"Your Majesty, Holder of the Founding Titan, Hildegard Fritz
Through this letter we inform with great sorrow that the mission designed to us, your humble servants Hodritz Bjorn, holder of the Beast Titan, and Gunnar Jung, holder of the Jaw Titan, has failed.
The man who acted as our guide misled your servants towards an unknown place within the sea of sand from the southern regions and threatened our lives. His attempt was unsuccessful. With no knowledge of the surrounding area, we decided to head north until we crossed the borders of Eldia.
At the moment this letter was being written, your servants were resting on the lands under the Tybur clan's control. We will soon return to the capital and anxiously await your next orders.
Your humble vassals, Hodritz Bjorn and Gunnar Jung."
So it was written on the letter. Despite expecting failure, Hildegard nonetheless felt disappointment. Ingvild's actions certainly aggravated Maldatia's opinion of Eldia. Tauremania was left undisturbed for now but what about Paradis? There was no news of Sören, Arnulf, and Ulrika. Did this mean they were succeeding or failing? "Being queen is an immense responsibility." — She thought to herself. "Even with the ministers dealing with most issues for me. I can't help but feel impotent."
She read the next letter. Sent by Eckhart, it was far longer than it had to be. Most of its content consisted of praise and compliments. He only got to the point on the last few sentences. He mentioned Ingvild's successor and younger sister, Gesine Haugen, and that her permission and presence was needed to pass on the Female Titan. There was one more letter, sent by Sigrid Tybur. She requested an emergency meeting.
— Another meeting? This… is spiralling out of control. I have no choice but to accept her demands.
…
— The troops departed earlier, lady Tybur. A detachment was left to escort you on your way once preparations are complete. — Reported a man on heavy armour.
Sigrid turned to face the man kneeling before her. Personal guardians patiently awaited from far away. She was about to make another "masterpiece", as she called it. The field in which they stood had numberless white rocks scattered along the ground, some partially buried in the ground, indicating that they had been there for a long time.
— Come again when everything is ready. You're dismissed. — She said with a disdainful gesture.
She inhaled deeply, held her breath for a few seconds, and exhaled. "Being outside and breathing pure air enhances the creative process." — She thought. A figure came into her mind.
— That's it! — Sigrid exclaimed.
With a quick cut on the palm of the hand, an explosion and lighting surged around her. Sigrid rose in titan form, her skin covered by a white layer and her eyes filled with inspiration behind a visor-like structure. With a dramatic movement of both arms, a marble-white statue formed before everyone's eyes. The guardians stood up and clapped in admiration. A seven-headed reptilian monster, about half the size of the Warhammer Titan, was depicted in intricate detail.
— This is the Hydra, a creature from Marleyan myth! Yet no fantastic beast or deity matches a titans' glory! — The titan exclaimed with a deep voice wholly unlike its holder's.
She materialised a war axe on her hand. With savage strikes, the enormous Hydra sculpture was reduced to rubble. Sigrid once more felt satisfied with another of her works. "Truly beautiful art is fleeting."
She laid the titan's body on the ground in order to ease her human form's descent. The guardians quickly approached to help Sigrid down. On her face were grooves around her eyes and down the cheeks, which were red with excitement. A wide smile embellished her face despite feeling slightly tired due to the Warhammer Titan's lack of stamina.
— The level of detail was amazing, my lady!
— How could Marleyans think of such creature? The non-Eldians sure are strange...
As the guardians praised the work of art, a messenger approached quickly. He bowed deeply and, with his gaze locked downwards, he reported:
— Lord Eckhart Fritz is here, my lady.
— Good. Tell him to wait inside for a moment and prepare some tea. I'll be there shortly.
The slave bowed again and shuffled away. "Sooner than I expected." Sigrid took her time to bathe and change into a purple toga with intricate details in a Theban-inspired style. Eckhart sipped his tea quietly while waiting for her. At her approach, he stood up and kissed her hand in respect.
— Going to battle, my friend? — She sarcastically asked. — Feel at ease and hand the armour to a slave.
Eckhart looked down at the light armour he was wearing.
— I won't be long. Now, let us discuss a certain subject.
A slave served tea for Sigrid. She took a sip and smiled lightly, waiting for Eckhart to speak.
— The queen invited me to her palace. That can only mean one thing: she's beginning to trust me. I even sent a reply to her letter in advance.
— Or she's bored. Perhaps even lonely. — She replied.
— Yes, p-perhaps. But erm... This is my chance to rack up more points, isn't it? I will surely be able to approach her even more.
— I'm sure your father will be pleased. — She took another sip. — But I am not.
Sigrid's cold glare intimidated him deeply.
— Why not? Am I not doing everything you and my father asked me to?
— You're falling for her.
He went silent for some seconds. Sigrid continued:
— Don't think I haven't noticed. Ever since the celebration after Hildegard came to Eldia... You've been looking at her like a teenager.
— I-I do my b-best to... — He stuttered.
— Tell me, Eckhart. — She leaned in and asked calmly. — What must happen for a titan to be passed on?
— The next bearer...
— Must devour the previous one, isn't it? — She interrupted him. — Then don't fall in love with her. You will certainly hurt yourself if this goes on.
He remained in silence again. Sigrid finished her tea and got up, walking slowly behind Eckhart's chair. She ruffled his hair then began massaging his shoulders.
— You'll be able to have any woman you want. Marleyan, Nalatonian, Sartestian, you name it. Hildegard is but a step towards a greater end. I sort of understand your side. You've known her since childhood and are betrothed to each other after all.
He took Sigrid's hands off his shoulders and rose from the chair, walking away in silence as she observed him with a smile on her face.
...
A man in Marleyan armour discussed fervently with Paradisians and other Marleyans about their future decisions. The situation was so dire that even peripheral tribes joined the confederacy after catching wind of the titan attack. Cliodhna was among them, yet she stood silent. An old man with an extremely long beard and facial tattoos suddenly began to tremble and shouted:
— I hear them! They speak to me!
All the other Paradisians shut their mouths at once. The Marleyans simply observed in confusion.
— What is the meaning of this? — One of the Marleyans, a man with a scarred face, asked.
— He will relay a message from our ancestors! Now be quiet!
As in a trance, the old man recited:
"The crumbling earth beneath the titans' roar
Spreading agony from shore to shore
Ymir's might, like storming waves
Rises to make the island's grave."
The Marleyans seemed irritated at the untimely prophecy. They wanted to fight. They had to fight. Standing still and waiting to be devoured would not help anyone, much less their families waiting at home.
— I don't have time for this, you savages!
— Bunch of barbarians...
— The strategy will be better discussed with less superstitious people, my fellows. — Said one among them, an abnormally tall and pale man. — Leave the savages to their fate.
It was the final nail in the coffin. The Confederacy hung by a thread before this, the Marleyans always looking down on Paradisians. Cliodhna felt inclined to leave with them, but her allegiance lied with Paradis, not with the foreigners from across the sea. The old man, a druid famous for his accurate visions, entered a sleep-like state, and was being cared for by his fellow Paradisians. "Someone has to lead them or else this island will be doomed." — Cliodhna thought. She then rose her voice:
— Brothers and sisters, we must survive at any cost! The Marleyans prevent us from...
— Hello, people of Paradis. Is it a bad time? — Said a male voice coming from the doorway in Marleyan.
It was a tall, dark-haired man with a slash in his raised hand, dripping blood. Accompanying him were a girl with a sharp gaze and a young man, nervous and reluctant. The man continued to speak.
— I am Arnulf and I came here seeking your help. — He calmly stated. — We can establish an alliance of sorts. I don't necessarily have to kill you all
Two unarmed men and a girl, barely a teenager, threatening chieftains, druids, and experienced warriors? Cliodhna felt there was something wrong.
— What's that wound in your hand?
— This? — He showed his palm to the others. — It's how we transform. I came here prepared in case you don't agree to my terms.
She remembered the Marleyan reports of shifters drawing blood before transforming and their ability to regenerate from practically any non-lethal damage. What if the other two were also titans? This could also be a bluff. She didn't want to risk another titan attack and took the initiative.
— What are the terms? As you can see, the leaders of the other tribes are incapable and easily confused.
— It's simple. Help us drive the Marleyans away from the island.
It was exactly what she wanted. Cliodhna didn't think twice and replied:
— The Fomhóire will help you, Eldian. As for the other tribes, who will join us?
No one uttered a word for half a minute or so. "Is it the shock from seeing a supposed Eldian?" — She thought.
— Leave this place at once, devil! — A muscular woman finally exclaimed. — Druid Cynwrig's vision was clear, you Eldians will be the ruin of Paradis!
The others joined her and threw insults at the three strangers, branding their weapons threateningly. Cliodhna gestured for the Eldians to follow her outside.
— I will take you to my tribe. We shall discuss this proposal over a hot meal.