"You mentioned Levi. Do you where he is? Or what he's been doing after the Rumbling?"

"No. I… I can't remember. We were sitting on a moon, then he brought me to a desert… But there's no sun so it wasn't really a desert, and I just can't remember, Armin. Why can't I remember?" Mikasa trailed off, her head lolling back to Armin's shoulder as they both snuggled under a blanket on Mikasa's bed.

Ever since her strange breakdown yesterday's morning, Mikasa had been in and out of slumber. Armin stayed with her all day and night, afraid that she would relapse and injured herself, although Eren had to make sure to remove all potentially harmful objects in her room. Including her hairbrush, apparently, so right now he was untangling each strand softly while said girl kept muttering something under her breath.

Her eyes were still unfocused, as if the light that hit her orbs were dispersed into millions of colors aimlessly. Sometimes, it refracted a golden hue, or a misty blue, or a red glint. Each seemed to have different effects on Mikasa as well. Earlier she was acting completely normal, even apologizing profusely to him for her situation the previous day. But right now, she seemed to regress back into a lost child, clutching his arms like a lifeline and stumbling over her words.

"It's alright, Miki, just take it easy, okay?"

"Who's Levi again? My family? And what's a… Rumbling?"

"Well, we don't really know exactly what's your familial relationship with him, but yeah I think cousin fits pretty well," Armin said, hoping his gentle resonance could soothe her, "And the Rumbling is, was, uhm, the unleashing of the Wall Titans. Remember them, Mikasa?"

There was a flash of scarlet. "Yes. Yes, I remember them. Monstrosities."

Eren, who had been quietly pacing around the room, abruptly stopped. "The woman whose baby was murdered, do you know anything about that? Who she is? Why the fuck she'd been possessing you?"

Mikasa winced, and Armin pointedly glared at Eren. "I don't know, I don't remember. How many times should I tell you that I don't know what's happening to me? How many times—"

Her tone changed. The spotlight shifted, and another actress crossed the stage.

"How many times should I beg until you agree to have sex with me? It isn't a big deal, is it? I just need a man to make me pregnant and have a baby. Would you rather have me use her body to sleep with other men?"

"Don't you dare use Mikasa like that," he growled.

"I need to have my baby back. Just because I am a monster doesn't mean my baby is!" she snapped back.

The woman released herself from Armin's hold, sauntered toward Eren, and proceeded to land a rough kiss on his lips.

"Woah, hold on—" Armin yelped.

"Do you not want me? Want her?"

Eren, (the damn bastard was taking advantage, Armin thought) was too shocked to respond and froze when she attacked his lips again. Yet, when she pulled back, the play had changed again.

Mikasa stared wide eye at Eren and clutched her head. She gripped his hand for support.

"Mikasa?"

"I'm sorry. I… I can silence their voices now. Please, I'm so tired of everything," Mikasa gasped. "I think I know what you both are going through inside your heads, Armin, Eren. It was just so easy to let go. I don't even want to come back, I just want to disappear."

Armin helped her into the bed, swaddling her in blankets and rocking her to sleep. He was utterly bewildered and frightened to see Mikasa looked so broken like this. Whatever it was that caused this possession, or this bond with Levi, Armin swore he would fix it.

"Can you two stay with me?" Mikasa asked in a small voice.

"Of course, Miki. Eren?"

Eren glanced at Armin as if asking his permission. His steps were shaky, uncertain if he was allowed to enter her vulnerable bubble.

"Please," she continued.

"Yeah. Sure," he finally grunted.

Their positions were awkward, three grown adults with limbs too long and years of separation between them. Mikasa slept in the middle, curled on her left side, and held Armin's hands tightly. Armin faced her, shushing her softly like he did as children when they both were plagued by nightmares. Eren, the last to join them, was behind Mikasa, curving his body to support her back. He brushed his lips on her forehead, lingering there, and she didn't complain.

She would murder Jean the next time she saw him, reasons and logic could go straight to hell. Pieck swore for the millionth time that morning as she loaded another riffle, briefly glancing at the crates of bullets next to her and wondered how it would feel to swallow one. For God's sake. Even her previous job as a Warrior wasn't as tedious as now.

Idiots. All of them, fucking idiots. Idiots who thought all riffles were the same and had the same type of ammunition.

Well, she wasn't a weapon specialist whatsoever, but even a kid would know the difference between those. Maybe not all kids, but you got the point. Gabi would probably just shove some bullets down a gun and charge at the enemy howling like a banshee.

That image, however tempting it was to cringe, bring a smile to her face. She missed that little ruckus. The last time they were together was before the little girl was sent to the Palace, and she to this rebel headquarter faraway at Ilhem… which now brought her to her current misery.

Fuck Jean. Not fuck Jean, but fuck Jean. He was supposed to be the Alliance's main communication channel and temporary leader while Armin was doing his business as an advisor. But that horse-face was gone from radar, from the face of the Earth in a literal sense, since a few days ago. Not long, but still enough to make her worry about his safety. And about their plan about the cult. She'd been hearing some things lately, about a recent shipment from Hizuru bearing an intertwining symbol of three katanas and a dragon. She'd known the katanas were the symbol of Mikasa's clan, the Azumabito, but not the dragon.

One of the captains called her afterward to help another team in the hangar to unload the missile's components. But as she approached them, hoping to see the dreaded missile in its full glory, all she saw was several people breaking down its parts and neutralizing it.

"Oh! Anja, come help us disarm it. You're quite proficient in weapon engineering, aren't you?"

Pieck frowned. "Only a little, but why are you taking it apart? Isn't it dangerous to do that with the active core reactor?"

The man shrugged. "They said it's not active. Hopefully, or we'll get blasted all the way to Wall Maria. They want to alter the core using liquid propellant."

"What kind of liquid propellant are they planning to use?"

"Iceburst stones. Paradise's own trademark resource, cool, huh? We don't really know how strong it will get, but they already ran some samples down at the lab. We need a lot of them—Hey, Anja, where 'ya going? Anja!"

Shit.

Armin told her there were two steps on Bodi's plan for the tenth Titan. They'd figured out the first one. Find the last inheritor.

And now, she'd finally know what the second step was. They'd thought the missile was going to be used to blow up the Palace. But with that high of an explosion magnitude… what could possibly they were aiming at?

She was so going to murder Jean for this.

There was a structure of a hardened crystal, similar to Annie's, but with nothing inside. Same build, with murky transparent surface and an iridescent intensity gleaming when the light hit the right angles. It didn't have a smooth finish, jagged edges pointing out at the cave's roof. The floor was covered entirely in faceted crystalline grains, and a few crystal beams jutted out from it.

The cave was strumming. An exhale forcefully denied when time slowed.

A tomb, Mikasa realized. This was a tomb whose missing corpse was sitting cross-legged in front of her.

Who are you? What do you want from me?

The man didn't move. He was not a human, just a skeleton with flesh still intact. Mikasa remembered Levi's words back at the desert. Everyone had a story to tell. Even when they thought that stories had ended because of one thing or another, with a big fat period mark at the end it, it continued. A new sentence, an additional comma, or a semicolon, or a blank paper.

Or another author to finish it.

What do you want me to do for you?

The man opened an eye and smiled at her.

Mikasa Ackerman, someday you need to add your own story to our family's history. You might be doing it right now.

She repeated. What do you want me to do for you? I am here to listen.

My story is not for you to hear right now. Another had listened.

Levi?

He is strong enough to understand. But what you must hear is her story. She is the beginning and I am the last. Two of us, two of you. Only then, this cycle will come to an end.

Why not now? The world was destroyed. Why not then, when we can still make a difference?

Sometimes, the man started to fade, and water rose to her knees, the world must end before it begins again.

Mikasa gasped, feeling the waves crashed into her chest. Her feet were tangled in some algae, and she submerged deep into the dark blues. Voices were muffled, but there was a woman's voice whispering to her ear.

Listen, listen, you must listen.

But how could she listen, Mikasa wanted to scream, when there was no sound.

Eren had been woken up by a frantic Armin who pointed out the empty creases in the middle of the bed where Mikasa laid between them. His best friend then yelled right in his ears that Mikasa had somehow escaped. He'd already asked the guards and maids and no one seemed to know where their missing mistress was. There was no stone unturned, no belongings amiss, no footsteps misplaced.

"She can't just escape, Armin. She'd tried countless times before, and it always failed."

"But that was when Mikasa still in her right mind. Injured, but mentally stable. Now?"

"Do you think the one possessing her is—"

"Send a search team now, Eren!"

So, he did. Led by himself while Armin stayed at the Palace in case Mikasa returned.

Eren cursed his luck, or his lack of luck, per say. He'd thought that they reached a brief compromise last night when she finally wanted him around. Not really, but Eren was glad nevertheless. She'd been so cold and distant ever since coming to live with him, so unlike during their childhood days, and although at first he was angered by her attitude, over time he realized that she was grieving in her own way. He'd already been in a state of mourning for the past four years, but Mikasa had just begun hers a few months ago. Or maybe even longer than that, ever since he lied to her.

Guilt did eat someone raw, he noticed. Grief just added salt to that wound.

Now when he thought all was finished, another thing arose. One thing after another, like the world was too sinful to deserve peace. Like it could only thrive on the fiery madness of violence.

And on top of that, Mikasa just had to vanish in the middle of the night.

He knew who was possessing her, or rather, who was lamenting their regrets through Mikasa. He never went to the Paths after the Rumbling or speak to Ymir again, but Eren had his guesses. He wasn't as foolish as others made him be. He couldn't dare to be any less than he was now.

He knew what they wanted, to have her gain a power strong enough to oppose him. To make a monster out of her so they could defeat another monster. Eren knew, if things led to that, it wouldn't be a fair fight anyway.

He would never hurt Mikasa. Not again. Not ever.

"Sir!" a soldier alerted him, "A merchant saw a dark-haired woman walking towards the ocean last night!"

Eren barked his orders and spurred his horse faster.

They found her sitting chest-deep in the shallow water of the ocean. The ocean, which was precisely a day ride from the Capital, and with no horses in sight indicating her means of travel. Mikasa was still wearing her dress from last night, although now with the red scarf securely tied around her shivering neck, and dripping hair plastered to her back.

Eren was so relieved he immediately ran towards her, his steps creating a disturbance in the calm ripples.

"Eren?"

He engulfed her in his coat. Mikasa pulled it around her and hide her face in her scarf, embarrassment painting her beautiful face.

"What the fuck, Mikasa? How—"

"I don't know how or when I got here," she muttered.

Eren frowned. "Do you remember anything? Do you walk here? Nobody saw you going out. Armin is spooked the hell out from your disappearance."

"I think I… sleepwalk?"

"You can't just walk a hundred miles away, alone in the cold, at night, and just woke up here."

"Believe me, I'm kind of scared for myself too."

Eren pulled her up from the water, and felt his heart beat a little faster when Mikasa unconsciously leaned on his frame. "You… We don't need to have all the answers now. Let's just get you somewhere dry and warm."

"It's more of an Armin thing, you meant to say?" Mikasa smiled.

"It's always been his job. Both metaphorically and literally. Let's go."

They made quite a sight in that small seaside town. Town folks gawked at the Royal Guards convoy, confused whether to bow down to their new ruler or ran away from fear. In the end, they settled for trying their best not to look.

They found an inn near the city center and the guards positioned themselves to form a perimeter as Eren and Mikasa went inside. The innkeeper handed them the keys with shaky hands.

"I-I hope you enjoy your stay in my… humble little inn, milord, milady…"

Mikasa gave him a comforting smile and took the keys.

"I need towels and warm water in the room, please," Eren replied.

"Y-yes!"

The room was a comfortable one, similar to the inns they used to stay at during long away missions in the Corps. A small hearth, an adjacent bathroom, and a large bed. It was all she needed, Mikasa mused, instead of the luxurious room she had back in the Palace.

"I brought some spare clothes," Eren said.

It was, thankfully, a normal civilian attire... A white long-sleeved shirt and a soft maroon skirt. She hadn't worn something like this since her stay in the Palace, always getting dolled up in satin dresses and fancy laces.

"Thank you."

"Where did you find your scarf? I thought… I thought you threw it away."

"I don't know," she grazed at the familiar fabric. "I didn't throw it away. I just kept it away."

Eren nodded and turned around. "I'll bring something for you to eat."

"Are we staying the night?"

"Yes. You looked exhausted. Armin will kill me if I bring you home sick."

"He will kill you nonetheless."

He chuckled, "Perhaps."

Armin would definitely pester Eren to raise his pay after this whole mess was done.

"So, Mr. Armin," a councilman said. "You're saying that Lord Yeager and Lady Mikasa are currently at…?"

"A short vacation.'

"Like… a honeymoon?"

Armin sighed, trying to maintain his calm demeanor. Right after Eren's departure to find Mikasa that morning, they were having a general assembly with all three major government branches. As Eren's trusted advisor, he was appointed to lead the session in their lord's absence. They hadn't told anyone the truth about Mikasa's sudden disappearance, fearing for widespread panic, and only told several trusted guards and staff.

So, when they asked for his friend's whereabouts, he said the first thing that came to mind. A vacation. In the middle of post-war negotiations and rebuilding. Such a clever thing to say, Armin scorned. If it were only Eren, he could lie saying he was dealing with something, but when Mikasa was added to this whole mess, it became tricky. She was, after all, an important bargaining chip.

"If it was, is that such a surprising thing?"

"Well, if you put it that way… When will they return?"

"I can't say. Do you want to send a letter to him to hasten his private time? I don't think it's a great idea. They can be… pretty occupied."

Someone in the audience choked.

"N-no, of course. But I thought… The Lady is not a suitable consort for him?"

"Again, do you want to send a letter to him saying that?"

"Mr. Armin," Bodi, sitting in front of him, interrupted. "We were just worried for their safety. Lord Yeager only brought a small team of the Royal Guards. May we, at least, know where they are currently?"

Armin squinted. Bodi wasn't worried about Eren's safety. It was Mikasa he wanted to know. An idea struck him. Maybe this was the perfect chance to bait the cult leader.

"Let us not forget Eren is in the company of one of humanity's strongest soldiers herself. I am sure they are safe. Whatever could possibly pose a threat for them?"

"The rebellion, for instance."

"Ah, the rebellion. Please do tell the others of our plan, Mr. Anton."

"Our intel has located the rebellion's headquarter at Ilhem."

"Ilhem? Near the desert?"

"Yes. We believed they are building a nuclear weapon. I propose, with the support of Mr. Armin, for us to attack first when they are at a disadvantage of personnel. The men there are mostly engineers."

Colonel Yezeko leaned back on his chair. "And what of this nuclear? Are they planning to attack the Capital? How does it work against Titans?"

"It can penetrate a Titan's hardened armor. Even the Founding Titan's true form. We must destroy it first. That is our utmost priority."

Floch slammed his fist on the table. "That damn rebels. We should eradicate them right from their HQ. I think this is the perfect opportunity to use our newest Thundergod Missile. Send word to unload it from our base in Orvud. We'd dug enough iceburst stones for that."

"Well, that settled it. Mr. Anton's intel will lead us to Ilhem."

Armin ran a hand through his hair. If what Pieck told him was true about the missile and iceburst stones, then war was imminent. Yet again.

It seemed like what she'd been doing lately was dreaming. Sometimes vague, with figments of her dreams and realities blending together into a faded abstract painting. Sometimes clear enough that Mikasa felt that was her reality.

In all her dreams, she was still Mikasa. Same appearance, same voice. Only a different soul.

She was in the middle of a gathering, wearing an elaborate robe and crown made of flowers. This wasn't in her era either. Lions and leopards were lounging around the people, and a large fire in the middle. A ritual of some sort, she thought.

They were chanting something. Her lips moving around each word, nothing louder than a whisper.

"—speak not of the—"

"—white crows, grim feathers dipped—"

"—in pretense godhood—"

An old priest stepped forward. "Bless is our tribe," he waved at her to walk to the center.

"The King in the Palace had Eldia's hope in his hand. We have something more."

"Eldia's mercy," he continued. "A blessing of our own. A shieldmaiden bearing the bloodline of warriors. Come, child, let us see the face of our savior."

Mika—no, that was not her name this time, that was a forgotten name far into the future—Seraphina Ackerman raised her arms.

"I have been granted the power to save our tribe from destruction. But we cannot depend on that alone. The King did that, and we must do better. Humans rely on Titans because they are weak. We must rely on our power as humans, so even after this power is gone, the strength will continue."

The people cheered. Somewhere, in a different time and place, beyond everything, another had also cheered.

Eren stirred awake before the first chorus of chirpings outside. He turned around, seeing Mikasa already sitting up on the bed, fingers playing with the threads of her scarf.

"I think I walked here for a reason," she said. "I think this place called for me."

"How so?"

"This was the birthplace of that woman. Her name is Seraphina."

"Seraphina Ackerman."

Mikasa stared at him, "Yes. I dreamed of her. Of all of them. I can't go back without knowing all the answers. The cult, Levi, these dreams, all of those… The Tenth Titan. Why didn't you say anything? You knew."

Eren sighed. "Knowing means exposing yourself to danger. Sometimes ignorance is better."

"Ignorant enough until they capture me?"

"I won't let them do that. You're reckless, Mikasa. If you know, you won't stand still. Armin anticipated that."

"And the rest? Historia?"

"I don't know. Mikasa, they want you to—"

"To kill you."

"Will you?"

Mikasa looked away. "Do you want me to, Eren?"

"No. I won't be able to see you again if I'm dead."

"Death. So much death. It's as if people depend on it to stay alive."

Eren pulled her shoulder back and she fell into his grasp. He cradled her head into his chest, knowing that Mikasa found comfort in the steady rhythm of heartbeats.

"I'm so, so tired," she whispered, small hand clutching his own.

"We'll figure this out together, Miki."

"I don't want to kill you. I don't want to kill anyone ever again."

"I know," he smoothed down her hair. "I'm so sorry."

Someone knocked on the door. "Sir? Should we prepare the horses?"

"No. We'll stay for a couple more days. Prepare mine and Mikasa's horses."

"Yes, sir!"

"What do you want us to do?" she asked.

"We'll look around. If this place means something, we'll find answers here."

"Okay."

Eren could feel Mikasa grip him a little tighter. He smiled into her hair. "You're not that woman right now, are you? You're real. Here, with me."

"With you."