Calm before the Storm
News of the murders spread like wild fire, as police scattered to find clues, as one approached the corpses within the butchery.
"One Male and Two female sir" A Marley soldier confirmed as the chief investigator entered the premise, it was heart breaking to see their own murdered in the middle of their nation, worse of all ambassadors around the world caught wind of it, despite the Tybur's reassurances that none would come to any harm to them.
The woman and child, their chests punctured, a swift movement to their hearts, it pained him to see the child, reminding him of his own children but the ghost of their final moments were clear, frightened beyond measure, as their life ended, turning to the corpse of the man, interesting, his ear sliced clean off, cuts over his face, his wrists marked by rope, this man was held against his will
from the looks of the bruise on the forehead, he tried to fight back, but the clear open wound across his jugular, he died suffocating on his own blood, what a poor way to go.
"Have you found anything that could be linked to this….. massacre" the investigator asked, a soldier pointed to the object on the ground, intriguing, a butcher's knife, the handle bloodied to prevent finger prints showing, it appears the killer bathed it in the blood somehow. The sharp blade is obvious for the man's neck slit, yet it is too big for the precise stab to the other's hearts.
"Is that all?"
"Yes sir, the door was not forced open"
Interesting, the investigator paced, viewing the pieces before him, it was a highly skilled killer that knew what they are doing, picked the lock, found and captured the man, torturing him, for what? Information, he is a simple butcher, unless this was for revenge, most likely in his hypothesis, sadly the mother and child were the real casualties as their deaths were quick and painless.
Looking to the man "What in god's name did this to you?" a question arises, and what the hell did the killer use on the others.
Liberio
Alan sat on the porch of Annie's residence, his knife handled with care as he moved it slightly around, the reflection glinting, from blue to green, after taking Falco home he had another blackout and ended up here with his knife in his hands, how long he was out, he couldn't be sure, what he knows now, these blackouts are starting to get frequent and even longer.
Yet something is different this time, it felt something has awakened yet again, just like that feeling when Zeke touched him, impossible he was no where near him, but yet did he sort him out? Alan stiffened at the thought, his eyes fixed on the knife, having no recollection at all.
Feeling movement in front of him, his interest piqued to see Galliard and Pieck standing in front of him.
"Galliard, Pieck, what do I owe the pleasure?" Alan asked with curiosity, funny to see them here, seeing that the festival is up and the mood is more jovial.
"We are invited to join Zeke at his house" Pieck announced, observing Alan's reaction, neutral and unreadable.
"It's been a while since we did that" Galliard shrugged "You chicken to come this time?" slipping in a comment, aware of Alan's reluctance to be around him sometimes, he couldn't figure the guy out, one time he avoiding him and the next they are best of buddy's, not too long ago, he saw Alan left his house.
"Huh, that's news to me" Alan simply stated, to which Pieck and Galliard hid their surprise, how very strange, surely Alan would know about it, since he literally been at his house not too long ago.
Before they could ask, the door opened to see Annie standing there, her eye's moving over to the group.
"Did I miss something?" Annie asked, slightly confused as Alan became his unreadable self and Galliard seem to be frowning to him, as Pieck kept observing, as if trying to figure something out.
"We are invited to tea and crumpets at the War chief's house" Alan shrugged, placing his knife into his sheath on the his left leg, where it always goes.
"Huh, what's the occasion?" Annie mused, for Alan trail his eye's to the streets, as if something caught his eye "You ok?"
Alan glanced back, before getting up, stretching his arms "I'm good, I have something to do, I meet you guys at Zeke's" heading off in an instant, as the three warrior's watch him fly off, before the two turned to Annie again.
"Something is not right" Galliard piped up, checking his back to see if the guy is gone, thankfully he is nowhere in sight "He doesn't know about the invitation when he literally was at his house not too long ago"
Annie blinked, wait what? Last time they met was a month back shortly after their return from the war, where Zeke found him looking out to the ocean.
"You know anything about that?" Pieck asked, as many puzzles entered her mind, she knew something wasn't right ever since four years ago, funny, remembering her kissing him just to avoid detection from the devil soldiers, felt like it was yesterday, now he's just cold and very secretive, Alan was never cold towards his friends and especially her, Alan always have a soft spot for her, as does Annie and the kids now, Galliard well, he tried to chastise Alan for his behaviour on the operation, how he and Reiner pretended to be like Marcel in some form, yet Pieck remembers him before that, how he is always cheerful.
Annie frowned, her gaze darkened a bit, the argument coming to mind.
"No, he simply wouldn't tell me, and he's been sitting on this porch for a while staring down at his knife"
"What? That little prickly thing he clings to him like a baby to a tit" Galliard scoffed, as the two women rolled their eyes "He always looking at that thing, think he looks damn good, he needs a shave and a haircut more like"
"Are you still sore about Reiner being better than you?" Annie asked, a twitch in his eye says a lot, after all these years he still hasn't let go, let the poor guy rest.
"Doesn't matter, he's not here, and we lost the armour, we are damn lucky to have a replacement" Galliard spoke darkly.
"Careful, remember that right hook, if you're not careful and the way he's acting now, it be more than that" Pieck warned, looking over her shoulder.
"Ah who cares, let's get to the War Chief's, if we are lucky we won't have to drag him there" Galliard joked as the two rolled their eyes again, with a slight of amusement in their eyes.
"Porco, don't ever change" Annie joked, eliciting a grin from the man, as they made their way through the streets, it was interesting to see the streets are bustling, as the people brought out their wares, even a few made handmade goods, they must have been preparing for this occasion, since they couldn't during the war, may waited for their family to return, some were not so lucky.
"Isn't Alan going to take the kids round here later?" Pieck asked, as they wandered through, spectating the marvel before them.
"That's the plan" Annie shrugged, eyeing Galliard smirking.
"You do know those kids can eat like there is no tomorrow right?" thinking about it, Gabi did eat a hell of a lot of chocolates the other day, poor girl suffered, but she seem to bounce back up, for the next morning she put away pancakes, bacon and sausage sandwiches, yeah let's hope Alan expects this or he is in for a shock.
"If he doesn't then he is in for a shock" laughing at the idea of his dismay, they decided not to wander too much and head straight to Zeke's while keeping an eye out for him, Galliard's intuition could be correct for once.
To both Pieck's and Annie's surprise, Galliard was right as they found Alan in a daze, wondering through the streets, going the opposite direction from Zeke's establishment.
Zeke's Home
The warrior's sat around the table, Alan being the furthest away, as Zeke poured tea into the cups, it appears to be more eloquent and refined, as the brown liquid appeared golden.
"It is comforting to see that we get to do this" Zeke spoke, a slight smile underneath his beard, pushing his glasses back up "it is not everyday we get to do this"
"You broke out the better tea" Pieck observed as she drank the hot liquid, as it slivers down her throat, an interesting aftertaste "My, what brought you to make this?"
Zeke chuckled observing the reactions as the group drank theirs, Alan's remained untouched, eyeing it suspiciously "It won't poison you" drawing the man's attention, with reluctance, and a sudden thud from underneath the table, prompting Alan to drink, his expression relaxed slightly, before glaring to Annie.
"Still, it is refreshing to say for the least, but you all know what will happen soon" Zeke spoke solemnly, as he sat back in his chair.
"The island operation" Annie thought aloud, as the group sat in silence.
"Don't know why we bother, we have the founder, they are no longer a threat" Galliard shrugged, as a frown placed on Pieck's face.
"Porco, you should know better than that, they hold two of our titan's and still pose a threat" Pieck stated "Even if the major threat has been taken away, there is always a chance they can do some damage before they take a bow out"
"Precisely" Zeke applaud, clapping his hands at the astute, his memory of that monster Levi flashed behind his eye's the way he moved and how viscious he was in his attacks "As expected of Pieck, the world will never be free and secure while the island devils still pose a threat"
"How? We are advanced in military power, we have ships and we can still beat the shit out of the Armour and colossal titan" Galliard argued "We hold the power of the titans, they are no match for us"
"A lot of things can happen in four years" Pieck counter argued, her eye's drifting to Alan, who was more content in pouring more of that tea "If command still believes they need to be exterminated, then I trust their judgement"
Galliard pulled a face "Well they can..."
"Do as we are commanded to, we are loyal to the point of our deaths" Alan interjected, cutting off Galliard's insults, glancing to Annie, his eye's drifting back and forth to the gramophone, which happen to be nearby, as Annie glanced, her face scowled, figures.
"Still, I don't fancy going back there" Annie admitted "They know how to fight titans, even have the ability to pierce the armour of hardened titans"
"Funny, did the scientists get a rough idea of the plans we brought back years ago?" Alan asked "Four years and have nothing to show"
"Another reason to go back there" Zeke cleared his throat, he remembers the plans, those thunder spears, they caused great damage to them "We are missing a crucial ingediant which the island alone possesss"
"The crystals" Alan grimaced, he remembers a huge cavern covered in the blue crystals "Lady Tybur, mentioned it be another war for the resources"
"Correct" Zeke nodded "Still we have some time, although not all of us will be going"
Pieck, Galliard and Annie looked to each other in confusion, as Alan narrowed his eye's towards his direction, Zeke growing paler.
"You have a year left? Surely they could spare you for this one last glorious moment" Galliard spoke confused, until noticing Alan's dangerous calm, his gaze remained on Zeke, Pieck mouth dropped at the realisation, Annie stiffened, as her knuckles clenched, her gaze turned to the table, Galliard eyes widened "Well shit"
"Lightly putting it" Zeke frowned, he wanted to address them lightly, seeing how they were well acquainted before the Paradiso operation, Annie more so, but her reaction turned in surprise, did Alan keep this one a secret from her?
"How long?" Annie asked, a question shot towards both Alan and Zeke, they are the only ones that knew, she isn't stupid.
"It's just to ensure that the founding remained far away from the island..." Zeke spoke until being cut off.
"Don't bullshit me Zeke" Annie shot her gaze to him, shutting him up, the others would find it amusing if the atmosphere wasn't so tense, before turning to Alan "How long?"
Alan gaze softened, unable to answer, as he felt Pieck's and Galliard's gaze on him, also wondering the same question "Lady Tybur is pregnant, eight months, I recently found out, also when the baby is born Zeke will have his curse broken"
"Doesn't tell me how long we have left" Annie shot back, as Alan turn back to silence, not making the situation any better.
The three shot towards Zeke, as he frowned "Not a decision I wouldn't make lightly, The president made the call, no doubt the Tybur's pushed for it as well"
"But, why?" Galliard asked, not understanding why, it be stupid, Alan could obliterate the island in a matter of seconds, hell if he had it, he turn the rumbling onto the island and get rid of them all in a single strike.
"That we don't know" Zeke spoke, as Alan was lost in thought "If we are lucky, we can get the operation done quickly and you can say your goodbyes"
"Fuck the operation" Annie spoke aloud, her heart in turmoil "Fuck everything, why couldn't we just be left alone in peace, I just want two years of peace to myself" the group frowned as Alan, clenched his fists even more, his eye's turning to the gramophone, then back to Annie, should he tell her that she be eaten as well? No, she would cause a lot of damage, he just needs more time.
Pieck doesn't know what to say, the situation took a three hundred and sixty degree turn, it was tactical logic to keep the founding away from the island, but then again Zeke's has one year left of his tenure, given with his abilities similar to Alan, but a bit more control and finesse with pure titans, but her emotion dictates that it is wrong, her friend snuffed just because of a child being brought into this world, no there is something more to this, judging from Alan's expression, he doesn't have a clue why, but Zeke, something felt off, like he knew why, but for now they need to do lighten the mood.
"We still have a festival to go to, the warrior candidates would need looking after" Pieck put forward as the atmosphere slightly lightened, the festival is a good sight to have "Also the Tybur's are going to make a speech tonight, all the world will see"
"Something to look forward to" Zeke nodded, as Annie stood up and leaving without a word, Alan did the same "Pieck, Galliard, mind doing this old man a favour? Keep an eye on those two"
"No problem, we was planning on that any ways" Galliard shrugged as he got up, Pieck giving her thanks for the tea, and leaving.
Zeke watched them leave, until the door shut, giving out a huge sigh, if things goes the way he calculated, he wouldn't have to worry about Alan any more, remembering the visit earlier, rather risky considering, looking to his hand, flexing it, the deal that was struck, for now, he must wait.
Liberio
Gabi couldn't wait, that's for sure, as she hopped on her feet, waiting as she looked around, he should be here soon, maybe he gotten lost again, or maybe he got caught up in something, Falco told her he be coming and take them to the festival, Four years she had been waiting for this, two days past since they came back and they enjoyed it somewhat, but apparently they made it even more special because foreign people are walking about, yeah more Marley soldiers are on guard, keeping the peace, but apparently the people are very welcoming, tonight the Tybur's will make an appearance.
"Can you quit jumping about, you making me nauseous" Falco chipped in, slightly disgruntled.
"Look at the place, wouldn't you be excited, they went all out" Gabi awed, the food, oh the glorious food, they definitely deserve this, showing the world that they are better than what they see them as.
"Has been four years" Udo shrugged "They must have been saving up for this occasion"
"Saving up is understatement" Zofia chuckled as her eyes sparkled, her face neutral.
"Putting it lightly" hearing a voice comeing form behind to see Annie, standing there cooling off from her thoughts and taking along walk without him helped slightly, not that she wasn't harsh, she may have left a print on his face when they left Zeke's.
"Miss Leonhart" Falco greeted, such a courteous boy, just like Bertholdt in a way.
"Hey Annie, where's Alan? The food wouldn't be eaten on their own" Gabi smirked as she hopped to see behind her, slightly disappointed to not to see him with her.
"He should be here….." Annie spoke seeing the man appear from the crowd, his cheek still red, as he gazed sheepishly towards the group, Gabi following the gaze, grinned widely before running into him with a hug.
"Woah, you still on that chocolate high?" Alan spoke in alarm, as he patted her head turning his gaze to Annie, as she nodded, a small smile to her lpis, Alan felt slightly relieved, but could understand her pain for the time.
"Nope, just excited to be with you" Gabi cheekily grinned before grabbing his hand pulling him to the group.
"Huh, that's new" Alan muttered as he was brought closer, as Annie took his other hand, giving it a slight squeeze, her way of saying sorry, without showing it to the world, to which he accept with his own apology, a squeeze in return before letting go, turning his attention to Gabi still holding his hand.
"Come on, there's so much things we can do" Gabi smiled as she led the way, Galliard and Pieck are amidst the crowd.
So far Annie enjoyed this moment, a date as she would call it as she walked by him, as they supervise the candidates excitement, it was nice, wishing one day, she would have a child of her own, but like all things their duty and their curse is the only thing stopping them, her heart couldn't bare having stillborn daughters or to die giving birth to a son, something Alan shared with full conviction, for now with whatever time they have left, they will make the most of it, she find it amusing when they cam to the first food stall, which have something from a foreign land as the man brought out onto four sticks big puffs of pink cloud, even Annie could admit, she was impressed, so much have advanced in the four years, Alan simply whipped his leather wallet out, to pay the man, as the group wandered around together as Galliard joked placing his arms around Gabi and Falco, guiding them to the next best food.
Pieck rolled her eye's containing her amusement as she watched the next lot order food, this time roasted meat on a stick, form the looks of it, slightly dipped in honey, even Galliard took the opportunity to try it, you only live once he said, true words that actually passed form his lips, Alan again whipped out his wallet, his smile still there as he paid the next vendor, after five vendors his smile is slowly deteriorating, his eye's sunken in despair as he looked into his wallet every time he opened it.
"Should I get the next one?" Annie offered as his face sunken, looking more tired every time he drags his wallet out.
"Huh?" Alan glanced up after paying the fifth? Or is it Sixth food stall, looking into his wallet, which is getting lighter, those guys can eat, he is amazed Gabi isn't groaning for being bloated yet "No, it's fine, I did say I treat them"
"You sure?" Annie asked not fully believing his words "It's like your life is being drained slowly every time you put your hand in your pocket"
Not missing the joke, Alan gave a slight chuckle "This wallet and money is my life source without it I be long gone" giving his own in return, yet it didn't really meet his eye's, they are somewhat lost as they scan the crowd.
"Don't think about it, let's make the most of what we have" Annie spoke as she reached for his hand "No matter what happens, I am glad to have you"
Alan eye's lowered, his smile fading, he wish he could do more for her, he wish he had more time to figure it out, there was so much he could learn, he had a lot to think about over the four years, even with Krueger's constant questions about him and his blood, is there a secret in his power that is yet to be uncovered, even his father's notes shown no clear answers, just his insane quest to make the ultimate Rufus, even the Ackerman blood running through his veins, his sense of attachment no longer there, after the loss of Reiner, he feels empty yet found some purpose with Annie and the kids.
No, he is not done yet, he still have time, time to make a difference.
Annie watched his eyes fade a bit, wishing that she didn't remind him of what would happen, which could happen in a week or a few days, pregnancy does have it's charm to be late or early than expected.
It didn't take long until Gabi starting groaning as she clutched her belly, her one arm around Falco, her other cradling her stomach.
"I feel like my stomach is about to burst" groaning from eating or possible indigestion.
"Why do you have to put your weight on me" Falco huffed as he steadied both of them.
"You was the closest" Gabi replied as she looked like she was about to puke, horrifying Falco as he pulled his head away from her face, a slight blush at her close proximity.
"I wasn't near you, Zofia was" Falco exclaimed "And don't you dare throw up on me, it's your fault for eating way too much"
"Worth it" was her only reply before succumbing to her stomach, Zofia and Udo chuckled as the daylight was breaking, soon enough very important people would be coming, as they spot Marley soldiers moving cannons into place.
Alan watched, becoming suspicious, why are they moving those cannons towards the stage? A bit close for celebration firing, also what goes up comes down and there's no safe spot near for whatever they fire to come down safely, unless they fill it with non explosive powder.
Zeke appeared along with Colt, greeting the group.
"It appears you had fun" his smile greeting as Colt, chuckled taking his little brothers place in supporting Gabi, who in turn Falco was much relieved about.
"Fun is an understatement" Galliard chuckled as he glanced to Alan, the look on his face was priceless as his wallet nearly emptied after the last food stall, Annie stomped down on his pride and took over.
"Clearly" Zeke mused as he turned "We must head off, William Tybur would give his speech within the hour and as Warrior's must be at attendance, even you" nodding to Alan, to which he rolled his eyes.
"Yes, my presence is always required where ever he is" Alan sarcastically spoke, not even amused with him.
"Well, luckily Commander Magath is running security so not much will happen" Zeke spoke observing the man "We must at least take our seats before it gets a bit too much to get there"
As they made their way, Alan stumbled in his steps, as if nearly tripping, his eye's looked over to the stage, feeling a hand grabbing hold of his, Annie took him over to a chair, seating him down.
"You ok?" Annie asked concerned, as Alan fought off whatever just happened,
"yeah, accidentality lost my footing" Alan replied, as he clutched his head, no, not now, feeling a blackout coming, fighting it off with all his might before subsiding, before lifting his head to Annie, her blue eye's piercing his as she looked him over, her back hand pressed against his forehead "See, I'm totally fine"
Not convinced Annie sat down next to him "You tell me if your going to have a blackout" warning him "I Rather not have you doing something you have no memory about"
"I know, you haven't relaxed about it for a long while" Alan huffed as he placed his hand onto his head, whatever is happening it's trying to take control.
"Bad things tend to happen when you have no memory, it's not even a joke, I'm afraid something bad will happen when you have one of those" Annie murmured, her voice toned down so no one else can here, the other's found their seats, as Annie observed other Eldian citizens making their way, excited conversations and eagerness to see the great Tybur, like he's their celebrity, in way they are keeping peace around the world and to never use their titan in war.
"Hey, it's nothing to worry about, let's get this over with and maybe tomorrow, I take you somewhere special" Alan smirked seeing the tinge of red crossing her cheeks.
"I hold you to it" Annie said beofre standing him up "Come on let's sit next to the others"
Walking over, Annie paused as she got up, as Falco sat next to Colt, his eyes furrowed as she looked to them, turning to follow his gaze, Annie saw Alan stood still, his eye's glazed over, as if in a trance, before blinking.
"Alan are you ok?" Annie asked, as Alan looked to her, whatever spark he had is gone, turning to slightly cold and distant.
"Yes, I'm fine" Alan spoke, his tone changed "I have to speak to William"
"Why?" Annie asked, when did Alan want to speak to Tybur all of a sudden, far as she knew, he wanted nothing to do with him, let alone be near him.
"Something I remembered, it involves her" his voice shot a slight bit of venom his grip removing from hers.
"Couldn't you do it after his speech?" Annie confronted him again, this time his cold gaze grew stern, sending chills down her spine, what just happened?
"No, the quicker I speak to him the better, you get to the others, I return shortly" Alan spoke with leaving her any room to speak further as he moved swiftly into the crowd, disappearing, Annie growled, why does he use his skills to hide from her eyesight, something isn't right, shaking off the wrong feeling, a sudden change in his personality, one moment he was sweet now receiving whiplash.
"Everything ok?" Gabi called out as Annie came to them "The warrior's are sitting over there" pointing to the other side, as Annie looked over.
"I'm sitting with you guys, I'm sure the war chief can forgive me being here for a change" Annie shrugged, maybe when Alan comes back, being near Gabi would calm him after his return from his little talk, which always doesn't end well when it concerns his death sentence.
"Where's Mr Braun?" Udo asked turning his attention to Annie for a second.
"He had something to do, he be here later" Annie spoke, to which thankfully they did not ask more.
"Ok, don't you find this cool, we get a good view, look ambassadors and people from around the world" pointing out peple with cameras, and finely made dresses and suits "Maybe tonight will be the night everyone will remember that not all Eldian's are devils and we are the good guys"
Annie glanced, to see the finely dressed women, ugh, she's glad not towear them any more, which reminds her, she still have that dress in her home, she spoken to her father about it, the old man thought it was a wedding dress and nearly had a heart attack.
It made her laugh, seeing his gaze in the crowd, she felt at home, and fulfilled keeping her promise to come back home to him, but sadly during the war, Mr Hoover passed away from his cancer, it stricken her heart that Bertholdt never get to come home and say goodbye, Annie actually misssed him, she knew of his crush for her, but not wanting to act on it because of their situation, if things were different she might have recuperated his feelings, but he's not here and well Alan holds her now, which is funny because she never once suspected to see her relationship ended up with him, yet there were a lot of regrets and memories, Miss Braun, her heart weep for Alan losing his family, where ever she is, she is with Reiner and they are looking down on them, looking out for him.
"Hey where do you think those guys are going" Falco pointed out as Annie looked up to see the warrior's getting up and following a soldier, how odd, Annie observed, that feeling that something isn't right, remaining alert, she feel to keep close to the kids, for their safety.
"Maybe Magath needed them for something" Annie shrugged, looking around for Alan, where is he? the speech would happen soon.
"Should you go with them?" Zofia asked as she sat next to Annie left side "It could be important"
"Doubt it, maybe to tell them something, if it was important Zeke will tell me when he gets back" Annie remained seated, she rather not bother with anything to do with the military, they can punish her later for all she cares, she just have a feeling to remain here.
Dammit Alan where are you.
Basement
Alan groaned as his eye's adjusted to the light, he just had another blackout, of all the fucking times it happened now, a simple candle light lit the room, as he took in his awareness, he's sitting on a chair, that's interesting, he's in a brick room, basement maybe? Looking around he sees a small grated window, from the sound, he must be near the stage, that's a relief, he hasn't gotten that far, he hadn't done anything bad, which is a good sign as there is no screaming or soldiers rushing to him that Annie isn't kicking his ass, suppressing a chuckle from his lips, until a sudden slight tinge of pain coming from his hand.
To his shock his hand was sliced as blood trickled, frowning he willed the cut to heal, nothing, no steam or signs of healing happened, ok this is not a goo sign, why is he isn't healing that wound? Matter of fact why is it there to begin with, his eye's travelled to the table, where his knife laid, why is his knife laying on that table.
"You're finally back" a familiar voice echoed, as Alan looked to the source, Krueger sitting across form him, his eye's distant, as if he just been sitting there, waiting.
"Krueger?" Alan grunted, why is here? "Krueger, why are you here? Wait why am I here?"
Krueger sat, as he leaned forward, deep in though, remaining silent, as if waiting for something, his eye's looking at over him, as if figuring something out, or waiting to confirm something else.
Alan narrowed his eye's what is he up to, last time he saw him was when they were at the docks with Falco, then another blackout, wait, did the blackouts corresponds with Krueger somehow? Impossible.
"Answer me you bastard" Alan seethed, "I'm not playing games here, tell me why we are hear so we can go back upstairs and get this day over with"
This jerked a reaction to him as Krueger glared his head raised, the brown hair free from constraint's comparing to Alan's tied up hair. Tapping his leg, as his eye's lowered to Alan's hand, which still, isn't healing, a slight amused grunt irradiated from him, apparently that gave him the will to speak, but the next set of words, frozen, Alan's very core.
"How about you start by calling me by my real name" Krueger asked with a dangerous calm, as Alan looked to his feet, for four years he suppressed him, for years he called him by the name that was within the memories of the Attack Titan, now he finally understood what the Tybur spoke of when the Attack Titan back then was spooked, the night his father was taken away, looking back up, sitting across the man, for the first time in four years, he called him by his real name.
"Eren Yeager"
Eren's eye's now taking colour as the defiant Emerald pierce back to him.