Part 22
Teachings
"… That... It's illogical!" Barked Fury as she sat with Hexis within the village's main hut once again. She had been given a bowl of fresh water so that she could wipe away any dirt left upon her hands and face. She realised that is one of Levi's nasty habits that had rubbed off on her over the years.
Hexis emitted a hearty laugh. One wouldn't quite believe he could've been food for Titans moments ago. "You still can't accept who you are, can you?" The old man shook his head. He already knew Fury was a stubborn one, but he could somewhat understand that conflicts had haunted her for too long. "This village has stood here since Man ever discovered the Titans that stalk this land. Our first Bloodborn's built this village. Their strength of will, even after death, has kept this place untouched. We have lived our way of life to respect this village. Blood has never been spilled within."
"But… you can see why that sounds illogical, right?" Fury muttered. Was he just being a superstitious fool or… was it true? "I don't particularly believe in a God. For if a God existed and he had that power to save his people from extinction, then he is a cruel God for allowing humanity to suffer for this long." Fury then darted her sight towards her wet hands, watching the droplets of water hit the bowl of it below her, seeing the impact cause small ripples on the surface. "Maybe this God shares my own opinions; that humanity deserves it. We can't even treat each other with respect, let alone focus on a common enemy."
"But you are part of the army, are you not?" Hexis questioned, pointing at Fury's Wings of Freedom insignia, causing her to evidently avoid looking at it herself. "The Survey Corps? Yet they fight for freedom, do they not?"
"I thought that if I joined… put my mind onto that shared goal, it would change my view. But it only made me see that even if we work together to eradicate all Titans, what would humanity want to fight next? It'll be each other, no doubt… And now I have you old sods telling me I'm this Bloodborn who did their best to protect the very species that purged them out of greed and spurred fear!"
"A decision that has become a regret for many families over the years…" Muttered Hexis, as he was somewhat speaking for himself. "Now you're left with the decision to either help us or be on your merry way…"
Fury, emitting a deep sigh, looked around her. These people didn't have much, they didn't seem to want much either. They lived simple lives in a village Hexis claims to still be protected by the deceased Bloodborn's. Is that really why Titans stayed away? Fury could only admit as she referred back to Erwin's tale that Bloodborn's were very capable of keeping the monsters at bay… But even in death?
"Your mother sought refuge here as she was fleeing towards the walls! She came here, to us, with the lover she escaped with from Marley." Hexis then revealed, leaving Fury speechless from her prolonged and cynical view of people. "They trusted us, we aided them. We knew who they were and we knew of the child your mother carried within her womb. Helping those two, Aya, was humanities first small step towards repaying their debt to what they have done to this world."
"…I don't even know their names enough to even care about this…" Fury mumbled, folding her arms as an act to secure her insecurities themselves.
This caused Hexis to chuckle. "Your mother's name was Mia Tybur and the lover she fled with was called Wilhelm Muller. He was quite a wealthy young man, a noble I believe, be he was not of pure Eldian blood, despite what Willy believed. As it stands, and with what little I do know, Bloodborn's didn't always exist. And I'm not quite sure where it is they hail from. But it has been recorded that most times, when two pure blooded Eldian's conceived, a Bloodborn was the product.
I do not know if Willy knew this. Nor do I know if your mother did. But she knew well enough of your importance, and made decisions to keep you alive. Wilhelm was just a man who loved her more than your mother ever loved Willy."
Fury scowled deeply. Looking down at her disarmed Cutters and ODM, the reality hit Fury hard that she needed to be taught as she saw the state her equipment was now in. Was she the lucky one? No human could survive out here on their own for long, yet Fury seemed to have one thing they didn't; unique abilities. "So teach me… If what you say is true and you can teach me how to be more… effective, then help me, old man."
"Nothing would please me more!" Hexis clasped his hands together, evidently as excited a child would be when given sugar. "But less of the old man! I'm only 83!"
"Oh… that young, huh?" Oh the sarcasm was indeed there on Fury's behalf causing Hexis to pout.
Shaking himself off from the highly offensive remark from the young woman, Hexis began to slowly pace back and forth in front of her, waving his hand as he began to preach. "Anger, though it's always the key for a Bloodborn to reveal their capabilities, is not the solution. Your solution will be a goal. And with that goal, you will need to maintain the highest standard of concentration possible. And you must prolong it for as long as you can but only when circumstances demand it."
Well this reminded Fury too much of the lecture classes she had to endure when she was still somewhat of a recruit in the Scouts. Both her and Levi felt suffocated through them, but the knowledge gained was priceless. It was at that time Levi began rising up in the ranks and was introduced to his current squad. His 'Levi Squad'. Fury couldn't help but almost smirk. He always had a big ego and even bigger pride. She recalled their names; Petra, Olou, Gunther and Eld. Though Fury knew of them, she did not consider them friends and she only felt pity for them for what Levi would put them through.
Cleaning.
It was always the cleaning. Fury didn't speak to Levi much throughout this time as he was focusing on his own goal to kill all Titans. Fury would at times argue with him over their opposing opinions and ideals. He would bite and curse as he would remind her that Titans need to be eradicated and Fury would counter attack his goal with logic.
How many Titans exist? And she gave him numbers on that fact that his goal is impossible to achieve in one lifetime. Fury missed this. Even though when the two argued, and was always dangerously close to one of them becoming physical, it was also somewhat entertaining knowing she could wind Levi up the wall if she wanted too. Most of her own time was spent with Erwin, however, causing the two to become initially closer together. Fury struggled with trusting people, she struggled to commit due to the fear of being hurt over and over. Most soldiers avoid relationships. They don't want someone they love gaining a knock on the door with news of death, they found that prospect cruel. Levi was one of them. But Fury just couldn't connect to people in general. Yet she held deep respect for her Commander, despite once working to kill him.
"… And that is how a Bloodborn would control a Titan!" Came the distant voice of Hexis as Fury was pulled out of her memories. "Are… Aya, please pay attention. Listening is just as important as doing!"
The female rolled her eyes, resting her head in the palm of her hands as her elbows perked them up from resting upon the glazed, wooden table. Little did she yet know that this lecture was going to go on for more than one night.
