Fates

Levi stepped through the portal he'd created and looked around at a place that was so foreign and yet so familiar at the same time. He was in a large garden with intricately woven threads throughout like a colorful spider's web. Ahead, he saw three women; a teenager, a middle-aged mother and an old grandmother, standing over a large, old, open leather-bound book that rested on a podium that was a living, spineless thistle. Their nimble fingers wove threads precisely together at a blinding pace while not even watching their hands.

"Well, this is totally trippy," he said dryly. "But I suppose I say that every time I come to visit you."

All three women giggled, but the youngest was the one who spoke. "Only when you visit us for a first time in an incarnation. Last time you told us that it was 'like having déjà vu on steroids,'."

"Yeah. Sounds like something I'd say," Levi commented as he made his way over to a very familiar rock near the Fates' podium. "I've never been here before, but I remember this rock that I usually sit on. And that one over there where Eren usually . . . sits." He paused for a moment as he mulled over what he'd just said as he gazed at the stone that he'd just dubbed Eren's. He then looked back to the Fates. "Everything Mom just told me is true, isn't it? Eren really is my soulmate."

"He is," the old woman confirmed. "The bond between your souls is exceptionally strong."

"You encounter each other in one way or another in every life you two live," the middle woman continued. "Whether it be just as friends, as family or as lovers."

Levi frowned. "So that what's so special about him; why I feel drawn to him; why I can't push him away."

"Why you love him so," the maiden added.

Levi looked up at her quick, ready to scoff at the idea, but he hesitated. Do I love him? I've never been in love. Nanaba always used to tell me I wouldn't know love if it came up and bit me on the ass. She was right. Mom's right too. In spite of my best efforts not to, I think I'm actually in love with that incorrigible brat!

"Without him, you cannot hope to bring down the evil that threatens your world," the mother stated.

"Yeah. About that," Levi began. "Mom tells me I can use magic because it's a part of my soul and that my soul knows how to use it."

"That is correct," the Fates replied.

"Okay, but I need to know how to tap into that and use it if I'm to protect Eren and take down Titan."

"You forget what I just told you," the mother chided. "You will need Eren to fight alongside you to succeed. You cannot do this alone."

"You must have faith, not only in your own strength, but also in the strength and wisdom of your companions," the old woman continued.

"As in past lives, you need only trust your heart and your soul to use the magic within you," the maiden told him. "You will always know what you need to do when you need to do it."

Levi nodded in acknowledgement and then took a few moments to contemplate how he wanted to word his next question. "I . . . we need to be able to cut off Titan's head. Thing is, we don't know where the head is, or even if there's only one."

"There are many, but only one that is the weakness," the old woman stated. "Destroy him, and the rest will disintegrate to ash."

"And who is this man?" Levi asked.

"We cannot tell you," the mother replied sadly.

"We can, however, tell you this," the maiden continued. "The one you seek is closer than you think."

"The heads of Titan are many and possess great wealth and power," the old woman said.

"However, the heads of Titan are supported by him," the mother said. "He pulls the strings from the background. Without him, all of their wealth and power are for naught. It will evaporate as mist in morning sun."

Levi's brow wrinkled as he frowned in thought. "Wouldn't that wreak havoc on the world's economy? Granted, if Titan succeeds in their goals, the economy won't be worth two shits anyway. What is Titan's goal? What do they hope to achieve by altering humanity's genes?"

"It was the dream of a madman," the maiden replied.

"Yeah. Alexander Harrington. But that was a hundred years ago. How did such crazy bullshit get this far? And what about this so-called goddess? Maria Rosina?"

"So many questions, Levi," the old woman chuckled. "It was no goddess. It was a great evil that deceived Alexander Harrington."

"You faced one like her 500 years ago," the mother took up the tale. "But you will not face this one in this lifetime."

"So, I'm going to face this one in a future incarnation? Can I even defeat such a thing?"

"In 2,000 years, Titan will rise again, and you and Eren will be the ones to end it once and for all," the maiden told him.

"But you must pay a heavy price for the power to defeat that evil," the mother warned.

"Not sure I like the sound of that. What will I have to do?"

"Forfeit your mortality," the old woman said.

For one horrible moment, time stood still for Levi. Everything was blank. He had no idea what to think or what to feel. "My . . . mortality?" he finally stammered, almost a whisper. "I don't want to live forever." He felt cold and numb. "Now I know how Eren felt when he found out his father made him immortal. At least he has a way out of it." He closed his eyes and took in a long, deep breath that he exhaled slowly. When he opened his eyes again, he said, "But if that is the price I must pay to protect this world, then so be it. I'll worry about that when the time comes. For now, I need to focus on bringing down Titan, or there won't be a future to matter. They're just too damn hard to find. How can they gain so many followers without having an obvious leader to draw them in?"

"It is deadly hunter that observes from the shadows and the dark, then lures in those who are most susceptible to its message and false promises," the mother replied.

"It knows how to prey upon the weaknesses and desires of humanity; greed, fame, power, belonging, happiness," the old woman informed. "And those that cannot be swayed, it takes by force."

"Unlike you, many people are easily lured in by the promise of immortality," the maiden further explained. "It is only natural for living things to fear death, for if death were not feared, then life would have no reason to continue."

"Okay, so how do I find this weakness of Titan's?" Levi came right out and asked.

"Look up," the maiden replied.

Levi automatically looked up, though knowing that the Fate likely didn't mean it literally. "Fine. I get it. You can't tell me anything that might unravel the fabric of fate. But maybe you can tell me this; why me? What makes me so damn special?"

"Because you are a warrior of God," the old woman stated.

"Warrior of God?"

"Your soul is not like others. Most souls are species specific and linked to only one world. You and your soulmate, however, are not. Your souls were created specifically to protect. You are among those few that incarnate on whatever world where you are needed the most," the maiden clarified.

"Sometimes it is just to help one person; sometimes an entire world," the mother added. "You can incarnate as any species necessary for you to fulfill your mission."

Levi's brow furrowed deeper than it already was. "How can I be a warrior of God? I'm a monster; a demon."

There was an amused light in the old woman's eyes. "As you yourself once said, 'Not all demons are created equal'."

"It often takes a monster do defeat a monster," the mother added.

"There is a very big difference between being a monster and being evil," the maiden elucidated.

Levi thought about that for a moment. He then stood and stretched. "I should get back to Tinninvale. I may have left my mother in a great deal of confusion. Thank you for everything. I understand things a little better. More importantly, you've given me hope, and I think that's what I needed most right now."

"You are very welcome, Levi," the mother told him.

Levi turned and opened a portal. Before he stepped through, he turned to look back at the Fates. "Do I ever come here just to visit? You know, when I don't need anything."

The Fates looked at each other and smiled. "You do," the old woman said.

"Quite frequently," added the mother.

"You are always welcome," the maiden finished. "And please give Eren our regards."

"And remember," the old woman added. "The only limitation you have is your own imagination."

Levi gave them a faint smile. "Thanks." He then stepped through the portal.