It was early morning, and somehow, Sana had managed to find a moment of peace amidst the chaos. The weight of everything—every plan, every decision—had been pressing on her, but she couldn't afford to let it show. She had always known that changing the technology on the island wouldn't be easy. The constraints on them were heavy, and her hands were tied in many ways. Yet, for some reason, today felt different. She had resolved to move forward within the limitations, to at least try to make things better, even if it was only a small step.
But as she stood there, watching the mist settle over the horizon, she couldn't help but think of the children—the ones she would soon face. Despite everything, they were still just children, forced into something they didn't fully understand. She didn't want to harm them. She just hoped they could find a way to reason with them. She knew what they were here for, but if they didn't agree to the terms, they would have to set aside their emotions. The world they were in demanded it. Emotions were a luxury no one could afford in a war like this.
Day and night, Sana couldn't stop thinking about them. How could she justify killing children? When she had learned that many of them had been forced into this life—watching their loved ones taken as hostages to make them fight—her heart had broken. It felt like a twisted mirror of what they had been through themselves. The elites looking down on the lower classes, manipulating the vulnerable to do their bidding. These kids, brainwashed and broken, believed that it was because of them—the people on the island—that they had to suffer. But in a way, none of them were truly at fault. It was the power-hungry forces pulling the strings that were to blame.
The situation reminded her of her own world. People couldn't let go of the past, and it haunted them every single day. It was a cycle of pain, passed down from generation to generation. Was it possible to break it? She didn't have the answer, but she knew one thing: the cycle of violence would continue unless someone chose to step outside of it.
Sana didn't have the answers. But all she could do now was move forward, step by step. If she hesitated or second-guessed herself, everything they had worked for would fall apart.
She glanced at the clock on the wall, realizing that if she didn't hurry, she'd be late. There was no time to waste.
The next thing she knew, Sana was standing near Wall Rose, watching as the various teams gathered. Captain Flagon was there too, his presence suggesting that Commander Erwin had worked his usual magic to win his trust. Sana admired how much faith Erwin had managed to earn from everyone. The man was a master of leadership, a blend of logic and compassion. She had learned so much just by observing him.
"Alright, everyone," Sana said, addressing the team. "We're going to be working on this bridge for the next few months. I need everyone to stay focused and speed up the work. We're not going to have any expeditions for a while. Our priority is getting this bridge finished, and we need to do it as quickly as possible."
The survey corps had joined the effort, and skilled laborers had been brought in as well. Sana had spent weeks laying out plans for the bridge. The design was simple, but she had worked hard to make sure it would be cost-effective and durable. The design had been revised multiple times—everyone had contributed their input. After many discussions and calculations, a final blueprint had been selected.
Sana knew that many of the people working on the project were excellent engineers. Keeping them safe was her top priority. She couldn't afford to lose anyone—especially not now.
As everyone set to work, Sana didn't hesitate. She rolled up her sleeves and dived into the construction herself. It wasn't about fulfilling some noble cause—it was simply that she loved working with her hands. There was something about building, about creating something tangible from nothing, that helped clear her mind. It was a way to forget the weight of the world for a while.
Half of the team was focused on gathering materials for the construction, while the other half began working with what they already had. Meanwhile, Sana and Hange were working side by side on the Thunder Spears. No other captains were present on the site, aside from Mike, who came to check the progress at the end of the day. The rest of the captains would visit when the workday was done, but for now, it was just the two of them, side by side, working on the weapons.
Three Months Later
Three long months had passed since the project had begun. The bridge was coming along well, but there was still much to be done. Some days, it felt like everything was moving too slowly. Other days, it felt like time was slipping through their fingers far too quickly.
Sana stood in the middle of the construction site, her hands on her hips, watching the workers and thinking. There was a new weight on her chest, something that had been growing inside her for weeks. She couldn't stop thinking about him—about Levi. He was the one person who made her heart beat faster, even in the midst of all this chaos.
Should I just tell him how I feel?
The thought kept running through her mind, but every time she considered it, her heart would race, and she would push the idea aside. If she said anything, things would change—he wouldn't look at her the same way anymore. And she couldn't risk that.
"No, no, no," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head. She couldn't afford to let her feelings get in the way of everything they were fighting for.
A voice broke through her thoughts. It was familiar, teasing, and all too knowing.
"Why don't you just tell him?" Farlan said, his voice coming from her right.
Sana blinked, startled. "Farlan, what are you talking about?"
"I'm just saying—tell him how you feel. If it's you, he won't turn you down," he teased, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "I've been watching you since we were in the underground. And I don't know if he's noticed, but anyone with eyes can see it on your face."
Sana sighed, embarrassed. "That's the problem, Farlan. It's me. He won't turn me down, but that's not what I want. I want him to actually love me. And... I'm sure he'll end up with someone else. So just leave it, okay? Please promise me you won't say anything to him. I'm fine with this, as long as we're all together."
Farlan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "If you say so. But I don't know about that. I think someone's interested in you," he said with a mischievous grin.
Sana rolled her eyes and teased him back. "Wooo, who's interested in me? What, are you interested in me now, Farlan?"
He immediately flushed red, and Sana couldn't help but giggle at his flustered reaction. She laughed all the way back to work, while Farlan called after her, his voice rising in protest as he demanded an explanation.
The bridge was nearly complete. The last of the work was falling into place, and everyone had worked tirelessly to ensure that they met the deadline. The project had been long, exhausting, but now it was almost time. They had built a pulley system to carry heavy boulders, which was essential for reinforcing the gate. Explosives had also been set at the entrance to prevent Titans from invading too easily.
Sana could feel her heart racing as the day drew nearer. The tension in the air was palpable, but she refused to show any sign of fear. They were ready.
Four and a Half Months Later
The time was almost here. The bridge was nearly finished—just a few more final adjustments and testing remained. Everything was in place, and the clock was ticking. The preparations were almost complete.
Sana stood on the bridge, her eyes scanning the horizon as if she could see the Titans coming already. She could feel the weight of everything resting on her shoulders. There was no turning back. They had bet everything on this plan. If the bridge worked, they would be able to hold their ground. But if it didn't… people would die. Either from the Titans or from starvation. If they couldn't feed everyone, they were doomed.
But Sana wasn't going to let that happen. She would make sure the weapons were ready, that the bridge would hold, and that they were prepared for whatever came next. The Thunder Spears were ready, but she was still working on making them lighter, more effective, and safer for the user.
The time was near. Every second that passed brought them closer to the battle. And Sana could feel her heart skip a beat with every passing moment. But there was no time for fear now. They were ready.
And with that thought, Sana took a deep breath and pushed the anxiety aside. The work was done. Now, all they could do was wait—and face whatever the future would bring.