Disclaimer: I don't own Attack on Titan, Devil May Cry, or any of its characters…
"This may be the last time I'm gonna be able to talk to you, kid… the power that I've left inside you is becoming weaker and weaker, so just assume that I'm already gone until I somehow manage to talk to you again." Dante said, as he looked at his nephew before him. "I've taught you all I can, and now it's up to you on how you'll use what you learned from me. Got that?"
Eren nodded and looked down at his right arm. It was the first day of military training tomorrow, and Dante decided to bring him inside his mind for a little 'talk' as he put it. Now that he was aware that this might be the last time they meet, it was best to tell him everything he wanted to say. Truth be told, there was a little fact about his uncle that he learned which greatly confused him and this was the perfect time to ask it.
"I just have one question, Dante." He said, looking up at the red-clad devil hunter.
"Then speak up." Dante sat back on the imaginary couch he was on and let Nero talk.
"Why is it that you never wanted to kill a human?" Eren asked, which caused Dante's eyes to widen slightly. "You said that you believe humans are worse than demons, and yet… you never raised your sword against another human being. It's just that… I think the same… but I believe that humans should be put down if they are really monsters in hiding!"
Dante remained silent for a few seconds before finally sighing. "You're right. I do believe that humans are worse than devils, although not all the time." He began to explain with Eren listening closely. "There are some humans who are good, just as there are demons who are also good. But the reason why I never killed a human in my life, is because I believed it would make me worse than a human or a demon. I'm supposed to complain since I was the son of a demon, but I didn't care. I didn't want to be considered that way."
Eren nodded slowly, as he understood Dante's reason. He thought so much about killing 'monsters in human skin' that he forgot what it would make him. A hero? Not really. A savior? Perhaps, but not to everyone. "So that means… I shouldn't kill a human too?" Almost immediately, he understood Dante's reason to the point that he also didn't want to be considered as something worse than a human or demon. The thought of it apparently made him sick.
"Now where did you get that?" Dante raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I didn't say it was a rule or anything, so you don't need to do the same thing I did. Remember what I said? Everything that happens from now on… it's you who'll decide how to take it."
"But you said—" Eren tried to argue, but Dante was quick to cut him off.
"Everything I said… was all because of my own perspective. You don't have to copy my way of living, because I'll be honest…" Dante pointed to himself boastfully. "Ain't nobody like me except me, Nero. Don't copy my style, you should make your own."
The scowl on Eren's face was enough proof that he wasn't getting Dante's point at all.
Eventually, Dante sighed and beckoned his nephew to come closer. "Come here, kid." Although thinking that the devil hunter was going to mess with him again, he still walked up to Dante. Upon reaching him, however, he was surprised when his uncle placed both of his hands on his shoulders. "I'm serious in what I told you, Nero. You have to make your own decisions, especially in the future when the demons finally show up. Don't treat everything I did like a Gospel, because my life sure as hell ain't the perfect one like you make it out to be. You know that, right?"
Remembering what Dante went through in his lifetime, especially Vergil, he nodded. "I do."
Dante flashed him a grin. "Then I'm trusting you in this, kid. You're making your own choices in what you're going to do from now on. I may have never killed a human in my life, but if you think it's the right thing, then do it. Don't hesitate. Humans can be worse than demons but in your case for now, the titans, and if they're not put down before it's too late, regret will eat you alive in the end."
"Yeah…" Eren found himself nodding, realizing the truth in Dante's words. He was also surprised that his uncle can be this wise if need be. He was always carefree and lighthearted that it could be said there wasn't an ounce of seriousness in him. However, there were times when he would indeed become serious and act more mature than his usual self.
"Make your own decisions kid… if you think it's the right thing to do… then go for it."
"I understand now…"
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP
"I'll kill you all~" Eren whispered with a dreamy smile on his face.
Armin, who was beside him had tears in his eyes as he called out to his friend. "Eren…?"
Although it took a few moments, Eren began to come back to his senses as his eyes widened. He was awake. Strange, the last thing he remembered was that he fell asleep at the HQ but now he wasn't anywhere near the building. "Wha…?!" he suddenly exclaimed out of confusion, before looking up to see where he was.
Mikasa was standing in front of him, while they were all surrounded by various Garrison soldiers from a distance. The raven-haired looked back for a moment to see Eren awake and he noticed that her eyes were filled with worry and fear.
"You're awake!" she exclaimed, nearing tears.
"...?" The white-haired teen continued to look at everything around him in confusion, just as Armin placed his hands on his shoulders, before shaking him back and forth.
"Eren! Can you move? Can you hear me?" Eren finally turned his gaze towards his blonde friend as he noticed the desperation in Armin's eyes. "You said you'll explain, right? Tell us everything! I know they'll understand!"
"Armin…?" he breathed out. His head still wasn't in the right place, therefore he couldn't think straight. Eren felt like something was missing… but what was it?
"Hey… did you hear that?"
"He said 'I'll kill you all…'"
"Yeah… I heard it too. He was talking about us!"
"He wanted to kill us…"
"Wait…" Eren frowned in confusion. "What are they saying? Why… Why are we surrounded? Why is everyone pointing their swords at us? Aren't those supposed to be for killing titans?" He noticed how all of the soldiers around them had their blades at the ready. "And…" He saw how most of the soldiers looked at him in fear, some with anger, while a few had disgust in their eyes. "...why are they looking at me like that?!"
It took him a few more seconds, but it finally hit him. His eyes widened, before he slowly looked down at his right arm. It wasn't normal, nor was it covered in bandages like it always was. In fact, it was glowing.
His Devil Bringer was on display for everyone to see.
"Damn it…!" He cursed, slamming his palm into his face out of frustration. Great, his secret was out and now everyone can see it. He had every intention of explaining everything, but this wasn't how he wanted it to go down. But he couldn't exactly blame the military for acting like this.
"Trainee Yeager!" A bearded man with sunken eyes and brown hair as well as a thick mustache, spoke up in a loud booming voice. He was known as KITZ WOERMANN, the Captain of the Garrison's 1st Division Elite Forces. "It seems you have regained consciousness! Your present behavior constitutes treason against the human race! Your lives depend on how you answer my questions! If you attempt to deceive me or make any move… I will not hesitate…" A cannon from atop the wall was already aimed towards Eren, Mikasa and Armin. "...to blow you apart."
Eren saw the cannon even though it was far from them, before turning to the man who spoke. "Can't be helped. Let's get this over with…" he muttered under his breath, while also rolling his eyes at his own self, annoyed that he let this happen.
Kitz narrowed his eyes. "I'll ask you plainly. What are you?" All of the soldiers surrounding the three cadets tightly gripped their swords. "A man? Or a titan?"
Silence filled the air for a few moments afterwards, before the bomb was dropped. "I'm not a human!" Eren declared with a loud voice so that everyone could hear him, before standing up. Kitz and most of the soldiers were already widening their eyes out of fear. The man was ready to give the order to fire only for the white-haired teen spoke again.
"But I'm not a titan or a monster either!" It took a moment, but then looks of confusion replaced the fear in their eyes, as everyone including Armin and Mikasa, turned their full attention towards Eren. Even Kitz had a look of confusion on his face just as he was about to raise his hand to give the order.
"I'm your ally." Eren finished with a serious tone, raising his arms as a sign that he wasn't going to fight or anything, wanting to prove his words.
The look on Kitz's face became one of pure anger, yet fear could be seen in his eyes. "DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL, YOU MONSTER?! PLAY DUMB AGAIN, AND I'LL BLOW YOU TO SMITHEREENS IN AN INSTANT! YOU WON'T HAVE TIME TO REACT!" He began to recount the events that have passed about an hour earlier. "Everyone saw it…! The moment you lifted up that titan with your arm!"
"They must have heard me screaming… and he thinks I'm a titan?" Eren thought, as memories of what happened while he was in his Devil Trigger started to fill his mind.
"Right now, Wall Rose is being breached by titans of an unknown type, like you! Even if you are a part of a trainee squad honored by the King, even if you wretches are royally-recognized trainee soldiers, it's appropriate to eliminate before you can become dangerous! I know I'm right! The Armored Titan that destroyed Wall Maria could appear, even now! Humanity is on the brink of extinction! We cannot allow ourselves to fail as we did five years ago!"
Eren retained his serious look, as if he was unphased with every line thrown at him.
"Do you understand?! We can't afford to spend any more time or troops on you bastards!" Kitz pointed to the three cadets. "I'll blow you to pieces without batting an eye!"
"They are clearly defiant." said a woman with a small but secure build. She had shaggy, cheek length, platinum blonde hair, and silver-colored eyes with a small framed pair of glasses over them. She was RICO BRZENSKA, one of the members of the Garrison's 1st Division Elite Forces. "And I doubt we'll get any information from them, sir. So as you say…" she looked up at her superior. "They're a waste of our soldiers and time."
"It'll be easy if we act now!"
"Blow him up while he's in human form!"
More of the Garrison's soldiers appeared to be in favor of blowing away the cadets, only for them to look on in confusion when the raven-haired girl to step forward and gripped her sword tightly, although she was shaking.
"I'm… not as good as Eren…" she said in a nervous tone, before looking up at everyone around them with a look of determination. "But I will do whatever it takes to protect my friends! Even if it costs me my life!" she declared, as Armin and Eren looked at her in shock. Mikasa had never been like this before, and this was very likely the first time she had stood up to anyone.
While most of the Garrison members were taken aback with the girl's declaration, Ian stepped up and walked towards Kitz. "Captain… that's Mikasa Ackerman. The blonde boy behind her is Armin Arlert." He explained with a serious look on his face. "She may be behind Trainee Yeager in the ranking, but her skills are as valuable as a whole squad. Arlert may be physically weak, but his brain is a weapon to be utilized against our enemies. If anything happens to them… it'd be a huge loss to the human race."
Needless to say, Kitz was speechless after that.
"Mikasa, what are you doing…? You can't possibly be serious in fighting all of them?!" Eren said with his eyes filled with worry.
"Mikasa… what good would fighting our own people do? Where would we be able to run within these walls?" Armin asked her, standing up as well.
"I… I don't care who I have to fight…" Mikasa answered, looking down on the ground to hide her tears from the two. "I won't let you two die… You're… both… important to me…"
"Then let's talk to them!" Armin pleaded with tears flowing from his eyes. "When people are faced with a situation they don't understand, it's easy for fear to take hold…"
"I'll ask you one more time!" Kitz's voice boomed around the whole area, as the trio of cadets turned towards him. "What are you?!"
Silence befell around the whole place again, and Eren didn't answer for a few moments. Everyone was waiting anxiously for an answer from the white-haired teen. However, much to their shock and fear, he did took steps forward until he was in front of Mikasa, where he stopped and raised his arms as if he was shielding his two friends. Everyone raised their swords just in case, as Eren finally spoke.
"I'M…YOUR…ALLY!" He shouted back, startling most of the soldiers there before pointing to Kitz with his demonic arm that was enough to send chills down the man's spine. "And if you can't understand that, old man… then you're better off leaving this to people who actually use their brains at a time such as this!"
…
…
…
"I see…" Kitz said in a low tone, hanging his head a bit before he slowly began to raise his arm. "Don't take this personally, brat… I have no other choice… no man can prove… that he's not a devil…"
Mikasa quickly grabbed Eren's arm, earning his attention as well. "Eren! Grab Armin and let's escape over the wall!" she said with her eyes full of worry. Her voice was also desperate, as she didn't want them to die here.
"Don't worry about me." he told her simply. He looked calm in spite of what was happening. His tone was sincere and his voice was serious but Mikasa shook her head as tears freely rolled down her cheeks. She grabbed his arm with both hands and looked up at him.
"Please…" Mikasa didn't want to lose Eren again, not when it was shown that he was actually alive. She can't bear the thought of losing him again… not again…
While Mikasa tried her best to plead with Eren, Armin looked up behind them and gulped. "Oh no… look…" he breathed out in fear.
Eren and Mikasa seemed to hear him as they looked up too. "Above us, too… that means escaping over the wall is an impossible option…" Eren thought, narrowing his eyes as he felt Mikasa clinging on to his arm tighter. However, his eyes widened considerably when he noticed something that was hanging from his neck. Pulling it out, it was the key that Grisha left for him that night and Eren stared at it for a few moments, all while looking dumbfounded as a quick memory of that night went through his mind.
"Eren, never let go of this key and remember that you need to make it back to our house's basement. Inside there are the answers to everything."
The white-haired teen remained wide-eyed and held the key tightly in his grasp, before hiding it inside his shirt again away from everyone's view. He then turned his attention towards the shaking Armin.
"P-Please listen! I'll tell you everything I know about the titans!" Armin tried pleading with the captain who led them all, but he had already raised his arm in preparation, causing the blonde boy to lose all hope only for him to nearly fall over from behind and when he turned around, he saw Eren pulling him close with his right arm with Mikasa grabbing on to his left one.
"Bring it on." Eren sent a glare towards Kitz's direction, clenching his demonic arm from behind.
With a single movement from the captain's arm, the troops from atop the wall fired the cannon.
Eren maintained a calm look and closed his eyes as the cannonball went straight towards them. Armin and Mikasa had closed their eyes as well, thinking that this was the end for them.
However, just when it reached about halfway, Eren snapped his eyes open and reached out with his demonic arm, with his hand open as it met with the cannonball.
*BOOM!*
The resulting explosion created a smokescreen afterwards, and the Garrison soldiers had shielded their eyes because of it. It took about half a minute for the smoke to begin dissipating into the air, but by this moment, gasps and screams of fear had already filled the area at what they saw.
When it finally came to view, Kitz was left wide-eyed and breathing heavily at what was before him. Even the stoic-looking Rico and the all-serious Ian who were beside him had widened their eyes in shock.
Even Armin and Mikasa, even though they were the ones who just got saved from a cannonball and the ones who have witnessed this already, couldn't help but be shocked at what was above them.
The giant spectral form of Eren's demonic arm reaching out to block the cannonball.
That ends this chapter! Well now, Eren's secret is out in the worst way possible and he hates himself for it hahahahahaha. Will he be able to explain everything properly? Or will that annoying Kitz continue to act like a coward and fire another cannonball to get rid of the trio? Tune in next chapter!
We're halfway through the Trost arc, guys! I think I'm going to just reveal the members of Eren's harem now, because I think it's too obvious by now and I should just let it out. XD
-Mikasa
-Historia
-Annie
-Sasha
-Petra
-Pieck
Well there you have it! I'm trying to give each of them development as characters as well as for their romance routes with Eren. For now, Mikasa is the one receiving the most development but I have BIG plans for Historia and Annie, especially for upcoming arcs. For Sasha, Petra, and Pieck, they'll come around and I'll make it work. Pieck will most likely be the hardest of them imo, hahahaha.
-Lance
