AnnouArc 2: Wele to the new world

  Erehed deeply, his eyes slowly opening. His surroundings almost familiar; Warmth spread over Eren's body, a sensation that he had not felt for some time. Eyes began to flutter open. The smell, its and airy, uhe nd of the dead that were permeated with ash and sand. The white marbled flleamed, almost shining under his gaze. Untouched since he st saw it.

  This, was where he was killed, y and barren. No bodies, no ons. Nothing remained from that day. Only a thin yer of dust and silence filled the hall.

  'Shit.' Eren thought.

  'I fot to ask what the hell I'm supposed to be doing.' Lord Azazel only told him to go back to earth. Other than that, no instrus on how he was meant bring bao the world. A challenge for another day. First, he was to escape the accursed gate.

  Like a moth to a fme Eren was drawn to a specific cavere several tunnels leading in different dires. Not knowing what awaited him nor why he felt such a pull.

  A decrepit red cave snaked, not one soul had set foot in this tunnel for a time, a he followed its path. Darkness quickly repced the light. Rust and iron, pu odour flooded his nostrils.

  'It’s here...' He thought, stepping further into the cavern.

  Eren marched through the lounnel, darkness swallowing his steps, the echo of his boots the only pany.

  A slight breeze wafted over his face. Life came rushing back; temperature ged from chilled to humid, a damp st filling his nostrils. Gradually the end came into view, a cavern illuminated by blue glow of the gate. Vortex of swirling energy pulsing, brilliant blue engulfing his vision. Eren stepped through the portal without hesitation.

  The cold air whipping at his clothes, biting at his skin - a sensation both fn and agly familiar. He was home, although not sure where, skyscrapers stood tall around him. Refles of steel and gss cast into the streets below. Trees bellowed and swayed with each breath of wind. The beauty of the world, a sight that seldom few could appreciate oaken.

  Eren passed by many people; men, women, children. The pany of others almost felt alien to him, after so long alone in the nd of the dead.

  Through his reaper's eyes, each passerby seemed shrouded in a familiar gloom - the same darkness he'd saw tless times within the nd of the dead. Many bnk faces stared into their phones, not giving a first go the man nor the swirling blue behind.

  For a time he walked, against the current; weaving through the masses. So much had ged. The city bigger but more beautiful, the people had ged rather the most.

  Wandering into a venieore, a man tehe front, too distracted by his phoo notice the man who came in.

  "Hello?" Eren called out, approag the ter.

  Shelves lined with products of various brands and colours; food stuffed in boxes, brightly coloured packaging with obnoxious refereo the gates, as well as covered with people Eren had never seen before. An ever-present smile pstered on packages as he walked through the rows of egregious advertisements.

  "Hello." Eren said firmer.

  "What?" The attendant looked up briefly, eyes narrowing at Eren.

  "Do you need help?" The attendant sighed. "I need dires." Eren replied.

  "Why? You have a phone, you do it."

  "I don't have one."

  The attendant finally looked up, giving Eren a slow, sceptical once-over, before returning to his phoh a bored sigh.

  “Right... where do you o go?”

  Eren expined, watg as the attendant barely listeapping something on his s.

  ‘Yeah, good luck with that, buddy,’ the attendant said, eyes never leaving his phone. "Bad part of town that pce."

  "What do you mean?" His neighbourhood wasn’t a bad part of town. Or at least that’s what he remembered.

  No response from the attendant.

  'Prick.' Eren grumbled as he walked off.

  Eren wandered aimlessly through the city streets, looking for any sembnce of familiarity. Despite the dires the city had shifted, a maze of routes and crete. Nothing was like it was; hollow faces, cold eyes and towers of gss reflected the rising dusk.

  "Finally." Eren spoke in relief. The long winding roads slowly gave way to u pavement. Familiar buildings began to surround him. Although older ahered, time had been and gone leaving passing ghosts behind.

  Walking briskly, his pacreased; anticipation seeping in with each step. Finally, he stopped at a familiar looking apartment plex.

  'This is it.' Thought Eren to himself.

  The outer wall was covered in cracks and tags. Lights dimly lit, barely beating the setting sun; time he had spent hanging around the stairwell, watg the sky turn to stars a first reminder of home.

  *Knock* *Knock*

  Eren's stomaotted, nerves being tense. He waited in silence, shuffling his feet, stantly adjusting his ruined shirt, a relic of his time away. Despite the obvious u, despite everything, Eren was excited, hoping to see a familiar face after so long.

  A short pause followed by the sound of jingling locks, bolts shifting and the door slowly opening. A girl, a little shorter than he, long raven hair tied in a ponytail. Large brown eyes widened, glistening in the dim light.

  Emi. She had grown a lot since she was st seen.

  "Hello?" She spoke lowly, almost whispering.

  "Hello." Eren replied just as quiet.

  "What do you want?" She spoke softly. A warm smile crept across his face, a silent happiness washing over him.

  "I know it's been a long time. I-"

  "O-Onii-?"

  Eren stood awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

  "Hey Emi, I'm home." He said quietly. Standing quietly for a moment, both parties unsure what to do .

  The shock eventually set in; she colpsed.

  "Shit." Eren hastily catg her before she hits the ground. Gently lifting her off the floor, her body weight nothing to him, her head resting against his shoulder.

  "Emi. Who’s at the door?" A male called from deeper in the house. Eren could hear the stomping of heavy footsteps drawing closer.

  "Hey! Let go of my daughter you- Eren?" The male voice stuttered. It was Eren’s farther.

  His eyes widening as if seeing a ghost. The man had aged—lines of worry etched deep; his broad shoulders had slumped the weight of time.

  "I'm back dad." Eren smiled wide, happy to see them both alive and well. Unfortunately, the pressure got to his farther too, fainting right there in the hallway.

  "I'm home."

  "Is it really you, son?" The older man spoke with disbelief.

  "It's me." Eren replied quietly. Both sat i. Emi resting on the couch adjat to them.

  "How?... How are you here?" A simple question with no simple answer.

  "A very long story. I... well... anht, yeah?" Eren dodged the question behind a strained breath. Unsure of what to say or how to expin his existence.

  "If you're not ready, we don't have to talk about it right now." His father’s words a wele reprieve from the stress.

  "How long have a been gohings have ged so much, you look different."

  The older man grimaced, "10 years." Answer in sombre tone.

  "10 years! But I only trained for... How long did I train for?" Eren asked, a little shaken by the news.

  Emi stirred from the couch; sitting to watch he brother like a hawk. Uo believe her eyes or trust her ears. The brother that vanished, gone for over a decade. A flood of emotions filled her mind, but she sat and watched, eyes an inteare.

  "It's good to have you back." Patting him firmly on the shoulder.

  "It's good to be back."

  Eren caught Emi's stare, aking his eyes off her. He could see the worry on her face, and although she had matured signifitly si, they met, she still possessed those same eyes, eyes of lost innod sorrow.

  'I've missed so much' Eren thought to himself. He wao rush over and hold her close, for her to know that everything was going to be alright. But instead, Eren remained silent.

  "I-I'm tired, I o sleep."

  "Go ahead. Your old room hasn't been touched since... well since you left." He looked at Eren with the same pained expression, memories of the past threatening to swallow them both.

  "It's fine dad. Don't worry about it." He returned a weak smile. Leaving to his room, stepping around his sister.

  "Good night, Emi." He whispered softly befoing to his room.

  The apartment was still the same as he remembered, oier; family pictures hung on the wall, g the warmth they were meant t. White walls, faded, no longer . The air iale, dusty and damp, no hint of light shohrough the window. Belonging once held goh the day he left.

  In his room, bed ly made, mattress firm to the touch, with everything tucked ily. Anime figures, posters, manga, the makings of a young man's room still present. Caught in time, barely touched, photos strewn across the desk, relics of the past, dispyed proudly.

  A smile formed on Eren's lips. At st, the feeling of being home hit. Falling asleep, instantly not b to tuck himself in.

  After a while, Emi tip toed into the room. Standing and staring at her brother. Her face softeaking in the sight of him sleeping peacefully. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, realising she wasn't dreaming, that her brother had indeed returned home. A hand reached out towards his hair, gently brushing it.

  Silently leaving the room, closing the door behind her.

  'Tomorrow...' she thought. 'I speak with him tomorrow.'