I suggest you to read the "MY WAR" chapter since it includes a character profile and what I think Iris looks like! :)
ENJOY!
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ONE MONTH LATER Iris found herself packing for her upcoming mission. She could've sworn the mission was in two more weeks, but it's actually in a day.
And her nerves are killing her.
Will her mother and brother be safe? Will she make them proud? Will she and her comrades fail? And most importantly, will she even come back alive?
Her worries were eating her alive, tormenting her whenever and wherever. Yesterday, she was having lunch with Pieck and she suddenly remembered the mission, making her so anxious she eventually threw up her food.
It would randomly happen and take over her mind completely.
And though she has forced herself to learn to hide her emotions in front of everyone, despite being emotional since birth, Iris was worried it would get in the way of the mission.
Iris couldn't let that happen.
Then, a knock is heard. Iris escapes her train of thoughts and looks over her shoulder.
Her mother, Alma, comes inside the room. "Hi, amor, how are we doing?"
Iris sighs, putting her hands on her hips. "Still got a lot to pack, but I'll manage. Is something wrong?"
Alma frowns, walking over to her daughter and suddenly hugging her, taking the girl by surprise. She rests her chin on Iris' head, stroking her dark hair softly.
"Can't I just check up on my little girl before she leaves and saves the world?"
Iría' eyes soften. She instantly wraps her arms around her mother's waist and sinks her face into her shirt, trying to fight the tears wanting to come out.
"Of course you can," Iris whispers.
Alma smiles sadly. She sighs, hugging Iris tighter, in fear she would be taken away from her arms in that very moment. "I can't believe this our last night together."
Iris feels her blood run cold. "Mamá, this won't be the last time. I'll be home before you know it. I promise."
"Y'know, some would say you're the parent and I'm the child," Alma chuckles, but there was a small choke in her voice. Iris could tell.
Iris looks up to her mother, hurt to see her so sad because of her. "I don't care what they say. You're the best mother I, or anyone, could ask for."
Alma smiles, failing to stop the tears that ran down her cheeks. "Sometimes I wonder, when did my little girl become so strong and wise? I would be lying if I said it doesn't concern me."
Iris didn't know how to respond to her mother's words. They both remain silent for a few seconds, enjoying their warmth that'll soon fade away.
Finally, Iris says, "You don't need to worry about me, Mom. I'm strong, like you said. I'll be fine, I promise," she smiles.
Alma sniffles, tightening her hold.
"I love you, mi corazón."
"I love you, too, Mamá."
She really did love her. So much Iris will do anything to keep her safe, and she already has.
"Well, things got a bit deep there, didn't they?" Alma laughs, pulling away to wipe her tears. Iris only gives a sad smile. Alma scoffs, "What are we even doing?"
"What do you mean?" Iris asks, confused at the sudden change of mood.
"We shouldn't be crying! We should be enjoying our last meal! Who knows what kind of stuff you'll be eating over there in that island? You'll run back crying after not eating my food for months! Just wait and see!"
Iris couldn't help but laugh, feeling much better. "I'm sure I will, Mom."
Alma nods, proud of her daughter's preference of food, "I'll kill Commander Magath if you come back all skinny and starved!"
"Ooh, I'll help you hide the body!"
The two laugh and embrace each other again, letting out a happy sigh.
Then, a voice calls out, "Mamá, food."
Iris lowers her eyes to the small human figure staring at them at the door, chuckling instantly. She turns to her mother, "Looks like Luis is hungry, Mom."
Luis, her three year old brother, rubs his stomach, looking at his mother with sad eyes, "Mamá, I want fooood."
Iris smiles, the most she has smiled throughout this hard and draining week. Her brother was her adoration.
She always helped her mother take care of him, feed him, cook for him, play with him, everything to make him happy.
He was the reason why she tries so hard. No matter how tired she can be from training nonstop, Iris always makes time for Luis.
How could she not? He was the sweetest boy alive.
She remembers clearly the day he was born. It saddens her how a pure soul like Luis can live in this awful world.
"Oh, my sweet boy," Alma coos, extending her arms for him to walk over, lifting him in the air and cradling his legs with her hip.
Luis looks at his sister with a big toothy smile, a dimple appearing on his cheek, "Iris!"
"Hey, kiddo," Iris ruffles his dark hair, "you wanna go eat?"
Luis nods rapidly, "Mhm!"
Alma sets him down on the ground and takes his small hand in hers. She looks at her two children and says, "All right, then, a comer!"
Iría and her family had a wonderful dinner, full of love and happiness. Her mother made her favorite dish, empanadas, a baked pastry made out of dough and beef filling.
It wasn't common for them to eat meat, in fact, it felt like a luxury. Iris kept asking if it was all right to eat meat when it is so expensive, but her mom shut her up by shoving an empanada in her mouth, assuring the girl there was no harm.
Luis always sat beside his big sister, wanting to stay close to her. He would often drop food crumbs when chewing, making Alma and Iris laugh at his cuteness. Iris helped him clean his face every time.
Alma and Iris laughed and talked, well, gossiped, actually. Her mother couldn't help but be a sucker for gossip.
Every time Alma came rushing to room to tell Iris something new that happened, she would scold her and say they shouldn't be talking behind people's backs, but Iris never dared to turn the gossip down.
Dinner went by fast and it was time to sleep. Alma went ahead first to send Luis to bed, and Iris did the dishes.
Iris placed the last dish on the drying rack and wiped her hands with a cloth. When all of the sudden, she hears this agitating, grating voice.
"Oi, kid, bring me my dinner."
Her hand grips the cloth so tight she was sure her knuckles were turning white. Iris faces him.
"What?"
Her father looks back to her from the couch with irritated eyes, a lit cigarette on his mouth, "Are you fucking deaf? I said bring me my dinner, stupid girl!"
Iris' eyes darken, feeling the sudden urge to take that cigarette and shove it down his throat for him
and strangle him with his own belt so his annoying a-
"Robert," her mother's soft voice has turned dark and cold, "don't talk to my daughter like that. I won't stand still."
Robert shakes his head, scoffing. "Alma, you just never learn."
He stands up and approaches his wife, who now stood in front of his daughter, protecting her with her arm, a dangerous look in his eyes. Alma's back straightens as he comes closer. She was scared, Iris knew, but she remained there, not letting the man lay a hand on a single hair on her daughter's head.
"Iris, go to your room."
Iris turned to her mother with wide eyes, "What? No! I won't leave you here with this monster!"
"Iris, I said go to your room!" Iris couldn't help but flinch at the sudden raise of voice. Alma realizes and turns around, grabbing her shoulders and smiling gently, wanting to let Iris she will be all right. "Its okay, mi amor, I'll be fine. How about you go catch some sleep? You have a long day tomorrow."
"But, mom, I can't-"
"Iris."
It confused her how her mother could be so calm. Iris knew better than to not do what she says so she nods, not taking her eyes away from her father. In any case, she was ready to grab a knife and stab his eye with it.
With a defeated breath, Iris says, "Sí, Mamá."
"Good girl, now go to sleep," Alma pats her head and smiles, "Goodnight, my love."
"Goodnight, mom."
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That night, Iris did everything, but sleep.
She was overthinking, as usual. Thinking about the mission, about her family, about Pieck, about being in an enemy island full of devils, about the future. Hell, even about Commander Magath.
She had to stop, as it was giving her a massive headache. Then, she knew. She would die before she reaches 15 because she exploded her head with thoughts.
"Dios mío," she groaned, slamming her pillow to her face to let out a silent scream.
She couldn't be loud. Luis was sleeping soundly in the bed beside hers, his small snores were the only one thing she could hear. Or, she thought he was asleep.
"Iris."
She sends the pillow flying as soon as she hears Luis' sleepy voice, startled.
Iris looks at him standing next to her bed. His messy, dark waves were splattered over his forehead, his shirt's collar was pulled to the side, a small trail of drool near his lips and his pillow in his arm.
"What's wrong, Luis?" Iris asks.
What was the boy doing up at three in the morning?
Luis rubs his eyes, yawning, "I want to sleep with you."
"Oh," Iris chuckles in relief. She was on the edge and thought he was sick or something. "Of course. Come here."
Iris scoots to her right, her back touching the wall. She extends her left arm and helps him on the bed, then lays his head on her arm. With the other, she throws it over him and holds him close.
She lets out a deep breath, snuggling her face into his soft hair. Cuddling with Luis was her favorite thing. It helped them both sleep.
Iris closes her eyes, feeling like drifting off in any second, when suddenly, Luis calls her.
"Yes, buddy?"
Luis yawns again, hugging his pillow closer to his chest, "I love you."
She opens her eyes.
I love you. Those three words were all it took for her to break down.
Warm tears run down her cheeks, one after the other, with no intention of stopping. Iris bites her lip, trying to not make a sound and disturb his sleep, but it was hard.
She swallows back a sob, trying to find the strength to answer.
"I love you, too, Luis," she whispers, sniffling through words.
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"Didn't get much sleep, I assume?" asks Annie.
Iris shrugs at the blonde, combing her bangs with her fingers tiredly. She sinks further into her seat, pouting. "Only slept like two hours. Didn't have time to eat, neither."
Annie was a girl with blonde hair styled in a low bun and bangs covering her forehead, along with a few strands framing her face. Her skin was pale and her eyes a dark blue color, almost grey.
In Iris' eyes, Annie was a very pretty girl, but she was always found with a stoic expression. The girl barely showed emotion, but it has become normal for Iris and she respected it.
Annie was also one of the best Warriors within their Unit. Her combat skills were on another level. Iris wishes she can someday fight like Annie.
"Idiot," Annie says, "here."
Iris looks down at her hand and sees an apple. She takes it and bites it, grateful for it. "Thanks, Annie."
Annie nods, making Iris smile at her lack of response.
The two Warriors were waiting for their comrades at the meeting point. They were supposed to get on a chariot and pass by the streets, and then, arrive at the port to leave for Paradis Island.
So far, it was only Iris and Annie.
Iris' hand touches the arm band on her left arm, dwelling on her thoughts again.
It was a red piece of cloth with a white star at the center, the symbol of her race.
The Spawn of the Devil.
A filthy-blooded race known as Eldia.
Subjects of Ymir.
Every Eldian in Marley was required to wear the arm band, as if to let the world know you were a devil. If an Eldian refused to wear it, it would mean the death.
Everywhere she went, her arm band went with her. But the red color meant she is an Honorary Marleyan, the result of her hard work to become a Warrior.
And now, her mother and brother would be able to wear it and live better lives, even if it isn't close to how Marleyans live.
"Hey, guys!" someone greets from behind.
The two turn around and see the rest of the Warrior Unit walking towards them, except for one person.
"Hey, Pieck," Iris smiles, giving her a high-five.
Pieck returns the gesture, happily. "Sorry, we took so long. The boys wouldn't move their asses."
Pieck had black hair like Iris, but hers was straight and was worn in a ponytail. She had this Greek nose that Iris admired and relaxed dark brown eyes, giving her a sleepy appearance.
"Where's Porco?" Iris asks, looking at Marcel, Porco's brother.
Marcel looks complexed, he sighs, "He... He still doesn't wasn't to come out of his room."
"Oh, I see," Iris says, upset she wouldn't have the chance to say goodbye.
Marcel and Porco Galliard.
The two brothers of the Warrior Unit. The two actually looked quite similar, both having short hair that's swept back and upturned noses, but Marcel was a dark brunette and Porco was a dirty blond.
There was also a big difference between them. Marcel was sweet and looked after the others, considered a leader.
Porco, on the other hand, was more of a hot-head, often rebellious and loved to argue with everyone.
Nonetheless, Iris loved the Galliard brothers a lot.
But, unfortunately, only Marcel was chosen to be a holder of a Titan: the Jaw Titan. And Porco didn't take that very well, which explains his absence.
There was this awkward silence, until Marcel broke it.
"Well, are you two ready, then?" He asks another two members, Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover.
They nod.
Reiner Braun was another blond in the group. His hair was short and his eyes were a hazel color. He had broad shoulders, too, despite only being twelve.
He was also the closest one to Iris besides Pieck. He cares for her like a sister and is a great guy, despite being treated as the underdog. An amazing hugger, too. One hug from Reiner has cheered her up in many occasions.
It makes Iris happy how she can be treated like a younger sibling with Reiner, after having to be an older sister at home. He was a close friend.
And she couldn't forget about Bertholdt.
He was quite tall for his age. He has short, dark hair, brown eyes and an elongated face.
Bertholdt didn't talk much, either. Some may say he is a coward and may question why he was given a Titan as powerful as the Colossal, but Iris doesn't care.
She thinks he is a caring friend and thanks him for helping her whenever she had trouble doing something during training.
"I'm afraid this is where I bid my goodbyes," Zeke, the oldest of the Warriors, says with a blank face.
Though Iris gets along with everyone, Zeke is the only she isn't very fond of. She couldn't explain it, but he just didn't seem like the type of person she should get close to.
Besides, it felt weird, since he was the only 17 year old in the groups of 11-12 year olds.
Zeke was, yet, another blond boy, tall and with gray eyes. And he was definitely the one Marley favors.
"Good luck, and don't fail," he says and walks away.
Iris subtly rolls her eyes, mumbling, "Thank God he left."
But that didn't go past Pieck' ears. The raven-haired girl slaps her friend's arm softly, making Iris shrug. Pieck turns to the rest of her friends, smiling sadly, "It's time for me to leave, too."
"I'm gonna miss you," Iris says, patting her shoulder with a smile. "Take care. Don't forget about us."
Pieck fake scoffs, "Puh-lease. Are you crazy? Of course I won't forget you dummies! You know what can make this better?"
"Dying?" Annie suggests blankly.
Everyone stares at her.
Pieck stammers, trying to to find a way to respond, but she recomposes herself with a big smile, "Eh, no, but a hug will! Group hug!"
Somehow, Pieck managed to pull everyone closer into a big hug, even Annie. Everyone is shocked at first but they all give in and enjoy their last moment together.
Soon, they all pull away, feeling the air between them lighter. Marcel places his hand on Pieck's head, patting it, "See you, Pieck. Take care."
"Bye, Marcel!" She replies, "Don't let these idiots do anything stupid, especially Reiner."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Reiner asks the girl.
Pieck waves her hand in the air, dismissing his confused eyes. "Nothing!" she says, innocently.
Everyone said their goodbyes to Pieck and left to the chariot, leaving Iris behind. She hugs her best friend. Pieck does the same.
"Pieck, can you... can you watch over my family while I'm not here? I don't trust anybody else," Iris says in a pleading tone. She was uneasy about leaving behind her family, and couldn't think of a better person to keep an eye on them.
Pieck hugs her tighter, "You don't have ask me twice, Iris. Anything for my best friend."
Iris said her goodbyes and left with her comrades.
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There was confetti everywhere. It was parade. A celebration.
The people were saying farewell to their Warriors, who were on their way to put an end to the Devil Island, once for all. They were wishing them good luck, telling them to bring pride to their homeland.
In the midst of the crowd, Iris spotted her mother and brother, waving at her with big smiles. Iris was shocked to see her uncle beside her mother. She didn't have time to say goodbye but she was incredibly grateful to have seen his face one last time before leaving.
She waves at her family, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. She could faintly hear her mother shouting how much she loves her, warming her heart with so much love.
She shouts back, "I love you, mom!"
And before she knew it, she was on board of the ship, watching the city of Liberio, her home, shrink in size and disappear in the grand, blue sea.
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