Through Heaven's Eyes

Chapter 1 - In The Blink Of An Eye.

The summer day unfolded like any other, the warmth of the sun casting a golden hue over the sprawling fields. A light breeze whispered through the air, playfully lifting fallen leaves and sending them dancing across the landscape. The sky was a flawless expanse of blue, free of clouds, with only the sun hanging high above, its rays bathing everything in a soft, welcoming glow. Beneath a tree, a boy lay sprawled on the grass, his brow furrowed in distress as he struggled with a troublesome dream.

With a sudden gasp, he awoke, his eyes snapping open, his breath coming fast and shallow. For a moment, his mind was alert, but his body remained paralyzed, as if still caught between the realm of sleep and reality. As he tried to regain control of his senses, he noticed a familiar figure standing above him, her raven hair caught by the breeze, framing her face in soft, dark waves. She gazed down at him silently, her expression unreadable.

"Mikasa?" The boy whispered, his voice barely audible, as if unsure whether he was still dreaming.

"We should get back home, Eren." Mikasa replied, her voice calm and steady. She took a step back, giving him space to sit up. Eren frowned, glancing around at his surroundings, which seemed unfamiliar and strange.

"W-Where are we exactly? And why is your hair so long?" he asked, confusion lacing his words.

Mikasa sighed, recognizing the fatigue in his voice. "Try asking me again when you're fully awake," she said, brushing off his question and gathering her belongings, preparing to leave.

Eren rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream that still clung to his mind. But as he did, another thought surfaced, causing him to glance around. He was searching for someone, his gaze scanning the landscape. Mikasa, noticing his restlessness, pointed behind him. "She's over there, down the hill," she informed him.

Eren turned to look in the direction Mikasa had indicated, and relief washed over him as he spotted the small figure of a girl down the hill, her laughter echoing through the open field. "Ivana!" he called out, his voice carrying over the distance.

The girl, upon hearing her name, turned around, her dark curls bouncing with the movement. She looked up at the hill, a smile spreading across her face as she spotted Eren and Mikasa. "We're going home! Let's go!" Eren added, waving her over.

Ivana turned her attention back to the butterfly she had been holding gently in her hands. "Fly away!" she whispered to it, releasing it into the air. The butterfly flutters its wings and takes off, disappearing into the sky.

"Ivana, today!" Eren called out again, impatience creeping into his voice.

"Coming!" Ivana replied, her voice cheerful as she grabbed her basket and ran up the hill to join them. The three children, now reunited, began their journey back towards the city, leaving the peaceful outskirts behind.

As they walked, Eren couldn't stop talking about the dream he had just experienced. He recounted every detail with enthusiasm, most of it not making any sense, though it was clear that the dream had unsettled him. Mikasa listened attentively, her expression thoughtful, while Ivana, lost in her own thoughts, hummed a tune to herself. She gazed up at the clear blue sky, and noticed a flock of birds flying above them. With a smile, she lifted her right hand into the air, mimicking the graceful flight of the birds, while her other hand held onto Mikasa's.

The group continued their trek towards the city gates, their conversation flowing naturally, until they stumbled upon a group of Garrison soldiers stationed near the entrance. Among them was a familiar figure, his steps slightly unsteady as he approached the children. "Well, if it ain't  Yeager and company! You three never seem to be apart from each other. The only one missing is  the blond one," he said with a smirk.