Something was in the air. The trip so early into the training seemed suspicious enough for Annie, yet her other companions didn't see anything weird in such a thing. Going into a forest, capturing a certain point and going back to the camp seemed like a standard training for orientation in the field, yet for an unknown reason, the girl was wondering if everything was really going as usual.

It hadn't been that long, ever since she almost got caught by that rogue from the interior. She was never in any danger, but she couldn't be sure if he saw her face or not. Things were getting really weird within the walls. First, the official king was proclaimed to be a fraud, and a new queen had been appointed in his place. Then, the military police got much more vigilant and soon, there was no way for her and her two companions to gather any intel about the royal court.

In fact, the old rogue was her only lead, ever since she started her investigation. No one else seemed to be giving them any opportunity and that man was as far as they could currently get in taking the founder. As Annie walked through the silent woods, she reminisced the conversation she had with Bertholdt and Reiner not that long ago.

"It's no use" the blond warrior exclaimed in frustration "we've been searching for the coordinate for so long and now another king appears? Maybe we should just bring down the remaining walls after all…"

"You're missing the point" Annie spoke up "there is a possibility that queen Frieda is the real king. If that's the case, destroying any more walls may prove to be a problem…"

The two boys glanced up at her.

"What do you mean?" Bertholdt asked with wide eyes.

Annie looked at them with a thoughtful expression.

"If she really is the true king, she might be sending a message…"

"A message?" Reiner exclaimed with surprise.

"Think about it" the girl elaborated "we come in, announcing our intentions openly. The queen feels threatened because she has no idea of who the culprits are…."

"But the king of the walls is not supposed to intervene!" The blond warrior spoke up, a little too loudly for Annie's taste.

"Don't yell" she responded "and apparently, the king of the walls is recently way more active than usual. She steps into the light giving us a clear goal in mind. As if to prevent us from breaking the walls…"

"But…" Bertholdt interjected "shouldn't we just destroy them, then? If she doesn't want us to do it, then we shouldn't play into her hands."

"Maybe you're right" Annie admitted "however, something made the queen change tactics. We shouldn't assume that she won't intervene, now that she's making her moves."

This seemed to convince the other warriors. Those two years definitely left an imprint on her and her colleagues, and they wanted nothing else than to just leave this forsaken island.

"Is there any hope for this mission at all?" Bertholdt asked in resignation.

"I'm sure that if it comes to fight, we will be able to subdue the founding titan" Reiner expressed with whatever confidence he could muster up at this moment.

If anything, they should focus on getting into the military police. The original plan was still their best chance and now, they had an idea of who the real king might be.

Being placed with the other two seemed strange for Annie. It was the headquarters that had paired the recruits up, however they were the only ones who were in a team of three. An odd number of the trainees could be the obvious answer, but the blonde girl still didn't like the idea that someone could've set this all up.

"Come on, Annie!" Reiner yelled at her once he noticed that she had spaced out "we need to reach the checkpoint before the sun sets!"

Something wasn't right. They only had dummy equipment, since they weren't supposed to use it and her team's checkpoint was placed the furthest into the forest. It seemed reasonable, given that they were the best recruits, but Annie almost felt like they were being led by the nose.

Finally, after a long trek, the warrior trio reached their checkpoint. On a small clearing, stood a short pole, from which a flag was hanging. Upon closer inspection, Annie saw that their names had been written over its fabric.

"Seems about right" Reiner spoke, before snatching the flag from the pole "let's get back before it gets too dark.

However, once the trio turned around, they were greeted by an unexpected sight.

For the first time in two years, fear had crept into Annie's mind.

Before them, stood a young woman with long dark hair, wearing a white attire.

"Hello there" she spoke, noticing their shocked expressions "usually I would ask the three of you for a talk, but I presume that it's no longer an option…"

This was the queen of the walls, Frieda Reiss. Her portrait had been printed in every newspaper, the day that her ascension to throne was announced.

"I give you a chance to surrender" the queen exclaimed "I wouldn't like to wreck the entire forest after all…"

"She's bluffing…" Reiner whispered to his colleagues, with the same fearful expression that he had the day Marcel was killed.

"I assure you I am not" the dark-haired woman spoke again, startling the trio "either you surrender now, or I make you."

Considering that she was outnumbered by them, Annie thought that this fight could eventually be won by them. However, it was already a trap. They didn't know for sure if the queen didn't have some ace up her sleeve. Yet, having the colossal titan on the team was always a great advantage, and this was a big opportunity for them to take the founder.

However, none of that would matter in the end, if the queen decided to use her greatest weapon.

Maybe they should surrender?

"Annie, cover Bertholdt" Reiner said as he reached for his knife.

It seemed as if the decision has already been made for her.

"Now, you will witness the strength of the warriors of Marley!" He yelled, before slashing his hand with the blade.

Upon that, the queen of the walls brought her hand up to her mouth and sunk her teeth deep into her own flesh.

Two flashes of light erupted from the clearing.