Lucifer flew with haste, heading straight for the reaper’s private chambers on the mountain side. His wings flapped hard against the ashen breeze, anger bubbling within him. The gates of hell itself would be wrenched open for this.

"YOU CUR!" Lucifer screamed at the top of his lungs as he landed with a torrent of dust outside one of the many mountain mouths.

"Cowardly snake! You have crossed a line you should never have crossed!" He continued to yell. His voice booming across the landscape.

"Malphas! Show yourself!"

A shadow loomed in the darkness of the mountain's maw. Emerging from it was Malphas, wearing his trademark mask of indifference.

"What is it, Lucifer?" He spoke coldly, staring down at the blonde reaper.

"You wanted him trained in the ways of the reaper, yet you use his past as ammunition against him." Lucifer snarled.

The mouth curled slightly, the only hint of emotion. "What's wrong, Lucifer? Is your pet upset at you? Is it because he is a spitting image of your-"

Lucifer lashed out in a fit of rage, thrusting his palm into Malphas' face, slamming into the cavern maw with thunderous force.

"Reapers don't bring up the past. You don't have any right!" Lucifer's voice dripped with venom. The blonde reaper eyes tinged with crimson.

Malphas rose from the dust cloud, adjusting his suit and popping his jaw back into place.

"Tread carefully, Lucifer." Malphas growled. His own eyes shifting to blood red.

"Why do you do this, Eren has done nothing to you?" Lucifer questioned. His voice losing its strength.

"I follow the will of Azazel, that boy would have learnt nothing under your continued pampering. You've grown too attached."

Lucifer remained silent, a part of him knew Malphas was right.

"..."

The blonde reaper let out a defeated sigh, body slumping as the anger within him subsided.

"I don't trust him." Malphas spoke once again. Eyes returning to its natural hue.

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"His kind are capable of terrible things, Eren is no different than the rest of them. We both know that pain." His voice heavy with contempt.

"I know your scars run deep." Sympathy seeped into Lucifer's voice, his eyes softening.

"Yet, you defend him?"

"I defend more than the person. He wants to go back home, to be with his family. There was a time you and I would have given all this realm to return to the ones we love." He paused "My scars run deep as well."

Lucifer and Malphas stood silent for what felt like an eternity, the wind howling through the mountainous rocks, dust kicking up in waves.

"I do wish things could be different." Malphas finally broke the silence. Walking towards the cliffs edge, overlooking the ashen sand far as far as the eye can see. "There would have been a time I welcomed him like a brother just as you have."

Lucifer joined his fellow reaper at the precipice. "He is more than a brother to me." Lucifer sighed softly. "He reminds me of... no, it doesn't matter."

"You can't possibly be that foolish? Still blinded by love even after millennia." Malphas gave a slight chuckle.

The duo stood together, looking out over the landscape. Watching the clouds roll over the waste. Moments like this give them solace from the burdens placed upon them.

Before long, a cloud broke away, opening the sky and revealing a sea of bright lights, dancing with one another as a chorus of colours burned through the night sky.

A shared moment of tranquillity between the two reapers is a rarity. It is reminiscent of a simpler time in their lives, free from the burden of Death. "Remarkable..." Malphas muttered to himself, his reply carried an uncharacteristic hint of admiration, one that had not been present for a long time.

"I almost pity the living, that they miss such a sight." Lucifer spoke softly.

"Lord Azazel wants to give Eren the ring." Malphas interrupted, breaking the peace of the moment.

"That is why I cannot allow Eren to complete the trials."

"I know..." Lucifer continued to watch the stars dance in the sky. "I know what the ring did to you and the ones you love."

"Not the ring. The man who wielded it." Malphas corrected him. "Do you not fear it?"

Malphas' question lingered in the air unanswered. For a moment, all was silent save for the howling wind.

"I trust Eren." Lucifer replied finally.

"Perhaps he will be different, be a better person than all that have come through. However, the risk of letting a monster lose. We don't need another one. We don't need another God eater."

Lucifer's eyes remained glued to the sky; however, his face showed hints of sorrow and pain.

Malphas turned his heels, heading back to the cavern mouth. "I take no pleasure in what must be done. I do this because it is necessary."

A nod from Lucifer was all Malphas received in response. The blonde reaper stood silently; his mind deep in thought.

"Goodbye, Lucifer." Malphas disappeared within the shadowy mouth of the mountain.

Lucifer took in a deep breath, exhaling loudly. His emerald eyes gazing upon the sky once more.

"Why must you always be so far out of reach?" He whispered, a single tear running down his cheek.

An ethereal raven-haired mirage wrapped its arms around Lucifer, squeezing tightly.

The stars illuminated the lonely reapers features, revealing a sadness deep within.