Chapter 32

Author's Note: I apologize if the format is weird. I'm not sure what's been up with the site. I've had to write using the app and it's not the best, in my opinion.

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexual content

Enjoy

And so...Eren and I were married. The 13 years together were by no means easy, but we were happy. We were blessed with 3 beautiful daughters, and thanks to me they went unnoticed as half-Eldians. No one suspected a thing.

Eren had been living in a men's apartment since Annalise-his daughter by his late first wife who resided with her maternal grandparents. Together, we bought a humble townhome above an empty shop. I put my skills to use. Crafting remedies, skincare, and other beauty products. The Marleyans may have been distrustful of an Anscarid housewife, but they appreciated my knowledge.

In secret, I dedicated my time to researching a way to overcome the dreaded Curse of Ymir...

Kruger Residence, Marley, 832...

Roksana leaned back to wipe the sweat off her forehead. She set her tools down, careful of the needle covered in dark ink. Eren laid on his stomach, shirtless, on the bed. His head rested on a pillow. Roksana sat at his side. She wiped away the excess ink and bit of blood. His skin was steaming, healing the superficial wounds. Working quickly, she lit a match and pressed the flame to his skin. Eren gave no reaction, having grown used to the pain. Tattooed runes ran parallel along his spine. The older ones having faded ever so slightly. "It's coming along nicely. I'd saw I'm almost done with the spell."

"Finally," Eren said. "You've poked me long enough."

Roksana chuckled as she leaned down to kiss his cheek. "The moment of truth will be in the succession ritual. I just hope my research has paid off."

"I'm sure it has."

She hummed dubiously, moving to the edge of the bed. "And your chosen successor? Have you spoke to him yet?"

Eren let out a defeated sigh. His nicotine craving was hitting him. "I'm working up to it. The Eldian Restoration movement is getting a little out of control. The more their members grow, the more reckless they become."

"You're absolutely sure this doctor is the one?" she asked as she carefully rubbed a soothing salve over his nearly healed skin. "If all else fails, there's Katya-"

"No."

"Eren-"

"I said no." He turned to glare at her over his shoulder.

Roksana held his glare, but sighed in defeat nonetheless. In truth, she knew she should be proud how protective he was of their daughters. I'm just being realistic. The girls are half-Eldian. In theory, they should be able to accept the power. She scooted to the edge of the bed to put away her tools.

Eren pushed himself up onto his elbows. "Roksana-"

"I have to get breakfast ready," she said, heading out of the room.

Jewel Sea Shop, later...

"Thank you. Come again," Roksana said with a smile.

The customer smiled happily, holding up their bag of goods gratefully. It was a slow day. Roksana kept an ever watchful eye on Raisa and Nadia who played outside. They drew squares on the sidewalk with chalk, giggling and hopping around. Katya was re-stocking a display of body creams and bath oils. Roksana was thankful for the slowness. It made it easier for her to close up for a special evening.

Roksana made her way to the backroom. It was incredibly large. Before the upper levels were built to house a proper family, the backroom used to be a sort of apartment. The moment Eren had brought her to see the old building, she fell in love in an instant. "Thank you, my love. We can build a future here," she had told him.

Beyond the shelves of product, the room opened up. Roksana had set up a sitting area. Five, plump cushions surrounding a empty brass bowl. There were plenty of candles, as well as other hand-carved totems she made. The Marleyans were proud and superstitious. They'd spurn her Anscarid practices in public, but revel in it in private. Plus, Roksana never felt compelled to hide this part of her life.

"Mama."

Katya's voice broke Roksana's thoughts. The twelve-year-old stood at the edge of the shelves. Her innocent eyes on the bird cage in the corner. Roksana walked over. "What is it?"

"Annalise's here. She said she wants to talk to you."

Roksana frowned at the name of her step-daughter. She sighed as she placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Did she say anything else?" Katya shook her head. "Very well. Tell her to come back. I have to finish preparing for tonight."

"Okay."

Roksana tapped her chin as she watched Katya leave. What does that girl want? Wonder if there's something Eren denied and she's coming to me to change his mind. She turned to look at the content crow in the bird cage. Wouldn't be the first time.

The sound of the door gliding over the wood floor drew her attention. Annalise Kruger looked nothing like her father. Her thin, dirty blond hair was pinned back. She was sweet-looking, save for the too-bright red lipstick she wore. Like a little girl pretending to be a woman, Roksana noted. "Annalise, what an unpleasant surprise. What can I do for you?"

Annalise's gaze shifted to the setup behind her step-mother. Her brows crinkled into a frown. "How can you flaunt your paganism so fragrantly? Have you no shame?"

"Funny." Roksana folded her arms under her chest. "People often say that right before they ask me to tell their futures."

Annalise scoffed. "I'm not here for that. I would never stoop so low as to-"

"If you only came here to insult me, you leave out the backdoor." She pointed to the door with her thumb. "It is trash day."

Annalise turned away, her anger rising as she defiantly refused to look at Roksana. "Why my father ever married such a...ugh, fine! I didn't come here to insult you. I came to ask you-"

"No."

"-about your...what?"

"Whatever it is you want from your father, the answer is no." Roksana turned on her heels to resume prepping her set-up. "You may not like me, Annalise, but I stand by whatever decision my husband makes."

"You mean whatever decision you put in his head."

Roksana paused mid-fluff of the floor cushion. She set it down carefully to glare at the girl over her shoulder. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I know what you are. Anscarids are nothing but inbreeding witches! You cast a spell on my father somehow. I know you did!"

Roksana sighed, rubbing her face with her hand. "Annalise...we've been over this a thousand times. Why do you insist on having the same argument every time we see each other?"

"My father is a good man. He's a loyal man who's dedicated his heart to preserving Marley's peace. And you-" she pointed her finger "-did something to lead him astray. It's you, isn't it?"

"Me what?"

"You're the Owl."

Roksana froze. Annalise gasped upon seeing her step-mother's expression. She laughed nervously. "Ha! I knew it! My fiance works under Captain Fleischmann. They know the filthy Eldian rebels are getting their information from a PSA officer. Someone deep within."

As she spoke, Roksana slowly began to relax. "I've read the reports. My fiance trusts me with government secrets," she continued, "and I'm good at keeping them. But...the last report I saw...I couldn't believe my eyes. Did you think it would go unnoticed? Your smuggling of rats?!"

In all honesty, it wasn't Annalise's heated excitement over having "caught" me that surprised me. It was the fact that the Marleyan government's investigation had progressed so much.

I had done everything in my power to assist Eren in his support of the Eldian Restoration movement. He already had an air-tight process of information and communication. My only role was to provide whatever he needed. Sometimes it was historic scrolls, sometimes the thoughts of Marleyan generals, and sometimes...smuggling someone into the country from exile.

I never doubted my methods. I was always discreet. I was sly. I was clever. At least...I thought I was.

"Are you saying the Marleyan PSA knows who the Owl is?" she asked.

Annalise narrowed her eyes. She stood up straight, smoothing her hair. "No. I haven't told them anything. I wanted to confirm it was you, first."

"It's not me."

"Liar!" she snapped. "Who else could it be? You're a known rebel and manipulator! Everyone knows the lengths you'll go to satisfy your own interests! The only reason you stayed here was because you wrapped my father around your crooked finger!"

"Enough, child!" Roksana's tone caused Annalise to flinch. "Your accusations are just speculation. And biased at that. What evidence do you have? Perhaps the PSA is investigating all of it's officers in order to root out their mole? They're smart enough not to single me out just because I'm not a Marleyan."

"You used your recent importing of Anscarid goods in the recent trade agreements to smuggle Eldians into the country."

"That's a bit far-fetched, don't you think?" Roksana asked, folding her arms under her chest. "Smuggling Eldians in instead of out? What's the point?"

Annalise stuck up her nose. "I don't know. You tell me."

Roksana rolled her eyes. "Tell me the truth," Annalise continued, "for your daughters' sakes. Once you're revealed, every single one of you will most likely be shipped off to Paradise as food for the titans. If it's my fiance and I outing you...there will be mercy for us. My fiance will look like a hero. And my father will have leniency."

"Do you honestly believe things would go back to how they were before? Were things even better back then? You didn't live with Eren. You hardly saw him." Roksana sighed for what felt like the thousandth time. "There's no truth to tell you, Annalise. Because I have nothing to hide. If you decide to reveal your suspicions to the PSA, you'd only be putting everyone at risk. Including yourself."

"How dare you!" she snarled. "You think I won't do it? You think I won't expose you? Witch! You used your heathen magic to force my father to do your bidding. You're looking to start another rebellion and you're feeding the Eldians false hope! You feed on chaos like some sick succubus..." Annalise's threats spiraled into pure anger. Roksana's eyes moved past Annalise, to the figure behind her. Slowly approaching. Her eyes widened and she took a step forward, raising her hands. Annalise flinched, taking a step back. "No! Don't come near me!"

"Wait, don't-!"

Whack!

As Annalise laid there knocked unconscious by her father, it felt strangely like the illusion of happiness had begun to crumble. In the back of my mind I had always known our peaceful life wouldn't last. Our decision to have children despite Eren's limited lifespan, to build a life...it was the reason why I researched a way to save him. To pass on the power and survive. We always had a plan. A well thought-out plan.

Then my idiot of a step-daughter decides to ruin everything. To take matters into her own hands...so to speak.I've never needed to use my gifts on Eren's free will. I never have. His choice to protect us...was all his own.

"What were you thinking?" Roksana whispered through gritted teeth.

She and Eren stood a ways off from Annalise who was tied to a chair. Roksana had turned away her clients, rescheduling for another time. She hid her nervousness and put her daughters to bed. The whole time fearing the authorities would break down the door and take them all away. Her mind was reeling with numerous scenarios. She paced in front of her husband, biting her thumbnail. Eren watched her, unable to truly hide his own panic. "I wasn't. I just...fear gripped me."

"What're we supposed to do now?"

Eren leaned back against a shelf rack, rubbing his forehead. "I don't know. We can't...we can't let her go."

Annalise stirred at their harsh whispers. Her head throbbed and her vision was shrouded by her hair. Instinctively, she motioned to touch her head, but found her wrists secured to the chair's armrest. Consciousness surged through her. She yanked on her bonds, adrenaline surging through her. "Let me go!"

"Calm down," Roksana said, hurrying over. "Calm-"

"Don't touch me!"

"Annalise," Eren scolded.

The sound of her father's voice made Annalise flinch. She raised her terrified gaze to meet his. "Father...? Wha? Why am I tied up? Father, please...help me."

Eren rubbed his face as he turned away. Annalise watched him confusedly. "Father...untie me. Don't let her do this to you. To us! Please!"

"Enough!" Roksana snapped. "I haven't done a single thing except try to talk your father out of killing you. Do you have any idea the position you've put us in? All of us? Think about your sisters, for once!"

"Fuck you and your demon daughters-!"

Annalise suddenly gasped as Eren's hand slammed across her cheek, forcing her head to whip back. The surprise prevented her from feeling the pain. She shrunk in the chair, looking up at Eren in disbelief. "Please...you don't want to do this. Fight it. Fight her! She's controlling you!"

"Enough. I'm in control of myself," he said as he lowered his hand. "You've always had this villainous view of my wife, even though she gave you no reason to perceive her so."

"But...I..."

"Why do you come here?" he demanded. "I knew full well the PSA was investigating all of it's officers. Me, included. There's nothing in reports that says the suspect otherwise. All Eldian workers have been put on temporary leave, and the warrior candidates are questioned religiously."

"But...the smuggling. There's records of it," Annalise said quietly. She couldn't blink. She couldn't take her eyes off the unrecognizable man standing before her. "My fiance...he questioned one of the workers about the manifest. He reported a blond Eldian woman being smuggled."

Eren's eyes widened every so slightly. He glanced at Roksana. Her brows were furred in a mix of confusion and doubt. "That's...not possible."

Annalise gasped desperately. "You...you admit it! It was you. You're the-"

"Shut up," Eren growled. "Roksana isn't the Owl. I am."

Annalise's entire mind went numb. She stared at Eren, trying to process his words. She glanced back and forth between him and Roksana, looking for a sign he was lying. "No, that's...but, why? Why would you help those filthy rats? Why would you help such a pitiful, monstrous race?"

"Because-"

"Eren, wait," Roksana interjected. "If you say anymore-"

"I am an Eldian," he said firmly. "Which makes you half-Eldian."

Roksana stomped forward and grabbed Eren, forcing him to look at her. "Why would you reveal that? You're making the situation worse. What about the girls?"

"You and the girls are all that I'm thinking about." He shook his arm free of her grip. "Yes, I'm revealing my secrets. But this puts her at risk as well. She could report us, but then she'd be signing her own death warrant. She'd be ostracized. Disowned by her grandparents and fiance."

Roksana glanced at her step-daughter. Every word Eren said was driving the terror further into Annalise, that much was plainly obvious. "We're fortunate that the girls are naturally protected by being half-Anscarid," he continued, "so there's no need to blood test them. But you're right...Annalise knowing the truth is still dangerous."

"I...I can try that memory spell," Roksana suggested. "It's not perfect, but it might work."

Eren clenched his fists. "Or I could kill her."

Annalise cried out in fear, squeezing her eyes shut as tears flowed. Roksana moved to stand in-between them. She placed her hands on Eren's chest, almost shaking. "No! Eren, think about you're saying. Annalise is your daughter, too. No matter what happens from this point on...you can't kill her. You can't."

Eren sighed. "Roksana..."

"Please, Eren. I know you've done unspeakable things, but once you go down that road...just trust me. Don't do it."

He studied her worried gaze. Eren looked to his weeping daughter and sighed in a mixture of defeat and frustration. "I'm sorry. I just...I'm not sure what we do from here."

"I could try the spell."

"And if it doesn't work?"

Roksana lowered her gaze in shame. What else can I do? We can't let her go. Her hands slid down his chest and she reached for his own hands. Feeling his skin brought her comfort. Soothed her spiraling anxiety. Eren stared at her in thought. His mind running through various scenarios. Each one more extreme than the other until... "Your brother."

"Huh? My brother?" Roksana blinked at him curiously. "What about him?"

"He could be our way out of this."

She took a step back, processing his implications. "That...you can't be serious. I can't go back to my family. Eren, I was disowned."

"By your father. All these years, you've maintained contact with Vladimir and Susanna. You said your father has retired and officially stepped down as Head of the Family, correct?"

"Yes, Yes, he did. But...but...," her voice trailed off as she tried to think of a valid argument. But none came. Vlad's in charge now...he could reverse Father's decision. But would he? Would he accept the girls? Would he accept my husband?

"Roksana, it's worth the risk." He squeezed her hands affectionately. "I believe your brother would welcome us. We'd be safe there. We could finish your spell and find another successor-"

"No!" Annalise bellowed. "No, you can't leave! Not again!"

Both Eren and Roksana flinched at her sudden loud threat. Roksana glanced up at the ceiling, hoping no one else could hear. Eren steered Roksana aside in order to approach Annalise. "Quiet. If you-"

"No! You can't leave! If you do, I'll tell Marley everything. Everything! You'll be damning all of us. Your Eldian rebels and my family!" She tugged at her bound wrists, ignoring the gripping pain. "There'll be nowhere you can go that Marley won't find you. The treaty will force Anscar to extradite you. None of you would be safe!"

Eren's face relaxed into an unreadable expression. But Annalise was undeterred, tears streaming down her face once again. "I loved you...Father. I've always been loyal and good. But you never cared about me. You never cared about my mother, either. Did you?! You never did!"

"You're wrong. I did care for Ruth. She was a good woman. Dutiful." Eren held her gaze so that she could witness his sincerity. "I married her out of necessity. You were a necessity. But I married Roksana for love. And thus, Katya, Nadia, and Raisa are products of that love. That is the truth."

Annalise whimpered as she lowered her gaze, unable to speak. Roksana sighed and pulled Eren to face her once again. "Please. No more. Seriously, what are we going to do? Are we really going to leave our whole lives here behind?"

"We have to." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "You'll need to make arrangements for temporary closing. We'll figure out what to do with the shop afterwards. Pack our things. Get the girls ready."

"Eren-"

"Be ready," he insisted. "Trust me, my love. Everything will work out."

Port Sonderborg, a few days later...

Roksana stood near the boardwalk for the MS Freja with Katya, Nadia, and Raisa at her side. She held onto Raisa's hand with their boarding tickets in her other. She glanced around nervously, checking the crowd for a familiar face. Katya set down the carry-on. Their luggage was already on the ship bound for the long trip to Comorin in the Middle Eastern Alliance. And from there...the western coast of Anscar.

Katya noticed her mother's anxiousness and scanned the crowd as well. Her eyes fell on a familiar face. "Mama, there he is. Papa!"

Katya and Nadia rushed towards their father. Eren embraced them with open arms, leaning forward to wrap them tightly. Raisa slipped from Roksana's hold and joined in, wrapping her little arms around his legs. Eren chuckled as he dropped into a kneeling position so that he could hug all three of them. Roksana grabbed the small carry-on suitcase and walked over. "You're late. Let's go get in line."

Eren tightened his hold on his girls for a moment and then released them. He stood up, readjusting his officer hat. "There's been a slight hump in our plans."

"What?"

"I'll have to leave tomorrow."

Roksana stepped closer to him, searching his eyes for the truth. "No, we...we have a plan, Eren. The next ship for Comorin isn't for another month. This is our only chance."

"I know. But the MS Thane is leaving for Aden tomorrow."

"Aden?" she gasped. "But that takes you south not west. Eren, it'll take weeks, maybe even months for you to catch up to us in Anscar."

"I know, I know." He grabbed her hands, squeezing her fingers to soothe her growing panic. "Listen, there's a meeting I can't get out of. It sounds like a terrible excuse, I know, but my attendance is the only way I can swing us leaving the country. I don't like it anymore than you do, but this is the only way."

Nadia had been trying to follow along, looking back and forth between her parents. "You're not coming with us, Papa?"

Eren cupped her face in his hand, rubbing his thumb along her cheek. "Don't worry. We'll be together soon. I need you to be strong for your Mama. All of you." He knelt down again, meeting each of his daughters' eyes. "Take care of each other. Take care of your Mama. Stay strong for her. Until we're all together again."

The girls nodded, silently promising to honor his command. Eren smiled softly and stood up. He met Roksana's worried gaze. He cupped her face in his hands and pulled her in for a deep, breathless kiss. "We will be together," he promised. "Stay alive. Keep the girls safe."

Roksana planted a soft kiss on his lips. "Goodbye, my love."

"Goodbye."

At the time, I wouldn't admit to myself how much I doubt I held in my heart. There was no lie in his words. Eren did believe we would see each other again. But as the ship pulled away and the coast of Marley began to fade, darkness shrouded my thoughts.

We had said goodbye. And a part of me know it would be the last time we saw each other.

The waves of the western Marleyan sea were rougher than normal. The sun had set and the ship was surrounded by darkness. Roksana rested her elbows on the guard rail. Katya was sitting by her feet, watching her sisters like a true guardian. The other children on the ship were already sleepy or sick from the sea. But Roksana tuned it all out. Her last moments with Eren running through her head. "Goodbye, my love". She sighed. I have to perfect that spell. Or Eren won't have any choice but to be eaten in order to pass on the Attack Titan. She peeked at Katya. Maybe I can convince him to pass it to Katya. Theoretically, she could inherit it. As long as the Eldian blood is present, it should work...right?

Raisa latching onto her coat pulled Roksana from her thoughts. "Mama, Mama, are we gonna see the Jewel Sea? Are we? Are we?"

Roksana smiled down at her. "Once we make it to my family home in Dhavasco, I'll take you girls on a special trip to the glittering waters."

Raisa beamed in delight, her eyes sparkling. "And we'll swim with the dolphins and play with the mermaids? I can't wait!"

"Stop it," Nadia said with a frown. "Mermaids aren't real."

"Yes, they are," she whined. "Mama's books say so."

"Those are stories. They're made up."

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah-huh!"

"Nadia," Roksana scolded.

"But Mama, they aren't!"

"Why? Because you've never seen one yourself? Trust me, you'd never want to." Roksana leaned down to her daughters' eye-level, lowering her voice into a spooky tone. "For mermaids prefer to swim in the dangerous waters of the south...waiting for lost ships. To lure victims with their beautiful voices. They sing the sweetest of songs, trick you into falling into the cold water...where they feast on your flesh!"

She grabbed hold of them both and pretended to eat them. The girls laughed and giggled, wiggling in their mother's grasp. Their argument forgotten. Roksana held hugged them tightly before releasing them. She smooth Nadia's hair and ran her fingers through Raisa's soft waves. The low rumble of thunder pulled her attention to the dark horizon. There were soft flashes, illuminating curling clouds in the distance.

The girls latched onto their mother, feeling her fear. Katya stood up, following their gaze. "Mama, what is it?"

"Just a storm, my love," Roksana said confidently, smiling at Katya. "Nothing to worry about."

However, that harmless storm turned out to be our doom. It was like an act of the gods. The storm churned the waves. The ship was thrashed about. Lightning had descended from the sky and struck the heart of the ship.

By some miracle, I had guided us to a life boat. People were so frightful and scatterbrained they completely forgot about them. Rain and wind battered us as we desperately tried to escape the ship.

You may think I could've relied on my magic. On my abilities. But in times like those, magic is futile against the fury of nature. So I prayed. To the old gods of Anscar. Prayed that we would survive. That we would live to see another day. To see our family made whole again.

But fate is such a fickle thing.

Western shores...

Roksana groaned from the pain blooming through her head. Then, she suddenly jolted upright. Her vision spun and she steadied herself, grabbing the edge of the boat. Boat! Roksana glanced around, finding herself sitting towards the end of a life boat while her daughters were curled up against each other in the center. She crawled towards them. First checking that they were alive and breathing. She sighed in relief, carefully hugging them. Thank the gods they're safe. Thank you, blessed ones.

She sat up, hearing the caws of seagulls. The boat had washed up onto a clean, sandy beach. Roksana stood up, scanning the surroundings. As far as her eyes could see, there were no signs of other human life. No signs of buildings or anything man-made. Did we wash up on an unpopulated beach? Marley is covered with them.

Roksana knelt back down and stirred her daughters. "Girls. Girls, wake up. Wake up, now."

Raisa and Nadia moaned, fighting against consciousness. Katya forced herself up, her head drooping. Her curls were a messy and stiff from sand and salt. "Where are we?"

"I don't know," Roksana said. "I don't recognize this beach. Get your sisters up. We'll have to walk inland to find help."

"Walk? Can't we just wait?"

"Do as I say."

Katya groaned, but obeyed. She roused her sisters, urging them to wake as Roksana climbed out of the boat. She helped her daughters off the boat one-by-one. The sky was clear and quiet, no evidence that there had been a storm that stranded them. Roksana checked her coat pockets for their passports and boarding passes. Good. Still there. As well as my wallet. I have no idea how we're going to get out now. Wonder if I can get a message to Eren...we'll need more money in order to get to Anscar.

"Mama, my hair's dirty," Raisa said, shaking sand off her head.

"We'll find some fresh water. We need to get the salt off, too." Roksana glanced up once more. Sun's mostly to the west, so it's gotta be mid-afternoon. She was silently grateful she had dressed the girls in comfortable shoes. She grabbed Raisa's hand and ordered Katya to grab Nadia's. Together, they walked away from the ocean.

After several hours of walking, they had located a river. But the sight of it did not ease her anxiety. Roksana kept a watchful eye out as she and her daughters washed themselves in the cool, crisp water. We're several miles inland, and still no sign of any towns. Where the hell are we? She turned back to the girls. Katya was helping Raisa detangle her hair, using her fingers to ease the knots. Roksana gasped and started searching. "Where's Nadia? Where's your sister?"

"She went up there." Katya pointed to the small hill.

Roksana growled. "Katya, stay right there with Raisa."

She trudged out of the water and ran along the riverbed, hurrying up the hill. She latched onto Nadia's arm, forcing the girl to face her. "Nadia! You never leave my sight, do you hear me? Don't run off like that."

"I'm sorry, Mama. I just...I wanted to see what was over the hill," she said, leaning away slightly.

"I don't care. We don't know where we are. You could've gotten lost. We have to stay together. Do you understand?" Nadia nodded hurriedly. Roksana sighed, calming herself. She eased her grip on her daughter's arm. "I'm sorry, my love. I...I feared the worst. Ask me next time, alright? Don't just leave."

"I'm really sorry."

Roksana let her go, tucking Nadia's wet hair behind her ear. "I know. It's okay. Come on, we need to finish up."

"But I found something." She pointed west. "Look, Mama."

Roksana followed Nadia's gaze. Her eyes widened in confusion. Far across the grassy plain was a solid, stone wall. Incredibly tall that ran in both directions as far as the eye could see. In the center of the wall was a carved sigil. Like a gate. Roksana stared at it and then suddenly gasped, losing all strength in her legs. Nadia cried out in panic. "Mama? Mama, what's wrong?"

It's not possible. Roksana had heard the stories. She had heard the tales from Eren before. About his numerous trips to Heaven. To Paradise. The land of titans. That realization spurned Roksana into action. She glanced around, but saw nothing besides grass and trees. Titans! She grabbed Nadia's hand and dragged her back down the hill to rejoin Katya and Raisa. "Get dressed. Quick! Hurry!"

"What's wrong?" Katya asked. "Did you find help?"

"Dammit, do as I say!"

The girls flinched at her tone, and hurriedly obeyed. They put their sandy clothes back on, and followed their mother up the hill. Their questions about the strange wall went unanswered. Roksana was too preoccupied with crossing the plain. The sun was sinking lower in the sky. Titans can't move at night, but...how long will we be stuck out here with them?! That thought spurned Roksana to quicken her pace, almost forcing her daughters to run.

As they approached, the wall got bigger and bigger. The girls gazed up at it frightfully. Again, questioning their silent mother. Roksana leaned back to peer all the way up, her neck aching. The gray stone was smooth as if made from one solid piece, save for the carved designs indicating the thick gate they stood before. Roksana slapped her hand against it. "Hello?! Anyone there?!"

Her slaps were soundless against the thick stone. The sun was half-way set. Her daughters were hungry. They couldn't even carry the fresh water from the river. Fear drove her to pound her fist against the stone. "Is anybody in there?! Hello!"

A strange sound from above startled them. Roksana looked up, seeing a tiny figure descending from above. What is that?! She pulled her girls into her arms as a stranger descended. A man with brown hair with wires attached to a strange contraption around his waist. "What the fuck are you four doing out here?!" he shouted. "Who are you?!"

Roksana held her girls tighter as they whimpered in her arms. Her mind reeled with numerous questions as she stared at the man. Moments of her life flashed before her eyes. Moments where she was helpless, at the mercy of enemies or faced against impossible situations. Eren's face came to her mind. Their live, their daughters. Roksana gritted her teeth and moved towards the man. "Please, help us!"

End of Chapter 32

Hope y'all enjoyed this mini-arc. :)