"Sir?" Sora approached Eren. Another day at Kaname high school, today they practiced their cooking; deserts for a winter's day.
"Yes?" Eren turned to face Sora, a spatula in hand and a pan of hot brownies to the side. The air was thick with smells of sweet chocolate, strawberries, and fresh cream.
"I'm done." Ever the teacher's pet; Sora strived to impress, putting in the effort where others were less inclined. In a school full of delinquent boys; it was rare for such a model student to present themselves.
"Good..." Taking a taste of Sora's dish; a chocolate fondant with strawberry sauce and fresh whipped cream. The taste was rich and moist, the chocolate melted perfectly with the strawberry jam and the cream added a smooth finish.
"No way he's done." Dai scoffed, seeing how Eren looked pleased with the dish. His own was an attempt at a shortbread biscuit, with a raspberry preserve filling. It looked like serial killer took a victim to a jam factory; blood and flesh all over the bench. In comparison, Sora's cooking bench looked pristine.
"It's good Dai, you just need to work on-"
"How it looks I know." The boy said, letting out a sigh and stress combing his ducktail hairstyle.
"Mr. Heart. How about mine." Toshiro waved the teacher over, an assortment of cupcakes laid out on the counter. Each one looked like a snowflake, with icing and sprinkles decorating each pastry.
"You've out done yourself." Eren said, inspecting the cakes.
In the darkness of the world beyond, where light found itself snuffed. The few lights that shone brightly were Emi, and on occasion his students. When they weren't being a pain in the ass, it was nice to see the boys grow.
"Sir. Sir." Yuri shouted, waving at the teacher to come over.
"What is it?" Eren said, walking to the boy, they had been working on a project behind a large curtain for the last few hours.
"Check this out." With a swift movement, the curtains were drawn back, a croquembouche stood tall atop the kitchen bench. An impressive array of cream puffs, held together in a tower of caramel. Topped with spun sugar and gold flakes. It was impressive feat, a motherfucker to make and just in time for the end of the lesson.
"Well done." Eren congratulated. This was a high point of the lesson, something like a small victory.
"Did ya want a taste sir?" Asked Katsuya, a coy smirk on their face.
"Sure..."
"Well, it's gonna cost ya a smile." The grin of the boy was as wide as ever.
Eren paused, walking away from the sight.
"You idiot... I told you not to say that!" Yuri shouted at Katsuya. Punching at their shoulder in frustration.
'A smile...' He hadn't smiled in some time. Either he had forgotten how to, or simply there was never anything worth a smile. Not even his students' efforts could break the expression.
"Well done today. Go enjoy your lunch. Oh, and make sure to clean your station before you leave."
"Thank you, sir."
***
"Excuse me... Detective Akiko. How is Captain Shimada?" Asked junior officer Higashi. She always had an unconcealed respect for the Reaper, and a disdain for the captains' crusade against the Reaper. A feeling that was shared with very few of the officers in the RCU.
But still he was the captain. He demanded at least the bare minimum of respect.
"He will be out of action for a couple of months with that injury." Akiko sighed. Her hand holding onto a cup of coffee, the bitter smell filled her nostrils.
"You mean the Reaper didn't do any lasting damage? Even after the spear-"
"No. He is a lucky old bastard." Akiko took a sip; the drink brought her to a calmer state. Although she couldn't tell the junior the truth. 'The captain was caught in a scuffle between beings of death. And it was the avatar of Death itself that healed the captain of all wounds.' Even in a world of monsters and gates; some things still felt absurd.
"I thought you would've taken over... Whilst the Captain was away."
Akiko shook her head, "No. I'm not ready." A sigh of relief washed over the woman. She knew that sooner or later; she would take up the mantle of leadership, but for now it was not her time.
"Detective Akiko. Leading the RCU into action? She would bleed the department dry." Mori spoke from across her desk, a smirk on his lips as the woman was being teased.
"Well, i'd have you assigned to filing paperwork." Akiko said, her eye narrowing at her partner.
"Good, these old bones are tired of chasing after monsters and vigilante." Mori chuckled.
"Attention! Eyes up to your new beloved captain!" Takeshi's voice boomed over the office, the man walked into the room, arms full of paperwork that was being brought to the desks.
In truth, even if Aki were ready to accept the mantle as captain; She would lose to seniority and experience of Takeshi. The man had a long and storied history with the force. His work was always noted by the higher ups. Despite his hauteur to the 'Suits', they couldn't deny pure results.
"Captain Takashi Yamanaka." Akiko bowed her head. Mori followed suit, a slight grin on their face.
"No... I hate this. The uniform is suffocating like I'm trapped in a monkey suit." The new Captain grumbled. Wry and wise in years. Unlike the captain Shimada who had the weight of leadership on their shoulders. Captain Takashi was a man who let his sarcasm and wit be his weapon.
"It'll only be a couple of months captain." Said Higashi. The young woman gave the captain a salute and a bright smile, eager and ready to please the new captain.
"Anyway. I come bearing news... With the Captain out of commission for the time being, the suits up top have taken it upon themselves to... 'Readjust' our priorities." He spoke, passing out the paperwork and new orders to each of the detectives.
'Effective immediately all investigations regarding the Reaper are to be suspended. All officers will begin to investigate the growing source of crimson spice in the city.' Takeshi read out the paperwork, a slight sneer on the face as the words left their mouth.
"What!? Takeshi we can't put the investigation to the wayside. The Reaper has proven to be the greatest threat to this city in years!" Aki protested, slamming a fist onto the table, causing a few coffee mugs to clatter.
"Detective Akiko Bennett. If you have issues please step into my office and we will discuss them over some afternoon tea." He said with a mocking tone, no idea how to be an authoritarian figure of leadership.
*Slam*
"What gives? The captain is outta action and the suits suddenly decide the Reaper isn't our problem anymore?" Asked Akiko, frustration in their voice as she paced around the office.
"I like the boys upstairs about as much as you do. But I got my orders, and so did the rest of the RCU." The new captain replied.
"Shimada would've fought them tooth and nail." She spoke. Looking up at the man behind the desk, the new Captain. Before it dawned on her.
"You didn't even put up any resistance to these orders..." Akiko narrowed her eyes, a hand resting on her hip, leaning over the desk.
It was no secret that the new captain held a certain respect for the Reaper. An immediate assumption he would let the monster go about on his merry way.
"Getting hounded from the top and below. No wonder the captain is bald-"
"Cut the crap Yamanaka." Her voice raised; she was tired of the bullshit.
"Aki. You can be angry with me all you want; but I am now the captain. You will address me with the appropriate honorific." His eyes narrowed. A slight smirk on the face.
Akiko sighed, "Captain Yamanaka. We can't let months of work just sit collecting dust in the backroom."
"I have my orders as do you. Besides, I never said take a full stop to the investigation. Just put it to the side for the time being."
Although one did not need to have rose tinted glasses to see the Reaper's actions were that of a vigilante. It was their methods of punishment and brutality that drew questions. Was it a force of good? Or something else?
"Fine. Sorry- Captain Yamanaka." Akiko grumbled. Taking her leave.
"For the record Aki. I did fight the suits, but they are adamant. Crimson spice seems to be picking up popularity in the city. They think the gates are their main transportation into Japan. Ergo, our department must deal with it." He explained.
"Goodluck with your new job... Captain Takashi Yamanaka." She sighed.
***
< Epilogue 3>
Somewhere in a far-off distant gate:
The fires of crimson illuminated the darkened halls of the great halls, a large banquet room, filled with tables of goblins and other creatures, all dining, feasting, and indulging on food, wine, song, and dance. Monstrous smiles aplenty amongst all those in the hall, although chained servants, human and beast-kin alike. Were given to the Dominus as an offering, as they had done for decades.
At the end of the great hall sat the Goblin Dominus; a throne built of a dragon's skull, the teeth sharp and pointed outwards. From the top of the skull; horns sprouted out, spiralled and curved, sharp, and blackened. On the inside; a soft velvet cushion, red and gold, that made it comfortable to sit upon.
Women of all races took seats around the Dominus, his harem to be enjoyed and used at any moment. But the Goblin lord paid them little attention, as one would to a painting or a statue. Only when they desired to use the women.
"My lord... A soft voice spoke from the side of the throne, shadows veiled it's from.
"What have you found? Speak!" The goblin snapped back, not even bothering to look at the messenger.
"The one who destroyed the kingdom under the canyon. We are still yet to discover who they are..." The shadow spoke.
"You bring me nothing of value." The Dominus replied, taking a sip of fine wine from the cup in their hand.
"A lead. If you wish to purse. The Reapers, I saw the Reapers follow a human. A great fight between themselves and another, wearing a mask." The voice continued.
"Reapers..." A race to be cautious of, beings of death. They were a force that could not be dealt with directly. Or not at least the way in which the dominus came into power.
"A family was sparred by the Reapers. I could capture the them, acquire more information."
"No. For the moment we have issues of the war in the east. Keep your eyes watching for any more information." The Dominus ordered.
'We don't need more enemies right now...'
"Yes. My lord."
"Leave me." The Goblin commanded.
"As you wish."
A voice of a shadow. In the great halls of the Dominus. Where those that would stand in their way would fall. But a war on all fronts was not something the Dominus desired. Enemies on one side was enough.