Reviews:
SkyChaser17: You won't have to wait too much longer, here's the new chapter.
TheChamp123: Yeah, I have been busy with other things, but I do what I can when I can. Hopefully, I can keep that same energy throughout the rest of the story. As for interactions, Harry will be meeting a certain few this time around.
AK632612: The moment for all of those meetings is coming to a head. Bits of certain reactions will be revealed this time around, however.
Darkscythe Drake: Yeah, finally, at long last.
PaperbackAlloy: Thanks! The story will be reaching a certain few payoffs soon. As for the Warhammer ability, that was another thing I didn't mention, but Eren not fully utilizing that Ttiant's abilities is something I wanted to further develop as well.
Tenma Kirin: Here's the next chapter.
Yoana: Yeah, I've been busy, but the story is still here. Big reunion moments are coming up soon. That certainly does sound like a nice dream you had, hopefully I'm able to capture some heartfelt moments when the story reaches certain parts. Hope you enjoy this chapter and the rest.
A10riddick: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Austin: Yeah, Harry made it home at long last. Only the Shifters are aware something is off at the moment, and this chapter will see a bit of Hogwarts' perspective on things as well. As for Zeke, he's still alive but imprisoned and more information will be shed on him and the rest of the Shifters this chapter. In terms of some of the powers Harry's titan will have, certain glimpses will be shown this chapter as well, and along with the other titans, his will be given a designated name eventually.
culpeuslylcal: Yes, Zeke is indeed alive, and more will be revealed about him here. Big reunions are on the horizon.
GreenTea4062: Yup, here comes the homecoming that was promised.
LoganLiet: Glad to hear you're enjoying the story so far. As for the 'huh' vs 'eh' You're right, the translations and Japanese seem to lean more toward the latter. As for why Ymir calls Eren by name instead of 'father' or 'dad' is more to do with Eren's parenting style, he's more loose with how he treats her and doesn't make her call him anything if she doesn't want to; plus he also does it as a way to ensure other kids Ymir's age don't look at her in fear or hatred in case anyone didn't know the relation. Funny that you mention Dune as I am currently reading the first book now.
Li-lion89: mcgg? Either way, I hope everything and one has relevance in the story.
dippytrippy122: Thank you! More world-building and lore will come to light this chapter as well, particularly about the end of the war. I still have a few more mysteries to fully uncover as well, mainly pertaining to the Potters, but all will hopefully come full-circle. Glad to hear I'm not alone on my take on the ending, I'm curious to how it will be received once the anime does it, or if it'll be an original ending.
CrowdnonPleaser: However he goes about traveling Paradis, I can promise that he won't be alone.
Disclaimer- Harry Potter is owned by J. K. Rowling and Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan is owned by Hajime Isayama. I own nothing.
Chapter 17: Homecoming
It was something right out of a dream. Looking at it all now, Harry could have convinced himself that he was actually experiencing one of those memories in real-time. And he could feel it.
His feet pooled in the crisp, white sand, the way his trouser legging clung to his skin from where the crystal clear blue water had been lapping around him. The warmth from the golden sun, making its rise from the... western sky? At least, he thought that it was the west. Despite having only seen a sight like this in fleeting bits of scattered memories, his gut instinct lead him to believe he was somewhere on a southern beach.
A sharp hiss tore his attention away from the pristine waters. A portion of the 13-meter skeleton snapped off from the main body, releasing a bout of hot steam into the air as that bit of bone evaporated into thin air. The empty eye sockets stared off into the void.
Feeling compelled, Harry reached out a hand to touch the enormous skull that was larger width-wise as he was standing. It was still warm. And, surprisingly, it felt like it weighed next to nothing at all. Weren't bones supposed to be heavy? Then again, he had never gone around touching skulls, much less one that he had apparently summoned. But it was his.
It was his skull. His Titan's skull. There was no more half-formed or barely functioning limbs, he had a full Titan body at his disposal now. A full decaying Titan body, but should the time ever come, he at least knew he could do it fully now. But for doing it for the first time, Harry couldn't help but to feel a bit bummed over the fact that he didn't even remember transforming into a full Titan. The last thing he remembered was being in the Paths dimension and seeing the looming figure of his Titan and-,
Wait! Now that he was here...
Hey, he thought. Ymir, are you there?
'Huh?' he mentally heard her voice after a pause. 'Y-yeah, I'm here. I just... got this sudden headache when you opened your connection to the Paths. I guessed I passed out for a little while there.'
Are you alright? Harry inquired. He didn't mean to cause her pain in any way from his excursion.
'Huh? Oh, yeah! Yeah, I'm fine. I was alone in my room when that happened anyway. Best it happen there any not where anyone else would start to fawn all over me.'
If you say so.
'I do say so,' she affirmed. 'And you, you're... you're actually here.' Her voice was elated, but Harry could figure she was holding back tears of joy.
Yeah. Yeah, I'm really here. Harry couldn't hide the smile spreading over his face even if he tried. I... I don't have any idea where I am, but I'm here. I actually did it! I guess I should thank you, too.
'Eh? Me? I didn't do all that much aside from providing you with your Titan body. You opened your connection to the Paths, you wandered around those woods for days until you found what you needed. I won't steal your thunder now, but I can't promise anything in the future.'
Harry couldn't help but casually roll his eyes. Alright. But you still got me back here somehow, too.
'Uh, no, I didn't.'
You're not stealing my thunder by admitting to it, Harry assured.
'Like I said, I just supplied you with a Titan body. However you got here from that, you did it yourself.'
So... you're saying my Titan got me here? He cast another glance over to the steaming remains of his Titan. The spine of the neck had evaporated, leaving the head to roll free by a few centimeters.
'Every Titan is unique,' Ymir reminded. 'The Colossal has its size, the cart has its stamina, the Jaw is designed for combat, the Armored has its shelling, the Female has its scream, the Beast is the physically strongest, the Warhammer creates weapons, the Founder has control and memory manipulation, the Attack can see into the future, mine is linked to the Paths, and yours... well, yours got you here. But I doubt that's all it can do.'
Uh-huh. He turned his attention away from the giant pile of bones. I guess that means we'll just have to practice and see what it can really do.
'You can count on it.' she chuckled. 'I know of a good spot that plenty isolated where no one would see.'
Wow. I didn't think you'd go for it so easily.
'Well, no brother of mine is going to have a Titan power and not know how to use it.'
You sound pretty sure of that. But I take it the first step would be to actually meet up, right? Harry surmised. Mind telling me exactly where I am? Aside from being on a beach?
'Hmm,' she mulled. 'The area looks pretty familiar. Wait! Follow the shore to the left. Do you see a hill?'
Indeed, there was a moderately high mound of sand and rock situated a couple of dozen meters away. Yeah, I see it.
Harry, did one better. He went over and started to ascend the slope. After trekking over the uneven path and bush of the Forbidden Forest, climbing this actually seemed easy. Arriving at the summit, Harry was left staring down the dropoff at what appeared to be a harbor town of sorts.
There were four primary piers located at the mouth of the bay where the main wharf was constructed. A steel ship blowing steam and flying a flag of some unknown origin was currently docked at one. Expanding outward, miniature piers branched out from the large curve of the bay area. The ships anchored there were lesser in size than the one at the central pier.
'Yup! I know exactly where you are! You're on the southern beach, just outside of Port Smith.'
Port Smith, huh?
'Yeah, it was named in honor of a previous commander of the Survey Corps. Erwin Smith. He died before getting to see what fully lay outside so once construction was finally done it just seemed pretty fitting. There's actually a statue of him down there somewhere.'
Uh-huh. Harry nodded along. And what about that ship docked down there? It looks more important than the others.
'That ship?' a pause. 'Ohhhh. They're early. I guess that isn't too much of a surprise.'
Care to tell me?
'The diplomats from Hizaru. That's who.'
The statue of Commander Erwin Smith complimented his best features. The tall, strong, larger-than-life demeanor. The accuracy in his uniform and billowing cloak where the Wings of Freedom were proudly displayed. His right arm was excluded, as it had been during the final expedition. But even if Commander Erwin had been paraplegic, he still could've convinced others to fight and die with him. And then there was his face.
The stoic expression stared defiantly out past the piers and out to an open ocean that would have rivaled the blue of his stare. Whoever had designed the statue clearly knew the Commander when he was alive. But looking at it now, as she had done before, she was unsure if that fierce expression would have been present had the Commander seen this sight for himself.
If he had lived, if he had learned the truth of what lay hidden in that basement, would he have had that look on his face? Perhaps not. Perhaps his would have been a more somber gaze. A look of melancholy. The same look she had seen those years ago.
"..."
A sigh escaped her lips in deafening silence. Five minutes. They had not even docked a half-hour ago, and she had been ashore for less than five minutes and her mind was already wavering. At least this time had been longer than most of the others.
"Are you alright, Madam Mikasa?"
Her escort had approached her, speaking in native Hizarian. She let a common neutral expression fall over her face as she turned to address.
"Yes. All is well. I was just in thought."
Learning the Hizaru language had not been too much of a challenge. Her mother had taught her what she knew of their native language when she had been but an innocent girl living in the mountains and Mikasa had retained that since. With her high adaptability courtesy of her Ackerman heritage as well, she had perfected her speech rather flawlessly. Ever since the war's end, it was imperative to smooth over relations with the rest of the world where they could, and with Hizaru being the only real ally during the conflict, Mikasa was more than suited for the position.
At her reply, the escort gave an inclined bow of the head. There were several variations of bows in Hizaru culture, some more formal than others. "Would you like to wait before we arrive at the hotel? An embassy is likely waiting on your arrival."
"If it is possible, I'd rather we just continue by train straight to the capital." Relief, no matter what kind, awaited her there.
Her escort deepened his bow. "Of course, Madam Mikasa. I will speak with the officials about boarding the next available passage."
They were always so formal. They had been like that ever since she had accepted Madam Kiyomi's offer to help rebuild Hizaru and smooth over diplomatic relations. In the years that had passed since the end of the war, Mikasa had wished that some of these officials would have grown used to or accustomed to her presence. She had stated early on that she did not need any formal title of address. Her request was one of the few that was even declined. Honor and respect were ideals deeply ingrained into the Hizaru psyche.
Gone were the days of being able to relax and hang out with friends such as Sasha. Before the other girls untimely death, the two of them had used to frequent different restaurants and cafes, even pay the occasional visit to Sasha's family's new farmstead. So long as food was involved, Sasha was involved. An uncomfortable lump formed in her throat.
Had Sasha lived, would she be someone who would be on this harbor to greet her? Probably. Sasha had been like a mushroom, she grew on people in unexpected ways and stuck around. And Mikasa doubted Sasha would have been alone. Her and Nicolo had been quite serious, it probably wasn't out of the question to imagine a couple of rambunxious kids running around.
And now Sasha was dead. No friendly face was here to greet her. Politeness did not equate to friendship. The times of which she did see those she truly considered friends, and even family were now few and far between.
Armin had since moved to the main continent to assist with the rebuild and to further smooth relations over and ensure the Treaty of Paradis was upheld by all the new leaders of the world. Despite what she might have felt about Annie in the past, Mikasa knew that so long as her father was safe, she posed no threat. And Armin genuinely seemed to enjoy her company.
Captain Levi had since retired from the service and opened up his own tea shop somewhere mainland as well. Even if he wasn't as physically capable as he once was, the legend of the fearsome Captain Ackerman was enough to keep any potential uprising at bay. Mikasa suspected that the real reason why Levi had moved on from the island was that he believed it to be left in capable enough hands. Perhaps he was right.
Connie had left as well. He and his un-Titanized mother had nothing but bad memories of their family and once village. She still saw him during Alliance summits, but that was about it. The same could be said for both Reiner and Pieck.
Falco and Gabi had apparently gotten married last year or so. She had been unable to attend their union, but the ceremony had apparently been a small one anyway. Those two had both been honorably discharged from Marley's Warrior program and seemed content on just enjoying life in what is now New Liberio.
As for Jean, he was just about one of the few who actually still lived on the island year-round. Ever since Armin chose to relinquish the title of Commander of the Survey Corps over to him in pursuit of his ambassador career, Jean had risen to the occasion. And he was a natural at it. With certain events taken into consideration, the title was less of Survey Corps Commander, but more Head of Military Operations, with all 3 branches of military joining as one.
He was an amazing friend. Something she had never really pondered on until a few years prior. And while Mikasa was granted leave from her Hizaru duties, as she never formally left the Paradis military, her time spent on Paradis had largely been spent with him. She had hoped to see him here to greet her, but she reasoned he was likely busy at home. He could probably use a hand or two, and it was more than a tad unfair to let him handle it alone. All the more reason to get to the capital, Mitras.
She could count on Historia being as cordial and supportive as she could. Whatever she felt in the past for the Eldian Queen in... certain regards, Mikasa knew that she couldn't keep or hold a grudge forever once the full circumstances were known. Especially after learning the prince went missing.
And then there was Eren. Where could she even begin with that?
Mikasa didn't know if she should've been more relieved or embarrassed when he admitted to knowing how she had felt about him. "What am I to you?" the words he had spoken to her the night be he disappeared. She knew now that Eren had wanted her to finally admit the truth to herself, to free herself from her own self-conflict. To give both of them some semblance of closure. Even if she was not with Eren now, he was still family. And she was still his.
Before Mikasa moved, a faint movement caught in her peripheral vision. She inclined her head to the left to see the ridge that surrounded Port Smith. It was fading now, but it looked like... steam was rising from somewhere over that hill. Strange. Her ship had not docked that long ago, and they had not spotted any other ship approaching from that direction.
"Hnn." Mikasa rubbed her fingers across her forehead. It wasn't a headache - more of an epiphany if that could've felt as a sensation.
"Madam Mikasa?" her escort inquired. She faced him. "Would you like to proceed to the train station?"
This is where she would say "yes" and proceed on her way. The past was in the past. What once was will never be again. It was probably just another ship. Nothing to worry about.
"Actually," Mikasa focused her attention elsewhere. "I'd like to go for a bit of a walk first. I hardly ever get to admire my home island anymore."
She started for the hill, giving herself enough distance to put herself ahead of her escort. It was a silly thing that she was doing, she knew that. There were far better things that needed attending to. And Mikasa found herself unbothered by that. If that was what she felt it to be...
Taking wide strides, Mikasa reached the summit.
"No way..."
Fading right before her eyes, were the last bone fragments of a giant skull. Blank, empty sockets reflected the void that had just opened up in her soul. And they too, evaporated into a lingering memory.
Her knees were cushioned by the pristine sand. Her form slid down about a meter on the slope. She knew what that was. She had killed so many of them in her tenure. But... how was this one here? Pure Titans were gone, and yet-!
And yet... there were tracks in the sand. Right where that skull had been, there was a set of tracks.
"Madam Mikasa!" her escort called, marching up the hill behind her. She stood. "Madam Mikasa, you shouldn't wander off so-,"
"That's alright," Mikasa's voice halted his approach. "There's been a change of plan. If I'm not down in half an hour, take the next train with our belongings to Mitras. I'll arrive by my own means."
"Madam Mikasa, I must advise against that. Leaving you alone would-,"
"I am more than capable of handling myself," Mikasa cut him off. "I trust you know the name Marley gave me during the war."
She could hear him gulp. "V-very well, Madam Mikasa. But I urge you to be cautious." She heard him shuffle his way back down the hill. Left to her own devices, she approached where the tracks lingered.
From the size and depth of the footprints, whoever left them wasn't very large. And from how far the prints were apart, it was clear that whoever made them wasn't fully grown. An adolescent. Her focused gaze traced where they led. They crossed the beach and toward the more solid terrain that led to the interior of Paradis Island.
Mikasa followed.
"All but one student is accounted for?" It was an easy question to ask, but Dumbledore could not see any good coming from that question.
"By our accounts, yes," McGonagall replied. "And I believe we all already know who it is that is missing." Didn't they indeed.
All four Heads of Houses had gathered in Dumbledore's office, and Gilderoy Lockhart who had deemed himself important enough to attend. After the flash of light after the Quidditch match, all students were ordered back to their dormitories, supper having been brought to them at a later time as Hogwarts was put under high alert after the anomaly.
In the following few hours, Dumbledore had requested a headcount from each house, his suspicion compelling him to do so. And here they were now. The dark of the approaching night did little to ease the unease that was shared.
Of the mustered silence, it was Severus who was the first to break it. "You don't sound too surprised yourself, McGonagall. Potter's track record with sneaking off where he shouldn't clearly precede him."
"I could very much say the same for one's inability to move past a childish grudge, Severus," McGonagall returned with her Scottish flare. Snape glowered silently. "But that is all beside the point. The question we should all be asking ourselves now is: when can we begin searching for Potter?"
"An apt question, indeed!" Lockhart seemingly agreed. "I was just about to suggest it myself." McGonagall appeared highly skeptical of that.
"Shall I rally the prefects?" Professor Flitwick piped up.
"What of the Head Boy and Girl?" Pomora Sprout suggested. "We should utilize them as well as our staff."
How does he explain his suspicion to them? "We should do as we must. Do check the castle, but I doubt that search would yield any result. I do believe the forest would prove to be of greater importance."
"The forest?" McGonagall tilted her head. "Are you referring to where that lightning struck?"
"I'll gladly provide a thorough search of the castle," Lockhart quickly volunteered. "Some staff will have to stay behind to watch the students. Besides, there's always the chance that Mr. Potter will turn up eventually."
"Oh, the possibility exists, but I highly doubt it will happen anytime soon," Dumbledore lightly nodded to the new DADA professor.
"Don't go spewing doom and gloom nonsense, Albus!" McGonagall chided. "It has only been a few hours. Even muggles wait three days before coming to a verdict."
"I do not believe that young Harry has met with an unfortunate end," Dumbledore placed her. If anything, I believe he fully succeeded in his quest. His will held out. "I merely believe that our student is... missing-in-action. If such a phrase is applicable."
Severus didn't look fully convinced. "And... you also presume Potter to be linked to that occurrence? If the boy was struck by a bolt of lightning, 'missing-in-action' is hardly a comparable phrase."
Dumbledore remembered Moody's report of events from over the summer. "I agree wholeheartedly, Severus."
"And you still believe the boy to be alive?"
"Of course he's alive!" McGonagall answered in his stead. "Even in his first year, Potter was able to kill a troll and survived each trial on the third-floor. Not to mention You-Know-Who when he was but a baby. A bolt of thunder isn't about to end him!"
"And I agree with your assessment as well, Minerva." Dumbledore stood from his desk. Professor Lockhart and Mr. Filch will remain on site. The rest of the staff and Hagrid will search the forest. I will join you momentarily. There are some calls to be had first."
"Informing the Minister?" Professor Sprout asked.
Dumbledore paused at his fireplace. "Yes. Cornelius will have to be informed at one point. I mean to first contact a few others." Those in the Order understood. With a collective nod, the assembled staff exited his office. The Headmaster's form slouched before the mantle.
Fawkes let out a concerned squawk and glided over to rest on the mantle. Dumbledore lightly stroked his feathers.
"It has actually happened," Dumbledore spoke to the phoenix. "He achieved what I believed to be impossible." He would be adding another memory to the pensieve tonight.
"In whatever distant world you've returned to, Harry, if you'll even continue to use that name, best of luck to you."
He gazed out the window that looked out to the sprawling expanse of forest on Hogwarts grounds. Somewhere, deep within those woods, a faint almost beacon of light shone. It could have been mistaken for the trunk of some invisible tree. The night was beheld in the light of its titanic size.
The sun was almost brutal overhead. The train car provided temporary shade every few seconds as it followed the track up the slope of the rocky mesa. Even so, the noon heat had not dwindled nearing the start of the autumn season as summer still fought to hold its reigning title. Still, Armin was at least grateful that there was a fan (however small it was).
"We'll be arriving shortly, Mr. Arlert," the official told him, reporting back from the conductor. His uniform was Marleyian make, but that meant very little anymore.
"Thank you," Armin nodded. "I am sorry that my visit was on such short notice."
The official regarded him. "Government regulation requires at least a week's notice in advance. But for you, Mr. Arlert, exceptions can be made. Is this a serious matter?"
"Hopefully not," Armin kept neutral. "There were just some questions that I would like answered if possible." The train began to grind to a halt as it reached the flat top of the mesa.
The official slid the door open for him. "You'll be asking in vain, sir." They stepped out into the sun.
Armin shielded his face at first until his eyes adjusted to the brightness. The top of the mesa held the remains of the last base Marley had possessed during the final hours of the war. This was where the last of the refugees had gathered to avoid the death that had come marching for all of them. And on the ground below was where the battle had finally reached its climax. Or so it had appeared at first.
Anyhow, following the signing of the Treaty of Paradis, this base was demilitarized in certain aspects and instead converted into a sort of high-security prison. To the public, the top of the mesa was strictly off-limits. Not that there was much of a public in the middle of this arid desert climate. Marley had relinquished this bit of land after the treaty and it was instead named neutral ground for all nations to share and remember. If any public did come here, it was for the memorial at the base of this mesa.
"Have there been any other visitors?" Armin asked as the official led him past the repurposed airship docks and towards the main tower of operation.
"The new Head of State makes a visit every quarter of the year," the official explained. "Aside from him and the regular supply cargo, no one ever comes up here."
"Not even anyone from the International Alliance?" Armin asked.
"Wouldn't you know that, sir?"
"No one has ever told me as much. Then again, I never really pry too much into what anyone does in their spare time." Could he even blame them if they didn't tell him?
They reached the base of the tower where an arrival party had already gathered. Or, perhaps party was too generous of a word. There were only three people present, and two of them were basic guards, dressed in full ex-military attire and armed with high-powered rifles. The man who stood between them was older than all of them, a shaved head with a neatly trimmed beard on his withered face. Armin was briefly reminded of Commander Shadis.
"Chairman Arlert," the man in the center greeted him. "Welcome to Steppe Prison. I'm the warden."
Armin mustered up a small smile. "Thank you for receiving me on such short notice. I hope it wasn't too much of a hassle." Armin offered out his hand.
The warden looked like he had a firm grip, but he released Armin's hand as quickly as he took it. Armin tried not to take that as a slight by any means. The warden was already turning away. "Let us go inside. It is much cooler in there."
Following after the warden and his armed escort, Armin was led inside the base of the tower. The base floor was nothing to marvel at. Aside from the large presence of armed personnel, it was quite minimalist. The staircase and elevator to the upper and observational levels were also manned by security at every landing.
"This way, if you will." The warden turned to the left and towards a second elevator. Unlike the other that only went up, this one led straight down.
The warden slid open the protective cage for them to enter. It was only wide enough for two, plus the officer manning the lever. Their armed escorts would remain on this floor.
"Take us down," the warden instructed. The elevator operator gripped the lever and the cage rattled a bit as it began its descent.
Once the top of the elevator cleared the floor, their light was extinguished and darkness took them. Armin's eyes had little time to adjust to the change in setting before a red service light mounted to the outside wall flashed into existence. After that, darkness, and then another red light. That's when the larger focus came into view.
The cage was faced by an open expanse of a man-made underground cavern. As deep as the mesa it resided in was high. Much like the spiral railway that wound its way up to the summit, a corkscrew slope that winded downwards. As their ride continued on past a landing, Armin saw that the guards stationed there were not only equipped with high-powered rifles but also mounted machine guns and a crate of explosives.
And if that wasn't enough of a statement - cannons. Pointed downwards were tri-barreled, wall-mounted cannons that could have fit on a warship.
"Impressive, isn't it?" the Warden asked as they continued down. Armin just nodded. "The cannons were repurposed from a few remaining Marley naval vessels. Our military expanse was severely cut with the signing of that treaty. Still, this is one way to get our use out of them. To think, the most secure prison in the world - designed for just a single prisoner."
The elevator reached the bottom with a slight jolt. The warden opened the cage screen for Armin to exit. About 20 meters away, was the only thing on this lowest level. A cage placed in the epicenter of this spiral. A few lights were situated around it, illuminating the sole occupant within.
"Visitation periods are only 15-minute sessions," the warden informed. "No exceptions. Not even for you."
Once again, Armin nodded. "Thank you. I don't mean to take that long."
"You're time has already started." Ah. So that's how it was. Armin began to walk. "And one more thing." The warden stopped him. "Keep behind the red line."
He saw it once he got there. A red line set about a single meter from the cube-shaped cage. The bars of said cage were closely spaced together, and a small metal flap was near the foot where food was deposited through. The lone occupant inside was facing away from him, sitting crossed-legged and staring out at nothing.
Armin took a few more steps forward, mindful of the warden's previous caution. He left a foot's distance between himself and the line. He cleared his throat. No response.
"Pardon me," he spoke. The prisoner's head moved ever so slightly. "Mr. Zeke Yeager?"
"A visitor? For me?" His voice sounded a bit hoarse. "Is it maybe my birthday?"
"Mister Zeke, do you... remember me?" To that, Zeke pivoted his body to partially face his visitor. From the artificial lights pointed at the cage, Armin was able to get a proper look at the man.
Zeke's hair and beard had grown out considerably since his imprisonment and were largely unkempt. The fair blonde shade had been had faded as well, leaving him with stark white color. It looked too out of place for a man who was barely older than 40. And his eyes... both Yeager siblings had green eyes, but Zeke's had always appeared duller than Eren's own blazing shade. Now, it was as if the light had all but faded from behind his lenses. Only a faint glimmer existed deep within the pool.
He stared at Armin rather blankly. "Ah. Armin Arlert. How do you do?"
"I'm... doing alright, Mister Zeke." It would be foolish to ask how the other man had been doing. The proof was evident.
"No need to include the 'mister,'" Zeke dismissed. "My rank and title of Warchief have long since passed. Even so, Marley must still see my body as their property. Why else would I be imprisoned here and not on Paradis as my brother requested? If anything, shouldn't I be calling you by some title or another? No doubt you're a very important man now."
"That won't be necessary." Really, it wasn't. "I just came to talk with you. That's all."
Zeke's face remained impassive. "Just to talk? Your captain isn't going to sneak up on me from behind and finally lop my head off, is he?"
"I came here alone," Armin informed. "And he's since retired from the service."
"Ah, I see." Zeke rolled his neck. "I figured he'd stop by at least once in these passing years. If for nothing else to make fun of me for having to shit in a bucket."
"I'm sure he would find that amusing, but that isn't why I'm here."
"That's right, you came to talk. What have you come to talk about, Armin?"
He was giving nothing away. Then again, he didn't have much of anything to give away. "I wanted to ask you if... you've been sleeping alright."
"My sleep?" Was that a hint of amusement? "You've come all this way to ask me about my sleeping habits? Isn't that touching." He went to stand but paused to pop his back into place, rubbing a sore near the nape of his neck. "I sleep without a mattress on a cold metal floor with no blanket or pillow. Only the best for Marley's biggest traitor."
Might as well just cut to the chase. "I'm short for time as is. Let me just ask you, have you had any bizarre dreams as of late? More specifically as of last night."
Zeke slowly blinked. He lifted his neck up higher. "So, you've had it, too."
Even in the cool dampness of this cavern, Armin could feel the heat of his perspiration begin. "I never said I had any dream. I only asked you for yours."
"No, but even if you didn't, you are still in contact with those who might've also," Zeke reasoned. "And if I were to tell you of mine, would it coincide with another, perhaps?"
"That would remain to be seen," Armin defended. "You still haven't told me what yours was about."
Zeke scratched at a spot behind his ear. "My predecessor, Mr. Ksaviar had many theories regarding Titan connections and how they relate to one another. This was all but confirmed to me when I was trapped in Paths waiting for my brother to materialize. If something relating to the Founder, no matter how vague occurs, all Shifters would experience the same sensation. And this previous night, I dreamt that I had lived a whole other life as a whole other person. His memories... scattered across the void."
He stood now to his full height. His spine cracked in a few places. "And the strangest thing is he shared a remarkable resemblance to someone we both know."
Armin said not a thing. Everything Zeke had said, he had seen in that dream, too. Annie had said the same, and he was willing to bet Reiner, Pieck, and Falco would all say the same.
"I see," Armin settled on. "Thank you for sharing that with me. Perhaps it has something to do with your brother then. The power of the Titans is gone, save for his manipulations over them. Perhaps he meant to convey something to us. If that boy is who I think he is... it would only make sense."
"Ah, so that's why you've actually come here."
"Pardon?" Armin asked.
"Before you even said a word to me, you already knew what I did. You just wanted some insight. I think we both know the boy in that dream was the child that went missing. You simply wanted to gauge my reaction."
Armin pursed his lips a little. "If I recall correctly, it was your plan to euthanize all Eldians. If you had your way, that child probably would have never been born. Then, after the fighting, you seemed to have had a change of heart. Why?"
"Because I saw how my brother truly felt," Zeke replied. "I understood his motive better than I ever could have hoped. Life can be a burden - a curse even, but unlike my father with me, this child would know true freedom. And if I could contribute to a future such as that, I would have truly saved myself and Eren by it."
"Would you try and seek this boy out?" Armin questioned. His foot came close to stepping over.
"You mean to have a visitor other than the guards who bring food and dump out my shit bucket? I wouldn't be opposed to it. Him and the girl both."
"Why?"
"'Why' what?" Zeke countered. "Call it loneliness, call it desperation, call it just wanting to ensure they both turn out better than my brother and I." He sat back down cross-legged. "But here I am. Surrounded by men who would like nothing more than to blow me to bits. A little fresh air would do me some good."
"If I were you, I wouldn't say that too loud," Armin advised. "The men here might get the wrong idea."
"Indeed," Zeke agreed. "It would take a Titan to escape from here. And as you said a moment ago, the power to transform is gone." His stare was long and partially empty. Armin stared right back.
"That I did."
...
It was blinding once again when they finally returned to the surface. With his business having concluded, Armin didn't want to linger any longer than necessary. He met back up with his official and was escorted back to the train station. The train was platformed and set back on the track leading back down. While that was being handled by the maintenance crew, it gave Armin enough time to look out across the mesa and at the expanse below.
The sun was high from when it began its climb in the Western sky, and it looked down nearly right overhead now. The white rays sizzled off the burnt browns and orange from the rocks below. And even though rain was an uncommon occurrence, the illusion of rainbows was actually a common sight. It wasn't hard to see why. All one had to do was look out over the mesa.
Perfectly crystalized and standing all in place was what appeared to be giant pillars 50 meters in height. They stood there, frozen in time and place. Relics from an almost bygone era. And not just here, everywhere.
From all over the globe, these crystal giants stood rooted in place. A constant reminder of what was, and how close it almost all came to an end. There they stood. There they waited.
'You're seriously walking all this way?'
The sand of the beach had since disappeared from underfoot. Short grassy fields covered the landscape now. Any trees were few and far between. There was a set of railroad tracks, however. He stuck off to the side of those and decided to follow them to his intended destination.
As opposed to what; hitchhiking? Harry offered an alternative. I'm not about to risk hopping onto a moving train either.
'Then why didn't you just go down to the station at the port and sneak aboard when it isn't moving?' She sounded sure of herself.
You know, I was going to do that, but it'd be a lot easier if my cloak wasn't missing.
'You're cloak?' she was confused. 'What do you mean? You had it on when you first... oh.'
Yeah, 'oh' is right.
Harry hadn't realized it at first, but since waking up on the beach, his invisibility cloak had not been on him. He had been wearing it when he first came into contact with whatever had been festering inside of that fallen tree. It wasn't until after that Harry remembered his Titan experiments over the summer. He had lost an article of clothing to the failed Titan on the first attempt and had made sure to wear only what he deemed necessary afterward. Now it seemed like he had lost the cloak to his Titan form.
It's kinda hard to turn invisible if I don't have the cloak.
'Alright! Point proven.'
So whatever happens to the clothing and stuff that gets lost to the Titan? Harry wondered. They have to go someplace.
'I guess that they end up buried somewhere in the Paths,' Ymir offered. 'And if your cloak is there then maybe...'
Maybe... what? Harry asked. You can't just leave off like that.
'Just a thought that I had. I'll tell you more about it when I actually see you. Deal?'
Yeah, sure, deal. Besides, there's a lot more I want to talk to you about first other than my cloak. It isn't like I need it now, anyway.
"Hello?"
How quickly he was proven wrong.
The voice had halted him in his tracks altogether. Out here in this deserted space, someone had spoken. And they had spoken from behind him. They did so again.
"Pardon me, hello?"
With a stiff neck, Harry turned.
She stood no more than 20 meters behind him. How long had she been there? There was little cover for her to hide behind, and he hadn't spotted anyone there while walking. He could understand her sneaking up on him if a train had been going past, but this woman must've had the stealth of a cat. She saw that he had halted and took a few tentative steps forward.
"Hello," she offered a third time. "I'm sorry, I hope I didn't startle you."
"... I... only a little," Harry settled on. "I didn't know anyone else was out here."
The woman blinked. "I was just taking a walk. I didn't mean to frighten you. But since we were both walking in the same direction, I wanted you to know I was here so it didn't seem like I was following you."
He could see her features more clearly now. Her raven black hair fell to her neck. Her eyes were more almond-shaped and were a dark grey color that nearly appeared black. Smooth features and soft porcelain tone that was only marred by a small scar underneath one of her eyes. She wore a white formal jacket with an emblem that looked like a red-letter A formed by 3 swords. And sure enough, two swords were sheathed at her hips while a smaller blade was fashioned near the small of her back.
Looking at her now gave him the vaguest feeling of deja-vu. He felt that he had seen and heard this woman from some distant memory. And he had. He was face-to-face with Mikasa Ackerman.
"I..." words were failing him. "I... I... thank you. Thank you for... not being weird about approaching me."
She had walked a few meters closer. Her expression gave nothing away, yet she was keenly focused on his face. She was studying him. "Of course."
There was silence between them. He was observing her, placing her appearance now to those he had only seen through someone else's perspective. And she, in turn, silently watched him. She made no grab for the swords she had with her, but that didn't put him much at ease. Maybe she was just socially shy.
"Um, do you... have a name?" Harry decided to feign ignorance.
"Mikasa," she stated. "Do you?"
"I'm Harry."
"Really?"
"Yeah. That's what everybody always called me."
"Sorry," she apologized. "I suppose I just wasn't expecting that to be your name."
"That's... okay?" Silence again. "So... you said you were walking?"
"That's right." she nodded.
"Uh, where exactly, were you heading?"
"I'm visiting the capital city, Mitras."
"Oh. Isn't that near the center of the island? Why walk when you could take the train?"
'Wow. Did you come up with that yourself?'
Mikasa didn't seem too troubled. "Because I don't get to spend nearly as much time in other parts of Paradis as I used to. I should be the one asking about you. What are you doing out here and where is it you're going?"
"I was... looking for my family." Not a lie at all.
"Your family?" Her observant expression did soften.
"Yeah," Harry gave a slow nod. "They aren't far." Much closer than ever before, actually. "But I was going to meet up with them after I had gotten lost."
"I see." She was back to observing him. "So you're heading to the nearest outlying settlement?"
It seemed like a good out. "That's the plan. I should actually get going. They're probably worried."
"As you should," Mikasa agreed, a small nod of her head.
Harry offered up a weak wave of his hand followed by a small smile. "Alright. Safe travels to you."
He turned to leave. It had to have only been ten meters or so before he cast a curious glance over his shoulder. Mikasa was still walking in his direction. He stopped.
"Did uh, did you need something?" Harry asked her.
"In general or immediate?" Mikasa replied.
What kind of response was that? "You said before you didn't want to seem weird by following. You're starting to weird me out now."
"That isn't my intention," Mikasa reiterated. "But can you blame me? The way you're going just so happens to be the way I'm going. And if I stick by you, I can make sure no stranger tries to abduct you or something."
"You're still a stranger," Harry reminded. "Who'd stop you if you tried to kidnap me?"
"I introduced myself," Mikasa countered. "And if you feared as much from me before, you shouldn't have even started talking to me. Besides, someone who's lost should stay in place, not wander about."
"So... what? You're just going to follow me until I get to where I'm going?" Should he be relieved by that, or would there be a point in trying to make a break for it?
"I'm not following you. I'm just going in the direction that you're going."
"I thought you said you were going to Mitras."
"I am. That doesn't mean I can't make stops along the way."
'Making friends already, I see.'
Wouldn't this be more of a traveling companion than a friendship? Harry sulked.
'I wouldn't be so down about it if I were you. Being with Miss Mikasa is just about the safest person you can be around. She's not going to let anything happen to you.'
Because she's an ex-soldier?
'There's that, but she was named as our godmother.'
Harry Potter was missing. That was the only gossip going around that morning. The Quidditch game? Forgotten. Quiz in Charms? Could be nonexistent. And for Ginny, she wished it all could have been a bad dream, or some prank Fred and George had concocted. But it wasn't.
The twins had no hand in whatever transpired. They were always in the loop about everything, and Ginny considered asking them what was going on, but she could already hear their reply. It would go something along the lines of: "Way to go, Gin. You scared him off so badly that he's gone and disappeared. What will mum say?"
Yeah, it would be just like them to say something like that. But ironically enough, the person she found herself talking to about the vanishing wasn't a fellow Gryffindor, but Luna Lovegood from Ravenclaw. They had a free period after Flitwick's class and had taken to the library.
"Hey, Luna," Ginny began.
"Hm? Yes?" Luna took off her colorful glasses to stare at her with her pale eyes.
"Are you have a lot of smart people in your house. Are they saying anything?"
"They say lots of things," Luna nodded.
"Like what?"
"Future careers at the Ministry, Quidditch games, Professor Lockhart, new pets, but not a single mention of nargals." Luna listed.
"That isn't what I meant," Ginny corrected. She would have laughed if the situation wasn't so serious. "About last night. About Harry Potter being gone."
"Oh." Luna simply replied. "There's plenty of talk about that, too. No one really seems to know. I don't think we should worry too much, though."
"Luna!" Ginny kept her outcry to a minimum in fear of Madam Pince. "This is serious. He's actually missing this time."
"I know. But maybe going missing doesn't have to be a bad thing. When most people say someone went missing, they usually think the worst, but maybe the one missing just wanted to get away. And the place that they went doesn't always have to be someplace bad." Well wasn't that optimistic? "Besides, I got the impression that Harry didn't want to be here. He seemed pretty closed off on the train."
"That's crazy," Ginny denied. Why would Harry want to leave? By all accounts, he was a hero! And even with that status, he had been completely cordial whenever he was around her (not that it was for long). But Harry apparently treated everyone that way. He didn't care what house anyone was in, or what their blood status was. It was all the same to him.
On top of that, he was apparently a proficient student as well. Not the top of the class, but probably at least within the top ten somewhere. He still got Gryffindor into trouble in the past, but he hadn't cost them nearly as much as Fred and George had in the past. And while he was rather reserved, he didn't ostracize anyone, he got on with his peers. And from what Ron had described of him, Harry had apparently filled out his skinny frame over the summer.
It was no wonder why most of the girls in his year (and others) apparently fancied him. If the rumor was true, even a few Slytherins wouldn't mind getting to know him better. Merlin, Ginny even suspected that Colin had more than just a fanboy obsession towards him. He had only talked to her a handful of times and she could barely articulate a sentence.
Maybe that's why she found comfort by Luna. The blonde seemed largely unconcerned with what most other people cared about. She wasn't a gossip like most of the girls in Ginny's house - in fact, Ginny never actually saw Luna interacting with anyone of their year so far (Ginny being the exception).
Luna stared dreamily. "Halloween is coming up."
"What's that got to do with anything?" she didn't mean to sound brazen.
"Isn't Halloween when his parents died?" Luna rhetorically asked. "The anniversary is coming up. He probably just misses them. It must be pretty sad being famous when your parents had to die."
She hadn't thought of it that way before. Coming from a big family, there were days she wished a few people could just disappear, but only for a day or two. Aside from the general stuff, she really didn't know what Harry Potter's personal or home life was like. She knew he was taken in by muggles, so maybe that had something to do with it. If he had ended up with a wizarding family - her's maybe, he would have been a lot happier.
"That's actually a good point." Ginny folded her arms on the table and sulked. "Maybe he'll come back after the holiday."
"I can't really answer that," Luna said. "If he wants to come back, he will."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then we can just hope that he's happy where he is." Luna hopped off her chair. "I'm going to get some pudding. Do you want any?"
"No, I'm fine. Thank you." She hadn't an appetite for anything right now. When she was alone, she gave a weary sigh. She pulled some books from her bag and her inkwell. Doing homework or essays now would just be futile. Maybe if she just wrote out her wishes they'd come true.
Her wrist accidentally tipped her inkwell, pools of darkness spilled over onto her sleeve, the table, and some of her books. Ginny quickly pulled out her wand and used a spell Flitwick had taught them for when this happens. She was about to perform the spell on the open page of the tattered journal she had, but before she could, the stain of ink seemed to fade away all on its own.
That's when the writing appeared.
'Please don't be spilling anything in my journal.'
Ginny stared, flabbergasted before the words disappeared from sight. A magical journal? It was possible, she supposed. She first noticed she had the journal after her family's visit to Diagon Alley. She had assumed her mother or one of her brothers had slipped it into her cauldron and just forgotten to tell her. Taking a chance, Ginny dipped her quill in her leftover ink and wrote on the same page.
Did you belong to one of my brothers? After a few seconds, the words faded. New ones began to appear in writing far fancier than hers had been.
'I can't say that I did. This is the first time someone has written in here in years. With whom and I writing?'
She dipped. My name is Ginny. What is yours?
'My name is on the back of the journal.'
She marked the page with her finger and flipped the book over. Sure enough, there was a name engraved there. Tom Marvolo Riddle.
After walking for quite some time, Harry and Mikasa came upon the first outside settlement. It wasn't a big town, it couldn't really even qualify as a town at all. If anything, it looked more like a resting outpost complete with stable, homesteads, and a few small barns. They didn't immediately enter, just merely took in the sight from afar.
"Looks like we made it," Harry began.
"Apparently," Mikasa agreed. That awkward silence was back.
"Yeah. Thank you for not kidnapping me anywhere on the way here."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Her eyes took in the sight. "Is there a set spot where you were meeting with this family of yours? It'd go against my conscience if I just left without knowing."
"They should be around," Harry told her. "And I'll make sure to stay in place this time when they do." Really, he had no idea why he was lying to her now. She had not done anything to him thus far, and going off what Ymir had said, she was one of the most reliable people around, any personal connection excluded. So why?
Perhaps he was just feeling too anxious after finally having gotten here. Maybe he just wasn't counting on running into someone this early. Especially when that person was from someone else's memory. It could also just be that he had gotten so far on his own already and he didn't want to jeopardize anything by having someone else around. Was that stupid? He couldn't even answer that himself.
Mikasa remained largely neutral at his response. "That's good to hear. When I get to Mitras, I'm sure they'll be pleased to know."
"Right, Mitras. You still have to get there and-," the full meaning of her words sank in. He turned his head to look up at her. She, in turn, looked down. Now he just felt stupid. "How long have you known?"
For the first time, a small smile worked its way on Mikasa's face. "From the first couple of seconds that I saw you."
Harry rubbed the back of his head. "Wow. That early?"
"It wasn't difficult. You have an uncanny resemblance."
I'm recognized by my scar in one world and my appearance in this one. He really wished he still had that cloak on hand.
'Don't feel too bad,' Ymir assured. 'If anyone would recognize you on sight alone, it would be her. She is an Ackerman afterall.'
"You uh, must have a lot of questions for me then, huh?"
"Just a few key ones," Mikasa responded. "And I doubt that you'd want me to ask around this village, much less answer them." She got that right. "Care to walk a little while more, if you're up for it?" He had come this far, he wasn't going to stop now. They kept on going.
...
By the time they reached a more forested area, it was around the afternoon. No settlements, no tracks, just trees. Mikasa's questions had been what he had come to suspect. Was he alright? Had he been hurt? Where had he been all these years, and who had taken him? How had he gotten back?
His responses included: "Yeah, I'm doing much better now, actually." "I don't think where I was would be on any map here. I don't even know why I was taken." "And I guess I just... found my own way back."
Mikasa didn't interrupt him once, or ask him to repeat anything, or demand that he go into more detail. No. She just listened. Listened and processed what she was being told. Even though she looked like she wanted to press certain topics, she kept quiet. When he was done, she seemed a little more content. "Okay."
"That's it?" Harry asked.
"Far from it," Mikasa corrected. "There's still a lot more that I want to ask, and there's still more that you'll have to tell eventually. But I don't care about that right now. You're safe, and you're here with me. That's the only thing that matters to me right now."
"Er, right. Uh, thank you?" Harry guessed that he should thank her. Really, what could he say to her? Since was apparently his godmother of sorts, he supposed it was natural for her to say that. The only guardian figures he had in comparison were the Dursley's, but he didn't want to lump her in with them.
"No problem at all," Mikasa nodded. "I did have one more question, however."
"Oh. Alright, what is it?"
"Can you turn into a Titan?"
It was enough to halt him in his tracks. She stopped right beside him.
"I... thought there were no more Titans." Wasn't that what the world believed? "Why would you ask that?"
"I first found you by following your tracks," Mikasa explained. "I first found those next to a skull that vanished into the air. I've seen it enough to know what that means."
He was at a loss. Any helpful advice you can give me?
'Honestly, it's probably best to just tell her.'
Hey, you were the one who told me this was all still a secret! Harry reminded her. What happened to that?
'Miss Mikasa isn't like the rest of the world. If you tell her a secret, she'll take that to the grave.'
"I... it was actually the first time that I could." He hoped that would be enough. "There's probably more to it, but I still don't know all of it. How much did you want to know?"
"I have nothing but time," Mikasa answered back.
So he told her. He told her from the beginning about the dreams he had always had. He told her about first hearing Ymir and the connection they shared. He assured her the curse was no longer a factor and that he had only made the full transformation this one time. He left out certain parts such as where he had been this whole time, but she seemed far less concerned about that at the moment.
"I see," Mikasa finally said. "That actually makes sense."
"It does?" If someone had told him all that at once, it wouldn't make sense. He didn't even believe Ymir at first, and here Mikasa was believing everything. And here he was telling her all of this. Which of them could be considered the bigger fool?
"It does help put certain things into focus," Mikasa clarified. "Initially Eren told us all that the power of the Titans was gone for good, yet he still held the power over the Founder. How could he do that if the power was gone for good?" Her look grew very contemplative. "Perhaps he wanted us to figure that out for ourselves. It wouldn't be the first time." She looked at him. "Can I ask something of you?"
"I already know to keep it all a secret," Harry guessed where she was going with this.
"Good to know. But I wanted to ask if you could try shifting."
Was it opposite day on this island? "What?"
"From all you've told me, it's more imperative than ever to get to Mitras now. Shighanshina isn't far, not by horse or Titan. Once we get there, we can take the train the rest of the way."
"You... you're actually asking me to turn into a Titan?"
"I want to see you returned, just as much as you want to," Mikasa told him. "And I'd rather not spend the night camped out in the woods and wait until morning to move."
"What if someone sees?"
"This forest extends to the outside of Shighanshina," Mikasa told him. "I know where all the outside settlements are and how to get around them. I'll make sure we go unseen. You'll also need someone to help guide you if you shift. The first couple of times the shifter can lose control." She pulled out one of the swords at her hip. It held a distinct katana shape. "These swords were a gift from a Hizaru family. One is for glory, one for family, and one for honor. If the requirements are still the same, you may use one."
She presented the polished blade to him. He stared at the polished and reflective surface. It looked sharp enough to shave individual hairs off of someone's head. He held his finger to the tip.
Think that this is safe?
'You did say you wanted to get better with your shifting. Best to get used to the feeling one point or another.'
"Just, uh, stand back, a little, okay?" Harry asked Mikasa. She did as asked.
Holding his breath, Harry moved his finger against the blade. It was so sharp that Harry didn't even register the cut until he saw the spill of red that ran down his finger. Before the life essence could reach his palm, the scenic setting of the forest was lost to him.
He was back. Back in a deserted plane beneath an endless night sky. And he was not alone.
It stood there, looming over him. A figure cloaked in shadow that the only thing visible were the shining green eyes that gazed down on him with malicious benevolence. A hand bigger than his whole body was coming down for him. It was impossible to run. He could only sit there as the hand scooped him up and lifted him higher. Higher. Higher still until he was face-to-face with this being.
It brought Harry closer until... darkness.
Klnng! Klnng! Klnng!
Noise?
"Get up!" a shrill voice was yelling at him. "Get up and put breakfast on."
He was alone in a cupboard of sorts. How strange. Or was it. What was he doing here? Hadn't he been somewhere else? He thought so. Maybe it had all just been a dream. Yeah, that was it. In that dream, his life was turning around, people wanted him. That's how he knew it to be fake.
There were three people all sitting around the table. Two were quite large and the woman was horselike. Were these the people he was staying with? He guessed so. He began cooking.
Klnn!
He looked over at the table. No one had moved. He went back to cooking.
Klnn! Klnn!
It was louder this time. Still, it seemed like no one noticed.
Klnn! Klnn! Klnn! "Harry!"
Huh? Did someone call me? There, by the back window, a woman stood outside, knocking. Oh, hello, Miss Mikasa. He didn't know how he knew who she was, he just did.
"Harry, listen! You need to come outside right now."
Come outside? Sorry. I have to cook breakfast.
She pounded on the window harder. "No, you don't. This isn't where you belong!"
What do you mean? This is all I know.
"Then forget about it! Forget about all of this and find something new. Think about the life that you do want. Think about Ymir!"
Ymir? Why did that name sound so familiar?
Knock-knock! Someone was at the front door now.
"Get the door, Dudley," the man asked the large boy.
"Have Harry get it."
"Get the door, Harry."
Why? he challenged.
"It isn't for me, it's probably one of your friends," Dudley blankly stated.
Friends? But he didn't have any- And he saw her. If for only a second, he saw her.
Food forgotten, Harry walked over to the front door where the knocking had increased. He grabbed the handle and threw open the door to a blazing inferno of light.
Ah!
He was encased inside of what could have been a sauna. The steam was everywhere, and so were the tendons of organic matter that kept him anchored inside. There wasn't much room for movement, but he could see straight ahead. It was almost like looking through a fishbowl, but he didn't know if he was inside or out of the tank. The second pair of eyes gazed out at the enclosed forest. The two different sights at once almost made him experience vertigo.
He wanted to rub his head, and instead of his normal arm moving, a much larger one lifted from off the ground and briefly covered one of his larger eyes. And for the first time, Harry fully knew what it was to be a Titan.
"Harry! Harry can you hear me?!" He heard Mikasa's voice call out to his left. Turning his real head for what he could, his Titan head moved with him.
She was there, standing on his giant shoulder, her swords had anchored her to his being, but he couldn't feel the pain. He dipped his head. He could see Mikasa let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness. You had gone completely still, unlike what I experienced before. Was I able to get through to you?"
So I did hear her voice for real.
"Wait, what did you say?" Mikasa suddenly asked. What? He hadn't said anything. "Just now, I heard your voice inside my head. Can you try saying something again?"
Say what?
"Alright, so I did hear correctly. You can communicate telepathically. I guess that would be fitting." She pulled one of her blades free and presented him with the flat. "Have a look."
It wasn't a full reflection, Mikasa would need a much bigger blade for that. But he was able to see the key details of his Titan form. He still had a head full of unruly, dark hair. His iris was a glowing green inferno, as if the head from inside the Titan was trying to escape somehow. That bright color was made even more prominent as his scalera wasn't white, but a black void dotted with miniature stars that flickered off and on in creation and destruction. And then there was his mouth - or, lack thereof.
His Titan had seemingly grown a layer of flesh over where the lips and mouth were supposed to have been. So, Mikasa had a point. If his Titan was capable of speech, it wouldn't be verbal.
"Can you try standing upright?" Mikasa asked.
Looking over the rest of his body, Harry saw that he was only half-sitting up. He wiggled a little inside to mimic the movements he would normally make and his Titan responded. It felt awkward. His mind was processing the movement before his body could actually catch up. When he went to put weight on his one leg, he ended up leaning forward and nearly collapsed.
His arm reached out and caught hold of a tree. At least he had before his hand completely crushed the tree and he went falling forward again. He managed to catch himself before he could and remained in an all-fours position before he pushed himself to sit back down. A quick glance to his shoulder showed to Mikasa still had a grip on one of her swords, but she had also taken hold of one of his locks of hair to better stabilize herself.
"I'm alright," she assured him. "Just take it slow for now." And so he did.
When he eventually went to stand up, he relied on trees bigger than his Titan for support in getting to his feet. Moving around was just as awkward. Harry felt that he was controlling the body of some big baby that was just learning how to walk. So he took baby steps. If a baby could step over trees and whole animals. Once he felt stable enough, he let Mikasa tell him where to head.
As awkward as it might have been, walking like this far outclassed walking as a human. After walking, Harry started feeling more in tune to his Titan. He was figigiting a lot less and just focused more on seeing his Titan doing what he wanted than anything else. He even picked up the pace a little before Mikasa reminded him to slow it down. He went back to briskly walking after that.
He spotted a few animals down below. Mainly deer, but a few boar as well, even a bear. But even for something like a bear, Harry's form dwarfed them. They actively avoided him if he got too close.
"Alright, stop right here," Mikasa instructed. "We're near the edge of the forest now. Kneel down so I can get you out of there."
Doing what she said, Harry let her hop off once his top half was closer to the ground. He had his Titan lie flat on its stomach. Mikasa walked up on his shoulder, blades in hand. Harry couldn't see her at that point, but when he felt fresh air hit him from above, and hot steam race past his face to escape, he knew he was released.
"Gah!" Harry gasped as his head breached from the corpse of his Titan. His face felt hot, and a strong arm grabbed him from beneath his arms and helped pull him free.
"Here, grab onto this," Mikasa instructed.
He had to adjust his glasses first before he saw what she was talking about. It looked to be a protruding spikeish vertebrae of sorts. His Titan had those running all along its back from nape to tailbone. He took hold of it to steady himself before Mikasa and he slid down the side and back onto solid ground. He was secretly grateful that she had been holding him because he felt his feet would have failed him. After being huge for a couple of hours, being small again put everything back into perspective.
"Feeling alright?" Mikasa asked once he had steadied himself.
"My face still feels pretty hot, but I feel fine."
She nodded. "We'll wait a bit. You still have Titan markings around your face."
Once the markings had faded, they exited the forest to the last few rays of daylight as the sun crept on over to the Eastern horizon. To the North, lights. Lights from a large town. And that was where they headed.
"So we'll take a train once we're there?" Harry asked.
"The trains should still be running at night, but before we do that, I'll have to check-in at the garrison center," Mikasa explained. "Best to let the capital know now that I'll be coming."
"And are you going to tell them who I am?"
"Do you want me to?" Mikasa asked.
"Not in particular."
She nodded. "Good."
The lights from the town were much brighter now. Harry could see the layout of the town, as well as what surrounded it. A ditch. A deep ditch encompassed the whole town in a semi-circular formation. And it joined with another ditch at the end of the town. That ditch spread outward and went on and on until he couldn't even see where it went off to. Whatever had been in this ditch, truly must've been colossal.
...
"Welcome to Shighanshina," Mikasa said as they properly entered the town. Her voice sounded more monotone.
"Are you okay?" it was Harry's turn to ask her that.
"Fine," she replied. "I used to live here for a while. This place has no shortage of good and bad memories."
From what he had seen glimpses of, that sounded about right. "Did you want to stop someplace?"
"..." she hesitated. "No. Let's just get to the garrison center." She pointed to easily the tallest building in the town, and from the position, it was probably right in the middle, too. It looked like a courthouse had fused together with a small castle. And that's where they headed.
Two guards were stationed outside. Both wore tan jackets, tall boots, and white pants. Rifles were slung at their shoulders.
"State your name and business," one of them demanded.
"Mikasa Ackerman. I come here to send word to Mitras to expect my arrival." That certainly seemed to have the right effect.
"Of course. Right away, Miss Ackerman. Who is this boy?"
"He is a ward of mine," Mikasa replied. "He will be with me until I arrive in Mitras. I trust that isn't a problem."
She had no objection. The guards opened the door and allowed her entry.
Inside, there were a plethora of other soldiers dressed similar to the ones outside. Others, probably more high-ranking officers wore long coats and had special ties around their necks. There were some who had special designs on their jackets as well, most prominently a green-headed unicorn.
"Mm. Those MP's are pretty far from the capital." Mikasa eyed the soldiers.
"Something wrong?" Harry asked her.
"...I guess not. It's just not often that they venture out. Maybe things are changing." She eyed them a bit longer. "Come on. Let's get to the communication room."
Said room was actually on one of the higher levels of the fortress. Every floor they passed was ripe with all sorts of military personnel. They, at last, came to a door marked as communications.
Mikasa went to open the door for them when Harry thought he caught sight of something from the corner of his eye. It was gone by the time he turned his head to the right, but he was convinced he saw something pop from around that corner.
"Alright," Mikasa said. "This'll just take a moment and-,"
Harry didn't wait to hear what it was Mikasa was going to say. He made a move for the corner. He knew Mikasa was probably going to follow right behind him, but his gut instinct outweighed his logical thinking. He rounded the corner and all but ran over the girl that had been standing there.
He was about to apologize when he took notice of her features. She was of his height and age dressed in a nice, but simple green and white dress. Her blonde hair fell a little past her chin, but her eyes... they were the same shape and color as his own.
Neither of them said anything. They both just stared at the other. After what seemed a mini eternity, she spoke in a voice Harry was all too familiar with.
"Uh... hi. I guess we're finally meeting face to-,"
She never got to finish as this time Harry actually did collide with her. His embrace took them both off their feet and down to the stone floor. His arms wrapped securely around her, taking in the feel of her clothes, skin, and hair, committing each feeling to a memory that was all his own.
After a few seconds, Harry felt her arms wrap around him as well. He felt an exhale of her breath as a choked laugh escaped her. "And I thought I was being sly."
Harry was afraid to let her go or pull away. If he did, he might wake up back where he started. "H-how...? How are you...? How is this possible?"
"I could see where you were," she reminded him. They both began to get back to their feet. Crystal drops rested in the corners of her green eyes. "I thought that if this would be your first stop, we could meet you here."
"We?" Harry repeated.
Footsteps. Someone other than Mikasa was approaching. This figure belonged to a tall man. Unlike the other men here, he wore no uniform and dressed rather casually in dark trousers, a shirt, and a hooded long coat. His dark hair was long and partially tied behind him. The start of a small beard grew on his face. And his eyes, he had the same eyes as Harry. No. Harry had the same eyes as this man. When he gazed down at them, Harry got the impression that he was looking far beyond.
And he spoke.
"Welcome home."
A/N: Thank you for reading. I hope this chapter was able to satisfy. Next chapter, following his return to Paradis, Harry must adjust to this new life and the changes that it will bring. Meanwhile, his presence causes waves in one world and the next. Chapter 18: Eldian Queen, King of Titans