Chapter twenty: Riveren titan
Mara's pov:
"If you best me in a duel, I will let you live...on one condition..."
No, don't.
"That you inherit my titan, the Riveren Titan..."
The footsteps grew louder and louder, until they finally stopped outside the closet door.
I placed a hand over my mouth to stifle my ragged breathing, but it didn't make a difference. I could already feel the scared tears welling in my eyes.
"You seem to forget I am a titan shifter, you cannot hide from me, child." Her tone turned sharp at the word 'child'.
Through the crack in the door, I saw the shadow of her hand reaching up towards the handle. The door began to open bit by bit, slow but steady.
I could see the Titan Shifter's hand now, nails black and skin still with a pink hue from her titan form. My body was shaking from fear now.
Why aren't I moving?
Where is there to go?
Suddenly, the door swung open and a hand reached in, grabbed my shift and yanked me out, into the room beyond.
There was a flash of light behind my scrunched shut eyes as I exclaimed in surprise, waiting for the impact of the hardwood floor. But instead of the rough wood, I felt myself land softly on a bed of grass. The grass was fresh to the touch, and the soil beneath it seemed healthy when I felt it.
I opened my eyes cautiously, taking in the vibrant grass and squinting against the sudden brightness.
I covered my eyes with my arms in an attempt to let my eyes adjust before meeting the harsh light when I stood up. When my eyes did finally adjust, they widened with surprise at my new surroundings.
There was a warm breeze that picked up stray stands of my now unbound hair, playing with it gently. It wasn't an unpleasant breeze, instead it was light and carried the scent of fresh water. I gazed at my surroundings, finding that I sat in was a meadow of sorts.
Flowers of all colours and types covered the meadow from top to tail. An array of colourful decorations.
Trees lined the field, perched high and proud atop mounds and around clumps of yet more flowers.
I found a small smile adorning my features as I observed the growth swaying in the welcoming breeze.
A petite brook ran through the middle of the meadow, gurgling its pesance. I spotted wild horses and deer grazing on the far side of the brook, eating the shrubbery and drinking from the water contently. Little foals chased each other around playfully on unsteady limbs, splashing through the brook and neighing with delight. The fawns watched with curious eyes, some even dared to join the games the foals played. Their mothers watched contently, sending encouraging neighs or beats when a baby hesitated or tripped.
The peaceful nature and contentment sent a tranquil feeling coursing through my veins. I found myself relaxing into the bliss of not having to stress or worry.
My mind journeyed back to the distant memories of the times me and Yana would waste hours on end picking flowers for crowns and giggling at the silliest things. Those memories were some of my fondest.
This is my dream reality...
After a moment more of smiling at the nature around me, I cast my gaze to the side of the meadow behind me.
Instead of more flowers and trees, I found myself observing a young boy standing only a few metres away. His hair was dirty blonde, and it hung in front of his eyes, hiding them from my view. His clothes were plain and old fashioned to say the least, but he himself looked no older than ten. He looked familiar, but it took me a moment to remember why. When I did remember, I thought that I probably wasn't nearly as surprised or scared as I should have been. The name of the boy before me was Yari Fritz, the twin brother of Lady Ymir Fritz himself stood before me, not speaking a word and yet offering me the world. I didn't need to exchange words with Yari to know what he was doing. This place was sacred to me, a place where I travelled when I needed to escape from the suffocating anxiety of the real world, and he was offering it to me on a silver platter. He held such power in his grasp, and yet he chose to gift upon me the pleasure of visiting my dream reality in the flesh with it.
Why would he do such a thing?
"Take my titan, you could save many with its power..." His voice is soft, yet clear. It's carried on the breeze, delivered to my ears by the power of his.
"But surely there are many who would be more worthy than I?" I responded, noticing that I wasn't scared, just insecure.
I did not fear Yari, only that I would make the wrong decisions when the time came, if I did inherit his titan.
"There are many, but your name has been carved into the wall of fate for years long passed, my dear. Much like mine was before I was chosen." A new voice spoke from behind me. I turned to see the Titan Shifter from before. Her hair was unbound, long and dark with a tint of red. Her eyes forewent all darkness and instead shone as a vibrant blood-red. She wore a light grey underdress, with a darker pinafore on top.
She smiled softly at me, all signs of her earlier viciousness now vanished without a trace when her eyes crinkled. I couldn't help but return the smile.
"But how did you know you were worthy of the gift?" I asked, unable to keep the curiosity from my tone. She let out a breathy, quiet laugh.
"I did not, my child. But your name has been carved into the walls of fate. Even if you do choose to decline, the paths you take in an attempt to avoid your fate often lead you straight to it instead."
"I think I understand..."
"That pleases me. I knew you would be the one from the moment I saw you. You will do well as the Riveren Titan, darling."
"I hope you're right." I offered a small smile before returning my attention to Yari.
He nodded respectfully once before waving his hand and crumbling away into dust and blowing away on the breeze.
"Do well and save many, my soul will live on inside of you." Yari's words rang in my ears. A light chuckle sounded from behind me. I turned towards the Titan Shifter with a sad expression.
"But what will happen to you?" I questioned sympathetically. She smiled, her eyes crinkling once more, and waved a hand in the air beside her head as a signal not to worry.
"My physical form will die, but I will always live on here." She gestured to the meadow we stood in, "if you ever need guidance, know that I will be here, waiting for your return."
"Thank you..." I whispered.
I blinked and found myself opening my eyes to see that small room back in Trost surrounding me.
I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as I smelt the smoke, saw the damage and heard the screams again.
"Come on, it's time, my dear."
"Ok..."
I followed the Titan Shifter out the shattered window, this time I was careful not to tear my clothes or rip my skin in the process.
Now that I was no longer in my dream reality, the fear and sadness that came with this one returned. So when I gazed at the Titan Shifter who stood a few feet in front of me, it was remorseful and full of sad anticipation.
She pulled out a small metal box from her pinafore pocket and opened it, producing a syringe and dropping the box.
I wet my lips nervously, fighting against the sudden urge to turn and run away. But I didn't. If this was to be my fate, I would face it like a soldier.
The Titan Shifter stepped towards me, her lips pressed into a thin line and brow furrowed. She extended her hand, indicating for me to give her my arm. I did as she instructed, but hesitated when she touched the tip of the cold syringe to my skin.
"What's your name?" I asked quickly, before she had a chance to dig the syringe into my skin. She let the syringe relax and looked up.
Her lips pulled from the thin line into a gentle smile, her brow unforrowing and eyes crinkling as she did so.
"Mieko." She returned her attention to the syringe and my arm, "I wish inheriting titans didn't have to work like this..." She muttered before jabbing the syringe into my arm.
Without thinking, I jerked away, my eyes growing wide with terror and confusion as yellow lightening began to dance around my body. My panicked gaze shot up to meet Mieko's, but I didn't get the chance to see what emotion filled her eyes before everything went black...