"Honey, honey, wake up."
A woman with black hair gently shook the little girl. The girl who had the same matching black hair slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them sleepily.
"What is it, mother?"
"Lyla dear, we need to leave."
The woman doesn't wait for Lyla's answer as she picks Lyla up from the bed. She was carried out of her house, into a wagon and in her sleepy state she hears shouting and see flames roaring up the walls. She remembered the smell of salt and the gentle sways of the waves and before she knew it, she was in a small city dimly lit with torches.
The next morning, when Lyla woke up she asked her mother.
"Mother, where are we?"
"We are in the Underground City."
"Underground City? Are we underground? Where's father?"
"Yes, we are underground and father is out working."
Lyla sat at the table and Mrs. Peltner sets a bowl of soup in front of her. Lyla starts eating her soup when Mrs. Peltner starts in a serious voice.
"Lyla dear, I need you to be brave and listen carefully to what I say."
Lyla stopped eating and lifted her head.
"You know well that we left home, right?"
Lyla slowly nodded her head.
"From now on. You mustn't tell anyone that you're a magician, or that you're from the Marley Empire. Don't tell anyone your name. Stay away from people as best as you can."
And that was how Lyla found out that she was no longer the only daughter of the Great Magician Eden Peltner and Anabelle Peltner, the only heir of the Peltner household, a noble from the Marley Empire, but a completely normal citizen of the Underground City.
It was different. Everything was different. There were no luxurious parties, no fancy dresses, no maids to do your bidding. The food was poor and the house was small.
It was hard, but Lyla toughed it out. Believing in her parents, believing that there would be a reason that they couldn't tell her. But one day Lyla couldn't help herself. She asked her mother.
"Mother, why do we have to hide? Why did we leave home?"
Mrs. Peltner smiled sadly and answered, "I'll tell you when you get older."
After a few months, Lyla was allowed to leave the house for a few hours, only if she stayed near it. Lyla ran out of the house with a big smile on her face. She didn't even change out from her nightgown, the only thing she brought from the Marley Empire, simply because it was the thing that she wore that night they left.
Lyla wandered about and found a ruin. She climbed up the rocks onto a wall. From there she could see the whole city. Lyla giggled and started to sing a soft melody to herself.
From that day on going outside and singing while watching down on the city was the first thing she did every morning. She soon realized that her singing affected her surroundings. She found it out when she made a flower bloom between the rocks. She scooped up the flower, cradling it carefully, she brought it home.
"Mother, father, look! I made a flower bloom."
Mr. and Mrs. Peltner's face was a combination of pride and fear.
"Did anybody see you do it?" Mr. Peltner asked.
"No father."
Mrs. Peltner hugged her daughter tightly.
"I'm so proud of you Lyla. But as I always say. Be careful. You must never let anyone know that you're a magician or—"
"—that I'm from the Marley Empire," Lyla finished her mother's sentence.
One day, Mrs. Peltner baked a pan of cookies.
"Mother! Aren't these cookies?" Lyla exclaimed with joy. "I thought you said it was hard to get sugar around here?"
"Well, today is a special day. It's your birthday honey, so I baked them for a celebration. It would've been better if I was able to bake a cake… But I just couldn't manage it. Somehow they never turn out right," Mrs. Peltner said with a laugh. Lyla ran up to her mother and hugged her legs.
"Cookies are perfect mother."
"I got something for you too sweetie."
"Father!"
Lyla ran to him. Mr. Peltner chuckled and gave Lyla the present. It was a picture book.
Lyla flipped through the pages. There were pictures of the ocean, desert, snowy mountains and so on.
"It's a book about 'the world outside the walls' as the people who live here say."
"Outside the walls? Does it mean that we're inside walls?" Lyla asked. Mr. Peltner nodded.
"You know that there are a lot of other countries besides the Marley Empire, right?"
Lyla nodded.
"Well, the place we're right now is Paradis Island and here people live inside high walls."
Lyla tilted her head in confusion. "Why?"
"I'll tell you why when you're older. I want you to read this book, and this history book as well."
Lyla nodded, still confused. "Yes, father."
That afternoon Lyla packed some cookies and went out to sit on the wall. A small bird landed beside her.
"Hello, little bird."
The bird chirped back.
"Good day Mr. Bird," Lyla started to sing. "What is it like to have wings? To be free? Tell me Mr. Bird. What does it mean to live inside walls?"
Lyla instantly stopped singing when she heard a rock fall. She snapped her head towards the sound and there stood a boy with black hair. He seemed to be in his teens. He was looking Lyla with a strange face.
"You're… not talking to a bird, are you?" he asked. Lyla shook her head.
"No, I'm singing to it."
"That's dumb," he said dryly.
"Not it's not!" Lyla fiercely contradicted. "Don't listen to what he says Mr. Bird. He's just being mean."
The boy slightly chuckled at this.
"You're funny. What's your name?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you," said Lyla. She primly sat on the wall as she started to unwrap her cookies. The boy's eyes slightly widened.
"Are those cookies?"
"Yes. Why, do you want one?" asked Lyla eagerly. She seemed to have forgotten that she was actually annoyed at the boy as she shoved one of the cookies into the boy's hands. Secretly she wanted to show off how good her mother's cookies were and the opportunity just showed up. The boy looked baffled but nonetheless took a bite of the cookie. His eyes widened with surprise. The cookies were actually good. They were real cookies made with flour and sugar. Lyla smiled at the boy's reaction.
"It's good, isn't it?"
"It's… okay."
Lyla tilted her head at his answer.
"You're really bad at expressing your feelings, aren't you?"
The boy scowled. But it only made Lyla giggle more.
"Are you making that face to look scary? Because it only makes you look cute."
At her words the boy's scowl deepened, making Lyla giggle even more.
"Tell me, what's your name?" she asked. The boy snorted.
"You want to know my name when you won't tell yours?"
"I told you I can't tell you mine. There's a complicated reason for that."
A complicated reason that even Lyla herself didn't know. The boy looked at Lyla who looked clearly upset. He sighed and said,
"Levi."
"Huh?"
"My name's Levi."
Lyla's face brightened in an instant.
"Tell you what Levi. If you come here tomorrow morning, I'll give you a cookie!"
She then bound off home. Levi just stared at the place where the girl was a minute ago.
The next morning Lyla sat on the wall. Waiting for Levi.
"Oi! Shitty brat!"
Lyla turned her head at the voice with a frown.
"Language! And Shitty brat? What kind of a name is that!"
"Well, you didn't give me any name to call you."
Lyla turned her nose up and looked away. A bird chirped and sat on her head.
"Hello, Mr. Bird." Lyla sang. "Wouldn't you like to come down to my lap sir? I can't see you if you're there."
The bird chirped happily as it flew down to Lyla's lap. Levi watched this with astonished eyes.
"It's like you can talk to birds," he said. "Perhaps I should call you Little Bird."
He extended his hand towards her as if expecting something. Lyla just looked at it.
"You said you would give me a cookie if I come."
"Oh…" Lyla reached in her pocket and pulled out a cookie. She gave it to Levi who started nibbling on it.
They sat on the edge of the wall as they looked out down on the city.
...
...
From that day on it became a habit, almost a ritual for them to meet every morning at the ruins. It was another of those days where Levi and Lyla sat on the wall.
"You seem quiet today Little Bird," Levi said. Lyla just stared at him. Levi gave a soft laugh and ruffled her hair which made Lyla's heart miss a beat. She took a deep breath and said,
"You're not just coming here for the cookies, are you?"
She had gotten used to Levi so much that she couldn't imagine a life without him. And the truth was that she was running out of cookies. Actually the one Levi was eating right now was the last one.
Levi blinked at her. He then smiled softly at her, a smile that he only showed to her.
"No. I'll come even if you don't give me cookies."
Lyla smiled brightly, "Good!"
She then hugged Levi tightly. Levi seemed startled for a moment, but soon patted her head.
"I have something to give you!"
Lyla put her hands together and closed her eyes as if to concentrate on something. Levi watched this curiously. When Lyla opened her hands there was a raindrop shaped pendant. She smiled gleefully and placed the pendant in Levi's hands.
"I made it. It's a present for you."
Levi looked at the pendant in amazement. Lyla shyly lowered her head and muttered.
"See you tomorrow."
She then sped off home before Levi could say anything. However, she never knew that she won't be able to see Levi for a very long time.
"What do you mean I can't go outside anymore!" Lyla exclaimed. Mrs. Peltner tried to soothe her daughter.
"It's only for the time being dear. Right now is dangerous."
"Why? Why is it dangerous? Why do we have to hide? Why don't you tell me anything?!"
Mr. Peltner stood up from his chair.
"I think it's time to start your training as a magician Lyla."
"Isn't it too early?" Mrs. Peltner said with worried eyes.
"No, I think Lyla can handle it."
And so from that day on, Lyla learned the history the people inside the walls learned, how it differed from the history that she learned. She trained her skills, how to strengthen her body and produce crystals, how to communicate with nature and speak their language.
And on her 14th birthday, she learned the truth of the titans.
"So are you telling me, that the titans are innocent people and the Marley Empire is using them as weapons? Just so that they can keep control over the Eldians?" she said in shock. Mr. Peltner nodded in a grave manner.
"It's your job to turn our people back if we can't do it."
Lyla slowly stood up.
"I need some fresh air."
Before anyone could say anything she ran out. Her feet carried her to the ruins she always went as a child. She sat on the walls as she looked down the city. They didn't have to live like this… if the Marley Empire hadn't done anything, they didn't have to.
"Little Bird?"
Lyla's head snapped toward the voice. There stood a man with jet black hair. Much older now than she remembered.
"LEVI!"
She dove into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. Levi looked surprised, almost shocked. For four years his Little Bird disappeared and now here she was. Significantly grown up but still dressed in a white nightgown.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…"
Levi gently ran his hand down her back, drawing circles.
"Been a long time you shitty brat. Anyway, I've got something for you."
Levi pulled out the very pendant Lyla gave him 4 years ago. Only, now it was dangling on a thin silver chain.
"I came here every day you know. You never even gave me time to say thank you either. Now turn around so I can put it around your neck."
Lyla did as told. Still lost in words. Levi clasped the chain behind her and made her turn around. He smirked and said, "Not bad. It took me fucking forever to drive a hole in that thing."
Lyla frowned but then smiled. "Language Levi, language."
"The same old little brat you are," said Levi as he ruffled Lyla's hair. Lyla giggle and said in a wistful tone.
"Levi… when I grow up, I'll be yours and I wish… you'll be mine as well."
Levi froze. But soon a smile spread across his face. "We'll see."
Lyla slightly jumped in joy. She took hold of Levi's head and planted a kiss on his forehead.
"I vow to thee that I take Levi as my rightful half," she whispered. Lyla then hugged his head.
"Do you remember Mr. Bird?" she whispered. Levi snorted.
"The bird you always sang to?"
"I wish I could be free like him."
An idea sparked through Levi's mind. He abruptly stood up and walked away.
"Levi, where are you going?"
"Wait a minute."
Levi soon returned with his 3DMG harnessed.
"Where did you get that? Isn't that property of the MPs?" Lyla said suspiciously.
"Just hold onto me tight," said Levi as he tied Lyla to himself.
"You're not going to fly across the city in that, are you?"
"I am."
"I can't Levi."
"Come on Little Bird, it's going to be fun."
Lyla still didn't seem to like the idea. Levi sighed.
"If it bothers you that much, I'll only fly through the back alleys where there are no people."
Lyla's eyes lit up at his words and soon enough she was hanging on Levi in koala style and laughing through the air.
"This is awesome Levi! It's like a dream!"
They almost flew about the whole afternoon and when they landed on ground Lyla took off her necklace and gave it back to Levi.
"For a keepsake, as a promise of today. When I grow up, and you think you're ready, give it to me again. I'll always be waiting."
"Will you come out tomorrow?"
Lyla laughed softly, "Yes."
With that, she went home. They would be okay, nobody saw them.
Oh, how careless had she been for that night, the huntsmen of the Marley Empire broke down her family's house.
A/N Finallyyyy! Lyla's past is revealed!
