Three years ago...
"Do we really have to do this every time a new ship comes along?"
Hange looks to Levi with a cheeky smile. "Don't be such a bore, Levi! Don't tell me you don't find this amusing."
"I don't think the Captain has a sense of humor." I look over to our guest of honor. "But I doubt he does either. I mean, I know I wouldn't want to be used as a leverage in a negotiation."
SPLASH!
Right on time, Eren, now in his Titan, Raises the Marleyan ship off of the coast and brings it towards shore. I grab our leverage and bring my sword to his back as I follow my commander to the edge of the cliff. Eren drops the ship, and Hange begins to obnoxiously wave to those on board. "Hello, friends from Marley! Welcome to Paradis Island! I'm Hange, here to greet our guests who've come so far across the sea! Now, step this way and join us for some tea!" Hange gestures over to me and our already acquainted guest. "By the way, we're already friends with this guest that arrived before you!" Hange hugs our captive, like always, having no concern for personal space. "Isn't that right, Nicolo?!"
I press my sword into his back, making him speak up. "Captain! Forget about me and shoot these devils!"
"What are you saying, Nicolo?!"
"Captain!"
I sigh. "I think he's sick of our skit, Hange."
"Understand this, you devils!" The captain of the Marleyan ship raises his rifle toward us. "Marley doesn't mingle with filthy blood! Go drink your pig piss with your filthy friends!"
"Aww! Hey! You sure you wanna be rude to us?! Can't you see the Titan behind you?!" Each soldier looks back to Eren, now towering over the boat as his Titan's eyes glow green. I guarantee that most of them are pissing themselves right now.
"We'll never yield to you devils! Say hello to this!"
BANG!
While I was close to throwing Hange out of the way from the Captain's bullet, he...was shot by one of his own soldiers. A woman...a very tall woman If I'm seeing things right. I can barely hear what they're saying, but I try to make out everything I can hear.
"Hands up, Yelena!"
The woman points her guns against one of the soldiers...and others do the same. "Drop your weapons." What is going on? The woman named Yelena looks back over to us, taking off her helmet, and revealing her short, blonde hair. "Hange, I'd be happy to accept your invitation. Let's have tea."
I'm completely bewildered by this turn of events, they actually turned against their own people. Why? But what confuses me the most... That blonde woman is looking straight up at Eren. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was looking up to him as some entity...like some...God.
"That huge lady of theirs shot and killed her comrade. Wonder what her goal is."
"Who knows?" Jean answers Connie. "Whether friend or foe, she's not to be trusted."
"But their willingness to share information is unbelievably lucky for us," Armin adds.
"Yeah, we've been really lucky." We all look to Eren. "We stopped their landing by pure chance. If Marley comes in force, we'll be screwed."
"Bring it on," I say. "I've been itching for a proper fight. I'm gonna go check in on Hange and the Captain, see what our new guests have to say." Before I leave them, I notice Sasha nearly falling asleep in her sitting position. "Hey, wake up."
She squirms and whines at me. "No...meanie."
Deciding not to waste more time, and to let her have her moment of peace for now, I ruffle her hair and leave, heading for my Commander's tent. Inside, I find Hange looking down the barrel of the same weapon the blonde woman used to kill her comrade. "Hange!"
"Don't worry, Elijah! It's unloaded! Look! Look! Look!" Hange grabs a small compartment of what I assume is the ammunition for the smaller gun. "Ah, I see! That's how it shoots a bunch!" The Commander, enthusiastic as ever. While the captain and her section commander are unamused. Though I must admit, that weapon is actually fascinating.
"That's standard issue in Marley." The blonde woman says before sipping her tea. "And who is this?" She looks to me.
"Ah, yes. This is Section Commander, Elijah Everett."
I nod. "Ma'am."
"He's also the brat who made your tea," Levi adds.
She nods back to me. "Thank you. I'm Yelena. This is Onyankopon." Yelena gestures to the dark-skinned man sitting to her left. I nod to him and he returns my gesture. I've never seen someone with such dark skin before. I wonder how many other people of different skins there are. I wonder...what a woman of his color would look like...probably really beautiful. No, Focus, Elijah. Pay attention.
"The Marley Army has 20,000 soldiers per division." Yelena continues. "With fifty divisions, that's one million soldiers. There's also the navy with three fleets, each comprised of twenty-one battleships. They've made tremendous progress in new weapons and aerial warfare as well."
"A-Aerial...?" Hange questions as Levi clicks his tongue, kicking the commander under the table
"Don't freak out or they'll think we're weak." He whispers.
"I know!" Hange whispers back, I can barely hold back my laughter.
"In other words," Onyankopon continues. "vehicles allowing one to attack the enemy from the sky."
"Huh?! From the sky?!" Hange stands in excitement.
"Hey!"
While that is fascinating to hear... "If Marley really has those capabilities, why haven't they attacked us in over a year?" I ask.
"There are two main reasons." Yelena answers. "One being the Pure Titans released here. Even with the latest weapons, they would hinder a land assault. They were used as a tool to confine Eldians within the walls, but in turn, they've protected Eldia from invasion."
"Yeah. Well, ain't that funny?"
"I'm not laughing, Captain," I add.
"Though dawn is coming soon, and that's when Titans are active. But if we're way out here, sipping on tea outside the walls, you must have killed all the Titans roaming around. Is that true?"
"And what if it is? You gonna report it to Marley?"
"...No, it blows away my expectations." The blonde has a sense of...admiration in her voice.
"And the second reason?" Hange asks.
"Currently, Marley is at war with multiple nations. They can't be bothered with Paradis."
I scoff. "So, what? Marley's just gonna find some new people to terrorize?"
She shakes her head. "Think about this... You defeated the Warrior unit, the pride of Marley, and captured two of their main weapons, the Colossal and Female Titans. Marley's many enemies took notice and were quick to unite and declare war."
"If you guys are secret agents who infiltrated Marley, I'm guessing you name from conquered nations?" Both the blonde woman and dark-skinned man don't answer Hange. "Oh, I'm right?" If you're going against Marley, I bet you've got big backers!"
Yelena sets her teacup on the table. "We're not secret agents or anything of the sort. We were powerless. Marley took our homes and forced us to be soldiers. We were close to losing hope at ever striking back. Until we met him. A Titan that people of the world feared, calling it a devil. But I saw something completely different... A god. One that gave hope to the powerless." Yelena's face... It reminds me of how Historia told me how her father described the power of the Founding Titan... People like him see the Founding and the Nine as some sort of miracle from God... How wrong they are. But what she says next...only adds to my frustration. "Under Zeke Jaeger's command, we shot our superiors. We're the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers. Our goal: To free the Eldian people."
Once again, I sit in the center column with Hange and Levi like I did over a year ago when we were revealing the truth of our world to the government. "That concludes Zeke Jaeger's requests. For the sake of all Eldians whose existence is threatened-"
"Absurd! I don't even want to hear it!"
"He's the Beast Titan! He turned the people of Ragako into Titans and incited a picnic! This is the same person who nearly annihilated the Scouts!"
I don't like Zeke's proposal as much as the loud-mouthed politicians, but as far as options go, we can't always rely on Eren fishing out new Marleyan ships and just hope a new weapon will be on board. Marley is bound to finally realize how many boats have gone missing and since they can attack from the sky like Yelena told us, they could wipe us out if they weren't occupied with another war.
"His one and only goal is to retake the Founding Titan," Zachary states. "Since he can't do it by force, he'll attempt it diplomatically."
"He should know we'll expect that," Pyxis adds. "Let's hear what else he has to say." He looks to Hange, letting her continue.
"According to Zeke, he has a secret plan to solve the Eldian issue. To carry it out, it requires the Founding Titan and a Titan with royal blood. With both, the world can be saved. However, he will only reveal the plan when his conditions are met."
While the other officers bicker and squabble, I think to myself. He wants to help us after nearly wiping all of us out? I've heard better bullshit from Connie. And the fact he needs a Titan of royal blood... I swear if he even thinks of touching Historia...
"He's telling the truth," I hear Eren say from behind. "I remember... The one time I was able to use the Founding Titan's power was when I touched a Titan with royal blood. That Titan had to be my father's other wife, Dina Fritz." My jaw nearly dropped from how he just casually revealed such information in front of everyone. I already connected the dots that specific Titan was Dina, but Eren kept his mouth shut about it. "Zeke, Dina's son, must have figured out a way to elude the vow renouncing war. The one single hope remaining for us Eldians: To wake the millions of Titans sleeping in the walls and activate the rumbling."
"You..." Captain Levi turns back and looks to Eren. "Why did you keep quiet about this for so long?"
"I was concerned for Historia's safety. I couldn't let her get turned into a Titan based on some hunch of mine."
"Not like I would've just let you do it anyway," I add.
"It was careless of me."
"We'll talk about it later."
"But if that's really true, Zeke's secret plan holds up," Hange states.
"Are you nuts?!" Nile Dok shouts. "You trust them?!"
"Yeah! We can't have all those soldiers on the island!"
"You oughta hang 'em all!"
"No." I firmly say. I may be speaking out of place, but it's time I step up. "To protect our home from Marley's scout ships, we need the volunteers."
One year later...
"It was kind of fun. We kept taking Marleyan scout boats and their soldiers aboard along with whatever goodies they had. Us 'Eldians,' I still hate that word, are truly feared and hated by the rest of the world...especially Marley. By people across the sea whose faces we don't know. I just hope that everyone across the sea is not our enemy... During our time working with the Anit-Marleyan Volunteers, we found out the world itself was complex and full of unknowns."
"By the way, why do you have dark skin, Onyankopon?"
He chuckles at Sasha's question, bringing his index finger and thumb to his chin. "Because our creator thought, 'It's more interesting with a mix of people.' You Subjects of Ymir are the same. We exist because we were wanted."
"Who created all of us?" Armin asks.
"The one who gave the Founder Ymir power. God. That's what some people believe. Aren't we free to think what we want?"
"I'll admit, I was curious myself about Ontankopon, although I would've asked him in a different way than Sasha did. I'm sure she was just as curious as I was. I bet you all would've liked him. I can't help but wonder what a woman with his skin color would look like, I imagine they would look beautiful. Have any of you guys met someone like that up there? I bet they're wonderful people just like you."
"What the hell is this food?" Connie questions.
Jean looks at the food with bewilderment. "Is it even edible?"
"Smells fishy," Mikasa adds.
I squint my eyes."What even is that thing? Some kind of red, water spider?"
"You've never had seafood before?" Yelena asks us. "Nicolo's a master of Marleyan cooking."
"Jerks. If you don't like it, don't eat." The 'cook' has his back turned to us, but I hear his snarky remark.I ignore him as I bring-
"MMMMMMM!" I look to my right, seeing Sasha practically inhaling the red creatures as if they were smoked slices of meat. "So good!"
"Hey!"
"No fair, Sasha!"
"Slow down before you choke on that...uh...thing!"
"Niclolo! You're a food genius!" Sasha cries her heart out in pure, innocent joy.
"S-Stop eating like a pig!
"I've never had anything like this!"
"There's plenty," Our cook turns away. "so take your time."
"..." I do my best to ignore the fact this Marleyan prick called Sasha a pig and watch as the others chow down on their 'seafood', even Armin and Mikasa are inhaling it. It can't be that good, can it? I decide to indulge and take a bite, surely it's... "God dammit..."
"Nicolo's cooking is unlike any others I've ever had. That 'lobster' was so damn good that we had to hold Sasha back from eating the entire tables worth of food. But if I'm honest with you guys...and mostly myself, It kinda hurt when Sasha got like that about Nicolo's food. I know I haven't cooked much for her, but I know I made her my best and most favorite tea. Not even that got a reaction as big as when she had his food. I also wish he didn't make goo-goo eyes at her whenever he glanced over at us."
"The port will be finished soon! Thanks to Marleyan engineers, building it's been quick."
"They've sure been cooperative."
"It was bad at first because neither of us trusted each other. But given enough time, if we set aside our labels and see each other as people, we can understand each other."
"Armin. Have you seen Bertholdt's memories?"
"Huh? Yeah, but there's nothing that seems helpful."
"Have you even seen what he had to go through to be the Colossal?" I ask.
The boy shakes his head. "There's not much time," Eren continues. "Zeke has less than three years left."
"Yeah, about that... Do you really want to go along with Yelena's plan?"
"What's the problem?"
"Is using the Rumbling to threaten the world the only way to protect Eldians? Then we will be the devils that terrorize the world. Before it comes to that, can't we talk? If we can fix Marley and the world's misconception..."
"Misconception?" Eren questions. "What misconception?"
"You know, like how we're scary."
"The world sees us as monsters who can turn into Titans. They're not wrong."
"There are Marleyans who like us, too."
"How many? Most of the Marleyans are sitting in prison cells."
"But given enough time..."
"Mikasa..." I look to both her and Armin. "Even if some Marleyans like us, there are still those in control who will ever only see us as the monsters. Even some parts of the world hate Marleyans. Do you really think they'll leave us alone if we don't do anything?"
"...But-"
"I don't want innocent people to die just as much as you guys, but they didn't seem to think like that when they sent their Warriors to destroy our home."
"...We just need time." Armin states.
"That's right. And to buy us that time, we've gotta keep them at bay."
"The innocent shouldn't have to die just because of our war with Marley. Even though I don't want the Rumbling to happen, I still want Marley to suffer just as much as we have. The world shouldn't atone for our ancestor's sins. Erwin. What would you do if you were here?"
It's been one year since we first met Yelena and the volunteers and the port has finally been completed, and were welcomed by our first outside visitor. Yelena claimed them as 'Paradis Island's sole friendly nation', Hizuru. The more important guest that arrived was the Special Envoy, Kiyomi Azumabito. Now it's time to hear what she has to say.
"Do you recognize this family crest?"
Miss Azumabito shows Mikasa a piece of cloth with a symbol of a circle with a triangle made of three swords. Mikasa gasps at the sight, gripping her right wrist. "That's..."
"Show it, Mikasa," Eren whispers.
"But my mom said to keep it secret."
"You showed it to me when we were little. It's a secret meant for today. Go on."
Mikasa rolls her sleeve, revealing a white bandage wrapped around her wrist. When she takes it off...the same family crest is tattooed into her skin. This reveal not only shocks the others and myself, it also shocks our new arrivals. Especially Miss Azumabito. "Before she died, this symbol was passed down to me from my mother. She said I should pass it on to my child."
Kiyomi holds Mikasa's shoulders. "What an admirable deed! Over a century ago, the shogun we Azumabitos descended from had a son. He was on friendly terms with King Fritz and often came to Paradis. After the Great Titan War, Hizuru was defeated and in disarray. In the confusion, a child of the shogunate was left behind on the island." She looks back into Mikasa's eyes with a sense of desperation. "You're the lost descendant of our nation's ruler! You're the hope of Hizuru!"
"The Idea of Mikasa being some nation's lost descendant was baffling to me. I can't imagine her being some high and pompous princess prowling around in some over-the-top dress. But we finally had some sort of leverage with Hizuru. The sea has joined us to the world, but we're still just a child learning to walk. Historia seemed a little too happy about the entire thing. Mostly about not being the only one having a heavy burden to bear. Eren having inherited the Founder and Mikasa had to keep her family a secret for so long thrilled the girl. But if she's to be a better queen, she needs to stop relying on other people for what to do."
"It's a historic day for both our nations. Today is only possible thanks to the one who brought us together, Zeke Jaeger. After meeting in secret, we agreed to an arrangement under the condition we were able to meet Lady Mikasa."
'Lady Mikasa'? Now that just sounds wrong to me. Kiyomi further explained during her meeting with Zeke, he brought a stolen piece of ODM gear. It was apparently 'top-secret' in Marley but Miss Azumabito recognized it right away. Zeke presented it and considered it a 'gift' to her. Long story short, he further explained how it only works thanks to the Iceburst Stone that only can be found on Paradis.
"Zeke Jaeger said if we cooperate with him, our nation may just helm an industry that restores it to its former glory. And yet, he hasn't even prospected your reserves. But a resource like that in this age of modernization would be with its weight in jewels and treasure."
I feel a chill down my spine as I see the woman lick her lips with greed. So Mikasa is only a pretext to you people? Yelena did tell us that these talks would go well since the Azumabitos are money grubbers. After all, to some parts of the world, it's not worth the risk coming here unless money is involved. If my parents taught me anything, it's that greed only brings ruin and despair.
"And?" Historia goes on. "What exactly is the arrangement you have with Zeke Jaeger?"
"As you know, Zeke Jaeger has a secret plan in mind. To achieve it, Hizuru's cooperation is needed." Kiyomi passes a slip of paper for each of us at the table. "Here are his three points to protect Paradis with the Rumbling. The first is a test of the Rumbling, to release a sample of its power and show the world its devastation."
Okay, that's already bad. I don't think the Rumbling was meant for a 'simple test'. Unless it's pointed towards Marley, this demand is ridiculous.
"Next is Hizuru's cooperation. Your military must be strengthened until use of the rumbling isn't necessary."
Alright, that's not so bad. From what Yelena and Onyankopon have told us about the advancements humanity has made on the other side of the sea, the world could easily crush us if the Rumbling wasn't keeping us 'safe'. We're one hundred years behind technological advancement.
"Lastly, the Founding Titan and a Titan with royal blood must be passed down. That's the third point. Zeke will pass on the Beast Titan with someone of royal blood. Until their thirteen-year term ends, they must bear as many kids as possible."
"..." I do my best to hold my tongue as I crush the paper in my hand. What kind of demand is this?! After everything we've been through and they want us to breed like cows?! And what about our future descendants? We have to push our problem to them just to save ourselves now? Fuck that!
"Very well. I will inherit the Beast Titan. As long as the Rumbling is tied to our sur-"
"Historia!" I stand, slamming my hands flat on the table. "After everything...you're just gonna let someone else tell you what to do?! They've kept us in a cage and now they want us to breed like livestock! Decide for yourself for once!" I turn my gaze to Kiyomi. "If that's the price of living, then Zeke Jager can shove his damn plan right up his hairy ass!"
"Elijah..." Hange orders me, but I ignore her.
"It's too dangerous to gamble everything on the Rumbling. What we need to do is spend our time exploring what other options we have."
"You know, If I wasn't the one that spoke up that day, I bet you anything that Eren would've. Even if we have to resolve to that, I wouldn't let Zeke come even one mile of Historia. If he ever touches her, so help me God... She is not some worthless cow. But despite two terrible points, he did bring up a good one. We must strengthen our Military if we are ever to stand a chance against Marley...or worse, the world. Thanks to proper training, I'm already a good shot with those smaller guns Yelena calls 'pistols'. Most of the Scouts have been properly trained with the new weapons, and Hange is already concocting a way to utilize them with the ODM gear. Sasha was already a crack shot with a musket, so picking up her new rifle was a sweet breeze for her. I bet you would've been a good shot with our new weapons, Thomas. You always did like it when we trained with muskets."
"I wanted to punch Eren in the face today. He wanted us to help develop the new 'railroad system' were installing on the island. 'We can develop the island and our muscles at the same time,' my ass. There's nothing we could do but wait for Hizuru's answer anyway. And hope they can be our mediator to the world. But I think I ruined the progress of that when I couldn't hold my tongue. I guess old habits die hard. You always hated that habit, Mina. We're grasping at straws trying to avoid the Rumbling and to save Historia. That hope was crushed today, too. Hange came to us delivering Hizuru's reply. It baffled me that only Hange arrived without Levi, she only told me that he had some 'personal matter' to attend to, but I don't know if I buy that, but I chose not to worry about it too one thing has concerned me for the past few months... Petra has been absent for a long time. I hope she's all right if something has happened. As for the Azumabito, It looks like we can't turn to them. They want to monopolize Paradis Island's resources and they won't help us trade with others. The world wants Paradis Island to be the root of all evil. Apparently, it 'helps unite all nations and brings stability to the world'. Well, I guess we were like that, too. We revealed the truth of the world to our people and they all united against them. So now...we have no choice but to rely on the Rumbling and to sacrifice Historia. But I won't be giving her to them without a fight. The world doesn't even want to give us a chance at peace. Simply because they're afraid of what they don't know about us. They won't trust the faces of people they've never seen. So...what if we met them? At least, that's what Hange asked us. It's what we Scouts do, after all. If we don't understand something, we go figure it out ourselves. Right, Thomas, Mina?"
"Hey, Elijah."
I look up from my journal, seeing everyone looking to me as we ride in the railroad cart being pulled by the 'train'. I see that everyone wants me to pay attention to the conversation at hand, so I put my journal in the pocket of my father's Scout jacket. "What's up?"
Jean nods, continuing where he left off. "So, we'll be making a base in Marley and infiltrate it, huh?"
"Hange sure has a plan for everything. I'll be able to chow down on real Marleyan cuisine!" Sasha points out.
"Didn't you already get enough from Nicolo?" I say under my breath that thankfully no one heard. But based on that side-eyeing smirk Jean is giving me, I'm definitely getting an earful when we get back to Trost.
"Yeah? What should I bring? It would stink to get the runs." Connie asks.
Sasha starts counting with her fingers. "Stomach medicine, toothbrush, a taste of home..."
"Did you even hear Hange's plan?"
"If the word' knows that we want peace, maybe something will change." Armin states.
A part of me wants to believe him, but from all that Marley has done to us and how they basically do what our ancestors have done to control the world with the Nine Titans, we deserve some justice.
"If only we had more time. I've got just over five years left." Eren tells us. "We're gonna have to decide who inherits my Titan soon."
"..."
"I will." Mikasa doesn't hesitate.
"Not you. We still don't know what the Ackermanns are. And won't it hurt any plans with Hizuru if you become a Titan? No, for so many reasons."
"Then who will?" She asks.
"Me. First of all, I'm way smarter than Eren. Instead of a suicidal maniac, you'll have a gifted leader who shows good judgment in all situations. In other words, me. I hate getting an Eren hand-me-down, but who better than me?"
I scoff. "That's exactly why it shouldn't be you, Jean."
"Huh?!"
"Someone like that shouldn't be lost in thirteen years."
"He's right, Jean," Connie adds. "You should aim to be a regiment leader. I'll inherit Eren's Titan. It works out well, right, Eren?"
"Connie..."
"That's not good at all," Sasha claims. "You're an idiot."
"Eh?"
"Don't 'eh' me. We can't leave such an important role up to an idiot."
"Eh?"
Sasha sighs and scratches the back of her head. "Doggone it... I'll inherit it. I've got combat experience... I'm someone you can trust... By process of elimination, it's gotta be me."
"You guys..."
"I don't wanna. I sure don't wanna though."
"And you won't," Everyone looks to me. "That's out of the question."
"Huh?"
I sigh. "None of you deserve to be burdened with such a responsibility...so it has to be me."
"Elijah!"
I continue, ignoring everyone's look of shock. "I don't want any of you to die. I want you all to grow old together, live your lives in peace, have families, get drunk together, and just...live. So..." I look back up to them, fighting my tears. "If it means trading my life for all of yours... So be it. Besides...none of you have to atone for your sins..."
"Elijah..."
"I let my enemy escape...even after sparing their life... I killed a woman in cold blood simply because I thought she killed Hange... I couldn't save so many of my comrades... I...got Mina killed." A lone tear falls, breaking my voice. "My parents...died...saving me..." They all fall silent, only adding to my guilt. "It has to be-"
SMACK!
"...Sasha." My left cheek stings...damn, I forgot how strong she is sometimes. Everyone else looks at her in the same amount of shock as me.
"...Dummy. If you really think I'm going to let you do such a thing you got another thing comin' mister! You don't have to do that just because of some mistakes you've made!"
"...But-"
"'But' nothing!"
"She's right, Elijah," Armin adds. "We need someone like you for the future of humanity. I've seen your heart over all these years, it's one that strives for what's right, even if it has to make the hardest decisions. That's what Erwin saw, right?"
"Huh?"
"Don't you remember? Before he died he said, 'I entrust humanity...to you.'"
"...But I can't be like him."
"You don't have to be."
"Huh?" I look up to the girl who just slapped me, she smiles.
"He trusted you because of who you are, and we all trust you just the same."
I look around, seeing each and every one of them nodding and smiling at me. I knew they believed in me...but not to this extent. "You guys..."
"I don't want any of you to inherit it, anyway."
"Why not?" Jean asks.
"Because you all are important to me. More than anyone else. So, I want you to have long lives."
Everyone, including myself, falls silent after Eren's words. For the first time in a while, I'm at a loss for words. We all care about each other so much, which I already knew, but it's good to have reminders like this.
"Huh?!" Jean exclaims, aiming his yelling at the Founder. "What are you turning red for?! The hell kinda mood is this?!"
"Sorry..." Eren looks down, his face indeed red.
"Jean, it's the sunset." Armin claims, which I know is bullshit. "It's making our faces red."
"Oh. Nothing we can do about the sun."
I chuckle. "There's nothing we can do about bullshit either."
"HUH?!"
Sasha
"There. Do you see 'em?" The young man points to the ground, spotting deer tracks on the moist ground. He kneels, inspecting the closest imprint. "It's recent. What do you think, Sasha?"
Sasha drops to the ground and sniffs the prints and the few leading away from them. The boy watches as the girl crawls along the ground, but he is unfazed by the action, much like the younger girl with them, Not only is he used to it after years of hunting with the young woman, but he also pays attention more to Sasha than to her actions. Who can blame the boy? Sasha is in hunting gear comfortable for the hot weather of the year, which means a short-sleeve, loose-fitting shirt, and shorts. Of course, he keeps his mind restrained, challenging as it is when the girl's perked up like that.
It's been a long six months for Elijah Everett, Section Commander to the Scout Regiment Commander, Hange Zoe. Being in that position gave him little to no free time, especially with Paradis' new developments in the world. However, he managed to get some time off, courtesy of his superior, and requested the same for Sasha.
Sasha rises up and points deeper into the woods. "Yes, very recent. But I got its scent. If we move quickly and quietly, we can catch it."
Elijah nods. "Okay, Kaya, stay low, quiet, and keep up."
The young blonde girl nods silently then they follow Sasha's extremely sensitive nose. There was once a soldier they knew when they were cadets who could smell Titans before they could be seen. Sasha's smell and Elijah's hearing could've been on par with the man's skill, but the Titans have been cleared off the island so the only use for their talents is now best used in hunting.
"Stop." Sasha holds her fist up and points toward their target, a mature male deer. It seems to be a few years old, old enough to have a few reproductive chances. It grazes calmly on the forest floor, unaware of the approaching trio to notice and run away. Elijah steps forward, guiding Kaya slowly to get as close as possible without alerting the deer. Once they're in a good spot, Elijah nods to the girl for her to arm herself and aim her bow and arrow. He arms himself with his own bow...or his mother's as he would say. Sasha watches from the spot where she stopped the group, holding her weapon up as well to provide secondary fire. Kaya is only eleven and an inexperienced hunter, Sasha has been hunting for most of her life, and Elijah has as well, but between them all, the boy is the better shot.
Sasha's eyes on her lover and adoptive sister, she smiles as he reviews Kaya on how to properly hold her bow and where to aim at the deer. She wonders if this is how his mother taught him when he was really young, Sasha always loved that story of Elijah's first hunting trip. The way he was so innocent...compared to the soldier he is now, she understands why he had to become that way, but she always wondered what he would be like if this war never happened. But Sasha's mind slowly wanders to more dangerous territory which she quickly blames on the heat of the weather. It has been months since they've spent more than a few hours together and as people, not soldiers. She has a hunger for the dark-brown-haired boy and it is slowly eating her up. It isn't helpful when a former Marleyan soldier named Nicolo has been treating her to exceptional cooking. Sasha is already aware of Elijah's slight jealousy towards the Marleyan, but it honestly makes her want him more.
Kaya fires her arrow, hitting the deer approximately where the lungs meet the heart. In shock, the deer falls over, suffocating on its own blood. Kaya happily celebrates her successful hunt and wraps her arms around Elijah's waist. Sasha smiles as she stands up and walks over to the deer, taking a knife out to end its suffering. Wiping the sweat off her face, she turns back to the hugging pair. "Hey, I'm not carrying this by myself."
Elijah laughs as Kaya releases him and they come to help Sasha lift the carcass. "I'm more surprised you didn't eat it already."
"Hey! I'm not a glutton...to that degree. Meanie."
Many hours later, the Braus family farm eats an appetizing meal, including the meat from Kaya's hunt, along with Elijah's renowned jasmine tea. He may be known to most of the military as the 'Conqueror of the Armor', but to most of his friends, he knows his way around a good cup of tea. Sasha's parents, Kaya, and the other orphans the Braus' took in, and the young couple enjoyed a festive night, but before long, the children and the older adults had tired themselves out. Letting her father rest, Sasha offers to check on the animals before retiring for the night herself. Once she finishes that task, she steps into the bathhouse and begins to bathe herself. Humming the same lullaby she learned from Elijah all those years ago as cadets, she washes from head to toe.
After dousing, drying, and reclothing herself, Sasha exits the bathhouse and looks towards a single bright window. It is the window to her room, so that means Elijah is still awake. It is late, but for him, for someone who works more than her and the rest of her friends, it probably isn't even close to bedtime. Commander Hange must work him hard, but she guesses someone had to fill the void Moblit Berner left behind, just as Hange herself has to fill the shoes of Erwin Smith.
She enters their room, a minimalistic space since neither of them frequents it as much to make it truly home. But now they're used to it, so the simplicity of a bed, a few dressers, a desk, and their gear. Elijah sits at the desk, quietly writing in his new journal. What began as a hobby to honor his friends became a habit in the years following the final entry in his original journal, the arrival at the sea.
Sasha walks over and wraps her arms around his neck, looking over his head at the latest entry. He's writing about today's hunt with Kaya and how proud he is of her. Smiling, Sasha kisses the top of Elijah's head, his surprisingly soft hair tickling her lips. "You're happy for Kaya?"
"Of course. I trained someone and they became successful in their skills, I can't help but be happy..."
Sasha notices how he trails off, she wonders if that's how his mother felt after teaching him how to hunt. Her fingers brush against the wooden object and crystal jewel dangling off the string around Elijah's neck. She takes hold of them and lets her sense of touch feel every layer there is to his most prized possessions. Well, other than the Scout jacket he always wears...even in this ridiculous heat. The others, a wooden carving of the Wings of Freedom, the symbol of the Scouts. His first love, Mina Carolina, gave it to him sometime before graduation. The girl's death during the Battle of Trost still weighs heavily on his mind, along with the death of Thomas Wagner, the boy who gave him his original journal. The second item, a sapphire crystal gem belonging to the boy's beloved mother. Her sacrifice, along with his father's, gave him the drive to become the well-renowned soldier he is now. Elijah made her a promise long ago that he would always try to do what's right, a promise he intends to keep until his death.
Mina is not the only other to have a place in Elijah's heart. There's Historia Reiss, formerly known as Christa Lenz, the current Queen of Paradis. Elijah probably has spent much time in the Queen's company as his work constantly takes him to the capital, Mitras. Sasha doesn't consider Historia a rival for Elijah's affection, but...well, she understands Elijah's unease about her new favorite cook. But she will always prefer his jasmine tea over whatever Nicolo brews up.
"Are you coming to bed soon, the dead can wait." Elijah chuckles and closes his journal, grabbing Sasha around her waist. She squeals as he picks her up and carries her to the bed. In an incredible show of strength, she flips Elijah on his back, straddling his lap, lowering her forehead to his, teasing his lips, her hair falling now that it's not tied in a ponytail. "Not so fast there, Section Commander."
The boy smirks. "You know, technically, I outrank you. So as your superior, I suggest you get out of your clothes."
Staying on top but now rising up, Sasha holds her hands in front of her. "My parents are down the hallway. What would they think if they heard their only biological child and her lover in the middle of the night?"
Elijah raises his eyebrows. "You say that...yet...you just unbuttoned your shirt." This makes Sasha laugh as she discards her white shirt, leaving her black brassiere on. Lowering back down, she kisses Elijah slowly and sensually, she's right, after all. She did not want to wake her parents, or God forbid, the children. After a minute, she pulls back and lays on her side. Her knees, adjusting themselves, brush up against Elijah's counterargument, the one that wishes to go further on, so to speak.
She lets her leg rest there, but not to discomfort him. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too, all of you. But with the modernizing Paradis, I think Moblit deserved more rest than he asked for. Which why I got you and me this. The others can wait."
"Connie was quite unhappy when I left."
"Springer will manage. He's one of our best." Sasha punches Elijah's shoulder at his sarcastic remark, but that doesn't stop the pair from laughing. "But yeah, ever since Kiyomi showed up, we've been busting our asses. It's a good thing we have the volunteers. Well, I guess I should give my praises to Yelena and Onyankopon. Without them, none of this would be possible. But..."
"'But...?'"
Elijah sighs and stares at Sasha. "Our plan to set up a base in Marley, infiltrating it from the inside... Every time I think of it, I get worried about the consequences if we get caught. And what about Zeke's 'secret plan'? What exactly does he have planned for us if he claims he wants to help us? I know we always come through, but...we don't have a plan that I know of, or one where Zeke's plan goes awry. I just wish I knew... I wish I knew a lot of things about this world."
Sasha nods and traces her finger along Elijah's jawline. Fuck it, the boy she loves needs this time off pretty badly, else he might turn into a younger Moblit.
Surprising Elijah, she kisses the path of her finger, ending on his lips while simultaneously shifting her body back on top. "Hey, you're right, we're gonna pull through. We defended Trost despite impossible odds. We overthrew the Fritz government and put Historia on the throne. We took back my home and yours too. We beat Reiner, Bertholdt, and Zeke. We will survive Marley, together."
Elijah happily sighs as he hovers over the sizable bosom of Sasha, the girl flustered as he switches their positions during her monologue. She reaches for the hem of his blue shirt, helping him remove the article along with his father's Scout jacket. Both caress the hardened torsos of the other, shaped by three years of harsh training. He glances up, seeing the desire in her eyes, feeling her warm breath against his lips, seeing her beautiful mess of hair spread around the pillow. He is the only barrier between her desire and their satisfaction...and he'd be a fool among fools to deny her. "Do you remember the promise we made back in Trost, when we were enemies of the state?"
Sasha nods. "Always."
"Promise me...no heroics. I know I say it selfishly because I know you would do anything to protect us all, but...each time you do-"
"Okay." I raise her face up, making her see my face and my words. "I'm no hero, Sasha, but I promise I won't take any...unnecessary risks. Sound fair?"
Sasha sighs as she places her head underneath mine again, lowering her arms to my waist. "Better than nothin', I suppose." We laugh at the use of her accent before standing together in quietness underneath the merging of light and darkness, using this time to forget the troubles yet to come.
"...I want to change it."
"What do you mean?"
"...I won't take any unnecessary risks...unless trouble comes between me and my future with you."
Sasha turns red. "Elijah..."
"I know you can handle yourself, we were both in the top ten. But...back then, I had my past driving me, and I have long avenged my family. I now look to my future...our future. No matter what happens, even if I have to stop whatever Zeke's plan is, nothing or no one will interfere with my future with you, Sasha Braus."
Sasha beams with happiness and takes hold of Elijah's head. This is why she loves him so much. Her knight in green, her valiant soldier, her hero. Seizing a deep kiss, she pushes him aside, settling for cuddling tonight. She can have him another day. "I know you will protect us all, and I will protect you just the same. As for the unlucky soul that hurts me, he or she will regret the day they hurt your beloved Potato Gril...For Elijah Everett...you will fight to the very end!"
Elijah shakes his head, closing his eyes as he pulls her closer. Sasha rested her head on his chest, listening closely to his heartbeat. "...I don't talk like that, dummy."
"Yes, you do...dummy."