Through the cream-coloured streets, Eren walked, the moon shone down, casting a silver light upon the streets. This place had no clocks nor any way to tell the passage of time. Similar on Earth, malls and shopping centres often didn't have clocks or windows, so people would spend time without noticing how long they spent there; and how much spent.
"Where is she now?" He asked the shadows below.
"She is currently in the 'Serpents gaze.' At the left of this street." Saku responded.
The reaper turned to the street the spirit mentioned. A great serpent's face greeted the man. Its maw open; revealing rows of jagged, sharp fangs.
The building built into the stone, a dark blue roof, and pale white walls, it was like no other structure within this district.
'Everybody needs a gimmick...' Eren thought to himself as he approached the establishment. Virtue, the light crow perched on the head of the serpent. Keeping eyes on the target; who was inside.
Although, before he could enter something caught Eren's eye; shadows to the left... They were occupied.
A goblin, hood covering many of its features, although, its failure to evade the light was a detriment.
"It bears the mark of the dominus."
"Of course it is... Madame Jingfie has gone outside the pleasure palace gates to find some help." Eren surmised. Although the ring clearly began to activate its passive power to pull at the current.
For the time being, he let him live. A persuasive tool for the fox girl. Sneaking around he waited by the other side of the building.
"Our target is leaving now." Saku interpreted Virtue's sight.
*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
Soft footsteps; growing louder as the target patted from the right.
*Grab*
'Gotcha.'
One hand firmly on her snout, the other holding firm on her little body. She tried to wiggle out; but without luck, her strength was no match for Eren's, especially in fox form.
"Shhhh. Over to the right... In the alley by the corner." He whispered gently, pointing her eyes in the direction.
"Do you see?"
The golden eyes focused on the shadow; widening in realization. A slight nod.
"Listen... I'm not with Madam Jingfie, nor am I, her hired spy. I am here to find missing people, that is all. Is there some place we can talk without the eyes of the world around us?"
A few moments of silence.
*Nod* *Nod*
"Good... I'm going to let go now. Please don't attack me." He whispered.
The fox slipped away; looking both ways, she trotted off, turning into the shadows.
Eren followed behind; before he left though. A shadow knight slit the throat of the goblin informant. A swift slice, no noise, no struggle. No need to have a tail following them around. This quest was hard enough without the goblins rearing their ugly heads.
---
*Shing*
"What do you want?" Golden eyes drew here katana, held at Eren's nose.
"The same I've wanted since I first saw you... I want to know about those who went missing."
A pause.
"Why? Why should I not just cut you down?"
'Not this shit again.'
Standing being held at sword point. Fair enough in a way.
'I guess if I meet myself in a dark alleyway, I'd turn the other way.' A man with Sanpaku eyes. They are not friendly eyes at all.
"Because I saw in your eyes; Dae-Jung is a name you recognize. Also, with your sister around you would never have told me anything. Now, you can speak freely without her."
Another pause. Deep in contemplation, she weighed up the risks.
"Dae-Jung... He asked for help once; he wanted to escape this place. He came to us because we could offer sanctuary."
'Finally, were getting somewhere...'
"Sounds like there is a but in there?"
"Yes... But... My sisters and I... We only help females... We cannot do much for males. Our power and abilities are limited. And we choose to help the majority that needed us..."
"So, you condemn them? Because of what swings between their legs?"
"It's not that simple... We can't save everyone." Guilt wracked her voice.
Eren scoffed. "I know. You can't save everyone, but at least I don't turn them away and leave them to rot when they come calling for help; and you think I'm a monster."
Golden eyes held anger, guilt, frustration. His words hurt; and she had no rebuttal.
"Despite your lack of empathy. I won't judge you. I'm not exactly the best person either." Eren's words seemed to bring some comfort to her. Lowering her weapon.
"Do... you really want to help?"
"Yes."
"I can take you to senior sister, perhaps she may be able to assist you." The golden eyed fox replied.
"Thank you... Oh and my name is Eren."
"Call me Kohaku."
"Although I have a meeting with Madame Jingfei first; did you want to come?"
Suspicion returned in those eyes. The fox's hand on the grip of her katana tightened.
"Why? Why do you wish to speak to that woman?"
"She knows I'm looking for Dae-Jung, better I speak to her and deny anything rather than leave her waiting and suspicious."
"Very well..."
*Vwooo*
A flash of silver light. Koharu returned to her fox form.
Leading the Reaper out of the alley.
***
'Widows peak'
An unspectacular bar that sat near the central palace, white washed walls, cream coloured roof, and an interior that was a mixture of mahogany and red carpets; tables with white and red cloth. A traditional Japanese styled bar, but with modern appliances.
Madame Jingfei sat in the centre, a glass of white wine in her hand. Her gaze focused on the door. She was waiting for Eren to arrive.
Most alarming was that the bar was deserted, save for the albino orcs that stood around Jingfei, and a doppelgänger who sat at the counter, polishing glasses with a cloth.
Sitting in a booth seat, the madam raised her arm; waving at Eren as soon as the door opened. The fox, having ascended into the rooftops watched below.
"Welcome, my VIP member... Eren." She spoke. A warm smile across her face, her orcs each scanning the man up and down for anything dangerous.
"Yep..." Eren sat, across with a casual demeanour. The biggest of all orcs, Xing. Visibly tensed up when looking at the man's casual attitude towards the madame.
"My, you seem to have caused a mighty ruckus in my pleasure palace. People are too tense to partake in the many pleasures I offer."
"Enough... Drop the act. You and I both know you're not remotely interested in the wellbeing of this place. A cold heated business bitch, through and through."
Xing was ready to pound the man with a massive fist, but Jingfei held her wrinkled hand up.
"Very well... You want to play with the wolves? Then so you shall." A nod to the furthest guard. They slipped out the doors.
"You come into my home, and start poking your nose into business that need not concern you. One does not come into power without holding a blade for protection, or the brains to use that blade wisely." Her voice was cold, calculated, and harsh.
"Why did you summon me?" Eren still maintained his aloof posture.
"Boy you have some nerve; attitude of a wolf, but nothing but a mere fly in a web... I did not summon you for some cordial chit-chat; That would imply we are on equal footing. You have come to bargain for your right to leave with your head attached to your body."
*Thud*
The orc returned; the severed head of Kira placed on the table between the two. Blood oozed out from the wound, trailing across the table.
Her eyes still retained its last light before she passed. One final plea for help etched on her face.
"A shame. She was an exotic one, some clients will miss her. Although I can find many more whores to take her place..." The woman spoke with such callous, not even a flinch as blood pooled around her fingers.
Although, outwardly he kept his calm façade. Inwardly, his blood began to boil at the sight.
"Allow me to interpret this for such a simple-minded boy as yourself... You are to pick one to sacrifice. Your allies; this she-beast was the first. The twin escorts that stick to you like glue. Those Kitsune girls you spoke to, that boy you brought with you. The one with all those amazon escorts."
"Are you threatening me and mine?"
"And that dear sister, that you left back in your homeland. You must choose one."
Now he was really pissed, nearly ready to attack this woman. Teeth gritting beneath his closed mouth.
"Ahhhh, there he is. The man behind the mask. Men are far simpler to break, their pathetic need to protect others... Mention a woman close to their heart, and twist the blade... It's almost too easy..."
"If I refuse all?"
"Oh, my dear sweet boy... The pleasure palace isn't built on charitable actions. You must play the game, a life for a life." She tilted her head in slight amusement. Watching as Eren weighed up each name she mentioned.
The ring pulsated violently. Bloodlust radiated from the man. His hands clenching so tight that blood was drawn from the nails piercing flesh. His breath became slow, almost like a beast stalking its prey. A wolf, waiting to pounce on the wounded deer.
"Amusing, half of the men I deal with attack by now. You-"
"No one."
Her smirk faded with Eren's defiance.
"You are as stupid as you are brave. I'll make the choice then-"
"None. You assume you walked in; Knowing all the cards I hold? Assume I'm just a simple 'boy' who got caught up playing in the big league?"
Eren leaned in closer.
"Well, I'm a monster. Just. Like. You."
*Chak* *Shing* *Chak* *Thunk* *CRACK*
The shadows of the room came alive, over a dozen shadow soldiers blitz attacked the guards. Blades and arrows carved through the orcs on the outskirts. A fire mage lit the doppelganger on fire; white flames nearly melting the creature into goo.
Eren summoned his tendrils, pinning the Madame to the table; Xing, at least tried to save his master. Although two brute hammers; one to his knee and one in the jaw brought the large orc down on top of the table.
More shadow soldiers began to maul the hulking orc, with stabs and slices, even a few arrows and bolts to the body. His black blood splattered all over the place. In a last-ditch effort to protect Jingfei; his arm reached to free her from the black binds.
The orc's arm was cut off in a swift motion.
"Xing... Wait! Stop- euphhh." A tendril gagged her, watching on as Xing lay near death almost within touching distance.
*Thud* *Crunch* *Crack*
A hammer came down onto Xing's head; blood splattering over the table and on Madame Jingfei's face. A large crater in the skull, lifeless eyes staring back at his master.
Now Eren controlled everything in this room. No longer was the misandrist bitch holding all the cards.
The demon in the dark was at the top of it all.