Midnight | Levi Ackerman

Chapter 3

JEAN begins to explain how winter can be restored in Ancient Eldia.

A long time ago, magical creatures once known as Titans existed. They were inhabited by human Eldians. These Titans would go on to create villages and co-existed with magical beings such as the gnomes, fairies, and other kinds.

Apparently, there was a war caused by the royal family. This war, the Great Titan Wall, was brought upon games. They were so deadly and many Eldians died at the hands of the nation of Marley.

Those who inhibited the powers of the Great Titans were killed or escaped. The powers no longer existed, but the Founding Titan left Eldia with an eternal winter. With no powers to collect, Marley left the nation alone.

That was, until now.

"So... you're telling me that my little brother, Eren, has powers?" I shake my head in disbelief.

The pink snowflakes seem to jump around. "Correct. Marley has been secretly working on getting the powers back."

"But to waken the Titans? To bring back the Games? Idiots," Levi comments.

"Take a look at what the mermaid gave," My neighbor, Erwin, appears out of nowhere. He whips out a map, demonstrating the country and how it's been divided.

Compared to the modern world of Paradis, this land was divided in such a way. There existed three walls. The goal is to bring down the walls once and for all and restore the winter in sections.

Every area within the walls was guarded with its own special snowflake. Jean could not contact any other. He can only travel so far. Without the snow, he would perish.

"So? How can we move from here?" I quiz.

"I can do something... but I need help," Jean says. "Step away, folks!"

He floats over to Historia, who cups the snowflakes and her hands begin to glow. I can't help but gasp along with Erwin. Levi seems unfazed by the scene.

He still owes me a big explanation.

After a few seconds, Jean flies into the middle of the air. Like a fidget spinner, the snowflakes spin around in circles. A white light emits and we are all blinded for a moment. And then I feel it.

I look up to the sky and it is snowing. The gnomes cheer in celebration and Historia is smiling. She gestures to me to point my finger to the sky with the hand that displays my mother's ring.

I do so, and the sky that was devoided of stars now has multiple little spots illuminating the night sky.

"Nightfall Princess of the Light!" The population chant. They all bow down to me, along with Levi and Erwin.

I roll my eyes. "Enough. So that is what I do?"

Historia nods. "You do more than that. Like your mother, you are blessed with manipulating Light at night. You also have powers similar to those of a Titan."

I see.

"So what about Levi?"

I hear his steps coming closing to us. "I manipulate Darkness in daylight. I also have powers, but not because of a ring like you. My family, the Ackerman, were experimented on and the family served the royal family."

Historia nods. "That is all true. As the last Ackerman following Kuchel, Levi takes the crown."

I feel like I was in a ten-hour lecture hall on Paradis history.

Then I remembered that Erwin was with us. I turn around, looking for him, and see him kneeling on the ground.

"What's going on?" I ask suddenly, alerting everyone's attention to Erwin. In his hand is Jean's fairy body.

"Tch. He overworked himself," Levi states. He walks over to Erwin and squats down. With his hands, he dumps a bunch of snow on Jean. It immediately wakes Jean up.

"H-hey! You could suffocate me!"

"Welcome back, brat," Levi retorts. I snort, finding it funny that even as royalty, Levi was still himself.

Winter was restored in the Royal Capital of the Walls. My mother resided in Wall Sina, which was governed and protected by Historia and the gnomes.

"We must crown you first. That way, you can officially partake in the first event of the Games," the mermaid informs. I agree to the arraignment; I'll do anything as long as I can get my little brother to return to me.

I am about to follow two gnome guards into the castle when Levi stops me by suddenly holding my wrist.

"You don't have to do this," he says.

"I do," I remove his hand and latch my hand onto his shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. "Eren is my brother. I'll do anything to protect him."

"Well, I want to protect you, too." My face heats up at his frank comment.

"That's sweet, but I have to," I say.

Erwin smiles at both of us. "Well, I'll be participating too!"

"Will you? You do need to be well-equipped for it. Go speak to Historia, you will be taken to learn and sharpen your skills," Levi comments. His tone is authoritative and slightly cocky, but Erwin pays no mind to it. He just nods and does what Levi tells him to do.

I sigh. "Don't be rude."

"Tch. It's the truth. How will you defeat the Titan inside the wall?" Levi comments.

There's a what now in the wall?

"A Titan?" I freak out a bit

"Yes. Historia didn't tell you?"

"No!"

Levi groans. "Hurry, let's get you crowned." He placed his hand on his hip, feeling the handle of the long sword that was strapped on him. He's extremely familiar with it, and confidently walks into the castle.

Historia, back in her human form, is waiting for us to step inside the grand doors that open to the castle.

As we begin to walk towards the main hall, dust settles down. The ground begins to rumble, and Levi pushes the both of us aside. As I cough and recollect myself, I open my eyes that I had shut.

Face to face with Levi was a Titan. It was the very first one I had ever seen, and the Titan had made itself a part of the castle's wall. Its blue eyes penetrated through mine, and its blonde hair swayed in the wind. It looks feminine, and it positions itself in a fighting stance.

The Titan was not in the Wall as I've been told.

We've been breached!