A/N: First of all, an important disclaimer that this fic was schemed prior to SnK manga chapter 56, so it does not take into account any canon plot development from that part onwards. But ultimately, it's as alternate universe as you can get as I'm borrowing a piece of Christopher Nolan's mind, so there's that. If you have not already seen the masterpiece that is Inception, most concepts in this fic will be quite difficult to grasp. So I highly suggest either watching the film beforehand or at least reading the Inception Wikia!
Please also note that each chapter will also represent the perspective of one specific character whose identity will be indicated beneath the chapter title.
musou [夢想] dream; reverie
musou [無双] the only one; no other
Rating: T
Summary: Erwin Smith gathers his dream extraction team for one final mission, but the ghost of his Point Man's past may collapse everything. RivaMika + hints of AruAni/EreMin/EreAnnie. Inception AU.
Chapter I
GENESIS
[Annie; The Forger]
"Seven thirty! Seven thirty! Wake up Annie! Wake up Annie!"
The cacophony of her personalized alarm ushered Annie Leonhardt's vision into the exuberance of daybreak, with every screeched syllable from the owl's mechanical beak emerging as adversaries rather than the motivators they had intended to be. Only the sound of flesh smacking against plastic ceased the robotic chant, with its final noise waning away in despondency. Out of habit, Annie's brain honed in on the illusory tableau she had just been snatched from, drawing and redrawing the endless details that already threatened to dissolve with every passing second.
That same dream again… she sighed with veiled frustration. That sunset, that seashore, my hair jet black and hovering in the breeze…the same damn boring thing for nearly a week already.
Ever since childhood, she had acknowledged this special ability that constantly lingered at the threshold of blessing and curse. Night after night, her feet traversed across breathtaking worlds, somehow able to thoroughly explore what the human imagination conjured up between those precious nanoseconds of REM. And yet, whenever Annie looked towards her reflections within the dreamscapes, seldom did her own face stare back. Instead, the likenesses of others within her memories – and many whom she would meet in a future time – substituted her outer shell, as if she were merely living through their respective experiences. So she learned to dwell within the frayed textures of her mind's canvas, saturated by the infinite colors that concealed her actual form.
You were born to be a Forger, Annie. Her ninth psychiatrist – and the first true Dreamer she ever encountered – had noted with confidence years ago. The dimensions of secondary consciousness apparently embrace you, no matter who you morph into.
With such ingrained encouragement, she transformed those symbolic losses of self into a rare skill – one that became more and more lucrative as the Black Market of mind espionage widened its cunning web. The combination of factors had permitted her to survive alone for the past few years, drifting from ensemble to ensemble to complete well-rewarded missions and refining her freelance reputation in the Extractor circle. The diversity and thrill of each task had brought much-needed stimulation into her otherwise dormant life, even if her taciturn eyes rarely showed it.
For the past week, however, Annie's own dreams reveled in eerie stagnancy. They refused to position her anywhere outside of that singular moment in time, when sea foam filled the crevices between her toes and her vantage point focused upon the blood-red sun on the horizon.
A part of her knew all too well that innocuous redundancies actually meant sinister omens.
On this morning, as she struggled to find immediate clarity through her messy curtain of blonde bangs, Annie deposited her subconscious' replay into a corner before rubbing both fatigued eyes with vigor. Just as full recovery settled in, however, another alarm – this time in the chiming form of her doorbell – interrupted any attempts at continuing a morning routine.
With a grumble, she slammed both palms against the mattress, using the momentum to propel herself into a seated position.
"Who is it?" Her voice could barely mask all the underlying disdain as she planted bare feet upon the floor. So goddamn early…
"My apologies for the early intrusion. This is Erwin Smith."
The muffled response traveled across the austere studio apartment, with the weight of its final words seemingly rumbling everything from her hanging pots to her eardrums.
Erwin…? Annie felt her body suddenly infused itself with adrenaline, rousing legs to pull together adequate energy and begin pacing towards the entrance. As always, her movements remained cautious and calculating. She even reconfirmed the usual spot of her trusted dagger, posing as mere decoration while being secured in its leather sheath behind the door - just in case any visitors were not whom they claimed to be. But once she came close enough to glance through the peephole, Annie sighed with some relief that such concerns were unfounded, for the face of Erwin Smith himself entered her view. Nevertheless, she lifted the crystal pendant draping from her neck - her Totem - for a final inspection, and when the transparent jewel remained colorless rather than taking on its more kaleidoscopic nature within imagined worlds, she knew her current state was reality.
Gradually, she pulled the door ajar, allowing dauntless air to permeate into her personal space almost instantly. Despite her overall composure, she felt her eyeballs protruding at the now undistorted sight of the imposing figure, standing with broad shoulders perfectly perpendicular to the ground. For a name as respected as Erwin's, even the dark blue of his business suit seemed almost too casual a color - she had always expected a man doused in complete monotony, with an impeccable pair of sunglasses to enhance the level of mystery, Instead, under a well-managed golden mane in the same shade as her own, those infamous eyebrows angled severely above visible, alert irises, creating an expression as stern as Annie had ever witnessed.
"Miss Leonhardt?" Though the words echoed with resounding timbre, his lips barely moved against a set jaw.
"Just…Annie is fine." She corrected with some hesitation. Only very few in the business knew of her true surname, yet she was far from surprised at this particular man's awareness. "So what exactly did I do to deserve a visit from the Great Extractor, Erwin Smith?"
Erwin's expression broke slightly into a thin smile, somewhat alleviating the tension of this first meeting. "I think the right question is, Annie: what haven't you done?"
The ambiguity of his statement was one she could not decipher so early in the morning, but the request that followed was as clear as can be.
"If you have a moment today, please meet me at the café down the block in half an hour."
Those last words also marked an indirect, temporary farewell, and as Annie's eyes followed the tall man's departure down the corridor, she prophesied that whatever rested in that café would be a chance of a lifetime.
Exactly 29 minutes later, Annie approached the corner booth of the humble establishment, bypassing any customary offerings from the employees at the counter. Behind her head, the tight ponytail she had fastened her hair into dangled with its usual rigidness, barely showing movement despite all the staunch footsteps. Upon her figure, the pairing of a vintage t-shirt and black denim represented her usual style preferences – at the moment, she had little desire towards satisfying any of the formal dress codes that Erwin Smith's teams were known for. If you want my participation, you will have to take me at face value.
"Good morning." She stated with as much nonchalance as she could muster. To her surprise, another blond head swiftly peeked out from the area opposite Erwin, and ocean blue eyes Annie had only seen in photographs regarded her with genuine curiosity. For the moment, however, neither person appeared perturbed by her outfit of choice.
"Annie, this is Armin Arlert." Rather than answering her greeting, Erwin was quick to make the proper introduction. "You may know him as one of the most brilliant Architects our business has ever known."
"So I've heard." She took the hand the younger man extended in her direction. Much praise for him had been circulating in the past few years – ever since he successfully constructed a life-size version of Escher's Belvedere during a heist involving a top Vatican Cardinal. The two of them were of identical age, Annie recalled, and she couldn't help but wonder if, like her, he only discovered truth within impossibilities.
Before their handshake ended, Armin tugged gently as invitation for her to slip into the seat next to his. She found herself obliging after a brief pause, but the investigative stare from her boothmate remained trained on her even as she sat down.
Deciding to counter the unnerving gesture, she threw him her own glance and a long-awaited inquiry. "I always wondered. Are you two…related?"
To her satisfaction, Armin's head finally turned away, the sheer speed of the action causing all his loose locks to swing into momentary disorder. Meanwhile, the rosy hue of his cheeks deepened in color, hinting that this was far from the first time the question had been posed.
Across the table, Erwin actually let out a light chuckle. "I think everyone else in this café would ask the same thing if they saw the three of us together like this." He drew an airborne circle between them with a finger. "And the answer to your question is: no."
Touché. She briefly deliberated her own physical resemblance to them. "Then how did you two join forces?"
"Erwin was my psychology professor at university." Armin spoke up for the first time, with a voice slightly more nasal than Annie's expectations. "He introduced me to the dream world and guided me in my early days."
"I see." She arched one brow, as she rarely tied together Erwin's Extractor livelihood with any academic persona. But before she could question further, the subject of her curiosities quickly overrode the conversation topic.
"I have brought you here because you are now also known as one of the best, Annie." Placing both elbows upon the table, Erwin leaned towards them with fingers interlocked beneath his chin. "And I would like to fund a specific collaboration for us all."
Annie now found her other eyebrow rising as well at the unusual circumstance. "You're paying out of your own pocket for this?"
Next to her, Armin detectably stirred despite feigning outward calmness. So he did not know either…
"This task is slightly personal." Erwin's gaze lowered to one spot in the midst of the table surface's pointillism design, as if he were suddenly troubled by his own notions. "As you will soon see, what I need is to tie up some loose ends. Consider me…retired after everything is complete."
"I guess I—we should be honored that you are entrusting us with your final task." Armin's voice was steady, though Annie could easily decipher the dozens of questions buried within the soils of disbelief.
Erwin lifted his head again, and three variations of paired azure met in strained understanding. It was unthinkable for her to even contemplate the inevitable end of her own mental journeys, but the faint lines upon Erwin's face suddenly seemed more apparent than ever, marring the façade of confidence and strength that cloaked him just seconds ago.
"All good things must come to an end."
She wasn't sure which one of them finally verbalized the pessimistic circumstance, but the phrase was much needed in order to officially conclude the solemn moment. Immediately, Annie's rational side prompted her lips to redirect attention to the specifics at hand, for witnessing this side of her impending team leader already elicited undesirable apprehension within herself.
"If I'm your Forger for this…then where is your usual hire? That short girl with the angelic face?"
"Historia, you mean?" Erwin blinked a few times in his own attempt at refocus. "She stopped this line of work a while ago, but she will be sending her other half, Ymir, in her stead. For old times' sake."
"Ymir? I can't imagine she is as experienced at this sort of thing…" For once, Armin did not attempt to veil his skepticism.
"She won't be doing very much for us."
"Then she is only taking on a Tourist role? Why do you need so many extra Dreamers, Erwin?"
The hasty exchanges between the two males proved intriguing, and so she sat back with folded arms, observing the dynamics for her own enlightenment. By now, it was more than evident that the three of them shared far more than just physical attributes, but Annie knew that in order for her to fit in seamlessly, she would still need to discern every unspoken agenda as well.
No amount of understanding, however, could prepare her for what came next.
"We're going deeper this time, Armin. More levels than we've tried before." Erwin's hold upon his own hand tightened into a practical death grip before finally relaxing. "Long story short – I would like us to perform Inception."
The word punctured through Annie's brain like the most ruthless of bullets, crushing all matter into an indecipherable concoction that no technique could separate. For the first time in a long while, her jaw dropped in order to release the breath that had been lodged halfway up her throat, but even in the process of freeing that trivial chunk of air, she still nearly choked.
"I…I thought that was impossible." Somehow, Armin expressed the exact words she could not manage, his own voice now lit with astonishment.
"Rumors are that Dom Cobb's team recently achieved the feat. On a trans-Pacific flight, no less." The unemotional response directed towards them only confounded matters further, and Annie gained an impulsive urge to actually order a coffee – or rather, a substantial espresso shot.
"But how?" The voice next to her continued its interrogation.
"They bought out the airline in advance...or something." Erwin now watched them both with caution, likely gauging the severity of their reactions to each divulged detail. "But their exact methods don't matter. The point is that this means we can at least make the same attempt, and I am confident that with this team, we will also succeed."
Annie felt herself gradually gliding towards one end of the cushioned seating, almost assessing a possible escape route instead of welcoming the intensity in the older man's eyes. Her habit of brutal honesty released itself then, coupled with a cynical glare.
"I'm not sure if this is what I wanted to sign up for."
"I see the look both of you have right now." Challenge embedded itself within the deepest tones of Erwin's speech. "I see that burning mixture of anxiety and excitement…this is what we do everything for, isn't it? The exploration of domains completely unknown to others? The exhilaration we cannot acquire by any other method in life?"
She retorted with the most rudimentary fear of any Dreamer – a possibility magnified thousandfold by the proposed task. "Even just the risk of being trapped in Limbo forever…"
"…is negligible. This will not be a dangerous mission by any means."
"Why do you say that?" A demand for explanation saturated Armin's voice, which sounded much firmer than Annie had ever anticipated. "Who is the Mark, Erwin?"
Linked fingers detached themselves without hesitation, and she followed Erwin's left hand as it reached into his front pocket to retrieve the fateful answer. Moments later, a nondescript passport photo landed in the space between them, with its beige background rendered even more colorless by the presence of rich chocolate hair and a vibrant, emerald gaze.
"Eren…Yeager?" She easily recalled the person's identity from the excess of political news coverage she browsed through on a day-to-day basis. Even if only seen in the background, his face constantly stood out, though she always hesitated to question why.
Armin continued her train of thought, further confirming any suspicions. "The nephew of General Ackerman…and the cousin of—"
Erwin's voice tersely took over again, but Annie could not tell whether it was because Armin had voluntarily halted his words or if he had been interrupted. "If you weren't aware already, Annie, General Ackerman is actually a government traitor who has gotten away with too much for far too long." He stated with full transparency. "We will need Eren's help to bring him down."
Though she knew little of the exact circumstances, her instincts jumped at the opportunity to learn more. "How exactly do you expect to accomplish that?"
A glance passed between Armin and Erwin then, so brief that anyone else but her might not have caught it. From her years of studying human behavior she immediately understood what that look meant – it was a decisive agreement to permit her access to secrets currently held by very few others, to fully uncover stories that might never be told otherwise. Whatever the conditions were, these two respected figures had somehow been cornered into a situation where even her, a relative stranger, had earned the necessary trust in record time.
"Do you know about the General's daughter, Annie?" Erwin posed the question with prudence.
Something clicked in her mind immediately, and another portrait photograph that had been flashed across news broadcasts a while ago now resurfaced. "Yes…her name was…Michaela? No, Mikasa, Japanese origins, like her mother." Back then, she had found it difficult to forget that young woman's beautiful, haunting eyes, bearing a shade somewhat lighter than her onyx hair. "She…died two years ago, didn't she?"
"That's correct." The response seemed quieter than usual.
To her left, Annie overheard Armin give an uncharacteristic inhale, as if the mention of the girl's name had triggered unwanted memories.
"The truth is, Mikasa Ackerman died as an unwitting keeper of military secrets that would've exposed her father's treachery." Strong fingers clenched together once more as Erwin made the difficult disclosure. "He was the one who killed her in the end, all to protect himself."
"Wha…what?" The revelation thundered across her mind, even though she was never one to trust government or military officials from the get-go. "How can that be? I still remember the reports that she had fallen into a coma after a serious head injury, and that there was no hope…"
"That was the cover story, Annie. General Ackerman removed her from life support prematurely. On purpose."
A fabricated vision of the young woman lying helplessly in her hospital bed appeared without warning, and Annie's complexion turned even paler than when the word "Inception" had first come up. Had she heard the conspiracy from anyone else she might have rendered it false, but by all standards, the reputations of the two around her were notoriously clean, and there was little reason for either to make such extreme accusations.
"My God…" She could only murmur as she attempted to reassemble her thoughts.
Armin placed a hand upon her shoulder, indicating his support prior to facing Erwin himself. "So how exactly does Eren fit into all this? As far as I remember, he wasn't involved or even present during the ordeal due to a semester of studying abroad."
"He has recently graduated from medical school with a concentration in neurosurgery." The older man moved one hand downward before tapping a finger upon the passport photo. "And unbeknownst to most, he was always suspicious of the circumstances surrounding his cousin's death."
Smart guy. Annie mused at both the academic achievement and apparent intuition.
"I have a contact at the Capital Hospital who informed me that under his new residency status, Eren Yeager recently checked out records pertaining to Mikasa's stay two years ago." Erwin continued the crucial explanation. "Even if the data has been doctored, with his education background he likely noticed all the pieces that didn't fit – especially how his cousin was not actually 100% braindead at the time of her father's orders to shut everything down."
The chilling detail prompted her to share a gaze with Armin then, but he broke away first and summarized their ultimate intent.
"So you want Eren to turn him in. And to eventually testify in court."
"Yes, but he would probably never do it without heavy suggestion. And thus we will need Inception to plant that idea into his head and allow it to blossom. If we can't get the General for treason, we might as well start with premeditated murder."
The heaviness of Annie's next exhale seemed to equal the growing weight of the situation. "This…is fairly ambitious."
"If you need some time to think about it, I understand."
"No." Her audacious side immediately snapped back. "I will be fine. I just…Inception, Erwin?"
"Inception, Annie. Yes." Confirmation came for what was likely the final time. "I've even hired a Chemist to help with the necessary concoctions for deeper sleep."
"Then who will be our Point Man?" Finally accepting that there would be no return, she took the opportunity to clarify the rest of the team members instead. "Out of everyone still active in the field, only the one known as 'Arthur' seems capable of assisting something of this level, but I'm sure we all know he has disappeared from the grid."
Erwin nodded in agreement, seemingly impressed with her knowledge. "Yes, Arthur would be the ideal candidate. However, I heard he was already the one on the previous Inception job with Cobb. It might be why he can no longer be found so easily."
"So you have no more options, then."
"As a matter of fact, I do." A haze appeared to overwhelm the blue eyes that stared back at her with near indifference. "There exists only one other who is capable of such complex maneuvers."
She sensed Armin's posture quickly straightening, as if all the bones in his body had been forced into rigidness by an invisible apparatus.
"I know what you are thinking, Erwin." The young man's voice contained evident alarm. "Surely you haven't forgotten what happened last time?"
Last time?
Neither Erwin's body nor his tone shifted in the slightest. "Of course not. But we have no choice if we even want the slightest possibility of success-"
The younger man suddenly stood, and the breeze from the abrupt movement proved strong enough to sway the unsecured wisps of Annie's hair. His somewhat disturbed expression inspired her own concerns, for the subtle positioning of his facial muscles conveyed emotions more severe than typical hesitation. The serenity that had enveloped his childlike features was nowhere to be found, and light tremors mimicking the warning signs of an imminent earthquake accompanied his next words.
"What makes you think that he would even agree to work with us again? With you? On something like this, no less?"
Who is this "he?" She opened her mouth to ask, but Erwin's calmly extended arm hindered her intentions. The man gave a light tug upon the Architect's sleeve, insisting that he remain seated until there was full explanation.
"Because he's just like us, Armin." Though addressing only one, the speech was clearly intended for them both. "Our own dreams - our lives - become dull and insatiable once these thorough explorations of the mind ceases. I know for a fact that he has been missing this."
Reluctantly, Armin lowered himself to his seat again, and the silence that befell them all hinted at their undeniable, mutual agreement on such matters. As she begun to ponder upon her own inner longing for more and more profound discoveries, Erwin finished his statement, though this time with a much softer voice.
"And most importantly…you and I both know that Levi wants retribution more than any of us."
Even with her astute senses, the name nearly slipped past Annie's perception as it had been spoken with such fleetingness, as if the person was just another trivial target in their ongoing pursuits. When the two syllables finally registered, she felt her eyes widen with immediate recognition, for the most impressive adjectives describing physical and mental capabilities had always been attached to this short moniker. Levi. The one who only seemed to exist in legends.
"Aren't you then simply exploiting that wish of his?" Armin actually scolded, though the decreasing urgency in his tone indicated that he knew all arguments were futile at this point.
"My goal has always been to get things done." As expected, Erwin's determination was unwavering. "And if necessary, to counter risk with risk."
Annie watched Armin turn slightly and lean against the wall with both eyes squeezed shut, his overall posture reminiscent of a deflated balloon exhaling its last bit of air. One hand lifted to brush back blond locks against his scalp, lifting bangs just enough to reveal the elusive forehead that now wrinkled with defeat. Meanwhile, his other hand reached into the pocket of his jeans, toying with an object within. Even without seeing it, she knew it was likely his Totem – and she couldn't blame him, for Erwin's words were beginning to sound more and more fantastical by the minute. In her perception, he seemed to mature a few years, having undergone a quick evolution from timid youngster to the creative yet anxious artist she had envisioned him to be prior to their meeting.
"I'm guessing that you want me to be the one to speak with him then." His neck bent backward in acceptance of the inevitability. "Well, I honestly don't even know where he is."
Without a second's hesitation, Erwin whipped out a map from his trouser pocket before shaking the paper free from its predetermined folds. As hues of light green and expanses of white paths laid themselves out across the table, his other hand was quick to point out a red circle marking within the northwest region.
"He's staying here, hard to fly to but hours away by train." The confidence of the report hinted at the thorough research that had taken place prior to their recruitment. "And I want you to take Annie there with you, because she will need as much context as possible."
While Annie decided to not question the proposal, Armin spoke into the air with his lifted head, still snubbing their straightforward team leader. "You baffle me, Erwin, truly."
Even after a brief scoff, Erwin still made no attempt to deny his own traits.
"I was always both selfless and selfish, Armin. But that's why we've always made a good team."
She was by the sea again.
Beneath her feet, warm hues saturated the beach sands, adorning every pebble with temporary dyes that ran close to but still not as dark as the crimson fabric sheltering her neck. Soft winds collided into her oversized sweater and billowing skirt, spreading threads far apart to form makeshift sails ready to carry her into unknown regions of the atmosphere. All the while, the sun rested straight ahead, with its bottom curvature distorting as it began to dip into the horizon.
This me, I'm waiting for someone. When she noticed those same black tresses from the past week flying against the frame of her face, a reminder that had not surfaced in previous visions echoed within her brain.
I'm waiting for-
The sound of the train horn stripped Annie of the opportunity to solve this ongoing mystery, and she blinked awake to mild soreness in her neck, stemming from the awkward angle at which it tilted her head – right onto Armin's shoulder.
"So…sorry." She straightened her spine at a speed that almost caused whiplash, and those same sore muscles directed her eyes towards the window instead of exposing the light embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Beyond a transparent reflection of herself, a film reel of bland sceneries zoomed past without leaving any lasting impression, and in the short moment Annie's desire towards dreaming again intensified hundredfold.
"It's fine." Behind her, Armin released a light, albeit nervous chuckle. "Are you…alright?"
It took her a second to comprehend that he was asking about Erwin's loaded plans – the immensity of which only grew with each additional kilometer they traveled towards their current destination.
"Still processing it all." She murmured in the end. "But fine."
Despite not seeing him, Annie could sense Armin's nods of relief coupled with the light sounds of his palms rubbing against each other, the latter actually perceptible due to the complete silence of the bullet train's voyage. She almost wished that those rhythmic, mechanical noises of archaic technology were still present, for they could at least provide some sense of distraction to scatter her thoughts. But now, she couldn't help but focus on what was occurring in her immediate vicinity, and when his hands finally stopped moving, she knew that only more questions would follow.
"Why did you agree to this in the first place, Annie?"
"The money." Her answers were brief yet honest, bearing that customary tone of nonchalance. "And like Erwin said – the thrill."
"Do you think it will be worthwhile for you in the end?"
"Who knows." She never really thought of things in long-term contexts. "But years ago, I made a personal promise to never back down from a challenge. This is merely one of those cases."
"I see." Though he took in her words at face value, Armin seemed dissatisfied with the excuse. "Did Erwin even tell you who he wanted you to mimic?"
"Not yet, but as you can imagine, I'm not looking forward to it as much any longer."
A darker area of foliage from outside allowed her to suddenly perceive the Architect's reflection as well, and the guarded way he scrutinized his hands prompted her to finally turn around again.
"Why? Do you know?" She took the position of interrogator without pause.
"I-No."
Annie could see through the lie as if it were the clearest pane of glass, fogged only by a gentle coating of tense energy. And when she returned to staring through actual glass, she felt her lips twitch into a tiny smile.
You're far too easy to read, Armin. I can already masquerade as you after just half a day.
By the time they finally arrived at the modest townhouse neighborhood, with brick facades all doused in faint streetlight, the hour hand of her watch had just ticked past the number 11. With her nap on the train to compensate, Annie felt no fatigue, but the backpack she had stuffed one change of clothing into after the café meeting suddenly seemed insufficient. Nevertheless, she followed Armin's shadow as they ventured into the unfamiliar territory, passing a series of connected stoops leading up towards both lit and unlit windows. For now, she would have to trust that the young man would only need one attempt to convince their most volatile member to join the cause.
Near the end of the block, Armin finally stopped next to a mailbox bearing the metal calligraphy of 844.
"This is Levi's place?" She glanced at the concrete steps of this particular unit before watching her companion. Though both his hands remained in his jean pockets, even in the limited light Annie could detect restless finger movements underneath denim fabric, no doubt fidgeting with his Totem again.
"Yes." The Architect sighed and began to climb. But prior to reaching the third level, he directed a meaningful gaze back towards her. "Look, I might have been opposed to him earlier today, but when it comes down to things, he's still the only Point Man Erwin and I would ever trust."
She nodded as she set her own feet upon the elevated surface. "I understand, because I've also heard much about him. He just…seems to have gone deep underground ever since a few years ago."
"Yes. Two years…to be exact." Armin murmured before continuing his journey.
The number rang tiny bells in Annie's head, though she failed to make any instant connection. The rest of their ascent progressed in silence until both of them reached the wooden door, with its entire surface painted as black as the night. Adjacent to the frame, the closest window was bathed in a soft, yellow glow that rendered the curtains almost translucent, indicating that the home's occupant was likely still awake.
Slowly, Armin raised a finger to press the doorbell button, causing a melodic chime to resonate throughout the indoor space.
"Levi." He verbalized loudly after a few seconds. "It's me. It's Armin."
A sequence of languid footstep sounds emerged from beyond the barrier, with every thump against the floorboards somehow coinciding with the calm beats of Annie's heart. She listened closely at the increasing volume of the approach, and her throat actually gulped in an attempt to relieve its unforeseen parchedness. Just as moisture returned, however, the click of the doorknob and the harsh scraping of metal made her cringe in a different manner.
When her eyes fully opened again, a figure stood behind the minimal space of the ajar door, still suspended in place by a stretched chain. He was shorter than she expected, reaching a height barely over her and Armin both. Perhaps that helps with agility and balance. She thought back to past missions, when she always marveled at the physically demanding conditions Point Men purposefully placed themselves in within dreams. They were expected to battle hostile Projections from every direction by whatever means necessary - a complete reversal from her own discreet tasks.
The dark hair that parted perfectly down the middle of this Point Man's scalp almost blended in with the door's ominous color, and underneath the frontal strands were hints of thin brows and narrow eyes, tired-looking but ripe with suspicion as he regarded them. The rest of his rather sharp features did not culminate in a portrait of conventional handsomeness, but the underlying intensity emanating from every pore and contour proved striking in its own right. And when he spoke, the piercing overtones within thick velvet were just as intimidating as Erwin's towering physique.
"Still polite as always." Thin lips barely shifted with the sarcastic acknowledgment. "You would be one to announce yourself, Armin, even if you already knew that a camera was on you."
The startling revelation almost caused Annie to search for the gadget, but she restrained herself from exhibiting such an abrupt reaction. Something about her bearing still must've changed, however, for she observed Levi's small irises sending her an almost unimpressed glance.
"Old habits die hard." Armin responded quickly to retrieve his attention. "Levi, this is Annie Leonhardt."
"First girlfriend?"
Her jaw dropped for the second time that day at the blunt guess, but before Armin could formulate any truth from his stammers, Levi's left brow arched with aloofness.
"I only jest." He nodded succinctly towards her, giving just enough salutation for Annie's muscles to recover and clamp her mouth shut again. "So what do you two want? Or should I say, what does Erwin want?"
Having barely recovered from the previous exchange, Armin cleared his throat before finally declaring their intentions.
"We need you for one final miss-"
The earsplitting fissure of wood surprised them both as the door slammed closed without a moment's notice. By the time Annie comprehended the forthright rejection, Armin was already in the salvaging stage of their failed assignment.
"Levi." A balled fist knocked with unexpected calmness, and the blond's voice was as earnest as she had ever heard it. "I know you're still right there, so please - listen to me."
Contrary to before, she had not discerned any audible footsteps from within, so she knew he was likely correct in his assumption.
"The mission objective is to discredit General Ackerman for good." Armin leaned towards the wood, enunciating every syllable with care. "We would…correct everything. As much as we can."
Correct everything? Once again, Annie found herself an outsider in the men's shared pasts, but the dialogue that followed this time was quite different from the café meeting.
"There are mistakes that can never be fucking corrected." Levi declared from the opposite side, the sound stifled by the material between them but no less unforgiving in its nuances.
"But fixing the rest is still worth the effort." Her companion urged. "You know you wouldn't be doing this for us, Levi. It's for the sake of justice, and for-"
"Don't say it, Armin."
"You can't avoid it forever."
An elongated pause allowed her to bring her thoughts into convergence, and Annie stirred, for despite the ongoing disruption of unspoken circumstances, her vigilant mind was beginning to weave the multitude of factors together into a seamless web. Two years ago…they went against the General back then, too.
"And who says I'm avoiding anything?" To her surprise, Levi's next response took on a defensive stance. And rather than callousness, every word now carried its own dosage of misery. "I only fucking think about it every waking moment..."
Sensing opportunity, Armin placed both palms upon the door, as if transporting consolation through the indirect gesture. "Then maybe…it's finally time to put everything to rest. For good."
Another hushed period followed, its suffocating stillness only disturbed by the occasional chirping of unseen crickets. In the darkness their identical blue gazes met with unease, for both knew that they were now at the center of a critical crossroads, waiting for the steering wheel of fate to guide them all in whichever direction it pleased.
When the delicate scratching and clanking of metal finally sounded, Annie felt her shoulders relax, and Armin released a long-held breath before dropping both arms to his side again. In front of them, the door began to open fully, no longer abiding by the previous restraints of the chain. From the pure white of the uncommon accessory around his neck and the wrinkle-free dress shirt, down to the proper obsidian of his trousers and socks, she soon saw Levi's outfit with utter clarity. The style was reminiscent of Erwin's formal preferences, though something about the shorter man's overall appearance shrouded emotions almost too dark for her to grasp.
"Erwin…actually still wants me involved?" Those weary eyes sought out Armin for final confirmation.
"He insisted." Armin gave a stern nod. "He knows what your heart desires."
Levi scoffed and looked to the side. "The bastard always does."
Annie continued to watch him, drinking in the perceptible traits to compare with all her previous expectations. And as their eyes crossed paths again she did not look away this time, for she wanted to display the strength and confidence that had escaped their previous interaction. When Levi folded his arms and began to scan her from head to toe, she knew that he was already comparing her to previous team members, even if her exact role had not been disclosed. Before long, however, he broke away to look at his wristwatch instead.
"It's damn late." He muttered and stepped aside to allow them entrance. "You two might as well spend the night here."
"I thought you'd never ask." Armin accepted the invitation swiftly, stepping both feet across the threshold and motioning for her to follow. "The prospect hadn't looked too good when you shut the door on us."
Levi's brows furrowed, and he shook his head before proceeding towards the stairs, leaving them behind in the foyer. When Annie entered the dimly-lit space she took immediate notice of how immaculate every area was, from the carefully organized shoe rack to the spotlessness of the wooden floor, its surface so well-kept that it was almost reflective. All the perfectly-positioned furniture that she could see bore the same color as the door, showcasing direct contrast to the alabaster walls around them. Even the few artifacts on display were black enough to conceal all hints of detail, only permitting her awareness of their general shape at the current distance.
"Just don't get anything dirty." From halfway up the staircase, their host voiced a final request in place of a farewell.
She watched Armin remove his shoes, eventually setting them in an available part of the rack with utmost care. Once satisfied with the positioning of the paired items, he delivered his reassurance.
"You know I could never forget how you are, Mr. Clean."
The sunset—
Before any distinct image even formed within her dream that night, Annie felt substantial quaking that shook her out of unconsciousness. She sat up from the expanded futon in panic, with both arms poised to defend herself from the unknown forces – only to find Armin's hand upon her shoulder.
"Armin?" She hissed in confusion and irritation, uncertain as to why he was standing in the middle of the living room instead of sleeping under the blankets of the adjacent loveseat.
"Come with me." He beckoned before pacing around her temporary bed and departing the area. Though still perplexed, she quickly threw both legs over the edge and chased after his path. Even in pitch-black her eyes readjusted quickly to her surroundings, and soon they found their way to the bottom of the staircase that Levi had ascended just an hour ago. Up above, she saw more darkness enveloping everything other than one particular room, where the open doorway had allowed a hazy, rectangular gathering of brightness to trickle through.
Without a word, she felt Armin take her hand gingerly and begin to scale the carpeted steps, his eyes completely focused upon that single source of light. In any other situation she might have protested, but she found that the innocent touch, while uninvited, was not necessarily unwanted. And so she trailed him with precision, even placing her feet at the exact same spots where he had just lifted his own. The whole uphill quest had felt like a strange dream in itself, but Annie knew that even if she looked down at her Totem, the crystal would be completely devoid of color.
Not long after, they arrived at the second floor, but instead of releasing their hands Armin continued to lead her into the lit room. As they entered, the familiar sound of pressurized air being released greeted them, and Annie let out her own gasp as she absorbed the scene in front of her.
Levi slept peacefully upon one of four cherrywood lounge chairs at the center of the otherwise vacant space, still dressed in the same outfit they had seen him in earlier as his head and body settled against the leather cushioning. A functioning PASIV device was placed on the small table in the middle of the chairs, and one of its clear IV lines ran from the mechanism into his exposed, muscled forearm. In his other hand he grasped a small object, and from the tip that peeked through the top of his fist, she saw that it was a chess piece – a Black King, to be exact. His Totem.
"He's…using the PASIV as his only way to dream, isn't he?" She detached herself from Armin and stepped towards the Point Man, keeping her voice soft despite knowing that he couldn't be disturbed either way. "When I first started all this, I was warned that eventually I would need it, too. But I haven't gotten to that point yet."
Contrary to before, Armin followed behind her this time, and she turned to see his azure eyes watching his comrade with a melancholic pity.
"Consider yourself lucky." The blond sighed before taking a seat on one of the other lounge chairs. Almost immediately, he reached for the PASIV device and grabbed two more IV lines, keeping one for himself and extending the other towards her. "Here."
Though dream-sharing was anything but unusual for her, Annie nonetheless took a small step backward, unsure of what the offer meant. "What…what are we doing?"
Another deep sigh escaped from Armin's mouth. "Usually I would never do this, but as Erwin mentioned, it is essential for you to fully understand the context of our situation. And Levi's own mind is…likely the best way."
As before, the young man's eyes urged for her to trust him, and she couldn't help but feel convinced by his struggled honesty. After giving her pendant the swiftest of touches, she reluctantly gripped the side of the needled end with two fingers, being extra careful as to not accidentally jab herself.
"We're…just going to go into his head like this?"
"I have to show you, Annie, rather than just tell you." Armin scrunched up his right shirt sleeve and began to insert the IV line into his own vein. "He won't be happy about it, but he will understand."
She sat down on a third chair and repeated his actions, a procedure so standard yet also so foreign to her in the current context. Once the initial pain subsided, she nodded at Armin to indicate her readiness, and after a fateful press of two buttons, they both leaned back to cross over into Levi's secondary realm.
In the blink of an eye – quite literally – Annie found herself standing in the middle of an elevator cab, with Armin at her side. Around them, starkness lined the walls and glittering onyx tiles patterned across the ground. To the left of the dual panel doors they faced together, square, black buttons numbered 3 through 1 ran vertically down a protruding steel plate.
"His mind elevator is quite minimalistic." She looked around, almost blinded by the severe way the walls reflected the illuminated ceiling.
"As you can tell from his home, Levi is a man of simple tastes." Armin stated matter-of-factly. "At least, in terms of décor."
Before their asinine conversation about the interior continued, he pressed the button "2," jumpstarting the cab to transport them along the dimensional shaft. Annie felt her breaths quicken slightly, as their current destination was even more unknown to her than the earlier train ride. However, Armin seemed far from perturbed, as if he had thorough knowledge of what each level represented.
Shortly thereafter, the button returned to its unlit state, and a typical "ding" followed the elevator's halted movements. The doors opened to reveal a pair of long bookshelves flanking an aisle that stretched out from their exit, fashioning a wide, picturesque hallway for her to pace through. Endless volumes rested on every horizontal piece of lumber, forming a mosaic of epic proportions that seemed to rearrange itself each time she took a step. Though it wasn't the most magical of sights Annie had ever encountered, Annie marveled at the sheer amount of detail, for every letter upon every book spine could be clearly deciphered by her naked eye.
As she reached the sixth set of shelves, she took hold of an Ivan Pavlov text and flipped to the inside back cover, where a dark blue stamp had been placed to indicate official possession.
"The Capital University's library." She looked towards Armin once she studied the fine print. "So this is a dream of the actual place?"
The Architect approached her, his own fingers brushing delicately past an array of spines opposite the ones she stood near. "Yes, from Levi's memories. Even though…we all know we shouldn't be framing dreams around those."
With that foreboding statement, he strode ahead towards the now-visible end of the aisle, and she followed close behind, sensing that answers to her questions were finally nearby. Just before they reached the intersection, however, Armin stopped abruptly and poked his head out to examine the neighboring area instead. When he retreated completely behind the shelving again seconds later, he gestured for her to conduct her own investigation.
"Take a look, but don't disturb anything."
Annie obeyed cautiously, leaning against the wooden structure and stretching her neck for a proper view of whatever he just saw.
An open expanse full of desks greeted her vision, though every chair was empty save for one in the far corner. Seated within it was a young woman with short hair, every black strand bursting with radiance as they reflected the sunlight entering via the floor-to-ceiling windows. Long lashes hooded a pair of grey eyes, wholly concentrated on the thick text book in front of her. And with a page flip she lifted her head, revealing a red scarf and the exquisite face that had dominated headlines two years ago - in that period of tragedy for one of the government's top military officials, General Ackerman.
Annie gasped and withdrew her head.
"Is that...?"
Armin now sat upon the floor, with elbows resting upon his bent knees. "Yes, that's Mikasa Ackerman. Or rather, was."
She initiated her own defeated slide towards the ground, her loose ponytail squashing itself against both books and wood. Earlier, she had weaved some circumstances together successfully, yet this development threatened to unravel every conjecture she had made, save for one. Mikasa Ackerman is also the girl from all my recent dreams…
"I lied before when I said I didn't know who Erwin wanted you to be." Next to her, Armin finally admitted what she had already known. "In fact, I'm certain that the one he wants you to masquerade as is her."
"I guess…I already had a feeling myself once Mikasa's name came up at the café, but things are apparently more complex than I imagined..." Annie found herself muttering. "It's probably best that I learn everything I can now, isn't it?"
"Yes, since you will need to at least convince Eren of this identity." He wrapped a supportive hand around her wrist. "I would be happy to walk you through it all."
She nodded in acceptance of the suggestion, her heart relieved that at least this unpredictable journey would not be a lonely one. The ultimate question, however, gnawed at her brain, and so she declared it – even though a part of her already knew the answer.
"Armin, why is Mikasa here? In Levi's dream?"
The Architect shut his eyes, leaning his head back in the same manner that she had seen him do in the café. "I think…you can figure out why."
Immediately, she reviewed all the particulars that had been gathered in the past day, and with each new assessment, the threads of this intricate story entwined together once more in her mind's loom – the timespan of two years, Armin's constant qualms about the whole mission, Erwin's references to retribution, and – hidden behind those narrow eyes she had seen so briefly – Levi's vivid sadness, those tinges of anguish that clouded his very existence. The finished fabric broadened into a complete depiction then, with its every stitch pointing to a single, heartbreaking detail.
"Levi and her…they were lovers before she died." She gasped out the unfortunate realization.
"Yes, they were. And this library – the actual version of it - was where they first met in person." With grimness, Armin began to narrate the tale that would contain no phrases like happily ever after. "It took Mikasa weeks to warm up to him. But once she did...no one could stop either of them from going further in the relationship."
"What was she like?"
"She was lovely." He divulged. "Hot-headed at times, but it made her Levi's match in more ways than one."
"What happened, then?" Annie looked in his direction in a final quest for truth. "Did you all work with her? Was her reported coma…due to a failed mission?"
"No, she was never an Extractor or part of our team. But when they first met, Levi already knew everything there was to know about her."
With a brief pause, Armin's eyes opened at last, and he returned her gaze while confessing the cruelest notion of all.
"Because she was supposed to be our Mark."
Chapter I
GENESIS
[End]
A/N: Thank you for reading this drawn-out introduction to the AU - I hope you haven't fallen asleep into your own dreamscapes yet! Though the mentions of RivaMika were minimal here, I promise that the next chapter will have plenty of it, as we will be diving into Armin's memories of the past. So stay tuned, and please leave a review if you have a moment!