*
A DAY LATER
The heavenly coffee aroma fills the room, while preparing Lena and I's beverage in the morning. Sweat still aligns my forehead, while waking up to a nightmare that kept greeting me, everytime I allow my mind to succumb to darkness. Sleep wasn't the best, my eyes were heavy, but coffee and green tea were the only things keeping me awake. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I lean against the bench still feeling myself in a daze.
Judging by the time I would assume Levi took Eren for a walk, allowing the boy to have a stretch and sometime to discuss a few things.
Pouring our mugs I head on outside the castle, finding the place rather quiet even though the cadets will be coming next week. They were needed to be taught about our strategies, when going out onto the field, and how to stay in position until further instructions. Wondering how they will get along with us, I soon find Lena sitting outside in the morning sun.
Hearing me slowly approach her, her auburn eyes meet mine with a warm smile.
"Next time I will make coffee, alright," She says sternly, while I puff my cheeks.
"Shut up, let me do some good and something normal," I pout, while she chuckles taking the coffee mug I passed her. Hearing her mumble a soft thank you, I follow down and sat beside her. Basking beneath the warm sun, I could feel a little comfort. Taking a small sip of my warm coffee, I hear her exhale with satisfaction.
"Wow, so good!" She exclaims, flashing me a big smile. "Seriously, you should run a small cafe and art shop together......you would make a fortune!"
Shaking my head I take another sip of my coffee, while noticing Petra and Oluo busy in the horse stables hearing laughter inside. Not realising I was smile softly, Lena pats my shoulder gently making me snap out of it.
"Hey.....Akira, you in there?"
Lifting my head up, "Hmm.....yeah, sorry.......been a long night,"
She looks at me with keen eyes, waiting for any sign that I was lying, before dropping the question not wanting pry. She shrugs her shoulders taking a sip from her drink, while we decided to sit in silence waiting for further instructions for today. Late afternoon yesterday, Levi, Hanji and the group discussed on a few things with when Eren might transform. Despite our only option in killing him when transforming, I remembered how Eren was pulled from the nape.
Hanji was astounded she was practically fantasizing on her work, but I only heard from the cadets.
Seriously that crazy scientist really gets you all tensed up with dread, waiting for anything to go wrong in a second. Her loud voice always bounces everywhere you go, sometimes finding it too much to handle. Still, Hanji was someone who I grew alongside as soldiers. We never knew each other before becoming soldiers, and joined the scouts. It was only after when I was fascinated with some of her ideas, that made them more happy to make me her friend. Whether I liked it or not.
"So you ready to tell me that mark on your neck?"
The question itself made me slowly process, before realisation hits me. Without even reacting I cover the spot, trying to brush it away with my cheeks dusting red. Recalling how I got it, was a shock yesterday morning. Lena pointed it out, but I lied refusing to tell her. Being curious she was, she kept asking and asking. So I kept denying, and lying to her continuously.
"Old news Lena," I murmur, swatting her hand away. I then rest my elbow against my knee, leaning my chin against my palm. My eyes lulled, "Anyway, I have a request."
She lifts her head, "Request?"
"At the expedition in a months time," I began, before explaining my own request. She listens in carefully, while wanting her to know I was serious. Swirling my coffee lightly in my other hand, my voice grew more firm. Her hums and grunts of approval were made, understanding she clearly understood the favour.
After finishing our drinks, I took both mugs about to walk off when I notice Levi and Eren just coming out of the forest nearby. They seemed to be in deep conversation, until Eren notices me and Lena.
Levi seems to take notice before matching my gaze, before I glance away feeling my cheeks warm up again. Trying to remain nonchalant about it I send him a nod, and quietly headed inside to quickly wash up my dishes before heading to the study gall.
//
Lightly drawing the grainy chalk along the blackboard, I layout the nape of the titan and how the human body is laid out. Setting out the reality of what it is assumed like, I hear footsteps entering the building.
"So......what do you guys need to talk to me about?" the timid cadet questions, while the squad guides him in. Hanji was perched upon the table beside me, while Levi quietly takes the chalk from my hands as instructed.
"Good news actually," Levi spoke up, as I leaned against the desk folding my arms beside Hanji. "There may be a way to stop you, without annihilating you first."
The young boy looks at him with confusion, "Sir?"
"In your titan form," Levi states, before turning to the picture I've laid out for him. He slightly turns back to Eren, "We may have some middle ground after all. A fail-safe, if you will....."
He then full turns back around and does small dashes, across the limbs carefully in diagonal lines.
"The method Akira and I have come up with will only leave you mutilated," he continues, while Eren glances in my direction before returning to the board with concern in his eyes. "Well, at least in theory. Depends on individual skill."
He soon finishes drawing the dashes across the limbs, before I push myself up from the desk.
"Essentially, we cut the entire nape from the body, with you inside," I come in, while gesturing to the layout. "That being said, your arms and legs will be severed half way down in the process, but seeing when you lost both arm and leg in Trost, you managed to regenerate somehow. So I have full faith with recovery, assuming that's the case too."
"Tch, creepy bastard," Levi mutters.
Eren's eyes widen, "Hold on a sec, I'm not really sure how they do it," he nervously spoke up. "I mean, they might but maybe it's not worth the risk that they won't."
A chill went up my spine for only a brief moment, as I side glance Levi's way only to see him narrow his expression. A still silence for only a moment,
"Oh, I see," Levi apprehends, giving such a dull expression towards the nervous cadet. I swear the boy is already afraid, you don't need to corner him in. "You're only up for this if there's no risk involved whatsoever."
"N-No...."
"Then be prepared, we're in the same boat," Levi warns him. "If you go on a rampage, you could kill us, so we're even."
Eren nods reluctantly, "Yes, sir, seems perfectly fair to me,"
"Just to be clear, I have the go-ahead, right?" I hear Hanji's excitement bubbling from her voice.
Levi nods, "We can't afford not to run tests," he replies. "So yes, you're good.....just try to keep him from going rogue right out of the gate."
Her glasses glint only for a moment, "Oh, not to worry, have a plan," She assures us both, with a more hush and secretive tone. "Eren. I know you're still a mystery to yourself, but we learn as we go. Knowledge is always worth the risk. I believe that."
Eren nods, before jumps off the desk with enthusiasm.
"Alrightie then, shall we Eren?!" she takes his wrist, pulling him out of the study hall along with the rest of the squad leaving. Standing there in deep thought, I begin to think about what I already knew upon Eren's capabilities, taking the piece of chalk.
The quiet tapping of the chalk dusts across, listing out what he was able to do or what we already know.
*He generates
*He might be able to control at will (Maybe)
*He has a limit
"He has a limit?" his voice questions, as Levi and I were the only ones in the room. "What do you mean by that?"
Clearing my dry throat I tap at the end of the sentence, "When seeing in Trost, he transformed first....but after, he looked rather pale and exhausted," I began, before recalling the traumatic moment. When Kitz aimed all canons upon the three children, leaving me standing there between canone fire and those children, with nothing but my words.
"He transformed a second time, but he seemed to get blood noses. He grew more feverish, and lastly when he was taken from the corpse you just witness from when you arrived. He was out like a light, so it does take a toll on his own body. Especially when he's not very well nourished."
He grew silent taking in the new information I just predicted, which was only my assumption. So transformation after transformation will only weaken him, unless he would build enough capacity to gain strength instead.
"You might be onto something there, but........what causes his transformations?" he questions, while I rest the blunt end of the chalk against the board. Nothing more we knew, but I wanted to at least have some ideas myself. So I could prepare myself, in case anything went south. Turning around I fold my arms leaning up against the board, facing him only to see him stepping closer towards me.
"So what did you discuss with Eren, early this morning?" I question, when he rolls his eyes leaning forward brushing away my hair.
"Can I say good morning?" He asks rhetorically, before pressing a tender kiss against my temple lovingly. "Just told him more rules, and such......nothing important."
Humming softly I push myself to my feet from the board, when I felt my chest collides into his. Nose centimetres away, my eyes flew open feeling the blood rush to my cheeks. He leans down without warning taking the advantage, as his lips envelope my own plush ones. Squeaking into the kiss, he smirks against my lips before moving gently and slowly. He breathes in heavily, feeling like I'm on cloud nine all over again while fluttering my eyes closed for a moment..
My hand presses up against his chest pulling away, "Come on, we need to begin testing," licking my lips, but he grunts in protest before pulling me back in. His touch was firm, but tender at the same like I would break. Groaning in annoyance, I gave in for a few moments as he deepens the pure kiss.
He then pulls away looking into my eyes with amusement, while I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Time to start testing," he says, while I gasp.
"Seriously? So you get to decide when we go, but I can't?!" I exclaim, shoving his shoulder playfully. Without getting a response, I turn on my heel towards the door, "Alright, I'm going! Don't come begging for a kiss from me, okay Captain."
He clicks his tongue, feeling his fingers ruffle through my locks giving him a small pout.
"Whatever, dumbass," he mumbles, with a small smirk.
///
Holding the rope tightly with Gunther's help, Eren was lowered into the bottom of the well. The burning sensation in my palms were getting warm, with how heavy the boy was. Finally feeling the rope go slack, he was down at the bottom. It was dried up, not having rain for a good while which I was thankful.
"There we go," murmuring to myself dusting my raw red hands, before I step over the edge, to check on Eren looking over the well. Tying the rope, I lower a ladder in case anything went wrong in the process. "How are we doing down there? You're alright?!"
He lifts his head up, "Yes Ma'am!"
Finally Hanji arrived with a few things seeing her jump off her horse, and races towards Levi and I, while gunther returns with his squad at the tables. The glint in the scientists glasses, made me know how excited they were to begin tests, and experiments. This here we are talking maybe everything we need to know about titans, and why they leave a blood carnage of our people to waste.
"Is he down there?!" Hanji asks, before peering over into the deep well. "You ready down there, my dear?! When we're good to begin, I'll fire off a smoke signal! What happens after that's entirely up to you!"
Her voice echoes down, before hearing Eren reply back.
"Ready when you are, Commander!" He calls back, his voice echoes up to assure he's prepared to do what's necessary.
Hanji nods with a smile, "If the boy loses control, this well should hold him," she explains to me and Levi. "Til he wears himself out. If not, we'll go with Levi and your method. Perfect."
She soon pushes back from the well, before Levi and I head to our horses to get back a bit.
With Eren transforming it could kill lives all around, or it may not. We could risk anything, wanting to see from afar what our chances if it will work or not. Swing my leg over the saddle I prop myself up, before flicking my reigns making it back to a safer distance.
Hanji glances in my direction and Levi's, before nodding.
She took the smoke gun out and inserts the green smoke can, and fires it off within seconds. The smoke soon trails up waiting for Eren to transform, as my hands tighten around the reigns. My nerves were settling in my stomach, but I continue to brace myself for anything.
"Hmmm......I don't understand it," Hanji spoke up, after a matter of a few minutes that sneaked by. "Perhaps he missed the signal?"
"Do you think the well is too small?" I question, trying to understand what's the actual problem.
"Perhaps, or perhaps we're just naive to expect he can turn it on and off," Levi spoke up, thinking along the downside of things. With curiosity we gently flick our reigns heading on over towards the well, as Eren hasn't transformed at all. Feeling my eart pounding little by little, I jump down to check on him.
"Eren! Enough, we're done for today!" Levi calls, as he approaches beside me.
"Eren! Did something go wrong down there?!" I ask him, leaning my palms against the edge of the well. My eyes slowly widen with a short gasp in shock, while Hanji repeats the same actions.
His hands were bloodied and marked, as blood coats his chin with fear in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I can do it now," he chokes out, while I breath in relief for one reason but then again would Erwin's prediction sink further into the ground? To gain back Shiganshina, is we're riding all our faith on this boy?
"It's fine, it's okay...." I assure him softly, before ushering him up. ".....let me dress your wounds, okay?"
With that he finally climbs back up while I grab a med kit nearby, while I felt all eyes on Eren. The squad was rather off for a moment, trying to brush it off. Their eyes land on Eren, who looked absolutely terrified knowing the consequences if he couldn't transform for the hope of humanity. Levi went over to make me some tea while we took a quick break, leaving me to tend to Eren's wounds.
"I'm sorry," his voice broke, while I sat beside him.
"It's fine Eren, just focus on your wounds," ensuring him that he has nothing to apologise for, knowing he was telling the truth.
Taking a damp cloth I lean up and cleaned beneath his chin and dried bloodied lips, feeling a little bad for him. He's giving his all for us, and some won't accept it. I quietly let it slide, knowing what we're doing is to ensure the safety of humanity. So his rogue rampages won't harm anyone.
"Thankyou," he politely spoke up, while I smile softly cleaning his bloodied hands. Softly and tenderly as I could, I glance up with a warm smile.
"It's fine....."
Once his hands were cleaned the marks of his teeth were visible, wondering how hard he had to bite down. Must've been painful to do, and over and over again too. The bruising swells around the marks, before I dug into the box grabbing some gauze. Binding his hands around and around, my eyes were focused on his hands I noticed Levi place down my tea.
"Here, and you too brat," Levi passes us both our tea, only to find his eyes linger upon me for a moment. Turning on his heel he walks away from the table, allowing to finish up with Eren's wounds.
"There you go, hope this helps," I pat his shoulder gently, seeing his face redden. "But the thing is, your wounds aren't healing at all."
Levi turns to me.
"Wait, you're telling me the bite wounds on his hands show no sign of healing?" Levi questions sternly, nodding in response. The Captain turns to Eren, who seems to be on edge fumbling with his fingers.
"None sir,"
Levi scoffs, "No offense, but you're not much good to us in this form," he comments bluntly. "If you can't change, our plans for Wall Maria go up in smoke....Pull it together. And yes, that is an order."
Levi was indeed disappointed, no.....he was almost at the brink of being furious at the outcome we just saw just now. He turns around leaving me with Eren, while I felt bad for the young boy.
"Y-Yes sir,"
Eren soon lowers his head balling his hands into fists, while I lean against the table trying to give the young boy some support. Unlike Levi, I knew how to comfort others. I couldn't blame Levi though, we lost so much, and if this plan does go up in smoke, the cadet will have the blame pointing at him.
"C'mon, don't lose heart kid, you'll get it," Eld spoke up, trying to encourage Eren.
Eren sighs, "Maybe, I don't know,"
"Well, that's one hell of a way to learn you're more human than suspected," Oluo spoke up, still mimicking Levi's way of speaking. I drive my elbow into his ribcage, earning a growl from him. "Gah dammit Corporal, did you seriou--"
"Yes,"
Eld sighs deeply meeting Eren's eyes, "Look at it this way, it's a lot better to find out now than in the field," he points out, which was very true. Understandable even. "Back to the drawing board, huh?"
"He's right, no such thing as being too careful when so much is ridin' on you," Gunther agrees with Eld, while I take a small sip of my tea. Silence soon falls while my eyes rest upon my tea, trailing my fingertip along the rim.
"Ow," I hear Eren wince, making me lift my head with concern.
"You alright Eren?" I ask softly, while Eld shared the same concern with me.
The boy nods, with a contorted expression of discomfort.
"Yeah," he leans over struggling, seeing him trying to pick up his spoon he dropped on the ground. Brushing it off I went to lift my teacup thinking all was well, when suddenly everything went black.
I don't know what happened trying to open my eyes, gaining consciousness. The air was so warm, and my head was pounding. Glancing around I surrounded by steam, when I hear my ears ringing continuously. Only muffled yells, and protests were heard trying to recollect my own thoughts. Gripping my head my eyes land on a figure in front of me, trailing up to see Levi standing in front of me.
"Huh?"
------------------------------------
A/N: Just a quick note, my prologue chapter was accidentally deleted. Luckily I saved the writing and made a fresh new chapter of the prologue, for those who were wondering. I even refreshed Akira's profile, and added things. Anyway thanks again for liking and commenting in this book, it means alot
~ Little Bean