Chapter 18: Betrayal

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Previously: Eren learns his transformation limit and remembers a family. Historia shares something strange Ymir said. Squad Levi flees the cabin. Hange has theories regarding Titan powers and the Reiss family she tells Erwin and Pixis.


"What're you thinking about?" Pieck's voice came from behind.

Zeke turned his head away from the window and faced her. Reiner and Bertolt stood behind her. "Ah, good, you're here. I was just going over the plan of attack for Shinganshina in my head." It wasn't entirely false. While he had been thinking about the upcoming battle, it was more along the lines of how best to ensure he and Eren made it out, the rest of the Warriors' safety being secondary. "Come in. Sit." He pulled one of the chairs and sat. On the table was Reiner's handmade map of Shinganshina and Wall Maria.

"What's the plan, Chief?" Reiner asked eagerly.

Zeke pointed at the gate that separated Shinganshina and the land outside. "Eren will head for the outer gate first. They won't have him seal the inner gate, Wall Maria's gate, because then they risk trapping themselves regardless of which side we attack from. So this is where he'll head to first."

"Are we attacking from the outer gate?" Bertolt asked.

"No. We'll be inside Wall Maria. Now, the Survey Corps won't place all of their soldiers in one place in fear that if the inner gate gets blocked, the entire group will be in trouble. Also, more importantly, because of the trade. They'll be expecting us to incapacitate Ymir so they will need to keep her somewhere safe, where they can easily transport and protect her because she will be their greatest asset after Eren. Which means they'll split into two groups. One group will likely stay behind or atop Wall Maria near the inner gate while a second smaller one, with Eren, goes to the outer gate that the Colossal Titan destroyed in order to protect him. While Eren goes to do that, Pieck will transform and come out of hiding with Ymir."

"I'll be in this city?" Pieck tapped the building shapes representing the city north of Wall Maria, Shinganshina being the district on the opposite side, the southern side.

"Your Titan is small and fast, so you'll be keeping an eye out for the Corps," Zeke continued. "When you spot them, you'll come let us know so we can get into position and you can detain Ymir in your mouth. Next, you will discreetly exit your Titan form—maybe inside a building so they don't see the steam or the decaying corpse—and wait a good while after the soldiers split into two groups."

"I'll listen and keep an eye out for Eren's transformation," Pieck said, thinking quickly. "That'll mean his group has reached the outer gate."

"Correct. You will transform to grab their attention and bring out Ymir. Tell them you want a simple trade. One soldier will bring down Annie and leave her on a roof while you do the same with Ymir."

"Should I let them take Ymir?"

"Yes. Prioritize retrieving Annie and let them have Ymir. We'll make sure she won't be able to transform and help them even if she wanted to. In the meantime, while she heals, we'll defeat them and take her back."

"What if they realize they're going to lose and kill Ymir to keep us from getting the Jaw Titan back?" Reiner grimaced, arms folded.

"It doesn't matter," Bertolt retorted. "Cause we'll have Annie back."

"He's right," Zeke said, nodding his head. "Losing the Jaws will be unfortunate if that happens. But Marley will overlook it if we bring back the Founding Titan. Remember, Eren is the most important objective here."

"Alright," Pieck said, "assuming they have Annie and bring her to make the trade and it goes well, what next?"

"Since Wall Maria is still Titan territory and they'd have a good vantage point at the top of the Wall, that's where they'll take Ymir and retreat to. They have no idea about the truth of the Walls so they won't realize there are hollow parts where we can make a hole and hideout. A perfect spot to ambush them from. Reiner, that will be your job. The widest street is the one leading to the gate, yes?"

Reiner inclined his head. "That's right."

"A group their size will use that street to reach the Wall. And if they want to ride through to the other side, they will, of course, have to go through the gate. Naturally, that's where they will climb up, leaving the horses at the base since taking them up will be time-consuming and a hassle, especially in case they need to make a hasty retreat. Reiner, we'll make a hole somewhere near the gate for you to hide in."

"I'll be the one to take Ymir back," he said, immediately catching on.

"Correct. Because you'll be hidden, you'll wait for my signal and when I give it, you'll transform and scale the Wall. Kill as many soldiers as you can but your main priority is getting the Jaw Titan back."

"What's the signal?"

"I'll tell you in a second. Once the trade is made, Pieck will head back with Annie and join me on the outskirts of the town. Or if it was a bluff and they can't produce Annie, Pieck will take Ymir and come to me just the same."

"They may be able to produce a lookalike but the healing factor can't be faked. I'll make sure they don't try to pull a fast one on us and get proof first that she is really Annie."

"Excellent thinking, Pieck. I'll be waiting with a few dozen Eldians. When I turn them, the soldiers will go to attack them. I'll roar as a signal. That's when you leave your hiding place, Reiner, and go grab Ymir."

"We're going to trap them," Pieck said, putting it together. "You and I will be behind the city in Wall Maria with dozens of Pure Titans. The Armored Titan will be at the Wall. And I take it the Colossal will be inside Shinganshina to handle Eren?"

"Precisely. Once the Armored Titan climbs the Wall to get Ymir, I'm sure Eren and his group at the outer gate will notice and attempt to come to their aid. That's when I'll launch Bertolt, who will be hiding with the other Eldians, into Shinganshina." Zeke faced the tall teen and said, "Your job is to destroy Shinganshina and delay Eren. We can't let them get to that basement."

"It'll be my job to defeat Eren?"

"You don't have to beat him, just hold him off until we can join you," Zeke told him. "I doubt the Survey Corps will give us much trouble. I'll take out their horses so they'll die either fighting the Titans or slowly starve atop the Walls having given up or run out of gas. Between me and Reiner, crushing them will be a walk in the park. Then we can come over and assist you in capturing Eren."

"Eren will have to choose to either let his hometown be destroyed and potentially risk losing whatever's in the basement—which is most likely the truth of the outside world—or save the Corps," Reiner said, frowning thoughtfully. "He will go for the first choice, without a doubt. If Shinganshina is destroyed, all the sacrifices they've made so far will be for nothing. The men and women who've given their lives for the cause, their deaths will be in vain if the basement's contents are lost. Besides, I know him. He's an emotional guy and quick to lose his temper. He won't stand for it if the Colossal Titan that started this entire mess begins a rampage there."

Pieck stared at the map, observing. "Even if by some chance Eren decides to avoid fighting the Colossal Titan, and he leaves Shinganshina to climb over Wall Maria from outside the Shinganshina district and sneak up behind the Beast Titan, the Armored Titan will be on that side to intervene and help take him out."

"What if they don't have Annie?" Reiner asked them. "Because obviously we won't hand Ymir over in that case. So what'll be my job then?"

"Your objective is flexible. It'll depend on the situation. First and foremost you must get Ymir back if the trade is made. If not, capturing Eren will be your priority while the Colossal Titan destroys the town. "

"About Ymir," Bertolt said, looking up from the map and at Zeke. "Are you going to take her with you to Marley?"

"I've never failed Marley so I'm sure I can convince them to go ahead with this trade. If I'm there to assure them of victory, they will accept my plan. But I wouldn't presume to make any big decisions regarding one of the nine Titan powers without Marley's say-so. And that's why, just as a precaution, I will be taking Ymir with me." Although Zeke had little to no doubt they would agree.

Keeping up the image of the Marleyan loyalist, the Golden Boy, was probably why they thought he was being cautious. Though his real reason for wanting to take Ymir with him was to keep Reiner and Bertolt in line. To prevent them from making any foolish decisions in their desperation to rescue Annie by themselves. Their families would suffer if they defied him, and in turn, the nation of Marley, but Zeke didn't want to risk it.

"I will bring back two dozen or so Eldians," Zeke said, "since we do not have enough soldiers to ambush the Corps currently. As they're experienced Titan killers, we'll need a large number to subdue them. Fifty Titans total should do the job but we only have half that amount right now." The rest of the crew was made up of Marleyan soldiers.

"We've already finished setting up a base camp," Pieck informed him, leaning back in her chair. "So you're good to head out this evening if you want."

"Thank you," Zeke said to her. "Considering the time it will take to get there, a couple of days we'll spend there arranging everything and traveling back, we'll return just in time to greet the Corps if they keep to their schedule. But I'm certain because of the gravity of the mission, they'll take at least a few more weeks more than their usual four to five weeks between expeditions so they're properly prepared, and I'll be back with Ymir and extra soldiers in the meanwhile. You're in charge while I'm gone, Pieck."

"But what if the Survey Corps shows up before you return with reinforcements? If you take Ymir with you, they'll kill Annie so we can't have her back," Bertolt argued, upset.

Reiner grunted in agreement. "He's right, Chief. Bertolt, Pieck, and I might be able to crush them and capture Eren between the three of us, but they will kill Annie if they don't see Ymir."

Zeke shrugged and said, "That's just a risk we'll have to take." When the boys looked ready to fight, he added, "As I said, if our superiors don't want to risk losing one of the Titan powers again, who am I to defy them? The Founding Titan, Eren may have used it once but it was a fluke. Without royal blood, he won't be able to activate its power to the full extent. But the Jaw Titan? It won't be difficult for Ymir to master its power. Don't forget, it's the only thing that could aid Paradis Island in defeating the Armored Titan. Or me. Or even the War Hammer. Because it has the power to pierce through hardened skin it'll be a deadly opponent for us if Ymir ends up with them. The Survey Corps right now has no weapons that can do what she can so she's crucial for them to have, fighting for their side. Between the five Titan powers here on this ship, the Jaws is the last one we want ending up in their hands."

That shut the boys up and they turned their disappointed gazes downward. They couldn't argue against what was in the best interest of Marley without bordering treason and suffering the consequences.

"We can force Ymir to transform several times before cutting off her limbs," Pieck offered calmly. "Then we'll tie up her stumps. That way we can be sure she will be out of commission for several hours. It'll be more than long enough for us to accomplish our mission."

"That's what I was thinking as well." Zeke stood. "I will go inform Ymir of our plan now. We'll set sail for Marley in a few hours."

When he told Ymir, she looked at him warily, sitting in her bed. "I thought I was going to be traded," she said.

"You are. But I can't gamble the Jaw Titan and its crushing power without talking to my superiors first."

"Aren't you the Warrior unit's war chief or something?" Ymir eyed him suspiciously, having no issues questioning his motives or any concerns about treason. "Don't you have the authority to make those kinds of decisions without needing to get permission all the time?"

"Yes, but Reiner and Bertolt may do something foolish if I leave such an important bargaining chip behind," he told her honestly.

"So that's the real reason."

"I'm sure fear of retribution against their families will make them think twice. But if they get it into their heads that their victory is assured and on the off chance the Survey Corps shows up before I can return, they might go through with it. So I'll be taking you with me to ensure there's no temptation."

Zeke did not care about the Jaw Titan. He had a set plan he was confident would help him prevail and he didn't want it being jeopardized in any way. He needed to save his brother. The plan he had in mind would ensure he could take Eren away from Paradis Island and he could not have Reiner and Bertolt ruin it in some idiotic bid for Annie's freedom. He had to break Grisha's brainwashing on Eren. Just thinking about the delusions his poor brother had to be suffering from because of that mad man made him angry and fill his heart with pity.

As he walked back to his room, Zeke's thoughts jumped from his brother to his mother. Clearly it had been her Titan Eren had made contact with to activate the Founding Titan's power. Although he felt a slight pang at her demise, it did prove Ksaver's theory had been right. There really was a way to overcome the renouncement of war.

To Zeke, it was almost a sign. One brother had royal blood and a Titan power. The other brother was non-royal and possessed the Founding Titan. The two requirements needed to not be shackled by the old king's vow.

We can do it together, he thought excitedly. Together, he and Eren could put his plan into effect and ensure the atrocities against Eldians would come to an end. No Eldian would ever have to suffer and feel scorned ever again. A small smile came to his face at the thought of that. But I need to save him before we can do that. He couldn't get ahead of himself. Still, he felt optimistic as he finished preparations for him, Ymir, and a small crew to set sail for Marley.


Levi held a knife to Ralph's neck. Like his partner, he also refused to talk. But he wasn't as bright as Sannes and was unknowingly going to help them break his partner. Ralph read off the sheet of the paper Hange held up to his face. Once he was back in his cell, he and Hange gave Sannes a minute to let the betrayal sink in.

The day after Hange had gone off to see Erwin and catch him up on her theories—some of which Levi still had a hard time wrapping around his head—he and his squad had moved "inconspicuously" through Trost. "Eren" and "Historia" were then kidnapped, according to plan. Getting the jump on the men had been a piece of cake. Levi had wanted to know exactly who was coming after them and what they knew. But after talking to the boss, Dimo Reeves, they had come to an understanding. The merchant had struck a deal with Levi and helped them capture the two Interior Policemen.

"These fuckers sure are tough." Levi had to admit.

Hange hummed in agreement.

When they stepped into the room, Sannes sat there, head hanging low.

At first, Levi thought it might be a sob. Then he realized Sannes was laughing. It came out more of a painful wheeze.

Sannes lifted his swollen and bloody face, courtesy of Levi's fists, and sneered at them. "You think that little act will work on me? Ralph and I know all about how you bastards like to resort to petty little tricks to get what you want."

"I know it must hurt to believe. That you held out under our interrogation while your partner so easily—"

"Save your breath, Hange Zoe. You may have fooled Pastor Nick but your bullshit won't work on us. We're not dumb enough to fall for any of it."

Fuck. Levi cursed in his head. There went that plan. Frustration seeped in at their continued failure in getting the man to talk. Nothing they were doing was working. Torture or tricks, Sannes was keeping his mouth firmly shut. Stubborn bastard.

"What's the matter? Feeling frustrated? Like a failure? Get used to it," Sannes said gleefully, purposefully goading him.

Levi wanted to slam his fist into his face again. And he would have, too, had Hange not stopped him and dragged him out. "Now what do we do? Nothing's working," he growled. They had pinned all their hopes on this plan.

"I don't know."

His squad straightened when he and Hange joined them. Mikasa pushed off from the wall and Eren stood from where he sat next to her on the ground.

"I take it didn't go well?" Sasha guessed, sitting between Connie and Historia.

Levi scowled in irritation. "He's a loyal mutt, I'll give him that."

"Loyal and smart," Hange added.

"What's the plan now?" Armin asked. "If torture and tricks don't work—"

"Maybe you should try tickling," Eren suggested, seemingly half in jest.

Levi was not surprised at all by the ridiculous idea. Eren had seemed the most uncomfortable when he learned what they planned to do to the two MPs. But he appeared to be mostly back to his normal, eccentric self.

Eren's expression became thoughtful. "You know, I have heard they used to soak criminals' feet in salted water and have goats lick them. It would tickle at first but goats have a rough tongue so it would start to flay the skin and become excruciatingly painful over time."

No one reacted at first.

"Eren, you sick fuck," Jean deadpanned.

"What?" Eren said defensively. "I'm just recounting something I once heard!"

"Uh-huh," Sasha said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"We're not stealing a fucking goat," Levi said impatiently.

"What exactly are you trying to get them to talk about?" Mikasa interrupted whatever nonsense that was surely about to come out of Connie's mouth. "You still haven't told us yet."

Levi exchanged a look with Hange. They had been wary to share her theories due to Historia's plain admiration and love for Frieda. What if they told her and she became enraged that her beloved older sister was killed by Eren's father? Maybe we don't need to tell her the entire truth. But it might be worse if she found out later, getting upset they hid it from her and tried to control her. They didn't need a wrathful queen on their hands. But it's only speculation at this point. If Historia never learned that they knew, it wouldn't hurt her or them. In any case, the theory about Frieda being a Titan and getting murdered by Grisha was unnecessary to what they needed out of the men locked downstairs. What we need most right now is confirmation about the Reiss family.

Hange must have come to the same conclusion as him. "We think that Fritz might not be the real royal family," she told them outright. "I think the real one is pulling the strings from the shadows...the Reiss family."

Their eyes flew to Historia, who sat there, mouth open.

"Erwin has a plan to replace the king with a person possessing the Reiss blood. That's you, Historia. Aside from your father Rod Reiss, there is no one else left. Frieda and the rest of your siblings died years ago."

Tears filled her eyes. "She was my...my sister?" Emotions choked her voice. "Why didn't she tell me?"

Hange gave her a sympathetic look. "I can only assume she was trying to protect you."

"What happened?"

"According to what I've heard, the day Wall Maria fell the Reiss family went to pray and the chapel was attacked by bandits. Rod was the only survivor." Hange had chosen her words carefully. Technically, since they had no proof otherwise, that was the truth. Historia would be able to find that story out easy enough if she went searching.

Levi took it from there. "As it would be the least bloody way to take out the inept leadership we currently have by having someone else with royal blood, the heir, take the throne, Pixis has agreed to support us. But first, he needs us to confirm Reiss is the true royal family before he's fully on board with the plan. The Garrison is the largest division so him being on our side is instrumental." He locked eyes with Historia. "You understand what it means if we succeed, don't you? You will become the Queen of the Walls. What do you say, Historia? Will you help us topple your father and take control?"

The others murmured in shock. They turned to stare at her, waiting for her reaction.

"I'll do it," Historia accepted, expression resolute.

Levi held her gaze, weighing her determination. "Good."

"What if you can't get the two policemen to talk?" Armin asked.

"We'll have to," Hange said bluntly. "There's no other choice."

"Maybe we should try Goat Boy's plan."

"Who're you calling Goat Boy, Horse-Face?"

"Stop it, you two," Historia cut in before they could begin arguing. "Now's not the time."

Connie grinned and said, "Better listen to Her Highness, you dorks."

"Mmm." Mikasa joined in. "Show some respect, she's our big boss's boss's boss."

"Yeah, that's our future queen," Sasha said, smiling widely.

"You guys!" Historia blushed, embarrassed. "You don't have to call me that!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Jean said dramatically.

"As you wish." Eren bowed.

Historia groaned. "Please don't do that!"

Levi and Hange left them teasing each other and having some fun. They deserved a little break from the situation. "So, the trade is on," Levi remarked as they walked.

"Once Historia takes the throne, she'll become the highest authority in the land. We won't be able to defy a direct command from the queen. And undoubtedly, one of her first orders will be to trade Annie for Ymir."

"We need to confirm the truth. It'd be pretty embarrassing if we turned out to be wrong."

"Maybe we really should look into stealing a goat..."


Historia could not sleep.

She kept playing the conversation over and over again in her head. It had yet to fully sink in. She was a royal bastard. Her father was the king. And she would become queen.

Was that why they wanted me dead? The shadowy group that had murdered her mother and almost slit her throat. Was the Assembly afraid a child born of wedlock, whose mother was lowborn, would inherit the throne since the other heirs had been killed? Was that why her father had spared her? Because he needed an heir? Because he could not have any more?

Historia shook her head. Don't get ahead of yourself. They hadn't even confirmed it yet. And the only one who knew everything was Rod Reiss.

Maybe she could try talking to Sannes and Ralph. Would they listen to her? Or would they only see her as her father's dirty little secret? She might have felt worthless once, thinking about that. Instead, a smile came over her face. Ymir... Ymir had helped her overcome her self-destructive thinking. Never again would she value her life less in order to win the affection or approval of strangers, especially ones who cursed her just for existing. She was done being the good girl to please everyone else. From now on she would only live for herself and make her own choices, everyone else be damned.

Excitement and hope coursed through her veins. Becoming queen meant she would have power. Power to help further the Corps' cause. To help the helpless. To save her savior.

Nervousness also made her feel a little sick at all the responsibility coming her way. But she wouldn't be alone. That brought a measure of comfort.

Historia knew she had the support of most of her squad when it came to the trade. All of her friends were for it. But did their superiors also agree? Or would they oppose her decision? Think it was too risky? As queen, she had the final say and would throw her weight into it if necessary, though she'd prefer to have everyone on the same page.

Unable to stay still anymore, she quietly left the sleeping bag and wandered outside the room, careful not to disturb the other sleeping occupants. Too anxious to go see if Hange and Levi were still up, she forgot her footwear, walking barefoot. The cold hard floor stung her feet but she didn't care. She wanted to talk to them as soon as possible. Though they likely knew her stance about the Ymir-Annie situation, she still felt compelled to speak to them right away.

Voices drifted up to her and she silently crept down the stairs, shivering slightly at the chill, wishing she had a blanket wrapped around her. Down in the room with Sannes, she heard Levi and Hange. Should she wait for them to finish? They needed him to tell them about the royal family. Sannes was extraordinarily stubborn, though, and kept his mouth firmly shut. Ralph was also holding out so far.

Unintentionally, she overheard them.

"You knocked him out cold," said Hange's voice.

"Hmph. I wasn't even using that much force," replied Levi's voice.

"No, but it's a been long day. I almost admire his resilience."

"We can't be wasting time like this. Every hour increases the chances of us being found."

Historia's fist became suspended midair at Levi's next words.

"We need to know for sure if Reiss is the royal family and if Rod plans to eat Eren."

He what?! Historia stared at the door, flabbergasted. Why would her father eat Eren? What are they talking about?

"Can you imagine what a major advantage it would be if we get our hands on the Titan serum?" Hange sounded eager. "Rod has to have some lying around. How else would the Reiss pass on their Titan power?"

For a brief second, Historia wondered if she was asleep and pinched her cheek. Their words were making no sense to her.

"He wants to get Freida's Titan's power back and must have an injection or two with him," Hange continued talking. "We get our hands on that, we could add more Titans to our side if we defeat the others when we go to retake Wall Maria. Eren's gotta learn how to harden his skin first, though."

"Right now, the most important thing is to get this fucker to talk. Maybe we should try keeping him awake..."

The rest of Levi's words were muted as Historia wandered upstairs in a daze.

It all came together.

Hange asking about the sixty-year statement. Ymir used to be a mindless Titan. Ymir's guilt at stealing the Titan power. She ate their friend. Eren's father meeting her family, who was dressed in all white and killed in a chapel in 845. Eren's father killed Freida and stole her Titan power. Grisha had then injected his son, giving him both his own Titan and the Reiss family's Titan. Why Reiner and Bertolt wanted us, the royal heir and the two Titan powers inside Eren.

Memories of her sister resurfaced to her conscious mind.

Historia flinched. Her mind raced, various emotions playing out across her face. Finally, she settled on fury.


Eren yawned, water gathering in the corners of his eyes. "Where are they?" Eren asked Historia. She was leading him, having woken him saying Levi and Hange wanted to talk. He was going to tell her her nightgown was torn at the edges but thought better of it. Her funds might be low. A smile came over his face, thinking she could afford whatever fancy clothing she wanted once she became queen. I'm friends with a future queen, huh.

"They're interrogating Sannes. I think they were thinking about using sleep deprivation."

"His defenses would be low and he might blurt out something if his brain doesn't get rest," Eren said, feeling a little uneasy. Necessary as it might be, he still found it uncomfortable.

"They want us to wait here." Historia opened the door and gestured to the chair.

Eren sat at the rectangular table and she pulled out a chair across from him. "Why just us?"

"I don't know. I'm sure they'll explain. I'm going to get some water." She stood and walked behind him to the door. "Do you want some?"

"Sure. Thanks." He yawned again. Elbows on the table and face in hands, he hung his head tiredly. It couldn't wait until morning? Eren thought grouchily, rubbing his hair. He hated having his sleep interrupted. Why did— There was a sharp, piercing pain before head hit the table, slipping from his unresponsive hands. Before he could react, his head was yanked back and a white cloth wrapped around his mouth. Fear and adrenaline banished the last of the sleep, leaving him shockingly awake and aware now.

Historia set his body back so she could look him in the eyes, glaring coldly. "Did you know?"

Heart racing and adrenaline still pumping, Eren stared at her with wide, frightened eyes. He tried to talk, but the gag muffled his words.

"Did you know it was your father who killed my sister? And the rest of my siblings?" Historia grabbed his face and the images came as her fingers dug painfully into his skin.

He had been waiting for a week for any more new memories, agonizing over Eren II's return. With his failure to harden his skin then being forced to hide around, he'd barely felt like he had contributed to the group. Levi refused to let him do anything, not wanting to risk him—or Historia—being kidnapped. The only thing he could do was hope for more memories, anything to make him feel like he was being useful to them. Now that the memories were coming to him, he wished they'd remained buried forever.

Eren remembered the fight as Frieda transformed. His father's victory. And what came afterward.

The feeling of children being crushed under his hands, their small bodies bloody and mangled, was not something he had ever wanted to know felt like.

"I was going to make an excuse to leave and hit you over the head with a wooden board I hid around the corner in the hallway. But I saw the knife sticking out from under your pillow and remembered how you immobilized Annie. It seemed like a much more effective method to restrain you."

He barely heard her. He wanted to throw up as the onslaught of memories continued...and he remembered how his father had passed on the Titan powers to him.

If it weren't for the horror he was experiencing, he might have been glad that he didn't vomit because the gag would have caused him to choke on it. No wonder he had forgotten what his Titan wrote that time. The trauma of realizing he had cannibalized his father, even if it wasn't the same one from his own world, it had been too much for him to bear and he'd eagerly let go of the memory, letting it slip like sand between his fingers.

"Your father stole something that didn't belong to him. And I'm going to take it back." Historia placed a hand against her chest, pain replacing anger for a few moments. "I will see Frieda again when I get your Titan power. Like you see your murderous father." A look of determination filled her face. "I couldn't do anything for my sister, but at least I'll save Ymir. And don't worry, I'll do what you were too weak to and kill her kidnappers, too, so Reiner and Bertolt will never threaten the Walled people ever again."

Eren felt tears rolling down his face, blurring hers.

Historia quickly placed a hand over his mouth and nose. "I won't kill you. Not right now. But I can't have you awake and struggling, trying to figure out a way to escape. You'll be easier to take unconscious."

Panic began to overwhelm him. He was suffocating. Other Me! Mikasa! Armin! Screaming for help inside his head was useless. Mikasa and Armin would never hear. And Eren II was likely still recovering. Not that he would be able to do anything either in this situation. But it would have been a comfort to have him around.

His brain signaled his body to thrash, to attempt to break free, to do anything. But his body remained eerily still, detached from his mind. The wound was healed and the knife firmly lodged in place.

Black spots began to fill his vision.

Mindless terror was the last thing he experienced before passing out.


Hange was startled awake when the door flew open and she heard Moblit yell. "Squad Leader Hange, wake up! Eren's gone!"

She was barely sitting up when Mikasa tore out of her sleeping bag. "What do you mean he's gone?" Mikasa demanded fearfully.

"Where's Historia?" Sasha asked, kneeling before the blonde-haired girl's sleeping bag. It was padded. In poor lighting, it would be easy to make a mistake and think someone was inside that sleeping bag. Her shoes were also lying there.

A ball of dread formed in Hange's stomach.

Armin gasped from behind Moblit. "She's gone, too?"

"I just arrived and saw Eren missing from his sleeping bag," Moblit explained, stepping into the room.

"You all, check the perimeter," Hange ordered the squad. "Moblit and I will go see Levi." She quickly led Moblit downstairs while the teens searched their hideout.

"What's the ruckus about?" Levi asked, emerging from the room where they kept Sannes.

"Eren and Historia are missing."

"What?" Levi's eyes widened. He glanced at the door behind him. "It can't be Sannes. I was with him all night. Must have been the other bastard." He swore, running to the other room.

Their worst fears were confirmed when they saw the empty chair, ropes lying around it. Hange let loose a few choices expletives, the ball of dread growing. "He must've escaped and kidnapped them!" She wracked her brain, trying to figure out when Historia could have been taken.

There had been three lumps in the dark room when she came in to sleep. Was that Historia? Or had she already been taken at that point and it was made to look like she was still there in case someone woke up in the middle of the night. We should have kept someone on sentry duty, she thought regretfully. But it had been a moonless night. Neither the sentry nor their enemies would have been able to do anything without a lantern's light but that would give away their location. Not that the Interior Police could have tracked them so fast. At the cabin, they'd stayed for a while and Eren had also been transforming to train and it had taken the police longer to find them there. But we never anticipated one of the prisoners breaking free and making off with two of our most valuable assets.

Levi went back to Sannes, yanking his head back by the hair, startling him awake. "Who said you could sleep, shithead? Tell us everything you know about the Reiss family. Now."

Sannes's eyes shifted between them, seeming to pick up on their panic. "They're gone, aren't they?" Sannes let out a rough laugh, wincing in pain as he did so. "You reek of desperation."

Hange could see a faint tremble in Levi's fist as he resisted the urge to punch Sannes and kill him. "We can't waste time on him," she said, and Levi threw Sannes's head back in disgust.

"So I was right," he said triumphantly, chuckling.

"Moblit, you watch him and make sure he doesn't get any sleep."

"Yes, Squad Leader."

"We gotta tell Erwin." Levi seemed troubled at the thought of having to explain their failure to the commander.

She felt the same way. His disappointment is the least of our worries. Hange was barely keeping the panic at bay. If they didn't find Eren and Historia soon and her theories were right, they were in big trouble.


Please Review~