User blog:Seieireppa/God Eater:Universitas, chapter 1: Prelude

New Year’s Eve at Fenrir was always a cause for celebration. With the passing of another year into the next, it signified that humanity had survived another year. Another year’s victory against the Aragami, and the promise of another after that.

December 31st, 2080 was no exception. It had been six years since the Blood squad had defeated Rachel Claudius and put an end to her plans to destroy the world in the Devouring Apocalypse once and for all, and since then, those involved — and those not — had gone their separate ways. Now, Paylor Sakaki, still the head of the Fenrir Far East Branch, was reclining in his chair as the clock ticked down to the new year. He had been through much in his job at Fenrir, from the events surrounding former Director Johannes von Schicksal to those surrounding Rachel Claudius, and much more besides. Life was peaceful here, save for the occasional report of an Aragami attack. A new generation of God Eaters had since stepped up to fill the shoes left by the old guard — and while some of the former Blood squad remained, and Cradle still operated, those who had come after had wasted no time in making a name for themselves… but that is a story for another time.

Now, as Sakaki sat back in his chair reminiscing about the days of old, a knock came at his door. It was Soma Schicksal, member of Cradle and veteran God Eater of the Far East Branch who was visiting Anagura to celebrate and ring in the new year.

“Aren’t you coming down to join us?” Soma inquired. Everyone was gathered in the lounge for a new year’s feast, and Sakaki was the only one who had yet to arrive. “You ARE the Far East Branch’s director, after all. Everyone’s waiting for you."

Sakaki cracked his neck and sighed. “Thank you, Soma,” he answered. “Head on down without me. I’ll be right there — I was just catching up with an old friend.”

“Whatever you say, Chief.”  Soma turned and exited the room, leaving Sakaki alone with his thoughts.

“Johannes…” Sakaki mused aloud. “Were that you alive to see this era of peace…”

As Sakaki stood up to head towards the door and to the lounge, he noticed his wall clock was steadily approaching midnight, with only a minute to go. It was altogether likely that they’d ring in the new year without him…  Nonetheless, he exited his office and headed towards the elevator.

And as the clocks in Fenrir’s Far East Branch struck midnight, a chime rang out —

— and she arrived.