A light breeze swept over him as Eren placed the last round for the cannon he was assigned to at the very top of the stack. Wiping the sweet from his forehead as he looked over the wall. Countless Titans as far as the eye could see; many lined up at the wall scratching at it, trying to get the humans. Eren sighed as he thought about the book more and more. 'It's only a petty love story.' He thought as Armin approached him.
"Well," Armin started, "We've set up our defenses. We are ready for anything."
Eren watched in silence as the Titans clawed at the wall. "Armin...?"
"Yeah?"
Eren looked off into the distance, past the walls, past the Titans, and saw grassy fields and trees seeming to dance happily in the distance. "Do you believe in life after death?"
Armin was caught completely off guard to Eren's question. Unable to answer, he scooted Eren away from the edge and scratched the back of his head. "Well, Eren, I don't know. I mean, in a way yes; if there is someone left to remember you, you will never die. But I don't know if a dead carcass could walk along side the living if that's what you are thinking." Eren pointed to the Titans, now changing his gaze to Armin. "Then what are those? Blow their head off and they are supposed to be dead, but they are not." Eren lowered his arm to his side as he looked at the other cadets. "Isn't it true, that we are all destined to die, one way or another? The longer we are alive, the quicker death will arrive?"
Armin was surprised. Why was Eren acting like this? Eren had been strong until now, but why was it now of all times? 'It must be something about the book.' Armin concluded. "Eren, do you want to look through that book? I think you read something in there that-" Eren gripped Armin's arm tightly as he fought the urge to it him. "What, do you think I'm crazy or something?!" His voice echoed loudly as the other cadets turned to see the commotion. Eren finally took otice of what he was doing and let Armin's arm go. "I'm sorry." He mumbled. Armin rubbed his arm as he stared at Eren, horrified by what had just happened. Mikasa stepped up behind Eren, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Let's go get the book."
It took them a while before they arrived at the sleeping quarters where the book had been left under Armin's bed only hours ago. Stepping in, Armin hurried to his bed and looked under it for the book. "Hey guys, I think something is wrong." They hurried over next to him, but noticed the only thing in Armin's hand, was dust. "I could have sworn I put it back here before we went to the wall!"
"Or maybe I have it right here." A raspy elder's voice came from behind them. Turning slowly, they saw a hunchbacked figure with a unlighted lantern in one hand, the book in the other. Unable to she it's face, Eren stood slowly, recalling the same figure from the night before. "Wh, what are you?" Eren's voice was almost shrill as his body seemed to shake out of fear. The figure placed the lantern on the bed in front of Eren, Armin, and Mikasa. Slowly opening the book to a page far past where they were. It began to read, slowly;
"Though death did the hero apart from his lover, Maximus's soul and skeleton can be found in the mountain of Titan. Legend has it that a boy will return to his resting place, and find hope whereas if the Titans return."
Eren watched as the figure closed the book and sat in next to the lantern. "But, how will I find his resting place? I don't even know where Rome is!" Eren blurted out, catching himself and taking a step back. From the darkness of te cloak, Eren could see a smile forming. "You silly boy," it laughed darkly as it pointed to the ground, "you sleep over his resting place."
Eren realized at that moment, that they did stay on top of a flattened mountain top. An old mine shaft was left over from before the Titans appeared. The three of them looked to the floorboards, then returned their gaze to an empty space where the figure once stood. Though the lantern and the book still remained on the bed, they looked around in shock, as the figure had disappeared into thin air. Armin and Mikasa stood slowly behind Eren as he kept a dead, horrified look on his face. Armin slowly stumbled to the door, which had been closed the entire time. Mikasa stood next to Eren, looking into his eyes. Eren began to calm down, but his heart was still racing. Mikasa thought for a moment if he was the one the figure spoke of. She sat down on Armin's bed and gripped Eren's arm softly. Turning back to her, he had a confused look on his face. "You should sit down for a moment."
Sitting down, he looked at Mikasa awkwardly as she scooted closer to him. She began to blush as she began to swing her legs above the floor. "Eren," she began mumbled shyly, "you... you have been a big part of my life for a few years now and..." She stopped, her gaze off to the side. Eren began to blush as he thought of what she was going to say. 'What does she want to tell me?' He thought, nearly aloud. Thinking of what she would say, he placed his arm around her shoulder, causing her to look at him, her cheeks seemed to glow red as he pulled her closer. He smiled at her; she smiled back. "Eren..."
"Oh, do you two want some alone time?"
Armin had walked back in the room after investigating the outside for the figure. Jumping to their feet, Eren and Mikasa awkwardly moved closer to Armin. "Oh no, it's fine." Eren sputtered out. Armin shook it off as he grabbed the lantern and book. "Well then, lets go see this spirit then!" Eren and Mikasa kept eye contact as Armin walked past them. Eren noticed her eyes seem to sparkle as she smiled.
They slowly made their way down the mountain path until they found the mine's entrance. Armin had lighten the lantern and handed it to Eren; "You are the one to awaken it. You should go first." Eren slowly entered the mine, followed by Mikasa, Armin following her. The further in, it seemed, the more the echoes from water dripping from the ceiling and the darker it would get. Holding the lantern up high, Eren noticed bodies laying around them against the walls of the shaft. The old style of armor proved that they had died long, long ago. They seemed to have been looking for something, but what? Finally, they stumbled upon a stone that had been tossed to the side, and an open entrance to a huge room. Walking slowly to what looked like a stand for a candle, Eren placed the lantern on it. Suddenly, torches caught alight all around the room, lighting the huge tomb. And upon a huge seat-looking piece of stone, was a huge skeleton with large and ancient armor upon it.
A haunting disembodied voice echoed throughout the tomb; "Who dare disturb my rest?"