Darkness enveloped my senses, isolating me inside my own mind. Floating. The sensation of floating overcame me, plummeting me into a spiral of confusion. I tried to get a handle on the situation I had found myself in but it was like grasping for straws, finding nothing but murky, lifeless darkness. Where was I? It felt like I was at the bottom of the ocean, but I couldn't be… how would I have gotten there? Pushing myself upwards, I found myself gaining memento and quickly rising up to the surface. How had I not realised I was under the sea? Pain shot through my chest, piercing every inch of my being as my airways constricted running out of air as quickly as a deflating balloon. Where was the surface?
After what seemed like minutes, the darkness subsided and a dim light began infecting the waters around me. Just a little further… My vision began blurring as my chest grew tighter at every passing second. I was going to die if I couldn't find the surface soon. Suddenly I emerged out of the unforgiving depths. Audibly gasping, I sucked in air as if it was going out of fashion. Fire. Death. Destruction. What happened? The mission was supposed to be a success on our part, was it not? Dozens of cold, lifeless bodies were strewn over the scenic, picturesque, cobbled streets of the capital staining the shiny, grey stones crimson with their life. The scene was truly grotesque, blood spattered everywhere the eye could see, limbs lying haphazardly across the streets and grossly mutilated bodies piled up, so damaged they no longer looked human. Amber flames danced the dance of death in the horizon casting warm glows throughout the harbour, a cruel welcoming to those arriving into the torment. The warmth of the flames inviting passers-by into their grip and their embers covered up the tale of destruction that lay within them.
A crystal tear escaped, leaving a sorrowful streak down my cheek. How had we strayed so far of the aim of the mission? How was the result of months of careful, strategic planning this scene that looked like a snapshot from the brochure for what could only be described as hell. Out of the corner of my eyes, something horrifically familiar stuck out like a jagged, broken but of glass. An outcrop of raven black hair contrasted against the bright off white stone path which had streaks of scarlet red blood spattered in every direction from the black…
Frantically, I began swimming towards the shore, towards the mayhem and towards the strangely familiar wave of black. My head felt heavy with dread as I trudged through the shallow water on to the once golden stretch of sand which had become dirtied in the calamity which had taken place not so long ago. I stumbled towards the stone path which leads to the castle. Fear began planting its infectious seed, decimating every rational thought I might off once had. Sinking to my knees, I slowly reached to pick up the mop of black that was leant against the wall. I knotted my fingers into the silky black locks and lifted it so I could see what it was. Was it just my imagination? Was it just a piece of cloth? Or was it something more sinister? I could barely bring myself to look at the lump I held in my hands, it was far too heavy just to be a piece of cloth. Gulping, I opened my eyes to see what I held in my hands. I instantly regretted it.
Two piercing blue eyes stared back at me however they weren't like how I remembered them … These were lifeless, completely void of emotion. They looked so out of place on his handsome face. His lips had become grey as if he had received the kiss of death and his very soul had been sucked from him. A brilliant line of crimson laced the disgustingly torn flesh that hung of the edge of his neck. This wasn't a painless death. This was brutally inhumane act of war. Beheading wasn't usually a way you'd kill your enemy, it's too inconvenient. What had happened to him? I brought the head to my chest and let out an ear splitting screech. My small frame became racked with uncontrollable, heart wrenching sobs. He was gone… My Levi, one of the elites, was no more…
"Eren? Please wake up! It's just a dream!" A voice called in the background, cutting through my slumber. I could feel myself being shaken repeatedly in an attempt to get me to regain my consciousness. My eyes shot open, panic surging through me. Images of my dream flashed through mind; they were so vivid it was as if I had lived through them myself. It was a dream? Was it not? Tears began trailing down my cheeks, splashing on to my arm as I scanned the room for Levi. Where was he?
"Eren, can you hear me?" The voice asked again. Where was it coming from? My eyes flew to the location of the voice. Levi! There he was kneeling beside my bed, holding my hand in a fruitless attempt to comfort me. I can't even describe how much of a relief it is to see him now. It was all a dream! A bright smile stretched across my face as it all processed in my slightly dense brain.
"You're alive" I laughed, lunging out of the bed and lacing my arms around his neck. I pushed my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling the intoxicating scent of everything that was Levi. His arms looped around my waist, pulling me closer to him, hoping to calm me down, even in the slightest.
"Why wouldn't I be? The fight hasn't started yet" He asked, confusion apparent in his tone. Was it worth telling him?
"Never mind" I smiled, softly shaking my head. I didn't have the heart tell him. There was only two ways it would go; one, I'd never live it down once this was over and done with or two, he'd be over sympathetic and protective for months on end. And in all honesty, I wanted neither of these things to happen. A scowl carved its way on to his porcelain face, emphasising the distaste he felt at my response.
"Eren, you can't start crying and screaming in your sleep and then not tell me why that was! You have no idea how worried I was! I thought something terrible had happened. How can you not tell me?" Levi growled, his facial features softening slightly but not losing the annoyed expression. His face relaxed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose as if he was deep in thought. Letting out a loud, audible sigh, he smiled brightly at me. "You may not want to tell me now but we will talk about this later. Come on and try and get back to sleep. We have six hours until the battle begins" He said calmly, rubbing his hand soothingly in small circles on the small of my back. He helped me climb back into my luxurious double bed and tucked me lovingly in.
"Sleep tight princess" He whispered in my ear before kissing my forehead and turning to leave my bedroom.
"Levi?" I asked, softly. He turned to look at me, a questioning, worried look on my face.
"Yes?" He questioned, raising his eyebrow suspiciously.
"Would you be able to stay with me, just for tonight? I don't think I'll be able to sleep again tonight if there isn't anyone else here" I bashfully said, hoping he would agree without asking any questions. A cheeky smirk crossed his face as he registered what I had just asked him to do. I could only imagine what was going through his head at this particular moment in time.
"Hey! I didn't mean it like that, you pervert!" I exclaimed, pulling the covers tighter in attempt to conceal myself and my embarrassment. He gave me a toothy grin and let out a light chuckle.
"I'm well aware of that Eren. I can stay if you really want me to" He agreed, amusement intertwined with every word he spoke.
"I'd really appreciate if you could" I warmly smiled at him. He nodded in acknowledgement of what I had just said and strode over to the other side of the bed. The mattress sank swiftly as he made himself comfortable. A slender arm slung itself over my waist and pulled me into the warmth of his chest. I exhaled contently. I was sure the dreams would be kept at bay now I had my knight to ward of the negativity. I sank into a comfortable slumber almost unaware of how immanent, serious and dangerous the battle to end all battle which was rapidly approaching us head on was. It was almost as if we lived in an alternative reality where none of that was happening and that itself was the dream….
SIX HOURS REMAINING