Eren breathed 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 clean and airy, unlike the land of the dead that were permeated with ash and sand. The white marbled floor gleamed, almost shining under his gaze. Untouched since he last saw it.

This, was where he was killed, now empty and barren. No bodies, no weapons. Nothing remained from that day. Only a thin layer of dust and silence filled the hall.

'Shit.' Eren thought.

'I forgot 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 instructions on how he was meant bring balance to the world. A challenge for another day. First, he was to escape the accursed gate.

Like a moth to a flame Eren was drawn to a specific cavern, despite several tunnels leading in different directions. 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, and yet he followed its path. Darkness quickly replaced the light. Rust and iron, pungent odour flooded his nostrils.

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

Eren marched through the lone tunnel, darkness swallowing his steps, the echo of his boots the only company.

A slight breeze wafted over his face. Life came rushing back; temperature changed from chilled to humid, a damp scent 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 foreign and achingly familiar. He was home, although not sure where, skyscrapers stood tall around him. Reflections of steel and glass 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 once taken.

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

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

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

Wandering into a convenience store, a man tended the front, too distracted by his phone to notice the man who came in.

"Hello?" Eren called out, approaching the counter.

Shelves lined with products of various brands and colours; food stuffed in boxes, brightly coloured packaging with obnoxious references to the gates, as well as covered with people Eren had never seen before. An ever-present smile plastered 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 directions." 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 phone with a bored sigh.

“Right... where do you need to go?”

Eren explained, watching as the attendant barely listened, tapping something on his screen.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

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

"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 semblance of familiarity. Despite the directions the city had shifted, a maze of routes and concrete. Nothing was like it was; hollow faces, cold eyes and towers of glass reflected the rising dusk.

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

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

'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, watching the sky turn to stars a first reminder of home.

*Knock* *Knock*

Eren's stomach knotted, nerves becoming tense. He waited in silence, shuffling his feet, constantly adjusting his ruined shirt, a relic of his time away. Despite the obvious unkempt, 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 last 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-chan?"

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 next.

The shock eventually set in; she collapsed.

"Shit." Eren hastily catching 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 in the kitchen. Emi resting on the couch adjacent to them.

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

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

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

"How long have a been gone? Things have changed 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. Unsure to 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 intense stare.

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

"It's good to be back."

Eren caught Emi's stare, never taking his eyes off her. He could see the worry on her face, and although she had matured significantly since last, they met, she still possessed those same eyes, eyes of lost innocence and sorrow.

'I've missed so much' Eren thought to himself. He wanted to 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 need to 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 before going to his room.

The apartment was still the same as he remembered, only emptier; family pictures hung on the wall, lacking the warmth they were meant to bring. White walls, faded, no longer clean. The air inside stale, dusty and damp, no hint of light shone through the window. Belonging once held gone with the day he left.

In his room, bed neatly made, mattress firm to the touch, with everything tucked in neatly. 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, displayed proudly.

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

After a while, Emi tip toed into the room. Standing and staring at her brother. Her face softened, taking 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 can speak with him tomorrow.'