#amber pacific

[music-in-my-veins14]

But if you fall back into my life I'd spend every night waking up to the beat I hear inside Telling me to be your only one But if you fall back into my life I promise you I would never let another day just pass us by I could never leave this world undone I wanna be your only one

[hbowardaily]

THE PACIFIC 1x10 home

[gwydpolls]

Time Travel Question 46: Early Modernish and Earlier

These Questions are the result of suggestions from the previous iteration.

This category may include suggestions made too late to fall into the correct earlier time grouping. Basically, I'd already moved on to human history, but I'd periodically get a pre-homin suggestion, hence the occasional random item waaay out of it's time period, rather than reopen the category.

In some cases a culture lasted a really long time and I grouped them by whether it was likely the later or earlier grouping made the most sense with the information I had. (Invention ofs tend to fall in an earlier grouping if it's still open. Ones that imply height of or just before something tend to get grouped later, but not always. Sometimes I'll split two different things from the same culture into different polls because they involve separate research goals or the like).

Please add new suggestions below if you have them for future consideration. All cultures and time periods welcome.

[human-timelord]

The urge to move to a rural small town in the pacific northwest to sit on the edge of a cliff with my feet dangling down watching the sun set over the water reflecting orangey pink light is so strong rn

[famewolf]

the rain is heavy today and it's growing increasingly darker out despite being noon

[cha0switch-returning]

[mowgliproductions]

Ancient Mysteries of Palau: Unveiling 3,500-Year-Old Monoliths with Indi...

[thealexchen]

Why Dontnod's games feel original and inspired (and why Deck Nine's games don't)

So, I've talked at length about how Double Exposure feels much more like a corporate product than a playable piece of art entertainment [My initial thoughts on the DE trailer] [My thoughts on the early access paywall] [My thoughts on the weird marketing].

But now with the release of Lost Records, I feel like I have no choice but to confront the question: were any of Deck Nine's games truly original or inspired in any way? And honestly, I have to say no.

Objectively, I could say it's because Deck Nine literally has not produced any original IP's since their rebrand from Idol Minds in 2017. Their only narrative adventure games are all part of the LiS franchise. But even their most original game, True Colors, pretty obviously follows the first game's narrative formula (young woman with a superpower investigates a sudden disappearance/death in a small town with a dark secret, has two opposite sex love interests, learns about a twist villain, is nearly murdered, and goes through a psychological nightmare in the last episode) to a tee. But oh look, there's also a LARP!

But I believe there's more to it than that, because when I look at Dontnod's games, they are always inspired by other works. Life is Strange 1 plays very clear homage to Twin Peaks with the Pacific Northwest setting and Rachel Amber resembling Laura Palmer. Max Caulfield is named after the protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye, another novel about the fleeting innocence of childhood and superficiality of society. Life is Strange borrows tropes from Donnie Darko, Groundhog Day, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Stand By Me, and even Blue is The Warmest Color for its themes and plot points. Just take a look at its "Shout-out" page on TV Tropes. And the result is... something completely original, with riveting plot twists, memorable characters, and an ending that will make you cry.

This shouldn't make sense, right? You'd think this big soup of references would turn into an indistinguishable mess of cliches, but Life is Strange managed to be a synthesis of everything the writers loved and were inspired by, to become something completely new. Why? Because nobody had tried to take Twin Peaks, Donnie Darko, and The Catcher in the Rye and turn it into a video game before! And make it gay!

The point being, Dontnod consistently makes original material because they take creative risks. This is definitely not done lightly, since they still need to be a company that generates profit, but they still prioritize making art over selling out. Their stories feel inspired because they are inspired; when writers love what they're writing about, the result is a passion project that has loving, clever nods to all the works that are woven into it.

So perhaps a way to reword that first question is to then ask, "Have Deck Nine's games ever been inspired by anything?" And unfortunately, the answer is still no. Instead, they just copy what they hope will sell well. And a bland imitation for the sake of generating profit is never going to produce anything that feels original.

This takes me back to Lost Records, which is also clearly inspired by the same works: Twin Peaks, It: Chapter One, The Craft, The Blair Witch Project, The Goonies, Stand By Me. But again, no other game studio besides Dontnod has ever looked at these works and thought, "But what if it starred teenage lesbians instead?" Or, more specifically: "How do we capture the spirit of what made these media great and incorporate that into a new story for a new audience?" And those characters have so much thought and care poured into them too: while I've been disappointed that Double Exposure Max looks airbrushed to hell and back, I love that the Bloom & Rage girls have asymmetrical faces, acne, freckles, body hair, skin discoloration, and diverse body types. Double Exposure is marketed as nostalgia bait for fans, where Max is reduced to a prettied-up, polished-up, representation of nostalgia, not even her own character anymore, in a game that otherwise has no connection to the original. Her quips are reduced to "Hey! Remember our good ol', dad-joke cracking, dorky Max Caulfield??" and her grief is shoved aside for "Hey, look at that appealing new love interest! Because we knoooow y'all love your sapphic romance, right?"

By contrast, Lost Records has only been out for 10 days, but I already feel like the girls are some of the most memorable characters I've come across in gaming for the niche they fill. Swann seems like your typical Max-like dork, except she's also a movie buff and giddy about bugs, horror, and the paranormal; and has clearly been affected by her mother's fatphobic beliefs. Autumn is a level-headed leader who always stuck to her desire to help others, and her Blackness naturally informs her desire to feel valued and not cause trouble in a small, very white, conservative town. Nora intrigues me so much for going from a fun-loving rebel punk teen to a more gender-conforming, capitalist-leaning, influencer businesswoman. And Kat feels like an evolution of Chloe's cynicism, where her scrappy charm belies an almost unsettling obsession with the occult and a deep, tragic chasm of rage at having to confront her mortality far too young. They make sense. They feel carefully written, genuine, and like real people.

But most of all, Dontnod's games have never felt like products. In fact, most of their characters have historically gone against the grain of what traditionally "marketable" characters are. The first LiS took all these aforementioned stories about straight white men and chose to remix and retell it through the eyes of a young, queer, time-traveling girl instead. Tell Me Why is the first AAA game with a trans protagonist, and Tyler is voiced by a trans actor in all the language dubs. Lost Records decided that it would tell its story through four queer teenage girls, with women writers onboard, and fucking own it. As long as Dontnod keeps making games that stick to their creative integrity, I'll keep respecting their vision in whatever they decide to create next. Also, maybe I should finally watch Twin Peaks.

Thank you for reading!

[ltwilliammowett]

Fishing net glass floats

These beautiful glass balls that many collect today have been around since about 1841, an invention that originated in Norway where old glass and or old bottles were blown into these balls or oval floats to hold fishermen's nets on the surface. However, from the early 20th century, Norway was replaced by Japan as the main producer, where old sake bottles were reused, which is why we are more likely to find these than european models today.

Japanese glass floats

The production process initially required much more skill than one would expect. After blowing, the floats were removed from the blowpipe and sealed with a button of molten glass before being placed in a cooling oven. While the floats were still hot and soft, markings were often stamped on or near the sealing button to brand the floats.

Garnblåser or glass floats

In a later manufacturing method, wooden moulds were used to speed up the float-making process. The glass bottles were blown into a mould to make it easier to achieve a uniform size and shape. The seams on the outside of the floats are a result of this process. This makes it easy to distinguish whether it is a hand-blown float or a float that has been blown into a mould.

Old fishing nets with glass floats hanging at a boathouse wall in Norway.

Most floats are in shades of green because this is the colour of glass from recycled bottles. However, clear, amber, aquamarine, amethyst, blue and other colours have also been produced. The most prized and rare colour is red or cranberry. The production of these colours was expensive as gold was used to produce the colour. Other brilliant colours such as emerald green, cobalt blue, violet, yellow and orange were mainly produced in the 1920s and 30s. Most of the coloured cars available for purchase today are replicas. Originals are difficult to find today. In the past, they were often found on the beaches because they had become detached from the nets and then washed ashore.

Sources below

Glass Ball, A comprehensive Guide for Oriental Glass Fishing Floats found on Pacific Beaches by Walt Pich

Beachcombing for Japanese Glass Floats by Amos L. Wood

[writing-with-sophia]

Poison list (2)

Hello, it's me again! After some feedback on my previous potion list post, I decided to research a little more about potions and come up with this post. I hope everyone will like it!

1. Poison Ivy

I think anyone who has watched Batman will know the female supervillain Poison Ivy. I thought it was a name she came up with until I found the Poison Ivy plant online, lol.

Eastern poison ivy is typically a hairy, ropelike vine with three shiny green leaves budding from one small stem. The leaves may be red in the fall.

Western poison ivy is typically a low shrub with three leaves. In the East, Midwest, and South, it grows as a vine.

It may have yellow or green flowers and white to green-yellow or amber berries.

It has an oily sap in its leaves called urushiol. This causes an allergic reaction that can make your skin red, swollen, and itchy.

2. Poison Oak

It is typically, a shrub with leaves of three, like poison ivy. The sun-facing side of the leaf has tiny hairs on it and is a darker shade of green than the ground-facing side. 

Pacific poison oak may be vine-like.

Though it grows all over the country, it’s more common in the West.

It could be hours or days before your skin reacts to the plant sap (urushiol). And your rash may eventually turn bumpy and form blisters that ooze.

3. White Snakeroot

A North American herb with flat-topped clusters of small white flowers and contains a toxic alcohol known as trematol.

Generally found in woods and along streams. It is not often found on open prairies because it does not do well in full sunlight. The plant will grow 1 to 3 feet in height and will have thin smooth leaves with toothed margins.

The poisonous effects in livestock usually result from direct consumption of the white snakeroot plants. In humans, poisoning can be caused by consumption of dairy products from cows that have eaten white snakeroot.

4. Rosary Pea

Also called jequirity beans, these piously-named seeds contain abrin, an extremely deadly ribosome-inhibiting protein.

Rosary peas are native to tropical areas and are often used in jewelry and prayer rosaries. While the seeds are not poisonous if intact, seeds that are scratched, broken, or chewed can be lethal.

It only takes 3 micrograms of abrin to kill an adult, less than the amount of poison in one seed. It is said that numerous jewelry makers have been made ill or died after accidentally pricking their fingers while working with the seeds.

Abrin in rosary pea prevents protein synthesis within cells and can cause organ failure within four days.

5. Foxglove

Its bell-shaped flowers are often bright purple but can be white, yellow, or pink. It blooms in the spring. It also has a fruit with lots of seeds, which kids sometimes eat.

 All parts of the flower are poisonous and can slow or disrupt your heart.

In fact, digitalis (a heart medicine) is derived from this plant. When formulated into a medication with a controlled dosage, digitalis is valuable in treating heart failure. It helps a weakened heart pump harder.

People who eat any part of the plant or make tea from the leaves are, in essence, taking an unregulated dose of heart medicine. This can cause the heart rate to slow down or become irregular. Both can be dangerous and life threatening.

6. Mistletoe

This plant lives off of other trees and shrubs, which makes it a parasite. Its stems are thick and easy to break, with lots of branches. The leaves are often thick and stay green all year. Its little yellowish flowers don’t have petals. The small, white berries have one seed and contain a sticky, poisonous pulp.

The berries can give you diarrhea and slow or stop your heart.

All parts of American mistletoe contain a toxic protein called phoratoxin, while European mistletoe contains viscotoxins, which prevent new cells from forming.

7. Oleander

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a common ornamental evergreen shrub.

All parts of the oleander plant are deadly and contain lethal cardiac glycosides known as oleandrin and neriine.

If eaten, oleander can cause vomiting, diarrhea, erratic pulse, seizures, coma, and death, and contact with the leaves and sap is known to be a skin irritant to some people.

The plant is very bitter.

That's all!

[music-in-my-veins14]

So leave a little note for me behind I swear, I have to know the reasons why This won't survive

[alphynix]

Aureia rerehua was a toothed whale that lived during the late Oligocene and early Miocene, around 23-22 million years ago, in shallow coastal waters covering most of what is now Aotearoa New Zealand.

It was closely related to the waipatiids – a group traditionally classified as platanistoids (the South Asian river dolphin lineage), but more recently proposed as instead representing a separate earlier branch of the toothed whale evolutionary tree.

About 2m long (~6'6"), Aureia had distinctive tusk-like teeth that splayed outwards from its snout, interlocking when its mouth was closed. Along with a flexible neck and its fairly delicately-built skull and jaws, this suggests it was specialized for catching small prey in a "fish trap" of teeth, a unique feeding strategy for a toothed whale.

Along with different feeding specializations in other close relatives like Nihohae, Aureia shows us how multiple species of these ancient Aotearoan cetaceans were able to coexist in the same place and time by diversifying into different novel ecological niches.

———

NixIllustration.com | Tumblr | Patreon

References:

Bianucci, Giovanni, et al. "Extensive diversity and disparity of the Early Miocene platanistoids (Cetacea, Odontoceti) in the southeastern Pacific (Chilcatay Formation, Peru)." Life 10.3 (2020): 27. https://doi.org/10.3390/life10030027

Coste, Ambre, R. Ewan Fordyce, and Carolina Loch. "A new dolphin with tusk-like teeth from the late Oligocene of New Zealand indicates evolution of novel feeding strategies." Proceedings of the Royal Society B 290.2000 (2023): 20230873. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.0873

de Lazaro, Enrico. "Oligocene-Period Dolphin Had Unique Feeding Method." Sci News, 05 Apr. 2024, https://www.sci.news/paleontology/aureia-rerehua-12827.html

Meekin, Shane, R. Ewan Fordyce, and Amber Coste. "Aureia rerehua, a new platanistoid dolphin from the Oligocene of New Zealand with a unique feeding method." Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand (2024): 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/03036758.2024.2314505

[hbowardaily]

It calms me down. Packing it, cleaning it...I always have something to do.

[formlines]

Eagle's Song

Amber Spindel

from the website: This hand-painted drum carries the rhythm of the Pacific Northwest, bridging sky and sea through a bold and fluid design. A powerful eagle takes shape in vibrant teal and coral red, its form adorned with the delicate pattern of the salmonberry—as a symbol of nourishment and renewal. Flowing seamlessly, the eagle’s form transforms into the tail of a whale, uniting the elements of air and water. Eagle’s Song speaks to the deep interconnection of the natural world, where every beat echoes the land, sea, and spirit.

[1800titz]

SPANKO!HARRY x NEIGHBOR PART 1 — NOW UP ON PATREON

The one where Y/N and Harry are neighbors in an apartment complex, he's got a bunny called Snuggles, he makes softcore porn spanking people (it's a REALLY LOUD HOBBY), and Y/N has definitely called the police for a domestic disturbance next door. 

preview

“Frankly, I think it’s wrong to put your hands on a woman.” 

Harry’s face doesn’t immediately crease. It’s a slow progression (he blinks, then again, and a thunderbolt of white-hot shock clouds his features and shapes them bewildered). He ducks his chin. Sounds almost furtive— 

(Which is worse).

“Sorry?” 

“Sorry,” Y/N snips, “It’s absolutely disgusting to put your hands on a woman.” 

The flinty prehnite in his sockets wanders, left to right (a discomfited side sweep, probably at her volume— he should feel ashamed!). He steps in. There’s seedlings of a storm in his gaze.

(The pacific eye of a hurricane before it migrates and the tempest swallows her whole).

Harry tells her, even, and low, and careful, ”I don’t put my hands on anybody that doesn’t consent to it first.” 

Her face crinkles. 

“I think— maybe there’s been a misunderstanding—“

“I’m not misunderstanding,” Y/N maintains— the piece of her mind he’d beckoned for with open palms outstretched floods in vitriolic disdain, “I’ve heard a woman yelling no, and stop, and please from your apartment— I have ears, you know, and— and it’s gross that men like you think that it’s okay—“

He blinks, stunned, swallows, and then says, in a tone that’s soft-spoken and (impressively) imperturbable, “You’re the one that called in for a domestic disturbance?”

“Any sane woman would call the police when she heard another woman being abused.”

“Abused—“

She blusters, scorn in the molten lavascape of her gaze, “Yes! Abused! And— and— honestly—“

He rearranges, shifting the fleecy animal onto the bolster of one forearm, and culls his phone, brows pinched—

“—I don’t know what form of assault would be worse, but when someone says no, it means no!”

There’s epinephrine spuming, and the byproduct of venting the pent discontent— floodgates shattered—

“Excuse me,” she snaps, stifling when his thumb scrolls, “I’m talking to you. And also, while we’re at it, you’re unbearably loud, and an unmannerly neighbor—“

Harry turns the phone. She’s nearly tempted to tell him to piss off with… whatever this is, but her eyes roam, vexation worn in the kink of her eyebrows, and then—

An almost archaic website, like a kitsch relic— repository archives of a porn blog from the early 2000s. Spankinggram. A profile; Rings&Paddles. The squared avatar bifurcates the garishly burnt amber logo of the site’s logo. Her eyes sweep over the vista; a man, sitting, thighs splayed, palm curled over a …hairbrush.

The image sunders at the neck. It’s a faceless silhouette, but the miscellany of sketches cascading across a forearm and the distinctly chunky medley of rings are… enough—

“I do, like, a… softcore porn-type thing,” Harry admits, and the chiaroscuro of his sudden embarrassment to her venom makes her chest tight. She feels sort of sick. 

He tacks on, like he needs to, “Consensually. No one is being abused.”

[shiorihyugawrites]

The Devil's Bride

Aurora Jaeger, Eren's long-lost childhood friend, was taken from him when they were children. After years of suffering under Marleyan control, Aurora is reunited with Eren while he’s undercover in Marley, igniting a bond neither of them expected. Despite her gentle nature, Aurora breaks her vow of pacifism to save Eren’s life, solidifying their deep connection. Secretly married before the Raid on Liberio, Aurora is swept into Eren's world of chaos and destruction. As the Scouts learn of her existence, tensions rise on the airship home. Mikasa’s heart shatters, and Levi demands answers. And Eren will stop at nothing to protect the only light left in his dark world—his bride, Aurora.

In this journey of love, loyalty, and war, Aurora must reconcile her innocent heart with the brutal reality of the man she loves, while Eren faces the truth of what he’s become. (Eren x OC)

Chapter Forty Five

Over the next few weeks, the laboratory became a second home for Aurora and Hange. The two of them spent hours experimenting, testing, and refining different formulas, often losing themselves so completely in their work that time seemed to slip away unnoticed. The wooden floors were stained with soot and the acrid scent of burned herbs lingered in the air, a testament to the countless trials and errors they had endured.

Aurora had never thought she would be involved in something like this. Her hands, once used to mixing herbal remedies meant to heal, were now crafting something designed to destroy. It left an uneasy feeling in her chest, but she knew it was necessary. If she could help give Paradis an advantage—if it meant protecting the people she loved—then she would see this through.

Hange, on the other hand, was completely in her element. She was like a woman possessed, scribbling down observations at a rapid pace, her excitement spilling over into rapid-fire theories and calculations that made Aurora’s head spin.

“This is brilliant!” Hange exclaimed one evening, holding up a small glass vial filled with an amber-colored liquid. She shook it slightly, watching as the substance inside shimmered under the dim light. “This blend is even more reactive than the last one! And when paired with an accelerant, it could create a controlled explosion strong enough to take out a Titan’s nape without the need for Thunder Spears!”

Aurora sighed, leaning against the counter as she kneaded her temples. “I still can’t believe this all started from my morning sickness remedies.”

Hange grinned. “Hey, necessity is the mother of invention, right? Who knew your knowledge of plants would end up giving us this kind of breakthrough?”

Aurora shook her head, exhaling a slow breath. “I just hope it actually works when it matters.”

“Oh, it will work,” Hange assured her. “I’ve already drawn up plans to integrate the new weapon into our combat gear. Levi’s been very interested—he even suggested adding a mechanism to launch the incendiary capsules mid-air for better precision.”

Aurora raised an eyebrow. “Captain? Interested in new technology? That’s a first.”

Hange smirked. “I know, right? But he sees the potential in it. This could save lives, Aurora.”

Aurora nodded, but before she could respond, the sound of heavy boots approaching made them both turn.

Eren stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable. His green eyes flickered between Aurora and Hange before settling on his wife.

“You’re overexerting yourself,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Aurora rolled her eyes. “Eren, I’m fine.”

He didn’t look convinced. “You’ve been in here for hours every day. You barely rest. You’re seven months pregnant, Aurora. You shouldn’t be exhausting yourself like this.”

Hange snorted. “Oh, please. If anything, she’s the least exhausted person in this room. I’m the one running on fumes.”

Eren shot her an unimpressed look before returning his attention to Aurora. “You need to take it easy.”

Aurora sighed, stepping forward and placing her hands on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. “I promise, I’m okay,” she said softly. “I know you’re worried, but I wouldn’t push myself if I didn’t think I could handle it.”

Eren’s jaw tightened. He reached down, resting a protective hand over her growing belly. “I just don’t want anything happening to you,” he murmured. “Or to our child.”

Aurora smiled gently, placing her own hand over his. “Nothing will.”

Hange watched the exchange with an amused expression before deciding to interject. “Eren, you should be proud of your wife,” she said, grinning. “She’s absolutely brilliant. It’s a shame she never had the chance to go to medical school—she would’ve made an outstanding doctor.”

Eren’s gaze softened slightly as he looked at Aurora. “I know,” he admitted. “She’s always been brilliant.���

Aurora felt her face warm at his words, but she quickly waved them off with a small laugh. “I don’t know about brilliant,” she muttered. “I just like learning.”

Hange scoffed. “You’re being way too modest. The way you analyze and understand plants—how you instinctively know how to mix compounds—it’s not something just anyone can do. If you had been born in a different world, where things were… better, you probably would’ve been a renowned doctor or scientist by now.”

Aurora’s smile faltered slightly at the thought. What would her life have been like if she had been born somewhere else? Somewhere that hadn’t been at war? If she had never been taken as a slave? If she had never been forced to survive through sheer will alone?

Would she have gone to school? Would she have studied medicine, just like Hange said? Would she have spent her days healing instead of fighting?

Eren seemed to sense her thoughts. He reached up, brushing a strand of platinum hair away from her face, his fingers lingering against her cheek. “You’re more than this war,” he said quietly. “You always have been.”

Aurora swallowed past the lump in her throat, nodding. “I know.”

Hange clapped her hands together, breaking the heavy moment. “Well! Enough of that,” she said cheerfully. “Eren, why don’t you take your wife out of here for a while? She’s been locked in this lab long enough.”

Eren didn’t need to be told twice. He nodded, slipping an arm around Aurora’s waist. “Come on,” he said. “You’re taking a break.”

Aurora groaned. “But we’re so close to—”

“No,” Eren cut her off firmly. “You’re done for today.”

Hange winked at her. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep working. Go spend time with your husband.”

Aurora sighed in defeat. “Fine. But I expect a full report on everything when I get back.”

Hange saluted playfully. “Yes, ma’am.”

Eren led Aurora out of the lab, his grip on her firm but gentle. As they stepped outside, the cool night air wrapped around them, a stark contrast to the heat and intensity of the lab. Aurora exhaled slowly, letting herself relax for the first time in hours.

Eren pulled her closer, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. “You really are brilliant,” he murmured. “And you’re mine.”

Aurora smiled, leaning into him. “Always.”

As they walked away from the lab, Aurora couldn’t help but think about how much had changed. How much she had changed. She wasn’t just a survivor anymore. She was building something—creating something that could help protect the people she loved.

And that? That was worth every ounce of effort.

As the golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky in soft streaks of pink and orange, They walked side by side through the quiet outskirts of the camp. The air was crisp with the lingering scent of the sea, and a gentle breeze rustled through the sparse trees, carrying with it the distant sounds of life—Jaegerists finishing their drills, soldiers settling in for the night, the faint crackle of fires being lit.

But here, away from it all, it was peaceful. Almost eerily so.

Aurora sighed, her fingers laced with Eren’s as they strolled at an unhurried pace. She glanced around, taking in the vast openness of the land, the way the sky stretched endlessly above them, the faint silhouette of the mountains in the distance. It reminded her of something—of before.

She tightened her grip on Eren’s hand as a wave of nostalgia washed over her. “Do you remember the cabin?” she asked softly, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Eren didn’t answer immediately, but she felt his thumb brush over the back of her hand, a subtle acknowledgment. His gaze remained fixed on the horizon, but his expression had shifted, darkened slightly with the weight of memory.

“Of course I remember,” he murmured at last, his voice low. “I think about it all the time.”

Aurora smiled faintly, though it was tinged with sadness. “It feels like a lifetime ago.”

Eren exhaled heavily through his nose. “It was the only time we were really free,” he admitted. “Even if it was temporary.”

She nodded, knowing he was right. For those few months in Marley, when it had just been the two of them, when she had spent her days tending to their little home while he prepared for the inevitable war—those had been some of the happiest days of her life. It was a simple existence, one where they weren’t soldiers, or enemies, or threats to the world. They were just Eren and Aurora, two people in love, living under the same roof, waking up in each other’s arms every morning without the shadow of death hanging over them.

She missed that. She ached for it.

And yet, she knew the cruel truth. They would never have that again. Not while the world still saw them as monsters.

Aurora’s free hand drifted to her stomach, feeling the steady pulse of life beneath her fingertips. The child growing inside her—their child—was the reason she couldn’t afford to lose hope. The reason she had to believe that there was still a future worth fighting for. But how could they ever have peace when the world wanted them dead?

Eren must have sensed her turmoil because he finally turned to look at her, his green eyes searching hers in the dimming light. “You’re thinking too much,” he observed, his tone softer than usual.

Aurora huffed a quiet laugh. “Can you blame me?”

He didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to. She could see it in his face—the same war waging inside of him, the same want for something better. He had spent so much of his life fighting for freedom, but no matter how hard he fought, true freedom always remained just out of reach.

Eren tugged on her hand, pulling her to a stop. He turned to face her fully, his expression unreadable, his gaze intense in the fading sunlight. “I’ll make sure you and our child have that life again,” he said, and there was no hesitation in his voice, no room for doubt. “I don’t care what it takes.”

Aurora’s chest tightened. “Eren—”

“I mean it,” he cut her off, his grip on her tightening slightly. “I don’t give a damn what the rest of the world thinks. I don’t care how many enemies we have to face. I will carve out a future where you’re safe. Where our child grows up without knowing war.”

Aurora swallowed hard, her throat thick with emotion. She wanted to believe him. She did believe him. But at what cost?

Eren had already sacrificed so much. How much more would he have to lose?

She reached up, her fingers brushing against his cheek, her touch gentle, grounding. “I don’t need you to carry everything on your own,” she whispered. “You don’t have to bear the weight of the world alone, Eren. I’m here. I will always be here.”

His jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with something she couldn’t quite place. “You and our baby are the only things that matter to me,” he said, his voice raw. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”

Aurora’s eyes stung. She hated that he felt like he had to do this alone. Hated that the burden of their future was something he believed only he could bear. She leaned in, pressing her forehead against his, closing her eyes as she breathed him in.

“We’ll protect each other,” she murmured. “Always.”

Eren’s arms wrapped around her, his hands splaying against her back as he pulled her close, holding her like she was the only thing keeping him tethered to the earth.

For a long moment, they stood there in the golden glow of twilight, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the rest of the world fading into silence.

Aurora wished she could stay like this forever.

But reality was cruel.

And peace was a fleeting dream.

However, the quiet moment between Eren and Aurora was suddenly interrupted by the soft sound of little feet rushing across the dirt path.

Aurora turned at the familiar sound, her heart immediately warming as she caught sight of Noah, his small figure running toward them with boundless energy. His cheeks were rosy from the cool evening air, and his blue eyes sparkled with excitement as he flung himself into Aurora’s arms.

"Aurora!" Noah cried out, his tiny arms wrapping tightly around her waist.

She let out a soft laugh, holding him close. "Noah, what are you doing all the way out here?"

"I saw you!" he said brightly, pulling back just enough to look up at her. "I wanted to say hi!"

Eren watched the exchange, his expression unreadable at first. But as Noah turned and grinned up at him, the little boy’s excitement unwavering, Eren felt something shift in his chest. He wasn’t used to this kind of unguarded warmth, this kind of innocence. Noah had seen nothing but death and destruction, yet he still had the capacity to smile.

Without thinking, Eren crouched down and ruffled the boy’s unruly hair, much to Noah’s delight. "You’re getting faster," he noted, his voice less gruff than usual.

Noah puffed up his chest with pride. "Reiner plays tag with us every day. He says I’m the fastest one!"

Aurora chuckled. "Oh, does he now?"

Noah nodded eagerly. "Uh-huh! He’s over there with the others!"

Aurora and Eren followed the direction of Noah’s pointing finger and spotted Reiner just a little ways off. The blond warrior was sprawled on the ground, his arms pinned down as a group of laughing children dogpiled him with merciless enthusiasm. His face was a mixture of feigned defeat and genuine amusement as they climbed all over him, their giggles echoing through the air.

Eren exhaled through his nose, watching the scene with narrowed eyes. He didn’t know if he would ever truly forgive Reiner. The damage between them ran too deep, too raw. The weight of past betrayals and unhealed wounds was something that couldn’t simply be erased, no matter how much time passed.

But for all of Reiner’s sins, for all of the blood that stained his hands, Eren could see that he was trying.

Reiner wasn’t the same soldier who had once terrorized Paradis, who had broken through their walls and shattered countless lives. He was a man trying desperately to atone, trying to find purpose in a world that had long since cast him aside. And in these children, in Noah, he had found something worth living for.

Eren wasn’t sure if it changed anything. But at the very least, he could admit that Reiner’s presence here had been useful. He was a strong fighter, a valuable asset in battle. And more than that, he had somehow become… softer. Less burdened by the crushing weight of guilt that had once left him on the brink of self-destruction.

Aurora noticed the way Eren’s gaze lingered on Reiner, the way his expression remained impassive but thoughtful. She placed a hand on his arm, drawing his attention back to her.

"He’s different now," she murmured, sensing the conflict within him. "I don’t think he’ll ever be able to make up for what he’s done, but… he’s trying."

Eren didn’t respond right away. He simply looked at her, at the way she held Noah so gently, at the way she still had the capacity to forgive, to see the good in people even after everything they had been through.

"You trust him?" Eren finally asked, his tone unreadable.

Aurora hesitated, then nodded. "I do. He saved my life. He didn’t have to, but he did."

Eren let out a quiet breath, his jaw tightening slightly. He wasn’t sure if he could ever bring himself to say the same. But maybe, just maybe, he could accept it.

Noah, oblivious to the tension between them, tugged at Aurora’s sleeve. "Come play with us! Reiner said I could be his helper today!"

Aurora smiled down at him, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "You’re Reiner’s helper, huh? That sounds very important."

Noah beamed. "It is! I have to make sure all the other kids don’t cheat!"

Eren scoffed lightly, shaking his head. "Sounds like a tough job."

Noah nodded seriously. "It is! But I’m good at it!"

Aurora glanced back at Reiner, who was now laughing as one of the children attempted to wrestle him into submission. He looked lighter than she had ever seen him before, as if, for the first time in years, he wasn’t drowning under the weight of his own guilt.

Maybe Reiner really had found something worth holding on to.

But suddenly, the peace of the evening was shattered in an instant. A deafening explosion erupted in the distance, sending a tremor through the ground beneath them. The sky lit up with a sudden burst of orange and red, smoke billowing from the direction of Hange’s lab.

Eren’s instincts kicked in immediately. He grabbed Aurora and Noah without hesitation, shielding them behind his body as he scanned the area, his senses sharp and ready for any sign of an attack. His heart pounded with rage, already calculating how quickly he could shift if necessary.

Aurora clutched Noah tightly, her breath catching in her throat. Her first thought was an attack—Marley? Had they somehow gotten through their defenses unnoticed? But then, as the dust settled, she saw movement.

A familiar figure stumbled out of the smoking remains of the lab, coughing and waving their arms like a lunatic.

Hange.

Eren let out a sharp exhale, his grip on Aurora and Noah relaxing slightly. "That crazy woman…" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Aurora, however, was still tense with concern until she heard Hange’s unhinged laughter echoing across the field. The scientist’s wild eyes darted around until they landed on Aurora, and then, with a triumphant scream, she raised her soot-covered hands in victory.

"WE’VE DONE IT, AURORA!"

Aurora blinked in confusion, her heart still racing from the explosion. "What—what do you mean we’ve done it?! You just blew up half your lab!"

Hange ignored the statement entirely, stumbling forward with manic excitement, her glasses slightly askew and her coat covered in soot and scorch marks. "It works! It actually works!" She grabbed Aurora’s hands and shook them wildly, practically vibrating with energy. "The compound! The formula! The plant-based ignition system we developed—it’s perfect!"

Eren narrowed his eyes. "You mean the weapon you two have been obsessing over for weeks?"

"Not obsessing—perfecting!" Hange corrected, pushing her glasses up her nose as her grin widened. "And we just proved it can take down a titan faster than a thunderspear! This changes everything!"

Aurora’s concern melted into excitement as her mind processed the implications. "You finally got it to ignite instantly? Even faster than our test runs?"

"Exactly!" Hange nodded so quickly that her glasses nearly slipped off again. "I tweaked the ratios a bit, adjusted the volatile properties of the herbs, and BOOM—literally! The reaction time is near-instantaneous! The moment it makes contact with an open wound, it spreads like wildfire, incinerating everything in its path!"

Noah, who had been gripping Aurora’s arm in fear, peeked up at her with wide eyes. "Miss Hange is scary…" he whispered.

Aurora let out a small laugh, rubbing his back soothingly. "She’s just excited, sweetie."

Eren, however, was still on high alert. "So what you’re saying is, you’ve created a weapon that could incinerate titans on contact."

"Yes! And not just titans!" Hange’s eyes glowed with scientific glee. "Any enemy, really. It’s like wildfire but even more potent. With enough of this, we could turn the tide of battle before Marley even steps foot on this island!"

Aurora’s mind was racing now. This wasn’t just a discovery—this was a game changer. A weapon designed not just from the remnants of Paradis’ existing arsenal, but from her own research, her own knowledge of plants and herbal chemistry. This was something new, something no enemy would expect.

But then a new thought hit her, one that sent a chill down her spine. "Hange… if this weapon is as powerful as you say, and we start using it in battle… what’s stopping Marley from trying to steal it?"

Hange’s grin faltered slightly, her expression turning more serious. "That’s why we have to be careful. This can’t fall into the wrong hands. If they get their hands on it, they’ll find a way to use it against us. That’s why we need to keep this as controlled as possible until we’re ready."

Eren folded his arms, still wary. "And what’s stopping you from blowing yourself up before we even get the chance to use it?"

Hange waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don’t be so dramatic. I know what I’m doing. Besides, the explosion was minor compared to what it could have been! Just a little… excitement in the final stages of testing."

Aurora sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You’re going to give me a heart attack before this baby is even born."

Hange clapped a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, come on! This is history in the making, Aurora! Your research—your work—this is what’s going to keep Paradis from falling!"

Eren let out a slow breath, his eyes shifting to Aurora, then to Noah, who was still gripping onto her for dear life. "If it works, it works," he admitted, his voice low and steady. "But if it backfires, if it risks the lives of the people we’re trying to protect…"

"It won’t," Hange assured him, her manic excitement dimming into something more controlled, more resolute. "I wouldn’t risk it unless I was sure. We’re in a fight for survival, Eren. And every weapon we can get our hands on counts."

Eren stared at her for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Fine. But we’re testing it under controlled conditions from now on. No more surprise explosions."

Hange pouted. "You’re no fun."

Aurora shook her head with a tired smile, brushing soot off Hange’s sleeve. "You’re going to give all of us gray hairs before this war is over."

"Ah, but wouldn’t that be worth it if we win?" Hange grinned, adjusting her coat. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more fine-tuning to do! Science waits for no one!"

With that, she spun on her heel and rushed back toward her half-destroyed lab, muttering calculations under her breath as she went.

Aurora let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, looking down at Noah, who was still peeking up at her cautiously.

"She’s crazy," Noah whispered.

Aurora laughed softly, ruffling his hair. "Yeah, but she’s our crazy."

Eren exhaled through his nose, shaking his head before looking at Aurora. "You really trust that lunatic with your research?"

Aurora smiled, resting a hand on her belly. "She may be a lunatic, but she’s a genius. And if this weapon can help protect our home, then I trust her."

Eren didn’t respond immediately, his sharp green eyes flickering between Aurora and the remnants of the smoking lab in the distance. Finally, he reached out, taking her hand in his.

"Then let’s make sure it never falls into the wrong hands."

…

The next day, the morning sun cast a golden glow over the open field where the demonstration was set to take place. The air was crisp, the tension palpable. Soldiers stood in tight formations, eyes locked onto the platform where Aurora and Hange were setting up.

Eren stood beside Levi, his arms crossed as he surveyed the field. Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, and Sasha were nearby, each of them eager yet skeptical. Historia and Porco stood together at the edge of the crowd, the queen poised and observant while Porco had his arms folded, analyzing everything. Reiner and Pieck lingered toward the back, still unsure of how they fit into Paradis’ growing military force, but willing to see just what these two had created.

Aurora adjusted the straps on her light leather gloves as she glanced at Hange, who was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Are you ready?" Hange asked, her voice barely containing the glee she felt.

Aurora gave a small nod, her icy blue eyes scanning the eager faces before her. "I hope so. We’ve worked hard on this, and I want them to understand just how much this will change things."

Hange stepped forward, arms spread wide. "Ladies and gentlemen! Soldiers of Paradis! Today, we present to you a weapon unlike anything the world has ever seen! A weapon that will turn the tide of war in our favor, a tool that will make Marley tremble!"

The murmurs grew louder among the Jaegerists. Some were skeptical, others intrigued. They had seen what thunderspears could do. What could possibly be better than that?

Levi, standing near Eren, sighed. "Just get on with it, Four-Eyes. We don’t have all day."

Hange grinned. "Patience, Captain! Now, allow me to introduce to you… Inferno Blades!"

Aurora stepped forward, holding up a small, compact object wrapped in dark metal casing. It fit easily into the palm of her hand, no larger than a throwing knife, but the weight of it was significant.

Jean squinted. "That’s it? That tiny thing? How the hell is that supposed to be more powerful than a thunderspear?"

Hange smirked. "Oh, just watch."

She gestured to the field where large wooden dummies had been set up, representing enemy titans. Aurora pulled one of the Inferno Blades from a pouch at her side, lifted her arm, and hurled it at one of the dummies.

The moment the small device made contact with the wooden target, it erupted into flames. The fire spread instantly, devouring the dummy in seconds. Soldiers gasped as the flames climbed higher, turning the makeshift titan into a pile of smoldering ash.

But the real shock came when the fire didn’t stop. The ground around it ignited as well, creeping like a hungry beast toward the other dummies.

Sasha’s mouth fell open. "Holy shit."

Armin’s eyes widened. "It spreads. It’s like wildfire but controlled. How… how did you do this?"

Aurora, wiping her hands on her pants, explained. "The compound is made from a blend of highly flammable plants found here in Paradis. The outer casing keeps it contained until impact, and the moment it ruptures, oxygen fuels the reaction, igniting it instantly. Unlike thunderspears, there’s no delay, no need to pull a trigger or scramble away before the explosion hits. You can carry multiple at a time and throw them in quick succession."

Eren’s green eyes gleamed with approval. He had seen Aurora work tirelessly for weeks, but this… this was something else entirely. "And how many can a soldier carry at once?"

Hange clapped her hands together. "That’s the best part! Due to the small size, a single soldier can carry up to thirty at a time without being weighed down!"

There was a collective murmur of astonishment from the Jaegerists.

Jean whistled. "Damn. That’s… that’s actually really impressive."

Mikasa, ever the quiet observer, spoke next. "How does it affect titans? Does it kill them outright?"

Aurora exchanged a look with Hange before nodding. "Yes. We tested it on a captured pure titan last night. The fire spread from the initial impact point and consumed the titan in seconds. The regenerative properties of their bodies couldn’t keep up with the rapid burning."

Levi let out a low hum, his sharp eyes calculating. "Efficient. That means less reliance on blades or spears."

Porco, who had remained quiet, now stepped forward. "So what happens if Marley gets their hands on this? You’ve basically created something that can wipe out armies."

Pieck, standing beside him, nodded. "If we can use it, so can they."

Aurora sighed, tucking her hair behind her ear. "That’s why we’ve kept the formula classified. Only Hange and I know the exact ratios. If we do use it against Marley, we have to ensure they never get close enough to recover any samples."

Historia, ever the voice of reason, added, "And we have to be careful not to use it on areas we plan to reclaim. The fire is powerful, but it could destroy our own resources if we aren’t strategic."

Hange beamed. "Exactly! Controlled use, precise targeting—this isn’t just a weapon, it’s a tactical advantage!"

The Jaegerists murmured amongst themselves, eyes alight with interest and anticipation.

Eren, who had been silent for most of the discussion, finally stepped forward. "Then let’s make sure we use it wisely."

Aurora turned to him, her fingers brushing against his. There was something fierce in his gaze, something determined.

Eren met her eyes. "You did this. You changed the game."

She swallowed the lump in her throat, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. "I just want us to have a fighting chance."

Eren gave a slow nod before turning back to the crowd. "From today forward, every soldier will be trained in handling Inferno Blades. We’re going to burn our enemies to the ground before they even have the chance to strike."

One of the recruits sighed. "Great. More training."

The soldiers erupted into cheers. Some clapped Aurora on the back, others gave approving nods. 

Aurora let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Hange wrapped an arm around her shoulder, grinning like a madwoman. "We just made history."

Aurora smiled. "Yeah… I guess we did."

Reiner and Pieck lingered near the back, watching the scene unfold. The flames still crackled in the distance, remnants of the Inferno Blades’ devastation, their glow casting long shadows as the sun began its slow descent.

Reiner’s golden eyes flickered from the fire to Aurora, standing beside Eren. He had underestimated her. He had thought of her as just Eren Jaeger’s devoted wife, someone fragile, someone who wouldn’t last long in the harsh reality of war. But after everything he had seen, he knew he had been wrong.

“She’s… impressive,” Pieck murmured, arms crossed as she studied Aurora’s figure. Her long platinum hair was pulled back in a loose braid, stray strands framing her sharp yet delicate features. Even now, carrying the weight of their future in her belly, she stood tall, unwavering, speaking confidently as she explained the weapon’s mechanics to Historia.

Reiner exhaled slowly. “Yeah. She is.”

Pieck tilted her head, her dark eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Did you ever expect this from her?”

Reiner shook his head. “Not at all.”

He had thought she would break under the pressure of this war, that she would cower in the shadows of Eren’s brutality. Instead, she had adapted, survived, and now she was changing the game in ways none of them had anticipated.

Pieck leaned slightly towards him, lowering her voice so that only he could hear. “She’s a bigger asset than I realized. And not just because of her connection to Eren.”

Reiner followed her gaze, watching as Aurora spoke to Levi. She wasn’t just Eren’s shadow, nor was she merely some queen figure like Historia. Aurora was an entirely different force altogether, one that neither Marley nor Paradis had prepared for.

“She’s valuable,” Pieck continued, her voice unreadable. “More than we thought.”

Reiner frowned, suddenly uneasy with the way Pieck was analyzing her. “She’s not just some tool to be used.”

Pieck smirked. “No, of course not. But tell me this—if you were still back in Marley, and we learned about someone like her working with Paradis, what do you think Magath and the higher-ups would say?”

Reiner clenched his jaw. He knew exactly what they would say. A woman with royal blood, a deep connection to Eren Jaeger, and a brilliant scientific mind? She would have been a prime target for exploitation, for forced cooperation.

Pieck’s expression softened, as if reading his thoughts. “Good thing we’re not with Marley anymore.”

Reiner exhaled through his nose, watching as Aurora ran a tired hand down her stomach, Eren immediately shifting closer, his palm resting protectively over hers. That small, unconscious action was enough to make Reiner understand just how fiercely Eren would guard her.

There was no taking Aurora away from Eren. Not without tearing apart the world itself.

“You think she realizes how important she is?” Reiner asked.

Pieck hummed in thought. “I think she knows. But I don’t think she cares about power or influence the way others do. She just wants to survive this war… wants to protect what she has.”

Reiner scoffed lightly. “Yeah, well, so did we once.”

Pieck let out a low, humorless chuckle. “And look where that got us.”

The weight of their past, the choices that had led them here, hung between them like an unspoken curse.

Reiner shifted his gaze back to Aurora. Despite everything, she was still standing, still fighting, and she was doing it all while carrying the next generation inside her.

Eren might be the one people feared, but Aurora was the one who was shaping their survival.

And that, Reiner realized, made her even more dangerous.

…

That evening, the war room was filled with a heavy tension that seemed to press down on everyone inside. A large map of Paradis and its surrounding waters was spread across the table, red markers placed at critical locations, symbolizing the anticipated points of attack. Lanterns flickered against the walls, casting long shadows over the gathered group.

Eren stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as he listened to Reiner and Pieck relay the information they had gathered. Everyone was there—Levi, Hange, Armin, Mikasa, Jean, Connie, Sasha, Historia, Porco, and the most seasoned Jaegerists. Even Aurora, though she sat quietly near Historia, her hands resting protectively over her stomach.

Reiner’s voice was grim as he leaned over the table, pointing to the coastline where Marley’s fleet was expected to arrive. “Marley and the Global Allied Forces won’t hold back. They’re coming with everything they have—ships, airships, weaponry, and their entire army. They intend to wipe Paradis off the face of the earth.”

Pieck nodded, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “This isn’t going to be like Liberio. That was an ambush, a surprise attack. This time, they know what they’re coming into. And they’re planning for it.”

Armin’s fingers traced over the routes marked on the map, his brows furrowed. “And what about the titans? How many should we expect?”

Pieck exhaled, her dark eyes flickering toward Reiner before answering. “Zeke will be the only shifter. They don’t have any other titans left. We took out all the other shifters when we raided Liberio.” She hesitated. “But that doesn’t mean we won’t have to worry about titans. Zeke still has his spinal fluid, and if he manages to spread it among the soldiers… we could be looking at another disaster.”

Jean scowled, crossing his arms. “Great. So we’re fighting off an entire army and potentially another titan outbreak at the same time.”

Eren was silent through most of the discussion, standing with his hands braced against the table. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm but laced with an unsettling certainty. “It doesn’t matter how many ships or how many soldiers they send. Once I find Zeke and make contact, it’s over.”

The room went still.

Armin swallowed hard. “Eren…”

“I will activate the Founder's power,” Eren continued, cutting off any protests before they could form. “And I will flatten everything outside of Paradis.”

There was a heaviness to his words that made Aurora’s stomach twist, though she didn’t interrupt. Everyone already knew this was coming, but hearing him say it so plainly sent a chill through the room.

Pieck, Reiner, and Porco, who had remained quiet up until now, suddenly tensed.

“Wait,” Pieck said sharply. “You’re really going to destroy the entire world? Just like that?”

Eren’s gaze flicked up to meet hers, unblinking. “It’s the only way.”

Reiner’s fists clenched. “Then what about the Eldians in Marley? In the internment zones? They’re innocent. They’ve already suffered enough.”

Porco stepped forward, his golden eyes blazing with emotion. “Eren, if you go through with this, you’ll be killing millions of our people, too. Not just the ones who hate us. What about the ones who have nothing to do with this war? The children? The ones who aren’t even old enough to understand what’s happening?”

Eren stared at them, his expression unreadable, but after a long silence, he finally spoke. “I’ll spare the internment zones.”

Reiner, Pieck, and Porco all exchanged glances, as if they could hardly believe what they were hearing.

“That’s the best I can do,” Eren said flatly. “But the rest of the world has to go.”

Hange, who had been unusually quiet during the discussion, pinched the bridge of her nose. “So that’s it? Just mass genocide on a global scale?”

Eren didn’t react. “If we don’t do this, they’ll destroy us first.”

Historia, who had remained mostly silent, placed a hand on Aurora’s shoulder as if to silently ground her. “And what about Aurora?” she asked, her tone firm but gentle. “What about your child, Eren? You’re going to war in eight weeks, and she’ll be full term by then.”

Eren’s eyes darkened slightly at the mention of Aurora, and his grip on the edge of the table tightened. “She’s not going anywhere near the battlefield.”

Aurora inhaled sharply, already knowing where this was going.

“You’ll stay in the capital,” Eren said, turning toward her fully. “Mitras. In the palace. You’ll be safe there.”

Aurora shook her head, immediately rejecting the idea. “Eren, I’m not leaving you. Not when—”

“You will.” His voice was low, commanding, but there was an almost desperate edge to it. “You’ll stay in Mitras under guard. I’ll have Historia and some of the Jaegerists watch over you.”

Historia nodded. “Of course, I’ll do everything in my power to keep her safe.”

Aurora’s fingers dug into the fabric of her dress. She hated this. She hated the idea of being so far from him while he was out there, facing death. But as she looked around the room, at the hardened expressions of everyone present, she realized there was no winning this argument.

Eren wasn’t asking. He was telling her.

Levi, who had been watching the entire exchange, exhaled sharply. “Smartest thing you’ve said all night, Jaeger.”

Eren ignored him, keeping his eyes locked onto Aurora. “Please,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Stay in Mitras. For me.”

Aurora’s shoulders sagged. She wasn’t happy about this, but she knew he was right. She was too far along in her pregnancy to be anywhere near the battlefield. And if Marley knew she had royal blood, she’d be a target.

After a long moment, she nodded. “Alright.”

Eren’s hand found hers beneath the table, his fingers squeezing gently.

Armin cleared his throat, bringing the room back to focus. “Then we have eight weeks to prepare. We need every soldier trained with the Inferno Blades. We’ll need to reinforce our defenses along the coast. And we need a strategy in place to make sure we get Eren and Zeke into contact.”

Hange nodded. “I’ll keep refining the weapon. And we’ll need to work out supply lines to make sure we don’t run out before the fight even begins.”

Levi crossed his arms. “Then let’s stop wasting time and get to work.”

The weight of what lay ahead settled over them, but there was no turning back now.

In eight weeks, the war that would decide the fate of the world would begin.

~

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