Eren looked up at his clock, 11:11 PM.

  'I 't sleep'

  For the st hour and a half Eren had been rolling aroulessly in his bed, thoughts boung around his skull like a rubber ball. Thoughts of the day past, what the future holds, Emi's feelings and of course the strange enter oairwell, repyed in his mind.

  'They seemed to be ag like they owhe pce. What has this neighbourhood bee?' His train of thought tio loop, going nowhere fast.

  Washed with darkness, Ere out of bed, avoiding the creaks in the wooden floor, taking each step with care. Peeking out the living room window. The moon was full and bright, illuminating the empty street below; all lights off and silent, a peaceful ambian the dead of night.

  Exiting into the crips air of silent night, Eren took a deep breath, letting the fresh st fill his lungs. Jogging up to the roof; a favourite spot of his from when things got too much; the highest vantage point for miles. What he really came up here for, the stars. Millions of twinkling dots filled the heavens, stretg out as far as his eyes could see, giving off a soft blue glow.

  The one saving grace of the deadnds was its occasional breaks in clouds; a glimpse of what lied above in the os.

  After witnessing the beauty of the deadnds for the first time; from that day forth Eren swore to ake the beauty of the world franted ever again; a single speck amongst an infinite o of space. 'A drop in the pond.'

  A quite rustle broke Eren's reverence, a small bird perched on nearby railing, head cog from side to side; studying the white-haired male.

  "Hello, birdy." Eren spoke softly, greeting the creature. It tio stare, its rge eyes almost luminous in the moonlight. Without so much as a tweet, it took to the air, cirg Eren a few times; a strange being for him to follow.

  "Alright... I'll bite." It wasn’t like he had anythier to do, and the bird—small and strange as it was—felt like a wele distra from the thoughts rag in his mind.

  'I've always wao do this...' The small bird gliding ahead, leading the way. Eren running, leaping off the building, twirling in the moonlight, falling through the sky like a star. Landing with gra the building across the way, a sense of thrill shooting through his veins; wind whipping his hair.

  It was exhirating. Freefalling through the air with no fear. Following the bird through the streets. Leaping across rooftops; parkour-style, dang through the moonlight. Chase increasing with each obstacle, never fearing the height, always nding with a quiet thud.

  The end of the lihe final building ended; his guide had stopped leading instead, waiting. Fluttering in midair. Eren slowed, sing the area in front of him, a link fence surrounding a derelict subway entrance. Unreadable signs posted every few yards, warning arespassing to stay away.

  The bird chirped, before vanishing into darkness. Hesitant at first, Eren jumped over the fence, desding into the abyss. Dust, rubble, rust and dirt clogged the ground. Old advertisements flittered along the walls, long fotten, covered in mould and mildew, obsg their faces.

  In the distance, a light approached. A silhouette came into view. Taller than himself; cloaked in heavy jackets, u beard emergent from his face, with a heavy hood shrouding his features. In his hand a ntern swinging to and fro, illuminating the hallway in dull e light.

  "Follow me." Voice deep and calm. Not someohat one would want to enter iill of night; however, Eren's instincts didn't send up any red fgs, trusting to follow.

  The man remained silent, Eren following close behind. The only sounds eg iunnel, were of their boots and ntern swinging. Lights grew in the distance. Brightness washing the tunnel in vibrant yellow light, silhouettes of figures drawing clearer.

  All dressed in simir fashion; ws with fur lining, thick winter jackets, faces obscured by cowls. Those that were visible, downtrodden keeping gnces firm on the fires, unwilling to aowledge the two men approag.

  "Who are they?" Eren asked curiously.

  "..."

  The gruff guide gave no respohey appeared homeless however, something was off. Some radiated immense power, unseen waves emitting from them like an aura.

  'Rankers?' Eren thought.

  The gruff guide stopped abruptly, pointing to a metal door, decay had not impressed on this door, well-kept and free.

  "In there." Without a word of goodbye, the man turned around disappearing into the camp.

  Eren apprehensively approached the dently opening it.

  Bright light fshed, blinding him for a moment. Soft dlelight flooded his vision; walls of books lined up ly against the walls. Floor to ceiling oak bookshelves c the library. Thousands of texts, illuminated by the dles floating mid-air, the aroma of sandalwood

  Meticulously pced maps, charts, tapestries, and artifacts hung from the walls, elegant in design and ri colour. Eborate woodwork framed the objects in pce, paintings depig events and characters of past stories, bringing to life the grandeur of aime.

  So many things drew Eren's eye, but the biggest draw was the figure sittire; engrossed in many papers ly ordered in front. Blonde hair cascade past slender shoulders. Hair that rivalled that of the blonde Lucifer, surely which would make him jealous. Pointed ears peaked out, framing a handsome face. Golden eyes gnced up briefly, aowledging Eren's presence; a warm smile spread across the stranger's lips.

  "Ah. So, you have arrived, Reaper. Wele." A voice of honey and silk. "Please take a seat." With a graceful wave, the maured towards the chair in front of him.

  An oddly shaped chair, narrow back that reached high to the roof. But it was fortable, so very fortable. Ereled deeper into the soft cushions, he could spend the rest of his waking life in this chair.

  "Who... are you?" Eren muttered, finding it hard to take his attention off the fort of the seat, fog oter at hand.

  The man chuckled, pg the papers to the side. "You may call me Baelor. I will be your beor on this waking pne."

  The bird from before nded on the elves’ slender shoulder, perg itself proudly, chirping its song. "You were the one leading me here?" Eren's eyes narrowed in suspi.

  "I did, it rudent that we met without drawing to much attention. Thank you little one." With a small finger wave, the bird vanished into moon shade dust.

  "It seems we have much to discuss, Reaper." Eren's eyes narrowed once more.

  "How do you know who I am?" Baelor's smile didn't falter, golden eyes held Eren's own.

  "I was told. You see, a bargain was struck between your kind and myself. The fates have agreed to let us be allies."

  "What?... who, who told you this?" fusio across Eren's face. Baelor smiled warmly.

  "Ah. You have known him as Death."

  "May I?" Baelor asked gesturing towards Eren's ring. Hesitantly, Ereended his hand. His body stiffening.

  "Do not worry Reaper, I mean you no harm." The elf carefully ied the ring. Hands like velvet holding his, guiding his finger along the band; eyes the engravings.

  "This ring... a mere child's fable from my people, long thought to be a legend of old." His soft fingers explored the craftsmanship.

  "Has it spoken to you?"

  "Not really... only whispers and feelings. Nothing tangible." Eren's hauro his p.

  "Hmm. I wonder why... Ah. My apologies, where are my manners, would you care for some refreshments?" Eren's throat felt parched, like a dry kebed, nodding in reply.

  "Wonderful!" With a flick of his wrist, a silver tray floated its way over; upon its ptter or pot; delicate tea steam wafted into the air, tantalizing the nostrils. Apanied by a dainty white teacup, embellished with small purple flowers, matg the tablecloth.

  "Qenya, a popur brew among my people." Baelor poured the beverage into the cup, handing it to Eren.

  "Thank you." Taking a sip.

  'This taste.' The aroma reminded him of home; a feeling of nostalgia. Its sweet floral notes remi of his mother’s cooking; the warmth of the drink made him feel at ease.

  "Very good. This is very, very good." Eren smiled tently, melting into the chair once more.

  "Now, tell me; How are you adjusting to time once more?" Baelor asked curiously. Eren paused, in truth it has been horrible. Everything had ged, everyone had ged, his sister barely registers his existence, people look away or seek to do viole the first ce they get. But, could Eren trust this mysterious elf? A stranger from a whole other race; who seemingly knows much about him.

  "As well as I ."

  "An iing answer. It would be better if you were truthful, Reaper." Baelor’s voice carried a weight of authority. His demeanour shifted in an instant, an aura of nobility seeping from his pores; intimidating, yet refined; Ere his jaw tense and muscles freeze in pce. Even his voice became more forceful, like it could cut stoh its resonance.

  "Fine... Everything's different, everyone I love and cared for has moved on. A dead man walking amongst the living. Nothing makes sense and people either try to fight or run. At least in the dead realm there were few plications, now that I'm back it's like trying to thread a needle with a spoon." Eren sighed deeply. Baelor listened ily, analysing his words, his face, his movements.

  "I ot prehend the plexity of this task you have been given, but I do uand loss. However, in my experience you 't mourn over what you used to have; you only embrace the challehe future brings."

  "The future doesn't loht right now." Eren stared into the depths of the Qenya, the tea refleg his sombre expression.

  "The me shed a light for you; Your sister, she does indeed register your presence. She knows you're alive and walks the same earth as her." Baelor's voice softeo a whisper.

  "How do you know that?"

  "Observation. The boween siblings is unlike any other, unbreakable, even by death itself. Though you are strangers now, she cares deeply for her brother, no matter how deep it's buried."

  "I wish I had the fidence of your observation." Eren chuckled weakly. "Trust in me Master Reaper, you win her favain. And while you work on her, I will assist you in matters of the mission."

  "Assist me?" Ereioned.

  The elf's smile brightened once more; a mischievous grin spread wide across his face.

  "Indeed. I will guide you to those that have vioted the ws of nature; corrupting the natural bance."

  "Bance of nature?"

  "Yes, I suppose it's time I inform you of our arra." Baelor’s tone was soft, but anding. His mannerisms showed signs of age, wisdom, and pride.