Steadfast Heart

Prologue

November 23rd, Year 838

Dark clouds covered the sun as the autumn winds turned the air cold and lifeless. Although deadly, the wind could not silence the wails and cries emitting from Wall Sina's Caldorn Village, for it was in mourning. On the outskirts of the village, at the church courtyard, the residents and visitors were gathered around a coal bed, where eleven bodies laid upon it. The center body was of an elderly woman in her late sixties, while the other ten were children, ranging from the ages of six to eighteen, divided evenly in genders. Each body was dressed in fine clothing, and their hair was done for their last time on this world.

As the preacher gave his sermon, one woman's wail of sorrow cried out above the rest as she kneeled to the ground, her face in her hands as her bun started to come undone. She cries the most because she is the mother of the children, as some of them have her golden blonde locks. Soon a man kneels beside her and helps her to her feet while hugging her, just like any good husband would. His combed black hair was becoming messy from the sweat and heat from his grief filled body under his polished suit. As the couple held each other in sadness, a small figure from behind them moved in front of them, a little girl of ten years with the man's black hair and the woman's facial features. She looked on as the undertakers set the bed of coals ablaze, giving the bodies their burial.

"Go now, Corine of the House of Hanes, and children of the House of , and ascend until your souls find peace in the light of our Guardians"

That night, the villagers and visitors returned to the manor to give the two families their condolences, including members from the different branches of the military, putting aside their rivalries for this solemn occasion. While the husband and wife spoke with the guests, the young girl left the party to grieve alone. Just the thought of people gathering around her made her scowl, as humanity was the one who she believed took her siblings away. Not wanting to make a bad impression, the raven haired girl had to get away and settle this frustration alone. She walked down the many halls of the second floor until she reached the library, where the roaring fireplace near the sitting area collided with the glow of the full moon, filling the dark room with light. After she closed the door, she leaned against it and recalled what happened three nights ago.

November 20th, 4: 17 pm

"I'm sorry my Lord and Lady, but Mistress Constance's fever just won't go down" Corine said in a sad and worried tone.

"Will she be alright mother? She's not gonna die is she? Why is she sick?" Constance's older and younger siblings asked multiple questions as their mother started to worry.

"I don't know" she simply said. She then turned to her husband, "What should we do Julius? This is serious"

Julius looked to his wife, "It is serious, Lucretia, so we have no choice but to head out to the Captital's hospital for treatment. Corine, watch over the children" Julius said as he gently picked up his daughter, "we'll be back later tonight" he said as he walked out of the room with Constance in hand. He called for the stable men to prepare a coach for the trio as the family watches on.
Constance was barely awake when she heard the last words her twin brother, Connor, said, "Please live, Constance" before the darkness took over her. When she finally woke up, she was in a hospital room where her mother and father waited at her bedside. Their relief was short lived when a member of the MP suddenly burst into the room, giving them the dreaded news.

"Something terrible has happened at the Manor"

The trio raced back to the manor, thinking that a fire occurred. But when they arrived, there was no fire, but multiple members of the military police were surrounding their front entrance.

Julius looked to his wife and then to his daughter, "Constance, stay here"

"But Father-"

"Please Constance, just wait here" pleaded her mother.

The two adults left the coach and made their way to the front entrance. Constance waited, wondering what was going on when she heard her mother give a loud wail. Constance never heard that cry before, but deep down she knew something was wrong. Curiosity suddenly got the better of her and she left the coach to see what happened. She ran up the front steps and entered the room to a horrific sight. For there, laid all around the front room, were here siblings and nanny, each one in a pool of thick crimson liquid while splotches could be seen on their clothing, not moving a single inch.

*Present time*

Constance looked up from the floor to the painting over the fireplace. Above the mantle was a large painting of her family, all her siblings, her parents and Corine, now covered by a thin black veil. As she tried to get over the loss of her siblings, her memories with them continued to return to her mind, making her relive the tragic day. The young tried to dry her eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop. The effect of the deaths had caught up with her, but she didn't want her parents to see her cry. They were already in enough pain and she didn't need to increase it.

Constance went to the chair that Corine used to read stories to the children, climbed into it and tried to get comfortable when she felt something strange at her side. Looking at the blanket that covered the right arm on the chair, she removed the cover to reveal a 6x9x2 worn, brown book. Constance pulled it out and held the small object to the moonlit window to reveal a faded set of the wings of freedom. She opened the first page and right on the first page, in large bold letters was 'Birmingham's Diary'. Constance heard rumors about this book, but she never seen this book in person. She opened to the first chapter and started reading, but little did Constance know that after that night, her view of the world and humanity would change forever.

(I don't own Attack on Titan, nor do I own Levi. SNK or AOT belongs to Hajime Isayama

I only own the OC's in this story.

The story plot is done with a majority of friends, so credit to them for that.

Picture does not belong to me. It belongs to Fortique that is a commission I paid for. Proper credit to him

Mature based just in case.)