Chapter 15: Revelations Part 1.
Hange Zoe wasn't a person to stay quiet when she faced a mystery. Nor to stay still; her comrades could never say they'd seen her calm when she had something in her mind. She never showed anything less than an intense, even reckless enthusiasm. It was as if she just couldn't sit and be silent.
Until today. She wasn't sitting, true, but her silence was in all sense more deafening than her loud usual self. No one expected her not to shout in glee when finding a colossal-type titan. But no one could have hoped to find said titan inside the walls; its face now covered with thick blankets to shield it from the sun as instructed by the priest, Nick.
Said man now stood opposite to her, after controlling the people tasked with making sure the creature remained in the dark. He'd followed their work silently but concentrated, ready to say something if he saw the slightlest mistake. But they had made none.
_The walls are full of titans, aren't they? -she asked without looking at him. He didn't deny it. He didn't say a word.
_All these years, looking for answers. -she kept going- Answers we knew you might know, yet we sought nonetheless. No matter the cost. The losses.
She turned to face him. Her eyes had no trace of the devious, playful spark she always held. They were harsh. As cold and unforgiving as the blades in her gear.
_And despite your mockery, we kept going forward. Despite your speeches and boicots, we never gave up on finding the truth behind those walls, truth you've denied us, all of us, for so long. And now we have a bigger question to answer, thanks to that girl. Is there something you want to tell me?
Nick didn't answer immediately. He looked down, fingers of a hand tracing the ring with three small gems symbols of the three goddesses. He looked at the woman with a stern face.
_There's nothing i can say. My vows go beyond your small questions and worries. My oath is to the godesses, to something greater than my puny, feeble self. They... the divinities brought peace and light to y life when i lost my family because of my weakness. They gave me solace and hope. And i swore to keep their secrets until the day my soul has to stand before them.
Zoe gave a step towards him, but stopped when she saw a figure approach. Nikolai walked up to the priest, finished helping the scouts cover the giant, and without a word he grabbed him by the collar, dragging him towards the wall's end. The soldier held him there, his hand the only thing between the older man and a bloody landing. Nick held him by the wrist, but there was no doubt he had no chance to avoid death.
_I need answers. Now. -the other looked at him, pale and sweating, but defiant.
_I won't budge. Your threats won't bend me!
The white haired man's mouth twisted into a snarl, teeth showing like a wolf about to bite.
_I'm not playing, priest. A girl i thought i knew turned my damn world upside down in a fucking day. She came here and did what she did for a reason and i know you can tell me why.
Nick breathed fast, eyes like a cornered animal.
_My vows...
_You and your fucking vows can go fuck themselves! That girl got as far as the damn fucking capital and you didn't fucking notice it! She hid under your noses while you prayed to your non existent gods like the stupid ball of cowards you are!
_You brat have no idea what you're talking about! I don't care what you do to me, but you won't mock the three god...!
With a furious growl, Nikolai lifted him in the air with one hand. Nick's feet kicked around as the soldier held him there, ready to drop him.
_What have they done so far huh? Shield you? Oh, great work. Too bad they can't stand a foot in the cunt! Now answer me, priest: what was she after? Why is it so important? Answer me! Why did she do it? Why did another child commit genocide?
_Nikolai! Put him down, now! -Zoe's voice held a clear warning. He eyed her briefly before turning his eyes to Nick.
_Bad choice of words, Hange.
She frowned, then her eyes widened in shock. He didn't mean...
_Nikolai?
He let out a low hiss. Her voice had no trace of anger or severity, but something completely different. It was... pity. And he hated it. Every single bit.
_Don't do it. We can't. You can't. There's nothing you can win from it.
_Really? -he said in a low, deep voice. His grin unnerved Nick- Have you ever killed for sport Zoe? For... fun?
_No, but...
_I have. -he said calmly- I ended lives because i saw no waste if they didn't breathe anymore. Quite the opposite. Make room for someone better, get it?
The priest's chest rose quickly as his breath became ragged. His hands suddenly let go, held by Nikolai alone.
_You think you can scare me? You think the threat of dying will break my will? I have commited to a cause greater that you can imagine...
Nikolai closed his eyes for a second. This is greater than you think, sounded in his head fast as lightning, this is a new beginning, greater than anything we could hope!
_... and i'm ready to die for it! Let me fall! I AM NOT AFRAID!
A crushing silence followed his words. Suddenly, Hange saw Nikolai tilting his head, as if considering the proposal.
_Nikolai, don't you dare think...
_I'm not just thinking. I'm calculating.
_What?
_How much flesh i must cut. -he said almost in a whisper- How many bones i have to break. How many joints i should bend in ways they never should. How much blood he can loose without fainting. How many teeth i can rip off his mouth without making him unable to speak clearly. How much pain i can inflict without having him die on me.
No one dared to speak. Nobody knew what to do... how to deal with a comrade who spoke of torture without shaking, without doubt in his voice. Suddenly he threw the man to a side, where he stayed eyeing him fearfully. Nikolai spoke while looking to the houses below.
_No on is unbreakable, priest. Uncorruptible perhaps, but not unbreakable. Next time we meet, you'll give me the answers i want. Wether you speak...
He turned to face him. Nick knew it had to be his imagination, but he swore he'd seen a red spark in his eyes.
_... or you scream -he continued with a voice like frozen steel- it's the least of my concerns.
With that he left. He had to meet the rest as they left for HQ. There was a lot to do before the authorities began with their inevitable meddling, and he needed Smith on his side. They wanted answers? Fine. He could give them some. But like all valuable things, it would have a price.
Nikolai jumped down the wall, the sound of his gear filling the air. Up there, Hange looked him move without really seeing. Now it was over, her mind brought something to her she hadn't realized first.
_Another child? -she muttered.
Midnight, HQ
_We can't find him sir.
The scout bowed her head in apology. Erwin didn't say a word and made a small gesture at the woman, who left swiftly. He turned to face Levi, Hange and Mike.
_Nikolai's been gone for hours since we came back. No one saw him leave or knows what he had in mind. I need to speak to him; his display at the capital is...
The door opened suddenly and he took a look at the woman who'd just left. She looked pleased this time.
_Commander! He's back.
_Tell him to come here. Immediately.
_He's on his way sir. The scout who just told me said he wanted to speak with you urgently.
Smith gave an approving nod. The woman left again, and a few seconds later the young man entered. Smith couldn't help a surprised frown, while Levi outright hissed. His forearms and kness were covered in dirt, while he held a rectangular, slightly big object with one hand.
_We need to talk.
_Precisely. I summoned you to...
_Oh shut up Smith. Whatever crap you have in mind can wait.
Smith slammed both hands on his desk. He stood up and looked menacingly at the rookie.
_I won't allow any more disobedience, cadet Nikolai. You are a few more misplaced words from being expelled from the Legion. Now answer me why are you in this state and what is that you bring there.
_I'm like this because i've been obviously digging. I hid this when i came here just as i hid it near the training camp. Think of it as an... apology. And a trade.
_A trade for what?
_Wait till you've seen. Then any price i name will sound cheap.
Without waiting an answer, he placed the dirty object on Smith's desk. It was a few fingers tall and about a meter wide, had a gleaming silver color, and was covered in a strange translucid material no one could identify. Nikolai pulled a zipper from a side and it opened. Levi blinked at the zipper.
_The hell is that?
Smirking, Nikolai pulled the object out and carelessly threw the bag on the floor. He looked at Smith right in the eye beofre speaking a word in an unknown language.
The thing emitted a low buzzing sound and a line of blue light appeared on top of it. The device was actually divided in two, and the upper half rose at the startled people, showing a plain blank screen with letters and symbols; while the lower had developed row after row of semi square blocks made by orange light, each one with a character or number on it.. Nikolai walked and stood at the Commander's side, touching a few of the cells. They lit and a sequence of letters and numbers formed in the screen. Suddenly the thing spoke with a soft, artificial voice; it sounded vaguely female. The soldier answered in the same unknown language before going back to their own.
_Cadet Nikolai, member of the Survey Corps, recently graduated from the military academy. I'm in a castle. Horse, hunter, sky, giant triangle.
The screen went blank once more before rearranging in a few seconds. Hange's eyes bulged when the words became readable.
_Nikolai... what is this?
He chuckled and then smiled fiercely; it sent a shiver down her spine.
_You always said you wanted answers. Are you ready to find out how small your world truly is? -he said with a slightly menacing look.
_Why are you showing us this now Nikolai? -said Smith, not taking his eyes from the screen.
_Because i need your help. Annie didn't work alone. And i want to find the others.
_What for?
_I'll tell you once we're done with this. I'll talk, and this will show you what you need to see.
_And why would we trust you? -the Commander asked, narrowing his eyes. Niko met his eyes, all trace of playfulness gone.
_Because unlike you, i know what this is about. It's about war...
With a finger, he touched a symbol on the screen. To their amazement, images did not only appear before them, they also moved.
_... and that is something i'm more than familiar with.
Timeskip
Nikolai, along with Mike and Nanaba, waited on the outpost's roof; the three were fully armed. Every veteran was, their gear ready as they waited for Erwin's arrival from the center district. Inside were the rookies, each and everyone without their equipment or uniform. The tension could be felt in the air, and every minute seemed to last an eternity. The white haired man felt something crawl all over him, an uneaseness like the kind he experienced in Stohess when he face Leonhardt on that street. He knew he had to take a chance, but had promised Smith he'd wait until his return. If only...
_Mike? -He asked when the man turned suddenly, looking south.
Zacharius didn't answer, busy smelling the air. His eyes widened in shock when he finally caught the scent.
_Titans! -Both Niko and the woman froze in surprise- A big group is moving towards us from the south! Nanaba, tell the recruits to go for the horses, they must get out of here and warn the villages.
Nikolai felt his heart stop for a second. If titans were inside, then it meant the wall had been broken. How? If the Armored and the Colossal were inside...
And if they are not? whispered a voice in his mind. He bared his teeth in fury and forced his brain to shut up. He turned to see Nanaba jump down to give orders to the gathered cadets and he readied his gear.
_Nikolai. -Mike said gravely- If the titans breached the wall, we might not have enough resources to repair it. This could well be our last stand. Will you use... that?
The younger looked down, absently brushing his left forearm where a slight rectangular shape could be discerned if looked closely. He lifted his gaze to meet the taller's, full of decision.
_Not yet. Something feels wrong about this. Let's move and warn the civilians.
Zacharius gave him a short stern look before nodding. He turned to leave as Niko entered through a window and went inside to retrieve his prized possession.
Soon they were riding fast and away from the outpost, heading to the nearby villages before the creatures had a chance to arrive. A sudden shout got their attention as Gelger pointed at the titans, who began running madly towards them. Mike was about to move to engage them when he felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning around, he watched in surprise as Nikolai handed him the bag in which they had stored his device.
_Nikolai, what are you doing? -he asked in confusion- I can't carry this if i'm going to...!
Before the blonde could finish, the younger placed it on his mount, Mike's hand holding it tightly. Nikolai leaned forward and whispered.
_Stay with the rookies. These apes are mine.
Mike turned to look at the titans, then back to him; he nodded solemnly without any doubt in his eyes and Niko split from the group to face the titans. Nanaba gaped as he moved towards them.
_Mike, what are you doing? He can't face them alone! Why did you let him go? And what is that thing?
Mike didn't look at the woman, instead glancing brefly at the package.
_You won't follow him Nanaba. That's an order. Believe it or not, i'm more worried about us in this moment. Do not forget he's already proven his prowess. Let him be. We have our own task to carry.
The woman and her fellow comrades shared worried looks before watching the soldier rushing towards the creatures. Nikolai hooked to one's side, using it as a turning point to attack another before landing swiftly on the roof. He was good, and Nanaba wished silently his skill was enough to allow him to survive; then she turned her eyes away and proceeded to follow Zacharius.
Timeskip
Nikolai looked at the steaming bodies scattered around. Only two titans remained: a short, big eyed one and...
His eyes spared a brief glance at the fur covered titan standing away, not taking part in the fight. The soldier instead focused on the thing trying to climb clumsily on the building's side; Niko shot his hooks right in its eyes before jumping down, falling on its face with enough strength to make it fall on its back. He walked calmly as it tried to get up and drove both swords on its nape. The titan trembled once, twice, and then moved no more. With an exhasperated sigh Nikolai returned to the roof, where he faced towards the ape-like titan.
_Stop playing you stupid ass! -he shouted- Come here, i know you're watching me!
The titan turned its head to look at him in an almost curious way. Then it moved towards him, its long arms swaying with each step. It stopped right in front of him; the soldier didn't move. The the titan spoke, with a voice that sounded like somthing beyond the grave.
_So... hello, i guess. -the Beast studied him carefully, noting his lack of fear or surprise- Does it not baffle you that i speak? -Nikolai shrugged.
_I'm kind of used to weird shit. You speaking isn't that much of a surprise.
_Ohohoho! -the titan laughed- A brave, strong soldier! I must admit i admire your qualities. -a hand scratched its nape and it hummed pensively- And also, i was enraptured by your performance. Your gear is unique, and i can see you know my weak spot. I want it for further study. If you give it to me, i promise to let you live.
_Sounds nice. Too bad i don't give a shit about it. You die here and now, buddy.
The giant chuckled.
_And why are you so certain of that?
Niko readied his blades, grinning savagely.
_Allow me to show you.
End of Chapter.