Ten years after her execution, Maela Varon, once feared as the Matron of Umbra, is resurrected in secret, only to learn that her return came at the cost of a stranger's life-and the world she returns to remembers only her crimes.
Now cursed spirits roam unchecked, relics of terrible power slip into dangerous hands, and tensions between the ruling families threaten to ignite into open conflict. With four eager disciples, and two men from her past-Balan, the steadfast friend once bound to her by duty, and Dorian, the stoic warrior whose quiet gaze unsettles her heart. To clear her name and protect those she has come to care for, she must navigate old wounds and fragile trust while hunting the truth before the nation falls to ruin.
Prologue
Maela, the infamous Matron of Shadows, was a name that struck fear into the hearts of even the most hardened mages. Once a promising student of the arcane arts, she chose a path long since forbidden: the practice of Umbra magic. What is believed to be a dark and dangerous method, due to its abrasive technique involving tormented souls bound to the land of the living. Her brilliance and audacity turned her into a pariah, and by the time she reached nineteen, her name was spoken only in whispers.
The Five Great Houses, protectors of Dusvarra, could no longer ignore her growing power. It was said that she had taken the lives of some of their finest members in a single night, a crime that sealed her fate. Captured and condemned, Maela was executed without trial, her death a spectacle for all to see. Her broken body became a symbol of triumph, proof that even the most dangerous threats could be snuffed out by the united strength of Celestial magic.
And so, the people celebrated. With Maela gone, they believed they could finally turn the page on an era of fear and bloodshed, ushering in an age of peace and prosperity. The Matron of Umbra was no more, her evil extinguished.
At least, that's what they thought.
But shadows have a way of lingering, and darkness rarely fades without a fight. Maela's story was far from over—her death was only the beginning.
Chapter 1: Resurrection
For ten years, Maela had existed in darkness.
Not a tangible void of shadow, but a suffocating absence—a realm where sight, sound, touch, and voice ceased to matter. It was a black, endless expanse without the weight of time, and yet it pressed against her, stretching like an eternity unraveled. How long has it been? Days? Decades? A thousand lifetimes? The concept of duration dissolved when the world she once knew crumbled to dust, leaving her alone with the weight of her thoughts.
At first, terror had gripped her. She remembered the cold clutch of fear, sharp and primal, as she waited for something, anything, to break the silence. But nothing came. No saving hand. No voice in the void. Eventually, fear dulled into numbness, and numbness eroded into a strange, bitter resignation.
She understood what became of souls after death. Those bound by unfinished business returned as restless spirits, caught in the liminal space between realms. Others, cursed by rage or consumed by vengeance, twisted into malformed specters, doomed to torment. But no one had spoken of this—a place where nothing existed except the self. No regrets. No sorrow. Just endless, unfeeling stasis.
And yet her memories remained. Every face, every word, every fragile joy and haunting ache lingered, vivid but distant, like stars against a cold night sky. They no longer burned, they simply were. Detached. Powerless. And still, this wasn't peace.
She had believed, foolishly, that death would bring answers. That its veil would lift to reveal clarity, purpose, or even finality. Heaven. Hell. Something. Instead, she was left adrift, her questions circling endlessly: What comes after this? Was it possible she had misread the stars? Was this truly her destiny? And if it was, how long would she be forced to suffer?
She didn't realize she was moving until she felt the pull.
A flicker. Small at first, almost insignificant. A glimmer on the edge of the abyss. But it hummed softly, resonating through the emptiness like the distant toll of a bell. It called to her, coaxing her forward with a force she couldn't name.
Her body, or what passed for it, moved instinctively, carried not by thought but by compulsion. Floating. Walking. She couldn't tell. The light grew, its warmth breaking through the frozen hum. For the first time in an eternity, Maela felt.
The light surged. The darkness recoiled.
And then, the snap.
A shattering of bonds, like chains breaking under strain. Suddenly, she was falling.
Air rushed into her lungs, sharp and cold. Her chest heaved as if she'd been submerged for too long, her heart pounding against her ribs with each frantic beat. Maela gasped, her body jerking upright as sensation flooded her in a torrent. Pain, heat, the cool press of stone beneath her hands—each one more visceral than the last. Her body felt heavy, like it was still adjusting to the sensation of existing again.
She blinked against the brightness, her vision swimming until the world sharpened. A room. A chamber of ancient stone, its cold surface grounding her in a reality that felt impossibly alien. The light was coming from somewhere above, bathing the entire space in an ethereal glow. The walls were adorned with carvings she vaguely recognized. The air was cool and smelled faintly of earth and dust, yet it wasn't suffocating. In fact, it was almost... peaceful.
But peace was a fleeting thing, shattered by a scream that tore through the air. She spun toward the sound, her eyes narrowing as they locked onto the figure of a boy, no older than sixteen, pressed into the farthest corner of the tomb. His face was ashen, eyes wide and gleaming with raw, unfiltered fear. A swarm of spirits circled him, their forms writhing in the dim light like a mass of shadowy vipers, closing in for the kill.
She stood frozen for a heartbeat, the scene before her unfurling like a grotesque painting. A pit twisted in her stomach as she noticed a few lingering spirits in the back. Their power was strong as if it was pressing against every corner of the room. A simple corrupted spirit, although dangerous, could not evoke a chilling reaction like this. There was no mistaking the malevolence that lingered.
Taking a moment she counted the spirits that bided their time. The ones that fed off of the fear and blood of those too weak to protect themselves. There were too many, far too many. In all her years, she had never seen more than one malevolent spirit in a single place. One. And even that had been rare, something whispered about, but never witnessed.
Over her lifetime, she had seen six in total, each encounter separated by years, but still. Many mages would marvel at her luck as many go their whole lives never seeing one.
Her gaze flickered back to the boy. His body jerked in fits of panic, limbs twitching violently as though controlled by invisible strings, betraying the terror clawing at his chest.
He was trapped.
She didn't hesitate this time. Rising swiftly, she scanned the room, her sharp gaze locking on the scene before her. Her breath caught as her eyes landed on a second figure—a girl's lifeless body sprawled across the cold stone floor. Her skin was ghostly pale, her features eerily serene, as if death had taken her without pain. Surrounding her were symbols—dark, intricate designs etched in blood.
Maela crouched by the corpse, her fingers hovering just above the blood-soaked markings. A resurrection spell. The air pulsed with residual energy, heavy and suffocating, laced with the unmistakable taint of Umbra magic. Her stomach twisted as she studied the girl's features, trying to place her. Nothing stirred in her memory. But one thing was clear: something about this didn't sit right.
How would a girl seemingly so young not only use forbidden magic, but also one so dangerous in order to bring me back?
Even though she wanted to sit and ponder on the questions swarming her mind she knew there wasn't much time left as the spirits drew closer.
The boy cried out again, pulling Maela from her thoughts as she instinctively reached to her side. She frowned as she realized that her dagger, along with all her other spirit bound weapons were missing as she dressed in a simple white gown with a light scarf draped around her head and shoulders. In a mild panic, she glanced around, her mind working quickly. Of course. They had likely been confiscated after her death, a precaution no doubt derived from the assembly.
She could feel her frustration bubbling up, but she quickly smothered it. Focus. She had no weapons, and her spiritual core had been all but destroyed in her previous life. For most, that would be a crippling loss—leaving no choice but to retreat from a life of magic. But for Maela, it was merely an inconvenience; as she was a highly accomplished mage. So much so that, in her prime, many had envied her power.
Fortunately, in this case, she possessed other skills, ones that demanded little spiritual energy. Taking a moment to collect herself, she leapt from the stone floor. Her feet hit the ground with a muffled thud, the sound echoing through the tomb as she landed behind the spirits. The chill in the air clung to her skin, but she barely noticed. Her mind was sharp and her focus singular.
"Hey, kid!" Her voice cut through the chaos, dry and unexpected. She stepped in his direction, her feet light, despite the slight unease building inside her. "What did you do to piss these spirits off?"
The boy's face twisted in terror as he scrambled back, his hands raised defensively, the words tumbling from his lips in a panicked stammer. "I didn't do anything! They just... they just showed up out of nowhere! I—I didn't ask for this!" His voice cracked on the last word, thick with fear.
Her focus shifted back to the spirits. They moved like liquid shadows, their translucent forms shimmering with a sickly, otherworldly light. It was obvious that her resurrection had drawn the corrupted spirits to this place, as they were eager to feed on anything they could get their hands on–Including the boy's feeble energy.
And because of that weakness that resided in him she knew she couldn't waste time on comfort. That in itself would make all the difference. Would he leave this tomb with him life, or fall to the spirits viscous nature?
"Stay right there," she ordered sharply, her voice leaving no room for argument.
Without waiting for him to respond, Maela turned, tearing the hem of her dress with a quick rip. The fabric—a white, delicate material—stretched in her hands, thin and pliable, and she used it as a makeshift script. Her fingers worked quickly, every motion precise, as she dipped them into the blood surrounding the body of the young woman, drawing a series of swift, careful symbols along the fabric.
Her movements were fluid and practiced. She was no stranger to magic, and certainly no stranger to the dark practices. The blood from the corpse glistened as it soaked into the fabric, leaving behind a glimmering, crimson trail in the shape of a paper charm—an ancient, protective ward. She muttered an incantation under her breath, the words slipping from her lips in a language older than her memories.
As the cloth began to glow faintly in her hands, she felt the energy around her shift. It was a silent, heavy weight, a pressure building in the air as the spirits drew nearer. Their eyes, cold, locked onto her, sensing the power she was beginning to wield.
Her heart spiked with adrenaline, but her expression remained cool and focused. She needed to act fast as she was unsure how much longer she would be able to keep their attention.
With a flick of her wrist, she launched the glowing charm into the air. It hung there for a moment, suspended in the darkness, before the energy crackled and flared. A wave of energy burst out, radiating in all directions. The spirits shrieked in a collective wail, their forms faltering, disintegrating on contact. The first spirit crumbled to dust before it could even react, a burst of smoke dispersing into the air.
The rest followed in quick succession. With each swipe of her hand, Maela used the charm to guide the spirits' destruction. She didn't need to make contact with them directly—her hand movements alone, guided by the charms power, sent arcs of energy racing toward the advancing figures. Each strike was like a clean cut, severing the spirits from the physical world as they disintegrated into nothingness.
She moved with fluid precision, her body a blur of grace and speed as she dispatched the mob of spirits, one by one. The sound of their fading wails was drowned out by the hum of the energy she channeled. It was a steady, rhythmic buzz, almost like her own heartbeat, pulsing through the air.
The boy stood frozen, his wide-eyed gaze no longer filled with fear but awe as he watched her work. Yet Maela had no time to savor the rare pause. The spirits continued to pour in, a relentless tide that would not be quelled by the first wave of her attack.
Her steps were silent as she advanced toward the next group. Every motion was calculated and the air around her seemed to bustle with intent as she closed the distance, but as she moved a flicker of silver caught her eye. Turning her gaze to the far wall she watched as a weapon gleamed in the tunneling light from above.
Her dagger.
It was within reach, but it sat encased in a shimmering, seal barrier—a trap, no doubt, designed to prevent anyone from reclaiming it. Maela's lips pressed into a tight line as her hands itched to take hold of the weapon.
Seal barriers of this magnitude were built to last. Forged from multiple celest spiritual forces, they were meant to conceal even the most powerful foes and treasures. It would take everything a mage had to bring one like this down.
But she didn't stop to consider the cost.
With a swift, deliberate gesture, she traced an ancient symbol into the air, each line pulled from memory. Magic flared, wild and raw, and the barrier groaned as it began to split, threads of power unraveling with a crackle that sounded far too alive.
The barrier flickered and dissolved in an instant, leaving the dagger exposed. Maela took it in her hand, the familiar weight grounding her. She tested the blade's edge with a practiced touch, the memory of countless battles rushing back to her.
"It's been too long, Zhu," she murmured softly, a sense of comfort and resolve settling over her, "Lets see how rusty we are."
The sky cracked open in a scream of violet lightning, painting the crumbling ruins in searing light. All around her, the corrupt spirits howled, distorted things of fractured bone and coiled shadow, once human, now puppets twisted by spite. And at the center of them all, towering and gnarled like a tree born from nightmares, loomed the malevolent spirits.
She launched forward with a manic grin, dress flaring behind her like a war banner. Four spirits lunged from the side, jaws gaping, eyes burning hot. Maela slid beneath them, her fingers trailing glowing runes in the air. She sliced the blade to their underbellies causing the spirits to explode in a spray of black ichor that rained down across the broken temple stones. But it didn't end there.
A loud shriek emanated from behind her—Enough to shake the very foundations she stood under. It lumbered forward, a churning mass of screaming faces and tendrils of smoke, its body stitched together by curses and long-forgotten grief.
If she wasn't a practiced mage, she would have felt the frightening chills the creatures forced one to bear. Instead she felt a buzz of excitement swell within her as she answered the malevolence with a wicked gleam. She charged, meeting its strike with a gleeful bellow. The impact blasted a shockwave through the ruins. Flying back, she landed in a crouch position as she bared her teeth in a grin of pure adrenaline.
"Oh? You hit hard", She hissed, drawing her gaze back, "I like you", She taunted, causing the malevolent spirit to surge toward her again.
But before it could take another step she hurled her dagger into its face. It hit with a hiss, searing through its spectral skull like molten light. The spirit staggered, flailing blindly as its body burned into ash.
Maela stood, chest heaving, face streaked with soot and ichor, eyes bright with something primal and electric. She looked down at her hands—shaking from the thrill of battle.
But as quickly as the moment had come, her focus snapped back to reality. Though the last of the spirits had been taken care of, the air remained heavy with lingering energy, the silence pressing in around her. It didn't help that the sharp stinging sensation she was met with when she first arose grew warm along her forearm once more.
Drawing her gaze down to the heated flesh she took in the burned patch of skin that had taken shape, forming the telltale mark of an essence scar—a symbol left behind by the mage who resurrected her. But as the lines settled themselves into her skin, she felt a flicker of unease.
The scar was chaotic.
Its patterns jagged and disjointed, lacking the clarity she had come to expect. In all her years as a mage, she had never seen an essence scar so illegible.
Her brows knitted together as she leaned in for a closer look, but the sound of hurried footsteps shattered her focus.
When she turned back, the boy was no longer cowering in the corner. Now, he hovered over the lifeless body of the girl, his face etched with sorrow, his eyes distant. A knot twisted in Maela's chest, and before she could stop herself, she appeared behind him in the blink of an eye, her dagger cold and unforgiving against the back of his neck.
The boy went rigid.
"Who are you?" Maela's voice was low and laced with danger. Her blade did not waver, but her gaze was sharp, searching for any sign of threat.
His hands rose in a gesture of surrender, but his voice was barely more than a whisper. "I'm... no one," he stammered.
Her dagger pressed forward just slightly. His breath hitched, as his pulse became erratic under the cold steel. But it wasn't his fear that concerned her. There were more pressing matters to address.
Her gaze swept over him. The boy was no older than a child, yet she had seen his eyes. His face, too sharp and worn for his years, bore the hardened imprint of someone who had weathered far too much. His clothes were simple and practical: well-worn, yet solid, as though they had been chosen more for survival than comfort. She sensed the quiet resilience in him, the kind forged by hardship.
And then there was the girl.
Maela's gaze flickered to her, her chest tightening for a moment as she took in the lifeless form. The girl's face was youthful, though the features were faintly contorted, as if caught between life and death. Her body was still warm to the touch, a faint pulse still lingering, but it was too late for any kind of revival. A sacrificial resurrection spell could do many things, but it couldn't change the fact that death had already claimed her.
Her brow furrowed as she took another look, noting the dark circles beneath the girl's eyes, and the faint, dried blood around her lips. Her heart clenched for a brief moment. She knew all too well what it felt like to be ripped from the land of the living, but this—it wasn't supposed to happen like this.
She glanced back at the boy. His energy was weak, barely a whisper of spiritual presence, flickered in the air. If he had been a mage, Maela would have sensed something, anything, stronger. Instead, there was nothing but a faint pulse, as if his connection to the spiritual world was frail, like a thread on the verge of snapping. Not strong enough to channel such powerful magic, that much was clear.
She scoffed, her expression unreadable. "No one?" she repeated, her voice dripping with mockery, "Can I at least get a name?"
His body trembled uncontrollably, the faint quiver of his knees betraying his struggle to stay upright. His hands were balled into tight fists at his sides, the knuckles pale from pressure, as though he were holding himself together by sheer willpower. His voice, a hush of words, cracked as he said, "Caius."
Her brow lifted slightly as she let out a relaxed breath, "What family are you from?"
Her question had him pause momentarily. The leery expression he wore earlier came back as he sent her a small glance before sighing, "Var-Bauer."
"Var-Bauer, huh?" she repeated, her tone laced with curiosity and kinship. She tilted her head toward the girl beside him. "And her?"
The boy glanced toward the girl, hesitating before responding. "Tasia," he said, his voice soft and brittle, as though even the act of speaking her name was a struggle.
Maela studied the pair intently, curiosity flickering in her gaze as she tried to piece together how two young teens had found themselves in this mess. Caius stood tense, his posture defensive, as if bracing for an unseen blow. His shifting eyes betrayed a deep-seated fear, darting to the corners of the space as though more danger might spring forth at any moment.
"And where are your parents, Caius?" she asked, her voice steady and probing, yet devoid of overt sympathy.
"Dead," he whispered, the words leaving his lips like they physically pained him.
She hummed softly in acknowledgment, her head tilting back as she clicked her tongue in thought. Her expression was neither pitying nor cruel, but something in between—a mix of distant wonder and careful calculation. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen," he replied, his voice steadying, though his hands still trembled faintly. She was surprised by how readily he answered her. Either he was unaware of her true identity—Which was unlikely, or he was simply oblivious to the harsher realities of the world. Whatever the case, Maela saw no reason not to use his ignorance to her advantage.
Straightening her posture, she tilted her head slightly to the side, drawing his attention with an effortless ease. She exhaled heavily, the sound deliberate as her sharp gaze bore into him. "Has anyone ever told you how incredibly naive you are?"
The words hit Caius like a slap, his wide eyes shooting up to meet hers, filled with equal parts confusion and shock.
"You barely know me," she continued, her tone edged with exasperation, though there was no malice in it. "And yet you seemed willing to spill your whole life story without even a second thought. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? You need to be more careful—who knows who you might run into and what they could do with that kind of information." She raised a finger, her tone taking on an almost lecturing cadence. "Do kids not come up with Aliases anymore?"
"An alias?" he repeated, his brows pulling in. The concept seemed foreign to him given his humble background, and his voice carried a note of hesitancy, as though unsure whether to take her seriously.
"Yes," she said with an emphatic nod, her expression lightening as a mischievous glint flickered in her eyes. "How about we try it right now. Pretend I'm a stranger," she added, her lips curving into a faint smirk, the irony of her statement not lost on her. "Now, what is your name?"
He hesitated, his gaze falling to the ground as the question lingered in the air. He couldn't quite explain why he felt the need to entertain her peculiar request, or why her tone carried a weight that demanded a genuine answer. After a long pause, he finally muttered, "...Ar...well...Mer–Lau...er?" His voice wavered slightly, as though he were uncertain of the name even as he spoke it aloud.
Maela blinked, her eyebrows lifting in faint surprise. "Arwell, huh?" she repeated, rolling the name off her tongue as if testing its weight. After a moment's pause, she shrugged. "Doesn't really suit you, but it'll do if you're in a pinch." Her casual dismissal was accompanied by a quick thumbs-up, her grin widening briefly before her expression shifted, becoming serious once more.
"Now that we've got that settled," she began again, her voice dipping into a calmer, more authoritative tone, "let's move on to something more important." She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made him instinctively straighten.
"Why are you here, at my burial site?" she asked, her words measured and deliberate. Her sharp gaze didn't waver, the weight of her presence pinning him in place. "And be truthful with me. Who cast the resurrection spell?"
The boy's shoulders dropped as his gaze went to the girl's body, and his voice cracked. "I followed my sister...When I finally caught up I found the guards dead outside with spirits all around them and her body was lying here on the floor. Before I could render any aid a bright light stuck around your body and a swarm of spirits drew themselves in here, blocking me from moving any further."
Sorrow lined his words, and for a moment, Maela's heart twisted, but she remained unmoved as concern swept across her mind. Despite being in the center of the resurrection runes, Tasia's spiritual energy didn't read strong enough to cast something of this magnitude. "And it was just the two of you alone?"
"Yes", He nodded easily.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, "Why did she bring someone like me back?"
His face contorted with grief, and he looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "Our village... it was attacked by a hoard of corrupt and malevolent spirits. We're the only survivors... at least, I think we are." His voice dropped to a whisper. "When I left, everything was... covered in blood. Bodies everywhere. It was a slaughter."
Her heart lurched. "Which village?" she demanded, her voice sharper than intended. His surname had already planted a grim suspicion; but she needed confirmation.
The boy shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, his eyes flickering nervously to the blade, then back up to her face. "Noexfen," he replied quietly, almost too quickly, as if the name had just spilled from his mouth without thought. He watched as her brow knit together. The territory was unfamiliar to her, but if she had to guess, it was a village somewhere in Merrick—an assumption that only deepened her confusion.
Caius seemed to sense her uncertainty. He paused briefly before continuing, his voice dropping lower. "It was originally part of the Varon territory," he said, confirming her suspicions. "A village called Ironheln... but now, it's under Merrick's control."
The words seemed to hang in the air, and Maela's fists tightened at her side. Her stomach churned, a heavy pit forming deep within her as the name reverberated in her mind. The boy seemed to notice the change in her posture. He was quiet now, watching her closely, but his eyes held a flash of understanding. His lips tugged into a sympathetic smile—weak, tentative. It didn't reach his eyes. Maela could see that it was an apology, of sorts, a wordless acknowledgement that he knew, at least in some small way, the depth of her grief.
"Of course," She muttered under her breath, as she lowered the dagger just slightly. "It's not a surprise that they succeeded after my death."
Maela averted her gaze, her thoughts a tempest. The loss was an old wound, long buried beneath the veneer of her new existence. Yet, the revelation that Ironheln had succumbed to Merrick, it was a bitter draught to swallow. She had poured her very soul into defending the Varon territory, only for it to be in vain. The weight of that failure clung to her like an invisible shroud.
Despite the sting of this revelation, she straightened, acutely aware of graver matters at hand: the resurrection spell. Her eyes flitted to Tasia's lifeless form, splayed upon the cold stone. The blood encircling her had begun to dry, the symbols etched into the ground fading as the fleeting life force ebbed away. Maela's gaze returned to the boy, and a perilous thought took root.
She tilted her head slightly, her voice laced with suspicion. "There's something else I'm curious about," she said slowly. "The spell that was casted was very powerful Umbra magic, neither you nor your sister are highborns so how did she know of it?"
The words hung in the air, heavy and charged. Maela could see the boy's body stiffen as her question sank in, the color draining from his face. His eyes widened, and he seemed to shrink slightly, as though the weight of her words had suddenly made him aware of the gravity of what had happened.
Her expression hardened as she watched him, her thoughts running wild. The use of Umbra magic was not something one simply learned, especially in this day in age. The very mention of it had always been enough to get someone executed.
When Maela was alive the first time, just speaking about such spells—sacrificial rituals, dark rites—was enough to warrant an accusation of treason.
Anyone who dared utter those words had already signed their own death sentence. So how was it that a girl no older than eighteen with low spiritual energy was able to get her hands on such a forbidden ritual let alone cast it?
The boy opened his mouth, and for a moment, Maela thought he might lie. His eyes darted back and forth, as if searching for the right words to explain. She felt a sense of pity for him as he carried the weight of a truth so dark it could tear apart the very foundation of the country.
"My family has always admired the magical history of our people," He said quietly, his tone laced with a strange reverence. The words hit Maela like a physical blow. She froze for a moment, her heart racing. Admired? She blinked, taking a step back in disbelief. Umbra magic wasn't something people admired, rather it was feared, in all territories.
He watched her reaction closely, noticing her surprise. He quickly continued, his voice tinged with urgency. "About a year after you died, Dusvarra saw a gradual spike in corrupt spirits. And every year since, they have gotten more violent."
His words spilled out faster, like someone desperate to make sense of it all. "Two years ago, mages struggled to tame them. It started shaking people's confidence in the celestial assembly. And then, about two weeks ago, rumors spread that your soul bound weapons went missing from their barrier vaults destroyed, which has caused an influx of panic across the nation. And with all that fear just building and building malevolent spirits have begun to rise."
Maela arched an eyebrow, her voice laced with biting sarcasm. "Missing, you say? First, they pilfer my belongings, and now they misplace them? I suppose expecting competence from such a cowardly assembly was too much to ask." She glanced at the dagger in her hand, twirling it deftly before sending it spinning into the air and catching it effortlessly. "That would explain the spirits at the cave—likely scouring for my dagger or maybe even me."
The boy nodded, eyes flicking to her weapon before he met her gaze again. "That's safe to assume," he admitted. "Spirits like that have been growing in large groups and raiding villages. Many blame you for the attacks, some say you're cursing us from the grave."
Her lips curled into a sardonic smile. "How self-important they are," she sang, amusement dancing in her eyes, though they remained as cold as winter's breath. "To think I would haunt their dreams after all that's transpired?" She shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Utterly absurd."
The boy let out a quiet hum, his lips curling slightly. "Not everyone follows that line of thinking", He reassured, "There were others who believed that Umbra magic, or even you, specifically, weren't as bad as everyone made it out to be," he said, his voice slow and measured, like he was carefully weighing his words. "When you were alive, there were less than five malevolent spirit attacks a year, and not a single casualty. And because of that, a group formed in secret to learn the techniques of Umbra magic in order to protect themselves against these vicious spirits."
Maela froze, her mind struggling to process what he was saying. The thought of a group, clandestine and defiant enough to learn the very techniques she had been condemned for—and then practice them under the celestial assembly's nose—was startling. It hadn't even occurred to her that such a thing was possible.
He continued, oblivious to her surprise. "It's made up of Varon refugees. So far we've stayed under the radar, despite the numerous eyes always on us. But given how distant our familial ties are to the Varon highborns I suppose they wouldn't believe we would be capable of making moves like this", His eyes once again drifted towards his sister before shutting tightly.
Maela's brows knitted together. "You and your sister are a part of this group?"
"Yes," he answered, his tone soft but serious. "My parents were among them, so my sister and I were too. We didn't have a choice, really. If we wanted to survive we needed to learn how to fight back, it's not as if the assembly would go out of their way to help us."
She watched the way his expression clouded into a dark resentment as her arms crossed over her chest, "So your village was able to learn Umbra?"
His face pulled slightly as he spoke, "Despite our lessons, when it came to putting the techniques to practice we weren't strong enough." He hesitated, as if unsure of how to continue. "Many people in my village thought of you as a savior of sorts. Our leader wasn't shy on their praise, even stating at times that you had the power to end our suffering. It's possible my sister may have felt that bringing you back was our only hope."
Maela's heart thudded heavily in her chest. Savior? The word settled uncomfortably in her mind, foreign and far too grand for someone like her. She hadn't ever seen herself as anything close to a hero. "Why me?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "What made them think I could do it?"
The boy's eyes softened, as though the answer was self-evident. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze intense but not unkind. "Because you're the Matron of Umbra. Your spiritual power exceeds everyone else's. You are untouchable."
A humorless smile curled at her lips, her eyes narrowing. "If that were true," she muttered bitterly, "I wouldn't have died." The words slipped out almost too easily, followed by a hollow chuckle. But as she glanced at him, the boy's face shifted, his expression faltering into something more somber.
"We both know you weren't defeated that night," he said quietly, his voice heavy with the weight of years of rumor and speculation. "You did it for the Arison and Kratos families, right? "
At the mention of those names, a cold ripple slithered through Maela's chest. She blinked, momentarily off balance by his knowledge. A tightness gripped her throat as she tried to suppress the bitter memories. "What do you mean?" she asked, her tone sharper than intended, the question slipping out before she could stop it. "Why would I sacrifice myself for them?"
The boy looked caught off guard, as though he hadn't expected her to challenge what had long been accepted as truth, even if they were just rumors. "Everyone claimed that you turned your back on them. And it was all but confirmed when they found you dead by their hand. Even the assembly believed it to be true."
Her jaw clenched at the mention of the assembly. She imagined their ivory towers, high above the real world, making decisions without understanding the lives they affected. Her anger simmered just beneath the surface.
The boy continued, oblivious to the storm brewing within her. His words came out in a rush, as though they'd been rehearsed. "Right before the ruling, you appeared in every territory looking for a fight. You took down almost everyone who stood in your way except for the second son of Kratos and the first son of Arison. They say near the end, you stopped using your soul bound weapons altogether. You began using purifying spells instead to hold them back. And it's known you weren't as skilled with Celestial magic. But then... if you wanted to win, why wouldn't you have just used your weapons? Why hold back during the battle if not to claim mercy on them?"
He drew in a breath, his voice softening as he recalled the rest. "In the end, those two worked together to bring you down. And any talk of punishing their families? It vanished. All anyone remembers now is that they were heroes."
Maela crouched beside him, her sharp gaze assessing him as if unraveling a complex riddle. Silence stretched between them, and after a moment, she shiv kid ered theatrically. A grin twisted her lips, her tone playful yet mocking. "How unsettling," she sang, mischief glinting in her eyes. "What are you, an admirer?"
He flushed, his face reddening as his fists clenched at his sides. "It's not like that!" he shot back, glaring at her with all the indignation a scrawny teenager could muster. "It's just something we were taught in lessons."
"Lessons, huh?" she tilted her head, her grin widening. "Even if that's all true, You must be aware of my history with this nation and its people. What makes you think I'd help now that I'm back?"
The boy didn't waver. His voice was firm, conviction clear. "Because you love nothing more than purging spirits."
Her playful expression faltered, replaced by a brief flicker of surprise. Her eyes widened for the briefest moment before she recovered. He wasn't wrong—her passion for magic, for the purging of spirits, ran deeper than she'd ever admitted to anyone.
The truth hung heavy in the air, and she exhaled slowly, the weight of his words sinking in. After a beat, she sighed dramatically, ruffling her hair with a resigned gesture as if the very thought of helping was a burden she couldn't escape.
"Fine," she drawled, waving a hand dismissively. "I suppose I could aid in this endeavor given all that was sacrificed", She spoke softly as her gaze drifted towards Tasia, "It's not like I have anything else to do." She tucked her dagger back into the top of her dress and crouched down to lift the girl's small, lifeless body with surprising tenderness.
Caius's voice had gained a slight edge, dropping to something stricter. "Where are you taking her?"
"She needs a proper burial." Her words were clipped, and unyielding, as if daring him to challenge her. "Or would you rather leave her for the assembly to find?"
She gestured toward the body, and the ruin of what had once been a person. The air was thick with the copper-sweet scent of blood, and the earth beneath them was still damp from it. Shadows clung to the broken shape on the ground, pooling in the hollows where the daylight did not reach.
The boy swallowed hard, his discomfort written in the stiffness of his shoulders and in the way his hands curled into uncertain fists at his sides. Then, as if brushing off the weight of his own hesitation, he gave a quick shake of his head. "No," he muttered, "If the assembly find her here it'll just incriminate my village." His voice was barely more than a breath, but he forced himself to move, falling into step behind her.
"Smart boy," she said with a note of approval. "The last thing we need is a body at the crime scene. They're already going to demand compensation for the dead guards. With me back, they'll assume my necromancer—or even I—cut them down to escape this prison. And no matter how damning this all looks, we still don't have the full picture. I'm not letting your sister take the fall until we do."
Her voice was sharp and matter-of-fact as she moved ahead. And each step felt like an intrusion, like a quiet defiance against the silence of the dead.
They wandered in that silence for a while, the canopy of Lorxfen Forest towering above them. The shadows of the leaves dappled the path in shifting patterns, as the coolness of the forest air mixed with the warmth of the sunlight filtering through the branches.
The boy led the way to a clearing he remembered, surrounded by wildflowers in soft hues of blues and whites. He stopped, pointing silently to the spot, his lips pressed together in thought.
Maela nodded in approval. "This will do." She knelt down, placing the girl's body gently among the flowers. For a moment, she stood back, giving the boy space. He knelt beside his sister, his lips moving in silent prayer, too quiet for her to hear.
Her arms crossed, she watched him with a softened gaze. Something in his quiet grief stirred a memory, a fleeting echo of a time when she too had mourned. When he finally stood, turning toward her, his face was composed, but his eyes carried a lingering sorrow.
"Ready to go?" she asked, her eyebrow arching in a subtle challenge.
He hesitated, his gaze flickering around as though searching for something beyond the moment. "Where are we going?"
"To find civilization," she said with a roll of her eyes, already moving to stand. "And food. I don't know about you, but I'm starving." She glanced at him, taking in his thin frame, the hollows under his eyes, his clothes hanging loosely on his body. Her expression shifted, hardening with a flash of concern. "When was the last time you ate, kid?"
He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting away. "It's not like we have a surplus of food lying around," he muttered, his voice tight with shame.
Maela stilled, the understanding that flickered in her eyes was sharp, like the sudden clarity of a struck bell. The mention of his family's scarcity struck a chord deep within her. As a Varon refugee, his family likely bore the full brunt of the assembly's resentment, a burden she couldn't entirely absolve herself of.
Looking up into the sky she took a slow breath, shaking her head in resignation. "Alright," she said, her voice softer now. "Let's get going. It's been too long since I had a proper meal anyway."
"Are you sure?" He questioned hesitantly, his feet remaining in place as he took in her expression, "Wouldn't I just be a liability by joining you?"
Looking over her shoulder she gave him a lazy shrug, "I don't argue with the stars", she said dismissively.
His brows drew together at her words, and despite the confusion he simply nodded and fell into step beside her. As they made their way through the forest, Maela glanced back over her shoulder, a thought tugging at the back of her mind.
"Oh, by the way," she began, her tone casual but laced with a flicker of mischief, "Don't go telling anyone you're a Varon refugee. If anyone asks, say you're a hollowborn from Stogata in the Kratos region."
"Why Kratos?" he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
She gave a sly shrug, motioning toward him. "Even though you're thin now, give it some time and a proper diet, your frame would fit right in with those mountain men." She grinned, a teasing spark lighting her expression.
A faint smile crept onto his lips, small but genuine—the first she'd seen from him. It softened the edges of his guarded demeanor, making him appear just as young as he was. Satisfied, she stepped forward, turning to glance back at him with a smirk tugging at her lips. "Alright, Caius," she said, her tone playfully challenging. "If you're coming with me, you'd better keep up."
"Yes, ma'am!" he replied, mock-saluting her with a grin before jogging to keep pace.
She laughed—genuine, light, and unburdened. "Oh? I think we'll get along just fine," she mused, shaking her head as they continued their journey deeper out of the forest.
*************************************
It wasn't long before they found themselves entering a small, bustling city. The scent of sizzling street food mixed with the vibrant chatter of villagers, their voices rising and falling like a symphony in the air. The occasional bark of merchants peddling their wares only added to the chaos. Maela's eyes flickered over the scene, her expression carefully neutral. She recognized it immediately—Eborfen, the territory under the Merrick family's dominion.
She pulled her scarf lower over her face, subtly adjusting it to obscure more of her features. In her time, mages rarely wandered this far out to patrol, but with so many years having passed she couldn't be sure if that information still rang true. Given that, she believed it was better to err on the side of caution than to run into a familiar face too soon. There was no need to provoke unwanted attention—not yet at least.
As they wove through the throng of villagers, Maela's sharp gaze flicked over her shoulder, her voice cutting through the hum of the crowd. "So, this little fan club of yours really believes Umba magic as well as I can stop all these malevolent spirits?"
Caius nodded without hesitation, his expression earnest, almost hopeful. "Yes. The leader was very adamant that only you could."
Her brows lifted beneath her scarf. "And this leader of yours, who are they?"
His gaze flickered away, the faintest of shrugs. "I'm not sure," he admitted, the uncertainty creeping into his tone. "Our group was a highly illegal organization. They made sure to hide themselves well in order to protect themselves against the assembly. They often wrote lessons down and shared them within the group, and they had a few people beside them that would act as messengers. Their identity was well hidden."
"Hm." She hummed thoughtfully, her lips curling. The leader's cryptic nature only made the situation more suspicious. Before she could voice her thoughts, Caius perked up, as though a thought had just struck him.
"But my sister met with them once," he said, his voice laced with eagerness.
"Oh?" Maela tilted her head, her interest piqued, as her eyes narrowed slightly. "How come?"
He paused, his gaze dropping to the cobblestones beneath his boots as though searching for the right words. "Given my lack of spiritual power, I wasn't really involved in strategy meetings–But my sister was one of the more powerful members of this group. Because of her strength, she was given private lessons. I'm assuming it's where she learned that resurrection spell. I may not have had the talent but I attended every lesson, and we were only ever taught the basics."
Maela stopped in her tracks, her lips parting slightly. The weight of his words hung in the air. "Did anyone else beside your sister receive these private lessons?"
"Not to my knowledge", He answered smoothly, "I remember my sister and parents being so happy, claiming that she was a chosen one", He muttered, almost too quietly to hear over the buzz of the market, "I didn't really share the same sentiment", He trailed off, "Towards the end she began acting differently, she was more reserved and closed off. The only thing she truly cared about was protecting Varon and its territories."
Her gaze flicked to him, her expression unreadable for a moment, as she let his words sink in. Then, without breaking stride, she approached a nearby fruit cart. With practiced ease, she plucked a few ripe fruits from the stall, tucking them into her scarf without a second glance.
Caius's eyes widened. He faltered, then blinked at her, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You're stealing?"
She glanced at him, unfazed, and tossed him an orange with a casual flick of her wrist. "What? It's not like I have any money. Do you?"
He caught the fruit awkwardly, a flicker of judgment crossing his face before he shrugged. "No."
She clicked her tongue in mock disappointment. "That's what I thought." The apple crunched between her teeth, sharp and deliberate, as she leaned back into the flow of the street. Her gaze remained on him as she chewed, a quiet flicker of interest behind her eyes.
"You said your sister had favor with this leader of yours," she said, voice light, almost idle. "Enough where they shared an incredibly dangerous and deadly spell with her. Trusting her enough to fulfill the spell and bring me back despite what would happen to her in return", She let out a small thoughtful hum, "What I'm really curious about, is where this leader is now. Clearly your sister and them had these plans prior, or else she would have never learned the resurrection spell. So it's possible that her running to my tomb wasn't just a last minute effort to save your village, but actually a calculated attempt in the midst of chaos." She took another bite, then gestured faintly with the apple. "If that was the case then why wasn't your leader at the tombs with her to make sure it worked?"
The question hung in the air, wrapped in the sweetness of fruit and the low murmur of the market around them. She didn't look at him this time, just let her eyes drift lazily across the stalls, watching the way villagers moved—measured and careful, like people still shaken by recent events.
She hadn't stopped thinking about that mage since Caius first mentioned them. And now, with their sudden absence, the unease was only growing. Why would a mage—one versed in Umbra magic, no less—entrust a reckless spell like that to a teenage girl?
"During the attack," He said after a pause, his voice rougher now. "Our school house was in ruins. Flames, smoke, barely anything left. But our leader still tried to pull people out of the rubble. Many were crying out to them in anguish. I left to chase after my sister before I could witness anymore, but the crash of that building and the haunting screams of those still trapped still has me shaken", His breathing slowed, "I'm not sure what my sister and them had planned, but I believe it got disrupted by the sudden chaos."
Maela gave a small nod, not quite solemn, nor dismissive. Her fingers brushed over the edge of a woven scarf as she passed a stall, her expression unreadable as she greeted the vendors. Whatever unease lingered inside her despite Ciaus's tale, but she didn't let it show.
Caius took in what appeared to be a relaxed demeanor and found it a little concerning, "Shouldn't we be keeping a low profile?" He quizzed, peeling his orange slowly, as he looked towards the crowd to ensure their eyes weren't following them.
She cast him a sideways glance, amusement tugging at the corner of her mouth. Her expression alone was answer enough—a slow, almost mocking lift of her brow that suggested his concern was more dramatic than necessary. But the look barely lingered.
A prickle danced along the back of her neck—faint at first, then sharper. Her posture shifted without thought, eyes scanning the street. No one stared openly, but the air held a weight she couldn't ignore.
She didn't need to look long to confirm it. The villagers weren't staring outright, but their glances lingered just a breath too long. Noticed, then quickly averted. Measured in that quiet, suspicious way small towns always were.
She knew it wouldn't be long before the Assembly learned she had risen. Knew the clock was already ticking down, each second drawing her closer to the inevitable. Her weapons, once dormant, would soon stir if they hadn't already. And without her hand to command them, it was only a matter of time before the malevolent spirits came—drawn to the scent of power no longer tethered to her side.
Her eyes swept over Caius and his tattered clothes before flicking to her own—both of them attracting subtle glances from passersby. The unspoken judgment from the villagers was palpable. She sighed, knowing they needed to blend in before they attracted too much attention too soon.
She exhaled, low and quiet, and nodded toward a shop tucked just ahead. "You're right," she murmured. "We'll stop there and change before someone starts asking questions." Her voice had softened, the playfulness gone. "Go ahead and pick something out."
He raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched across his face as he moved forward. "I thought you didn't have any money?"
She smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "I don't," she said, not missing a beat. "But I'll manage."
He opened his mouth to protest but fell silent, shoulders slumping in reluctant acceptance as she opened the shop's door. He moved toward the men's section of the store, while Maela turned to the women's clothing, her fingers brushing over the fabrics as she searched for something that would suit her needs.
Her eyes lit up when she found it—a black, form-fitting bodice, embroidered in intricate crimson and silver threads. The silk and leather combination was both luxurious and practical, perfect for someone of her commanding stature.
Taking a look into the mirror she caught sight of the loose strands of her inky black hair that were layered and uneven by design—long at the back, grazing the middle of her spine, with sharp, angled sections falling forward to her collarbone. A small section was pulled into a side knot high behind her ear, while the rest was left to spill freely. A few strands slipped across her cheek when she moved, perfectly framing a face of sun-warmed skin, where keen amber-brown eyes caught the light like molten gold beneath dark lashes.
A low collar adorned with delicate silver chains draped elegantly, the touch of refinement at odds with her usual hardened demeanor. She paired it with a loose black skirt, embroidered with silver thread, its hem grazing her ankles with a high slit to allow for easy movement. To complete the look, she grabbed a crimson scarf, tying it expertly around her head.
Admiring herself in the mirror, Maela adjusted the scarf with a smirk. She could feel the eyes of the other women in the store on her. Their murmurs didn't escape her attention.
A hushed voice drifted over, and Maela's ears perked up. "Did you hear another horde of cursed spirits attacked Dusren Peak up in Charith the other day," one of the women said grimly. "By the time the cultivators arrived, the damage had already been done, many either gravely injured or slaughtered."
Her companion scoffed, disbelief clear in her tone. "Typical. These mages are useless. Almost every other day there's a new attack—What good are they if they can't keep us safe?"
Maela's gaze sharpened as she feigned interest in a silver-embroidered sleeve. Her mind raced. In her time, large-scale attacks like this were rare—perhaps one or two a year. But now, corrupt spirits run rampant. The realization that Ironheln and Loxfen were no isolated incidents left a knot in her stomach.
"Attacks of this scale haven't happened since the Umbra Matron walked among us," one of the women added in a hushed tone, almost reverently.
Maela smirked, hiding the amusement behind her veil of indifference. Rewriting history, are we?
The other woman gasped. "You don't think... her spirit still walks among us do you? I've heard the rumors–"
"Impossible," the first woman replied quickly. "Her body was burned and the ashes kept bound to a tomb."
Maela's smirk widened. How many lies had they been feeding the masses? Sliding her scarf higher, she approached the women with a light, pleasant smile. "Excuse me," she said, her voice like honey. "Do you know where else these mobs of spirits have attacked other than Dusren?"
The woman turned, startled by her sudden presence. After a beat, one of them answered cautiously. "Well I heard word that Noexfen was attacked earlier this morning, but before that they were seen near the Arison region, although i'm unsure which city."
"Interesting," She replied with a polite bow, masking the calculations swirling in her mind. Arison? That was certainly worth investigating. She stood straight, her gaze turning cool. "Oh, and do you happen to take account lines here? I seem to have left my coin pouch at home."
The women exchanged a glance. Account lines were a rarity, reserved for the five ruling houses and their immediate families. "We do," one of them replied carefully. "If the tag matches."
As the woman worked, Maela added smoothly, "Oh, and include whatever my...Disciple," she paused deliberately on the word, tasting its weight before continuing, "picked out."
The shopkeeper's movements faltered for just a moment, her gaze lifting to meet Maela's with newfound curiosity. "Oh? A master of the pure arts, are you?" Her brow arched, her tone both intrigued and faintly skeptical.
Maela's smile didn't waver, though she felt the question hang heavy in the air. "I wouldn't call myself a master," she replied, her tone lilting with feigned humility. Her eyes softened, a careful mimicry of modesty. "But I know enough to get by."
The lie slipped from her lips as effortlessly as a breath, practiced and precise. Her words were a shield, crafted to deflect suspicion. The shopkeeper nodded slowly, the curiosity in her expression now laced with a thread of respect. "And you're just passing through, then?"
Maela inclined her head, gesturing vaguely toward the doorway as if the thought of moving on was merely a matter of course. "Yes, until we return home to Kratos."
Her voice carried just the right amount of casual indifference, as though she were speaking of a destination as mundane as the next town over. The mention of the territory, with all its implied prestige, had the desired effect. The shopkeeper's posture shifted ever so slightly, her guarded demeanor softening.
The woman blinked, clearly impressed. "You're quite a long way from home then."
"Indeed," Maela replied, her voice crisp as ever, "But we've enjoyed the journey."
The worker nodded, the story accepted without question. Maela was smooth, always had been. As she finished paying, Caius emerged from the men's section, his new outfit a deep crimson robe layered over a black velvet shirt, embroidered with black and silver thread. It was stunning, fit for someone of his supposed importance.
His hair, dark brown and parted loosely to the side, caught the light as a few wayward strands fell across his forehead. The robe's polish only heightened the contrast with his easy, almost unassuming features—Freckles faint across his nose, the kind of softness that made him seem younger than he was.
Maela grinned. "Oh, look at us, matching."
"That's adorable," The shop worker gushed.
Caius flushed, glancing away and muttering something under his breath.
Maela chuckled, motioning for him to follow. "Come along," she said with a wave, stepping back into the rhythm of the street.
But as her gaze swept lazily over the crowd, something flickered at the edge of her vision—a figure, barely more than a silhouette, draped in black. The hood obscured their face, but the stillness of their stance, the angle of their head... it felt deliberate.
She didn't stop walking, didn't so much as pause in her stride. It could've been nothing. A trick of the light, a wary traveler, a nervous merchant, but the feeling clung to her like smoke. Just long enough to make her wonder.
She said nothing, didn't glance back. If someone was watching, the last thing she wanted was to let them know she'd seen.
"But the payment?" Caius asked beside her, still uncertain of their actions.
"Took care of it," she said breezily, not slowing her pace.
"How?" he pressed. "I tried to pick the cheapest outfit, but everything here costs a fortune."
Her lips curled into a sly grin, a knowing glint flickering in her eyes. "I know people in high places." Without another word, she unsheathed her dagger in one smooth motion, the metallic gleam catching the sunlight.
Her thumb brushed against the blade's edge, the sharp sting of the cut almost imperceptible as she pressed the bloodied tip against a delicate, silver rose-shaped pin she'd lifted from the shop. She murmured a quiet incantation under her breath, the words laced with power, and felt the pin absorb her blood—cold and swift. The moment the connection was made, a sharp jolt ran through her, but it was fleeting, a mere moment of discomfort.
She quickly waved her hand towards Caius, making him lean forward as she pressed the pin to his head. His brow furrowed as he felt a slight warmth along his skin, before Maela pulled it back and stuck it to her own top. His eyes drew back, catching the small metal piece as the silver rose gleamed. "What's this for?" His voice was hesitant, tinged with curiosity as his hand brushed against his forehead.
"If you're traveling with me," She replied, her tone casual, though her gaze never wavered from the street ahead, "you'll have a target on your back. That mark will basically repel them from making a move against you."
He raised an eyebrow, his eyes still scanning the pin while rubbing his skin. "Is it permanent?"
Her lips twitched in amusement as she caught the nervous edge to his voice. "Oh? What's this? I didn't realize you were so vain."
His face heated up as he spoke, "I'm not! I just", He stuttered, "I was curious is all."
"It's not", She reassured, watching his shoulders relax, "It's only a temporary symbol that I casted using a tether spell, highborn children are usually granted them once they graduate to ensure their safety within other territories", She lifted her sleeve to reveal a similar marking along her skin that had faded, "But this will show that you fall under my sanction"
A sudden wave of anxiety crashed through him as he spoke, "Wouldn't the assembly be mad if a hollowborn like me were to bear a similar mark as their disciples?"
She shot him a sideways glance, her expression unreadable. "It's not like they could do anything about it anyway. I'm sure I'll get an earful from a few people brave enough to question my methods. But if they're anything like they were when we were young, they'll get over it."
He hesitated, his fingers tightening at his sides as a spark of doubt flickered in his eyes. "And if they don't?"
Her voice was steady, laced with quiet confidence. "Then they'll have to deal with me." Her eyes flicked briefly to him, her gaze sharp and calculating.
His unease didn't dissipate entirely, but her words, simple yet laden with a dangerous calm, settled into him with an unexpected sense of security. Despite her strange demeanor and reputation, as well as the way she kept her thoughts and intentions guarded, he couldn't shake the feeling that she'd protect him—at least for now.
Brushing his fingers along his forehead once more he grimaced slightly, "I understand the purpose, but did you have to burn it onto my head?"
Trying to hide her amusement she turned away slightly, "It'll be easier for people to see it this way", She reasoned, "Wouldn't you rather be safe then sorry?"
He didn't answer her question, simply unamused by her theatrics as he continued forward, "So... where to now?" he shifted, his voice a little steadier than before, though his uncertainty still lingered.
"The Arison estate." Her reply was a soft hum, the words rolling off her tongue with disarming ease.
He stopped in his tracks, his thoughts stuttering to a halt. "The Arison estate? As in one of the five main houses?" His voice quivered, a mix of surprise and dread clawing at his chest. "Shouldn't we head to Varon? I'm sure the aftermath of what happened has yet to be touched—If there are survivors left, shouldn't we help?"
She watched the concern on his face grow deeper. She knew exactly how he felt. Having watched his village be turned into ash is an incredibly horrifying image, and his generosity to extend his hand to his people in need did not go unnoticed. But despite how sympathetic she felt, stepping foot anywhere near Varon was far from the right path. They would be lucky if the assembly wasn't already sending out their best in order to restrain her, the last thing she wanted was to further burden her people by her presence. If she wanted to survive she needed to play her cards right.
"You make a good point", She finally concluded, "But if we value the lives of any remaining member of your village then staying as far away as we can is for the better."
He may not have understood all of what she had planned but he could tell she was thinking about this logically. "I didn't think about that", He acknowledged, "But if we're meant to be staying under the radar, then shouldn't we be staying away from the major cities as well?"
She let out a low laugh, the sound dark and rich, and his stomach churned with the thrill of something far more dangerous than he had anticipated. "Well where's the fun in that?" she quipped, her words carrying a sharp edge.
"They'll kill us!" His protest was urgent, his tone rising in panic.
Her expression hardened, but there was a flicker of something—almost a glint of excitement—beneath her cool exterior. "Not if we're careful. Besides, one of the last attacks before Noexfen was in Arison. And if it was anything like the group at my tomb today then I'm guessing one of my shadow weapons was wandering around there. If we're going to stop the attacks, one of the first things we need to do is retrieve them all."
His heart skipped, the reality of their situation settling into his bones. "So, we'll be fighting more cursed spirits in Arison?" His voice wavered slightly, a mixture of exhilaration and fear threading through the words. His wide-eyed stare betrayed a hunger for knowledge, but his body tensed at the thought of what awaited them.
Her lips curled into a knowing smirk, her eyes flickering to him with just enough intent to make him pause. Her pace slowed for a brief moment, just enough to let him feel the weight of his own hesitation. Her voice, when it came, was smooth but edged with amusement. "Not exactly."
He blinked, his confusion deepening. His steps faltered, and his gaze shifted toward her, waiting for an explanation that didn't come. "What do you mean?" His words hung in the air, hanging heavier than they should have, as if this simple question contained an unspoken weight.
Maela's head tilted, her lips curling upward in an almost predatory smile. She didn't respond directly, instead letting the silence stretch, her eyes gleaming mischievously as she steered them off the main road. "We'll worry about the details later, for now we should take the fastest route to not waste time"
He opened his mouth to press further, but the words died in his throat. He knew better than to push her; Maela didn't share answers lightly. A resigned sigh slipped from him as he fell in step beside her, his thoughts swirling, trying to make sense of her cryptic nature.
"Right," he muttered, his voice dropping to something quieter, more subdued. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was always several steps ahead of him. That, if anything, was perhaps the most unnerving part of it all. And yet, despite the questions, despite the fear that clung to him like a second skin, he felt something else—an electric surge of excitement pulsing beneath it all.
"We could take a boat through the river," he suggested, trying to pull his scattered thoughts together. "That's faster, right?"
The mention of the river immediately caught Maela's attention. Her pace quickened, her eyes lighting up with something that could only be described as approval. Her lips curved into a faint smile, something both calculating and appreciative. "Perfect."
Her voice was clipped but carried a subtle reassurance that he couldn't quite place. She knew what she was doing, and for the first time since their strange partnership began, Caius felt the faintest spark of trust begin to form.
Without waiting for him to catch up, she turned sharply and began heading down the narrow trail leading to the ports. Caius had to scramble to keep up, his steps heavy with uncertainty but driven by an unmistakable sense of purpose. He felt the rush of adrenaline once more, but this time, it was tempered by something deeper—a mix of wariness and exhilaration. As they moved, Maela's attention drifted toward the fields lining the path. Her eyes lingered on the distant sways of tall grass, an almost imperceptible softening in her features.
Her gaze fixed on a cluster of Aulia plants, their pale lavender blossoms blooming with the light of the setting sun. Maela paused, a small, playful grin tugging at her lips. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if reaching for something unseen in the air, before her voice slipped out, almost to herself. "Is it really that time of year?"
She inhaled softly, the air thick with the scent of the plants, and something like nostalgia flickered in her eyes. "Then this should be interesting."
Caius, his curiosity piqued yet again, hesitated. He wasn't sure what she meant, but he knew better than to let the moment pass without inquiry. He could see her expression—soft yet calculating, distant yet engaged. "What do you mean?"
She turned her head toward him, her grin widening with a flicker of amusement. "Oh, nothing... just a little reminder of how things tend to unfold," she said cryptically, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear before turning back to the path ahead. Her steps were purposeful now, more deliberate, as if the moment had passed and she had already moved beyond it
He shot a confused glance her way, but said nothing. Instead, he walked behind her, his thoughts a jumble of questions, fear, and curiosity. The feeling of being on the edge of something bigger than himself, something unknown, gnawed at him. But despite it all, he couldn't help but follow after her lingering shadow.
word count: 3541 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none ♡ Chapter: 11 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
The trees rustled and hummed against Amara's ears as the wind intertwined with the leaves that fell down the trail. Her and Eren moved in silence, neither one jumping in to break the surprising comfortability that came with the absence of conversation.
Besides, Amara wanted the brunette to feel at ease—Afraid that if she continued to put him on edge her plan would fall through. So she remained quiet, using her hands to motion in the direction they were supposed to take.
Eren didn't mind all that much. He enjoyed being outside, especially when experiencing such a view. He spent most of his time taking in his surroundings—Completely blinded by the beauty of the Spring Garden. It was nothing he had ever seen before and a part of him questioned why the "Witch" Ymir would ever want to leave such a place.
Coming up a rocky opening Amara paused to face him, "We're here", She glimmered before taking a step forward.
Eren followed behind as the path grew more narrow. Looking over the young Queen's shoulders, his eyes caught sight of a glowing pool of water. The sand that laid beneath was pearl white, allowing prying eyes the opportunity to see all that settled within the deep river. Behind the water stood a large cave opening that had many vines making their way up the stone slabs.
Coming up along the bank Eren moved closer to the cave before taking a quick look inside. He was met with complete darkness, making him click his tongue in disappointment. Taking a step back from the rocky path he brought his attention back to Amara. But just as his eyes met her figure he immediately turned around in panic as she proceeded to remove her clothing.
While keeping his eyes to the ground he heard a gentle laughter from her direction as she drew herself further into the clear water. Noticing his shyness she rolled her eyes at his innocence. Those in the Gardens—Especially people from the warmer regions didn't mind a bit of nudity every now and then.
Gliding her fingers along her chest to create a makeshift cover of flowers that barely kept anything to the imagination, she finally called out to him, "Will this help?" The slight tease in her voice had his back standing straighter.
Shifting his head to her body his eyes almost popped out of his head as his lingering gaze traveled along the delicate petals. She was a goddess, shimmering in the gentle light of the horizon as she stood before him unabashedly. He took a large gulp as his hands clenched to his sides.
Someone save me from this temptress...
She gave him a single motion to join before she lowered herself slowly into the water. Her eyes peeked out from the top as her brows lifted in curiosity. Eren let out a choked cough as his hand scratched the back of his head.
"I doubt my fiance would appreciate a woman undressing in front of me", He joked. Although he used his words as a way to distract from her alluring figure, he couldn't help but keep his focus solely on her.
Amara tilted her chin up, "That's right, I forget how prudish you all are outside the walls", Waving her hand away she added, "She has nothing to worry about, just get in."
He didn't know if she was doing it intentionally, but every sway she made with her body had her swell of her intimate parts making an appearance as well. He could barely hear the words she spoke as his eyes trailed to the space between the water line and what hid beneath. A splash of water coating his face took him out of his perverse thoughts as Amara let out a laugh.
"C'mon you're filthy", She gestured to his tattered body, "Get in already!"
He stood in place for a moment, silently debating with himself as she beaconed him forward. Without a second thought he began removing his shirt, soon followed by his shoes and pants that were now in a loose pile along the rocks. Marching with ease he allowed the cool water to surround him as he lowered himself to the smooth floor.
He let out a content sigh as he tipped his head back slightly, while Amara kept her gaze on his—Watching as his jaw flexed at the relief the river brought him. Her tongue swiped against her lip as she pulled her face away from the scene. Deciding to close her eyes she shifted away and turned her attention elsewhere.
"So why do they call this place the river of glory", She heard Eren hum as the water trickled down her skin. Oh that's right....Looking over her shoulder she shrugged playfully before gesturing her arms out.
"Well just look at it", She mused, "Isn't the name fitting for a place like this?"
A low chuckle escaped his lips as he dipped his head back into the water once more, "I guess you have a point. I've never been to a place as beautiful."
"Yes, it truly is a sight to see", She blew while her eyes peered down at him with a calculated expression. He caught sight of the look, but decided not to pry—Simply seeing how things played out. "Although", She sang, drifting her fingers along the top of the water, "It has an even better name...One only locals know it by."
Eren let out a small hum of interest, "And that would be?"
"The River of Truth."
The lie fell from her lips with ease as his gaze met hers with a narrowed expression and a hint of curiosity, "Those that find themselves in its waters are forced to only speak in truths. If one were to lie while under its influence...Well the effects are rather brutal."
A look of panic crossed his features as he moved to escape the water, but Amara quickly activated her powers. Using vines to keep him in place she remained quiet as he struggled to get out of her hold, "This isn't funny", He spoke with a harsh grunt.
"I'm not playing games", She spoke pointedly.
He let out a sneer, "Why?' He cried out, "Why did you bring me here?"
"I just have a few questions that I need the answer to", She replied easily, "I felt bringing you here would tell me whether I was making a mistake with this alliance of ours."
His face pulled up in anger as he spoke, "You're unbelievable."
She didn't acknowledge his words, choosing to keep quiet—Staring him down with an unreadable expression. He tugged on the restraints once more to no avail before tossing his head back in frustration. His head lulled forward as he let out a quick breath, "Get on with it then", He instructed bitterly.
A wave of guilt came over her as she thought about her sudden deception. Especially when he was willing to partake in her theatrics by joining her at the river in the first place. Shaking away her thoughts she sent him a pleased nod before continuing, "What is your relationship with the seekers? Are you working alongside them?"
His head pulled back with brief shock before clicking his tongue in annoyance, "I told you'', He sighed, "I don't have a relationship with them, nor will I ever." His words were spoken with a sense of sincerity that she hadn't seen in quite a while. It had her digging her nails into her skin as she watched his expression harden."My dad and brother are members, but I don't abide by their ideology"
She let out a low hum of acknowledgement, "When the time comes will you actually keep your end of the deal?"
"Yes."
His answer came out quick, causing her to narrow her eyes skeptically, but instead of poking further she continued her interrogation, "Okay, last question", She announced, causing him to let out an exasperated huff, "Are you actually helping us? Or is this one big elaborate way to take us down?"
He took a moment to himself before bringing his gaze to hers as he spoke softly, "...When you first called for me...I may have had my doubts about you and your people—Believing that you had a hand in my nation's suffering... But then I saw how passionate you spoke about wanting to save them from this curse that's been brought upon us...", He took a small pause as his eyebrows drew together, "...It turns out we both want the same thing...And for a second I started to think how we could actually help each other achieve this goal that seems so out of reach."
Amara kept her attention on him. Analyzing his features to see if he was trying to deceive her, but all she could take from his expression was a mix of confusion, fear and desperation. She relaxed in her position, quickly releasing him from her bindings as he dragged himself out of the river with haste. Slowly she followed behind. Moving to her belongings she began placing her robes back on as he followed suit.
It was a stifling moment when she finally addressed him, "I apologize for my way of going about this' ', She started, "But I needed to make sure you weren't planning to deceive me. I was thinking about my people, and their safety."
He let out a tired breath, before tilting his chin in her direction, "What about my people?"He threw back, "How am I supposed to know whether all of this will be good for them? How do I know that once I give you the information you need that you won't just invade our lands for your own taking?"
She didn't react to his harsh tone. Only blinked slowly as she thought for a moment. I suppose his worries are fair...Gesturing out to him she whispered, "Follow me."
Eren stayed in place. Hesitant to move as she evaded his question with an order. With her back to him she turned her head slightly before saying, "I want to show you something."
His features pulled up with doubt, "Is it another test?" He threw back, making the corner of her lips curl.
Shaking her head she answered, "No. But if we wish to save our people then we have to start building trust. I feel the only way to do that is to understand one another."
Without another word she continued up the small path, leaving him to think for a moment. It didn't take long before Amara heard the slow footfalls of the brunette trailing after her. A thankful grin found her lips as she let out a silent prayer.
⃟⃟⃟
As Eren followed behind, the silence from before was no longer a comfort to them. Amara kept her head forward, hesitant to speak as they finally came upon a peak that showed the perfect view of the Spring city. The sudden wave of energy radiating from the area had her sullen mood extinguish as she turned to face Eren with a wide smile.
When she settled on his figure she took in the way his head was tilted downward as his feet kicked out from under him. He must still be upset...Lifting her chin high she pushed towards him with a determined stride. He was caught off guard when he suddenly felt an unfamiliar warmth swarm his hand.
Trailing his eyes towards the connection his features pulled up, "What are you doing?" He quizzed, making her draw him closer to the edge.
He fought to pull back from her grasp as she spoke, "Just look", She whispered. Her light tone had him freeze as he took in the scene. A large city ran for miles along the sheltered walls. A mix of colors cascaded the area as they bloomed with an array of flowers. And in the center of the main town stood a tall tree with glowing petals that blew off in the wind.
His mouth hung wide as his gaze trailed the landscape, trying to engrave the sight into his head. Left speechless and in a state of bliss he took another step forward, causing Amara to sweep her hand out to catch him from falling. Eren jumped back once he realized his careless missteps, causing his face to grow flush with embarrassment.
"My parents used to take me here a lot when I was a kid", She began, dragging Eren's attention away from his own thoughts as his face fell back to its usual expression, "I remember I was just as entranced back then like you are now."
Her gentle laugh had his chest beating rapidly as he turned away from her figure and back to the scene before him. His eyes quickly shifted to the side to capture another look at her demeanor. A glowing smile coated her features as she let out a breathless sigh. Her hands trailed along her skin as she held herself gently while her teeth slid anxiously against her bottom lip.
He couldn't help but catch the way her eyes softened with an aching sadness, that made him shift closer to her. "It was one of their favorite places to go", She shared with a half smile, "It quickly became my own as I got older..."
He studied her for a moment. Taking in the way her chest began to rise and fall with urgency. Her fingers squeezing into her skin with each word she spoke—And her appearance was deceitful. The smile on her face was a fabrication for what she truly felt, and hidden beneath the mask she so meticulously sculpted was a doleful expression.
His eyes widened in shock as he took in this new version of her and before he knew it the words were falling from his lips mindlessly, "Your parents, they're no longer with us..."
There was a fleeting moment when the both of them froze. It was as if everything around them came to a sudden halt as his words registered in their minds. And even though it was less of a question and more of a statement, Amara answered regardless, "Correct. I lost them many years ago..."
Her strained admission had his eyes falling shut with guilt as she continued, "They were soldiers for the Spring Garden and died during a Titan raid." Her words had Eren whipping his attention to her in surprise, "They had been called out pretty early in the morning—At this time I was just starting my training and had been at the castle grounds like usual. I remember sitting at the desk of the library when the news came in..."
Her voice fell flat as she shifted back from the ledge before motioning him to follow after her. Without saying a word he listened to the silent command, "...I remember it like it was yesterday", She started, "I was reading a book titled: The world beyond the walls when Lord Riess informed me of the incident....Apparently there wasn't enough backup and they were swarmed...I supposed the fight was over before it even began."
"Amara—"
"They were low ranking", She cut in, causing him to swallow the sympathetic words that threatened to leave his mouth, "They had no business being sent on that mission...."
The tightness of her voice had him wanting to reach out for her. But with her detached manner he knew better than to act so carelessly, "They lost about 80% of them until the Autumn Garden took over", She continued with an even tone, "It wasn't until after the raid that the Commander at the time stepped down—Thankfully now we've seen less and less deaths over the years."
Eren let out a small hum of acknowledgement as she went quiet. Bringing his hand to the back of his neck he called out suddenly, "I lost my mom when I was really young..."
Amara turned her attention back to him with a look of surprise clouding her face. Her brows were drawn together with sympathy as she reached out to him without thought. When she caught onto the action she attempted to pull back, but when the brunette didn't comment on the sudden touch she returned her hand.
"I was around nine at the time", He started, "My mom had left in the afternoon to the local market in my neighborhood...I was out and up to no good like always", He chuckled lowly, "...I don't know how long I had been gone before I heard a scream in the distance...Having been such a curious kid, I ditched my friends and ran off to see what was going on...."
Amara watched his fists tighten at his sides while his features hardened as he spoke, "That's when I saw it", He whispered, "She was on the ground and there was so much blood...", Slowly his face drifted to hers. His eyes were full of resentment as he spoke, "The story was that a member of the Garden found their way to our border and a couple of Seekers decided to make a show of it."
Her hands found his own as she wrapped them tightly together. Hoping that he could seek some kind of comfort from the small action. He paused briefly, looking down at their entwined hands before shifting his gaze back to her.
"They dragged the man into the middle of the neighborhood and started to attack him. I guess those from the island are naturally stronger because he began taking them down one after another", He explained in a low whistle, "During the fight there were a couple casualties—My mom included..."
"That's awful", Amara spoke sincerely, "I'm sorry...", She kept her gaze level with his as he sent her a soft nod.
"It's not your fault", He shrugged, "That's why i've spent my whole life distancing myself from that group", He confessed, making her eyes widen slightly.
A sense of guilt clouded her mind as she thought back to her interrogation. Little did she know how insensitive those questions truly were.
"My father on the other hand blamed the Island for her death, and shortly after he joined their cause. When I came of age I became a warrior under his orders to spare myself from becoming a member of that cult. It wasn't much of a choice, but I preferred the work of the military than the movement the Seekers have been establishing."
"That must have been difficult to navigate", She replied sincerely.
He let out a breathless laugh, "Like you wouldn't believe. It was hard enough losing my mom, but it felt like I had also lost my dad in the aftermath..."
"I feel like that maybe worse than my situation", Amara admitted. Eren turned his head in her direction as she clarified, "I feel like a sense of helplessness would develop in me if I was in your place. Having to watch one of them succumb to their own hatred would be a difficult feat. One that I don't think I could handle very well, but you seem to deal with it beautifully."
A scoff made its way past his lips as he shook his head, "What gave you that impression?"
"Because you're still standing", She blinked, "And even though you hold resentment for his actions you still manage a relationship with him despite it all."
"Because I'm a coward when it comes to my father", He laughed bitterly.
"You're not a coward", She dismissed.
His face fell to stone as he addressed her, "I am. My enrollment with the Warriors. My position. My engagement, they are all my fathers doing because I was too afraid to stand up for myself!"
She kept her face steady as she replied, "Eren, you're not a coward. If that were the case then you wouldn't have turned down the seekers or agreed to help me."
He rolled his eyes childishly, "Two things. Big deal."
"It is", She repeated strongly, "It shows that his hold on you isn't as powerful as you believe it is", Standing to her feet she let out a small click, "You're a lot more courageous than you give yourself credit for..."
He stared at her retreating figure, thinking over her words in silence. Her voice calling out from a short distance had him look up in earnest as she motioned him forward, "I didn't just bring you out here to talk about our family tragedies", She mused, "There still much to discuss and many places to see."
He took a moment to take in her expression. Her eyes that were once casted in a dark sadness were now bright with a gleam of hope sparking within. A small grin started to form on his lips as he took in her unyielding optimism. Does anything phase this girl?....Tilting his head back with a laugh he stood to his feet, "You're something else", He whispered into the Spring air before taking off after her.
word count: 3616 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none Chapter: 8 Author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
The slight sting of a bo staff hitting Amara's ribs had her letting out a low hiss in pain. She took a quick step back to regain her position as she lowered herself slightly on the defensive. Keeping the weapon study in her grip she began circling around her competitor.
Gaze drawn low, she kept her eyes on the young blonds movements. She watched as he stumbled in his steps, giving her the perfect opening to lunge forward and smack the bo staff against his stomach. He doubled over in pain as she brought it down to his back, causing him to fall to the mat with a heavy thud.
Standing tall she peered down at him before lowering her head in a bow stance. Sudden clapping caught her attention as she looked towards Sasha who held a wide grin across her face, "That's ten to zero", she called out.
Amara blew out a small breath of laughter as she reached down to take Falco by the hand, "You were able to get a hit on me today", She praised, "You're getting better."
His face turned warm as he stood to face her, "It was all thanks to you, my Queen."
She replied with a sincere smile, placing her hand along his head as a small scoff echoed from the sidelines, "Hey! What about me?" Jean complained, "Who's the one that taught you the move in the first place?"
Amara's arms crossed with an amused expression falling to her face, "That's why it seemed so familiar", She quipped, before trailing in his direction.
"Either way her Majesty's never lost a match before in her life", Gabi bragged, pulling everyone's attention towards her. She leaned against a pillar a couple feet away dressed in custom training gear.
Similar to Jean, her family also came from a long line of reapers. She had been training since she could walk, giving her a slight edge over Falco who only began his lessons when he became of age. Because of this, it was painfully obvious to see their difference in abilities during their sessions—Despite that the Queen had high hopes for both of them.
"I had an amazing teacher ," Amara shrugged away as reached for the drink Jean offered her.
"Will we ever get to be as good as you?", Falco questioned. His eyes were soft as he spoke, standing close to Udo who took hold of the staff the boy once held. Zophia followed suit as she took hold of Gabi's things, setting them gently to the side.
The two teens were guards in training. Once either Falco or Gabi took their spot as the next ruler of the Island they would be promoted to a personal guard—Similar to Jean, Sasha, Connie and Marco. The two were hand picked by both teens when they first underwent their training.
All four of them were a good bunch of kids—With an established sense of justice that would help them in the future. It's the reason Amara kept a close eye on them, and made it her duty to teach them everything she knew. When she began her own training as a child she felt as if she lacked the proper mentor to show her the ropes.
Although Levi was her battle instructor she couldn't expect him to know anything about ruling a nation. And with Lord Riess as her predecessor, he kept to himself more times than not. They only really interacted when she explicitly reached out for guidance.
The only other person that led her to the right path was Historia, but even then the High Priestess could only share so much. Because of this Amara felt it was her duty to guide these kids, so they didn't have to suffer the same problems she had.
Turning to face the young blond once more she let out a small breath, "If you work hard and dedicate yourself to the craft then I believe you both will far succeed what i've been able to accomplish."
Her words had both teens grinning wide, sending a warm feeling to her chest as her name was called out from a familiar voice. Looking up to find Marco and Connie stationed at the entrance of the room her features pulled up in question, "The Council has called an unexpected meeting", The brunette shared.
Her brows lifted slightly, "Oh really", She drew out, "And Lord Reiss knows of this?"
"He's the one who informed us, my Queen", Marco nodded.
Letting out a tired breath she tapped along her wrist catching Jean's attention. Pulling out a small pocket watch from his uniform it rested in his hand as he turned to face her once more, "You've got about an hour", He stated plainly making her nod her head in understanding.
"Then we should make this meeting quick", She offered, before turning towards the two teens, "Keep up with the training", She ordered, "I might be busy these next upcoming weeks, so in my absence i'll send someone to take over the morning workouts for the time being."
Although curious, neither of them questioned her words—Choosing to settle with a respectful bow as Amara turned to exit the training grounds. Sasha came up behind her as she placed a red robe over the young Queens shoulders, hiding the plain white and gold attire. Letting out a low thank you she moved forward with ease. As she stepped through the threshold she couldn't help but feel a pit fall to her stomach as she made her way to the council room.
⃟⃟⃟
She sat at the head of the table with a bored expression crossing her face. No one spoke a word when she walked through the room, only adding to the anxiety that was building in her body. Attempting to hide her worry she let out a low breath before trailing her eyes along the table. She analyzed their faces, trying to depict what this meeting could possibly be about as everyone remained somewhat detached.
With no luck during her investigation she finally let out a slow breath, "Would someone like to explain why we're all here at this hour?"
"My Queen...", Lord Riess spoke up with a slight cough, catching her attention, "It seems...News has spread...That you took that devil and offered him a deal to help in our endeavors to end this curse", He shared with slight hesitation in every word, "This meeting is to clarify if those rumors are true or not."
Amara felt the room tense as she leaned back in her chair. A low hum fell from her lips as she thought about his admission. Nothing ever stays a secret within these walls...Her eyes once again glanced towards each member as some shifted their gaze away—Other's kept their attention on her as she pressed forward.
Placing her hands crossed in her lap she answered confidently, "These rumors are true."
The stifling silence caused a chill to run down her spine due to the awkward atmosphere that suddenly filled the room. Trying her best to ease the growing flood of emotions radiating off of each member she kept her expression neutral—In an attempt to conceal her nervous disposition. A brief moment passed before a figure stood up in protest.
"We can't", Nile scoffed, "He snuck onto our land! He's a danger to us all!"
"I'm aware of his crime", Amara responded coolly, "He also participated in the expedition and survived—I believe he has great potential as an ally."
"You're Majesty, how can we possibly trust him when we don't know why he came here in the first place", Reiner called out with concern.
"By simply asking what his business is", She spoke with a simple shrug, "Which I made sure to do before ever propositioning him. He shared that his people are suffering as well from the Curse! I believe we can help each other." Her voice was light and excitable as she shared the information Eren passed on, but it only made a few shake their heads with distress.
"Isn't it possible that he is using your highness's kindness to his advantage?" Colt quizzed with caution in every word as he addressed Amara.
Her eyes moved towards his figure as her gaze narrowed in offense, "My kindness", She clipped, "Has nothing to do with my proposition. He understands that if he does not agree to the terms placed then he will find himself taking care of bottom of the barrel jobs."
Her tight tone had a couple members look away awkwardly as the blond bowed his head in remorse—Feeling as though he spoke out of turn. She felt her shoulders relax momentarily as she caught his expression.
Letting out a low breath she continued, "I understand where the hesitancy is coming from, but I would never agree to something that would put our people in danger."
"If I may speak", Onyankopon stood, catching the gazes of the table as he addressed the room. Amara gave him a subtle bow of the head allowing him to take over, "Would it not be better to just send him back to Marley? If those in our community feel uncomfortable with his presence that might be the suitable option for the situation."
Amara's head shook lightly as she crossed her hands together with contempt, "That won't do", She argued, "It would have been simpler if he was just taken into custody, but the whole situation has been rather eventful."
"Although I don't believe this Devil is someone to trust, the Queen is right '', Peick called out softly, "With what he went through I wouldn't be surprised if he ran to the warriors to rage war. We have to go about this carefully or else it could cause more trouble than we'll know how to deal with."
She spoke in a soft tone, causing the room to settle once more as they thought over her words. Amara knew that if they just let Eren go he would come back with others to seek vengeance on the trials the Autumn Garden put him through—Which is why she offered him that deal in exchange for the treatment he endured.
Although his aid is important to breaking the curse, she wanted to frame it around his desire to save his people. To leave him feeling as if he had no other option but to help. If she could break the curse and end the suffering of those on the outside then they would have no choice but to leave the people of the island alone. She believed this plan of hers was the only way to secure harmony between the two nations for the time being.
A scoff broke out free in the dense silence, causing her eyes to move in the direction of the sound, "You say that as if they aren't already planning to attack! I mean two witnesses left the lands, they no doubt told their superiors what happened. We wouldn't even have this problem if not for someone", Marlo hissed under his breath.
His fists were placed along the table as he sent a pointed glare in the Autumn councils direction. Others followed suit, casting judgment on their decision to take Eren as a prisoner in the first place.
"He's right", Hitch added. She leaned back lazily in her seat as she addressed them. "Because of your goddamn traditions, instead of just scaring him off you just had to play around."
Her snide remark caused the small group at the end of the table to click their jaws in annoyance as Amara sat back and watched. She could feel a slight pounding in her head as she took in the heated debate. Tilting her head to the side she brought her hand to her temple to gently massage it to ease the growing pain. Only a few wandering eyes caught the action as they sent her sorrowful glances, but she just waved them away as she turned to face the voice that spoke beside her.
"We should just kill him", Rico offered, "We don't know what he or his people are capable of. It's the safest route."
Amara went still as the women's words hung in the air. She felt her eyes harden at her figure, before someone else spoke out in protest, "What makes you think you'll be able to kill him", Shadis clicked, "I mean what Devil has survived an expedition? None of us can deny his skill."
"Your reasoning just proves how dangerous he truly is", Rico threw back, "We need to kill him before he hurts someone."
"Not an option", Amara blew out. Her voice held no room for argument as she continued, "We need his help—"
A light chuckle interrupted her words as Lord Riess spoke, "Amara, this is where your lack of experience is showing my dear. We don't need a Devil's help."
Swinging her head in his direction she could feel a wave of irritation flood her body. Although angry she kept her features calm as she addressed him, "I disagree. We need all the help we can get. And don't forget the words Ymir Fritz left us with...The devil's heart must bind with the willow to seek your salvation! In order to obtain the heart we need his knowledge of the tombs!"
"Listen my Queen, you're still a fresh face to all of this", He settled, "We can figure out a way to retrieve the heart without working with them—I mean I didn't reach out to the devils and neither did those before me", He pointed with a pleased grin.
His wide smile kept her expression dull as she replied ,"Yes and after all those years the curse is still here." Her words came out sharp causing his jaw to clench as she drifted her attention elsewhere, "And progressively getting worse might I add. The reports of magic diminishing have piled up", She gestured towards Hange.
"It's true", They agreed. Reaching into a large folder they began distributing different research papers around the table. The other members' faces pulled up as they reviewed the contents as Hange continued, "The results continue to come back in a less than favorable way...It's hard to say how long we truly have. I believe if we retrieve the needed information from this boy, it'll be one step closer to figuring this all out."
"Something needs to change", Amara concluded with a curt nod.
Lord Riess tilted back in his chair before letting out a sigh, "Good luck getting him to help. Those devils are nothing but selfish bastards."
"He'll help", She stated with confidence.
"My Queen, always the optimist", Nile clicked, causing her fists to fall to her sides.
"There's nothing wrong with being hopeful", Pyxis called out after taking note of her fallen expression. His arms were crossed against his chest as his gaze fell onto the man, "The Queen has a point. The tree is dying by the day, we can't prolong this just because of history. I'm willing to put aside my pride to help my people and keep our lands safe. And if she believes that this boy is our only hope then I'm interested to see how it will all play out."
Amara shifted her attention towards the old man before sending him a grateful nod. Nile spoke out once more, "This is a huge risk we are taking here." His voice was tight and low as he spit out his concerns, "By asking for his assistance we will only be creating a larger target on our backs—They'll see how vulnerable we truly are."
"That's something you should have thought about before tying him up and parading him around", Levi muttered under his breath. Although he said it loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. His face was dull as he stared the man down, not once attempting to show any kind of expression as he taunted.
Nile leaned forward with his hand pointed in the Captain's direction, but before he could utter a word Erwin placed his folded hands along the table and addressed him, "Do you fear the boy?" He quizzed. His tone was rather plain and straightforward.
For those who didn't know their history they'd just assume the Commander was behaving in a respectful manner—But hidden beneath his cool exterior his eyes shined with a wickedness only few could see through, "Is it because you're afraid that if he does act as you believe he will, you'll be faced with the consequences of his actions?"
The air in the room had disappeared. It seemed like everyone was holding their breath as they watched the scene before them. With every word the Commander threw Nile's way it was as if he was stabbing him repeatedly—Each blow being far more vicious than the last.
The man's face was red with anger as he hissed out, "Shut up."
Erwin placed his hands in the air, "I'm just saying if that's the case then we'll take him off your hands." Everyone's face pulled up at his offer before he explained, "The Spring Garden will look over the Prisoner. We'll ensure that he won't cause any trouble", Drifting his attention towards Amara, he continued, "I believe this is a fair conclusion. If the Spring Garden fails to ensure the safety of those on the Island then those who oppose may choose whatever punishment they see fit."
"I think that's a fair trade", Hannes chuckled, "I mean we haven't even given this kid a chance to prove himself—What's the harm in trying?"
"The harm?", Lord Riess cried out, "It could be the end of us!"
Unable to take the back and forth any longer Amara stood to her feet as she addressed the rest of the room, "This is the route I'm taking whether you agree with it or not." She felt the pit of her stomach tighten as she spoke roughly, but she was left with no other choice. If she continued to let their negative words sway every decision then she'd never make a difference. "I expect you all to follow suit", She ended diplomatically before pushing her chair back, "Now if you'd all excuse me I have a curse to break."
With one last bow she turned towards the door not bothering to wait for a response as she strided across the room. She clasped her hands together to keep the slight shaking to a minimum. Having never been so harsh with her words before, she couldn't help but feel regret towards the way she spoke. But their reactions left her with no room to dress her words in soft ribbons and lace.
The revelation of what those on the outside were experiencing had her shifting gears. Even though she was already running herself thin, the devil's sudden appearance made her antsy—Knowing that it was just a warning from those desperate enough to find a solution. If she didn't figure something out soon, who knew how far those on the outside were willing to go.
"My Queen, I feel as though we still have much to discuss—"Lord Riess tried calling out, but she lifted her hand to silence the man.
Keeping her eyes towards the door she responded, "If you mean in terms of the devil then that's where you are wrong", Looking over her shoulder slightly she continued with a pierced gaze, "He is now under my authority and I will do with him as I see fit."
Without another word the large doors opened wide as she walked through, followed by her four most trusted guards. When they were a great distance away from the room she finally muttered out in a low breath, "Do you think I'm making a mistake?"
The four soldiers beside her all stiffened at the question. Each one sent the other a look to gauge an answer only to be met with silence. A moment passed before Jean let out a quiet sigh, "Do you believe you are?" He quizzed, his eyes pulling up as he sent her a curious glance.
She let out a small chuckle before saying, "Way to get out of the question."
"I'm being serious", He argued, before turning towards the other three for help.
"What exactly are we supposed to say?" Connie shrugged, "It's not like I pay attention to all that's happening."
"Yeah", Sasha added, "The two of us can barely pay attention during our regular shifts let alone for what happens behind those doors."
Marco's face dropped to a look of concern and disbelief, "You two should be on guard at all times", He sighed heavily before turning to Jean, "Remind me not to assign them both on the same shift", He ordered.
Brushing his comment aside Connie continued, "Look, we've known each other for a long time", He started, "You've always had a way of seeing through people—Did you get any weird feelings from him when you spoke?"
Amara's face pulled up as she thought the question over, "I mean, it was a brief encounter...But no. He seemed genuine in his words."
"Then I suggest you trust your gut, it's gotten you this far", He shrugged as you stepped in front of a familiar entrance.
Everyone looked at him with wide eyes as they took in his advice. Although honest, most did not seek out Connie for guidance on matters of importance—Many kept their questions simple when addressing him, as he often only had comical answers to retort. Which is why his words had everyone pause momentarily, trying to figure out if a doppelganger had taken over his position.
"Did he say something intelligent for once", Jean choked out in shock.
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day", Amara mused before motioning for the two guards in the distance to open the doors of the Library, "But he's right. I must maintain confidence within myself, it's the only way i'll get through this alive...."
word count: 3616 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none Chapter: 10 Author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
Her fingers grazed the worn texture of a book that rested along the wooden space before her. On the cover laid a simple title: The Great Titan War, which outlined the grave details of the Marleyan and Islands history.
With each flick of the page her eyes traced the outlines of the words that had seemingly engraved into her mind over the years. Many hours had been spent at this desk reviewing texts with the hope of finding guidance in her journey to break the curse—All which seemed to amount to nothing.
As she spoke the words aloud to the Devil sitting across from her, they came out like a perfected melody. Eren was hooked as he leaned forward with growing interest, captivated by the story she was sharing with him. He was so lost in her words that he missed the simple action of her closing the book at last.
Letting out a long breath, she rocked back in her seat before studying him in silence. She lifted her brow with a questioning stare, catching his slightly frazzled expression as the last sentence left her lips.
A small grin curled along her features as she tilted her head, "Are you still with me", She joked, causing him to pull back suddenly.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he let out an awkward cough before excusing himself. Staring up at her with a blank expression he answered lowly, "Yeah. It was just...A lot to take in."
The four guards in the room shifted their attention elsewhere to hide the creeping chuckles that threatened to spill from their lips. The action went unnoticed by the brunette but the Queen was quick to catch on as she wore her amusement openly.
"Understandable", She brushed aside, "The truth behind everything isn't as lighthearted as many would hope. Ymir and her family suffered gravely due to the ignorance of our ancestors and now we have to pay the price for their foolish actions. On top of that I'm asking for your assistance in saving our people to buy your freedom—Anyone in your position would probably react similarly or worse."
He nodded slowly while shifting his eyes to the table in order to collect his thoughts. Feeling a sudden headache take over he brushed the right side of his temple as a maze of questions swarmed his mind. His hand clenched by his side with anxiety as he brought his attention back to Amara. He did a once over along her features before landing on her eyes—Full of desperation once again.
They cried out to him with need. As if she had been left to drown alone in a vast ocean and all she could do was scream silently, with the hope that someone would come along to pull her from the vicious current. He believed that she had found herself in a hopeless situation and she was coming up to her limit.
Why else would she reach out to the 'enemy?'....
If her story was true, and their people have been at odds for thousands of years because of an assasination, which in turn caused both sides to distance themselves then the situation must be that dire if she's willing to form a union between the opposing nations. Her warnings weren't as fickle as many assumed—Including Eren.
His eyes fell back to the crowded table, scanning over the documents that littered every inch of the carved wood. Catching sight of a golden seal that was placed neatly in the corner of one of the pages he leaned further to get a closer look. Amara, who had been keeping a close eye on his every move, swept in, taking the document for herself as she handed it off to Jean.
Sending the soldier a curt look he took her silent command with ease as he tucked the paper into his chest pocket before keeping to his post once more. With the moment of silence clouding the air Eren took a second to gather himself before addressing Amara.
"So if I understand this right", He started, pulling the attention back to himself, "The creation of these Titans and the lack of crops and cattle is all because of a curse that was placed on our people two thousand years ago and not because your people have been tampering with the seasons?"
"Exactly", She nodded along, with a slight roll to her eyes, "Your brother's conspiracy about us using our powers has no merit. Yes, our abilities have a direct connection to our birth seasons but we're not able to control them on a whim—It goes against the law of nature", She further explained, "This situation is Ymir's way of punishing us. The most effective way to kill your people was to target agriculture. And by forcing mine into the bodies of mindless creatures we'll also be wiped out of existence alongside the rest of you."
"And why me", Eren blew out with a heavy breath, "Why not reach out to the Tyber family? If you explained to them the situation I don't see why they wouldn't look into it. It's possible they could find a solution you haven't thought of—”
"Impossible" She spoke plainly, "First, the council would never agree to it—Even now as I sit in front of you I'm going against the wishes of many that have put their trust in me. I'd rather not have them completely doubt my ability to lead this land."
"You're the Queen are you not", He rushed out, "Why do their words matter? You can just order them to follow you whether they agree with your choice or not."
She shook her head gently at his proposal, "You can't be a ruler in name alone Eren", She shared softly, "You're people have to be able to trust you in some capacity—Or else internal conflicts break out and many people end up in this cross fire. I'd rather have a following of supporters built on trust than fear, so I'll work hard to get out of this without minimizing the voices of my people."
Eren took a moment to process her words as he leaned forward, "But if they didn't agree with you workin with me, then didn't you compromise that trust?"
Her lips pursed at his words before answering, "I suppose you're right, but that's what's tricky about being a ruler. Sometimes you have to pick your battles, and this is one I don't plan to lose, which is why I won't involve the Tybur family—I highly doubt they would appreciate my proposal either way." Eren's eyes widened slightly at her admission as her face settled on his, "Plus I truly believe you're all that's needed in order to make this work."
His brow cocked up, "And why is that?"
"Well that key around your neck for one", She shared, causing him to instinctively reach for the dangling metal. How did she know.... "You sure were careful on keeping it hidden, but when you were out cold all of your personal belongings were reported—I recognized the key from a page about the tombs...Apparently only the most elite soldier derived from the Marleyan royal bloodline is permitted to have it—It was quite a shock when I found out it was in your possession."
Eren gritted his teeth, "If you knew I had it then why didn't you just take it from me then? Or better yet question me about it?"
"What good is having a key to a door I can't locate?" Amara quizzed sarcastically, "And I wanted to see how long it would take you to share that bit of information with me."
"So you were just testing me again", He seethed.
"Only a little", She mocked, "Although I will say you did a fine job of hiding your identity—If not for the medical examination we would have remained in the dark, my Lord."
"Don't call me that", He scoffed, at the slight tease in her tone, "I'm not born of royal blood so the title doesn't suit me."
"Oh? But the book clearly stated that a strong royal born soldier—"
"My brother has royal blood", He cut in firmly, "My dad's first wife Dina was one of the last living descendants of the Marleyan royal family. When she died my father was still recognized by the crown because of his vast efforts for our people over the years and in turn I was recognized as well. Given that Zeke was the last of the royal blood people expected him to take over as the tomb keeper—But when he declined the position I guess I was the next best choice. Although I wasn't a royal by blood they made an exception through marriage."
"I knew you would be a great asset", Amara hummed with a wide grin, "With your position and knowledge of the tombs we have direct access to half of this puzzle."
"The heart?", He breathed heavily.
"Exactly", Her voice dipped lower as she let out an exhausted sigh at his pulled expression, "Ymir left us with the massive clue on how to break this curse—If we can't get that heart then we're as good as dead."
Eren let out a small hum as he shifted forward, "If all you need is a tour guide for the tomb then what's with all these books and history lesson?"
He pointed towards the collection that harbored the desk. Amara had been placing them along the wooden space when he showed up, and had yet to pay them any mind, but he had been curious as to why she retrieved them from the depths of the library.
Her eyes shifted to the mountain she created before turning back to face him, "Like I said, getting into the tomb and retrieving the heart is only half of what we need", She explained, "The other is the willow tree planted in the center of the Spring Garden."
Nodding along with a puzzled expression he spoke, "And we need the tree because...."
She rolled her eyes slightly, "The heart must bind with the willow to seek your salvation...Obviously they are connected to one another, so if we place the heart in the core of the tree I believe it will reverse the effects of the curse."
"You know this how", He quizzed, slightly skeptical of the details involved in this plan.
"I don't", She breathed, causing his face to fall, "It's simply an educated conjecture...We can't truly be sure it'll work unless we try...But at this point it's all we have to go off of."
Eren let out a low hum as he tapped his fingers steadily against the table, "I see."
"And we need these books because getting into the core of the willow tree will not be an easy feat", She shared in an idle tone, "We've tried many experiments to crack the bark open and all have failed. I'm hoping with the two of us we'll find something in these books that talk about its creation...I don't wish to cause trouble for others before attempting my own research."
Pushing back her chair she stood tall as she reached across from her to slide a few texts to Eren. An array of archives that included maps, books, and outlines littered the surrounding area. Most had been collected over time by the crown and council members, left to collect dust as it sat along the filled shelves.
She took a minute to highlight specific texts before leaving him to his own research. Taking a moment to analyze the brunette she stared cautiously, slightly taken back at his willingness to work.
She was sure to expect some kind of pushback given his earlier temperaments, but as she looked him over, a faint outline of a smile broke through her expression. Shifting her attention back to the book in her hand she began constructing her own exploration of the subject matter.
A few hours had passed when Amara noticed that the book Eren was currently "reading" was upside down. She pulled her own data to the side as she kept her focus on him, before drifting towards Jean and motioning towards her wrist. The tall brunette took notice of the expression before lifting four fingers in the air, indicating how many hours they had spent in their research.
Sending him a curt nod she returned to the final chapter of her book before letting out a heavy breath. Many of the passages had outlined the cruel torments the Marleyan Nation had set upon the Gardens. It had Amara feeling helpless, as the grueling history of their people was still so fresh.
Tilting her head up she spoke in a joking tone, "The Devils are depicted as being quite ruthless."
Her words had Eren pulling his face away from his book as a frown coated his features, "You're people hold battles to the death for their own entertainment", He threw back harshly, clearly taking offense to her sudden remark.
Closing the book that was beside her she calmly stated, "The expeditions are held for devils that cause harm to our lands. Most have been seekers that have or attempted to attack a member of the Gardens. It was simply created to give the proper consequence for violence."
"Fight violence with more violence", He snickered.
Her ears burned red hot at his mocking tone, "You're people fear our abilities, we might as well use it to our advantage to keep ourselves safe from wandering fools that have come to attack us—Or even fools that have come to accuse us of a crime we have no control over."
Her sharp tone had him quieting down as silence took over the room. She closed her eyes momentarily to calm her emotions as she clasped her hands together. "Why don't we take a break from all this reading?" She started with a light tone. This allyship won't work if we are at each other's throats....
He let out a breathless sigh before straightening his back, "Sounds good", He grunted as he stretched his arms into the air.
Amara looked out the open foyer, taking in the warm air before looking over her shoulder, "Why don't we take a walk?" She suggested, causing the four guards in the room to shift positions.
"Where to?" Eren questioned lazily.
"I know a good spot not too far from here", She offered with a welcoming aura, "It has an amazing view that everyone has to experience once in their life."
Shrugging his shoulders he answered with a simple yawn, "Alright, lead the way your highness."
Even though a smile reached her expression it was empty as she took in his mocking title. She didn't comment on it even though it wasn't the first time he had addressed her with such disrespect, instead she turned towards her guards before saying, "Me and the Devil, are going to take a walk...Alone."
As her command reached their ears she watched as Jean hesitated, before sending her a displeased expression. Taking note of his demeanor she shifted to Marco, Connie and Sasha, "Why don't you three help Eren take those books to the archive room", Although her voice was light, the urgency of the order didn't go unheard as the four quickly collected the stack before exiting the room.
She watched as Jean's gaze stayed on their retreating bodies before she addressed him, "You don't approve", She mocked by crossing her hands over her chest. The action caught his attention as a familiar frown took over his features.
Leaning in closer he muttered under his breath, while taking a glance in the direction of the door, "Are you sure you can trust him?"
"Don't worry", She reassured with a casual curl to her lips, "I can handle him."
"This isn't a joke Amara", He spoke roughly, causing the amused expression to fall from her face, "We barely know the guy! I understand we're desperate here, but c'mon think this over—"
"I have", she said pointedly, "We can't expect this arrangement to work if he feels as though he's a prisoner all the time."
"But he is!", Jean cut in, making Amara take a deep breath.
"I need him to trust me in order to break this curse", She repeated, "And I need you to trust my judgment on this."
Her eyes were pleading with him to listen as his rough expression fell slightly. He took in her appearance, noticing the darkened circles that formed under her eyes as he let out a heavy sigh, "...Fine'', He gave in with a slight shake of his head, "Just...Stay on guard."
She gave him a simple flick of her head, "Don't forget who wins every match during training", She taunted, making him roll his eyes playfully, "Now, go retrieve him for me", She demanded, waving her hand away from him as she moved in the opposite direction.
Jean listened without hesitancy as he made his way to the archive room. To his surprise he found Eren leaning against the wall, slightly out of view from the other guards as Jean made his way through before gesturing for him to follow. Just as he took off down the hall Eren was right beside him. Glancing down Jean's eyes pulled up in shock before quickly settling to its usual expression.
"Amara, Huh", Eren mocked with a cock of his brow.
Jean glanced over at him with indifference, "I should have known you wouldn't have the manners to mind your own business' ', He shot back.
Throwing his hand up in defense Eren replied, "I didn't realize you and her highness were so close that's all."
Despite the implication in his words Jean remained calm as he kept to his steady pace, "Does this conversation have a point to it, or are you just in the mood to piss me off."
Letting out a scoff Eren tossed his head to the side, "Is it so wrong to want to get to know the people i'm staking my life on? I mean I find it interesting that everyone but you is so formal with the Queen."
"You're reading too much into it", Jean brushed off easily. He casted his attention behind him as the three familiar figures traveled at a distance.
"It's a fair assessment", Eren argued, gaining the soldiers eyes, "I haven't been here long, but i've picked up on enough for something to catch my attention."
Jean didn't respond to his words immediately. Choosing to settle his eyes on the brunette to gauge the motive of this impromptu interrogation. When he didn't find any malicious intention swarming in his gaze he relaxed his shoulders briefly.
"I was brought to the Spring Garden when I was a child—The two of us practically grew up alongside one another", He explained away, "My moments of acting casual with the Queen are few and far between, but when they happen they take place in the privacy of an empty room in order to not forsake her position."
"You admire her", Eren breathed, taking note of the lightness of the man's tone as he spoke.
With a swift nod of his head Jean answered, "She took her position quickly—Most wait a year or two before attending to their duties, but the moment she could take the throne she claimed it." His voice grew tense as he continued, "Many saw her actions as greedy, but she was simply being steadfast in her mission to break the curse. It's something she's had to endure the weight of her entire reign—Not once stopping to seek out selfish desires like many of her predecessors did in the past. It would be so easy for her to brush off all the research and bask in the power she's received as ruler of this land—But instead she works day and night looking for a way to save all of us."
Eren couldn't help but be reminded of words Amara shared with him. "I'll work hard to find a solution that won't minimize the voices of my people." The brunette did a once over at the man's clothing before saying, "Is that why despite the blatant outcry of the Autumn council you still stick by her side?"
"I couldn't care less what those old bastards have to say on the matter", Jean scoffed, "Unlike them my loyalty isn't to a place, or a title, or even the crown, it's to her. I want to see them eat their words...That's why I'm willing to help her with this seemingly impossible goal."
Eren caught the slight smirk that reached the soldier's mouth as he continued to march forward. Both men remained silent, focused on their own thoughts as the three figures behind them grew closer. Reaching the entrance of the Library they brought their attention to Amara who stood with her hands crossed and a glowing smile radiating off her face.
Moving her gaze over to Eren she called out his name, "Are you ready to go?"
With a nod of his head he responded, "Yeah, where are we headed to again?"
"The River of Glory", She answered easily. Her words had all four soldiers perk up as they gave her a questioning yet amused look—Whether Eren noticed their expressions or not he didn't seem to give it away.
"Sounds interesting", He commented plainly.
"Perfect", She clapped, before turning towards the others with a devilish grin, "Well, we'll be off then."
word count: 2519 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: VIOLENCE, SELF SACRIFICE, SH, DEATH Chapter: 9 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
Legends say it all started around 2000 years ago on a guarded island just outside the coast....
It was described as a paradise with a vast, beautiful land and Magic. Within this island were three walls that sectioned off four seasonal landscapes: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Each with their own people that held different magical abilities.
But there was one child that was far more powerful than anyone that had been born in the gardens. Rumors that had been passed down from family to family stated that when this child took their first breath they were set beneath the willow tree: A beacon of power for the island. Some said that the leaves lit up brightly as she cried out into the dead of night.
Born into the world as an orphan she was taken in by the royal family at the time as one of their own. She trained beside the best soldiers, practicing her craft which cause her to become the most beloved figure of the Spring Garden—And although incredibly powerful due to her efforts she was gravely naive.
When she was eighteen years old she took a trip past the Winter line as her curiosity for those outside the island grew far stronger. Taking shelter in a small cottage just along the city she learned all about the Devils culture and practices. Choosing to spend many years in that cottage despite the royal family's warnings she used her abilities to aid those around her—Soon enough she became the talk of the town.
Some were convinced she was a god, while others were weary of her powers—Believing that it was the work of a benevolent creature. The history between those in the Gardens and the Marleyans was a complicated tale. A lot of back and forth wars took place, leading to the current animosity built on both ends. It was another reason the royal family of the gardens disapproved of Ymir's travels—Feeling as though it was a dangerous journey simply because of the budding rivalry. Unfortunately, the young girl didn't realize just how right they were.
When news soon spread to the King and Queen of the Marylean nation they called for her appearance at the castle. Ymir went without argument, choosing to remain a proper guest in their presence. Upon meeting the royal family she was quite taken with the Prince, Karl Fritz. He was a man most strongly characterized by his limitless hunger for power and control.
Despite those rumors, many claimed that the young man showered her with compliments the first time they met—Believing that he was amazed at her raw talents and abilities. It made those close to him take a step back in shock. Not once in his life had he ever showed such emotions towards another.
Soon after the two teens began meeting under the guise of creating an alliance between both lands. And although that was the end goal, it wasn't the only reason they would seek each other out.
It wasn't long before Ymir fell pregnant with triplets. The news of their relations spread far and wide—Catching the attention of the island. Both sides fell into silent chaos over the matter. Those past the coast believed Ymir was sent to bewitch the young prince in order to secure a position within their affairs, while those in the garden suspected that the rumors of the vicious prince were true—That Fritz wanted the young woman's powers for selfish gain—And through children those abilities would be accessible to him.
The island reached out to the young girl with concern—Stating that she needed to be wary of the devils actions. She quickly stepped up in the prince's defense, swiftly brushing off the warnings that her people delivered. Feeling as though they weren't getting through to her lovesick mind, they retreated back to the gardens in hope that the young girl would come to her senses and return home in time.
The growing tension between both sides collided when Ymir finally gave birth to her three daughters. Similar to when the young girl was born the tree shined just as bright, causing a pit to fall in the Island king's stomach—Believing that Marley's royal family would only use Ymir and her children as a weapon for their side. Given his concerns, he ordered a large group of soldiers to invade the outside lands. Their only objective was to kill the royal family to ensure that Ymir's abilities would not reach their hands.
On the other side, many in Marley still believed that those from the Gardens were an abomination to mankind—Including the Queen herself. She didn't trust that the young witch wasn't out to destroy them from the inside out. With fear clouding her thoughts she ordered her men to kill the women and her children to ensure the nation's safety.
At this time Ymir was resting in her cottage not too far from the main town of the city. She often spent her nights caring for the three children, waiting until the young Prince would return from his royal obligations. This night was no different as she fed, bathed and rocked each baby to sleep, allowing her enough time to take a trip to the nearby stream to collect some drinking water.
A small path guided her to the natural resource as she held out a lantern to her side. She was only out of the house for a couple of minutes when a trail of lights caught her attention. Bringing her gaze to the hilltop she watched as a band of Marleyan soldiers marched in the direction of her house. Quickly gathering her things she made her way up the path before a spark of orange swallowed the night sky. Her eyes grew wide as the fiery blaze caused an anxious shiver to run down her spine.
Throwing her things to the floor she pushed her way up the rest of the path as she came face to face with a jeering crowd—But her eyes remained on the burning cottage sitting ten feet away. She let out a painful scream as she thought of her children being caught in the heated blaze, before dashing for the front door. A soldier quickly stepped in her way to hold her back, making her kick and shift in an attempt to get out of his hold.
The other men and women around cheered on as they continued to light torches and toss them into the open windows of the small structure. All Ymir could gasp out were the names of her children before being drugged away. Tears fell down her face clouding her vision as her body went numb. Despite being pulled along the rough landscape she could barely feel the cuts and scrapes collecting along her skin as she cried out for the loss of three young lives.
On the other side of town the Prince had been making his way to the cottage when he noticed figures in the night following him along the path that led to the cusp of the city. Pulling the scarf that wrapped around his head as a disguise closer, he kept his guard up he continued on his way, quickening his stride slightly as he reached for the weapon on his hip. Just before he could escape the backstreet of the town he felt the animal beneath him fall to the floor in a pile of ash.
He hit the ground with a thud, while his blade slipped from his grasp. Taking a quick glance at his surroundings he took note of the mysterious figures that began closing in on him. Jumping to his feet the Prince took off into the town to lose the attackers, while mindlessly forgetting the fallen weapon.
Pushing past strangers with heavy breaths, he earned a few glares and curses to be thrown in his direction. Shaking off the comments he ducked further into the crowd, stealing random accessories as he threw the light fabric on his head to the floor.
His chest began to rise slowly when he overheard the low muttering of the townsfolk. "Did you hear that the witch's cottage caught fire? The whole thing burned to the ground!"
He felt his heart drop to his stomach at the words the women spoke. Feeling them swarm his head like a parasite, his hands began to shake as bile rose to his throat. He took a sudden step back from the dizziness that was settling in his body when a sharp pain suddenly twisted in his chest.
Looking down he took note of the familiar blade that kept him pinned to a wooden beam in the middle of town. Everything went quiet as onlookers took in the sight before them. A moment passed before screams of terror flooded the streets, causing those around to find safety in local shops. Soon enough most of the crowd had faded away, leaving a few to analyze the situation at a distance.
In all of this chaos the Prince didn't move as his breaths were labored due to the grave injury. Letting out a low hiss he tilted his head back as the pain took over his body. With his eyes shut he didn't notice when the hidden figure approached him with steady footfalls.
He only caught on to the growing presence when he heard the slight kick of the rocks before him. Opening his eyes slowly he took one last breath before the stranger pierced his chest once more to rip out his heart. In an instant the Prince fell back against the beam as his head lulled to the side.
While this was taking place, a growing figure of despair came up to the path of the main city center. Ymir's eyes remained glued to the ground as she continued to mutter in exhaustion under her breath—Desperate to rack her brain with a reason all of this could be happening but all her attempts fell flat.
She was in a complete daze, taken out of reality as she held onto a small piece of humanity that slowly but surely began chipping away.
The sudden halt from the soldier dragging her, caught her attention as she pulled her eyes to the bloody scene displayed for all to see. Tracing her gaze towards the familiar attire worn by the soldiers in the distance she was pulled in the direction of the heart that rested in one of their hands. The man took a step closer, leaving the hidden figure that lay dead open for viewing.
She took in the formal garments worn by the deceased before her breath caught in her throat. She let out a small pleading "No" as the Warrior holding her addressed the soldier before him. It didn't take long for the Warriors to notice the identity of the deadman, as they unsheathed their weapons. At the same time the Autumn soldiers held their positions as they took in Ymir's battered form. A moment passed before words of vengeance were used as ammunition on both sides.
Although their bickering went unheard as a ringing echoed through the young girl's head. She felt her body tense with grief as her sadness and anger collided into this monstrous energy that fought to expel itself. A low hum coasted across her skin as she pressed her hands into the ground, creating a bright ring around her body.
Those who stood close enough to notice the indication took a step back in fear as the ground shifted beneath them. Overhead the crack of the sky screamed out, harmonizing with Ymir's own cries as she cursed those around her. Reaching into her waist belt she took hold of a short dagger that was strapped in place. Placing her hands around the handles she looked up at the crowd with wild eyes as she spoke with a gutteral hiss.
"You've taken something precious from me'', She spoke lowly, causing everyone's eyes to fall to her shaking figure, "So I'll return the favor..." Shifting her gaze up towards the growing crowd she continued, "Until you learn to come together your future will cease to exist!" Taking the dagger in her hand she pointed it in the direction of the pulsing heart before turning it towards herself, "For the devil's heart must bind with the willow to seek your salvation", She whispered before thrusting the weapon into her chest. Some reported that at that moment a bright beam of light clouded the lands as her last breath was taken.
Shortly after the grave incident those from the Island returned Ymir's body to a proper resting place within the gardens, while the Marleyan Queen had a tomb built for the young prince. Things on both ends were quiet for a while, but brewing tension soon arose as Ymir's warning was tossed aside, causing brief mentions of a war to soon make their rounds to both lands.
By this time the rumors had turned into a reality as each side prepared forces. It was unfortunate for all parties involved that the battle was to take place on the anniversary of the young couple's death. The Marleyan forces marched to the Winter lands just as the Autumn Reapers stood their ground at the border of wall and the outside world.
It's written that before any blood was spilt between the opposing sides the large willow tree in the middle of the spring gardens let out a burst of energy. About twenty soldiers turned into mindless titans killing the Marleyan troops as well as many of their own in the process. All that was left with the remaining soldiers were the last words of Ymir echoing in their heads.
Those on the outside grew wary of the island due to their new ability to transform into man-eating titans—Causing the entire nation to pull back out of fear. Soon after their retreat the crops and cattle grown on Marlyean soil died off unexpectedly, leaving many civilians to starve that same year.
In response to the strange occurrences, the Garden took Ymir's threat to heart and began looking for a solution based on the cursed words she left them with. Believing that the young Prince's heart had something to do with the spell they attempted to break into his tomb, causing the Queen to station guards around its perimeters at all times.
Given that the crops grew back on Marleyan soil the following year they believed the Gardens had sabotaged their harvest, causing them to hold a deeper animosity than before. In turn, the divide between both sides continued to grow as time passed on: Neither willing to reach out to the other for aid.
Many years went by and the true history of the curse faded away, causing many on the outside to believe that the curse of Ymir was just an old wise tale: Leaving the Garden to be lonesome in their journey to find the cure for all of humanity.
word count: 3697 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none ♡ Chapter: 7 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
Eren felt his eyes flutter open slightly as a low hanging light appeared above his body. Narrowing his eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness he slowly moved his head left and right to take in his surroundings. Green wallpaper with a shimmering gold detail littered the walls of the spacious room.
To his side was a large wooden desk, with intricate carvings wrapped along the legs. He took note of the papers, glass bottles, and tools that were scattered around its surface—As if someone had used the space recently.
So I'm in infirmary?...
Turning slightly to the right he found a bookcase stuffed in the corner of the room. The colors of what Eren assumed to be medical books were vibrant—Each cover was decorated beautifully. His eyes narrowed as he tried to read the words printed on their exterior, but once his vision had cleared he realized that the text was written in an unfamiliar language.
Letting out a small groan he lifted himself from the bed he occupied as he ran his hand down his face, feeling the bandages that were currently wrapped around his head. He sucked in a breath as he shifted around too quickly, causing a stinging pain to take over his left side. Glancing down he lifted up the material that was placed on him as he observed the bruise that covered his skin.
The redness of the marking had his face pulled up as he tossed the cover back down. Before he could make out anything else the sound of the door opening in the corner of the room had his head turning in curiosity. He kept his eyes on the two figures that made their way in, before pushing back against the bedding in a defensive manner.
"Who are you? And what am I doing here?" He questioned in a rough tone.
The two strangers were taken back when they heard him speak out—Unaware that he had awoken they barged into the room without taking in account how he would react to their sudden presence.
Taking a moment to settle into the room, Eren watched as the one on the right began to speak, "I'm Marco Bodt, a soldier in the Queen's guard", The man answered easily with his fist positioned along his chest. Eren didn't bother to react as he drifted his eyes to the other figure who appeared less respectful in his stance.
"Connie Springer", The stranger waved lazily, "Soldier in the Queen's guard."
Eren remained silent as he took in their names and statuses, giving Marco the chance to speak once more, "You survived the expedition, I offer you my congratulations' ', He applauded with a wide, sincere smile, "Our visit was brought on by the Queen. She wishes to see you", He further explained, "Fortunately, it looks like we got here at the right time."
"The Queen?" Eren quizzed, his eyes narrowing with doubt, "What would she want with me?"
"Your guess is as good as ours", Connie chuckled. He now leaned against the door with a bored expression as Marco let out a sigh from his blatant disregard for protocol.
"She just ordered us to retrieve you", Marco excused, "We have no other information at this time."
Eren kept his attention on the two men, shifting his gaze between the both of them with calculating eyes—Trying to depict whether they were being deceitful or not. With his silent investigation, he took notice of their clothing, observing their drastically different attire.
The soldier named Marco wore a heavy coat around his shoulders, despite the warm weather. Beneath the jacket were multiple layers of clothing, hidden beneath the straps of his armor. Every piece was an array of blues, grays and white that paired well with his lighter skin tone and dark hair.
Taking his eyes off the man he turned to look at his partner, Connie. His head was completely shaven, leaving behind a light buzz. Although the hair wasn't the first thing that caught his attention—The clothes alone were enough to have anyone stop and stare, especially when standing beside the Winter born male.
The material of his clothing was light and shiny, resembling a satin like material. They were dyed variations of red and pink, along with intricate patterns that striped along the sides of the sleeves. The man's chest was exposed as the buttons of the shirt remained opened, showcasing some gold jewelry around his neck. Eren couldn't help but think his attire was more appropriate given the temperature.
He took in a sigh as his hand brushed against his face with slight annoyance. Is what those two guards from the cell said true?.... Because I won the expedition, I'll be forced to become an indentured servant to the crown?.....If I'm thrown into the spring garden it'll make it even harder to escape this place...I need to play my cards right if I want to survive....
Picking up on the brunette's silence Marco took a step forward, "I hate to rush you, given that you've just awoken...", He started, only to be quickly cut off by Eren.
"No it's fine", He brushed away, moving from the bed to stand, as he spoke out with a clipped tone, "We shouldn't keep her waiting."
⃟⃟⃟
He kept his eyes low to the ground as he followed the two soldiers from room to room. And although he missed most of the details surrounding the Castle he walked through, he couldn't help but stare in awe at the opening of what appeared to be a library—A beautiful mix of flowers littered the entrance as they clung to the marble archway.
His feet moved before he could stop himself as he took in the view. The entire space was open with similar carved arches with chiseled detailing along its exterior. They were a mixture of flowers imprinted into the trim—No doubt a symbol of the Garden this place resided. In the center of the room was a dark wooden table, along with a few matching chairs. Although they appeared slightly rustic they fit in well with the poised environment.
He continued deeper into the library, barely noticing when two more guards joined him in the room as his eyes traveled down the wall of books. Amara remained in the corner of the room, observing the way his eyes skimmed along the details of the space with child-like curiosity.
A grin formed along her lips as she called out, "That was quite the performance."
Her voice breaking through the silence had Eren jumping in place, before turning to take in her sultry appearance. The clothing she currently wore wasn't the same that he had seen at the arena. She had on a white satin dress with a pink hanging robe secured by a waist belt. Although less revealing as her previous dress, he couldn't help but feel taken back as his eyes drew into her figure.
"You must be the Queen", He finally settled. His eyes were slightly narrowed in her direction as she slowly pushed away from the wall.
"That I am", She mused, matching his expression, "And you're the winner of the expedition."
He didn't bother with pleasantries as he quickly demanded, "I want to go home."
Lifting her brow in shock she paused her movements, "No", She spoke in a low breath, "Rules are rules. You stepped over the Autumn line and this is your punishment for that offense."
His hands clenched to his sides as he stared at her with a burning glare, "It was a misunderstanding—"
He was cut off by a small patch hitting along his chest. It fell to the ground with a soft thud as his eyes drifted to the words embroidered along the material. Warrior.
"That's yours is it not", She accused. He remained silent as she pushed once again, "What were you doing on these lands?" She quizzed, "Was this some kind of declaration of war on your part?"
This time her voice was set in a tight tone as her features fell into a more serious expression. He felt his eyes shut briefly as he tried to come up with an explanation. Although she wasn't wrong about Zeke's true intentions, he knew that it would only further complicate things if he revealed the whole truth.
Feeling as though he had no way out of this situation he felt his shoulders sag forward as he returned his gaze to her. "No", He answered pointedly, "My brother...", He hesitated, "...We traveled here to find out if the Garden was at fault for our lands freezing over. It's the beginning of the summer season, yet winter has not left us...We just wanted to make sure you weren't the root cause of it."
Amara stood straighter as she listened to his words. So they're finally experiencing a reaction to the curse as well... "And you believed us to be the perpetrators of that offense", She mused.
A scoff left his lips, "Who else would it be?", He reasoned.
She pushed forward another step, making steady strides in his direction. Her eyes were pulled down slightly, but they were still focused on his figure. When she finally appeared directly in front of him, she placed her hand along his chest.
He pulled back, slightly wary of her intentions as her fingers glided along the open fabric of his shirt. "What do you know of the curse?" She whispered lowly.
His brows deepened as he took in her words. He was unable to make out the odd question. Curse? Was Zeke truly onto something?.... Looking down he took in her gaze once more, searching for a sign of madness. But all he found was a look of desperation clouding her features as her grip on his fabric tightened.
He felt himself press into the books further out of shock before letting out a breath, "I know nothing of a curse", He started, pressing his hand against hers to release the hold she possessed, "But does that mean it was you?" He quizzed. His voice had a slight edge to it as he peered down at her with a fiery gaze, "Did you send us into an eternal winter...", He repeated.
His words trailed off in her mind as she took in the information. An eternal winter....It looks like our time truly has run out....Pushing his hand away from her she stepped to the side as a heavy sigh escaped her lips. Her hands found her hips as she turned to face him once more with a serious expression.
"It seems like it's progressing rapidly", She blew out. He remained in a standing position against the wall as he narrowed his eyes in her direction, "We must act fast or else we'll all be doomed to hell."
Her voice lowered as she finished her sentence, making Eren push forward as she attempted to stride across the room. Grabbing hold of her arm, he pulled her back with a strong force, "Hold on", He hissed out, "Answer my question", He ordered.
His sudden action caused the four guards to lunge forward, making Amara raise her hand to stop them. They immediately backed off, but their hands remained on their weapons of choice. Eren took in the familiar blade that the unfamiliar figure wielded, making his body freeze in fear.
Snatching her arm back to her body she looked up at him with a pointed expression, "Of course it wasn't us", She scoffed, "Why would I ever put my people in danger like that?"
Her voice had him pulling his attention away from the guards, "What are you talking about '', He squinted, "It's my people that are suffering", He argued, making her shake her head at his ignorance.
"And why do you think that is", She threw back with the shrug of her shoulders, "If the devil lands are being affected it's because the Garden is being drained of its power. This is a situation that's been building for far longer than either of us have been alive—Throwing out baseless accusations won't help save us from the curse, and furthering the narrative that my people are horrendous monsters will only drive us deeper into this mess."
Eren paid attention to each word she spoke. Trying to determine if she was attempting to trap him into some kind of lie, but her voice was quite stern as she ranted. Yet he couldn't deny the vulnerable way it broke as she finished. He couldn't be certain that her words were one hundred percent true, but it was as if a small voice in his head kept shouting for him to take her admission as an honest truth.
Letting out a tired sigh he spoke, "If what you say is true, then who is this enemy? And how do we stop them?"
She watched as his shoulders relaxed. Feeling that the tension settled between them she sent a small smile before replying, "That's why I had my men retrieve you", She started, "I believe we can stop all of this if we work together."
"Together", He muttered in a confused state, "How would that work?"
"It's possible you have the information I need in order to put a stop to this curse. If you are willing to share that information with me I'll forget all about whatever infiltration mission you and your buddies had that could have easily started a war", She confessed. His eyes grew wide as she continued, "And once the curse is broken you'll be free to return home."
Excitement showed on his face briefly before he quickly concealed it, "What's the catch?" He questioned with pulled features.
She strolled over to the curved opening of the library to catch sight of the large tree that occupied the land. Leaning gently along the arch she looked back with a relaxed expression, "No catch", She waved simply, "You share what you know to help end this curse and you'll be free to leave. Nothing more, nothing less."
He felt his hands clench to his sides. Free to leave...This will alleviate trying to escape on my own...But that's if she is truly telling the truth...It's been said those from the garden tend to go back on their word...Is it safe to trust her?...
"And if I don't", He challenged, causing her to turn in shock.
"If you don't then you'll stay here", She answered smoothly, "You'll be given daily chores to take care of like any other worker under my command and your people will continue to suffer." Pushing away from where she stood she made her way to the Library entrance.
Eren stood paralyzed as his eyes widened in fear. His fists fell to his side as they clenched with frustration and sorrow. Amara's eyes flicked back to his shaking figure as she called out cooly, "I can tell that this is a lot of information to drop all at once, so I'll give you the night to think over my proposal. If you agree to hear me out, meet me here tomorrow at noon. I'll share the story of the curse then, that way you'll get an idea of what we're dealing with."
With the snap of her fingers two new servants dressed in plain loose fitted attire walked into the room with a bucket and scrubber in hand. Amara turned to face Eren once more, "The hall on floor two opens up to a small flower garden—It always ends up with dirt tracking into the castle", Motioning towards the cleaning equipment she spoke once more with a smirk, "These should help you do the job."
With that she continued her way out of the room without a single glance to watch his reaction. Eren finally looked down at the tools placed in front of him before letting out a low growl of annoyance. What a piece of work...
word count: 4438 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none ♡ Chapter: 6 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
The ringing of metal echoing along the vacant halls had Eren jumping up with a start as the two guards from the other day met his gaze.
"Wake up sleeping beauty." The one mocked as he slowly stood to his feet.
Without saying a word he was whisked off to an empty room to get dressed for the day. Sitting silently for a moment he was caught off guard when the door opened to reveal a young girl. She walked into the room quietly with a layer of fabrics in her hands, as her head stayed low to the ground.
Taking note of her appearance Eren caught sight of her bright eyes and light hair that remained tucked behind her ears neatly. The strands were straight, ending around her shoulder blades, with bangs styled in the front, giving her an innocent yet sophisticated look. Her clothes were formal attire—A long sleeved dress with cuffs at the end and a frilled white shirt underneath. Along the collar rested a red ribbon tied in a small bow.
The young girl set aside the clothes as she motioned for him to come forward, "Once you've changed i'll return", She spoke softly before leaving the room.
Facing the stack of fabrics she left he began picking them up one by one with thorough inspection. The pile consisted of a black long sleeve top, fitted black pants, knee-high boots of the same color, a dark gray waist skirt, and a silver metal plate along the chest.
Reluctantly he put each item on with ease before calling for the girl once more. This time she returned with what appeared to be some kind of gear. He stood silently, just watching as she wrapped all kinds of straps and metal around his body. Taking a step back she inspected her work before giving a curt nod indicating that she was satisfied with his appearance.
Moving towards the mirror that stood on the wall he took note of the unfamiliar contraptions. Looking towards his waist first he analyzed the equipment that the girl called a maneuver gear box, that was attached to harnesses positioned along his chest and legs.
"Is this all really necessary?" He quizzed, turning his head slightly to face her.
His naive and puzzled expression had her brows pulling in as she gave him a quick nod, almost taken back by his question, "It'll be almost impossible for you to kill the beast without it", She stated.
He didn't respond, only placing his hands along the gear with curiosity, "So how do I use it?" He inquired.
His face pulled up in confusion as he took in all the equipment. The mechanics were lost on him as he analyzed each part meticulously. Sliding her finger along the outside material his gaze stayed glued to his body as she answered.
"I'm not sure how it works", She admitted hesitantly, making Eren bring his eyes back to her. A look of empathy crossed her features as she took in his confused state, "I've never used it myself, and I've only ever seen soldiers use it from afar..."
With a low hum he pulled back, "Trial and error then", he sighed, earning a small grin from her as she motioned towards the door.
"We should get going then", She brushed away, as he followed her down a long dark path. Pointing in the distance she faced him once more, "Step onto that mark and you'll be taken to the arena. I wish you good luck sir", She bowed politely.
Before she could leave he spoke, "What's your name?" He quizzed. His eyes were sincere as he looked down at her with a steady gaze.
"Kaya", She replied easily with a sweet smile.
"Thank you, Kaya", He bowed, before moving towards the mark she instructed him to approach.
He felt his nerves suddenly spike as he took in the overwhelming atmosphere that was being built around him. He had no idea what to expect of this expedition, but he knew it had to be intense if no one ever won. Shifting in his spot he felt cold metal graze his chest as it brushed against the tight fitted clothing.
Reaching into his fitted shirt he exposed the golden key that hung from his neck. It shimmered slightly in the low light of the tunnel he was currently in. Squeezing it tightly in his fist he thought of his family and friends as he calmed his breaths, while the ground below him began to shake.
Looking up he was met with a small opening, just big enough for the platform he was standing on to get through. Slowly the floor ascended, making him tuck the necklace back into his shirt as he was blinded by the light radiating above the entrance. As he moved closer and closer he could hear the rowdy crowd above calling out with anticipation for his arrival.
Just as he broke through the opening he narrowed his gaze due to the sudden brightness, but he was able to catch sight of the spacious arena for a split second. It was a large rectangular shape, filled with dried clay as its foundation. Looking around, he noticed a large table filled with an assortment of weapons sitting in the center.
Other than that the terrain was plain, with little to no obstacles in the way—He was debating on whether to see it as a good thing or not. On one hand it meant he wouldn't have to make his way through a labyrinth like the Winter gardens, but it also left him out in the open for whatever beast to find him.
Taking his eyes away from the ground floor he drifted towards the audience where every seat was filled. Gliding his eyes all around he stopped towards a large pillar where a captivating figure stood gallantly. His body stilled as he took her in.
Atop her head rested a crown made up of an intricate design of leaves and flowers. Her golden skin shimmered as the sun rained down on her like a spot light. And the deep red gown she wore wrapped around her curves like a second skin as they blew against the gentle breeze.
She held this aura that had his attention zeroed in on every move she made. Her neutral expression had him wanting to analyze every thought that crossed her mind. Who is she?...
Moving forward, Amara moved her gaze towards the brunette in the arena. His green eyes held her gaze, causing her brow to pull up in amusement. He's bold....Trailing her eyes down his figure she took in his build. He appeared strong like a seasoned warrior, with broad shoulders and toned arms to match.
Standing tall at what appeared to be six feet he remained collected in his position. And although his eyes were narrowed slightly, she could tell that his features were more feminine—No doubt taking after his mother. With looks like that, it would be a shame if he were to die here...
Taking back her focus she took hold of a mic that rested only a few feet in front of her. Stepping up to the front of the pillar she spoke, "What's your name?" She quizzed, pulling her eyes back down to his.
His features shifted as her voice rang out in an echo through the arena. Although her tone was soft, he felt the power of it behind each word made his way. Unconsciously he took in a breath before answering—Fighting the nerves that crept up his body.
He stumbled for a moment, debating whether to remain truthful or not on her inquiry. This could be a trap...If I were to give them my full name who knows what they'd do with the information...
With these thoughts looming over his head he let out a simple, "Eren."
The woman mouthed his words as his name danced off his tongue, before letting out a low hum of acknowledgement, "Well Eren", She started, "The rules are simple. Take down the beast and you'll survive. Fail to do so and well...I assume you know what'll happen", She mused as he sent her ruffled brows.
His soft features hardened at her words, causing a smirk to coat her lips as she clasped her hands together, "You can use whatever tools or weapons that you see fit", She motioned towards the large supply in the center, "And with that we'll get on with the 57th expedition. Guards", She motioned, "Open the gates."
As her words registered in Eren's ears he was taken back when a loud screeching was heard from behind the metal bars located at the one end of the arena. His anxiety flared back up as he ran to the center to find the array of weapons: Blades, Titan rifles, Titan spears, and hand guns.
Without a second to waste he grabbed hold of two blades before putting extra in the thin holders strapped to his waist. He had one pointed towards the large cage as snarling grew closer. Before he could blink a large creature stood before him. Its human-like features had him backing away in fear causing some onlookers to snicker in amusement. This must be...A titan...
Glancing towards the audience, his eyes met Amara's. Much to his surprise she was staring right back. He couldn't help the redness that coated his cheeks as he turned away from her piercing gaze. Remaining in a proper position, her eyes analyzed his every move, as if he were some kind of unsolvable puzzle.
Even though she could see the nervous look casted on his features, he still kept up a shield in his demeanor, leaving his moves unreadable. Excitement filled her eyes as she fell back into her chair with a hum. This should be exciting...
Shouting from the crowd continued to fill Eren's ears, as the beast lunged forward unexpectedly. Quickly dodging the attack he brought his blades up for a reverse assault as he pierced the weapon into the beast's arm. Unfortunately for him, the creature didn't seem to have a reaction to the injury. Its expression stayed in place as it lifted its arm in the air with a winding swing.
Continuing on, the Titan swiped the limb forward once more in an attempt to grab a hold of him. At this point Eren's breathing was now erratic as he tried dodging the attacks sent his way. He was unsure how to get around this fight—With no knowledge of the gear he wore it seemed almost pointless to even have it on.
And Marley kept records of Titan's and their activity but when coming face to face with a pure Titan there was no reasoning to be heard. They acted on animalistic instinct without any way of communicating. It wasn't like you could talk them out of their attacks—The only way to get out of being killed by their hand was to take them down first. Although it wasn't like he's ever faced one head on—This battle would be the first his people have encountered a beast in a few hundred years.
Looking down at the triggers placed along the blades he pressed one in as a skinny hook shot out from the handles. Taken by surprise he lunged back before retracting the trigger. Shifting his gaze towards the other hand he repeated the action, but this time instead of a hook releasing from the handle, his blades fell to the floor. The crowd began to point and laugh as they watched him struggle to figure out the mechanics.
Eren let out a hiss in anger as he reloaded the blades. So one trigger operates the gas, which then releases the hook, while the other can detach the blades to the handle....If I can figure out how to use it properly I might be able to get a better angle to attack....
Trailing back to create distance between him and the Titan he took off in the opposite direction while turning to look over his shoulder to keep his eyes on its back. He analyzed the creature, trying to find a space to hit it when his gaze shifted towards a branded X on the back of the titans neck. His features pulled up with curiosity. Is that its weak spot?...With the realization in mind he knew he had to find a way to its nape.
Doing his best he continued to dodge the failed attempts the creature made, as its large hand came crashing down on him. He was thankful his reflexes were more refined due to his training as a warrior or else he would have been taken out a long time ago.
Keeping on guard he made quick movements around the arena, but the sudden burst of fire flares coming from the walls caught his attention. Although, before he could get too distracted he noticed the way the beast ducked away in fear each time they were set off.
They're scared of fire?... If that's the case I might be able to use that to my advantage....Glancing back towards the weapon table he caught sight of a pile of unlit torches lying along the wooden beam. So that's what those are for...
Quickly making a break for the table it didn't take him long to retrieve the tool as he stuffed them in the straps around his body. While this was happening the Titan followed after his retreating figure, swiping in his direction once more, which caused the table of weapons and equipment to tumble onto the ground into split pieces. Unknowing this made a perfect stepping stool for the brunette to climb onto.
Although before he could escape from the area the beast took hold of his leg, lifting him up in the air with ease. Eren heard the crowd roar as they waited in anticipation—No doubt expecting the fight to end here. He could feel his blood boil as he desperately tried to break free from the monster's grasp. Due to the size difference he felt its strength as it tried to crush the limb completely.
Pulling himself in a crunch position Eren brought his blade up to the Titans hand and sliced through it without difficulty, freeing himself from its hold. Ignoring the searing heat in his body, he ran towards the makeshift steps with a panting breath. Drawing his arm up he prepared to release his hook into the wall of where the fire cannon stood.
Unknowingly to Eren, Amara continued to observe his movements as she leaned forward in curiosity as the crowd spoke amongst themselves, trying to figure out what the prisoner had planned next.
His miraculous escape from death caused some members of the audience to switch sides, as they began cheering him on. She too found herself interested in what he would conjure up next, as she kept silent with her eyes focused solely on him. His determination to win this fight is fierce....I'm interested to see how far this Devil is willing to go to survive...
Back in the arena Eren continued to climb up the steps before triggering his gear to launch onto one of the poles positioned under the fire cannon. Flying through the air the sand below his feet kicked up in a slight dust cloud as he landed on the small ledge of the wall. Without wasting a second he lifted the torches before counting down from ten—With hope that he got the timing right.
Anticipation ran heavy in his heart as his eyes stayed glued towards the titan running in his direction. Arms flailing like crazy—Razor sharp teeth shining bright in the Autumn sun. The sight was something out of a nightmare. But if this worked, he'd make it out of this fight alive. All he had to do was keep a level head and stay diligent. Five...Four....Three....Two...One....
Right before the beast could take him down the flames went off, lighting the torches completely as a large blaze of fire erupted above him. Eren slammed them down, scaring the creature as it took a step back in fear.
Using the distraction of the fire, he triggered his gear once more as the hook pierced into the Titan this time around, giving him the chance to slice the beast's eyes. Flying through the air he basked in the cheers from the crowd as they all stood in awe at the sudden turn around of events.
Amara couldn't help but applaud his skill as a grin climbed its way to her expression. Leaning over towards her right she spoke, "I'm impressed by his technique. Although sloppy and aggressive, it's not too bad for not having any training with the gear—He appears to be a natural."
She watched Lord Riess's face pull up with distaste as he took in the brunette, "It's not a shock that he's violent my Queen'', He spoke curtly, "All those Devils are. It's in their blood."
She let out a small hum, before trailing her eyes to the four guards standing at her side, "What do you guys think? Does he seem violent?"
Without a second to waste one voice spit out, "He's a suicidal moron."
Bringing her gaze towards the tall brunette she sent him an amused smile. Jean Kirstein had a knack for speaking with complete and brutal honesty. He never worried about how polite his tone of voice was, even if he was in the presence of higher ranking officials. It was something Amara appreciated, considering her position—Many tended to blindly agree with whatever order she called out, but Jean was different. He kept her in check, and gave her honest feedback when necessary.
Those traits that many found irritating among those from the Autumn Garden were the reason he became commander of the Queen's guard in the first place. With his family's long history of being Reapers, he had been thrown into that work at a young age—Although he was expected to obtain a higher standing than those that came before him.
Having been in the same world as Amara since she was a child, the pair grew accustomed to one another, and when the time came he was one of the four soldiers hand picked by her when she underwent her own training to become the future Queen. After all these years, he still kept up with his foul mouth and bad attitude, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Does he now?" She hummed lazily, while bringing her hand to rest under her chin with a teasing smile.
"I don't know", Another voice argued, "He seems pretty badass to me."
Moving her attention to Connie Springer, her eyes shot up playfully from his admission. Similar to Jean, the teen had no trouble sharing his opinions, but they both differed with the execution of how they were expressed. Although not the brightest, Connie was often praised for his tenacious spirit. Being that he's a very outgoing member of the Queen's guard, even in the worst scenario, he always tried to keep things lively.
This wasn't a surprise considering most people from the summer garden shared that same quality. Amara would often applaud his rather ambitious disposition, as whenever the time came he was always keen on battle and would never shy away from the chance to fight. And even though he had a small build, he graduated from the training Corps with high marks, ranking 4th in his class—His enthusiasm for justice is what drew Amara in from the start, and is what later led him to become one of her guards.
"I agree! The way he's using the flames to keep the Titan away sure is somethin' ", A muffled voice broke out from the brief pause.
Leaning forward once more, she looked past the men as her eyes trained on the other two soldiers standing at attention. Focusing on one she took note of the lollipop hanging lazily from the girl's mouth, causing a frown to appear on her face as she addressed her, "Sasha, didn't we already talk about the snacks", She quizzed, pulling the girls attention to her.
The brunette's eyes widened as she held up the candy, "You said that my hands needed to be free at all times", She excused, "That's why I went with a lollipop! See", She exclaimed before placing the sugar filled treat back in her mouth, "My hands are empty!"
The words came out slightly muffled as Amara and the other three guards shook their heads at the girl's nonsensical sputtering. Sasha Braus, was a simple minded and peculiar girl—Always had been and most likely always would be. Growing up in the spring garden, Amara would often make trips to the farm the girl's parents owned, although that unfortunately stopped when a Titan attack took place in the area.
Families were forced to move away from their homes and find refuge in smaller villages among the Gardens. Many people died and businesses went under due to the destruction—That including the farm. The Braus family lived a simple life, with enough expenses to get them through, but with the sudden loss of their income, Sasha, desperate to help with her family's financial struggles, signed up for the Queen's guard.
Due to her life on the farm, she learned to survive in harsh conditions, making her a resourceful and skilled hunter—It was exactly what Amara was looking for. Three years later and the young girl remained a trusted soldier by her side.
Shifting her gaze to the man stood beside the brunette she peered over, "Marco?" She called out, earning his attention, "Would you like to share your thoughts?"
The young man had always been a visionary. Time and time again he continuously valued the actions that would be good for the group, even if they went against his own interests. He was great at understanding and coping with his own shortcomings and limitations, while actively encouraging those beside him.
He's a well liked member of the community, never having found himself in a precarious situation, which Amara admired. It made him undoubtedly trust worthy as he usually acted as peacekeeper in their small group. Watching his shoulders straighten, she remained silent awaiting his words as he looked back down at Eren.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to collect his thoughts before bringing his gaze back to her, "I admit that his skills and technique are quite impressive—Especially for someone that doesn't have experience fighting Titans. And he picked up on the odm gear quickly, meaning he's somewhat intelligent, but Jean also has a point. His movements are becoming reckless and sloppy—Most likely because of the few choices he's made have gone his way...But despite all that, I believe his stubbornness to win will grant him victory."
"I have to agree with your assessment", She shared in a low hum. Trailing her eyes back to the arena she muttered, "I believe he will come out victorious today."
Eren remained steadfast as he used the odm gear to fly around the field. After slicing the Titan, he kept his distance, moving out of reach as steam emitted from the beast's eyes. Bringing his gaze towards the center of the space he took note of the left over weapons that still remained unused. A large spear like item was placed neatly along the table, but much to his disappointment there were no blades in sight.
His last one had split in half after his attack, leaving him completely defenseless. Letting out a small hiss in frustration he continued to push forward as he made his way over to the mystery item lying along the table. He briefly glanced up to find the titan struggling to make their way around the arena, allowing him a few extra minutes to securely strap the new equipment to his body.
His eyes trailed down to the string connected to the engine of the gear as he tilted his head in curiosity. Pulling slightly he felt his body jerk forward as the spear shot out from his arm. He watched as it rocketed in the air, before hitting an invisible barrier that covered the entirety of the arena.
A loud explosion erupted as the spear hit the force field. His eyes were wide as he took in the scene before moving his gaze back to his arm. So that's how it works....Placing another along his bicep and wrist he secured it in place before exhausting the gas, allowing him to fly up in the air. Let's get this over with...
Getting to the highest point he could, he lifted his arm before pulling forward. A low whistle from the spear being released echoed as it launched its way to the titans nape. No one said a word as blood splattered along the invisible shield that wrapped around the entire stadium.
The Titans body fell with a rumbling thud along the dried clay below causing it to shoot up in a cloud of dust. No one could see a thing as they narrowed their eyes at the sight. Low mutters circled around in a humming buzz as the fog began to dwindle away slowly.
Amara leaned forward as her eyes shot up at the scene before her. There in the middle of the dust storm, was Eren who stood on top of the beast. His face and body were covered in blood, with his head tilted and a fist lifted high in the sky. As he let out a bellowing roar a moment of silence passed before the crowd erupted to their feet, calling out their praise.
A grin found its way to Amara's face as she watched him throw his hands up to encourage the onlookers to scream out in applause. Just as he made his final turn, she caught the way his leg stumbled forward.
His body waved side to side before completely falling off the Titan's body and onto the ground. Healers immediately ran from the open gates as they pulled him onto a large stretcher to carry his unconscious figure out of the arena.
Snapping her fingers Amara collected the attention of those near her, "Once he's healed send him to the Spring library", She stated simply, before turning to make her leave.
word count: 1179 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none ♡ Chapter: 5 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
The bustling town was as loud as ever as Zeke trudged through the groups of people with a heavy breath. His knees wobbled as he attempted to latch onto the nearest person to stabilize himself, only to be met with a swift shove to the side. He stumbled with a slight groan as he tried to find his footing along the street.
The mumbling curses of the stranger went unheard as he kept his gaze forward. Wide eyes stared at the passing figures as he caught his breath. Causing a few to swiftly dodge where he stood, mostly out of fear that he was some crazed man wandering the town.
He didn't bother to pay attention to their watchful eyes as he turned his body slightly to the right, catching sight of the figure behind him.
The soldier who had followed him through the woods fell in line beside him as their body shook in fear. Zeke glanced over at the man's face that was now as white as a sheet. What they had both witnessed on the island was something far sinister than he'd imagined—Their attacks were quick and precise, it was only luck that he had made it out alive.
They ended up spending most of the night and well into the early morning lost in the Winter Garden. It wasn't until they found an open path when they were able to escape with their lives. If not for Eren's slight distraction of being captured he didn't know what would have happened to them.
Although relieved by his luck, he couldn't help but feel his hands clenched in anger at the thought of his little brother being in the hands of those monsters. Who knows what they could be doing to him.
It's possible they already killed him when we ran off...But Eren is a stubborn fool...Killing him wouldn't be an easy feat..
Letting out a breath he picked himself up before facing the soldier beside him,"We have to tell the General what we saw", He declared with a rough tone. His expression pulled slightly with each word as the man nodded curtly at his command. With nothing else to say the two continued their way down the street as they headed towards the military base.
°❀°
Walking through the long corridor Zeke kept his gaze pointed. He felt his blood rushing to his head with each step he took, feeling as though he would explode any minute now.
Anxiety and anger flowed through his body with ease as he recalled the latest events—He wanted nothing more than to spill the blood of his enemies.
Drifting from his violent thoughts he turned the corner of the long hall—At the end of the building stood a single door that led to a conference room. Usually around this time the General and many other high members of society and military personnel would meet behind that door.
With the current situation Zeke didn't bother with pleasantries as he barged through without warning. The group of men and women that were stationed in the surrounding space looked up in shock as the blond trailed into the room with a crazed expression. No one said a word as they took in his aura, trying to depict what could have happened to the newly appointed War Chief.
It wasn't often that the man was thrown into a spiral—He was known for being calm and collected, it's what got him the position in the first place. He had a knack for this kind of work, and many who worked below him idolized his mature and professional nature. Which is why his current state was very puzzling to those around.
The General was the first to speak as he looked in the man's direction with slight concern resting along his hardened features, "Zeke", He acknowledged before standing, "What's the meaning of this?"
The older blond glanced around the room before stopping on two familiar faces as they looked at him with worry. Zeke felt himself tense slightly before turning back towards Magath, "Eren", He slightly gasped, "We...Went past the line...The Titans attacked us...They had these spear like weapons that just—When they touched you...It turned you to ash...The two of us fled", He motioned towards the single soldier, "Two were killed and Eren—"
"What about Eren?" Mikasa's voice rang out in the heavy silence. She now stood to her feet as her gaze drew in on Zeke. Her eyes pierced his own as he looked away in shame. His words had come out breathless as he retold the events. Unable to calm his breathing he had stuttered during his explanation, but with one deep breath he spoke smoothly.
"They captured him", He replied hesitantly, "We were all running and he fell behind...When I turned around they were tying him with a rope! We had to get out of there or we would have been next..."
Mikasa's jaw clenched at his words as she felt Armin shift beside her, "And he's still on the island", The short blonde questioned.
Zeke looked in his direction and gave an urgent nod, "Yes."
"And can I ask why you guys were out in those woods in the first place", The General spoke. His tone was calculated with a hint of disapproval laced between each word.
The warriors had been warned time and time again to stay far away from the territory line—Out of fear that their presence might spark an unexpected war between the two sides. For generations the Warriors had upheld that understanding until now.
Zeke felt his head dip low before he answered, "We were trying to collect information...Hoping we would catch them using magic on our lands..."
"And did you find anything?" Magath quizzed. His face staying neutral as he addressed him, only adding to Zeke's anxiety as he answered.
"No sir", He admitted, "We did not, but!" He suddenly yelled out, "Eren's on that island somewhere! We have to get him back!"
"No", Magath swiftly rejected, causing his eyes to widen in shock. He heard Mikasa and Armin gasp at the General's answer, but they didn't dare question it.
"Why not", Zeke voiced. His tone was quieter as he stared wide eyed at the man.
"Did you or did you not state that these titan people have weapons strong enough to turn a person to ash?" Magath bit, "I won't send my men on a mission like that without the proper information. Until we can get a better grasp of how to control them we stay put."
"But Eren—", Mikasa called out, only to be cut off by him.
"Eren Jaeger is a monster in his own right", Magath stated, "He can handle it for now. Until then we'll come up with a suitable plan for a rescue mission...Or if it's too late for that, we figure out how to take those Titans down once and for all.''
word count: 1593 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none ♡ Chapter: 4 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
His skin was cold to the touch. The tight ball he had found himself in did him no favors as he tossed and turned throughout the whole night. His restlessness had caught up to him despite how hard he tried to ease his mind.
The sound of water leaking from the roof had his head spinning with insanity as the drops splattered along the floor. Drip...Drip...Drip....
It's all he could focus on. Desperately, he attempted to occupy his thoughts, but it was unsuccessful given his situation. He tried thinking about his brother, remembering that Zeke crossed back over to the Winter garden before being attacked.
He hoped he had made it back home alive, although that was wishful thinking. It was possible that those soldiers went after him once Eren had been knocked out. He just hoped that wasn't the case, and that his older brother was able to flee the woods to safety.
Then the blond could inform everyone back home that he had been taken as prisoner during their adventure onto the island. Unfortunately, it was hard to say if news of his imprisonment would even rally the troops to come rescue him.
Even though the Warriors were skilled soldiers, the four Garden's had an army of highly trained fighters. And if they were anything like the ones he encountered yesterday, then his people wouldn't stand a chance—Which is why he had to get out of here himself.
Finally pulling himself up, he was now in a sitting position, leaning his head against the brick with a heavy breath. The slight sting on his face had his hand trailing up towards his cheek. Pressing his fingers against the skin lightly he could tell a bruise was beginning to form under his eye. Isn't this just great...
Dropping his hand to the side with a frustrated hiss he took in his surroundings to get a better grasp of the situation. Is it even possible to escape a prison like this?...
Scanning the area he noticed that sand coated the entire cell, making him brush his palm along a hill that had piled beside him. It was slightly damp, no doubt from the leak coming from the pipes that trailed along the ceiling. Brushing his hands off lightly he moved his attention elsewhere.
The room itself had a slight musk to it, most likely from its current conditions and past prisoners. It wasn't as awful as he would imagine a place like this would smell, and if anything he was somewhat grateful that it was quite tame.
Shifting his eyes to the side he traced the row of neatly placed bricks that littered the wall. Moss and vines had somehow found themselves entangled along the structure, but overall the small section was well kept.
He felt his shoulders dip, noticing that the cell was void of any small animals and bugs that would oftentimes find themselves in places like this. Grateful of that fact he let out a relieved breath—The last thing he wanted was to get sick due to some infested creature.
Lastly he focused on the rusted metal of the cell door. Thick poles were drilled into the structure, each about an inch or two away from the next. It was safe to say it was impossible for someone to squeeze themselves through the bars. And with no windows to be found, his resolve was slowly diminishing by the second.
Throwing his head back once more he almost missed the sound of muttering coming from outside the cell. But the two voices grew closer and closer, leaving him on edge as he leaned forward in a defensive position.
Stepping into view, the two soldiers looked down at his figure letting out mocking snickers as they took him in. A tattered uniform resting along his body. Cuts and scrapes speckled along his face. Sand coating his exposed skin—It was quite a sight.
Turning his face away for a moment he brushed his hand through his hair before returning to their gaze with a glare resting along his features. Without a second to waste his voice called out in a hiss, "Where am I?"
The one man leaned back with a cocky grin before answering, "You're in the Autumn prison", He shared easily. So I'm still in the Autumn Garden...
Eren didn't know much about the island, but he was aware of its structural layout. It had come up many times when he'd overheard meetings of the seekers in his father's study. He knew that each garden was rounded by a wall, each encircling themselves around one another like a barrier.
The winter and Autumn gardens located on the outside lands left them being the largest gardens of the four. Then came the summer Garden which resided inside those two, with a fair bit of land to occupy it. And lastly the Spring garden was located at the center to ensure the safety of the crown.
It was safe to say that the location he and his brother entered through was the split between the Autumn and Winter Gardens. Drifting closer to the west they found themselves down the path that led them in a split between the lines. The only bright side was that because it was one of the outlier lands he still had a chance to escape past the woods. He would have been completely hopeless if he had been taken to the Summer or Spring Garden.
Trying to escape one wall was wishful thinking, taking on three or four was just suicidal. And even though he was willing to stake his life on that challenge, it would do his family no good if it were to come to that. So instead of trying to reach through the bars to retrieve the weapon positioned at the guards side he leaned back in his kneeled position before huffing.
"I need to get out of here. My family will be looking for me."
A rough chuckle left one soldier's lips as his head was thrown back, "There's no escaping", The man explained, "You, an outsider, stepped foot on the Autumn lands. The winter garden may not care about what pests loiter in their woods, but we do."
The man's harsh words had Eren's fists tightening at his sides. The other soldier's expression fell to a grin as he knocked his weapon against the bars, "Look at the bright side, we could have just killed ya' like your buddies, but instead we gave you the chance to live."
A giddy laugh left the other man's lips as he slapped his hands together, "You better put on a good show for the expedition", He noted towards Eren.
The brunette's attention pulled to the soldier as his brows narrowed in question, "Expedition?"
"Your trials", They huffed.
"A fight to the death", The other one smirked, "Slay the beast and you won't have to see these walls ever again."
Leaning forward with interest he shifted his eyes between the two men, "So all I have to do is kill the creature and I'm free to go home?"
Once the words left his mouth the two guards doubled over in laughter, "Are you an idiot", They mocked, "We can't just let you run off", They motioned towards his attire—Believing that if he were to be set free there was no telling what information he'd give the Warriors, "If you win you'll be given a job as a servant in the Spring garden."
A servant?... He couldn't help but think about how many of his people were forced into the same situation. How many of them made it? How many occupied these lands? Flicking his eyes back up he asked, "So there are others trapped here?"
He needed to know how difficult this expedition truly was. More often than not those that found themselves in these lands were regular citizens without any military background. If they could overcome this obstacle then he'd have no trouble.
The guards snickered once again at his ignorance, only angering the brunette further as he buried his hands in the sand, "If there were any that could actually win the expedition then sure, but because all have been killed the only people to live in the gardens are the people of the Island."
Eren's resolve was slightly crumpled at the news. This trial would no doubt be more challenging than he'd hoped for. Taking note of his fallen expression the guard lowered his body to the bars as he smirked, "They say that being killed in the forest would have been a far better option than being signed up to fight those beasts."
Looking through his lashes he tried to keep his expression neutral, but anxiety filled Eren as he realized that this was one elaborate death sentence. Suddenly the sound of metal being slid underneath the bars caught his attention. A tray of food rested in front of him as the two guards moved back to their posts.
While walking away their laughter echoed along the empty walls as they called out to him, "You should eat, we'd hate for you to die from hunger before the real show begins."
Head hung down he sent a glance towards the colorless meal before shaking his head in fury. If they wanted a show he'd give them a show. Not only would he defeat the beast, but he'd escape this damned island. No matter the cost.
word count: 1593 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none ♡ Chapter: 3 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
Her eyes met the reflecting blaze of the sun as it shined against the stained window pane. During high noon the light always made its appearance along the spring garden council room, creating a majestic view along the semi vacant enclosure.
The pattern matched the room well, as the walls were coated in a glimmering eggshell color, allowing the vibrant colors to radiate along its surface—She had always found the sight comforting, especially during her childhood.
Leaning back against her chair, Amara watched as a few bodies passed by the room with ease, sending her a nod of acknowledgment before disappearing from the space entirely.
Dragging her head back to where she sat she was met with thirteen faces making casual conversation around the large table. Peering to her right she found four empty seats.
Late once again....
Letting out a frustrated breath she stood from her current position, catching the eyes of the council as they watched her warily. Given that she was known for her unorthodox and mischievous nature, many tended to stay on alert in her presence.
Right now was no different as they watched her expression fall.
Keeping her eyes pulled forward with a tilted chin, she pushed her chair back before trailing to the window with a steady stride.
The click of her shoes along the floor created a low echo, making some conversations dwindle as they watched her with a curious gaze.
Without making a noise she pushed the glass open, allowing the warm air from the spring weather to dance through the windows, causing the curtains to sway along to its buzzing melody. Amara breathed in deep as she peered out the open glass to find the large tree that settled in the center of town.
Its pink petals waved in the wind gently, causing a smile to appear along her lips as she took in its unwavering power, "My Queen", A voice called out from behind her.
Her head shifted slightly, as she barely looked over her shoulder to acknowledge them. "Yes?" She spoke in a light tone.
"It's rather windy outside", They noted, "It might be wise to keep the windows closed for the time being."
She kept her head straight, not bothering to meet their gaze as she replied, "The breeze feels nice against my skin", She hummed, gliding her fingers along her arms as she teased the sparse fabric that coated her body, "It's been exceedingly hot over the last few days, a little bit of wind is nothing to complain about, Lord Riess", She brushed off.
She didn't turn back to see his reaction, only waited a moment for him to respond, "Of course, My Queen", He grinned, when her eyes finally met his gaze, "But be mindful of those around you", He hummed pressingly.
She felt her shoulders fall at his words, as she moved to close the windows without another word. Lord Riess had a bad habit of speaking when his opinion wasn't requested. Although Amara couldn't blame him entirely, considering once upon a time the crown was once placed along his head.
Being that she now occupied the position it seemed like it was still hard for him to lose the controlling aspect that all leaders found themselves to bear. And given that she had only taken over about three years ago, it wasn't easy for him to forget thirty years of his life being the king.
But on numerous occasions she attempted to make it clear that she held the power—Unfortunately all of her attempts only ended up coming off as arrogant quips, which she rejected. And although she didn't mind being passive on certain things, she desperately wished she could stand up for herself more often than not.
After all, she needed to protect her position within the island. If she didn't, many would doubt her ability to rule the gardens. If that were to happen, the trust the people had in her and the crown would diminish. And that was the last thing she wanted considering the situation they currently found themselves in.
With a bow of his head she disregarded him before moving away from the window and back to her seat as her eyes once again locked in the direction of the missing council members, "Does anyone have any word from the Autumn garden", She finally quizzed, trailing her eyes down the row of bodies that seemed just as confused about their fellow members absence.
"Unfortunately not", A voice called out.
Turning her attention to the right she was met with the narrowed blue eyes of the Spring Courts commanding officer, Erwin Smith. He had been a loyal member to the kingdom for many years, and quickly became a pillar that Amara looked up to.
She would often note his strength as a soldier, which easily matched his intelligence. Those two elements often led him to be a voice of reason when it came to obstacles in the Spring garden.
"We have pressing matters to concern ourselves with", Amara shared in a low huff, "Being late to these meetings is not ideal if we wish to extinguish this problem of ours."
Her anxiety over the condition of the curse worsened as the days passed. And the recent drowsiness she was forced to endure didn't help in the slightest. It only made her feel more panicked. If things were to continue as they were, she wasn't sure how long she could go on before falling from her position.
Although powerful, she was nowhere near her true potential as the ruler of this land.
She spent most of her life mourning what could have been, and would probably never be. Coming to terms with her fate due to the curse of Ymir. But it didn't hurt any less, knowing that she had no say in the matter.
Forced to abide by a punishment due to her ancestors' ignorant crimes. It was cruel. Which is why she ran herself ragged over the matter, trying to find some kind of cure to the pain her people have suffered over the last two thousand years.
"My Queen, I actually have that data you called for", An eccentric voice reached out as they held up a handful of papers.
Hange Zoe was another member of the Spring Garden, who was a trusted individual with a bright mind for science. Amara often gave them what seemed like impossible tasks to the average person, but time and time again they proved themselves to be incredibly useful to the crown, "Here, Levi pass these over", They commanded, tossing the documents into his hands as he sent them a glare from the side.
Slowly he slid them along the table as Amara took hold of them. Giving him a thankful nod she was met with a blank stare and a slight incline of his head. If he was anyone else, his mannerisms would be seen as disrespectful, but the Queen didn't mind his aloof personality in the slightest.
She respected the man more than anyone she's ever met, being that he spent years overseeing her training as a young soldier.
Turning her attention back to Hange she nodded thankfully, "We'll go over your findings once everyone is present", She spoke in a clipped tone, "It seems like the Autumn garden likes to keep us all on our toes."
"It's not like this isn't the first time", A breathy voice added.
The girl sat at the opposite end of the table, with her hand positioned under her chin. Her dark brown hair settled along her features as it shimmered slightly from being positioned directly behind the window. The expression on her face was indifferent, but her features were rather soft, giving off an impression that held a poised stature.
Pieck Finger was a younger member of the council. She fell into her position rather quickly and found herself as the General of the Summer garden. Beside her sat Onyankapon, Hitch Dryse, and Colt Grice the other Members of the Summer Council.
"And they call themselves soldiers," Someone spat out. Their tone was filled with judgment as they threw their hands into the air pointedly, "They have no shame keeping their Queen waiting. It's despicable!"
Marlo Freudenberg, was an earnest member of the council. Amara could tell from the moment they met he was a passionate soldier that would take his position seriously. Although at times, his conviction to remain a proper member of the Winter Garden would often irritate those around him—Including his other Garden members, who found his ways to be too overbearing.
Amara found the situation humorous considering how much younger he was than them, but she appreciated that he, along with Rico Brzenska could keep their superiors Dot Pyxis, and Hannes in line. The two older men often found themselves in unsavory situations due to their inebriated dispositions.
Amara let out a small hum over the sudden conversation when the sound of the large door opening caught her attention. Peering over her shoulder she was met with the sight of four familiar faces walking into the room—Their auras radiating a powerful energy with each step they made.
She took note of the cunning grins that were plastered to their features when the freckled faced women of their small group spoke,"Who are you calling despicable?"
Tilting her head to the side she peered over at Marlo with a narrowed gaze. He leaned back into his chair as she further intimidated him. Walking past him with ease she and the rest of her group filled in the once empty chairs.
Amara's hands crossed along the table as she leaned against her chin gently in amusement as she took in their bubbling energy.
"It's nice of you four to join us", She replied in a mocking tone, her eyes still playful, but narrowed just enough to indicate that she found their tardiness ill-suited.
Catching their eyes they turned to face her before bowing slightly.
"We apologize, my Queen", Nile Dawk confessed, "A situation made its way to our lands that we could not overlook."
His words captured her attention, making her expression fall to concern, "Is everything alright?" She pressed further, leaning against the table with urgency.
Although it wasn't the first time the Autumn garden had strolled in late, she couldn't help but let her current restlessness take over.
Noticing her sudden distress he jumped in quickly, "No need to worry", He started, "It had nothing to do with the curse."
Her shoulders fell slightly in relief, "Well that's good to hear", She breathed before another voice picked up.
"I believe we deserve to know what kept you all from being here on time", Marlo chastised.
A slight scoff left Reiner's lips as he tilted his head in the man's direction, "The Winter Garden should stop acting as if they don't know what held our attention."
The accusation had everyone's eyes moving in the direction of Marlo as his face pulled up in confusion, "Are you talking about those Devils that reached the Autumn line?" He quizzed, which quickly fell into an amused tone, "Why would we assume that would keep you? It isn't like it's the first time they've ventured onto the lands.Although they haven't crossed the line in months, So I suppose you'd be out of practice", He taunted.
Their eyes darkened at his words as Ymir bared her teeth, "Out of practice my ass", She hissed, "If you snowflakes in the Winter garden didn't choose to ignore the Devils when they passed the line, then we wouldn't have to pick up your slack!"
"The winter garden has been set in their ways since the beginning of time", Onyankopon stated—Cutting through the growing tension with ease.
Everyone turned their attention towards where he sat with his chin tilted high as a neutral expression rested across his features. His hands rested calmly in front of him, as his gaze remained on Ymir's unwavering appearance.
His silk top was split down the middle, causally lying against his skin while an array of jewelry hung from his neck. His aura was strong but welcoming like most from the summer garden, "Those before us agreed to their terms, so we should respect their wishes when it comes to dealing with outsiders."
"It doesn't change the fact that they allow them to step foot onto our land. I'm starting to think they do it so that we can pick up all the dirty work! You wanna talk about despicable then let's have at it", Ymir threw out.
She was one of the more reckless members on the garden council, but within the Autumn lands her temper and attitude wasn't much different than the average person. She was granted the position on the council when she single handedly took down a mob of titans that occupied the summer and Autumn line.
At the time the high priestess, Historia, was visiting a castle in the area when she found herself in the middle of a titan outbreak.
Using a small dagger, Ymir sliced the napes of each one, leaving them to rest in a pile of steam as she held the priestess in her arms for protection. The crown was so impressed with her show of bravery and strength, that she was rewarded her current station despite her abrasive attitude.
The sneer in her tone had the Winter council rolling their eyes at her words, "As long as they aren't causing harm then we don't step in to chase them off", Rico stated calmly, "We saw a group of them trailing through the woods, and we kept a close eye on their movement. When they finally got to the Autumn line we backed off, leaving the matter in your hands. If they had caused a disturbance beforehand we would have stepped in to protect the lands. Throwing out baseless taunts to question our positions within the Island is low, even for you."
The blonde's words were pointed as she kept her face neutral, but her narrowed eyes held the curses she refused to speak aloud. Ymir let out a scoff as she crossed her arms over her chest, indicating that she was done with the conversation.
Amara waited a moment as the building tension slowly fell flat before speaking up, "I find myself curious", She breathed, trailing her eyes back to the Autumn garden, "You haven't explained why the situation kept you."
The lack of accusatory notes in her tone had the four members beaming with a similar glow in their eyes as they prepared to reveal their excursion. The expressions along their faces appeared as if each one of them was reliving the moment, gaining the attention of the other members that sat along the table.
"I'm with the Queen", Colt acknowledged. His blond hair blew back gently as he pressed forward. Being the youngest member of the council, Amara believed he thought it was necessary to stay earnest in his position. It was something she admired, finding his lively attitude refreshing in a group that's had plenty of experience, "What was so different about this group?"
Nile leaned forward with his chin tilted high as he blew out a subtle breath, "These men were Warriors", He spoke slowly.
The curl of his lip had everyone leaning forward with peaked interest. It wasn't like it was the first time someone had stepped foot in the gardens, but never had a Warrior soldier made their way through to the island. It was a long standing history known through both lands that the presence of organized armies would indicate war—Something that hasn't been declared in well over a thousand years or so.
Most times it was simple Marleyan citizens whose curiosity got the better of them, other times it was the Seekers coming to stir up trouble—But for as long as anyone could remember the Warriors kept to themselves. Amara couldn't help but feel anxious at the new information—Finding it to be somewhat worrisome.
What reason would they have to show up after all these years...And with no warning at that...
"You're positive", She quizzed. Doubt seeped through every word as she leaned back with pulled features, "It wasn't the seekers?"
With a curt nod of his head he reached into a pocket on his coat before tossing a badge along the table, "Found this on one of them, and the others were wearing their uniforms."
Amara reached out to take hold of the fabric. Looking down her eyes caught sight of a familiar symbol and words, three spikes pointed up and six down with Warrior embroidered on the bottom. Gliding her fingers along the material she inspected it, "How many were there?"
"Five total", Annie answered simply.
"Did they say anything?" Amara muttered, pulling her attention away from the badge and back to their small group.
"Nothing", Reiner confirmed, "As soon as we made ourselves known they ran."
"Unfortunately two got away from us", Nile added, "I suppose they ran back home, unless you found them on your land once more?" His question was now directed towards the winter council as Pyxis shook his head.
With his arms crossed over his body he answered pointedly, "I haven't received word about them wandering through the terrain. My guess is they went back to wherever they came from."
With a curt nod, Nile returned his gaze back to Amara, "We took down two more and captured another."
"Captured?" She mused. She was having trouble remembering the last time they took a prisoner in. It had been quite awhile, causing shocked expressions to fall on the other members faces, "The Autumn garden must be bored if that's the case", She added playfully.
A low chuckle escaped the lips of someone to her right, "Can you blame them", Erwin questioned with a grin, "When was the last time we had an expedition?"
His tone was full of delight as he spoke of the Autumn tradition. Although he was born in the Spring garden and held a high position within its land, he had many Autumn garden traits that often amused Amara.
"This would be the 57th", She noted.
"And with a Warrior no less", Dharlis Zachary added.
He sat on her left side, opposite of Lord Riess as the Deputy Premier for the High Priestess. More times than not he would take her place during meetings as she has far more important matters to attend to. He was known for being a rather strict and serious man when it came to the concerns of the land, but Amara had witnessed on more than one occasion his lighthearted nature. She found him to be incredibly trustworthy as his main goal was to always help humanity prosper.
Bringing her attention back to Nile she spoke, "When will this take place?"
"Two days from now", He answered, "That should give us enough time to prepare."
Letting out a low hum she placed her hand along her cheek before peering out the window in deep thought. She couldn't help but catch the view of the willow tree, watching as its petals continued to fall from its branches. A stirring feeling registered in her stomach as her brows pulled together.
The feeling of someone lowering their head beside her had her tilting slightly, "My Queen, this could be the perfect opportunity to rest", Lord Reiss shared, "You've been terribly stressed over the last couple of months, let the expedition be a chance for you to unwind."
Allowing her shoulders to relax once more she nodded curtly, "You have a point", She breathed before pulling her expression back up, "I look forward to the festivities' ', She noted in the Autumn gardens direction.
Excitement filled their eyes, along with the others sitting at the table. It had been a very long time since an expedition took place, leaving many in anticipation of what was to come—Amara included. Motioning in front of her she quickly changed topics, "But for the time being let's bring our focus back to the task at hand. "
word count: 2125 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none ♡ Chapter: 2 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
The snow beneath his feet was soft to the touch as they struggled to trudge through the white landscape. The winter garden settled right past the forest line, and a long ways away from the desert landscape that bordered Marley.
A journey to these lands took well over a few hours by horse, giving those in the Garden a perfect barrier of protection against the wandering eyes that found themselves in this area.
Most teenagers—Despite their parents warnings, would make trips past these woods and into the icy garden to bask in its winter glow. Being that the temperature never changed it was a nice break during the sweltering summer months in Marley—Or at least it was. With the endless winter striking the lands it turned away many visitors over the last three years.
The sudden decline in their presence had the Garden pleased, as they wouldn't have to worry about the nonsense many foolish travelers would partake in during their visit.
Although those that resided in the Winter lands seemed to always turn a blind eye to their antics—Taking on the stance that as long as they were not causing harm they figured it wasn't worth the headache to step in on such trivial matters like snowball fights and sledding.
But because of the unspoken rule that was shared amongst the outside world, Eren and his small group found it rather easy to make their way through the outlier garden.
Although its accessibility had him wanting to turn back out of fear that they were walking into a trap—Given that the only people making their way to these lands now were most likely there to cause harm.
The subtle crunching from the upcoming rocky path was all that was heard for most of their journey—The whistling of the wind had taken over for a short time before quickly dying down. Though the silence they were met with had Eren slightly on edge as he kept his eyes on their perimeter with a gun in hand.
I feel as though a dozen eyes are narrowed in on my body, yet there is no one to be seen.... Am I just an idiot? Or are these Titan people just that clever...
His skin prickled under his coat due to the temperature drop, causing his hands to tuck in close to his sides to keep warm. These lands were far colder than back home—Much to his surprise. He believed he had experienced the coldest of nights but this weather took the top spot.
After about twenty minutes of walking through the dense snow he finally blew out a breath, "How far are we going?", He asked. His tone was direct as he looked towards his brother's direction. They had yet to spot anyone along the path, making the brunette want to turn back in defeat. At this point we'll end up lost in these lands...
"We turn back once we've caught sight of magic usage", Zeke answered bristly as he carefully moved the branches of the pine tree from the trail.
A few layers of snow that perched along the bark fell lightly with each step, causing him to shake his head gently to remove the frosted coating from his skin, "Or maybe we'll get lucky enough to find one of those Spring Titans, we can bring them back home and force them to fix the dying crops."
Eren ignored the second part of his brother's words as he replied to his initial response, "Yeah, and when will that be? Cause i'm not seeing any sign of life around here", He huffed under his breath with a sarcastic tone.
His patience for his brother's antics had run thin, and the further the blond trailed them out, the more he wanted to call out his grievances—Believing that a mission like this was completely unnecessary. It's all to make a spectacle of our family... Power is much more praised than morality...
Zeke let out a small sigh as he pushed forward, "You're rather impatient, Eren", He chastised, barley sending him a glance over his shoulder, "Good things come to those who wait", He noted, "Who knows maybe up this path we'll find someone lounging around."
The amusement in the older man's voice had the brunette rolling his eyes as he looked down at his now sullen shoes with a pulled expression.
"Has it occurred to you that we've passed by many of them'', Eren quizzed. His tone offered clues to his current mood, "And they're just very good at hiding? For all we know they could be leading us to a trap", He snapped with a calculated gaze.
He quickly swept his eyes towards the landscape, finding it difficult to look past the white trees. Its coloring created a masterful puzzle that those who were unknown to the terrain would find challenging to navigate through.
"Always such a pessimist, like father", Zeke muttered bitterly. Eren chose not to comment on the insult, but he felt the weight of his words boulder his shoulders as he kept up his pace beside him.
"I just find it odd that we've been walking for almost a half hour and haven't gotten a single glimpse of one—Not even track marks but our own litter the floor", He motioned towards the perfectly coated ground.
The other men in their group stood back as they watched the two brothers converse before Zeke finally pointed down the path. Despite the lack of leaves and plants in the area the trail was rather overgrown and full with dead branches and trees creating an obstacle to venture through.
"We continue forward until we've found our proof", He spoke pointedly, leaving no room for negotiation, making Eren roll his eyes at his brother's stubbornness before trailing behind.
Pushing past snow filled trees they watched as red and yellow leaves fell in the distance, creating a beautiful scene before the five men. The path had taken them about a mile and a half from where they first accessed the winter garden to finally make it to Autumn.
Looking over his shoulder he faced his brother who held a wide smile along his features, "I've been leading the group all this time, but don't forget brother", He held up his hand, "This is a test of courage for you."
Sweeping his hand towards the upcoming garden he motioned for Eren to take the reins as the brunette stepped forward. About five feet in front of them was a river that split the two lands—It was a fair size that ran for miles in both directions.
A few stepping stones seemed to have been placed strategically along the waterline, creating a path to the other-side which led to a gigantic opening in the wall that wrapped around the perimeter.
Stepping forward to crossover Eren noticed how the edges of the river were frozen over slightly due to the cool temperatures. The middle was a calm stream of water that gently glided along the rest of the land.
It was a beautiful sight that would capture anyone's attention—It was no surprise that many would find themselves exploring the winter garden out of fascination for its alluring atmosphere.
Pulling himself out of his momentary trance he stood for a moment thinking over his brother's words before letting out a low scoff. "I just think you were too scared", He muttered as he looked over his shoulder while continuing down the path. His chest was puffed out slightly with confidence as he jumped from one stone to another with ease, while the other four men followed close behind.
Once he crossed the river he continued forward, walking along the path to enter the large archway that opened to the other side. It was about six feet deep with a large width, and on the outside held a large plaque with a single bronze leaf in the center of it. Eren took in its detail before turning back to his brother with a grin, "If that was the case, you should have just s—"
The sudden cut off had the men in his party look on in shock at his groaning figure on the ground. With his attention focused on Zeke who stood behind him, he hadn't taken into consideration that the Autumn forest was just as dense as the winter—If not more so.
Once he walked through the threshold he felt a slight pull on his leg, causing him to fall face first and slide to the other end of the archway with a low groan.
Dammit...A series of laughter emanated from the group causing the brunette to trail his hand along his face in embarrassment. Why did I agree to this shit?...
"What were you saying Eren", He heard Zeke's voice break out with a low chuckle as the four began making their way through. Being extra mindful of what settled along the path.
Pulling himself up from the ground slightly he looked towards his brother with a narrowed gaze, "Shut up."
The blond opened his mouth to retort when something brushed past the group with a low whistle, followed by a thud of an object hitting the wall that was now behind them. The sputtering sound of one of the men in their small group caught Eren's attention as he looked up to find him with a spear in his chest.
The brunette's eyes widened in panic as the man suddenly turned to ashes before him. He felt himself freeze along with the others as he slowly tried to trial his eyes into the maze of colors that coated the trees. It was almost impossible to see through them. Whatever enemy that hid in the distance was completely camouflaged to their surroundings.
Zeke's eyes, just as panicked as Eren's, met his younger brother, watching as the brunette went to reach for the gun he had slid to his side. With a subtle shake of his head Eren paused as Zeke spoke in a low tone, "Run", He ordered, causing the remaining soldiers to sprint back into the direction they came from.
Eren being completely immersed into the Autumn garden found it difficult to push off from the layers of leaves that coated the ground. His shoes slipped beneath his feet as he struggled to find his footing before taking off after the rest. They all stood about 30 yards from the winter line, where the small stream separated the two lands.
At this point Eren couldn't tell if his brother was giving out some kind of direction as he was too focused on the sound of his heart beating out of his chest to notice.
The whistling of spears being thrown their way had him dodging the attacks as one landed in the leg of the Warrior who was positioned directly in front of him.
The man let out a bloodcurdling hiss as he tumbled to the ground before also falling to the fate of the warrior before him. Ashes blew past in the low breeze as Eren pushed forward. In front of him he watched as the last warrior and his brother jumped across the river as they frantically called out to him. Almost there...Just a couple feet more and....
Before the brunette could take another step the feeling of rope wrapping around his body had him falling to the ground. He felt paralyzed in place as the sound of his brother's voice echoed in the distance.
Opening his eyes he was met with the view of a muddy puddle as his face was pressed directly in the wet ground as a large blond man grabbed a hold on him before slamming him onto his back to look up at the dawn covered sky. Amused chuckles echoed in the small area as he squinted in pain at the figures that loomed over him.
A large spear was held to his neck as he let out heavy breathes, "Don't kill this one", A voice called out in the distance.
"Looks like we have a new contestant", Another mocked as they lowered their face towards him.
Looking up he caught sight of a freckled-faced woman that had a crazed look in her eyes, "Hopefully you'll last longer than the previous". She spoke in a sneer before the other members of her party began to speak.
He didn't catch the rest of the conversation as he felt himself succumb to darkness. The vague feeling of his body being thrown over a shoulder came to mind as the mysterious group took him deeper into their lands.
word count: 2985 pairing: Eren x OC | fem!reader Warnings: none ♡ Chapter: 1 author’s note: Hope you enjoy this first chapter Of The willow and Devils heart!!!!
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The crisp air had Eren's breath creating a smokey fog around his body as the crunch of the ice below his feet took over the night. Slapping his hands together in search of heat, he let out a quick breath in his palms.
Tilting his head up, he was met with the sight of the dim light of the tavern that cascaded through the small windows as he made his way to the overgrown trail.
From first glance the small pub didn't look like much. The wooden exterior was somewhat rotten, and the stone path that followed up to the door had been taken over by weeds and bottles left by the patrons.
Small lanterns were scattered randomly around the front to light the trail, but the rusted metal and wax created a spotted design against the glassware, making it difficult when navigating the unkept path.
To his left, three small benches sat outside by a makeshift fire pit—Mostly covered in a green moss as fireflies danced along the budding flowers that grew along the land. Like always the outside life was quiet, with most of the entertainment echoing through from the inside.
The tavern itself was a small building located right in the middle of the city—Available to anyone with enough coin to get themselves a cheap drink.
Like many of the Warrior soldiers, Eren found himself inside the lively bar from time to time—Finding it to be the perfect spot to let loose after a long day of patrolling. Tonight was no different as he stepped up to the door before pushing through the opening to make his way inside.
The bubbling atmosphere took him back for a second as he searched around the crowd carefully—In hopes of not catching any unwanted attention from drunkards passing by he kept his head low.
His gaze passed along a few familiar faces, as well as strangers before they settled on a table in the back where a familiar blond and raven haired duo sat. Letting out a low breath he shifted his figure in their direction before taking off towards them.
The feeling of bodies knocking against him had his face pulling up in irritation as he tried to make his way through the drunken crowd. A series of congratulations caught his ear as he turned to give them a subtle thanks before continuing on his way. Walking up to the small booth he let out a low cough catching the pair's attention.
"It's about time you got here", The blond huffed in amusement. He pushed a full glass towards Eren before tugging at the buttoned shirt he currently wore with a hint of discomfort clouding his features.
The dark blue of the material, brought out the light in his eyes as he looked up at his friend with a pleased grin. His soft features were impossible to ignore, making most of the women in the town ogle his way.
And although he had received many offers from men and women alike, he found himself alone most of the time. Believing that his studies of the Titan people and Garden lands was far more engaging than dinner dates with a local socialite.
Eren found his charming personality to be a waste considering how he preferred to spend his past time, but the blond chose to ignore the griping of his friends and family—Continuing to revel in his hobby.
Shifting to sit beside the girl, Eren took her in. Her dark eyes locked in on his figure as she slowly moved into the booth to give him space to fit. The red dress she wore clung to her figure with ease, as she brushed her hands against her chest, ironing out the small wrinkles that somehow formed along the material.
He took notice of her attire, feeling pleased that she had worn the gift he had purchased her just a few weeks ago. It had caught her eye one day when they took a trip to the market—She wasn't the type to spend her money on extravagant things, so Eren took the liberty of purchasing it for her as an early birthday gift.
Looking her over once more he took in her sleek black hair that made her fair skin stand out amongst the crowd. She was breathtakingly beautiful, allowing most to push aside her rough personality.
Letting out an exhausted sigh he waved his hand away, "I lost track of time", He excused, before looking towards the raven haired women once more, "Sorry for being late."
She let out a smooth shrug before bringing her attention to the drink sat in front of her, "It's not a big deal", She spoke in a bored manner, "You're here now so that has to count for something."
He let out a low hum while keeping his gaze on hers before a pair of hands wrapped themselves around his neck. His reflexes kicked in as he turned to face the assailant, only being met with the sight of an older blond gentleman, "Did I scare you brother?" The man chuckled deeply.
Pulling back slightly from the booth he stood broadly as he peered down at their small group. Eren brought his hands to his neck, fixing the collar as he let out a scoff, "How much did you drink tonight?", He questioned with a pulled face, "You smell disgusting."
The lingering scent of booze and cigarette smoke from the man wafted in their direction every-time he stumbled back and forth, causing the trio to bring their attention elsewhere.
"Oh c'mon", The blond sighed with laughter. His hair loosely dangling past his glasses as his mouth pulled up in a wide grin, "It's a celebration! I ought' to have a little fun right? You should too." He motioned towards Mikasa, "Congratulations to the both of you for the engagement by the way", He winked.
With a pointed look Eren dragged his gaze towards Mikasa who held a calm and slightly detached demeanor as she smoothly trailed her eyes across the bustling crowd, ignoring the blonde's words.
"Thank you, Zeke," He nodded. His gratitude was short and to the point as he faced his brother once more, "And congratulations to you as well. I know it wasn't an easy feat, but your hard work really paid off—War Chief is an incredible honor."
Zeke held a bashful look on his face as he swatted his hand out, "You flatter me", He chuckled breathlessly. His head tilting to the side in a playful manner before quickly letting out a low breath, "Although the real work is right up ahead. I feel as though I've been granted some leniency these last few years...With this new position now's the time to make those forest dwellers pay." His voice came out harsh and bitter as the words rolled off his tongue.
Eren couldn't help clench his jaw at his brother's aggressive statement, but he knew better than to speak a word about it given his position. It was a popular belief amongst the seekers—An organization created solely to exterminate the people in the garden lands.
The hate group itself had been around for many decades, most humans choosing to ignore their work altogether—For those that lived on the island, they weren't as lucky to be spared from the group's torment.
A few poor souls had found themselves at the end of their blade during the years, but not enough to alert them as a real problem—More so a nuisance if anything.
Unfortunately for Eren he couldn't ignore them as he wished to. With his brother, and father being wrapped in deep with the group it left him with little to no choice but to be involved in their nonsensical beliefs.
At a young age he had been told time and time again what his future would consist of—And he made more than a few attempts to break away from the cage they so desperately forced him in. Although each endeavor led him nowhere in the end.
Looking around the room he was reminded of that fact, making him let out an exhausted huff. Suddenly the feeling of a hand placing itself along his lap caught his attention as he brought his gaze to Mikasa. "Are you okay?" She quizzed, taking in his features to notice his sullen mood.
He gave her a small shrug in response. "Just tired is all", He waved away. It wasn't a complete lie, but the truth had been slightly fabricated to keep what little composer he had left.
With a slight nod of her head she reached for her bag that sat beside her, "I was feeling tired as well", She shared. Deciding not to push on with her inquiry, despite knowing that his words were coated with dishonesty. "I think it's time I should head home. We have an early morning anyway."
"Right", He nodded, "...Well, I guess I should walk you home then", He offered reluctantly, before a pair of hands placed themselves along his shoulders once more.
"No can do", Zeke clicked, "I have some more business with my little brother", He looked towards Mikasa with a grin, "Armin", He called out cooly, making the blond look in his direction with a nervous fidget, "You don't mind taking Mikasa home do you?"
Armin brought his eyes over to Mikasa and then to Eren, no doubt looking for the correct answer. But once their blank gazes met his, he closed his eyes before putting on a fake smile, "Of course not", He offered with a polite tone, "We don't live too far from each other anyway."
Without any complaint Mikasa stood as Eren leaned back to allow her to exit the booth. With help from her friend she steadied herself before turning back to the brunette, "I'll see you tomorrow", She promised with a level voice.
With a slight wave of his hand he watched the two leave the tavern before Zeke strode over to the now empty seat. Eren brought his gaze to his brother, sending him a questioning glare.
"Is that anyway to depart from your fiancé?" He playfully clicked, only angering the brunette further.
"Only when it's a fiancé forced upon me", He whispered, making the blond lean back with a narrowed expression.
"I suppose that's fair", He shrugged away, "Now, you're probably wondering what business I have with you", The blond mused, as he pushed the now empty glass away from where he sat.
"What gave it away", Eren responded plainly, gaining a larger grin from his brother, as he swirled his finger against the wood of the table.
"Eren", Zeke sighed, tilting his head down, "You're becoming a man now", He spoke through a harsh breath, "You've got a good job. A nice house. And a perfect girl."
"Where is this going exactly?" The brunette cut in, already feeling a headache forming from his brother's drunken ramblings.
His words had Zeke pausing briefly before returning his gaze, "You're marrying into the Ackermans", He stated in a serious manner. The tone shift had Eren leaning in, curious to what had the blond worried regarding his betrothal to the young women. "One of the biggest merchant families in the city. They have a lot of power and resources—Something we could desperately use given the situation", He whistled.
Eren's face pulled up in question as he spoke, "Situation?"
"With the Titan people", His brother clarified, with a slight scoff. "If we have the Ackerman clan on our side... This war is ours. Which is why we need this engagement to go well."
Standing up Eren let out an exhausted sigh, as he moved to exit the booth, "You don't think I know that? Isn't that the whole reason why dad told me to propose? I don't know what more you want from me on that front."
"Sit back down", Zeke instructed, causing his younger brother to reluctantly follow the order, "I understand that you may have felt pressured to pursue this relationship, and we are thankful that things have been going rather smoothly—You've done good so far little brother", He praised, "But it doesn't change what's happening to our lands. Your relationship is just one piece of a giant puzzle", He explained before making a gesture behind him, causing a couple of guys who stood across the room to make their way towards them.
"We've been stuck in what feels like an eternal winter with no end in sight. It has to be because of the Titan people", Zeke accused, "They must be using their magic to strip our lands of crops. They want to eradicate all of us!"
Eren kept his eyes on the crazed look his brother held, "Are you sure you're not just being paranoid?"
Letting out a scoff, Zeke's face pulled up, "Of course not", He threw back in a desperate attempt to get his point across, "Look, the Tybur family won't let us go to war with the island without any proof that they are truly the ones causing this frosted curse", He began with a lowered tone, "If we can get the proof then we can save our people. Food is becoming scarce. It's why father reached out to the Ackermans—Unsure of when things would return to normal, dad wanted to make sure we would have the resources to stay alive."
Eren felt his eyes narrowing as he hesitantly asked, "And why are you telling me all of this?"
A wide smile took over his brother's face as the man leaned in, "I'm glad you asked", He whistled, "All we need to do is find proof that they're using magic to drain our fields so we can share that information with Willy Tybur."
"And if I don't want to", Eren threw back plainly.
The question had his brother tilt his head in shock before quickly recovering, "Think of it as a way to prove yourself to Mikasa's father—Show him that you're a man of action. Someone that could protect and provide for her if needed."
The brunette let out a snort, as he leaned back in laughter, "That girl is fully capable of protecting herself", He argued, "She's one of the strongest Warriors in our devison I don't think anyone believes that it'd be me protecting her if we were in a life or death situation."
"You've got a fair point", Zeke clicked, "But still. I need your help with this. You can't argue that we make a great team."
"Great team", Eren muttered under his breath sarcastically. Unfortunately it caught his brother's attention as the blond let out a small hum in question, "Nothing", The brunette dismissed, "So, you want me to go with you to find proof that they're using their magic to harm us in order to start a war?"
"Precisely", Zeke confirmed with a curt nod.
"...Do you really think people will want to go to war with them?" Eren challenged after a moment, "I mean it's a good theory and all, but most people barely have the motivation to get up in the morning. We're talking about a whole battle here."
"If fighting means they won't have to worry about whether they'll have a next meal or not then that's motivation enough", His brother reasoned, "It'll be a quick in and out job. The first sign of those people using magic near the borders and we'll leave."
"You don't think I'm that stupid do you?" Eren stated bluntly, "Those creatures are impossible to get near without getting yourself killed first."
"Of course not", Zeke rolled his eyes—A blatant show of disrespect towards his brother's intelligence. "And those statistics come from morons that venture into the dry lands by themselves. There will be a whole party by your side to aid you in this endeavor", He motioned towards the three large men that stood lazily by the table, "Plus i'm not asking you to interact with one, we'll keep our distance if need be."
Eren thought for a moment to himself. Feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he said no to his brother he knew he wouldn't hear the end of it, but on the other hand going to the garden line seemed like a death sentence.
And although his heart told him to stay away he knew that Zeke's words held a bit of truth. The eternal winter had to be a direct reflection from the Garden lands—For what reason it was hard to say. But it wouldn't surprise anyone given their reputation if they were trying to kill everyone outside of the island.
And if word got back that they were using magic to steal from their lands, groups would form in the name of vengeance and be motivated to attack. If successful, his people would prosper and it would be all thanks to him and his brother.
It would no doubt make his father proud if he took the initiative for this kind of movement—Even if it went against his own beliefs. And maybe for once he wouldn't have to feel as though he was living in the shadow of his older brother.
Letting out a reluctant sigh he brought his hand to his face before muttering out, "If I say yes", He pointed, "Will this get you to stop getting me involved in these dumbass plans?"
A cunning smirk coated the blond's face as he shrugged, "Deal."
Eren watched his brother's eyes fill with excitement as he tossed a wade of cash against their table to take care of the bill. He felt his mind and body humming with anxiety, feeling as though he just made the biggest mistake of his life. Can’t back out now…
—POWERS: cryokinesis: Users can create, shape, and manipulate ice
—KNOWN FOR: Their ability to stay composed
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CIVILIANS
YMIR FRITZ—CURSED WITCH
KENNY ACKERMAN—BOUNTY HUNTER
BRAUS FAMILY—FARMERS
NICCOLO—CHEF FROM THE SUMMER GARDEN
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BLESSED CHILDREN: Blessed children are babies born with a symbol on their chest representing one of the four seasons. Those who are blessed are deemed next in line for the throne. Two children with the symbol are born every fifty years or so.
BATTLE OF THE BLESSED: In order to take over the throne the two blessed children must enter in a fight once they reach of age. The last one standing is named the new queen/king.
MARKED CHILDREN: Marked children are babies born with a symbol on their forearms representing one of the four seasons. Those who are marked are then made one of the council members when they turn of age. Usually four new representatives are born every thirty years or so.
PRIVATE: PORCO GALLIARD, YELENA, DAZ, SAMUAL, LOUISE
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THE SEEKERS: Organized hate group towards those who live in the Gardens.
MEMBERS:
—WILLY TYBUR: FOUNDER
—MAGATH
—FLOCH
—BERTHOLDT
—PORCO GALLIARD
—ZEKE
—MR. JEAGER (GRANDFATHER)
—GRISHA JEAGER
—XAVER
—YELENA
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TOMB OF THE HEART : (Also known as the paths): THE ANCEINT TOMB THAT HOLDS THE LATE HEART OF PRINCE FRITZ, THE WITCHES BELOVED. IS NOW GUARDED BY THE WARRIORS TO PREVENT THE ISLAND FROM BREAKING INTO IT.
I just started watching outerbanks on netflix and I kinda wanna write an AOT fanfic with the same kind of premise…. Watching the whole pogue vs. kook thing reminded me so much of the relationship between Marley and Paradis.
