Ch. 84 - Return of our Directive

"Our destination is here," Erwin said, pointing to a spot on the map before him. The map was large, incredibly so, taking up most of the table - yet most of it was blank.

I crossed my arms over my chest as my eyes robed across the map. With such a specialized unit of soldiers, I should have felt at ease during this debriefing, but I didn't. I'm not sure what it was, perhaps it was the fact that so few soldiers were going (comparatively, when set against our usual forces), but I had been chosen for a reason. I had no reason to feel this way.

There was no point in being anxious; I was listed to work with Levi, so why worry?

And yet... I couldn't shake it, even as Erwin explained once more his incredibly detailed, seemingly fool-proof plan. It would be completely bulletproof if not for the fact that the fools in question were not the soldiers among us, but Titans - Titans that regularly acted very much not according to our predictions.

Our goal for this expedition was simple: reach the abandoned development project Erwin had pointed to and was now explaining the potential benefits of capturing and securing.

It was sound logic, yes. To get there, he had us split into small groups, mostly pairs yet a few groups of three, with roundabout, distinct paths, and that was because our secondary goal was to fill out the map before him.

As it was, there were rumors of that old base being there, an old developmental failure from years ago that had long been abandoned for how dangerous it was to get there. According to intel, it was in a completely open plain; as in, nothing but grasses and dirt as far as the horizon.

Tactically, if we could capture it, it would provide a great holding point and resting place during expeditions.

We just had to get there first, and cover leagues of uncharted land. Our job was to chart it, while avoiding Titans and working towards our destination. We were, for this mission, to focus on the very core of what the Survey Corps was, and what we were about: scouting, charging ahead, exploring beyond the walls. And hopefully, with this few chosen unit of elite soldiers, we would be able to succeed in our directive.

Hopefully.

After our debriefing, we had only a few more moments to ask whatever questions we had - of which there were few, for as thorough as Erwin was when planning it - and prepare for our departure. As was usual before an expedition, there was a flurry of activity, movement, and as I was far too used to by now, there was an anxious pit forming in the bottom of my stomach. As I always did, I forced it down further, to suppress it as best I could.

That anxiety would never last; it would always be replaced by excitement, at least partially, as soon as we all took our first few well-paced strides on the outside of the wall. It didn't matter how well-planned an expedition was, nor how much confidence I had in myself, my abilities, and those of my comrades, because the anxiety would always linger.

But it was more... persistent, today.

Even when on my trusted steed I blinked the sudden brightness from my eyes after having ridden out into the unblocked, unfiltered, gloriously radiant sunlight, the anxiety did not burn away like the morning dew assuredly would, now that the sun was up. It was not replaced like the chill in my bones now that I was working, no longer sitting idly on my horse, waiting for the chance to run, to move, to warm up.

None of what normally happened actually happened, but I did not falter. Now was not the time.

It still was not the time when Levi and myself - as just a pair, for in Erwin's brief time as commander of the Survey Corps thus far had not yet removed us as the two sole members of the vanguard - began to near our target destination. As he planned, all the pairs would pincer in towards our goal, effectively being able to document it from every angle.

And yet, despite this... something was strange. According to our map, we should be in a completely flat area, topographically. But we weren't. So, either I couldn't read a map, or...

Well, I could read a map, so it must have been the alternative: Erwin's intel had been wrong.

This was supposed to be flat, grassy, plains, not a heavily forested, mountainous area. But as we crested one of the foothills leading to an impressive mountain range, I tugged on Strider's reins to bring him to a stop. Levi, having been a few strides behind me, followed suit, not without an indignant snort from his mare.

"Amaya," Levi called, patting his horse's neck to soothe her, but looking at me all the while as she pawed the dirt. "What's wrong?"

"Besides the fact that Erwin was completely wrong about what we'd find here," I said in a huff, "then nothing at all. Dammit, I knew I had a bad feeling about today!"

"Stay calm," he advised.

"But what if I'm the wrong one?"

"You're not," he said right away. "You've never led us astray before. You're good at this kind of thing."

"Yes, but if he had intel there were plains here, then..."

"Then he was wrong," Levi said surely. "That's all there is to it. You can have the privilege of letting him know when we report back to him."

"I don't want to be the one to tell him that he was wrong," I muttered, looking at the map once more.

"Fine, then," Levi responded easily. "I'll do it. The damn man documents anything and everything, so I'm sure he'll even write the fact that he was wrong down, too."

Oh," I said right away, catching onto one of the words he used. "Documented... Hold on..."

I took a moment to gather my thoughts before speaking, and when I did, I was smiling now.

"Ha! That idiot! He told us we were heading into plains because he assumed the omission of topographical data meant that the area was completely flat, devoid of changes... but it's not! It was just completely uncharted, because Shadis' expeditions never made it out this far! This area just wasn't documented!"

"Huh," Levi said, surprised. "So, I take it you want to tell him, now?"

"Absolutely," I said through a laugh. "If there's anything I know, it's how to read a map."

"And be a brat," Levi muttered quietly.

Before pushing on again, I glanced over at Levi after marking down my notes on the map and charting important features in the landscape. As we got closer, we'd make it more detailed, but for now, the most basic topography and notes would do.

"Makes you wonder if there actually is a base there," I said to him as I tucked the map away.

"If nothing else, the forest will provide some cover and a chance to rest," Levi said, because sure enough, we'd been going for hours. As the morning had bled into afternoon, we'd hadn't seen hide nor hair of Titans, save for the odd couple we'd seen only an hour ago or so by now.

"Do you think the others will be there?"

Levi chanced a glance around us, at our surroundings which were abnormally calm given the situation. "We've made good time," he decided on saying. "It's impossible to know if they're there unless we get there. But unless they've had better luck than we did, I think it's unlikely anyone is there yet."

"Well," I said decidedly, "then I suppose we better clear the way, shouldn't we?" I smiled then, taking Strider's reins in hand and sitting up straight in the saddle, clearly preparing to ride. Levi followed suit, keeping one leisurely hand against his thigh as he regarded me seriously.

"You seem excited to get your hands dirty," he noted. "You know damn well that forest will be crawling with Titans."

I've said it before, and I'll say it again," I reminded him. "I find joy in killing these fuckers. Besides, it'll be just the two of us, riding through a forest, flying together through the sky... It's our normal Tuesday night date, is it not?"

"Tch," Levi uttered. "This your idea of romantic, you brat?"

"Isn't it to you?"

"Hardly," he said. "Sorry it doesn't get me in that kind of mood when I have to save your stupid ass from Titans."

"Oh, is that right?" I said lightly, and more than a bit dramatically. "Pity, because watching you dive in so heroically to save me, seeing how handsome you are when you're aloft, the intense concentration in your eyes and the strength you exhibit, it's all very-"

"Alright, alright," he cut in. "Knock it off. We've got a job to do."

I chuckled lowly, kicking into Strider's sides and falling into step with Levi and his mare.

"For the record," I called after him, "I love getting into trouble with you!"

"And watching me work, apparently," he snarked, looking at me over his shoulder, his eyes narrow and accusatory. "Is that why you do it? Get yourself caught because you know I'll save you?"

"No," I said right away, even as a shit-eating grin crossed my face. "What makes you say that?"

"You're something else," he muttered. "Well, eyes up. You say you love getting into trouble with me, but I might just leave you to do it yourself if you don't keep up."

At that, I gave him, wordlessly shaking my head before urging my horse faster. What I didn't know, and would soon find out, was that with each measured stride closer to that forested mountain range was another step closer to danger, some of the worst we'd faced.

—

This battle was oddly reminiscent of another we'd faced not long ago.

Though not raining, it was in a forest; though not led by Shadis, we had few soldiers; though not fighting in a large group, we were overwhelmed.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit," I hissed, risking a glance behind myself as Strider raced through the underbrush. His breathing was labored, his chest surely heaving with the effort it took to charge so fast and in conditions like this. I couldn't keep endangering him, especially not with the way a pair of abnormals was gaining on me. "I hate those damn things!"

Strider managed to find the breath in him to snort, as though agreeing with me. I faced forward once more, not wanting to look into those troublesome pairs of eyes behind me any longer.

I was just in time too, because just at that moment, Strider leapt over a fallen log. His landing was easy, but it was obvious that this chase was wearing on him, and I would stand for it no longer.

Before I did anything, I took note of my immediate surroundings. Somewhere far off, I could hear the sounds of Levi fighting Titans of his own. He seemed to be ok, for now. Besides, I had to get Strider to safety before I could even think about fighting the ones behind me.

"Here's what's going to happen," I said to Strider. "I'm going to stand up. Stay nice and steady, and I'll be off your back in no time. We've practiced a hundred times before, right?"

Strider threw his head up, perhaps to toss locks of his mane from his face or perhaps to nod in his own strang way, and when he lowered his head, he seemed to double-down on his speed.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say he had wings, perhaps the very ones I wore on my back. Maybe I presented them to him now to grant him strength and courage; but let me only hope that it didn't take away from my own.

"Alright, here we go," I said, removing one foot from my saddle.

I stood in the stirrups and set my foot down, planting it firmly against the saddle. The other foot soon joined the first and before I knew it, I was standing. Another fallen log presented itself before us, and I drew an even, steadying breath in, knowing that the log presented the perfect chance to leap off.

I didn't have much time to prepare myself, which was probably for the better, because I had no time to question what I was doing or what my next move was before Strider gathered his feet beneath him and leapt over the log as smoothly as I could have hoped for.

As though flying, he took to the air, and so did I; while he landed and veered off somewhere to get away, I remained aloft, sending a wire out to the nearest tree to me.

I swung around it with a sudden burst of gas, and soon, I was behind the first Abnormal Titan that had been chasing me. It had continued charging forward, apparently not having noticed me start to swing around the tree and behind it, or maybe it was just going too fast to stop quickly, but I didn't care.

I took the chance before me and struck, killing it easily. And then I was off, not having it in me to worry about killing the other Titan when I saw more movement in the forest, glints of metal that could only have been Levi and the sight of pale skin rushing through the trees towards him.

"Levi," I called, racing as fast as I could towards him, all too aware of the Titan still chasing me.

"Amaya," I heard him say. "Stay back! And- dammit, you're being chased!"

"Well, I knew that," I said, continuing towards him. I swung low, slowing only slightly to entice the Titan chasing me into lunging jaw-first towards me.

Before it could close its jaws around me, I leapt away, watching as my plan worked. One of the small Titans in the clearing Levi had been fighting in had been just waiting for levi to get low enough to the ground for it to reach, but it never got the chance as the Abnormal Titan - dwarfing that one - leapt towards it unknowingly, closing its jaws around its head. I knew it wouldn't kill it, but for now, both were distracted.

Levi was, in a word, surrounded. If I had it in me to say it, I'd just say he was fucked, because any normal person would be dead by now, if faced with the Titans surrounding him from all sides, but he seemed to be doing well. As he killed another Titan, I killed the Abnormal that had chased me here, having used it for what I wanted, and faced the next.

I dodged a Titan's pitiful attempt to grab me, then hooked to its shoulder, then its other one, to offer me the chance to kill it, which I did. I did it with the next, and the next, aiding Levi as more Titans poured into the clearing.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that every damned beast that was in this entire forest was converging on this one clearing.

But, whatever. We'd kill them and be on our-

"Shit!"

"Levi," I gasped out, watching from across the clearing as his foot got grabbed by a Titan while on his way to kill another and changing blades all the while. There were just so many, it was a mess of flailing limbs and grasping hands and leaping jaws and I didn't blame him for getting caught off-guard, I just hoped the same didn't happen to me as I flew towards him.

In what I could only describe as a blind panic and silent rage, I flew towards him. Hell, I didn't even seem to need the gas, nor even the wires. Will alone might have sent me towards him, though physically I knew it wasn't possible.

I made my way to him. Being forced to dodge a large Titan's attempt to snag me out of the air, I was forced to swing low, but I aimed then at the leg of the Titan holding Levi. Within that same moment, I sliced through it, and with only a glance upwards, I saw that he had been freed and now, he turned over himself to target the one who dared try to kill him.

I began to change course to take to the sky again, but too late that I was far closer to the ground than anticipated, and not only that, but that small Titan - the one waiting to grab Levi earlier, the one still regenerating its entire damn head and only had a damn bottom jaw - was a hell of a lot closer than anticipated.

"Oh, fuck you-" I began, only to be cut off as the Titan began to move.

In doing so, its unknowing movements caught my wire and jerked me suddenly towards it. With a strangled cough I slammed against the Titan's chest and fell - or at least began to fall, before it caught me in its hand. It was strange, being caught by a Titan as small as this. It wasn't terribly tall, yet here it was, handling me as though I was a doll.

The Titan lifted me towards its face, but only to observe me, for a moment - though without eyes, only the bottom part of its face and steam, hot and thick and making it hard to breathe.

"You're disgusting," I spat. "Grabbing a woman like that, honestly. Who the hell do you think you are?"

Its hand, as though choosing this way to respond to my words, squeezed me tighter. My arms were, unfortunately, pinned against my sides, one bent and tucked by my ribs but the other down further, outstretched with blade in hand and now, it was pinned against the box which was now getting squeezed, squeezed, squeezed against it.

I cried out in pain, hearing the crunch of metal as the box was crushed, my arm against it. With the way its fingers curled against that part of my body, I could only have that to thank for my arm not breaking into pieces, at least for now. What I did feel, though, was the intense and searing white-hot pain of sharp metal cutting into my arm. Alright, so, nothing to do about that arm, for now.

Hearing me, or perhaps sensing I was in danger, Levi called out to me.

Managing to wrest my other arm from the Titan's grip, I managed to stretch in a way that would absolutely leave me sore in the morning towards my boot. From out of my boot I was able to grab my knife, and before the Titan could decide whether or not it wanted to eat me, I had stabbed the blade intos its knuckle. Consequently, the Titan released me, and I fell several feet to the ground.

I wasn't there long. I shot out a wire, only to remember the way one of my wires had been shifted by the Titan and then the boxes crushed. Still, the fans whirred and the turbines blew but instead of firing out the wire, only the shattered remains of the wire escaped the mechanism, accompanied by a shriek of metal.

"Son of a bitch," I hissed. Not even thinking about it, in my free hand I reached for a fresh blade, but didn't realize what hand I had reached with. It was my dominant hand, my writing hand, yet too the one that had been crushed and consequently sliced by metal. I glanced down at it, briefly - for that was all I could handle at the moment.

Already, blood gushed from the wound, thick and running the length of my forearm. Blood ran down towards my fingers, surrounding my arm like a sleeve. In the chilled air of the higher elevation, it began to steam, and for a moment I wondered if I might not regenerate like the Titans did, steaming like this.

The Titan before me was soon joined by others. I glanced through the steam and up towards Levi, who was fighting like hell to break through the Titans between us. I returned my focus to the monsters before me.

My arm hurt like hell.

But still, I stood tall.

I brandished my blade in my wounded arm, grasping my forearm with my good one. My fingers pulsed against the controller grip, perhaps involuntarily, but without enough force to use them - not yet. Not until I leapt into action, killing Titan after Titan with ease I hadn't expected to summon at the moment.

At the end of it all, it was not the end.

Blood dripped off my fingertips, pooling in the dirt below me when I landed in a crouch after killing yet another Titan. It seemed endless, as though every last Titan outside the walls converged here all at once.

I only meant to take a breath, to summon up the energy needed to fight more as I stared upwards, not at the Titan trying to block out the sun from beaming into the clearing, but up at the clouds drifting by. I sucked in a breath, smelling not blood, not dirt, not sweat, but fresh mountain air.

It was beautiful.

I only meant to take a moment to recover, but after that moment, it was all over.

Time slowed as the Titan towering over me reached for me, but I sliced through its fingers. Rivulets of blood spiraled through the air, though whether they were mine or the Titan's was a line far too blurred to distinguish. All I knew was that the Titan reared back, clutching its arm.

But at that moment, all other Titans were no longer a threat.

Levi broke through the line of them. In a single breath, where each moment was chaotic in a beautiful way, expertly measured and effortlessly strong, with speed unmatched and skill unforeseen... he killed them all.

Within an instant he was at my side, my shaky arm in his trembling fingers, his eyes struggling to focus on either my arm or the gear box at my side, mangled and crushed with a blade piercing through the metal. I lifted my arm out of his grasp, before he could get blood on him - only to see he was bloodied, himself.

"You're hurt," I murmured, reaching for his shoulder with my uninjured arm, at a thin fray in his shirt, now stained with blood already clotted.

"It was nothing," he said. "We need to get you out of here. Any longer, and you'd have killed yourself. What were you thinking, Amaya?"

"I don't really think I was," I answered noncommittally.

"Tch. I think that's obvious."

"Levi," I said, "you were so fast. It was like when... when Farlan and Isabel..."

Something strange crossed his face, until at last he said, "I don't know what happened. Just save your breath. We need to get you somewhere safe."

He began to gather me into his arms, and I went with little hesitation - though he did immediately clue into the way I was avoiding letting him hold my injured arm, nor anywhere where the blood had not yet completely dried, to which he tutted and more forcefully held me against him.

"And... Amaya?"

"Mm," I hummed, for that was all I could summon the energy to do at the moment.

"I'm alive," he told me surely, looking me in the eyes, "because of you."

I started to shake my head, but he tucked my trembling form against his body and prepared to take to the sky. "Don't. You granted me time - time I didn't originally have. So... Thank you, Amaya."

Despite myself, I smiled. And despite everything going on, all the pain I was suffering through, I found the strength after getting bandaged up to stand on my own, to ride on my own, to fight on my own. Not until we found the base Erwin alluded to - which was actually a short trek into an old cave system - did I rest.

But Levi kept a close eye on me the whole time, even as the others caught up and I led the way, charting and compiling all that we had found, all we had discovered, and drafting a field report on all that had happened.

Additionally, I wouldn't learn of his addendums to my report when he offered to take it to Erwin for me when we returned to the base, to safety. I wouldn't learn of those addendums until Erwin showed me them, himself.

And what he wrote was simple: "She almost died, on the back of your poor judgment and your poor planning. Don't let it happen again."

—

By the time we made it to the Azumabito estate, the sun had set. Kiyomi welcomed us into her home, assuring us that our luggage was in our rooms already and that a warm dinner was nearly completed. We were led into the dining room, which was by far one of the most elegant rooms I'd ever had the pleasure of being in.

It was gorgeous, but not overdone, and even after dinner, each following room I found myself in tied into the sophisticated aesthetic the rest of the estate held. After the dinner, in which we'd been asked about how the journey over was and our first impressions of Marley, we were led briefly to our rooms so that we'd know where they were for later.

We were  allowed to settle in for a bit, and I found that even the bedroom was gracefully decorated. Our room was large, picked because Kiyomi felt that the higher-ups and Onyankopon should live in comfort for the time being, not like the smaller rooms weren't comfortable.

But our room was special because Kiyomi had taken special care to have a toddler bed put into one corner for Emi. Fortunately, Emi had already made the rocky transition from crib and cradle to child bed.

After a bit of time, we'd been called down into the parlor for tea, snacks, and to talk some more. We'd told her about what had happened in the market; of the unfortunate truth that was the intense prejudice those outside the Walls had of Eldians in general.

There wasn't much to be done about it, except to pin our hopes on the "Association to Protect the Subjects of Ymir", and on the efforts put forth at an international forum. Because in truth, this wasn't just a vacation; sure, we were granted time to sightsee and experience things around the world that we'd never been able to, but we were also to make an appearance at this forum and see if we couldn't get anything done.

As such, this was all that was meant to happen this evening; to calmly sit and talk, to rest from our long journey, and to prepare for the morning. That had been the plan, until Mikasa realized that Eren was absent from the group. It wouldn't have been so bad if we all hadn't seen just how distant he'd been from everyone lately.

Kiyomi asked for one of the workers to call for him again. They did but returned shortly because there'd been no reply from his given room and they'd even peeked inside to check. The rest of the workers in the room were ordered to check the estate, both inside and outside.

I did my best not to panic, though the kids had a harder time doing that. I couldn't bring myself to believe that he'd purposefully make trouble here, not when we were here to potentially proclaim Paradis as a nation seeking peace and sign out peace treaties.

The search of the estate proved fruitless; now I allowed myself to worry. But not wanting to risk Emi or drop her with one of the workers here, I elected to stay behind while the kids, Hange, Onyankopon, and Levi formed a search party to look for him. Once they left, and I settled back into my seat, listening to the Azumabito prattle on and on about something or other.

"Miss Amaya," Kiyomi said directly, and because now at last the conversation was directly aimed my way, I nearly faltered within the sudden spotlight - but managed somehow to keep my composure.

"Kiyomi," I said, as she had requested for us to call her while in her home.

"How are you finding Marley?"

"It's beautiful," I answered honestly. "The architecture, the technology... it's unlike anything I've ever seen." I inclined my head towards her, smiling in a way I hoped seemed warm to her. "And your estate in particular is gorgeous," I noted. "Your generosity is entirely appreciated."

Kiyomi smiled, a matriarchal sort of look on her face. "I'm glad," she replied. "I'm glad. And how is your daughter enjoying it?"

"Oh," I said, looking at my daughter fondly, "she loves it. This trip, if nothing else, is granting her access to so many things that her father and I never even dreamed of seeing one day."

"Marley in particular is one of the leaders in early childhood education," she told me. "If you wish, Emi can have access to some of their curriculum."

"Really? She's not even three," I told her.

"I mean for you to keep," Kiyomi said, and at that... warmth blossomed in my chest.

"You would do that for her?"

"Of course," she said. "Ackerman blood is special. It is unfortunate that Paradis is so far behind other developed nations."

Wait. Huh?

"And... why is that?"

"As I mentioned, the blood within your daughter is special," she said, as though that would explain it. "There are very few Ackermans, and even fewer that know of their potential." At that, she glanced pointedly towards Emi. Her eyes lost whatever warmth I thought I saw. It seemed that all Emi was to her was a vessel - a vessel for power.

"What do you mean by that?"

Instead of answering, Kiyomi said, "As history goes, the Ackerman clan was brought up as byproducts of Titan science to protect the royal bloodline."

Byproducts of Titan science?

Instinctually, protectively, my arms tightened around Emiko. So, the strength Levi and Mikasa had, and now my daughter...

"How do you know this?"

"The history of Paradis is a dark one," she said cryptically, "but the only ones ignorant to it were you."

"The Ackerman clan... Mikasa told us they were persecuted. Why?"

"They rejected the ideology of the first king," she explained. "And that was punishable by death. So, into the shadows they went. And into the shadows they have stayed... until now."

"You spoke of their potential," I began. "What do you mean by that?"

"Their power is unnatural bestowed, yet naturally used," she told me. "Because their bloodline was altered - much like that of Titan powers being passed along from user to user - they can use their powers easily. But very much unlike the Titan users, people have been unable to study them. Even the Ackermans that now live know not their true potential. No one does."

"You talk as though you want to find out," I said uncertainly.

"Say this council does not go well," Kiyomi said. "What do you think will happen?"

"We'd have few allies if war does come," I said, refusing to say anything more than that.

"So," she said, "any and all fire and manpower would need to be utilized, should you desire to protect your homeland. Would it not?"

"If that comes to pass, then yes," I responded, then almost physically recoiled as a thought reached my mind. "If you speak of having my daughter fight, then-"

"She is but a child," she reminded me, as though I needed reminding. "But the Ackerman family, and their power, may in fact be necessary for Paradis' continued survival."

My eyes narrowed at the woman. "So what are you suggesting?"

"I'm not suggesting anything," she said, though I was certain she was lying.

No, it really much rather felt like she intended to take Emi away for specialized training, for experimentation, for arduous tests and arbitrary prodding, all to try to tap into her true potential as an Ackerman, as a soldier... a tool, very much like Marley's use of their Titan Warriors.

"Don't you wish to have more children?"

"With this ever-present war you keep alluding to on the horizon, then no," I said firmly, standing up. "I refuse to allow my daughter to be treated like an experiment or a tool for war, and I refuse to condemn myself to a life of being with child over and over again all so that you can have the army you clearly want."

"I did not mean..." Kiyomi sighed. "Seems I've gone too far. I apologize, Miss Amaya."

I left it at that, and left the room.

Instead of heading right to our room, I held Emi against my hip and took myself on a little tour of the estate while I had the time to keep my mind off what was going on.

It was quiet in the halls. At any other point I'm sure I'd have appreciated it, but knowing that everyone was out searching for Eren, well, it was simply eerie in those halls with only the sounds of my heels on the floor accompanying us.

There were lanterns lining the walls, illuminating them in a nice, almost homely way. The intricate gilding along the walls shone in the light, and I lost track of just how many rooms I passed in our aimless wandering.

Most of the doors were closed, yet a few were open. The few doors that were open were just asking to be peeked into, and so I did. There were some empty guest rooms left open, a few closets too, but what really caught my eye was a somewhat large room in an otherwise barren hall.

It was a set of open double doors. The other side of the hall faced the back of the estate, and were lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that let the moonlight in. The double doors were the only doors in that hall, and they were set about halfway down.

Peering inside, I was met with a small ballroom. The chandelier hanging high above was lit, along with the many wall sconces lining the room. A grand piano was by the back wall, along with a small assortment of other instruments. There was a small table there too, with an odd device sitting atop. I didn't really want to head into the room, but I was just too curious about what that odd contraption was.

No one was in the hallway, so I figured I could sneak in and out without anyone noticing. I walked as quietly as I could in heels on a smooth floor, which was... actually quite quiet as I shuffled along on the balls of my feet. When I reached the back wall, I crouched down slightly to inspect the gadget closer.

The bottom looked like a box, though there was a flat, circular... something, sitting on top. There was a small nub in the middle. On the side was a needle and connected to that was a large conical piece that looked like a horn, like the ones we had on Paradis for fanfare, but it was larger, and fixed to the device.

Emi reached out to touch it, but I gently guided her hand away. The thing was probably terribly expensive if I knew my luck. "First time seeing a phonograph, miss?"

I whipped around, nearly frightened out of my skin. Seeing that it was just a worker, and one that sheepishly smiled seeing how badly he'd scared me without meaning to, I relaxed with a deep breath. He stepped into the room, his warm brown eyes looking past me at the contraption.

"Yes," I answered when he came to a stop next to me. "What did you call it?"

"A phonograph," he repeated. "Allow me to show you what it does."

From one of the shelves of the table it was sitting on, he pulled out a thin sleeve. From within that sleeve he slipped out a flat, circular item. With a flourish, he placed it on the round portion of the phonograph, the nub slipping through a central hole on it. He pressed a button, and the round portion began to spin.

He gently placed the needle on top, and at first, I wasn't sure what was happening. There were a few quiet, scratchy noises, and then I heard... music? He must've seen the way my eyes widened and the dumbfounded look that appeared on my face, because he chuckled good-naturedly.

"A phonograph plays music, miss," he explained. "What I put on top is a record, and it has tiny grooves in it that when the needle runs over it, plays music."

"That's incredible," I murmured. "May I try another one?"

"Of course, miss," he said.

He then walked me through how to use it as Emi danced behind us in the center of the room. Her dancing consisted of cute little hops, and despite how odd I'm sure it was to watch for the worker, I danced with her, taking her hands in mine and lifting her, twirling her, and crouching down to kiss her little cheeks.

As tired as Emiko was, it didn't take long for her to give up on dancing and toddle over to me. She tugged on my skirt as I helped put the record away. Once done, I thanked the worker with a bow, picked Emi up, then made my way back to the room my family had been assigned.

I'd been so distracted by how fun it was in the ballroom, that I nearly forgot that everyone else was outside searching for Eren in Marley. Walking through the main foyer in the dark, I slowed as I passed by the main doors. I knew it was highly unlikely that they'd return as I passed by, but... I could hope.

It was all I could really do right now, anyway. With a huff I headed upstairs and to the living spaces we'd be sharing for the next month. Once in the room, I wasted no time in getting Emi ready for bed. It'd been a long day for all of us, and this evening she'd only gotten a short nap in, so the poor thing was exhausted.

Kiyomi had been nice enough to send for some books from her library to be delivered to the room, and so once she was bathed and in pajamas, I sat next to her on the bed once I tucked her in, and let her choose a book. I read to her, sang to her, and stroked her hair once she finally fell asleep.

I knew we were here on diplomatic business, which could hopefully bring peace to our little island that was the target for so much anger, but I was so excited for Emi to be able to experience all of what the outside world had to offer. It was an exciting prospect for all of us, of course, but for her, she might be able to grow up with these luxuries and new technologies, if all went well.

She could have the perfect childhood that neither Levi nor I could have, but desperately wanted for her.

If war did come, it would take a lot from us. I could only hope that the outcome would be kind to us. To her, especially. I couldn't bear it if Emiko had to sacrifice her childhood for the ruins of war.

My childhood had been spent in that wretched underground city, and it was as normal as it could've possibly been with a soldier father in a crime-ridden town. Levi hadn't gotten a childhood. He'd been fighting for as long as he can remember, with only a few precious memories of his mother.

I didn't care what happened to me. All I wanted for this damn life was for her to grow up happy and healthy. She was my sweet little girl, my heart. A tiny piece of heaven on this wretched world. A little girl comprised of what I believed were the best parts of Levi and me.

As I gazed over her, my smile faded away into a frown. She had such fucked up parents. Someday, we'd have to apologize to her for that. We were doing our best, sure, but...

I sighed. Running my fingers through her hair once more, I stood, allowing her to rest. I walked across the room, opening the luggage to take out a set of pajamas. I wasn't sure when Levi and the others would be back, so I figured I'd just grab a book and read by candlelight and wait up for him.

I probably wouldn't be able to sleep, anyway, knowing that they were all out there running through unfamiliar streets and searching for a highly unstable Eren. So, I may as well read instead. I changed into pajamas and settled into the silk sheets, leaning against the headboard as I lost myself in a story.

Hours passed, and it was likely past midnight by the time the door to our room opened. I was a few chapters into the book, but I'd had to reread certain parts because I'd gotten lost in my thoughts and distracted by my fears for them all running around Marley. If not for that, I'd be a lot further into the book by now.

Regardless, the click of the door and the low creak of it opening slowly stole my attention away immediately. Levi looked around the room, his eyes going first to Emi's bed, where she slept soundly, and then to the bed we were to share while here. As the door closed behind him, one of his eyebrows quirked up, the silent question in his eyes obvious. He hung his hat on the rack by the door.

"I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep without knowing if you guys were alright," I said. Levi approached the bed, beginning to shed his outermost layers. "Did you find him?"

"Yes," Levi answered, his voice as quiet as my own so as not to disturb Emi. "But the brats found him first. And they all were passed out drunk in a camp with refugees. Somehow, they tracked down that little thief from earlier."

I was confused but figured details could come later. The fact that they'd all been passed out was terribly funny to me. "Did they blow all of their allowance on alcohol?"

"Most of it," he said, untucking his undershirt. His belt was the next thing to fall to the floor. "We managed to toss them all into the back of a car and bring them back. The dumbasses aren't getting any sympathy from me in the morning when they're hungover."

I smiled. "Do they ever get your sympathy?"

"No," he answered easily as he went to our luggage and got himself a set of pajamas. "But they especially don't deserve any after this little stunt."

"Oh," I said as he picked up his discarded clothes and took a step towards the bathroom. "Change quick. I have something to show you."

Levi did, in fact, not change quickly, instead insisting that he take a bath to get clean. With a little bit of pestering, I left him to it, knowing he needed to relieve himself of the stress from having to run everywhere this evening in search of those idiots.

And finally, he was clean and dried and dressed in pajamas, and so, making sure Emi was snug and asleep, and promising that we'd only be gone for a few minutes, I shoved my feet into a pair of slippers and dragged Levi towards the door. He'd only just been able to slide a pair of slippers on before I tugged him from the room completely.

On fast, near silent feet, we ran, and it was oddly reminiscent of our wedding night: temporarily staying in a building far nicer than any we could ever afford, running through the halls dodging workers and other guests alike. Finally, we reached the small ballroom that I had found, and once I'd opened the door with a flourish and turned to face him, he peered into the dark room curiously and rather skeptically.

The chandelier candles had been put out, as had the wall sconces, but with the doors to the hall open, I had just enough light to pull open the curtains and illuminate the room with beautiful blue moonlight. I gestured for Levi to enter the room, and he reluctantly did so.

"Amaya? Are we allowed to be here?"

"We're guests," I mused as I practically skipped over to the phonograph. "If they didn't want us in here, they'd have put up a sign or told us."

"Better question," he mumbled, sticking his hands into his pockets as he stood in the center of the room. "Why are we here?"

I glanced over my shoulder at him to smile. "Isn't it obvious, silly? We're going to dance."

"Amaya," he sighed out. "I'm tired."

"Just for a few songs, please," I implored, glancing back at him again before returning my attention to working the phonograph. I was a bit nervous since the worker wasn't here to guide me, but I managed by myself, placing the record on and gently placing the needle on it once the turntable was spinning. "Ah, good. There we are."

I stepped out of the way of the phonograph so Levi could see it. The music began, a sweet little love song. It wasn't one I recognized, because it was a Marleyan tune, but it was simple enough so that I could hum along as I sauntered over to him.

In the moonlight pouring in, he looked extra handsome tonight. He was wearing a loose-fitting shirt with long sleeves that allowed some of the impressive muscles of his shoulders to peek out. His sweatpants hung low on his hips like they always did, meaning that if I tugged his shirt up, I'd get a delicious look at his muscles and that suggestive deep-V that directed me downwards.

I'm sure we looked like fools to anyone who might've peeked inside, but I wasn't too worried about that. "We're in a different country for the first night ever," I reminded him. "And we've plenty of brats to look after. Do you really think you can fool me into thinking you'd sleep a wink, tonight?"

"No," he answered, "but at the very least, resting in bed is better than dancing."

My shoulder brushed against his as I walked around him, as if evaluating him. "We're in a pretty ballroom," I murmured, "with pretty music, and my pretty husband is right here. It's pretty damn unlikely that I won't dance with you, love."

"And if that pretty husband doesn't want to dance?"

"I'll be sad," I said with a shrug. "Maybe I'd dance by myself." I came to a stop in front of him, turning my body to face him. His trademark smirk quirked up on his lips. "Uh oh. What's that smirk for?"

"Depending on what kind of dancing you're doing, maybe I'll stick around to watch," he said.

"Oh, hush," I said. I lifted my chin higher to shoot him a smile before bowing down in a curtsy. I extended a hand towards him once I stood again. "May I have this dance?"

With a roll of his eyes he grabbed my hand. Before he could back out, I hurried to get into frame, perhaps a bit too excitedly, because he chuckled. We began to dance, waltzing because it's all we knew how to do.

"If I could, I'd go the rest of my life without dancing."

"You picked the wrong wife, then," I said teasingly. "But thank you for dancing, sweetheart."

He must've picked up a few things from watching others dance, because he brought me in close only to dip me. Not expecting it, I couldn't help the surprised squeak that escaped me, but that only made my husband chuckle as he held me.

"You're supposed to give a lady warning before dipping her," I chastised. "You're lucky I trust you."

"I know you do," he said. "That's why I did it."

"You're such an asshole," I said, my voice hardly even a whisper as he used his hand on my back to gently lift me towards him as he ducked down towards me.

His lips ghosted over mine as he whispered, "and yet you love me all the same."

"You're right," I said playfully. "Perhaps I should reconsider, if that's how you're going to treat me."

Levi chuckled, shaking his head indulgently. "And? Did you?"

"I've thought it over," I said decidedly. "And..."

"And?"

"My answer is..."

"Mm-hm?"

"I still love you, Levi. You're stuck with me."

"Good, then," he murmured.

Taking his easy hint, of glancing from my eyes down at my lips, I smiled, then craned my neck to press my lips to his, just as I knew he wanted. It was a quick kiss, one that had butterflies alighting in my belly, but they all shriveled up as I remembered my earlier conversation with our hostess.

Levi sensed my hesitation to deepen the kiss as he had, and immediately he drew away, and stood, pulling me up gently with him. When we were standing, I braced my hands against his chest and met his eyes unsurely.

"Amaya," he said quietly, "what's wrong?"

"Just something she said," I murmured in answer. "Kiyomi, I mean."

"What? What did she say to you?"

I shook my head, wondering if I should... but no. She was our hostess, and had it in her capabilities to make this trip turn sour very quickly if prompted, and had the ability to bring war to our island quicker than anticipated if she deemed it necessary.

And I didn't want to be the reason she felt she needed to.

"About Emi," I began. "She has the potential to be a really bright little girl. She said we can have access to learning materials here, if we want."

It was obvious that Levi knew there was something I left unsaid, but for now, he let it be. He knew not to pry, just as I knew not to. If at some point I decided to tell him... I would. But not now.

"That's good," Levi said. "We may not be school educated, but for her sake, we should take advantage of that kind of thing. Right?"

"Right," I affirmed. "I'm excited for her."

"So am I," Levi said. "You look exhausted, Amaya. Let's head to bed."

"That's a great idea."

Yes, back to the room. Back to my daughter. Back to where we could protect her - even from those who might claim to be allies. To have more children... to do so naturally would be one thing. But to be forced to... to be pressured to...

No. Absolutely not. I was not a vessel to continue Levi's bloodline.

Or... was I being selfish? I had no idea. I knew the Ackerman line was special - that was obvious even without their history. But to suddenly have the responsibility of bearing that blood was jarring, to say the least.

For now, all I could do - and all I wanted to do - was support and raise my daughter. To protect her was at the core of everything I did now, to do right by her the way my father had with me, the way Levi had always wanted to be raised.

We were her parents and we would protect her by any means necessary.

That was why, when at last we slipped back into our room and made our way wordlessly across the room to Emi in her little bed, sleeping soundly... I knew that even if I never told Levi what Kiyomi had said to me, that he would always protect her, and he would not hesitate to do everything in his power to keep her at our side, just as I would.

So, for now anyway... I put those thoughts to rest. There was nothing that could hurt us here, especially when Levi wound his arm around my waist and pulled me to lean against him. We'd fought to be a family, and now, we would fight to stick together.

We were all Ackermans, now, blood or not. Even me. To that end, at least for tonight, I was not worried. The future would come whether we liked it or not, but our strength came not from our blood, but our hearts. And that I could depend on.