Christmas was on the other side of this week. Still, they lived in their family home, Emi would spend her Christmas with brother for the first time in a decade, and she was looking forward to it.
Eren on the other hand, it was just another day for him. Been and gone if not for the Christmas hums and songs all over the city. He would've forgotten about the holiday altogether.
Without their parents now; they weren't bound to stay there. Instead, they would spend it at another place.
'What do I get her?' Eren thought, as the two were on a train. She sat in the window seat, he opposite her. The amber sun breaking through its grey winter cage, a rare sight indeed.
He too was caught in the sunlight; the warm rays filling the carriage, and made it feel cozy despite the frost outside. His hair a vibrant white in the sunlight, skin a pale, and smooth as if made from fine marble.
Emi turned to him watching the man with a soft expression. A memory of a different man; raven hair, slightly tanned, a mischievous look on his face. That man turned and smiled to his dear sister.
"What do you want for Christmas?" Eren broke her memory. The white-haired man, an intense stare, without so much as a hint of a smile.
"I... I don't mind." She spoke, a low smile on her face.
"C'mon Emi. Anything ya want, you've got a rich big brother use him."
"A new phone..." She lied, although she had been eyeing one up, she needed it for something more important than just calling Eren.
"That's a given. What else?"
"Umm. Just that..." All a lie, the one thing she wanted more than anything else. A gift that couldn't be bought in any shop or store. Something only Eren could give her. A smile, like how he used to before that day.
"Well keep thinking. You've got until Friday, cause that's when I have to start beating people up for presents." Eren joked, although it wasn't far from the truth.
That low smile continued. 'Please... Smile.'
It broke her heart, to see the man in such a way. Her big brother was the most happy and joyful person she had ever known. Now... The man could only smile in her fantasies and memories, a cruel reality.
*Bing bong* *Bing bong*
'Now arriving at ward 19. Please remember to check around your seat for belongings.' Spoke the announcer. As the train slowed down, Eren and Emi stood, walking towards the doors, other passengers filling in the space behind and in front.
---
Ward 19; An affluent, opulent, plutocratic part of Tokyo. Home to celebrities, politicians, high ranking business men and women. Ward 19 was the place to go if you wanted to be surrounded by wealth and luxury. Even the commoners were wealthy. Robots that seemed reserved to only those who could afford it. Were as common as street cleaners in other wards.
The station itself was an architectural wonder. High ceilings made of glass. A view stars dancing amongst the galaxies, projected onto the roof. Artwork lined the walls. Paintings of landscapes, modern works of art, a mural of the Emperor of Japan in full imperial regalia. A tribute to the countries past.
Rows upon rows of shops filled the station. From the finest of jewellers to exclusive tailors. Gate gear seemed to be even sold to the public. If one could call a set of power armour costing 100's of millions of yen.
"Eren. Why are we here?" She asked. Looking around at such finery. It made the girl feel out of place. They were both dressed well, but not to the level of the other people.
"Guild business. Baelor has sent me to meet his son Souta Hanabishi."
"Ehhh. Is it like a secret mission?" She asked, curiosity peaked.
"You need to stop confusing manga with real life Emi. It's a favour for a friend. Nothing more."
The two left the station and onto the streets. Cars and buses raced along the roads, the pavement busy, but not crowded, with people walking in all directions.
Their destination. Mega Vegas; appeared over the horizon. A large dome, lit up in a dazzling array of lights. Neon, and bright, catching your eyes like a moth to a flame. A sprawling complex with many other, smaller buildings attached, and in the centre.
"It's big..." Emi exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement and curiosity. A childlike wonder in the girl's voice.
"Yeah... At least gambling is still a vice for those who live a life of luxury." Money was no more than a resource to these people. One to be gambled away on chance. If they were to lose a million yen. They would easily make it back within a few minutes.
A life that Eren didn't envy, pity for those trapped in a gilded cage. There was always someone bigger, faster, smarter, and stronger. The top of society was a never-ending ladder that one climbed and fell from frequently.
Now at the front of the complex; men, women even children entered the building. A large sign above the entrance, an over-the-top archway with the words:
'Mega Vegas'
Two large golden lions guarding the entrance, a constant reminder of the wealth, the strength, and the power of those who enter.
"Helllllloooooo! You two must be Eren and Emi." A man greeted, waving at the pair. With bubbly energy.
He stood outside, a bright smile on the face of a young man. He seemed to be a little older than Emi, by perhaps one or two years. Although, the way he dressed, and spoke was reminiscent of someone who had never matured past 16.
He wore a simple white suit and black tie, a pair of aviators. Pink hair styled with an undercut and shaved sides, long on top, and combed back, a modern slick-back. A cheerful smile as he nearly skipped over to the siblings.
"Souta Hanabishi?" Eren asked, a curious yet cautious look on the man. Baelor said he adopted a couple of human children.
Yet, he was nothing like what Eren pictured. A young man with the appearance of a playboy. Someone you would expect to see hanging around clubs, or the red-light district.
"Yes, I'm daddy's little trouble maker." Souta introduced, a big grin on the face.
"Wow, your just like dad described. White as snow, cold as winter. What a dashing figure indeed." The young man approached, holding a hand out to shake the man of the hour.
"And you must be Emi. Oh wow! What a radiant beauty you are."
Giving a big hug to the reluctant girl.
"My, what a figure you have... Are you looking for a job- AH." Eren gave a death glare to the flamboyant man whose hands fell a bit too low for Eren's liking.
"Forgive me, Mr. Heart. My enthusiasm got the better of me. Please, let us have a tour around Mega Vegas."
No response given; but Eren followed. Still holding a death glare on Souta.
---
'Why didn't I listen to dad. I've already pissed off a man I've been warned to not anger.' Thought Souta, as he walked ahead, through the lobby, towards the casino.
'Souta. I know you like to be friendly with strangers. But I must warn you, don't be too friendly with Emi Heart. You will earn the scorn of her brother. A scorn I would not recommend you earn.' Baelor's warning rang out in the mind of the young man. Yet, Souta was a natural flirt, and Emi was cute, how could he resist.
'Oh god, I'm dead. Dead, dead, dead! I'm going to die.' He thought, a look of horror on the man's face. His heart was racing a mile a minute. He didn't need to look back. He felt the death stare from Eren. It was like ice cold water had been poured down his back.
"Ahem, Welcome to the Mega Vegas entertainment complex. We have everything from shopping facilities, a hotel, a casino, a concert venue that rivals Budokan, a water park, even a zoo." Souta introduced. Hoping that the two siblings would take an interest. However, Eren didn't seem to give a shit, and Emi, although a little curious, remained stoic in her expression.
"Does Baelor own this place?" His influence was well worn on this place, yet he has never mentioned owning such a place."
"Oh... No, no, no. It's owned by White Orchid international; they develop and operate leisure and hospitality complexes such as-"
"I don't care. Why did you call for me?"
'Oh yeah. Straight to business huh.' The man gulped, a little nervous to speak.
"Well. As daddy said... Not here, come to my office." Souta spoke; the young man was clearly a little uncomfortable to have a conversation in the open. He quickly moved to the elevator, Eren and Emi following closely.
They all entered, and Souta pressed the button to the top floor. From there, it was a short walk to an office, with a plaque on the door:
'SOUTA HANABISHI: GENERAL MANAGER.'
The door opened, inside was a large open extravagantly furnished office. It had a desk with three monitors, a sofa, and an impressive view of the entire area. As well as a private bathroom, and a small wet bar. Elven decor lined the walls, including paintings, a suit of armour and an impressive looking sword.
His father's influence felt in here too. Although, Baelor was never one for showing off. The prince of prosperity preferred modest living. But to have a son, a human raised under his banner, one would expect such decadence in the office of a General Manager.
"Please... Sit. Would you like a drink, Whisky, vodka, sake-"
"She's 17." Eren growled, interrupting the man.
"Well. Um, I have soda, fruit juices-"
"Green soda." Emi ordered, she walked over to the sofa, and sat on it.
"So, you want something done?" Eren spoke, keeping his menacing gaze towards the nervous man. His face a picture of a deer, caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
"Yeah... I've heard a lot about you. Daddy has mentioned the work you do for the Guild. The unofficial kind." He began. Pouring two glasses, one for himself and Emi. The pink haired man passed it off, walking around the desk and sitting down.
"Right. What's the work." Eren cut straight to the chase.
"Simple I have 'workers' on loan from the Pleasure Palace gate. Every time the gate opens, we get a fresh batch. They've all signed contracts and have agreed to be on loan to us per gate cycle." Souta started to explain.
"Sex workers?" Emi asked, a curious look on the face of the girl. A clever girl indeed.
"Emi... Block your ears." Emi complied. Placing her fingers in her ears and humming a tune. She was more than old enough, yet Eren was keen to protect the innocent of the girl.
"Yes, sex workers. For our more high-class patrons. However, the last gate cycle. They never showed up; we tried to ask for them but we were blocked." Souta continued, looking at Eren.
"So, you want me to settle a dispute between corporate entities? I thought your 'Daddy' told you that I don't do corporate disputes."
A forlorn look on Souta's face, "It's not why I brought you here." Rummaging around the desk, Souta pulled out a piece of paper, sliding it towards the Reaper.
'Help us. Madame Jingfei is watching us. Please.
She sells any that try to escape.
Please give us sanctuary.
Help us, Souta.'
"His name was Dae-Jung. He was one of the 'workers.' He slipped this to me two cycles ago. He didn't show up for last month's rotation." Souta explained, a sorrowful look on the man. He felt guilty for not being able to help, or not acting sooner.
"It's personal then?" Eren's eyes softened from his scowl to a neutral expression. Souta didn't say it; but it was clear this went well beyond business responsibility and into the realm of personal responsibility. Perhaps a relationship, or a deep bond.
"Yes. Daddy told me that you are a man who does what's right. We need your help." Souta asked, a look of desperation on the young man. "Please."
Eren sighed, and looked at Emi. She had a smile on the girl's face.
"So, you want me to find them?"
"Go into the gate. Find out what happened to Dae-Jung, or the others. If you can rescue them." Souta explained, looking a little worried to ask such a big favour.
"Done. When does the Gate open? And how do I get in?"
"Simple. I already have two VIP tickets pre-arranged. One for you-" The scowl of Eren returned promptly.
"I'm not taking my sister into a brothel gate."
"Ah... Well... Um." The gaze worse now. It felt as if a knife was pressed against the throat of the man. "Y-you can... Take someone else."
Emi stood up from the sofa, her eyes were filled with excitement.
"I want to go!"
"Emi..." His voice flat, yet his expression was one of frustration.
"You're not going to send me back home? I want to come with you." She pleaded. Her face filled with excitement, and determination.
Eren couldn't bring his underage sister to a place like that. His mother would come back from the grave to rip him a new one for even thinking of it.
Yet, staying at Mega Vegas wasn't such a bad idea. Souta did say that they had plenty of things to do and see. It could even be a good way for her to experience something new.
"Emi, you will stay here in Mega Vegas. You can go to the hotel, spa, shopping centre, and zoo. But no gambling."
"Eh, I don't mind that. But do you have an arcade?"
"Oh yeah. We got a massive arcade. The biggest in the world!" Souta exclaimed. Clearly excited to show people the best of what Mega Vegas offers.
"Souta... Will keep an eye on you." Said like knives across his tongue. Leaving Emi with such a flamboyant man. Someone who's job is to arrange pleasure, for anyone and everyone. A leopard never changes its spots. And a tiger doesn't change its stripes.
Leaning in to take the VIP tickets he whispered. "If so much as hair on her head is touched. I'll rip your balls off and make ya eat them, yeah?"
Souta gulped, and nodded. He had already made the mistake of being too forward, and didn't need to make another.
"I'll treat her like the princess she is."
"Good... Now where is the gate?"
***
On a quiet street not too far from the main strip of ward 19 was a lightly busy intersection. Many people making their way home for the evening.
*Fwoosh*
A green portal appeared in the dead centre of the road, nearly causing some cars to crash. People began to stop, curious about the gate that had appeared.
"It's appeared here?" "Traffic's going to be a nightmare for the next week." "Oh, it's the Palace of Pleasure gate." Said various voices. People took out their phones, taking pictures of the strange, newly arrived gate.
However, they froze as a great big brute stepped through. An albino orc, with protruding lower incisors. A massive, hulking frame, covered in a suit. Red eyes swept across the crowd of people staring, before more orcs behind stepped through.
All of them were dressed as bodyguards, or mafia. They were even wearing sunglasses, although the crowd didn't seem to bothered beyond the initial shock of seeing it. Some even began to form a haphazard queue, others stood and gawked at the strange and exotic appearance of these gate dwellers.
"Humans. The Pleasure Palace is now open for business."