remained silent, staring solemnly ahead of him.
Soldiers clad in white Armor with large black masks filled in from the cave entrance, blocking the exits. Some drew their swords and pointed them at the unsuspecting adventurers. Eren drew his sword, unsure of what to do next.
"If you want to join the higher echelons of power. Then show me your resolve!" Endo commanded, his voice echoing off the walls. The room burst into chaos; Kyo and Haruto went on the defensive, using their skills to keep the soldiers at bay.
Rika leapt up from the ground towards Eren. A pillar of water erupting beneath her, lifting her high into the air.
The D-Dogs stood in confusion, except for those with white eyes. "Don't move! Stay back!" Haruto shouted at them.
"Why are you interfering with the prophets' orders?" One of the D-Dogs questioned. Rika dove towards Eren, sending a wave of water crashing against the incoming soldiers.
Eren spun his sword, deflecting the strikes from one of the soldiers. The soldier was quick, moving forward with great speed, striking at him repeatedly. Their swords clashed against each other, sending sparks flying. Another guard flanked Eren, putting him on the defensive.
"Water spears." Rika cried pinning two soldiers to the wall behind her. She reached out her hand towards another soldier, causing him to be engulfed in water and crushed against the wall. Eren struck down another guard, watching as they fell limp to the ground.
"What did you do Eren?" Rika asked; she was breathless, her arms trembling from exhaustion. Eren looked back at her; his face contorted into a look of anger.
"Me? I haven't done anything! I don't know what's going on." He cried back.
"End this." Endo ordered Agent Ota. "Of course, my prophet." Agent Ota unholstered a white pistol from his coat. Pointing it at Eren and Rika, without hesitation, fired off several rounds in quick succession.
The first bullet tore through Eren's shoulder, tearing apart muscle and bone. Blood sprayed from the wound, splattering across the floor. Eren screamed in agony, clutching at his arm desperately trying to stop the bleeding.
"Eren!" Haruto cried out. Blasting the soldiers away, he and Kyo rushed to the aid of their friend. More guards Swarm Eren and Rika; They closed in on them from all sides, trapping them in place.
"Sto-Arggh." Eren screamed as a sword pierced his abdomen. He fell forward onto the ground, his blood pooling beneath him.
The sounds of fighting continued around him; the cries of his friends echoed in his ears. He could not see anything except the blurred figures moving around him.
"You said this would be quick." Akira watched on in dismay.
"It was you who trained your dog's well Akira. It will be over soon." Endo answered coldly, not even glancing at the man below him.
Kyo burst through the lines of white eyed guards, stepping between Eren and the soldiers. His swords drawn in an offensive stance, glaring down the soldier that stabbed Eren. Haruto stumbled up next to Kyo, helping Rika with Eren's body.
"Eren. I need you to stay with me." Haruto pleaded as he held his hands over Eren's wound, white light enveloping them both.
"Why are you doing this!" Rika yelled angrily at Endo, her face red from rage. "Because you are a threat to everything we will build." Endo answered plainly, unflinching in the face of her wrath.
"He hasn't done anything!"
"He will." Endo replied firmly.
Ota drew closer aiming at the back of Haruto. Pulling the trigger with a quiet click. The bullet pierced through his chest, leaving behind a small hole as it exited out the other side. A large amount of blood pouring from the wound. Haruto let out a painful groan before falling limp on the ground. Rika rushed to his side, desperately trying to heal him, with her water magic. Anything to stop the bleeding.
"Enough!" Akira roared, cutting off Ota's line of fire. "Is this really what you want, Akira?" Endo questioned calmly; his white eyes glowing.
"No, I should have trusted my gut from the start. No bullshit about a prophecy."
"Prophecy." Eren rasped, struggling to sit up, his wounds barley healed. "Eren, get out of here run!" Akira ordered, having just cleaved three of his guild members in half with his massive axe.
Endo started to become increasingly worried at the sudden change in the situation. His soldiers slowly began to dwindle, no matter how many they brought. The guild was stronger than he had anticipated. Turning to his ace, Mori. "Finish this."
"With pleasure." Mori leaped from the platform and landed next to Eren. Swinging a roundhouse kick into the young crusader's face, knocking him to the ground.
Mori dashed towards him, raising his sword high above his head. Bringing it down in a powerful slash, aiming for Eren's throat.
However, twin swords appeared blocking the fatal blow. Kyo stood over Eren, his body trembling with adrenaline and anger. Mori eyed the young man before pushing back against him. Kyo blocked the next strike, slashing at Mori's chest. However, the agent blocked it with ease.
"Go! Now!" Kyo ordered again, jumping away from Mori's attack. Staggering to his feet, Eren did not hesitate this time. He stumbled past the ongoing fights towards one of the other exits in the room.
A solider surprised Eren as they rush out of the shadows, stabbing their sword into his side. Eren cried out in pain, clutching at his wound.
Another soldier approached from behind, thrusting their sword forward. Eren rolled to the side, more like a sloppy roll though. Narrowly avoiding the blow.
He tried to stand up but collapsed, his strength fading quickly. Kyo threw one of his swords at Eren.
Using the blade, he thrust it into the soldier's neck, piercing through their throat. Killing them instantly. Crimson poured down onto Eren, staining his clothes with blood.
For a moment, the world went quiet; Eren looked up at Kyo, his eyes giving one last thank you.
"I'm sorry." Kyo whispered under his breath, watching helplessly as Mori decapitated Kyo with a swift slash of his blade.
"KYO!!" the faint cries of Rika echoed from behind.
Kyo's limp body crashed to the ground, his head rolling towards Eren. Blood still oozing from his neck, his lifeless eyes staring blankly into nothingness.
Eren's heart began to beat faster and harder, body temperature rising rapidly. A cold rage building within him. Eyes darting around the room like a cornered animal.
Filled to the brim with rage, Eren used every ounce of his remaining willpower, charging at the lonely prophet, tackling him to the ground.
Eren punched the defenceless prophet repeatedly. With each punch, Eren's anger, pain, and despair poured out of him.
"You want to lead us all! Try doing that without your fucking eyes!" Eren roared, puncturing the prophets' milky white eyes, digging his thumbs into them.
"Aaaaahhh!" the prophet wailed in agony, desperately trying to remove Eren's hands from his face.
"It hurts! Stop it! Make it stop!" Endo pleaded between sobs, his body writhing beneath Eren's grasp.
Eren felt a sudden sharp pain radiate through his chest; looking down, Mori had thrust his sword into his heart. The cold pain was too much for Eren to handle. He collapsed onto the ground. Mori pulled the wailing Endo away, covering his bloody eyes.
Eren lay still on the ground, watching the ceiling begin to spin.
His eyes grew heavy, heart slowed, and the rhythmic beating lost its strength. The world around Eren starts to blur, each blink a monumental effort as darkness crept into the edges of his vision, the sounds of battle faded into a distant echo.
He didn't think dying would be this peaceful.
"Eren." a faint voice echoed. It was familiar, Rika rushed towards him, kneeling beside him. "Eren stay with me!"
Tears fell on to him; cleaning off some of the blood split. She desperately tried to heal his wounds, but it was too late. Taking comfort in the gentle waves of her magic, Eren smiled once last time before closing his eyes. He let out a final breath as his life slipped away from him.
'I'm Sorry.'
'I'm Sorry, Mum and Dad.'
His last thoughts of his dear sister. "I'm sorry, Emi. I wish I could have been your strong brother."