Okay, to commemorate the (deeply belated) 1st anniversary of this fanfic, I've decided to come back and continue the story of our friend Ryuma. I hope you enjoy, and remember, I only own my OC's.
Chapter 2: The Hunt
Shadow Armada Base (Greenland)
January 3, 2075
1:00 PM
"Glad the good doctor's experiments with you are finished. And so close to new years too." Blackness noted as Ryuma stepped out of the chamber he was in during the Doctor's experiments.
"A shame. When's my first mission, Blackness?" Ryuma asked as he gave off a small grin.
"I still need to prepare a few things. The good doctor might be able to guide you to the cafeteria if you're feeling it. I have plans, but I need to actually plan them before they take effect. That clear?" Blackness responded.
"Fine, then." Ryuma stated, and the two went their separate ways. Ryuma soon found the Doctor, who offered to give him a tour of the base, but Ryuma only mentioned that he was hungry. The Doctor then chose to guide Ryuma to the cafeteria. Once they were in the cafeteria, Ryuma got some soup and vegetables and sat in one of the various tables, and the Doctor soon followed, sitting next to him.
"So, what's your game with those God Eaters?" the Doctor asked Ryuma.
Ryuma was hesitant to respond, but soon spoke with "Those God Eaters? They spend their time killing the things their masters created. They like to call themselves the heroes, but I know their true secrets. They created beasts like the one that killed my family and I will grant divine retribution to the people that couldn't understand when enough was enough! I will avenge all that they have killed, to save the true humans!"
"Interesting choice of vengeance. By the way, are you going to eat those?" the Doctor noted as he surveyed the food Ryuma chose.
"Get your own food. And don't you have to tend to your experiments?" Ryuma stated and asked, and begun to eat his food.
"I don't have any at the moment. If I did, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Besides, I mostly tended to you in the three weeks that have passed."
"Figures. I should have picked up on your... eccentricity." Ryuma noted as he finished his vegetables, and begun eating his soup.
"Who can blame me? I love science, technology, and everything in between! I would go any length for my experiments, if I'm being honest." the Doctor stated excitedly.
'I wonder if he has any ethics, but I wouldn't ask him personally.' Ryuma thought as he finished his soup in one long gulp.
"And that reminds me. That outfit and scythe you asked for when we finished should be in my lab or my office. Let me go get the outfit..." the Doctor stated as he got out of the table and walked out of the cafeteria.
Ryuma waited before the Doctor left before he muttered to himself "Figures. Scientists are usually like that. Although the ones I've seen didn't look that excited." and clicked his tongue several times.
"Shows the obvious differences, at least." Ryuma finished, as he remembered something.
Unknown Settlement (Flashback)
10 Years ago
"No..." Ryuma spoke in shock after witnessing the bodies of his parents inside one of the maws of a colossal, three-headed Aragami. The Aragami soon left, and Ryuma was escorted out of the area by a man in a white lab coat.
End of Flashback
Ryuma grimaced upon remembering that memory. "I hate liars." he spoke as he stood up. "And I shall destroy those God Eaters. For the sake of the true humans that they left to die. They have already been judged, juried..." he continued as he walked to the wall, before sitting down.
"And I shall be the executioner, or Grim Reaper, if you will. And then, once all of them are destroyed, I wonder what Blackness will do with me then. Maybe he'll stab me in the back, maybe he'll reward me. I don't know the future, but he might." he finished.
1:30 PM
Ryuma was still sitting down, and had begun to grow impatient. Nearly after, the Doctor returned with two briefcases, and noticed Ryuma soon after.
"Sorry for the wait. The prez called in for a meeting, and he wanted me to supervise you while he deals with other problems he had." the Doctor apologized.
"Problems like what, or is this confidential?" Ryuma asked.
"Confidential."
"Secrets often have people looking for them, but I won't ask." Ryuma noted, while thinking to himself, 'Not yet, anyway.'
"And here's the things you asked for. Please step into the nearest changing room for..." the Doctor explained as Ryuma took the briefcases and followed the Doctor to said room. He went inside, and examined the weapon, which was a modified New-Type class God Arc with additional features. He then examined the clothing he asked for, and put it on.
Armadian Base (Greenland)
1:45 PM
Ryuma emerged from the room and found the Doctor waiting for him. The uniform the Doctor had for him consisted of a hooded, black coat with a white skull on a black shirt, black pants, and black shoes obscured by a partial robe. He was holding two things when he emerged: a white skull mask in his left hand and his weapon in his right. Once the Doctor saw him, he walked up to him.
"Grim Reaper, just like you asked. I'm sure you want to tear into some God Eaters with those, but be patient. I need to head to North America to tend to some of my experiments as well as making some more people like you, and since I'm supposed to be watching you anyway, want to come?" the Doctor explained.
"Gladly." Ryuma answered as he put on his mask.
"Great! Come with me, and we can take flight for my experiments, your vengeance, and everything in between! After all, everything can be an experiment if played correctly, and even we could be experiments in our- Gahh!" the Doctor monologued before being punched by Ryuma.
"You talk too much. Advice: less talking: more working." Ryuma chastised.
"Right... off we go!" the Doctor noted as he and Ryuma walked to the hangar, and once getting a helicopter and a pilot, they took off.
Skies (North America)
7:00 PM
The helicopter flew above the area, while Ryuma and the Doctor were sitting inside it.
"Doctor. Should I test a part of my experiments now that we're at least above dry land?" Ryuma inquired.
"Do as you please. If you actually do that and get lost, contact me with that communication device I gave you. I can give you directions to our base here, or I can send a squadron after you send out a signal."
"As you wish. Besides, I do just as well without you jabbering scientific nonsense I don't care about in my ear. Goodbye for now." Ryuma stated as he grabbed his scythe, opened a door to the helicopter and proceeded to fall off.
"Hey! At least I care, unlike your previous bosses!" the Doctor shouted out of the open door, as Ryuma proceeded to grow two organic tendrils from his back, which turned into wings to propel him directly after.
Ryuma used these wings in order to slow his descent, encountering a few Zygotes which he would use his scythe to dispose of. Once he landed on the ground slowly enough, he looked at his surroundings, which consisted of a few ruined buildings, before setting off in one direction. Eventually, he noticed a fight that was going on between a team of 6 God Eaters and a strange, black Aragami that resembled both a Marduk and a Dyaus Pita.
The God Eaters' weapons were barely scratching the Aragami, and it used several bladed wings to execute a God Eater attacking from above. Another foolishly tried hitting its face with his hammer, and was blasted by fire from the Aragami's mouth. The two that were firing their gun mode God Arcs were able to dodge the Aragami quickly, but were soon defeated when it destroyed the building they were in. The fifth fell when the Aragami used its claws to slash at him, leaving only one remaining.
"All of them... gone..." the survivor realized, before going into a form of rage and constantly slashed at the Aragami, which was able to wound it before the energy used took its toll on him, and he lost consciousness.
Ryuma took the time to fire a shot at the Aragami with his gun, which was a sniper rifle that was a part of his scythe, similar to a New-Type God Arc. The shot, like others before it, failed to make a lasting wound, but did succeed in getting its attention.
'You interest me, as does this one.' a voice spoke in Ryuma's head as the Aragami grabbed the God Eater that had managed to wound it.
"Interest?" Ryuma questioned.
'Don't worry. We'll meet again, even if I exist in a different form.' the voice continued as it fled the area.
Ryuma wondered what had happened. "Telepathy? This Aragami might run into a deeper conspiracy. I'll report this to the Doctor once I see him." he stated as he walked toward the God Eaters to see if any were still alive. Only one was left, and was wounded from the attacks.
"Urrgh..." the God Eater saw Ryuma. "Who... are you?"
"The Grim Reaper to all of you pathetic God Eaters. You like to call yourselves the 'Defenders of Humanity', but I know your true secrets. The only 'true humans' here are the ones you throw out because they failed your biased test."
"We don't discriminate. They're just unlucky." the God Eater defended.
"That's what they want you to believe. But for your sake, I'll end your suffering." Ryuma stated as he slit the God Eater's throat with his scythe. Several other God Eaters arrived too late, as Ryuma had already left.
Armadian Base (North America)
8:00 PM
Ryuma arrived into the base by way of flight, and was immediately accosted by several Armadian soldiers.
"Oi! Who in the blazes are you supposed to be?" one of the soldiers asked.
"Is this the Armadian base here, then?" Ryuma responded.
"You think you can ask questions when you can't even answer ours? Try this on for size!" another soldier stated as he pulled out a modified assault rifle and fired. Ryuma dodged the attack, and that was the moment the Doctor intervened.
"What's going on out here?!" the Doctor shouted as he entered the fray.
"Ah, Dr. Shida! This twat thinks he can mess with us!" one of the soldiers stated.
"I suppose introductions are in order, then. Stand down, Ryuma."
"They started it, but fine."Ryuma stated as he lowered his scythe.
"Wait, this guy's one of yours?" one of the soldiers asked in confusion.
"Of course. This is Ryuma, one of my experimental God Eaters."
"Experimental? Yeah, I guess that's logical when it's you."
"Wasn't it obvious? Now, get back to your commander before he notices you're gone. Wouldn't want to hear screaming for the rest of the blasted night."
"Sir, yes sir!" the two soldiers stated as they left the area.
Dr. Shida turned to Ryuma. "So sorry for that interruption."
"No need, Dr. Shida, if that's what you want to be called."
"Until I allow a first name basis, just call me doctor."
"Of course, doctor. At least you aren't praising science and giving me a reason to punch you in the gut. I might have to refer to it as saving you from your happy place if you keep that attitude up."
"Just a lapse in judgment then. I'm saved for now."
"Then can you guide me to a place to sleep or something?"
"Isn't it 8 PM?"
"What, you want more blood on my hands?"
"Just asking right now. I'm still getting my research equipment up, and I still need to look over the current info about the American base that houses those God Eaters."
"I prefer to call them any insulting name I desire for their lies and shenanigans. Right now I'm thinking of narcissists for their giant walls. What is this, segregation hour or something?"
"This isn't the 1800's anymore, but yeah, they do keep out anyone that doesn't pass the test. Walk with me." Shida stated as he walked.
Ryuma followed. "As you command. But, prepare a white cloak."
"Why?"
"When the Reaper drops, the Ghost strikes."
Fenrir Far East Branch
Director's Office
12:00 PM
"You know why I called you two in here?" Paylor Sakaki asked two the two New-Type God Eaters in his office.
"Which Aragami do you want us to search for this time?" Lenka asked.
"It's complicated. Have you heard rumors of an Aragami known as 'Creeper'?"
"Rumors, yes, but unless I see it at work, they will stay as rumors." Alisa stated.
"Creeper was rumored to be active in the North American Branch. I'll send your unit there to investigate. That is okay with you, right?"
"It might help us with finding out what created the Aragami in the first place."
"Then I'll transfer the First Unit to the North American Branch starting tomorrow."
"Good. I'm curious to see how well they're faring." Lenka stated as he stood up and left the room, with Alisa following.
North America
11:00 PM
Ryuma walked in the dead of the night in his uniform. "Doctor, please remind me why God Eaters would be out here at 11 in the night." he stated.
"Apparently some of them disobeyed curfew and continued looking. I see them as delusional." Dr. Shida responded from the base.
"Even so, why would-" Ryuma began before noticing something.
"Caught something?" Dr. Shida asked.
"Hush." Ryuma stated as he followed the figure, which was a God Eater. Soon, he saw the figure meet up with another figure, and surveyed their conversation.
"You seen Mordred?" the male asked.
"Not here, at least." the female responded.
"Damn. I'm getting tired, too." the male said as Ryuma prepared his God Arc by setting it to gun mode and loading stun bullets.
"Well, Carr says keep looking." the female said as Ryuma aimed at the male.
"Well, I think-" the male said before being interrupted by Ryuma firing his gun at the male, shocking him unconscious.
"What the-" the female said before Ryuma fired on her. Ryuma then jumped down from his hiding spot.
"This all you want, Shida?" Ryuma asked.
"Just 2 might not be perfect, but I won't incur your wrath." Shida responded.
"Good." Ryuma said as he snapped his fingers, allowing several Armadian soldiers to drop in and restrain the two God Eaters, before walking back to the base, with Ryuma following.
Fenrir Base (North America)
January 4, 2075
8:00 AM
Several Fenrir workers roamed the base while a man with considerable weight and a business suit walked and spoke with a boy in his 20's with a standard God Eater bracelet, gray khakis, a black jacket, gray shoes, black hair, and a gray shirt.
"So, what about those disobedient rats? Did you deal with them, director?" the boy asked, with an arrogant voice.
"I made sure to punish them accordingly, Driff. Did you make sure to do what I asked you?" the man responded.
"The cores are in the research center for God Arc development, boss."
"Good. Now, there are going to be some transfers coming here, so make sure you don't do anything too rash around them. Can't have the American branch get its reputation stained, after all."
"I'll make sure not to do something stupid. If anything, it'll be them that do dumb stuff." Driff stated as he walked away from the director.
'I hope that Tannen kid straightens himself out before anything happens. I'd hate to execute him.' the director thought as he walked towards a cell, and opened it with several guards following him in.
The person inside that prison cell was a man around 30 years of age, with green hair and eyes, a scar that ran down both his left eye and mouth diagonally, white coat, a gray shirt, black pants, and black shoes. His green-gloved hands were cuffed together, and his standard bracelet remained idle on his arm.
"Now, Carr, I'm going to give you a chance, but you must straighten yourself out." the director explained.
"Why, Director Buffo? You've done nothing to help people like Mordred, who vanished while fighting for our cause." the man asked, with a somewhat Russian accent.
"Simple. Because you need to leave professional work to actual professionals. Just because you're one of our best God Eaters and higher officials, does not mean you get to do as you please."
"And yet you get no results."
"It won't matter once the end goal is achieved."
"Yes... I wonder if the end goal can be achieved at all."
"It can, and it will, but you need to straighten yourself out, before you end up with a bullet in your brain. Do you understand?"
"... I understand."
"Good." Director Buffo stated as he snapped his fingers, allowing one of the guards to uncuff Carr.
"Now, keep reminding yourself of the consequences of your actions, Volkos."
"As you command, Director Buffo."
"Now, you shall be free of duty until further notice. And hopefully, I'll find a job in the field for you."
"Good. I need some Aragami to kill." Carr Volkos stated as he walked out of the cell.
'Heh. Dumb Pig.' Carr thought once he was out of the cell.
And that's chapter 2 of God Eater: Divine Choice. I apologize for not getting this out sooner, but I am not the best person when it comes to time. Here we're introduced to the North American branch of God Eaters, and several notable figures within that branch. As for the 2 mysterious Aragami, we'll be introduced to their origin once it decides to come out of hiding. With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this chapter and wait for the next one to surface, even if it is as long as a giraffe neck to wait for.