Spectral Dominion | dazai x reader

chapter 1

The noise of a lively Yokohama on a Friday evening filled the atmosphere outside the small law office.

Seated at your desk, you paused with your fingers resting on a partially completed legal brief. The constant faint murmur of clients and colleagues in the reception area did little to soothe the tension gnawing at you all day as you nibbled on the end of your pen in a slightly frustrating matter.

It had been years since you left, but some days, there were times when it felt as if the past continued to possess its cold hard hold on you.

Exhaling deeply, you reclined in your chair and looked at the time display on the computer screen in front of you. You looked forward to getting home for some much-needed rest. The desk was adorned with perfectly ordered documents, meticulously managed files, and pens neatly lined up in perfect little rows.

The dreams had returned the night before; you hadn't had them in months, but when you did, it was like reliving the worst aspects of your special ability. In them, spirits you commanded  would appear, their dark lifeless hollow eyes reflected deeply on you the weight of every life you had taken, every drop of blood that was unnecessarily spilt in the name of the Port Mafia.

Each spirit was still bound to you, whispering through the veil of the underworld, asking for more. It wasn't just the dead who haunted them—it was the power itself. The energy it required, the strain it placed on your mind and body, always pulling you closer and closer to the edge.

You could not focus on the paper in front of you, and with a heavy sigh reached for your coffee cup, your hand trembling.

"You alright, y/n?"

You looked up quickly, you had not even noticed the presence of your co-worker breaking through your thoughts. You met the concerned eyes of the young man who had joined the firm a few months ago. Pausing for a bit to gather your words.

"Yeah, yes, I am fine," you replied with a forced smile. "I just need some air; I didn't get much sleep to be honest. Did you need anything?" You tilted your head, slightly questioning him.

"Oh, I was going to ask you to email me the finished report, but don't worry—Monday works too. You look pretty tired to me," your coworker said, slight concern across his face.

He pressed his lips together and paused for a moment. "Maybe you go home early. It's Friday, after all—use the weekend to relax."

You considered shrugging him off, but you were worn out. "Mmm, sure, you're probably right. You smiled softly and tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear, "I think I'll go out now then."

"Good call," he replied, giving you a friendly smile and an awkward thumbs up before returning back to his desk.

You gathered your belongings and packed up your bag. Slipping your coat on and waving a hasty goodbye to your coworkers on your way out of the office.

. . .

Upon leaving the office, the brisk evening air reached you right away, revitalising you in a manner that a stuffy office never could.

You took a deep breath and savoured the coolness as you continued to walk down the stairs.

You started walking home, on your phone as you caught up with messages. However, as you kept walking, something inside you twisted, it almost felt as if the shadows themselves were increasingly becoming darker and heavier.

You stopped looking at your phone, taking a quick look around you. You shook your head, convincing yourself that it was just exhaustion.

"I should've just taken a taxi," you muttered to yourself, pulling your coat tighter around yourself and quickening your pace.

The old familiar sensation of being watched had hit you. It wasn't just paranoia; you knew better. Years of survival in the Port Mafia honed your instincts, and right now, they were screaming danger at you.

You stopped walking. Pausing briefly as you looked around scanning the isolated alleyway you were in. You were certain. So very certain.

Putting the phone in your pocket, you called out, "You aren't doing a very good job at disguising your presences."

The figures paused, coming out of hiding. All eyes were stuck on you. One of them stepped forward, their voice was sharp. "Well, seems like you figured that out quickly. As expected of you, y/n." He nodded in approval.

You narrowed your eyes, assessing the situation. They weren't just shadows, this seemed to be an underground organisation that was after you.

Honestly wouldn't be the first time.

You refused to be intimidated. "And what exactly do you want?" you asked, your tone remaining firm, one eyebrow raised. Trying to buy time to think.

How many were there? You couldn't tell fast enough, and before you stupidly realised, an arm was wrapped around your neck from behind.

Fuck they were fast.

"Don't bother fighting it," the figure said, voice low and confident, he was whispering in your ear.

"You're coming with us. We have a... proposal for you."

Well, shit.

That was oddly seductive, and you had to give it to him, he had a nice voice. You almost let it get to you, but you snapped back to reality.

You continued to maintain your composure. "I don't respond well to threats—and no I'm not joining your shitty organisation, so there."

They paused, they didn't seem all too pleased with your response. They began to close in on you, their intent was unmistakable. With your neck trapped in a chokehold, you knew making a move could trigger a full-blown attack from the others. You might end up drugged and taken god knows where. Well, fuck if you were going to let that happen to you.

Without hesitation, you summoned two spirits. Their eerie forms emerged from the shadows, they moved quickly with such precise grace. The organisation's members hesitated, clearly not expecting that you would attack them.

One spirit lunged at the figure holding you, its translucent form slicing through the air with deadly intent. The figure's grip faltered, but the arm around your neck remained firm. The other spirit created a barrier between you and the remaining attackers, its presence caused the air to grow increasingly colder.

Seizing the moment, you wriggled free from the chokehold and took a step back, putting some distance between yourself and your assailants. They quickly began to regroup.

You could feel the nostalgic rush of adrenaline coursing through you, it sharpened your senses. As the spirits continued to fend off the attackers flawlessly and with such great power.

One of the attackers lunged at you, using a unique special ability that created a stream of jagged, dark energy. But, before he could reach you, a spirit intercepted him, slicing through the air mercilessly.

The attacker crumpled to the ground, completely motionless, blood was seeping from his wounds. The others stopped, clearly unnerved by the sudden turn of events.

"You really think you can intimidate me?!" you shouted, your voice steady and defiant. "I've faced worse. To hell with you all."

To your surprise, the organisation's members very quickly retreated, one of them grabbing their dying friend from the ground and disappearing into the shadows.

...Leaving you alone once again in the alley.

You took a deep breath and signalled to your spirits to scan the area for any lingering threats.

The eerie forms moved around you methodically. Satisfied that the area was clear, you dismissed the spirits.

You found yourself sinking to the ground, your knees buckling beneath you.

The adrenaline was gone, it was replaced by a wave of confusion.

What had just happened?