Chapter 37

Author's Note: I was listening to "Light of the Seven" by Ramin Djawadi (which i don't own) when I wrote this chapter. ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexual content

Enjoy

Internment Zone, Liberio, Marley, 854...

Lara Tybur glanced around the backstage area. She glanced at the row of vanities set up for the actors. Willy was standing in front of one, sweating nervously. She continued scanning the area. Lara promptly went to the closest Tybur guard. "Where's Miss Reiss?"

"Gadot is escorting her."

Lara stared at the guard. "That doesn't answer my question. Where is she? We begin in ten minutes."

"Apologies, Lady Tybur," the guard said, bowing his head. "I will send two additional guards to hurry them along."

"Good. She must be here. On time." She turned away from the guard as he walked off to find two guards to send. Lara wrung her hands together. She must be here. For Willy.

In the stands...

The Warriors and the Warrior Candidates waited patiently, recanting their time and adventures with the day's festival. Reiner stood beside Colt and Gabi, silent as he only half-listened to the kids recant their day. Pieck noticed someone approaching. "Pock, there you are. What's on your face?"

"Huh?" Porco wiped at his cheeks. "Did I get it?"

Pieck raised an eyebrow as she inspected him further. "Is that...lipstick?"

"What? No," he insisted, wiping at his mouth. "It's probably just from the strudel I ate earlier or whatever."

Colt glanced around, growing slightly panicked. "Wait, where's Falco?"

"Oh, he said he saw someone he knew in the crowd and ran off to say hi," Udo informed.

"Seriously? We've got orders to be in our seats on time."

Porco draped an arm around Colt's shoulders, smirking. "You really can't loosen up without booze, can you?"

"Look there. Guess he made it back," Pieck said, pointing.

Falco came running up at full speed. Stopping a few feet from in front of Reiner and latched onto his knees to catch his breath. Gabi stepped forward, placing her fists on her hips. "Where the hell have you been?"

Falco ignored her, addressing Reiner. "Sir, do you mind coming with me?"

"I don't think there's time."

"Nah, you'll be fine," Zeke said, checking his watch. "There's still about ten minutes until the curtain rises."

Falco gestured for Reiner to follow him. "C'mon. This way!"

Reiss Residence...

Sebastian glared at himself in the mirror. His mother had brought them home to change. Warm pants, a thicker sweater, and a coat. He was already sweating up a storm. "Mama, it's too hot!"

Cassandra came stomping into the room. Herself now wearing pants, sensible boots, and sweater. "I told you. We're going on a long trip so we have to dress accordingly."

"But Miss Skye said no boats. And there's a show, Mama. Why're we going now?" He started jumping in place, unable to contain his frustration.

Cassandra grabbed his shoulders to make him stop. "Remember what I told you. This is a secret trip. No one knows we're leaving."

"But we'll get in trouble," he whined.

"We won't. I promise we won't as long as we do what Miss Skye says." She rubbed his arms lovingly. She was nervous herself. "We're gonna go see my home. The secret island we talked about with Eren, remember? I want to show you where I grew up."

"Can't we go tomorrow?"

"No," she said sadly. "This is our only chance to go, baby. It has to be now. I'm sorry we can't see the show, but...I promise you'll like it over there. It's where our family is."

Sebastian considered her words. "Are we coming back?"

Cassandra swallowed the various emotions threatening to spill out. She cupped her son's face in her hands, gently stroking his soft cheeks with her thumbs. "No."

Internment zone...

"It's this way!" Falco said, running around the back of the stage. "Come on!"

Reiner did not increase his pace, only growing more tired at seeing Falco's boundless energy. "Sheesh. Where're you taking me?"

"You'll see." Falco led him down the patio to a nook facing the alleyway. "Down here."

Reiner watched Falco descend down the steps. Something pulled at his gut. A strange sense of deja vu. Falco opened the door and gestured for Reiner to come. But Reiner hesitated. He had no reason to distrust Falco. The boy looked incredibly excited and bright. But a part of Reiner couldn't help questioning Falco. What is this place? Why here? He quelled those thoughts. "...okay."

Falco held the door wide open. Reiner squinted as he made his way into the basement. The nearly empty room was lit by a single lamp. Falco pointed and Reiner turned his gaze to the man sitting beside the lamp. "Evening. It's been about four years...Reiner."

Reiner froze, his eyes widening upon the sight before him. "Eren...?"

Falco glanced back and forth between them. Confused by Reiner's expression and Eren's calm demeanor. "Hey...what's wrong? Mr Kruger said you guys were old friends and he wanted to surprise you."

More silence followed. Like Reiner couldn't really hear him. Falco looked to Eren. "It's true, right? You two are friends?"

"Yeah. We have a lot to catch up on," Eren said. He leaned back in his chair. "I don't even know where to start."

"This can't be real," Reiner breathed.

Falco blinked, utterly confused. Eren was unfazed. He pointed to the other chair. "Sit down, Reiner. I found us good seats. You can hear everything from down here. We're right below an apartment building. It's behind the stage but still..."

Eren pointed towards the window, causing Reiner to gasp in fear. "It's full of excited families...waiting by their windows for the curtains to rise. They're all directly above us."

"Mr Kruger...did you cut your hand?" Falco asked.

"It's just a scratch," he assured the boy. Eren lowered his blood-covered hand and glared at Reiner. "Sit down."

Reiner grabbed onto the chair, his limbs shaking as he plopped down. His ears buzzing from the millions of questions and thoughts running through his mind. His throat went dry as he waited, unable to look at Eren. Falco studied them, noting the strange tension. "So, uh...I think I should go."

"No, Falco," Eren said. "Stay. Listen to us."

"Huh? But-"

"Just," Reiner gestured for Falco to stop, "do as he says...alright?"

Falco blinked. The tension was suffocating. It was obvious to him that Reiner was scared. He just wasn't sure why. At the same time, Eren's composure was almost reassuring. "...okay."

Reiss Residence...

Cassandra bounded down the stairs, tying her hair up in a secured bun. She looked towards the door and froze. In the frosted glass, she could see the shape of someone standing outside. The stranger knocked, making her jump. No, no, no, no. Cassandra composed herself as she walked over. She opened the door and hid her surprise at the sight of a Tybur guard. "Can I help you?"

"We're going to be late," said the Tybur guard.

"No. No, I'm pretty sure we still have thirty minutes before the show starts," she said with a polite smile.

"Wrong. It starts in five." He stepped forward, motioning to come inside.

Cassandra placed her hand on the man's oddly firm chest, stopping him from taking another step. "I'm sorry. I must've lost track of time. Please wait out here."

"I am your escort." He harrumphed and forced his way in, pushing her off. "We don't have time to wait."

Cassandra hurried back to the other side of the foyer, purposefully in his path. "Hey, this is my home. You can wait outside."

"We are going to be late."

He tried to grab her arm, but she dodged. "I'm waiting for my sitter. I can't just leave my son alone."

The guard was growing more impatient. "He's coming, too. Let's go. We're late."

He tried to grab her arm again, but she stepped back out of his reach. They both grew silent, their guards up. The sound of Sebastian's footsteps drew their attention to the stairs. Cassandra gestured for the guard to wait and she hurried over, stopping Sebastian before he could descend further. "Hey, can you go grab your blue shoes?"

Sebastian blinked at her from the second floor. "You said black shoes."

"Go get the blue ones, please? A-And my scarf. It's on the bed."

He frowned at her, reading through her forced smile. "What's wrong, Mama?"

"Just...go do what I asked," she said as calmly as she could. "Now."

His frown deepened, but he stomped back upstairs nonetheless. Cassandra's smile faltered a bit as she watched him retreat. She turned and jumped. The guard was standing a couple steps below her. He's like a fucking mouse. She stepped up, creating distance. "My son will a few more minutes. Can you go wait outside, please?"

"No. We need to leave now."

"Okay. I hear you, but how are we supposed to leave if you're in my way?" she asked. His glare did not unnerve her at all, but she played the part. Squirming under his gaze.

The guard exhaled, but decided not to argue further. He turned around and Cassandra slipped out something tucked into her belt. "Tell your son to hurry," the guard demanded as he stomped down the steps. "The curtain is probably rising right no-!"

Once his foot hit the floor, Cassandra wrapped her arm around his forehead. She yanked his head back and stabbed his neck with the knife in her hand. Carving the blade through his skin and tissue. The guard could only claw at the blood gushing from the wound as Cassandra held onto his head, forcing his wound open. He dropped to his knees, but she held him upright. Ten more seconds, she told herself. Nine...eight...

The man gasped and choked as his strength left his body. His eyes fluttered closed and all color drained from his face. As his body went slack, Cassandra hooked her arms under his armpits and dragged him down the hall. Despite having grown over the four years in her prison, she was still an inch shy of five-feet. But her mother's blood was strong. The man was heavy, but he slid along the wooden floors easy enough.

Cassandra left him there at the end of the hall and grabbed a few towels from the bathroom. Setting them over the puddle of blood just in time for Sebastian to return. He stopped at the landing. "Where'd the man go?"

"He left." She bounced up the steps to grab his hand. "Come on. We gotta go."

He held up the blue shoes for her as she led him down the steps and over to the side table in the foyer. Cassandra took the shoes and the scarf and set them down. Sebastian frowned up at her. "Mama?"

"We don't need them. Don't argue," she said quickly before he could protest. "Put your coat on. Hurry!"

Sebastian groaned, but obeyed. Cassandra hurriedly put on hers and grabbed a hat, tucking her hair up into it. She helped Sebastian finish buttoning up his and grabbed his hand. Grabbing onto the doorknob, she hesitated for a second. An instinct forced her to look back, survey the home that had been given to her. The home she raised her son in. I hope I never see it again.

She opened the door. Not bothering to lock it as they descended the steps. "Where're we going?" Sebastian asked.

"We're gonna go meet Miss Skye. Come on. We don't wanna be late." She pulled him along, glancing around the empty streets. Completely unaware of the eyes watching her from behind.

Audience stands, Internment zone...

"Wow. Even General Calvi's here," Gabi pointed out, scanning the military to the left.

"Along with almost every other important Marleyan officer," Udo added. "The crowd's also full of nobles and ambassadors."

Porco folded his arms over his chest. "Not to mention journalists from every newspaper in the world that's worth the ink."

Pieck leaned forward and playfully shook Zofia's shoulders, causing the girl to giggle. "Kinda feels like we're the center of the world, doesn't it?"

"The Tyburs did this?" Colt looked to Zeke, still amazed with everything. "Can't believe they're this powerful."

"And they're just as Eldian as we are," Porco grumbled.

"You're oddly sullen for someone who just got laid," Pieck noted with a smirk. Earning herself confusion from Colt and the kids, and a death glare from Porco.

Loud, grand music erupted over the blur of audience chatter. Zofia slapped her hands to her ears, overwhelmed by the sudden orchestra. Gabi sat back on the bleacher. "I guess it's starting."

"Falco and Mr Braun haven't come back yet," Udo noted.

A Marleyan soldier approached the stands, snapping his heels to attention. Everyone turned to look at him, most of his face hidden by his helmet. "Commander Magath sent me. He needs his Eldian Warriors. Now."

Apartment basement...

Falco raised his head, listening to the music pouring in from the tiny window. Eren patiently stared at the distraught Reiner. Silent and expectant. Reiner clenched his fists, trying to stop himself from shaking. His heart was pounding with so many emotions. He struggled to find the right words. "...how...did you get here?"

"That's the first thing you want to ask me?"

Reiner felt several beads of sweat roll down the side of his face. "Then...why? What do you plan to do?"

"The exact same thing you did."

Reiner jerked his head up, finally meeting Eren's gaze. Now, he couldn't stop the shaking. The crippling fear. His hands went up into his hair. "...wuh...wuh..."

"Why? Really? You don't get it?" Eren leaned forward. "I don't have a choice. That's why."

"...I-"

"Sounds like the show's begun," Eren pointed out, sitting back. "We should listen."

Backstage...

Lara stood with a few guards and some of the actors as Willy began his speech. He started with the history that the people of Marley knew so well. The beginning of the Great Titan War. But she couldn't focus on her brother. Her mind was preoccupied with the details of the play. Every scene was carefully crafted, methodically thought out...but there was one piece missing. She turned to the guard beside her. "Levy," she said quietly, discreetly. "Where is the princess?"

"Berger and Heinz should be arriving soon with her, my lady."

"Should?" she echoed with a raised brow. "She should've been here twenty minutes ago. Why is this so difficult? Where is she, Levy?"

"I-I will go find out, my lady." He bowed and hurried off.

Lara inhaled sharply, staying calm. Staying within the shadows, she scanned the audience. Everything had been going so smoothly. Exactly as they planned. She twisted her fingers anxiously. Taking a calming breath, she focused her attention on Willy. Everything's fine. There's still a bit of time...

Outside the ghetto...

Cassandra turned right, panicked as she scanned the empty streets. Sebastian was almost running to keep up with her pace. "Mama, slow down!"

She growled in frustration and stopped to pick him up. But Sebastian jumped back. "No!"

"Sebastian," she scolded and tried again. But he jumped back once more. "I'm serious, Sebastian. This isn't funny. We're going to be late."

"You're going too fast," he argued. "I don't like this! I wanna go home!"

"So do I!" Cassandra dropped to her knees and held onto his arms. "I wanna go home, too. My real home. I know you're scared, baby. I know you're tired and you don't understand what's going on, but...I'm begging you to trust me. Please."

Sebastian furred his brows. He was now more scared. Not because of the unknown, but because of the fear in her eyes. His anger softened and stepped forward. He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back the way she would always rub his. "I'm sorry, Mama."

Cassandra welcomed the hug, fighting the tears threatening to bubble to the surface. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I promise you I'll explain everything once we're gone."

She let go of him and got up, holding onto his hands. She wiped away a tear that had escaped her eye. "Think you can keep up?"

Sebastian nodded. Cassandra gave him a smile and turned to continue down the street. She skidded to a halt as she nearly ran into someone. Sebastian yelped alongside his mother in surprise. Skye grabbed Cassandra's shoulder. "Calm down, it's just me."

"You scared the shit out of me," Cassandra growled. She frowned as she noticed something was off. "What's wrong with your face?"

"What?" Skye touched her cheeks.

"Your lipstick is all smudged." Cassandra sniffed then shook her head. "And you smell like aftershave. What the hell have you been doing?"

Skye wiped at her lips as she steered Cassandra towards the alley she had come from. "Getting everyone ready. Let's go. They'll be here any minute."

Sebastian didn't protest as Cassandra picked him up so she could jog alongside Skye. "Who's coming? Mama?"

Apartment basement, Internment zone...

"Honestly, it makes sense," Eren said.

Willy's words were a bit faint, but the three of them could understand everything. The heroic story of Helos having defeated the wicked King Fritz and liberated Marley. Eren almost liked the story. It sounded fairytale-like. "I get why you plunged my home into hell," he told Reiner. "You were on a mission to save the world, right? So you had to."

Reiner lowered his hands, stunned by Eren's words. "Four clueless kids," he continued, "sent off to that island...without knowing a goddamn thing."

Market Street...

The Marleyan soldier pointed to the western road. "My orders are to send you to the gate, Jaeger."

Zeke glanced at Pieck and Porco, just as confused as they were. But he obeyed, turning towards the western gate. "Alright."

"This way, you two," the soldier ordered.

Pieck walked alongside Porco. She watched Zeke walk off, and then she turned her attention back to the Marleyan soldier. Something was bugging her. A familiar instinct crawling around her brain. "I feel like I've seen you before, but I can't quite place you," she said. "Where're you stationed?"

"My unit's out west near Lakua," the soldier answered. "They sent me to help bolster security. I'm not interested in chatting with an Eldian...even if you are a Warrior."

"Well, isn't that a shame." Pieck was amused by the soldier's curt tone. "I'm starting to take a real liking to your beard."

"Pieck!"

The three of them stopped. Across the street, a group of male soldiers were waving excitedly. Pieck gasped. "It's the Panzer Unit." She ran over, jumping onto one of the men. Hugging him as she laughed. "Thank you for all your hard work, guys!"

The men froze, shocked by her actions. One of the men stammered in surprise. "Honestly...we should be thanking you."

The smallest of the men reached out to touch Pieck, but withdrew his hand. "You're in a really good mood today."

Their escort stomped over. "What're you doing?!"

"Just saying hi," Pieck said as she slid off the stunned soldier.

"Let's go. Now."

Pieck only smiled as she followed the escort. Porco walked up close to Pieck. "What was that?"

"What?" She shrugged innocently. "Those soldiers right the Cart Titan into battle. I need their support, so I always try to build a bond with them."

"No offense," he glanced back at the stunned soldiers, "but it seemed like you did more harm than good."

"Nonsense. They adore me." Pieck noticed their escort was leading them back to HQ, but diverted around to the building dedicated to the generals. "So what's her name?"

"Who?"

"The girl who's lipstick was all over your face," she teased.

Porco groaned, wiping his face once more in embarrassment. "I told you...it wasn't lipstick. Would you just drop it?"

"Aw, don't be like that, Pock. Is it someone I know?" she asked, following him into the building.

He frowned, raising his chin slightly. "No, you don't."

Their escort stopped before the door at the end of the hall and held it open for them. "In here. Go."

Porco and Pieck stepped into the room. It was fairly small for a meeting room. Porco glanced around, noticing no one else was there. "So, where's Commander Magath?"

"Porco!" Pieck gasped. But it was too late. The soldier had cut the rope by the door and the floor disappeared. Their screams fading as they fell into the hidden hole. The soldier smirked and leisurely closed the door.

Outside the ghetto...

Skye shoved the roof door open. She pushed against it, holding it open enough for Cassandra and Sebastian to slip through. The night air was chilly and Sebastian burrowed himself against his mother's legs. Cassandra glanced around. It was hard to see anything beyond the bright lights of the internment zone. She could hear the music, hear Willy Tybur's voice carry over the city. Skye tried to close the door, but it was stuck against the floor. She quickly gave up and walked over to the edge, looking towards the port. "Okay. We're right on schedule."

Cassandra rubbed Sebastian's back and arms, warming him up. "You still haven't told me why we're up here. How are we getting home?"

"Thought you liked surprises." Cassandra gave her a look, and Skye relented. "Sorry. It's a special air transport. Big enough to carry a whole battalion."

Cassandra frowned and then widened her eyes in realization. "A blimp? Are you serious?"

Skye shrugged as she took off her coat. She wore form-fitting black clothes and boots with silver braces strategically placed along her limbs. Cassandra recognized the get-up. "Is that...? This is just a rescue mission, right?"

"Ah. Eren didn't tell you everything, did he?" Skye readjusted some of the braces and her belt. "You really think Marley's gonna just let all of us walk out of here? Not with what Eren plans to do."

"Eren told me enough." Cassandra glanced towards the port, her mind running through possible answers to her questions. "Where'd you guys get a blimp? I thought...I don't know what I thought. A ship makes more sense as far as realistic options for escape."

"We built it. Well, I didn't, but our people did," she said, tightening her belt. "Just relax. We're going to get the two of you outta here. I promise."

"Out where?" said a male voice.

Skye and Cassandra whirled around to the door. Officer Schmidt stood in the doorway, his eyebrows furred in confusion. He eyed Skye from head to toe, then looked over Cassandra and Sebastian. "What's going on?"

Apartment basement, Internment Zone...

"In recent years, a rebellion has occurred within Paradis..." Willy's voice filled the room. Falco widened his eyes as Eren untied his left pant leg. His severed limb began to steam, toes poking out from the wound. "This man is a rebel against peace," Willy continued, "and his name is...Eren Jaeger!"

Falco held onto the wall, his legs shaking as realization hit him. "You tricked me. After what you said...I respect you, but you were just...using me."

"Yeah, I was," Eren admitted, flexing his still healing leg. "Sorry. I did it cause I needed your help."

"Huh?" Falco clenched his fists, sweat rolling down his forehead. "The letters you had me sent from outside the Internment Zone! Who where they to?"

"I can't say the letters made it to my family, but," Eren wiggled his toes, "they reached my comrades."

Falco slid down the wall to the floor. "I...I didn't know..."

Reiner blinked through his despair. "Wait, you wrote your comrades?"

Outside the ghetto...

Cassandra moved Sebastian behind her. Skye remained in place, her eyes fixed firmly on the rifle. Officer Schmidt looked back and forth between them. "Answer me. What's going on? Who're you?"

"I'm her housekeeper," Skye retorted. "Who're you?"

"What're you three doing up here? Miss Reiss, you're supposed to be in the Internment Zone right now, preparing to get on stage," he reminded, pointing to the bright lights behind him.

Skye stepped forward so that she was in-between him and Cassandra. "Look, we were told to come here. It was a last minute order. Miss Reiss asked me to tag along as you know it's dangerous for young women and children to walk around alone at night."

"Quiet," he ordered, and looked to Cassandra. "Miss Reiss...your schedule has always been clear and controlled. The only reason I wasn't with you tonight was because Lord Tybur requested that his guards escort you to the stage. Where is your guard?"

"I don't know," she said as calmly as she could. "Like Skye said...I was told to come here. I have no idea what's going on."

"Don't lie." His glare deepened as he regarded them suspiciously. "All of you...come with me now. Miss Reiss has somewhere to be and you-" he pointed to Skye "-I'm bringing you in for questioning."

"Alright," she agreed. "Honestly, I'm just confused as you are. We'll go quietly. Lead the way."

She glanced back at Cassandra encouragingly, ushering her forward. Cassandra kept her face calm and composed as she kept Sebastian behind her. She picked up Skye's discarded coat and walked over to give it to her. Skye took it, tucking her hand inside of it as she turned to Schmidt and smiled. "Okay. Let's go."

But he didn't move. He narrowed his eyes at her. "What's under that coat?"

"Nothing."

"Officer, please," Cassandra said. "It's cold and I need to get my son inside where it's warm-"

"What's under the coat?" he repeated.

Skye was unfazed by his glare. "It's nothing. Honestly." Keeping the coat on her arm, she held up both hands. "See?"

Schmidt said nothing, only nodded towards the door. Skye snuck a glance back at Cassandra and tucked her hands back under coat as she walked over to the door. Cassandra slowly followed while Sebastian held onto her leg for dear life. As Skye approached, she opened her mouth to say something but Schmidt slammed his fist into her face. Cassandra screamed. "Skye!"

Apartment basement, Internment Zone...

"You know...he's exactly right," Eren said, rolling his pant leg down. "I'm the bad guy Willy says I am. If nobody stops me...there's a chance I'll destroy your whole world."

Reiner flinched at his words. Eren sighed and glanced at Falco who also flinched. "But to my eyes, you looked like the bad guys, too. That day...when you breached the wall, when titans destroyed my home, when I watched as my mom was eaten...I couldn't understand it."

He leaned forward, catching Reiner's terrified gaze. "Why, Reiner? Tell me why my mom was eaten by a titan."

"It's...it's because," he struggled to keep his voice from shaking, "we broke the wall that was protecting her."

"Why did you break the wall?"

"So we could use the chaos to sneak in," he confessed. "To find out if the King would react."

"But what was your mission?"

"To save the world...by taking the founder."

Eren sat back, resting his palms on his thighs. "That's that. If all that was to save the world, then...you didn't have much choice."

Reiner squeezed his hands together, recalling the memory of the day in the forest of giant trees. After revealing himself to the Scouts and capturing Eren. "I remember what you said," he told Eren. "You promised we'd pay for what we did, and you promised pain. So...are you here to make me pay?"

Eren blinked. "Did I say that?" Then the memory came to him. "Oh...well, let's forget about that."

Reiner gasped in disbelief. "Huh?"

"At first, I considered every person on this side of the sea an enemy, but...once I finally crossed it," Eren lowered his gaze as he thought over the past couple months, "I slept under my enemy's roof, ate the food they offered me. Reiner, I'm the same as you."

Reiner blinked, taken aback by his words. "Some of these people are awful," Eren continued, "but some are good. Same where I'm from. Inside the walls, we're all just people. Even Cassandra knew that."

The mention of her name caused Reiner to shudder. Memories of her came flooding back to him. But Eren held his focus. "She and I spoke at length of life here. It's tragic. You were taught the people in the walls weren't like you. That we were demons. You were just kids who got brainwashed. Hatred was part of your training. As young as you were...how could you've fought that?"

Eren eyed Reiner up and down and then furred his brows in sympathy. "You couldn't have. And...it looks like you've already paid."

"No!" Reiner fell out of his chair, dropping onto his hands and knees before Eren as the despair and guilt overwhelmed him. "You're wrong, Eren! That day...when the titan got Marcel, Annie and Bertholdt wanted to end the mission right there. They tried, but...I convinced them to keep going. Not just to save my own skin, but...but because I wanted to become a hero! I wanted to be respected!"

He raised his head, tears pouring down his face as he gazed up at his former friend. "It's my fault! All of it! The truth is...your mother was eaten by a titan because of me! The people in the walls suffered because of me! Cassandra's prisoner here because of me!"

Eren widened his eyes as he watched him cry. He recalled his conversations with Cassandra, what she had told him of her reunions with the man she once loved. "I can't take this anymore. I can't," Reiner wept. "Please...just kill me."

Backstage...

Lara listened to her brother intently, feeling her heart race with the tempo of the music. Willy's words were moving, emotional, powerful. Levy, the Tybur guard, snuck through the crowd of actors to get to Lara. "My lady," he whispered into her ear, "the princess is missing."

"What?" She whipped her head to look at him. "What do you mean she's missing?"

"We can't find her. And Gadot is dead."

"What?" she stressed. Lara glanced back at her brother who was deep in telling the audience of the threat Eren Jaeger posed to the world. She touched her forehead as she thought. "Dammit. Refer to the military. Have them help search for her. We have to find her now."

"Yes, my lady."

Outside the ghetto...

Sebastian huddled against the ladder of the water tank. Crying as he covered his ears, unable to take his eyes off the scene before him. Schmidt threw Skye onto the floor and kicked her stomach and then her face. Splattering blood everywhere. Cassandra grabbed Schmidt's arm and shoved him away. She tried to go to Skye's side, but Schmidt latched onto her wrist. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?"

"Let go of me! I said let go!" She yanked her wrist free, surprising him. "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with you?" he spat back. He latched onto her arm. "Grab your son and let's go. I have to deal with this traitor here."

Cassandra deepened her frown and yanked herself free once more. She shoved Schmidt away from the door. He stumbled past Skye, nearing the edge. He stared at Cassandra in shock, slowly shaking his head. "I will forgive you this one time, Miss Reiss...out of my admiration of you. But you know your place."

"Yeah. I do," she said, dropping every shred of her polite facade. She glanced at Skye who was trying to push herself up. "For four years...I did everything I was told to. I followed your rules. I was obedient. I was compliant. Like a good prisoner, I handed everything to you people. My freedom, my body, my life..."

She clenched her fists. "No more."

Apartment basement, Internment Zone...

Eren sighed and stood up. "I was right. I am the same as you."

Reiner raised his head, a few more tears falling down his face. Eren held out his cut hand, blood still dripping from the wound. Reiner took his hand, accepting the aid to stand. He hadn't realized they were nearly the same height. Eren held onto Reiner's hand. "I think maybe we were born this way."

Outside the ghetto...

"No more?" Schmidt mocked. He snorted, shaking his head as he stalked towards Cassandra. "I shouldn't known you were nothing more than a filthy devil."

"And this devil has had enough of your creepy shit!" She dodged his attempt to grab her neck, and shoved him back. Her unusual strength sending him further towards the edge. "I'm going home. I'm taking my son with me and we are never coming back!"

Schmidt snarled and slipped his rifle off his shoulder. Skye called out Cassandra's name in warning, reaching for the Marleyan. Cassandra surged forward. She grabbed the barrel of the rifle, shoving it upwards as she turned on her heel and kicked Schmidt. He clawed at the air, searching for something to grab as he plummeted off the edge of the roof. His screams mixing in with Sebastian's horrified cries.

Apartment basement, Internment Zone...

"I just keep moving forward," Eren said, electricity sparking between his and Reiner's hand. "Till I've killed by enemies."

Reiner gasped and turned towards Falco just as the entire room exploded. Lightning burst from beneath the building as the Attack Titan roared, smashing his way through the brick and stone. He turned his murderous gaze to the stage below him, his furious eyes finding the blond-haired man staring back up at him. He slammed his hand down, roaring once more as he tossed Willy Tybur's mangled body into the air for all the world to see.

End of Chapter 37