Chapter 8 – Mikasa (Arc 3)

As Mikasa sat there alone, she let her thoughts wander slightly as her thumb flit across the still pristine surface of the sheathing of her blade. It should have been worn down by the amount that Mikasa ends up running the tip of her thumb over it, but her constant care and maintenance of the gear had kept it from ever deteriorating like that.

It was in that moment she realised, she knew the intricate pattern on there off by heart, each ridge and dip, each turn and twist but she had absolutely no idea what it means. Granted, she could still speak some of the language her mother and father used, she was dulled form lack of practice of her mother country's tongue.

Then it hit her.

She had been forged in one of the hottest, cruellest flames imaginable, from that, she gained the clarity that next to no others ever truly achieved. Her training had tempered her body and mind into the perfect warrior. And yet, whilst she ensured to honour her parent's memory at every opportunity she could both through her training and remembrance, she realised that she had not sharpened herself; Realising that the only way she could truly do this by knowing of the metal from which she was wrought. She knew nothing of her heritage. Standing up, her sword in hand, she began to walk purposefully to the Drillmaster's office, requesting an extended leave.

When asked why, she explained that she wished to travel to her mother nation and search for a dragon there. Whilst naturally, this would not be permitted, this was Mikasa Ackerman, the finest cadet Drillmaster Shadis had ever seen, an exception was in order he supposed, as he gave his signet seal of approval.

Packing her travelling sack, she remembered to only bring essentials. Food. Water Bottle. Spare tunic. Scarf. Sketch of Armin and Eren. And her trusted blade. Whilst she did not bring much, she had enough gold and silver to buy supplies when needed as once she sold her family home, it turns out that it was rather expensive and as such Mikasa had a reasonable cushion of silver that she rarely ever falls aback on, using it purely for the survival of herself and her friends.

As she began to start walking to the docks of Berk to catch one of the few merchant ships heading for eastern country, she allowed herself a brief glimpse back, expecting only to see the building in which she had tempered herself into the woman she now was. But as well as that, when she turned around she saw others in the courtyard, some of them even waving her off; like Connie and Sasha who just happened to be arguing over what foods to bring, and Krista who didn't seem to have anything against anyone in the 104th, liking all equally (Except Ymir, but she already knew why and thought they were adorable together.)

She realised that her feet had come to a slow halt as she looked at the place she had called home the last 2 years, eventually feeling a nostalgic smile and a reminiscing thought in her head that she'll be back soon enough. And so, she walked on.

The ship ride over the ocean was long. It was hard. It was gruelling. It was brutal. It was boring. Well. For everyone except Mikasa Ackerman.

For her, this was a trip that was full of a whole array of thoughts and emotions. No matter how much she may not seem it she was a somewhat emotional person. She felt the hope and joy that drove her to explore her homeland all the way to the anxiety she felt over Eren and Armin, on their explorations.

But, as ever, she was able to stay in balance, the rocking of the ship's hull reminding her of the suspension brought by Dragon Fire Gear. Gods, she couldn't wait to use it. She knew that it wasn't allowed over there in the cities, but truth be told, she preferred to do it in the forest, it let her feel free.

After days on end of the brutal ocean attacking their vessel, they finally docked at the coast of the distant country that her parents had once called home. As she stepped out of the dank, musty cabin that she had, she was greeted by a smell of freshness and warmth that she had not felt in the cold, more clear air of Berk. She couldn't pronounce the exact name of this place, but she supposed it did not matter. She could still understand what was being said around her, and she could communicate if even somewhat fragmentally. And so she began to walk on. And on. And on.

She did not quite know when she had reached the top of the mountain, she only realised the moment that her feet came to the edge of the summit and her eyes snapped back into awareness, seeing the vast pink and orange land below her, lit by a rising su-

Wait. Rising?

Had she…?

She began laughing to herself, not the small giggles or grins that she had known throughout her life, but one that felt like it had been pinned down for years, trapped, buried deep. But now, it flew out as Mikasa felt her now finely tuned muscles built for war now working overtime to keep her breathing as she let herself sink to lie down on the floor in pure joy. Yeah. This is what she'd been missing.

As she sat up and watched the sun rise, she allowed her thoughts to wander, how is Eren doing? Probably wrestling with some Monstrous Nightmare in all honesty. Feeling her mouth's corner pull she realised the image was just so accurate. And little Armin? He's probably cataloguing every animal, bug and plant he sees and will eventually find a dragon and it'll just melt and let him be its rider. Her eyes widened as her thoughts snapped back; She needs to find a dragon!

Her now widened eyes begin searching the horizon for a puff of fire, a trail of smoke, a flap of wings, anything. But. Nothing. She had come here without asking Armin what to be looking for, causing her to slap herself on the forehead as her shoulders sunk down in frustration. But as she was looking down, she saw a glint of sliver on the face of the cliff.

Wait… Was that?... As she moved to finish the thought, it flung up towards her like a loaded spring, the only thing saving her being her Dragon Fire Gear and her training. Recuperating from her emergency roll, she looked up to see if it was friendly or a threat and the answer she found was…. Maybe both?

Before her, it's wings beating slowly but surely, each with a stroke of intent, the morning sun gleaming off of it like the armour of the warriors of Berk was a dragon. A Razorwhip.