/// Level Up! ///

Congratulations!

You have achieved: 'Level 4 Battlecook'!

– I'm… I…

The paper became blurry as her eyes became teary. They didn't trust her enough to wait for an explanation. They though she was no more than a grifter. What's worse, Aeren probably has no idea about what really happened. Her greatest fear was losing that boy.

'I have to find him. I have to tell him what happened.'

She searched the area, but the others made sure not to leave anything behind. She searched her pockets but they were all empty. Even her knife was missing.

– You're alone?

Katsumi jumped from the unexpected voice. It was Glechoma, the titan who almost killed her. She yelled for the pot and took up her battle stance. The titan watched from a safe distance as she readied herself.

– You came back for round two? Wasn't one beatdown enough?

– Drop your act. It doesn't suit a girl like you.

– Oh shut up, you…

He was alone, casually facing the girl like an exhausting toddler. The usual black robe covered his body and hid the stab Katsumi gave her.

– Where are your lackeys?

– I don't need them. They are but a burden to a warrior like me.

– Geez dude, really humble of you.

– Humility is nice. Pride is necessary.

– Sure. Well, why are you here?

– Nothing special, just to capture you. – he gazed at his nails.

– You're working for Gladiolus?

– Yes. Why would you ask?

– Lead the way! – she threw the pot away, making it disintegrate into air.

– Ho? You're not putting up a fight?

– Nah, our goals are aligned.

– Hmpf.

After carefully observing her, Glechoma went forth. Katsumi followed him from a safe distance. They didn't speak or communicate in any way.

Glechoma pulled a staff from his robe upon entering darkness, two branches enlaced and a white orb sitting on top. He shook the staff and the orb and pollens lit up with a green light.

Katsumi could finally see further than her hands. They were in a cave tunnel. Red stalagmites hung from the ceiling. The sounds of small drips hitting the ground echoed from the distance.

– Did you come here for the waterfall?

He kept walking without an answer.

– Hate to help you guys but… I killed the spirit of the pond.

She felt doubtful about what the titan might have to say and unconsciously raised her arms to defend. Glechoma just kept walking.

– You don't believe me? – she said with a hint of disappointment.

– If it didn't try attacking you, you wouldn't know about its existence.

– So? Am I cool or am not?

– You're in the wrong profession.

– Huh? Again with the sexism? You know, just because I'm a girl that doesn't mean I'm…

– You know that's not what I meant. Or maybe you don't. Maybe you're just that stupid.

– And you must be great at parties…

He stopped and turned towards the wall. It wasn't special beside being cleaner than the rest of this place. Glechoma put his hand on the wall and whispered a prayer. His words were awfully quiet.

He stepped back and gazed at the wall.

– Maybe you were too quiet, walls don't like that.

She felt trembling from below. The wall slowly opened like a door, revealing a dak hidden path.

– Before we enter I must warn you… there's no going back.

Katsumi gulped.

– You could still escape or the very least fight me. I'm not going to ask twice so the answer you give is final. Should I give you a chance or should I bring you to our leader?

Cold air crept from out the door. It felt like vines touching her legs, helping her recall why she wears an eyepatch. She shook in fear and took a step back, getting ready to run.

– Having any second thought?

She felt lost, so lost. Her mind was foggy. Why did she follow him? She doesn't know. What does she know? Who is she? What is she?

A memory flashed through her mind.

– When I left the village... a little girl came up to me.

He shrugged it off as a buildup to desperate begging, but Katsumi clench her shaking fists took him by surprise.

– I have no idea who she was, but… I promised to defend her… and I'll follow through on that promise whatever it takes!

She rushed through the door with a fearless battle-cry and fell down a set of stairs.

– What are you doing? – Glechoma followed her.

– I'm just enthusiastic about the mission! You got a problem with that?

– No, I don't. Though, you said something I didn't quite understand.

Katsumi slowly got up and dusted her uniform. She was fine besides a few scratches.

– Come on, big boy! Don't be scared to ask questions!

– You said you're doing this for a child. Is that correct?

– Yup. A small titan girl.

– Do you know her name?

– Nope.

– Do you know anything about her?

– She has a puppet and she gets scared pretty easily. Besides that, not even her name.

– Then why are you set on helping her?

– What?

Katsumi looked into his eyes. She was unsure whether the titan really meant that question and by the looks of it, he did.

– You know… children are precious and shit. A child gives you a smile and you feel like the world is full of sunshine and butterflies. Have you never made a kid laugh?

– I don't want to talk about it.

– Oh, well… sure.

The path ahead was a narrow one, full of stairs and corners. She felt like the protagonist of a creepypasta with all the weird noises and endless darkness she descended into.

After a steep set of stairs, they finally approached a door. Dark-blue figurines were carved into its fabric. It told the tale of the invasion, the tragic fate of titankind.

Next to the door was a small hole. Glechoma placed the shining orb there. It fit perfectly. The earth trembled as the door opened to a room with actual light.

– Remember: show some respect.

– Sure. – she said without much thinking and entered the door.

On the other side she found herself on an underground terrace. Behind her were a few torches, but nothing more. In front of her was what appeared to be gigantic pit.

– Yo, what is this? – she approached the side of the platform.

As she looked down the hair on her back stood up. It wasn't just huge. It was unspeakably deep. She tried to make sense of what appeared to be the bottom of this hole and a dizziness got to her. The human brain wasn't made to make sense of such heights.

– Before you fall off… – Glechoma pulled her back.

– What is this place? This feels like a mine, but… like… it's too big! It's just too damn big!

– Keep your complaints for later and get ready to follow!

A stone bridge came from above, stopping in front of the platform. Glechoma got on it and Katsumi quickly follow her. An industrial horns sound echoed through the endless pit before the bridge began to descend.

Ropes held it from each corner, thicker than an average man. Katsumi looked up but it was just as bad as looking down. She fell back.

– Easy now or you'll just keep falling.

– Man – Katsumi said, overwhelmed from the dazzling measures –, I thought the titans were simple beings.

– We are. Do not mistake our temporary hideout for our once blooming base.

– Hehe, talk about hidey-hole.

Fifteen minutes went by in what felt like a second. The bridge stopped at another platform in front of a large door bearing the face of a chameleon. Pinkish feathers beautified the doorframe.

– I tell my leader you came by your own choice.

– That's nice… – unsurely, she turned towards the titan. – Thank you for helping.

The door slowly opened into a crimson red room. A velvet rug led up to a large bed. Snow white curtains hung around it, blinding whatever was happening inside. Standing torches illuminated the room. They were quite moody.

– My leader has been waiting for you.

– Is he in the bed?

The titan looked at her confused.

– I'll take that as a yes.

She walked up to the elevated bed. Weird noises could be heard from inside followed by grunting and moaning. Katsumi felt quite uncomfortable upon raising her arm to pull the curtains aside but a hand stopped her. It was smaller than hers, reaching out from inside.

– Just a few more seconds! – a sweet girly voice said between loud pants. – We're almost done! Haah! Don't be impatient!

– I knew you were a disgusting old man, but you actually make me want to throw up!

– What? Hahh, what do you mean?

– Not you, kid! I'm talking about their leader!

The bed trembled as the girl screamed out in pleasure. Katsumi felt a change of heart about the situation and readied herself for a surprise pot-attack. Though as the curtain was pulled aside, she saw two muscular titans besides the young girl. They appeared to be unconscious.

– Y-Yo… where's Gladiolus?

– Hah? – the girl frowned. – Why would he be in here?

– Hey! Glechoma! Is this a joke? You said you'll bring me to your leader!

– I did. – Glechoma left the room.

– Huh? Wait, don't tell me…

The titan girl covered her body with the velvet sheets. She looked almost the same age as Katsumi. Her short purple hair made her head look more round. It was messy, yet in a good way, fitting to her spiraling curse marks.

– My name is Madonna. I've been expecting you.