[How long have they been here? It feels like years since they’ve seen the others—years since they’ve seen each other, visually, engulfed in pitch black. But Armin is smart, capable, tactical in a way that no petals can choke out, and Aubrey wouldn’t have a mark down her palm if she knew when to quit.

[They fight shadows. Sound is a solace, a signal. Human or monster, the shrieks are ghastly, nails and teeth keen ravenous. Before this, Aubrey hadn’t known a damn thing about a real fight. Now Armin's blades are closer than her bat ever could have been.

[They miss Eren.

[And they miss light—until, as one slash fells yet another yelpipng beast, the metal glints. For all Aubrey has adjusted to the dark, it's nearly blinding.]

Did you…? [Barely audible. God, but if it’s another cruelty…]