3rd POV
.
.
"I knew you weren't the brightest candle in our group but that's a whole new level of stupidity right there. I'm warning you again Oluo, that's straight-up insubordination. You'll get us in trouble!" Gunther hisses from his spot on the wall, getting nods of agreement from the three.
"Tch ! Don't tell me you don't want to know what they're talking about? Even since this wench appeared, things started getting weird!" He scoffs, trying to listen to whatever they're talking about inside. "Aren't we the Special operation squad? The best of the best? Why is freckles nerd in there and not us?"
"Don't call her that" his blond comrade frowns in displeasure. "Stop whining like a baby and get your butt away from the door before someone else catches you disobeying orders!"
"What? Got a crush on her already? Don't think I didn't catch you staring at her like a lovesick puppy" Oluo taunts the blond who just rolls his eyes in response.
"Aren't you going to intervene...?" Sweet Moblit turns to the only female of the group who decided that it was none of her business.
She shrugs, looking up at the male with a blank look. "he's just upset over the fact that she wasn't intimidated by him" Petra informs Moblit.
"Tch! That's not even true! I'm just being cautious, nothing else!" He grits his teeth as he looks at all of them. "What if she's brainwashing them right now huh?! She's suspicious as hell!" His face scrunched up in suspicion. "Captain Levi can't even stand her presence near him, that must mean something!"
"Captain Levi can't stand anyone intruding his personal space, Oluo." Eld deadpans.
He sputters, "y-yeah, well, he doesn't trust her, then neither do I!" He states with a smirk, completely forgetting to be quiet.
Gunther pinches the bridge of his nose. "You really going to keep acting like him till the end, huh? I'm starting to understand the bootleg Levi nickname." He was met with a few chuckles and a squawk of offense.
"Wha- don't act like you know what it means!"
Gunther shrugs with a smirk "must have something to do with your tendency to copy him if his name's in it."
Before Oluo could cry in outrage, the door suddenly opens, hitting him square in the face which causes him to bite his tongue in the process and fall on the floor while the culprit, Hanji, rushes past him in distress...? Surprising them as she disappeared in a turn, straight toward the exit
"Squad leader Hanji?!" Moblit cried out in utter shock, sending a baffled look to the others who mirrored him, completely dismissing the agonizing Oluo on the floor before running after her in concern.
"What the hell...?" Eld mutters in confusion until his attention returned to the door in surprise "Commander...?"
This got the two's attention as well as Oluo since they all glanced toward said commander who looked like someone told him his puppy got run over by a cart. They all threw him confused looks as he walked out to the exit, closely followed by an Ilse in the same state who briefly makes eye contact with them before looking away, walking quickly outside as well, probably to Hanji's location.
"what's got into them...? This is the first time I see Commander Erwin like this..." Petra says in concern, causing Eld and Gunther to nod in agreement.
"I sholch you...! Itch musht be thish whishhss wok! We cansht truush her-Ow!" (I told you! It must be this witch's work! We can't trust her!) Oluo winces as he nurses his injury with another tissue, getting a brief look of annoyance from Eld.
"Again with this?" the blond scowls, "Maybe if you stop antagonizing her she'd be nicer to you, you oaf."
"wha dich chiu call meh?!-" (what did you call me?!)
"Colith..! What happened?" Petra's question causes the three males to look to the office entrance where said woman stepped out with what seemed like a snoring teen on her back. The blond's eyes unconsciously softened.
"Hey guys, sorry for the wait!" she gave them a reassuring smile as she approached, she looked...giddy. "don't worry, we found the culprit but it's going to take a while to identify them." she informs, successfully stopping the flood of question coming her way until she looks down at Oluo with a raised brow. "what are you doing on the floor?"
The man stiffens then scrambles to his feet with a distrustful glare, "t-tach nohn of yourr bushinech...!" (that's none of your business!) he winces in pain.
She sighs, knowing he was the one eavesdropping earlier and got hit when Hanji rushed out before creating a tissue that'll gradually heal him out of her pocket then gives it to him, the gesture baffling him and the others. "that one's bloody, take this instead it'll help. And avoid talking too much or you'll hurt yourself even more" even if he was an asshole most of the time, she didn't feel like being one at the moment, she was too happy.
Oluo grunts, reluctantly accepting it as he put it in his mouth, causing his eyes to briefly widen when the pain lessened a bit. He was so puzzled that he barely missed Gunther's snort.
"What happened to the, 'I don't trust her'? you were sprouting earlier?"
"sh-shussh itch!!" (sh-shut it!)
"What's with the kid though?" Eld points out, eying the sleeping teen she was piggybacking with a raised brow.
Colith hums but before she could answer, Levi's voice startled them, causing them to all look at him in surprise. He too seemed off, like the three who walked out earlier.
"Let's get back. We don't have time for idle chat, hurry up." The man looked at them blankly, before walking away which pushed a bewildered Levi squad to follow him with more questions in their heads.
This couldn't be the result of just finding the culprit right? They were all acting like Colith after she did this thing with the titan...did she discover something...big to cause distress to their superiors? Why weren't they included? Are they not the special operation squad? Elite soldiers? This...didn't sit right with them...
[Earlier in the office]
"Titans were humans" Colith revealed before mentally slapping herself. Alright, she could've done better than that but Levi's attitude was beginning to irritate her.
...
"What." Levi blinks slowly, processing the information while Ilse and Hanji gawks at the woman in pure shock, the scientist ending up falling on her butt. Erwin's eyes had widened in disbelief. He had not...anticipated this response.
Colith bit her lower lip, looking down at the sleeping teen while they processed the news. After hearing Sawney's tale, her guilt for ending titans without even trying to help them rose anew. Colith, like every attack on titan fans, knew they were humans, plus she has powers for fucks sake! Turning them back should've come easily right?! But no, she didn't even try, preferring to have fun playing soldier for 3 years instead of actively finding a solution to this problem...
Her hand gently caresses Eren's cheek.
He looks so innocent...so young right now...what would he say if he knew she had the power to end all this but choose to deliberately do nothing? Will he hate her? Will he, Mikasa, and Armin despise her?
She blinks away the tears that appeared from nowhere.
'Damn, this got sad real quick'
"wait wait wait!" Ilse says suddenly, getting their attention which successfully stopped Colith from moping even more, "Y-you mean to say...that we've been killing...humans for hundreds of years...?" the freckled brunette's statement caused a sick feeling to twist their stomachs. "is...that what you're saying...?"
They clearly didn't know what to do with this revelation. Learning that the threat called titans, terrorizing them for centuries were once humans left them truly speechless.
Colith grimaced, "Pretty much yeah."
"it...it all makes sense actually." Hanji utters with wide eyes, breathless by the situation, "If you and Eren, as well as the Colossal and Armored titans, are shifters, why wouldn't titans initially be humans...? Their close resemblance to us, despite the lack of genitals, hinted to that possibility...but how?"
Colith's lips press in a thin line, should she continue? This one revelation was like a slap to their faces, so telling them about the whole Ymir thingy right now would be too much. She thinks. Huh. Fuck, is she going to spoil what's inside the basement? Should she? No...not until Historia takes over... it's not time yet. Argh! She just wants to blurt everything out!...well she kinda...did this morning over the whole 'there maybe humans beyond the walls' with Ilse- should she bring it up? Poor Ilse's probably too shaken to talk about it.
'...I want them to find this one by themselves.'
"well...Ethel said that she doesn't know how she got turned into one. It's been too long, 62 years or something..." and that was true, the woman had trouble recollecting the moment she got turned into a titan but still had memories of her life before.
"Ethel?" Erwin voices in question, managing to compose himself, "and who might that be?"
She cringes, throwing an apologizing look toward Hanji who stares at her in expectation, "That's...Sawney's real name."
Ilse mutters a "Just like Mavea..!" that unfortunately went unnoticed under Hanji's loud gasp.
"WHAT?! SHE HAS A NAME?!" Usually, she would've been ecstatic over news about titans but this...this was insane!
"Yes Hanji, she has a name."
"I...understand now why you thought it necessary to remove Eren from the discussion. It might influence his current motives, thus making him lose sight of it." Erwin utters, glancing at the two with an unreadable look. "Though I must admit that this hypothesis had never crossed my mind." he frowns, "I see why you wish for this to stay between us..."
"Yeah," she chuckles, "I already feel guilty for dropping this on you guys like that but actually, I think...it's better you learn it now than never. Plus it's part of the reasons why I won't kill any of them in the future unless truly necessary..."
Her eyes shift to Levi as he stares at his hands with what looked like a horrified expression on his face, probably thinking of the countless titans he eliminated in cold blood. It was to be expected.
"Captain it's not your fault, you didn't know." Her eyes softens, feeling that she had to say it, "...right now, killing them is the current solution to end their suffering, something I wish to correct actually..." she mumbles.
" 'Suffering'? What, you're going to say that they can't fucking control themselves now?" He hisses, clenching his fists tightlyp. This is bullshit.
"precisely." she nods, "Ethel said she had no control over her actions and could just...watch." she grits her teeth then continue, "it's like an ingrained instincts she can't fight, despite trying."
"But why?" Ilse interrupts, "Why do they eat us? They don't need food to survive, heck they ignore animals, so why us humans?" Ilse raises a valid point.
"I think It has something to do with the shifting ability." The puzzled looks she received pushed her to elaborate, "like you said, titans don't need sustenance to survive as shown by their disinterest over animals whereas their first actions when they see people is-" she pretends to bite into something, " to eat them."
"Tch, we already know that, what we want to know is why us in precisely? " Levi frowns.
Colith shrugs. "It's just a guess, but I think they see every persons as a potential shifter, a way to become human again...I don't see any other explanation..." she mumbles, holding her chin before cringing after noticing the way their faces morphed to horror. Even Hanji who should've been jumping in excitement was too stunned to act in character, "don't feel bad for doing your job, you couldn't know!"
Easier said than done...If what she says is true... They've been killing people all this time? This thought horrified Ilse who brought a hand on her face in distress until she felt Colith touch her shoulder, squeezing it gently. She looks up at the woman who gives her an apologetic smile before resuming with a sigh.
"Though I won't prevent you guys from killing-"
"Now hold on a sec," Levi voices in something akin to disbelief as he approaches her, "after the shit you just said, you want us to keep slaughtering them? how do you even know all that?"
"Captain let me finish please. I'm not here to order you around. To me, they've never been a threat, heck they leave me alone for some reason." she shook her head, about to continue but the freckled brunette interrupted
"So...that's why you don't see yourself as human...titans only eat humans!" Ilse gasps before realizing she said that out loud by the way everyone looked at her with wide eyes.
"Can you repeat that?" The corporal and the two others' eyes slowly shift to the gold-eyed woman who looked like she wanted to bang her head on the wall as she whisper yelled at a nervous Ilse.
"ILSE BESTIE HOW COULD YOU?!"
"I-I'M SORRY!!"
" 'Not human..?' " Erwin parrots, pointedly looking at both women, "Did we miss something?"
"N-Nope- I mean, yeah, maybe? Fu- I'll explain later okay? Please just wait after I speak with my kids first." She implores.
Levi's eyes narrow, "why can't you just fucking say it now?"
"Captain-"
"No no, you seem to know too much in my opinion, so why not fucking say it? What did she mean 'Not human' ?" His hand moves to the side of his head as the weird sting intensifies. Eren's brows furrow in discomfort as well, "the weird shit you did at the trial, causing people to collapse-don't tell me you guys didn't feel it 'cause I did!" his gaze hardens on her, "what. the. hell. ar-"
"Quiet." a growl escapes her, causing them all to jolt in alarm, Levi and Eren both hissing in pain as she reflexively released a small wave of [Killing Intent, until Her eyes widened once she realized what she did and glanced between the two males in guilt and concern, 'what the fuck..'
As quick as it came, the pain disappeared which puzzled the corporal. 'What the- that sting again...?' He blinks before staring at her in pure surprise as well as the others in the room. He was so surprised that he had dismissed what she said to him.
"...the hell? Levi you okay?" Hanji asks, looking at her shorter comrade with furrowed brows while Ilse looked back and forth between the two in unease, feeling somewhat guilty for causing this.
Colith gulps, having not meant to react that way.
"...s-sorry, I didn't mean...to uh...disrespect you like that, but please understand, this isn't something I wish to discuss right now." She dips her head in apology as Levi kept staring at her with a unreadable look, "Now can we continue where we left?"
She looks at the commander who had been quietly observing the scene. "Proceed," he nods.
Colith's eyebrows rose a bit, surprised by his lack of reaction after what just transpired.
'Huh...That's Erwin I guess...but why do I feel like this is going to bite me in the ass later?' she squints at him for a split second but his face remained blank, 'Oh boi. I'm in danger.' she coughs and wisely chooses to resume her explanations.
She informs them that they can't of course do anything to turn titans back unless going for the shifting thingy which wasn't an option- Colith growled at that, no one touches Eren!-, then revealed her...wonky plan to start experimenting which left them skeptical, though they had no other alternatives to...free them. Yes, this is messed up.
"Do you really think there's a way to...turn them back?" Ilse asked hesitantly after a pause.
"I won't know if I don't try." she smiled, that response made a feeling of pride swell in Hanji's chest, tickling her scientist soul despite the earlier shock and the likelihood that it would fail, but hey, they had two shifters with one of them willing to experiment so she was happy.
This discussion was...surreal to be honest. Finding ways to FREE titans...sure they didn't know what it'll mean for those who died and how it'll be received when they announce it once she finds a way, but if it meant ending all the senseless killing because yes, it is, once you learn that the monsters you've been taught to fear and despise were actually people, a weird sense of guilt, horror and weariness take hold of you, so yes, they were...going to roll with it, though they'd have a long time getting accustomed to that new idea.
Who would've thought they'd ever feel...bad for titans? Hanji maybe but surely not Levi. He had a burning hatred for them which was truthfully justified ever since his first expedition 6 years ago...
'Furlan...Isabel...' they just...The male held his fist tightly as he recalled how he lost his...first family. Kenny-that asshole didn't count! God knows where the bastard's lurking at, probably slaughtering people for looking at him funny but who cares? Not him anyway- Erwin's question stopped Levi from further mentally cursing his previous caretaker.
(Somewhere in one of Mitras' shady pubs, a tall man sneezed, scaring all the patrons around him before grumbling in aggravation for no reasons. He had a feeling that someone just insulted him.)
"Hmm, Do you have an approximate number of titans currently roaming out there?"
Colith tilts her head, looking upward with a hum while softly patting the sleeping teen's hair. "now that's a tough question...a lot? I dunno, I did not count at the time but if I had to estimate I'd say... there's probably over ten thousand I think, though i-"
"you've gotta be kidding me," Levi utters in disbelief.
"TEN THOUSAND?!" Hanji and Ilse's shrieks make Eren slightly flinch before both apologized after receiving a disaproving look from Colith.
The woman helpfully informed them that she had crossed paths with more than 6000 titans, though that raised a particular question. Why hadn't she simply killed them at the time? Erwin's question visibly caught her by surprise by the way she started sweating before, thankfully, reminding them that she had no problem living outside, which was heavily supported by Ilse. That out of nowhere support got pointed out by Levi, which led both women to confess that Colith had been the one saving Ilse back then, putting an end to the mystery behind her survival. Before any of them could ask her why she hid it, Colith told them it was her fault, since she made Ilse swear to not tell a soul, which she respected, successfully avoiding any punishment for the girl.
"Also, Hanji," said woman perked up at her name, "Ethel says she appreciates you took time to converse with her even if she couldn't respond," her gaze softens on the scientist while the woman's eyes gradually widen.
"E-Excuse me?"
Colith's smile falters a bit when Hanji's expression shifted from pleasant surprise to horror before she startled them with a, "HOLY SINA ROSE AND MARIA!" and shot up from her spot on the floor.
"What's wrong?" Ilse's clueless voice asks as the scientist pushes Levi out of the way- who was too surprised to react accordingly- and places herself in front of Colith with both hands grasping the blinking woman's shoulders.
"buh?-"
"D-DOES THAT MEAN SHE FELT EVERYTHING?!"
"What."
"The experiments!" Hanji shakes her back and forth, making the youngest shifter whine in displeasure because of the movement. "She felt everything?!"
Colith blinks, "I don't-"
"I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE BEEN TORTURING A PERSON ALL THIS TIME!!" She screech, grabbing her head dramatically, "THIS IS SO MESSED UP!"
Before they could react, she rushes to the door, opening it violently, hitting whatever was behind it, but Hanji was too distressed to care about it as she literally ran out, leaving a stunned audience staring at the spot she had been occupying previously.
Erwin sighs. "I...guess that concludes today's exchange, there are things I must immediately attend to." he turns to Colith who stares back at him in anticipation, "I must thank you for your help...this discovery would've never been possible without your assistance, although I believe you still owe us an explanation over those strange abilities you seem...to possess." she cringes a little before relaxing at his next words, "but I am willing to wait until you're done with your business." he was referring to her future talk with her beans which...oh boi, she dreaded, "After that, I except more answers, is that clear?"
"Of course, thank you for your understanding, I will inform you once I'm done." Colith salutes, pleasantly surprising him before the blond directs a small smile at her as he nods, causing the woman to flush. How isn't he married yet?!
Erwin rose a curious eyebrow at this reaction. It was the second time he witnessed this from her.
'...?'
He decided to leave it, turning his focus on the teen on her lap instead.
"I am convinced we all will get through this one day and finally discover what exactly lies beyond our walls." he had a strong feeling that the Jaegers' basement had the answers to all their questions. Now they knew what titans were, what he lacks now is why and where they originate from. 'I hope this isn't all for naught...'
His eyes then shift to Ilse who stiffens under the cerulean stare, "As for you Langnar, I believe it is best if you go make sure Hanji doesn't cause a scene...or try to placate it a least." he finishes with a sweat drop, looking at the ruckus going outside through the window.
Ilse salutes hastily, "Y-yes Commander!"
The blond nods, briefly eying them all before walking out. He had a speech to prepare, and a culprit that might as well be part of the ceremony. He should stay careful without arousing suspicions.
Ilse does the same after giving an awkward salute to her remaining superior whose attention was on a bunch of distressed soldiers trying to prevent a hysterical Hanji from jumping on the puzzled titan outside and waved at Colith as she departed, while said woman stood up with a sleeping teen on her back.
She was still amazed that he slept through all the noise but hey, kid was a heavy sleeper. As she too went toward the exit where she could hear Levi squad bickering, her eyes fell on Levi, stopping her in her tracks with a frown. She still couldn't understand why he and Eren reacted the most at her slip up, having prealably forgotten to exclude Eren since he was...kinda asleep, plus with his shifter heritage, it was a given he'd still react to [KI] since she was the... *grumbles* [Mother of All] . But...why Levi? why did he react as well? He wasn't a shi-
Her eyes widens at her stupidity.
"Ah."
Crap he was an Ackerman.
Fuck. That might actually explain it...
"...Captain?"
Levi whirled to look at her fidgeting form with a blank expression. This causes her to cough in her fist before adjusting the Jaeger who was mumbling incoherent words on her back.
"I..." she exhales, looking away before stilling herself and taking a few careful steps toward him as to not alarm him then stops at two feet from the raven-haired male. Levi had to crane his neck to keep eye contact and that was beginning to irritate him, though he didn't show it, "I want...to apologize for my outburst earlier, and I was thinking if...we could talk once I'm done with my beans, is that alright with you?"
There was a silence as the man looked at her, perceiving the shame in her eyes as she shifted with unease under his stare. His eyebrows crease slightly as she chewed her lip before he nods in silence, agreeing to it. Colith almost dropped Eren in shock.
"eh?"
"Tch," The man sighs at her disbelief then replies with a scowl, "Yeah whatever."
Colith's eyes brighten as she beams, pleasantly surprised, "o-okay! Hum, here!" she extends her hand for a shake, "We must get off to a good start! So yeah" she chuckles.
He stared at the extended appendage, her unusual skin tone puzzling many, before begrudgingly taking it after an eye roll, not noticing the inhumane struggle Colith was under to not release a loud squeal. Though he noticed how the touch and his surrounding...felt oddly warm and welcoming.
'What the hell...?'
He blinks into focus as she shook it then released his grasp- the warmth quickly vanishes- before doing a quick nod and walking out with a smile, missing the way Levi's eyes remained on the two shifters' back, mostly the subject of his unrest. He looks down at his palm in wonder.
'...?'
Unknown to both, Colith had unintentionally swaddled him in her aura in a fit of joy the moment they shook hands, resulting in Levi feeling warm and uncharacteristically disoriented for an instant.
Eren was confused. He had no idea how he fell asleep, though he felt...refreshed after Colith shook him awake so they could start their journey back to the old HQ. He heard from some dismayed soldiers, as he climbed his horse that Hanji had been trying to hug the titan...? What the- Who in their right mind would try and 'hug' these monsters? Hanji apparently.
Huh, that was that...
Also, why was Colith so cheerful?
As they moved away from Trost, they remained unaware that the rumor on the dark-skinned woman's ability to somehow communicate with titans made its way around many soldiers to the Survey Corps commander's dismay. This includes our three warriors who quickly discussed their next moves...
Though as the day continued, it finally reached the walls most important individuals' ears...
" 'Tobe' you say...?" a round brown-haired man questions in a haughty tone, messily biting into some fine pastries only found at one of Mitras' most prestigious bakery, "The outsider." he sneers in distaste, having heard of the infamous trial. The man had not seen fit to attend himself, convinced that the two shifters would've been brought to the king and killed shortly after.
"Yes, Lord Aurille," a tall MP officer with black hair and prominent dark circles under his eyes dutifully answers, "Reports states that she has shown a mysterious ability, enabling her to communicate with titans and survived an accidental beheading attempt which resulted in the blades shattering on her neck." he bows in respect at the five men occupying the lavish conference room before being dismissed by his superior.
"This is nonsense!" a middle-aged man garbed in the robes of the order of the walls scoffs in disdain, "Can't we just execute her and the other and be done with this? These accursed monsters will only disrupt our peace the longer we allow them to prevail."
"Unfortunately Roderich, that would cause an uproar among the simpleton, which would then lead to a civil war that'll make matter worse than they already are." a man with side-swept dirty blond hair and a clean appearance showing his aristocrat position known as Deltoff, adds in slight disinterest before sipping his tea.
"Who cares if those mongrels slaughter each other? Let them kill themselves, it'll make fewer mouths to feed, right?" Aurille laughs, uncaring of the people's well-being as he gobbles another pastry. He then directs his attention to the only one with a red bolo tie, an indication of his high military rank. "We still have no news on the underground's..mysterious benefactor's identity. Those soldiers of yours are becoming incompetent, Gerald!"
The blond man frowns in displeasure, "Hmpf, each time 'they' take action, they vanish without leaving any tracks to follow. Even this...Ackerman didn't find anything on them, even though he's from there. No known families have pronounced themselves over the underground situation as they prefer not to meddle with the dirt after the whole Lovof fiasco, so that leaves us with nothing..."
"Hm, I don't see the problem with it. If a good samaritan wishes to lay a helping hand and waste his time and recourse on those malodorous disgraceful beings, so be it." Deltoff chortles.
"You do not understand, they could turn to be an important partner! Who knows how wealthy they are to accomplish these actions..." Aurille muses in greed.
"Your love for money still amazes me, friend, though I must admit you're right. These benevolent actions did earn them the title of 'God' from the underground over the past two years, though, I believe we should return to the topic at hand." this got the four men to focus their attention on the remaining man sitting at the table who had remained silent till now, "our king should have a say in this, concerning the report precisely. What do you think is best to do? What are your orders, your majesty?"
Silence engulfed the room as they all waited for the true king to speak.
"Patience, there will be an opportunity to capture them so that the course of events can resume. The power that was stolen from the royal family...one of them must have it."
"Do you think she might be the holder? What of the other one then?" Roderich inquires.
Rod frowns as he remembers the man who slaughtered his entire family safe for himself, "No, the Jaeger must have it, I am certain of it."
"In that case, wouldn't it be wise to capture him now, and gain control of the founding? Don't you have...a daugh-"
"Roderich." a warning was all it took to silence the religious man, realizing he had almost crossed the line.
"My apologies, your majesty."
The chubby man accepted the wallist apology and resumed. "No need, as for the founding, his immediate capture will make things much more difficult than we need if we go for it now."
"Then...What should we do now?"
"Observe, and see how their expedition turns out, then take the necessary measures to catch them and disband the Survey Corps. They've become... a hindrance to our peace. I'm counting on you to find a way to discredit them, in which case everything our previous kings worked for would be for naught."
The four councilmen nodded in understanding. They'd have to find a way to get this done shortly...
[Meanwhile in the old HQ dungeon that night.]
"FUCK. THEY'LL BE HERE TOMORROW-"
Colith was freaking out.
"Huh?"
And Eren was once more,
confused.