Chapter One - Beneath the Surface
The sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air as the scouts trained on the
beach, their boots sinking into the damp sand with each movement. The sun hung low
in the sky, casting a golden hue over the water, which glistened like a vast mirror. It was
an unfamiliar, almost surreal sight, far removed from the rocky cliffs and forests they
were used to. Yet the beach had become their new training ground, a place to hone
their skills after the brutal battles in Marley and the internal struggles back on Paradis.
Eren stood silently at the water's edge, his green eyes fixed on the horizon. His posture
was rigid, his expression unreadable, like a statue carved from stone. He had changed
so much since returning from Marley. The softness that had once lingered in his gaze
was now gone, replaced by something colder, more calculating. He was their leader
now, an unofficial king who had seized control through force and necessity. And with
him, Floch stood like a shadow, always near, his red hair catching the sunlight as he
scanned the area for potential threats.
Levi stood a few paces behind Eren, arms crossed, his sharp gaze constantly shifting
between the scouts and their surroundings. His ever-present vigilance had not waned
despite the apparent calm of the beach. The tension in his jaw was palpable—, but
nothing could dampen his fierce intensity.
The rest of the scouts were scattered around, practicing maneuvers with their ODM
gear. Jean was discussing strategy with Connie and Sasha, their voices rising and
falling as they argued over formations. Armin stood beside Mikasa, pointing out
something in the distance, his soft tone contrasting with Mikasa's silence. Since her
confrontation with Eren, Mikasa had withdrawn into herself even more, her usual loyalty
tempered by the harsh truth Eren had thrown at her. Still, her eyes never left him,
always watchful, always yearning. Bertholdt and Reiner, despite their history with the
scouts, now stood as allies once again, though the air between them and the others
was still thick with tension.
Onyakapon and Yelena stood further back, observing the group. They had been
instrumental in guiding Paradis toward this new reality, though their loyalties often
seemed as enigmatic as the secrets they carried. Today, however, they seemed more at
ease—until something caught Yelena's eye.
It was subtle at first, a shimmer in the water, barely noticeable against the backdrop of
the sparkling sea. But then, out of the corner of Eren's vision, he saw it—a pair of bright
blue eyes staring at him from beneath the waves.
"Oi," Levi said, his voice low but commanding, as he followed Eren's gaze. "You see
that?"
The scouts paused, their movements halting as they followed Levi's line of sight. At first,
there was confusion. The water looked empty, save for the soft ripples where the waves
met the shore. But then they saw it—a glimpse of white, coiling hair just beneath the
surface, and those piercing eyes, locked onto Eren with a gaze so intense it sent a chill
down his spine.
"What the hell is that?" Jean muttered, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his
blade.
Mikasa stepped forward, her expression darkening. "Eren…"
But Eren said nothing. His eyes were locked with the figure in the water, unmoving.
There was something about the gaze—something primal, magnetic, that stirred
something deep within him. It wasn't fear, but it wasn't comfort either. It was as though
this being, whoever or whatever it was, had known him forever.
"Stand down," Onyakapon's voice cut through the tension. He moved forward, raising
his hands in a gesture of calm. "It's not what you think."
"What do you mean?" Armin asked, stepping closer to Onyakapon, his curiosity piqued.
"Do you know what that is?"
Yelena smiled faintly, her eyes shining with a knowing look. "Not 'what,' Armin. *Who*."
The scouts exchanged confused glances. Sasha squinted at the water, her hand
shading her eyes. "Looks like a person… but how?"
Onyakapon nodded. "That is a siren."
"A siren?" Connie repeated, frowning. "Like the creatures in the old stories?"
"Exactly like that," Onyakapon confirmed. "They live in the sea, incredibly powerful
beings, and that one…" He pointed toward the figure whose eyes were still fixed on
Eren. "She's chosen him."
Mikasa stiffened, her eyes narrowing. "What do you mean she's chosen him?"
Onyakapon turned to Eren, his voice calm but filled with gravity. "Sirens choose mates,
Eren. They seek out the strongest among men—leaders, warriors. They bond with
them, and in doing so, they make their mates more powerful, more capable. In return,
the man offers protection and loyalty for life. It's a symbiotic relationship."
Eren remained silent, but his eyes never wavered from the figure in the water. The
intensity of the gaze between them was palpable, as though the entire beach had
vanished, leaving only the two of them locked in an unspoken conversation.
Floch sneered, glancing between Eren and the siren. "So what? She wants Eren?
That's ridiculous. We don't even know what she is."
"That's where you're wrong," Yelena interjected, her tone serene yet firm. "We've
encountered them before, Onyakapon and I, in another land. The sirens are real, and
their power is undeniable."
Armin's curiosity deepened. "What kind of power?"
Onyakapon crossed his arms, his gaze now serious. "Their voices can compel men to
do their bidding. They can summon great force through sound alone, enough to disarm
entire armies. But they are not invincible. When they are on land, they lose their
abilities. That is why they seek out strong men—to protect them when they are
vulnerable."
Levi remained silent, his eyes narrowing as he studied the siren. "And what does she
want with Eren?"
"Protection," Onyakapon replied simply. "And to give him something in
return—unimaginable power. Their bond will make him stronger than ever before.
Faster. Smarter. A perfect warrior."
Hange, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, her eyes glinting with interest.
"Fascinating… A symbiotic relationship with a creature of the sea. If it's true, it could
change everything about how we understand power dynamics."
Mikasa, however, was far from fascinated. She took a step closer to Eren, her fists
clenched. "This is insane. We don't know what she'll do to you."
Eren finally broke his silence, his voice low and steady. "I'm not afraid."
The words hung in the air, cold and resolute, as if Eren had already made up his mind.
His gaze remained fixed on the siren, the strange connection between them deepening
with every passing second.
For hours, Luna's gaze remained on him, unwavering and filled with a desire that was
palpable even from a distance. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the
beach, but she never moved, her eyes locked on Eren's, silently calling to him.
Finally, as the sky darkened and the sea glowed with the last light of day, Luna's eyes
disappeared beneath the surface of the water, her figure vanishing as silently as it had
appeared. The waves continued their rhythmic crash against the shore, leaving the
scouts standing in stunned silence.
Eren turned away from the water, his expression unreadable. But something had
changed. Something none of them fully understood yet.
The rest of the scouts stood in silence, the air thick with confusion and unease. The
figure in the water—Luna—had vanished as mysteriously as she had appeared, but her
presence lingered like a shadow over the group, especially around Eren.
Mikasa was the first to break the tense silence. She stepped forward, her brow
furrowed, hands clenched at her sides. "Eren… you can't be serious about this."
Eren turned his head slightly, but his expression remained unreadable, that same cold,
detached look that had become all too familiar since their return from Marley. He didn't
respond, which only seemed to stoke the fire in Mikasa's voice.
"You haven't even seen her face!" Mikasa exclaimed, throwing a hand toward the sea as
if pointing out the absurdity of the situation. "You don't know what she really looks like,
who she is, or what she wants! She's just some… some fish woman!"
Levi's eyes flicked to Mikasa, his usual stoic demeanor betraying a hint of irritation at
the rising tension. The others watched in silence, unsure of where the conversation was
going, but the tension was palpable, especially between Mikasa and Eren.
Jean scoffed under his breath. "Yeah, how's that supposed to work anyway? You're a
human, Eren, and she—she lives in the sea. This whole thing is—"
"Ridiculous," Mikasa interrupted, her voice sharp and desperate. "You're not seriously
thinking about… bonding or whatever it is she wants, are you? With someone you can't
even—"
"That's enough," Eren's voice cut through the air like a knife, low and commanding. He
finally turned to face Mikasa, his eyes hard, but still carrying that distant, unreadable
edge. "You don't understand what's at stake."
Mikasa flinched, her lips parting to speak, but no words came out. The rest of the scouts
shifted uncomfortably, sensing the unspoken tension between the two. Eren's words
weren't just about the siren—there was more underneath, the weight of their fractured
relationship bearing down on the conversation.
Armin, always the mediator, stepped forward. "Eren, I think what Mikasa is trying to say
is… we don't know anything about her. Or what this bond means for you."
Onyakapon, sensing the need to clarify, spoke up. "I understand your hesitation," he
said, his voice calm but firm. "But sirens aren't what you think they are. They don't stay
in the sea forever. They can take human forms—just like any of us. They only return to
the water for strength, for safety. In their human form, they're vulnerable. That's why
they seek out mates—powerful warriors to protect them when they can't protect
themselves."
Yelena nodded in agreement, her sharp gaze scanning the group. "It's a delicate
process. The siren won't approach Eren on land until she's certain he won't harm her.
They're cautious by nature, especially when it comes to choosing a mate."
"Cautious?" Mikasa's voice was laced with frustration. "She spent hours just staring at
him! She hasn't said a word, hasn't even shown her face. How is he supposed to trust
her?"
"She's testing him," Onyakapon explained. "It's part of their nature. Sirens are selective.
They don't just pick anyone—they choose only the strongest, the ones who prove
themselves capable of understanding their power, their world. It's why she hasn't
revealed herself fully yet. She needs to know Eren can be trusted."
Mikasa shook her head, her jaw clenched in disbelief. "And you think staring at him for
hours is enough to decide that?"
Floch, who had been quiet up until now, let out a dry laugh. "So, what? We're supposed
to believe this sea creature—sirens, whatever—can just give him some kind of power
boost by... bonding with him? Sounds like a trap to me."
"Of course you'd say that," Jean muttered, rolling his eyes. "You'd probably say the
same thing if it were anyone else offering Eren power."
Floch shot Jean a glare, but Yelena intervened before the conversation could spiral. "It's
not about power in the way you're thinking, Floch. Yes, the bond makes the man
stronger, more capable. But it's not a trick. It's symbiosis—both parties benefit. The
siren receives protection and loyalty, while the man becomes stronger, faster, more
strategic. It's been happening for centuries, in lands beyond Paradis. Many of the
world's greatest warriors have bonded with sirens."
"Hold on," Sasha said, her face scrunched up in confusion. "If they're so powerful, why
would they need us to protect them? Can't they just use their powers?"
"They lose their powers when they take human form," Onyakapon said. "When they're
on land, they're just like us. That's why the bond is so important. It's a balance—they
need someone to protect them when they're vulnerable, and in return, they enhance
their mate's abilities."
Connie let out a low whistle. "So, Eren's supposed to protect her when she's human,
and in return, she makes him... what? A super soldier?"
"Something like that," Yelena replied. "But it's deeper than just physical strength. The
bond affects everything—mind, body, and soul. It changes you."
Mikasa crossed her arms tightly, her eyes still locked on Eren. "And you're just going to
go along with this? With someone you don't even know? Someone who just watches
you from the water?"
Eren's eyes flicked to Mikasa, his expression hardening further. "It's not about what I
want. It's about what needs to be done."
Mikasa's lips trembled as she struggled to find the right words, her emotions boiling
over. "Eren… this isn't you. You don't need—"
"I don't need you to tell me what I need," Eren interrupted coldly, his gaze piercing into
her. "I've made my choice."
The words hit like a slap, and Mikasa visibly recoiled, her face paling. For a moment, it
seemed like she might say something else, but she stayed silent, the pain in her eyes
unmistakable.
Armin, sensing the tension rise even further, quickly tried to diffuse the situation. "We
just need more information. If what Onyakapon and Yelena are saying is true, then we
should at least understand what's happening before making any decisions."
Levi, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange, finally spoke, his voice as
calm and cutting as ever. "Fine. But we don't make any decisions until we know exactly
what we're dealing with. If this siren wants to bond with Eren, she'll need to prove she's
not a threat. We've been through too much to gamble on something we don't
understand."
Eren gave Levi a sharp nod, though his focus remained on the sea. He knew Luna was
still out there, watching, waiting. Whatever came next, he would face it head-on.
Mikasa's gaze lingered on Eren for a moment longer before she turned away, her heart
heavy with unspoken words and a growing fear she couldn't shake. This wasn't just
about the siren. It was about losing him—losing him to something she didn't understand,
something beyond her control.
And in her silence, the waves continued to crash against the shore, the promise of
something ancient and powerful waiting just beneath the surface.
