...Timing...
The news reached Premier Zachary and Queen Historia at dawn.
They were discussing future government plans at teatime when a messenger barged in. The MPs planned to seize him until he enunciated the news.
Historia gasped and covered her mouth. Zachary got up to accept the scroll that the messenger presented him. After a quick scan, he passed it to her and sighed disappointedly.
"Well, it's not like I didn't try to convince them to remove her." He picked up a pen and two blank pieces of paper. "Though, I shouldn't blame it entirely on them. That girl has pride."
"Premier, what will we do?" asked Historia fretfully, glancing up from the scroll. "The Beast Titan came back just to capture her. How can we get her back? And what does this mean for the rest of us?"
"Your Majesty, let's hope those questions get answered when we pay a visit to Trost." He handed the two letters to the messenger. "Deliver this one to Commander Nile and the other to Commander Pixis. Try to be quick."
"Yes, sir!" The messenger rushed out.
"But how could this have happened?" Historia paced the room back and forth. "It would be impossible to get through Captain Levi, Commander Hange, Mikasa, and Eren. Were they not there? Was she alone? How was that even permitted?"
"Why don't we hear the Scouts out and have them remind us the reason why it's the regiment with the lowest number of soldiers?" He added the next part more discreetly, "So much so that they managed to lose a royal figurehead and their sole monetary patron. How absurd."
When their carriage arrived in Trost, Pixis, Nile, and some of their soldiers were already waiting for them. It didn't go unnoticed by the clueless civilians; the superiors of all three regiments, and now the Premier and the Queen, had come without warning. Rumors that something significant must've happened were already spreading to the nearest towns.
At the state meeting, Eren kept his tired eyes on the empty chair next to Hange. He hadn't properly slept yet, nor did the rest of them. Levi had simply thrown sleep out the window.
Jean told the officials what had happened, how it happened, and how the Beast Titan, Zeke Jaeger, was involved. He sat back down when he was done, feeling not a bit reassured.
"Zeke Jaeger stole his supposed brother's girlfriend?" muttered Zachary under his breath. "Sibling rivalry?" He quietly chuckled to himself.
"Sir, is something about this funny to you?"
Several heads turned to Eren, who unapologetically scowled at Zachary. Mikasa nudged him, eyes sharp, but he ignored her.
Zachary's lips twitched upwards, amused. "No, forgive me. Back to this situation."
Though Eren didn't appreciate that unserious joke one bit, he just knew that if you were here, you'd be laughing. Damn, did he want to hear that laugh again.
Hange gave her report. "Due to recent experiments, we have discovered that Y/n's physical touch can stop Eren from transforming into his titan and using his Founder's powers. Depending on the level of contact, the effect lasts between half an hour to over an hour. Armin Arlert has no trouble turning into the Colossal Titan after her touch. Therefore, we conclude that her powers only serve to forbid the Founder. Furthermore, we theorize that Marley aims to use that advantage to defeat and take the Founding Titan."
"Hysterical!" A Council member hit his palm on the table. "Using our powers against us? Capturing someone of this importance should be classified as a declaration of war!"
"And what army do we have fit for war?" challenged someone else. "Our nine remaining Scouts? Those lazy Garrisons? No offense, Commander Pixis. Or the MPs who haven't seen anything beyond the interior in years?"
"Even so, we cannot let our enemies get away with this!"
Zachary cleared his throat and the discourse faded. "Was Zeke Jaeger aware that she is royalty not just in blood but status?"
"We never brought that up," said Jean. "And knowing Y/n, she wouldn't bring it up herself either. She'd rather no one know."
"Let's hope she's as smart as you say. As long as they don't know, they won't use her as bait, sacrifice, or negotiation for trade." He wrote his last notes. "The plan is finalized. Your Majesty, if you may." He passed the paper to Historia.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "A search party will commence in two days. Commander Pixis and Commander Nile will provide as many soldiers as possible from their respective regiments and place them under Commander Hange's orders for the search. This news will be publicized. Any questions?"
"That's it?" All heads turned to Eren again, but he didn't let their stares intimidate him. "That's all we're doing? In two days? Two?"
"Jaeger," started Zachary patiently, "if you have any objections about the timing of the expedition, you're welcome to ask Commander Pixis or Commander Nile after this meetingâ"
"I'm not talking about timingâI'm talking about what we're doing." He was speaking well above his inside voice now, but he couldn't contain his frustration any longer. "We schedule an organized search party and print this news as a story. That's all you can think of?"
"Surely, you can think of anything better?" countered Zachary. "Because if you have any suggestions, Jaeger, please be my guest. We are all ears."
"Well." He blinked. "We...we can...they couldâ" He bit his tongue. Fuck.
"Eren," said Hange. She looked so incredibly stern. "That's enough. Sit down."
Mikasa pulled him back down, and he didn't object this time.
The meeting carried on. Then came to an end. Then he flowed out the room with the rest of the crowd. Outside, Hange pulled him aside.
"Eren, I can understand how helpless you're feeling right now, but that was not the time to actâ"
"Commander, do you agree with the Premier?" he asked, disregarding whatever she was about to say. "Do you think the only options possible are to do a simple 'search party' and spread the word?"
"It's not up to me. If he and Historia decided this, then we do itâ"
"I'm not asking about them twoâI'm asking if you agree. Do you think that we are out of options? Yes or no?" He pressed his lips together in anxious wait. Please say no. Please say you have alternativesâ
"It's not about if we're out of options or not. Problem is that we don't have any to begin with. Every time we leave the walls is a risk enough. We don't have any knowledge of the outside world, no contact, no allies, no nothing. Now you tell me what the hell are we supposed to do."
He pressed his palms to his eyes and choked out a groan. "But I can'tâI can't leave her. I just can't do that. So Hange, just help me. Please. Youâyou're smart enough to figure something outâsomething creativeâjust anything other than giving up."
She sighed heavily. "Eren, I don't know what else we could do," she said regretfully. "And I'm sorry about that."
Hearing that angered him even more. "Commander Erwin came back for me the day I was captured and lost an arm. Even then, he didn't give up. And sheâY/n came back for me and got stabbed. Did either of them know what the fuck was going on? No, but they still did it! So why can't we?!"
A firm hand clutched his shoulder, stronger than Mikasa's grip. "Get some sleep and clear your mind," said Levi. "You sound like a child taking out his anger on the wrong person. Contain yourself."
If Eren's migraine wasn't killing him, he would've argued with Levi, too. But he took a step back and ducked his head. "Sorry for the trouble, Commander, Captain. I'll go now."
Around the corner, Armin and Mikasa were lingering. Eren marched past them, but they tried to follow.
"They're trying their best," said Armin, trying to sound comforting. "This is a new situation, so they just need some more time."
Eren snorted. "Time." He turned over his shoulder. "I don't have time, remember? Neither do you. Our lives are the sand counting down in hourglasses. And you say give them some more time? Give me a fucking break first."
"You heard the Commander," said Mikasa. "It's not about having no more options. We just don't have any. So until we can create one, all we can do is hope that she'll be okay."
Suddenly, he understood. "Yeah," he breathed out, "yeah, that's what we need."
"Exactly," said Armin, finally glad they were getting through to him. "Mikasa's right, we just need to create more options so that we couldâ"
"No, no. Not options." When he turned to them, they were slightly taken aback by the fiery glint in his eyes. Not just of determination but of hunger. "Power. We don't have powerânot for a hundred years. If we don't get that, we'll keep being the ants under their feet. At this point, how different is this with the titans? These people come and take whatever they'd like because we're weak, just like the titans do."
When he didn't get an immediate response, just stunned reactions, he broke into a run and left them there. He didn't check if they followed; it didn't matter. First place he decided he was going was the training grounds. Next would be the open field, where he used to practice transforming. And the next would be the stables.
If the people around him were too much of cowards to attain power, then he would do so himself, in any way he could. He just needed power, didn't matter what kind. The power big enough to tell the world what to do, to destroy whatever he wants, instead of being told what to do and being destroyed.
Levi had told him to get stronger for you. To become powerful. And that was exactly what he was going to do.
* . * .
"You don't come across a very good listener."
"Because you don't come across a very good speaker."
Zeke shook his head disappointedly and took a sip of his beer. You carried on carving yet another star into the table with your fork. Nevertheless, he continued his boring history lesson about Marley and the outside world.
The fell down the hill didn't break any bones, but it ruined your mood greatly. So much so you willingly got onto the boat that he rowed to the bigger ship. If you'd thought harder, you probably could've devised a smarter escape plan. But curiosity slowly got the best of you.
There was barely anyone onboard, which surprised you. You'd expect there to be at least Marleyan soldiers to seize you or something since you did try to kill Zeke, but there were only a few men in white and two captains commanding the ship. As far as you knew, Zeke was the only titan-shifter present.
While he moved on to the country's current economic status, you zoned out, wondering what your friends were doing. Were they sleeping? Were they eating? Were they missing you? Though you wished they did, you hoped they wouldn't be stupid enough to go back outside.
If they were smart and trusted you enough, they'd listen to what you told them that you'd find a way back. Disregarding your questionable decisions in the past, you hoped they'd have enough faith in you.
"Are you still listening?"
"Mhm." You moved on to the next star. "The entire world takes Marley's side because of their hate towards our ancestors. Even though the war happened a thousand years ago, and they know nothing about us now."
"A hundred years ago," he corrected. "That wasn't exactly what I said, but at least you got the main point. Moving on." He started talking about the country Hizuru, which you were not one bit interested in.
From an optimistic point of viewâthe only view keeping you saneâthis little "getaway" couldn't have come at a better time. The last thing you did was tell them to tell Eren those three words. Just thinking about it made you a little embarrassed. What was I thinking telling them to pass the word?
If none of this would've happened, you would've had no choice but to confront the situation head-on. But now that you were getting further away from Paradis, this might just eat you away if he even felt the same way. You hoped he did, but even if so, you'd be stuck pondering about it.
Just go with the flow, for now, you advised yourself. This was more of a vacation than a kidnapping. If he wanted you dead, you probably would've been thrown overboard or something. So you were enjoying the food and beer, which you didn't touch until he did with his share. Made the best of what you had as you always had done.
You didn't halt your carving, but you did notice he stopped talking. "Got thirsty? Or is the lesson done?"
"Feels like I'm having a conversation with a rock. Would you like to offer some of your insight?"
"Nope, no insight. I'm just a rock. Go on."
"Why don't you share with me something about Paradis? You are right that the world knows nothing of you people."
You were not in a hurry to open your mouth. What could you tell him that was unimportant, that wouldn't actually give away anything about your home? "The species cats may be going extinct."
He looked genuinely intrigued. "Why is that?"
"Because I've killed some. A lot." Is that too much information?
He blinked. "Really."
"Mhm."
A beat of silence passed until he spoke again. "Tight lips you've got. Not willing to betray your people, which I understand. But I wonder how you'd hold up once we have our best Marleyan officers interrogate you. I don't think they'd be this kind, offering drinks and food. No, they have different 'methods.'"
"Guess we're past the small talk and on to the threats." A swarm of thoughts raced through your mind, trying to sew together believable lies. There were a lot of things you had to coverâthe people, the government, the military, resources, and more. They probably would want to know about the titans tooâAnnie, Armin, and Erenâ
"Or we can go with my plan. Keep your secrets and not tell them a single thing."
Finally, your knife movement stopped. You glanced up. "What?"
"And in my plan, you wouldn't even have to tell me anything. You can guard your peace."
You stared at him as if he had suddenly transformed into a different person. "Zeke, are you well?"
"Here's what you'll do: you'll pretend you've lost all your memories of Paradis, everything about your previous life, all except your name and birthright."
"How the hell does that benefit you?" you asked incredulously, unable to not remind him that he, in fact, was an enemy.
"In turn, you will keep my secret of my having royal blood, as nobody else knows. I think it's a fair agreement, don't you?"
"Wait, wait, wait." You were completely engaged now. "I'm going to ask you this once. And you better not lie. Whose side are you on? Because everything you told me about Marley sounded like you understood why Eldians were oppressed and that it was justifiable. What the hell are you on about now? Don't you lie to me."
"Eldia's side, of course."
"That's a lie," you immediately said.
He snorted. "Having grown up in Marley, I see the world from their perspective, as well as from ours. Their view is very much justified, as they had been oppressed for two millenniums. Even so, I'm not turning my back on my blood. I am with our people. I want what's best for all Subjects of Ymir."
Who the fuck is this guy? "You expect me to believe that?" He did sound very believable to you.
"You're suspicious. You're on an unknown ship, put into a room guarded by unknown Marleyan soldiers. It's natural to be wary. It's understandable. But listen, I have no reason to lie; my loyalty resides with Eldia. Why would I, a titan of royal blood, stand with my oppressors?"
"Then what was all this for? Making a round trip just to get me for them? I get it; I'm special, but that can't be all."
"I'm only following orders. As a cover, of course."
"There must be something personal, too." Since you always look at me like you want to hate me.
"I also want to ensure history doesn't repeat itself againâ"
"There you go," you said, rolling your head to the side. "History, this, history that. What does it have to do with us? Nothing! They're all dead anyway! And yet you come waltzing in, ruining everything, yet claiming you're in our best interest like a saint trying to promise us paradise. Hah, paradise on Paradis," you mumbled the last part amusingly.
"This plan is the best outcome for you. Or else what would you do? Would you still keep your lips shut even under torture? Would you take your own life to keep quiet?"
"God, no," you said. "They'd have to cut my tongue off to really faze me, and when they do, I can't tell them anything anyway. Win-win situation for us all."
There must be something mentally wrong with her, he realized. "Think about it, Y/n. All you have to do is follow my lead, and you and I both remain safe. We're family, remember."
"Ew," you mumbled.
Something about him just didn't seem right to you.
You tried to kill him the day before, yet now he sat before you, acting as if it never happened. Roles reversed, you wouldn't have let that slide. You don't just let someone get away with almost killing you and then treat them to food and beer. Either this man was truly a saint, or he had yet another secret motive.
You weighed your options. Either you disobey and let Marley force out whatever they can about your home from you, or you do as Zeke says and protect your peace.
"Pretend I'm a blank sheet of paper? What else would you like me to be? Mentally unstable, too?"
"I can see you're already that."
"Okay," you said, gradually nodding. "Fine. You win again. I'll 'forget everything' and keep your secret."
On the surface, of course. Protect yourself until you could find out what ulterior moves he had planned. Because your gut was telling you there must be something deeper to this that he wasn't telling you.
"Wonderful. Let's cheers at that." He raised his beer.
You hesitantly picked yours up and clinked against his bottle. What the fuck is going on in my life?
. *
. *
You stood in the center as concentric circles of objects stuck on people's bodies danced around you. Apples for heads, blades for arms, horse hooves for legs. You mindlessly swayed back and forth to an incoherent song sung by a body with a bluebell for a mouth.
Just some normal dream, your subconscious noted.
Suddenly, the flower-mouth stopped singing. And the bodies stayed still. You glanced around. What the fuck?
Then you felt a presence somewhere, heavy and ominous. Your feet started walking you through the crowd towards a figure standing on the outside. Upon getting closer, she was a little girl, blonde and dressed in rags. There was a shadow over her eyes. Where have I seen her?
But when you blinked again, she wasn't there anymore. And you were somewhere utterly different. It didn't feel like a drowsy dream anymore; it felt real. But it didn't bring any fear to you. No, you felt quite at peace.
You were in water that reached your ankles. You crouched down to touch the night reflection of the water, but it didn't make your hand wet at all. Neither was it soaking your shoes or your pants. It felt like mist instead of true water.
Behind you seemed like some beach of a sort. There was a vast plane of only sand, reflected by all hues of blues and green by the tree-looking beams of light in the far distance. The streaks of light in the sky cascaded out like branches but only stopped right above the shore, separating water and sand.
But when you took a step forward onto the sand, water followed your foot, landing it in a puddle and washed you back where you came. Huh? You tried another foot, but the same thing happened. Then you tipped yourself forward, but the water still traced your silhouette and washed you back into the water.
"You can keep trying."
You glanced at a man a few feet away. His feet were in the water, but he sat on and played with the sand.
"Though I don't think you can get yourself far."
"How are you doing that?" you asked.
He turned to you. Dark hair, a face just a little older than you, and a shadow over his eyes, just like that girl. But that wasn't what took you by surprise. A dark blue gem adorned the golden circlet around his forehead. You'd seen that gem before. It looked identical to the one on your diadem.
He got up and walked on the sand.
"Hey, I asked you something." But he ignored you. "Hello? Are you deaf? What is this place? Who are you?"
He finally stopped. "You'll know in time. You'll know and see everything one day."
"Did you understand my questions at all?" What is he even on about?
"But it'll take time." He continued his way, leaving you stranded beyond the shore in confusion. "And I do hope you have enough of that."
*
40 chap mark! this is crazy, we basically halfway thru this journey. this side gig was supposed to be half assed, but tbh im eating this up
this was supposed to be updated a few days ago, but i was too busy watching my country's elections. ended up with a new president lol.
see yall!