{LEVIHAN} Always

Chapter 3: Awakening

Hanji's POV

The first thing I smelled was something smoking over a fire. I'm no meat expert, but I think it was pork that I smell. I struggled to open my eyes as this pain of soreness grew over my entire body. Grunting as I struggled, I heard a raspy voice somewhere to my right. 

"Don't move, you're still recovering."

"R-Recovering...?" My memories were foggy, but there was one thing that I'm sure of... I died by those titans. I felt those burns crawling over my body. How am I still alive? When Armin was burned by Bertholdt, he couldn't talk, even though he tried. How could I utter a single word?

The voice grew closer to me, and I shivered. I've never heard this voice before... but I have, haven't I? "Yes, you are. Rest a bit longer. When you wake up, I have something for you to eat and drink. Your body needs it."

Closing my eyes, I drifted back to sleep. It didn't take too long until I woke up once again, feeling a bit of strength within my broken body. This time, I was able to open my one good eye, seeing the roof made out of compacted dirt. A few pieces of roots hung throughout the ceiling... are we underground?

Weakly, I lifted my right hand, seeing it... unburned. I gasped in surprise, darting straight up on the bed I was on. My fingers gently caressed my face, feeling my eyepatch was gone, but my skin was soft. Nothing felt rough and out of place.

"You're awake again." I turned towards the voice, seeing a rugged man holding a wooden bowl and a wooden cup. "Here, eat up. It's potato and pork stew. And I have water here too. You need to regain your strength." He then hands me the food and I quickly gobbled it down. "Your clothes got burned up, but I got you clothed."

"I... I died... didn't I? How am I alive? My body should've been crushed... my body should've been burned to a crisp..." I remember how Armin looked like when he encountered Bertholdt. I encountered more than he did... how did I come out unscathed? "Why...? How...?"

"By this." He revealed a little syringe that was completely used. "I was working on a serum to heal people. By the Eldians' ability to turn into titans, those titan shifters can heal themselves, right? I have been searching for a way to do so. Finally... I figured it out."

"How?"

"Crystals from a titan. I believe you call it 'hardening.' It was the key to complete healing. Although, there are limits. It does heal your body, but only at a certain time. I used the serum on you, and it healed your burns. I would estimate it healed at least 3 years on you. In a way, you grew younger by 3 years."

My hand went to my eye, sighing in disbelief. I lost it 5 years ago... if only that serum could heal me a bit more... I would've had my eyesight back. Then, I thought about Levi. His missing eye and fingers... his wounded leg... he's suffering more than I am. "Is... Is there a way for me to keep a syringe of that serum?"

"Would we make a deal?"

I nodded my head, "I have crystals from Eren's titan form in my underground lab. The castle should still be standing. If I get there, I can give you whatever crystals you need. However, I do want to have one vial of serum."

The man was silent for a minute before nodding his head. "Deal. But you need to rest a bit more-."

"Thank you for your concern, but I think I can handle myself-." I tried to stand on my feet before I collapsed on the ground. The man quickly helped me back onto the bed with a soft chuckle. "I... I..."

"Madam, the severe burns you had must've burned through your nerves. Your body isn't used to it yet. You have to build up strength before walking again. Why are you in such a hurry?"