The Sand Dollar Princess | Attack On Titan

1: Dying Hope

"Steady as she goes!" A stern man yells out to his crew as everyone on deck scrambles about. The sea, on a quiet day, turned violent. The sky turned a dark gray, the ocean rocked viciously and water splashed everyone on all sides. During times like these, is when the crew has to rely on each other for strength and support. One member can't finish their task properly without the other.

That's how things were on the Saint Sina Michellé.

Its acting captain, Levi Ackerman, took the wheel just moments ago. He was in his office, charting maps when the ship leaned just a little too far to the left. That's when he realized something was wrong.

"Levi!!" He glanced down at his new first mate, Hanji. She had to scream to be heard since the weather wasn't at its finest.

"The tide's coming in! AND IT'S A BIG ONE!"

"How long do we have?!"

"Ten minutes!" Levi looked out on the horizon and spotted the tide rolling towards them. But something was off. He could tell. Squinting once more, he noticed the water moving in circles.

"That's no tide. . ."

"Huh?! What do you mean?!" Hanji rushed up the stairs and snatched Levi's telescope from his sash. She opened it up and took a look. "That is a tide, Levi! It's headed straight for us!"

"Hanji, look at how the ocean moves! That's no tide!" Yet another wave of water crashed down on them. The wind picked up more quickly, forcing Levi back against the wall of the ship. Hanji took over right away, so they won't lose their heading.

"Damn it, where's Mike when we need the muscle?!"

"He took the time off cause he found some girl! That fucking brat!" Levi managed to beat the wind and grabs a hold of the wheel, helping Hanji.

"And Erwin's gone as well!" Hanji reminded Levi as she gave him full control again. "And at this rate, the whole crew is gonna drown!" Another burst of wind came from behind. And this time, Levi can hear the sails begin to tear.

"Lower all sails!"

"LOWER ALL SAILS!" Hanji repeated loud enough so the crew can hear. They rushed to the nearest location, making sure the sails were dropped and wrapped properly.

"Captain!" Petra ran towards the back of the ship to Levi, calling out as loud as she could. "Multiple sails have been damaged, along with mild flooding below deck!"

"Hanji! Make sure all members are accounted for with secured lifelines!"

"Got it!" She and Petra ran back to their posts.

I have to confirm somehow. . . That isn't a tide!

Again, the wind blew in all directions, sending everyone in a discombobulated state. Levi was knocked back a second time, having to hold onto the wheel for dear life. "Fuck all this damn-" The wind began to travel upward at a very fast rate. The crew below screamed and held onto whatever was close by. Levi had to make sure the wheel didn't turn, or else the ship may tip over. And then Levi's black pirate hat blew off his head. He noticed when he felt the top of his head began to soak.

"Damn it you-" When he looked up, his hat was looping around in circles, confirming Levi's suspicions. That's when Hanji ran back up to Levi with his lifeline.

"Here, I got your line! I'll tie it for you!"

"I told you, you were wrong. That is not a tide!

"Then what is it?!" The wind once again created an updraft and the lifeline flew up into the air. "Huh?! No no no!! It can't be Levi, orders?!"

"I told you to make sure everyone is tied to their lifelines!"

"You're the only one who isn't tied to a lifeline!" When the rope was low enough, Hanji jumped up and grabbed it, and quickly tied it around her captain. "There! All lines secured!"

"Good! Now warn everyone of the storm!"

"Want me to do a shout-out?!"

"Just do it!" Hanji saluted Levi before reaching the bottom of the stairs and screaming a word all pirates fear.

"MAELSTROM!!!"