Mind over Matter | Armin Arlert

Promises beyond the walls

"Teach me."

Erwin's attention shifted as he heard the soft voice, his gaze landing on the little girl standing in the doorway. She couldn't have been more than ten, her thick, black hair framing her face in a wild halo. Her skin was ghostly pale, almost translucent, making the faint blue of her veins visible beneath the surface. Those big green eyes were fixed on him, watching intently, though her expression remained shrouded in mystery, revealing little of what lay beneath.

Then, Erwin averted his eyes to look at the chessboard laid before him on a coffee table, a few pieces scattered.  The room was empty, for the others had just taken their leave. Only Erwin was left, alone to ponder before he was interrupted. 

"If I'm not wrong, you are Levi's younger sister, right? Freyja, was it?"

The young girl nodded quietly, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and resolve as she stepped toward the table. The dim light glinted off the polished surface, casting a soft glow on the intricately carved game pieces. She leaned forward, her breath held for just a moment as she focused intently on the board.

With delicate fingers, she traced the lines of the squares, each one a battleground of strategy and thought. Finally, her gaze landed on a piece proudly displaying a bold cross atop its surface. The intricate design seemed to pulse with potential, embodying her aspirations. She grasped it gently, feeling the cool weight of the wood in her palm—a tangible reminder of her desire for recognition and her determination to carve out her place in this world.

"I already know the basics," she said, her voice steady as she gestured confidently toward the board. Her index finger hovered over a piece adorned with a regal crown, its stature unmistakable. "This is the King," she explained, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

She then shifted her finger to a more slender piece beside it, elegantly carved and intricately detailed. "And that's the Queen," she added, her tone tinged with reverence. The Queen's silhouette was striking, symbolizing both power and grace, and she had always felt a sense of kinship with the piece—a reflection of her own ambitions.

With each explanation, her fingers danced over the board, as if bringing the game to life, her excitement palpable. She felt an undeniable connection to the pieces, each representing not just rules of the game but a strategy for her own future.

Freyja had debated talking to the Commander first, in all honestly, but her nerves had held her back. But there was one thing she knew she wanted, and that was recognition. Freyja was always are of her smartness, far surpassing that of other children her age, and she was tired of it going unnoticed. And too bad, Erwin was the only one she could think of that would provide her with this acknowledgement, to just simply appreciate her ability. If he had just only saw her potential, it also would secure her a role within the system, some sort of guarantee of her place in the world. 

"Play a game with me."

Freyja's eyes widened at the invitation, a spark of excitement igniting within her. She looked up at him, anticipation dancing in her gaze.

"You asked me to teach you, right?" he continued, his tone both gentle and firm. "Well, the only way you'll truly learn chess is by playing it."

The weight of his words hung in the air, and Freyja felt a rush of determination. This was her chance, not just to learn the game, but to prove herself. The pieces on the board seemed to shimmer with possibility, tempting her. This would be the first time she'd actually play, it was different from before, when she would watch in silence from the sidelines, making her presence hidden as possible. 

"Okay. Let me take white."

From each day since then, after the sun had set below the horizon and the coolness of the night enveloped the world, Freyja returned to the same room. Each time, Erwin greeted her with a new game, endorsing her with fresh strategies and tactics that ignited her creativity and imagination. She enjoyed the thrill from playing, and with each successful maneuver, she felt a rush of satisfaction. Each victory was a reward, a testament to her growing skill and intellect, and she savored the pleasure she got with mastering the game.