After I died

43

Anastasia

But before we could get to the Marleyans, they came to us. Only weeks after we'd first seen the port and the sea, a big ship appeared at the horizon, a military ship. "They're getting closer at a pretty slow pace for such a ship. I think this is not an attack but rather more of a reconnaisance ship.", I called over to Hanji who gave jogged over to Eren and told him something. Probably some kind of plan that she didn't deem necessary sharing with me. But fine, I trust her.

As the ship got close enough, I noticed Eren missing between the people and suddenly there was a loudbang near the ship. Eren had transformed andlifted the ship out of the water to bring it to the shore. By the time we'd arrested all of the people on board, there was already another ship coming closer. Hanji seemed excited as she greeted the people on the second ship too, she brought one of the soldiers from the first ship with her to show that we'd already gotten them.

I held my rifle in both hands, even after protest, I had insisted on staying short behind her as protection. If anyone made as much as a spoken threat I'd be the faster one to pull the trigger. And one of the officers did make an attempt to lift his rifle but someone else shot him before he was even able to put a finger on he trigger. It was a blonde woman, next to her was a man who got the people on the boat udner control. "Mh, and I even offered him tea.", Hanji mumbled. "Maybe they don't like tea in Marley.", I replied, as we chuckled together.

"We would love to take the offer of tea.", the woman called out and Hanji send some soldiers to bring them over to us. I checked both of them for weapons, finding a few guns and each a knife. "So these do exist here, I really missedhaving something small and handy for close combat.",i mumbled, putting one of the guns on the belt of my 3dmg. "So you know these weapons over here?", the blonde woman asked as we lead them over to the tent.

"I do." "Our Ana has a bit more understanding of your world than we do. But I promise we will try our best. Levi joined us as we walked and the two Marleyans, as well as Hanji and Levi entered the tent. "Please go check the oher soldiers and arrest them, will you?", Hanji said to me. "I'd rather not leave you both here alone with them." "We'll be fine, right Levi?" I looked over at my fiancé who nodded.

Guess I have to follow the orders of my commander. I sighed and put one of the guns on the table in front of Levi. "It's really just a small version of a rifle. You pull this little thing to cock in and then you shoot, you go several shots before you have to reload it, probably six.", I explained before reluctantly leaving the tent.

Jean and Connie were already at the pace of action, checking the soldiers and arresting them. I started helping, securing all weapons they had and making a list of all the stuff that was on the boats. Later that night, I sat in one of the tents when Levi came in. "They want to helpus." I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? How so?" "They are froma country that Marley has defeated and forced to fight for them. They want revenge. At least that's what they tell us. This Zeke guy has a plan on how to save Paradise with somekind of Rumbling thing." He sat down on the side of the bed next to me.

"Doesn't really sound believable.", I replied. "What does Hanji plan on doing?" "We don't really have any other chance but to let them stay here and see how this goes. They offered to help us make thisinto a big port so we can get into contact with the one country that is on our side in this fiasco." I nodded slowly, lookign at the ceiling. "I suppose that sounds helpfull. Does that mean we're going back to Mitras soon?" "Yes. Some teams will stay here and supervise the building of the port but Hanji, you and I will go back behind the walls in a four days and while Hanji tells the court what happened, we will finally start the training or human combat. Especially now that we have theses small pistol things."

Levi had finally fully laid down. "Doesn't sound like we'll have the time to get married anytime soon.", I mumbled. "Well, we can't keep saying 'after allthis is over' cuz we're looking at something that might not be over for another few year.", Levi replied, stroking over the ring on my finger. "Yeah, and maybe in all this chaos and bad mood, some happy ceremony might be exactly what everyone needs." "So we're doing this?" I turned my head a bit to look at him. "Hey, this was your idea, don't get cold feet on me now." "Of course not.", he replied, stroking some hair out of my face. "I just want to make sure that you know we're currently preparing for a war."

I nodded, laying my head back down. "You think waiting would be a better idea?" "Not at all." Hanji was jumping in circles when we told her the next day. She was really excited and immeditaly accepted when Levi asked her to be his best woman. Even if he didn't show it, I could tell he was glad that she would be there. I thought about it for a long time, if not Hanji,who would I ask as my maid of honor? But then, I finally made up my mind somewhen around afternoon two days later and went towards her tent while fiddling with my fingers.

"Hey, it's Ana.", I called into the half open gate to the tent. The woman inside got up and came over to me, as she stepped outside, she looked a bit confused. "Ana? What do you need?" "Well, I got something to ask you, Mikasa."