Heaven and Hell

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Summary: Rivetra Week 2014 Prompt Day 4

Petra Ral folded the dark cloak over her arm to take with her. It wasn't much, but she would take whatever protection she could to ward off the chill that was sure to set in when night fell. Despite the time of day, the village was unnaturally silent with only the coughing disrupting the quiet.

Outside, a group of them had gathered around her house. Apparently word had spread about her impending trip to the mountains. All eyes turned to her when she stepped out.

"We believe in you, honey," her father said encouragingly.

"Thank you for doing this."

"You're the only one brave enough to go."

"Good luck, Petra."

"May the Goddesses watch over you."

Butterflies tickled Petra's stomach, feeling the weight on her shoulders get heavier from their hopeful stares.

"You should get going," her father urged. "You were meant to leave hours ago, but." He looked down guiltily. He had kept postponing, finding some excuse to hold her back for a little longer until Petra put her foot down.

"Yes, Father. I'll do my best," she promised the villagers.

Some of them showered her with blessings again while a few others handed her some food, a small knife, and an extra blanket. Packing it all away, she mounted her horse. "I'll be back by late afternoon tomorrow, hopefully."

Two hours later, the sun began to set and she wished she had insisted on leaving earlier. Mother, please hold on, she thought silently. Inside the thick forest, tall trees blocked out the light from the bright full moon. Dangerous enough in the daytime, climbing the slope was suicidal at night. So Petra found a place to make camp for the night, building a fire to keep warm and as protection against the wild animals.

Owls hooted and twigs snapped, causing her to get a little jumpy. It's all in your head. No animal capable of harming a human was ever noted in the area. She rested her head on her small pack and fell asleep. She needed the rest for the trek tomorrow. Failure was not an option, she told herself.

The very real plague destroying her village, now trying to claim her mother's life as well, was far scarier than any beast, real or imagined.

A beam of sunlight broke through the trees and woke her early in the morning. For a few seconds, she took in the silence, the peace, enjoying the beautiful morning. Breaking camp, she pulled out the poorly drawn map, created from vague recollections of those who had ventured into the forest far enough to see the house belonging to the only person capable of saving them.

Everyone knew about the witch who lived in the mountains. He came down to the village once or twice a month to buy cleaning supplies. Petra figured with his magic, he could clean his house easily and wondered why he didn't.

The villagers loved gossiping about the witch Levi. About his rude manner of talking and how intimidating he was. A child had once run into him, a rather naughty boy who everyone knew to be spoiled rotten, and the witch had said something to spook him so badly he hadn't misbehaved since. Petra herself had only glanced him once—hard to miss him when everyone parted to let him through and shot him a second look when he wasn't looking, too scared to stare openly.

Doesn't he get lonely? All alone here. There was no denying the beauty of the forest in the happy sun. But surely he had to be missing human company. He could only be by himself for so long before the melancholy set in.

It was another hour before she stumbled upon his house. Thick and sturdy, made of stones and logs, it was much larger than her own house. Petra combed her fingers through her hair anxiously, straightening out her skirt and adjusting her vest. You're not trying to impress him! There was no need to fix herself. But Petra knew having a pretty face and looking nice went a long way and right now, she was desperate for his help. Tying her horse to a tree, she stood before the door, taking a deep breath.

No sooner had she finished knocking, the door flew open, startling her. Annoyed gray eyes greeted her. "What?" Levi barked.

"Uh, may I come in? I—"

"No."

Petra's mouth fell open as he slammed the door shut in her face. She knocked again.

The door opened again. "What do you want?" Levi asked irritably.

"I'm here to ask for your help." She felt herself shrink under his intense stare. Reminded of the lives depending on her made her straighten her shoulders. "The village is suffering from a plague," she rushed out before he slammed the door on her a second time. "It has claimed a few lives already and it's only getting worse."

"What's that got to do with me?"

"Well, you're a witch. You were blessed by the Goddesses with magic. Can you help us, please? We have sick children and the elderly, too. We'll pay you however you want: money, food, clothes, tools, trinkets." With almost the entire village pitching in, she couldn't see why they wouldn't be able to meet his demands. Unless he was unreasonable and demanded a king's ransom.

Before Levi could reply, a whistling came from inside and he rushed back in, cursing under his breath. It gave Petra a clear view of his neat and clean home. She quickly stamped her boots and followed after him. Listening to him grumble about timing, she perked up and asked, "Are you making a potion?"

"Tea."

"Oh."

The witch poured himself a cup. With a wave of his hand, the clean dishes in the rack began flying to their proper places in the cupboards. Eyes wide, she watched in amazement before walking after him. He sat down, enjoying his tea while she stood and watched. How curious. The way he holds the teacup. She knew better than to comment on it.

"So?" Levi prompted after a sip. "Why should I help you?"

"Because it's the right thing to do," Petra answered immediately.

He made a face. "Curing an entire village of a disease? Sounds like a lot of work."

Petra switched tactics. "But if we're gone, you'll be lonely."

Levi scoffed, sitting with one arm on the back of the sofa. "I won't."

"Really? Your magic must be weak, then," Petra pretended to mumble to herself.

"Excuse me?" Levi looked very offended and she mentally smiled at how easily he fell for it. "I'll have you know I'm one of the strongest witches in this land!"

"Oh? Forgive me, I assumed you were saying no because you were trying to save face."

"I'm not. If I wanted to, I could cure the entire village," he boasted.

"Wow. So you're really not lonely?"

"I already told you, no."

"Are you sure?"

Levi frowned. "Why do you keep asking that?"

"If you're so powerful, and you're not lonely, why do you come down to the village and buy cleaning supplies? Surely your magic can do a better job than any man-made tools."

He gaped at her, at a loss for words. Petra felt triumphant at having stumped him. "I...that's..." Levi fumbled for an explanation, but couldn't get any words out.

"Yes?" Petra encouraged, smiling.

"It's uh, it's—it's more satisfying, doing things yourself sometimes," he said and nodded quickly. Although from the look on his face, she could tell he knew she wasn't buying it. "Sneaky one, aren't you?" Levi straightened in his seat. "Alright, then. I have a proposition for you. Since you think you're so clever, I'll give you a riddle and if you solve it, I'll consider your request."

"A riddle?"

"Take it or leave it."

While she loved puzzles, Petra wasn't so sure she could outsmart the witch—twice. But what other choice do I have? She sighed, agreeing. "I accept."

"Please, take a seat, make yourself comfortable." Levi gestured to the other end of his sofa, ever the gentleman now.

Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders, focusing on him, and nodded. "I'm ready."

"You have died and are in limbo. There are two doors before you. One door leads to heaven, one door leads to hell. Both doors have a guard. One guard always tells the truth, and one guard always lies. But you don't know who's the honest one and who's the liar. What is one question you can ask to find out which door leads to heaven?"

To his credit, Levi kept quiet, letting her think in peace.

One question. One question. What could she ask?

For a few minutes she turned it over in her head, her panic increasing. Calm yourself! He didn't set a time limit. Regardless, the longer she took to solve it the worse someone in the village became, coming one step closer to death's door.

"Can I get some paper and something to write with, please?"

Petra ignored his staring and wrote the riddle down and even drew it out to break it down and understand it more easily. Brows furrowed, she noted some potential ideas while Levi continued to stare unabashedly.

"Addressing the guards about their door or the other door doesn't work," she mumbled, frowning. "Oh!" Her eyes widened.

"Did you figure it out?" Levi questioned as she began writing furiously.

Instead of replying, Petra ignored him and wrote out what she was thinking. A wide grin broke across her face. I hope I'm right. Double checking her answer, she turned to Levi. "I think I've got it."

Levi leaned back. "Let's hear it, then."

"The question I would ask is: Which door will the other guard say leads to heaven?"

"Explain."

"Mr. Honest will point to the door that leads to hell because he knows Mr. Liar will lie to me. And Mr. Liar knows Mr. Honest will point to the one that leads to heaven, but because he's a liar he'll point to the door that leads to hell. So I don't need to know who's honest and who's not because both will point me in the same direction: the door that leads to hell. I just have to pick the other one."

"You got it right."

Petra felt a rush of pride and joy. I did it! She stood, eager to hurry back. "Well?" She prompted when he didn't move.

"Well, what?"

"Aren't you, I don't know," she gestured toward his kitchen, "going to get your ingredients and potions and such so we can leave?"

"No," Levi stated, continuing to sip his tea.

"But, why not?" Confusion colored her voice. "You promised you'd help if I solved the riddle."

"I said I'd consider it. And I have. I don't want to go."

Tears stung Petra's eyes as her hopes of saving her mother and the other villagers came crashing down. "You misled me."

"That's right," Levi replied smugly. "Thought you were so smart, weren't you? But you didn't catch that bit," he taunted.

Instead of crying her and running off like she wanted to, she swallowed her emotions. She set her face in determination and plopped down on the ground. If he wants me out of his house he'll have to drag me out! She refused to leave without giving it her all first. There was too much riding on her to give up. Her mother's life was depending on it.

"What in Sina's name are you doing?"

"I'm not moving unless you agree to help. I will sit here and never leave," she declared, on his floor, hands in her lap. "You'll have to throw—"

Levi shrugged. "I don't care."

Petra's determination faltered. "Huh?"

He stretched his legs out before him. "I like to put my feet up on the table, but then the table's too far away for my teacup. So this," he placed the empty teacup on her head, "works perfectly." Looking indignant, she opened her mouth but he talked over her. "If you move and that teacup falls and breaks, I'll turn you into a toad."

Petra's mouth fell open. With great care, she reached up and removed the teacup. "I'm still not moving." She knew he was simply acting casual about her presence as not to give her the satisfaction of knowing she was getting to him.

"Suit yourself. I'm sure you'll have to take a piss sooner or later."

Her face colored at his words. "Why won't you just help?" Petra begged. Her mother's sickly face appeared in her mind, bedridden, barely hanging on to life. This time, she couldn't help the few tears that slipped from her eyes. She wiped them quickly.

Surprisingly, instead of mocking her, he shifted in his spot, looking vaguely uncomfortable and losing the smirk. Levi huffed. "Fine. You're no fun. I'll help."

Petra beamed. She tampered her excitement and asked cautiously. "Really? You promise?"

"Relax. I'm not that petty. I already made up my mind to help the villagers when you solved the riddle. I just wanted to pull your leg first and make you sweat a little."

Petra stood, smiling widely, resisting the urge to grab his hands or hug him. "Thank you!"

"You're a persistent little nag. Let me grab some things first."

Once he packed some books and vials and other odd instruments, she asked. "Aren't you going to get your broom?"

"My broom?" Levi repeated in confusion. Then he rolled his eyes, reaching out to tug her hair as she giggled. "Hmph. Very funny, but witches can't fly."

Petra grinned as she watched the children run around in the street. People waved and greeted her, big smiles on their faces. Face red and feeling embarrassed, she blushed as they complimented her endlessly and hurried home. Levi had been the one to save the village. All she had done was drag his cranky ass down from the mountain.

Several villagers stopped her to ask her how they should repay the bossy witch currently resting in her house—for many nights, he had stayed up working on the cure. She gave out the same answer. "I don't know. He hasn't specifically asked for any sort of payment yet." When she returned home her parents were having tea with their magical guest. "You're up." There were still bags under his eyes.

Her father approached her. "Here, let me take that, honey."

Petra handed her father the basket full of fruits and meats and vegetables. "How are you feeling, Mother?"

"Much better, dear," she replied, voice clear and strong. "All thanks to Levi here."

Rather than boast about how amazing he was or complain about all the work he had to do, Levi simply inclined his head. Petra took a seat at the table across from him. "Levi, the villagers were wondering about what you want in return for your services. Everyone's going to chip in so if there's anything you want, money or clothes or furniture or—"

"I don't want any of that," Levi cut in.

Petra poured herself a cup of tea. "What do you want, then?"

"You."

The teacup froze halfway to her frozen mouth.

"Done." Her father appeared from the kitchen, smiling.

"Father!"

"Do take good care of our daughter."

"Mother!"

"Of course," Levi said.

"I'd like to get some fresh air." Her mother ignored her and addressed her father. "I've been cooped up in the house sick for too long."

Mouth open, Petra watched them leave.

"So, just us now."

It was with great difficulty she turned back to face the smirking witch.

"I'm not a fan of big weddings myself, but the villagers do owe us a lot so if you want—"

"Are you pulling my leg again?" Petra interrupted, heart racing for all sorts of reasons.

"No." Levi folded his arms. "I am simply taking my payment for all my hard work. I saved countless lives. It's only fair I get something equally amazing in return. And your parents are okay with it."

It quickly came together in her head. Had Levi hinted at his interest to her parents? Was that why they had sent her out of the house so they could properly question (interrogate) him?

"You really hate the idea of marrying me that much that you won't even say a word?"

Petra's head snapped, his neural expression betraying none of the disappointment that had colored his tone. "No!" She shook her head. "That's not it. I was just lost in my thoughts." When his body relaxed, shoulders drooping and fingers no longer squeezing his biceps, she realized he had been tense as he waited for her reaction.

"You will marry me, then?"

"I do owe you a lot," Petra said, fighting and failing to keep her face from going tomato red.

Levi's stupid, smug expression didn't help one bit. "Just so you know, I want three kids. At least one boy and girl."

This time she didn't bother fighting her reaction at his words, blushing brightly.

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