A lot had transpired in the matter of hours since the battle had begun. Lana was composed as adrenaline continued to run through her veins. One after another soldiers began to arrive as they began to attend to each other.
It wasn't long after arriving that Armin had joined them on the ship and soon after Mikasa with Eren. Levi wasn't far behind with two captives Zeke and an individual that Lana did not recognize. Almost everyone was onboard the ship as they were preparing to take their leave of Marley. Those near the open bay heard the sounds of a vertical maneuvering gear approaching the ship. No one thought of it until they saw what was arriving.
Two young children landed in the ship and were prepared. The young girl was equipped with a gun. No one was prepared for the outcome that was transpiring before them. She fired without hesitation, her stance was firm and true. The young girl was an Eldian soldier based off of her arm band just like what Reiner and the others wore. The bullet hit and a body landed on the floor. All Lana could do was watch as Sasha's blood began pooling from beneath her. It was a quick moment that no one had the reaction time to rescue her. Sasha was dying, another member of their team was no longer going to be with them.
The two children were quickly disarmed, restrained and brought before Hange. Lana followed behind as a precaution as the others were trying to keep Sasha alive. Arguing took place as the young girl shouted. It seemed to Lana that there was more going on than she knew as she approached the room visibly watching the unknown person remove fake facial hair from their face. She quietly approached Levi's side and placed a hand on his shoulder in the hopes that he would explain. He quietly grabbed her hand and simply shook his head.
"Later," he whispered to her and continued his focus on the matter that was at hand.
It seemed like there was some sort of plan already set in motion with Zeke. Almost as if he purposely got himself captured by the Survey Corps. The individual dressed as a Marleyean soldier appeared to be a spy of some sorts name Yelena.
Connie entered the room to inform the group that Sasha had passed on. The news hit Eren and he began to laugh. It was at that moment that Lana noticed the restraints around Eren's wrist and it was in that moment that something didn't feel right anymore. At this point in time she too felt the sadness in her heart to her of a fellow comrade passing. Although she and Lana weren't as close she was still close enough. However, her heart felt mostly hollow at the time already. Lana had no sympathy for others as she gazed into the eyes of those who were in the room with her.
It appears that a plan involving Paradis and Marley was set in motion to allow Eren and Zeke to confront each other. It was plan devised by Zeke that was brought forward to Historia and the court. It was a secret plan. Yelena was a soldier on a ship that was sent to Paradis but was confronted by Eren in his titan form. Yelena murdered her captain and began to initiate Zeke's plan. It all wasn't quite making sense to Lana as Levi explained it to her, it was almost as if his words were weaving in and out. All she could remember was hearing that a large fraction of soldiers before her were once soldiers of Marley who were captive and brought from their own homelands.
"So this is the lovely pure blood that I've been hearing so much about," Zeke proclaimed meeting Lana's gaze.
"Can it furball, you very well know that we've met before."
"Ah yes, but not like this. Please let me assure you that whatever bad blood we have between us is in the past..."
"You murdered my friends, my comrades. You Yeager boys have caused me nothing but trouble in the last several years. I just wanted to live a normal life and I can't even do that."
He chuckled, "Well I'm sorry you feel that way. I hope that we can maybe be friends one day and forget all of this. Sacrifices are meant to be made correct?"
Lana spat on the ground at his feet wanting nothing to do with Zeke. She began to doze off and let the exhaustion take over her as she fell asleep. She woke up to the sound of the ship landing and those onboard preparing to get off. Instructions were given to specific people in terms of handling the two children, Yelena, Zeke, and even Eren.
Lana watched as a group of soldiers came aboard and collected the bodies putting them on stretchers. She began to walk out and was met with the bright piercing sun and a group of people standing before the ship. They were MP's waiting to greet the soldiers ready to hear the results of their mission. Before them was Robin waiting to see her husband step down onto the grass. But all she was met with was Lana and the deep regret she felt the moment that she saw Robin's face.
Lana's face remained still as she did not know how to handle herself. Her eyes were locked onto Robin's as tears once more streamed down her face. Behind Lana, Keith's body was being brought out of the ship. She kept her eyes on Robin as the color was drained out of her face. Her arms dropped to her side as her eyes remained on Keith's body. She quickly snapped back at Lana and charged at her as the others were being pulled out.
"YOU PROMISED," she screamed. With her strong right she swung and managed to hit Lana in the face breaking her nose.
Blood poured from Lana's face as she cupped her hands to keep it from getting all over her. She snapped her nose back and let the blood flow until it healed itself. Robin however, kept trying to get at Lana.
Another punch was thrown, but this time Lana blocked it. "DON'T YOU THINK I REALIZED THAT!" she shouted, her voice bombing bringing all eyes on them. She grabbed a hold of Robin's coat collar and pulled her close, "DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT I WOULD JUST LET MY BEST FRIEND GO OUT THERE ON HIS OWN. I TRIED EVERYTHING THAT I COULD TO KEEP HIM ALIVE. BUT MY GOOD WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH. I WATCHED HIM DIE BEFORE I COULD GET TO HIM" Lana began to quieten her voice as it began to tremble, "I felt useless. I feel like I could have done more. I feel like I didn't try hard enough. I followed my instincts but I was too late…there…there wasn't anything that I could've done to prevent it." She fell to ground and quietly continued, "I'm sorry Robin. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I wish I could have done more but I was too late. He was gone."
Levi pulled her up from the ground and began to escort her away. After the commotion was resolved with Robin, a new one was beginning. Mp's were beginning to surround Cecil and the others who had rerouted to Paradis.
"Let go of me!" Eleanora shouted trying to shake off the grasps of one of the soldiers.
"Hey unhand her!" Cecil shouted at the soldier.
When the soldier didn't respond and other proceeded to grab the rest of them, Lana immediately knew that things would not end well. She pulled herself away from Levi and darted towards Cecil.
The feeling of electricity was beginning to run through her spine with each word he spoke, "I said unhand."
Lana was able to make it in time before Cecil was able to fully use his ability. She clamped her hand around his face and glared at him intensely. She shook her head slowly as Cecil stared back at her with anger filled eyes.
"Scout back off!" one of the soldiers shouted and pulled her away from Cecil. "We have direct orders to detain any foreigners for screening."
"You're just going to arrest them?" came Armin's voice as he stepped forward. "They helped us. There probably be more of us dead if it weren't for them. You're just going to treat anybody not from here as immediate enemies? That's wrong! Did you even consider who these people might even be?"
"I am Cecil Weismann, brother of Alannah Ackerman and the true heir to the Rhean throne."
"Our orders are to escort them to secure location," the soldier stated grabbing Eleanora's arm once more."
Lana leaned into Cecil's ear, "Just do as they say and don't cause any trouble. You're in our country now and you will abide by our rules.
She pulled away and allowed an MP to step in. Cecil didn't want to comply with Lana's directions but there wasn't much else he could do.
"Wait you're from Rhea?" came a voice of one of the individuals standing in the group ahead, "I'm from Rhea!" she paid no mind as to who it was as she didn't care at this point in time.
Cecil began to ease himself at the discovery that other Rheans were present. She watched the group be escorted away from the ship. However, as she watched her vision was beginning to grow fuzzy. She was running on adrenaline something she was more than used to. In the midst of the vision she began to lose her balance as nausea was hitting her. Her balance gave way as she fell to the ground. Everyone was alerted as they began to crowd around her to figure out what was wrong.
Lana was still wearing remnants of the new uniform, however she had put on a Survey Corp jacket that she found on the airship. The jacket covered most of her body, which meant it covered the unsightly mess of her body. Levi knelt down and checked for a pulse. In doing soon he pulled away a part of her shirt and jacket so he could rest his hand along her neck. After making the adjustments he pulled his hand away to see blood on his fingertips. This caused him to forcefully rip the jacket open to show everyone what was becoming of Lana's body.
Her shirt was soaked in blood, her blood. There were multiple bullet wounds that had gone unnoticed during the entire time that Lana was on the ship. Everyone had just become accustomed to the shifter healing capabilities that even Lana herself didn't think twice about it.
Levi had picked her up from the ground and hoisted her over his shoulder. He quickly made his way to the closest medical building and alerted the medical faction of the corps and brigade. Doctors worked on getting the bullets out of her body and had her stitched back up. Due to the amount of blood loss she needed blood. They hooked her up and hoped for the best outcome. There was no telling what would happen if you were to mix Eldian blood with that of a Rhean titan.
The world was white. Light snow was on the ground but it was not cold. It was emptiness as she walked forward. A fountain came into her view. She began to run towards the fountain and fell down to her knees.
"No, this can't be. Not again! I have to go back!" Lana began to weep.
"Back? Back to what?" came a familiar voice from behind her.
She froze and stared forward allowing the tears to still fall. She knew that voice all too well, but she never thought that she would hear it so soon. She quickly got up from her feet and charged at the being that was behind her. The two of them embraced in a hug and Lana did not want to let go as she cried.
"I thought I lost you," she said through her tears.
"You did," he said as he pushed her off of him.
"Keith I'm so sorry, I" he did not want to let her continue as he placed a finger on her lips.
"You can't beat yourself up over this. This was my undoing. None of this was your fault. There is nothing you could have done that would have made this any different. I chose to go down this path and I am the one who is sorry for it. But you have to let me go, it was fate."
"I love you Keith. You were always the one who believed in me when no one else would.
"I love you too Lana," he replied pulling her back in.
She quickly pulled herself off of him, "Wait I don't understand what's going on here. The last time I was here I was on the verge of death after being buried alive in Shiganshina."
He had a sorrowful smile on his face. The kind of face you give to a child when they lost belief in something.
"You and I shared a bond that went deep. It was bond that even transcended you and I Lana. My bloodline has been forever intertwined with the Weismann family. It was our sworn duty to protect the royal family. It was fate that you and I grew up together and ended up finding each other on Paradis. And it was fate that I was the one to die in order to let you live. Alannah Weismann, no Lana Ackerman, you are to live on and fight. Don't let the tears and emotions get the best of you. I may be gone in reality but I will always be with you. Let that anger and hatred flow. It may just be the only thing you may have left."
Keith placed a hand on her shoulder as he began to turn away into a mist. She quickly grabbed the hand before it was gone. It was warm, the only thing that she could feel was that of his hand. She closed her eyes and let the world around her sink in. All she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat. It was weaker than usual but it was still beating. She focused on that sound and nothing else.
When she opened her eyes she was blinded by a light. She was lying on a table with a thin blanket draping overtop of her naked body. She turned to see a bag of blood dangling next to her. The blood was dripping down into a tube that was connected to her arm. On the other side was a small silver tray with seven bloodied bullets sitting in it. She began to sit up but was force back down. She failed to notice the doctor that was in the room.
"I don't think you'd want to be doing that any time soon," Xander stated.
"I have a duty," she tried again but he pushed her back down. The searing pain was enough to make her cringe.
"Do you understand how much shit you're in right now?" He asked. Lana just stared at him blankly. It was clear that he was frustrated with her. "You can't be taking hits like this anymore. If anything like this were to happen to you again you might not even pull yourself out."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying this is it, you're finished. One more injury that could be lethal to others will probably be lethal to you. You're healing rate has diminished so much that your almost like everyone else. Whatever juice you have in you left is the only thing that is keeping you alive, but you're almost tapped out. You need to smarten up and pull yourself out of this shit."
"But…"
"But what," he cut her off. "You were retired anyways living out your happy life. Why the hell did you come back to all of this! For what, a sense of purpose, because you felt that you had a duty to protect those around you. Well news flash, that isn't working so well for you now is it!"
Lana threw herself off of the table and grabbed Xander's throat. She lifted him up over her head as he began to panic. The pain was the only thing that caused her to drop him.
"I came back to protect the world we live in. But that doesn't matter anymore now does it. I have made a change of plans."
Xander was leaning on the counter holding onto his throat while coughing. "Who the hell pissed you off?"
Lana turned to him and sharply proclaimed, "I will kill the Founding Titan."
Xander was wide eyes at her proclamation as she was grabbing her clothes and putting them on. She walked out of the room without any other words but with a fire in her eyes. She was in a lot of pain, but she wasn't about to let that stop her from her motive.
A lot of things had been taken away from her. The Crovus Clan was one of them and she learned of the troubles they were facing from the newly formed titan clan on Rhea. That was enough satisfaction for her. But a lot of her losses came from another. When she had arrived on Paradis and joined the Survey Corps Eren Yeager had been a prime suspect for a lot of the deaths surrounding her. It was because of his drive and negligence that many people she cared about died. Zeke Yeager was just another factor into this equation. In her mind it was beginning to take form that it was her responsibility to take their lives. However, she was in no condition to do so. She needed to find Levi and inform him of her motives.
Levi was nowhere to be seen in the medical building. She stepped outside to see a caravan waiting for her. She was greeted by a Garrison Soldier who was instructed to retrieve her. She got in and was taken to where Levi was.
They arrived to the barracks a place she knew all too well. This was where she was stationed under the guise of Weismann during her MP days. She was guided into the building and brought forth into one of the rooms. Levi was sipping some tea and Zeke was asleep on a couch. There was another individual in the room keeping watch. The room had no windows and only the main door.
"I see you're still alive," Levi stated before taking a sip of his tea.
"Is that really how you great your wife after not seeing her or their children."
He only moved his eye to look at her. It was clear that what she said plucked a nerve with him.
"You're right, and I'm sorry. You have every right to be mad at me," he put his tea down on the table and stood up.
He walked up to her and embraced her into a hug. It was as if the world was melting away from her as she returned the hug. The two held on to each other tightly for a few moments. Lana looked up from his shoulder to meet the gaze of the soldier in the room. The soldier quickly looked away embarrassed at being caught for staring.
"Levi," she started pulling away from him, "We need to talk and get some things set straight."
She looked back at the soldier, "Alone if you would be so kind."
Levi turned back to the soldier and motioned for him to stay. He placed his hand on her back and guided her out of the room, shutting the door behind them.
"What's wrong?' he opened up the conversation.
"Everything. Keith is gone and at the hands of the Yeagers."
"Is that what you really think?"
"Something is wrong with Eren. His thoughts are twisted and dangerous. He went from a young boy only wanting to destroy titans to this. And only in the span of a few years. That boy is trouble Levi, there is no telling what he is capable of. Is it really just the Marleyeans that we are fighting anymore?"
"Right now Eren is locked up in a cell underground. It's a location where he can't shift and can't create any harm."
"Are you really so sure about that though? Levi, I know you can see it too. Eren has lost his mind. That stunt he has pulled in Marley. What exactly is he planning? What else is he capable of now? He is the basis of destruction and chaos."
"I know..." Levi stated. He paused for a moment and looked around to see if anyone was listening. "Which is why I need you to go rogue."
Lana was shocked, "You're not going to tell me to take the kids and run? Or to try and pull myself out of this shit hole?"
"If I were to ask you to do that would you?"
"No," Lana sharply said.
"Exactly, which is why I need you to do this. Pull yourself out of military sight and do anything you can to try to stop whatever it is that is going on. Something is brewing within Paradis and I don't like it. What we need is someone to act as a buffer. We need someone like yourself."
"There is just a problem to that plan." She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She could feel every wound that was a part of her still. Her body was screaming for her to stop, but she wanted to push on. "I can't do much anymore."
"What do you mean? What did the doctor say?"
"It means I probably have one more blast in me left and that's it. I'm out of steam, literally. Levi, you and I have gotten too old for this shit. And now it's finally catching up to me. I have exerted my body way past its capabilities. I may be able to shift one more time and that may be the last time. One more major hit and I may go down for good. I'm no immortal Levi, I was damn near close in my teens but heck even then I was still able to die. I'll go rogue, but I have to use extreme caution."
"Just be careful. Take what you need and meet me in this location. You and I are going to end this together."
"And what about Hange?"
"We'll get to that point when it comes time for it, just disappear and trust no one."
It was agreed that Lana wasn't going to disappear right then and there. Levi gave her a map where he would be with Zeke so that she would be able to find them when the time came. For the time being she was to remain in the role of a dutiful soldier.
The following morning was the funeral for the fallen comrades. Lana along with Lucas and the others were present at Keith's grave. She looked over and nearby were Survey Corps soldiers gathered at Sasha's grave. The sounds of Robin's crying could be heard among the dead silence of the others. Lana couldn't cry even if she wanted to. She had felt empty, almost too empty to cry. Lucas was strong and acted like the rock that he was. The young soldier from Keith's squad was present. He looked like a complete wreck never having to experience something of this magnitude before.
Sebastian had approached the gravestone. In his hands was a red rose that he gently placed on top of it.
"Auf Wiedersehen Vater," he said to the gravestone.
The words hit Lana as she was able to translate it back it Eldian. She bit her lip and clenched hard breaking the skin. With a deep breath she pulled herself back and placed her hand on Sebastian's shoulder. Robin was quick to push her away from her son. It was like daggers being stabbed into her as Lana gazed into Robin's eyes. She knew that she was not welcome in this matter.
It was decided that Lana's children were to remain in Robin's custody for the time being. It was planned for Lucas to retire and take over their custody while Lana and Levi remained in the Survey Corps. As much as Lana didn't want to leave her children she needed to go through with what fate had in store for her and Levi. She didn't want to involve anyone else for the fear of their safety. The least amount of people involved the more likely that there would be survivors.
Lana decided to leave the funeral a little earlier than the others. Before she left she stopped at Sasha's grave. She rested her hands upon Connie's and Armin's shoulders.
"She was a brave soul. A stupid one, but she fought just as hard as anyone else in our group. Let's remember the time we spent with her and not let go of those memories no matter what happens to us."
"Lana Ackerman," came a voice from behind.
There were two Military Police Brigade soldier standing nearby in ceremonial uniforms just like they were.
"What do you dogs want this time?"
"You are asked for an audience with the Military Government."
"Do I even have a choice?" Lana jokingly questioned.
She could see that there was no amusement on their faces. Without trying to push any further buttons she agreed and was escorted to the main building. She was welcomed into the room, a room she recognized from long ago. She remembered there being less chairs and a pole where she once was tied up.
Near the front were some familiar figures. It was Cecil and the others sitting in the chairs before the council.
"Lana Ackerman, thank you for joining us today," Darius Zackly welcomed her.
"What's going on?" she asked calmly.
"We need to ensure that all measures have been held accountable. Please have a seat," he gestured to a chair. She complied and sat down as he continued, "We have you individuals gathered here before us to ensure the safety of Paradis and the Elidans who reside on it. Now in a previous statement it has been confirmed that those present before us are of Rhean decent with the exception of a select few individuals who have been living here for many years."
"That is correct your honor," Cecil replied in a very professional tone.
"Please go ahead and tell us each about yourselves. How about our very own starting first," he gestured to Lana.
She was caught off guard and was unsure as to what to say. She stood up before the council and performed a salute causing her to flinch from the searing pain. "I am Lana Ackerman, wife of Levi Ackerman and sister of Cecil Weismann. I am a descendant of the Weismann bloodline and am currently a messenger for Captain Levi of the Survey Corps."
"Go on," Darius gestured.
Lana was very confused as to what they were wanting from her.
"Tell us about your abilities."
A little annoyed on the matter she continued, "I am a shifter previously referred to as a pure-blood shifter. However, after spending time on Marley it was determined that that was not the correct terminology. Our blood has been dirtied if you will. We are true descendants but are abilities are not as strong as our ancestors. I have the ability to harden my body at will. I can shape shift into a more beast like appearance. I can strengthen my muscles to great lengths and I can of course grow tall up to thirty meters. Last but not least I have the ability of mind manipulation; although the capabilities are still unknown. It is also a new found ability that I have premonition or rather the ability to see into the future."
She sat down to let the others go.
"I am Cecil Weismann, true heir to the Rhean throne. Just like my sister here I share all the same abilities, although I can only use them partially. I do not have the capability to shift. My main ability is mind manipulation, or as I have learned the abilities of this Founding Titan you refer to. I can alter memories, I can control someone for a small duration, and I can just straight up erase someone's mind. However, my ability is only for one individual at a time and it the effects differ from each person. Some may not even be affected at all. My sister on the other hand appears to be able to control a colosseum of people but it takes a toll on her body cutting parts of her own sanity and perhaps even life."
"Wait how do you…." Lana questioned but then she remembered that this could have just been one of Cecil's doings. For all she knew he could have even been present in the audience when it happened long ago.
"I am Clyde Hawthorne, and this is my brother Damien," he placed his hand on the small boys shoulder. "We are descendants of the Nacht and Shale families. This grants the abilities to harness a rock like shell of our bodies. Damien doesn't have full control over his titan so it can be unpredictable. I on the other hand have been able to utilize the ability to turn my arms into spears and make them weapons. The rock is impenetrable. I am the sword and the shield to royal bloodline."
The words he shared was much like Keith's. She knew that Keith was a descendant of the Nacht bloodline but never would she had thought that he was distant relatives to Clyde and Damien.
Eleanora stood up with her two children. "I am Eleanora, no last name. And these are my children Andrew and Trevor. I have no special abilities but I am quite the acrobat. My son Trevor is really hardworking and very strong. Andrew is good with their hands. He is very smart and can figure things out if you give him enough time," she said with a smile on her face tussling their hair.
Seeing Eleanora with her children made Lana want to be with her own, however she was stuck with the matter at hand.
"Very good. Now just to clarify the reports we have here. Ackerman, it is to our understanding that you have received severe damage in the last Survey Corps mission. Is this true?'
A little annoyed that her medical reports were brought into light she answered, "Yes that is true."
"And now according to what is written here there may not be a possibility of using your powers in the near future."
Cecil sharply turned to her confused. It was clear that this was un-heard of as even Clyde shared a concerned expression.
"That is true sir. My body is getting old and therefore my powers have been used up if you will. I couldn't believe the news myself and yet here we are," she replied pulling back her jacket to reveal the scarring skin she received in her last fight. "As I had previously mentioned, our bloodline is diluted, nothing is pure anymore."
"And Weismann, is it true that your mind control capabilities are only limited to one individual at a time?"
"Isn't that what I said?" he responded with a snarky tone to which Clyde shoved him for. "Yes sir, that is accurate to what you have there," he tried again to sound more professional.
"Now from what we can gather you are to be no threat to us or the Eldians currently on the land and if you were to be a threat it would not be to a scale as the Founding Titan."
"That would be correct sir," Cecil responded.
"Very well, then there is no further need for this. You may carry on the rest of your days. However, with the agreement for the time being that you would be escorted by a soldier at all times. Lana Ackerman you being an exception at this time being considering your previous history and current rank."
"Thank you sir," she stood up and gave a salute once again flinching at the pain forgetting from the last time.
Lana was dismissed without further arguments as Cecil tried to explain the need for no escorts for them. Lana didn't want to get involved at the moment. She was wanting to distant herself from them the best that she could for the time being. One day she would return to the life she once had but for now she needed to find Levi and Zeke.
