Chapter 13
Just like Levi said, the decision of Eren's custody was just a formality. After all, Darius Zackly was aware of the situation of the outside world and Titans. The whole case went rather smoothly despite Eren's outburst and Levi's beating the shit out of him to prove that the Survey Corp had him under control. Finn had to hold Mikasa back throughout of that otherwise she'd kill Levi.
After the court, The Warriors decided to have another meeting.
„So… Eren's with Survey Corp." -Reiner said with a tired sigh."This will make things more difficult for us."
„What do you mean?" -Bertholdt asked.
„This means that We'll have a change in the plan." -Reiner replied and rubbed his eyes.
„So what do you want to do?" -Annie asked in an uninterested tone.
„I and Bertholdt will join with the Survey Corp. You'll go to the MP and see what can you find." -Reiner explained.
„So you're throwing everything on me again." -Annie snorted."Haven't I told you I did my part?"
„I understand, but even you must admit that the fact that Eren's a shifter like us is interesting." -Reiner said."He must be the Attack Titan that Marley lost many years ago. Maybe Eren knows something that We don't."
„We both know he had no idea about being a shifter." -Annie countered."What can We learn from him? You don't think that Eren is connected to the Founder, right?"
„That's exactly what I think. You saw that the breach was sealed with hardening. There is a good chance that the Founder was in Trost." -Reiner said seriously."There must be something more to that Eren story… And We'll find out what's behind it."
„You're unbelievable…Do whatever you want. I was going to join MP anyway." -Annie said with a sigh and decided that she heard enough. She turned around and began to walk before being stopped by Reiner.
„At least you will be with Finn, right?" -Reiner said teasingly, causing Annie to turn around.
„Fuck you, Reiner." -She spat and left the two Warriors. Reiner glanced at Bertholdt who dropped his head.
„Why the long face, Bertholdt?" -Reiner asked."Are You worried about Annie and Finn dating?"
„What? No…" -Bertholdt replied, and Reiner patted him on the back.
„Don't worry! Once We find the Founder, We'll go back home." -Reiner assured with a smile.
„You sure that Annie isn't too attached to this place?" -Bertholdt asked with a worried tone.
„I'm sure she'll make the right choice." -Reiner said with a nod."She might be heartbroken, if that's possible, and that's when you comfort her."
„I'm not sure…" -He said shyly.
„Chin up, Bertholdt. We'll be back home soon enough." -Reiner said with a confident smile.
Eren was now in the custody of the Survey Corp and their new HQ. Finn, Mikasa, and Armin went to the Survey Corp HQ in secret from the other cadets. But before going there, Finn had to lie to Annie about where he was going. He told her that he wanted to spend some time with Mikasa and Armin. To talk about Eren being a Titan. Naturally, she understood and didn't question him about it.
[New Survey Corp HQ]
Currently, Eren was surrounded by his friends and the Survey Corp in the dining hall.
„Will you finally explain what's going on?!" -Eren demanded. Ever since he transformed into a titan there were more questions and answers. "What's going on with me?! You seem to know something!"
„Do I have to beat the living snot out of you?" -Levi asked in an annoyed tone."Pipe it down…"
„Sorry, Sir!" -Eren apologized as he flinched. Mikasa gritted her teeth and glared at Levi who decided to ignore her.
„It's quite a lot to explain. But before that let me ask you something." -Finn said in a calm tone."Do you remember anything? Any sudden memories that came back to you?"
„Well… There is one." -Eren said as he showed the key hanging on his neck."I remember my Dad's voice… Something about retaking the Wall Maria and that all the answers are in our basement. That's it… I don't know why I would forget something like that."
„I see…." -Finn said, realizing what that meant.'So… Mr. Yeager had the Attack Titan and he passed it to Eren. Which also means that he wasn't originally from Paradis Island.'
„It seems like We have even more reasons to retake Wall Maria now." -Erwin said, and Levi nodded in agreement.
„Alright, Eren… Let me explain everything." -Finn said and began explaining everything he told the Survey Corp. Eren's expressions changed through the whole explanation. From shock to anger and then to disappointment and eventually to defeat."I'm sorry for not telling you this, but I didn't want to bring you into this mess. Any of you as a matter of fact." -He added as he glanced at Armin and Mikasa.
„So…Our entire lives have been all big lie…" -Eren said in a defeated tone."All this suffering because of something our ancestors did…?"
„Ereh…" -Mikasa said softly.
„It's not fair, obviously." -Erwin said as he put his hand on Eren's shoulder."But it's up to us what are We going to do from now on. If Marley gets their hands on the Founding Titan, then it's over for everyone within the Walls. Do you want to happen? Or are you going to fight for our freedom?"
„They can't get away with this…" -Eren said as he clenched his fists."I already made a promise to use my power to help our people! I intend on keeping this promise!"
„I'm glad to hear this." -Erwin said with a smile."The entire fate of our people rests on our shoulders. We cannot fail them…"
„Agreed." -Levi said with a nod.
„Eren… There is something you must know. It's about your power." -Finn said with a heavy tone. Eren looked at his friend with worried eyes. Mikasa turned her eyes away, while Armin dropped his head."When you inherit a Titan power, you… You die after thirteen years."
„What…?" -Eren asked and blinked."What do you mean… I die?"
„Yes, it's part of the Curse of Ymir." -Finn explained."She was the Founder and only lived for thirteen years. Everyone who inherits her power will also die within that time…"
„Dammit…." -Eren said as he dropped his head. Mikasa couldn't take it anymore and rushed to hug Eren."Dammit…"
„I'm so sorry, Eren." -Finn said with his eyes closed.
Eren embraced Mikasa and then looked at Finn.
„You said that You also can turn into a Titan, right? Does that mean that You'll die as well?" -Eren asked as he lifted his head.
„Yes, I can turn into a Titan." -Finn admitted."But my case is a little bit different. Unlike the rest of the Nine, I won't die within thirteen years. Instead, I'll lose the ability to turn into a Titan."
„Aren't you a lucky one." -Levi said with his arms crossed." How about telling us more about your Titan, then? You didn't explain it to us before."
„Right… I forgot, sorry." -Finn said as he scratched his head."Well, it began as soon as the Royal Family found out about the Curse. They wanted to find a way to bypass the Curse and so the alchemists were put to work. It took them centuries but about 300 hundred years ago, they managed to create the 'Artificial Titan'."
„So that's the Titan you showed us a few years ago." -Levi said, and Finn nodded.
„That's right. My family didn't want the project to succeed, though." -Finn said."They're against it since this would make Royal Family unstoppable. In a way, they were similar to King Fritz that moved Eldians to Paradis Island. So, when they wanted to create the first Artificial Titan, my ancestor volunteered to be the first. Everything went well and he became a titan. After that, he killed everyone who took part in the project. Once he was done, he fled with all documents that he could find about the Artificial Titan and Titans in general."
„But why do that? Why not destroy everything?" -Armin asked.
„He wanted to learn more about it and if they truly managed to bypass the curse." -Finn replied."Not only that, but the alchemist was working on another project. They wanted to see if it was possible to remove the Titan power without killing the host…"
„What?" -Everyone said in surprise.
„You mean… There is hope for Ereh to live?" -Mikasa said with tears in her eyes."Why didn't you say anything?!"
„Because they hit the wall." -He replied with a sigh."They couldn't find a way to do it safely…"
„Still, looking into those notes might be useful." -Erwin said while looking at Finn."Maybe We'll find something that they missed…"
„And We have the right person for this. Speaking of the devil herself…" -Levi said and suddenly there was a bang on the doors. They heard Hange's voice as she cursed to herself for not being careful. Once the doors were open, they saw Hange rubbing her forehead."Look where you're going, shitty four-eyes."
„No need to be so mean, Levi." -Hange groaned."Anyway, sorry for being late. What did I miss?" -Erwin let out a tired sigh and shortly briefed Hange about the situation."WHAT?! Secret notes about Titans?! Count me in!"
„Full of energy as always." -Levi said silently."Anyway, it seems like there might be a change in plan. Do you know where We can find those documents?"
„About the Artificial Titan? Well, they should be in Grandfather's hut." -Finn said, and Levi nodded.
„Erwin, I think he should come with us on our next expedition." -Levi said.
„But how? I'm going to join the MP so that I can look for the Founder." -Finn said, not understanding. Was he supposed to join the Survey Corp now?
„I agree with Levi here." -Erwin said, surprising Finn."But don't worry, You'll still be joining the MP."
„So how am I supposed to go you?" -Fin asked.
„In the secret of course." -Erwin replied."You'll stay behind and wait to see if someone will follow us."
„But won't the Marley join the Survey Corp now that We have Eren in our possession?" -Levi asked.
„True, but We don't know how many Marleyans are within the Walls. Those that join other regiments might want to follow us to try and kidnap Eren." -Erwin explained.
„I see…" -Levi said with a nod."So the plan is to head to the Wall Maria, sealed, and possibly capture the traitors. Sounds simple enough."
'On a paper, yes… but not in practice.' -Finn thought with a sigh.
„It won't be so simple, Levi." -Erwin corrected."We'll spare some of our people to help Finn if he comes across more than one shifter."
„Then it's a plan." -Levi said with a nod."Alright, kids. Time for you to leave. Tomorrow there will meeting for the cadets. See you later…"
„Wait! I wanted to do some experiments on Eren and Finn!" -Hange groaned while Finn, Mikasa, and Armin left the dining hall.
[Next day, evening]
„We plan to reach the basement of the Yeager Family in Shinganshina." -Erwin announced to the cadets that stood in front of him."We believe that it made hold that will help us defeat the Titans. However, this requires us to retake Wall Maria. In short, our primary objective remains the same." -He paused and gave the signal to his peers. They showed the map of all three walls."But with the Trost gate permanently sealed, We'll have to take a long way around from Karanes in the east It seems that the four years we spent preparing a route for an invasion force have gone to waste. In those four years, more than sixty percent of the legion's forces lost their lives. Sixty percent." -He repeated."An insane figure. Any trainees who join us will participate in next month's sortie beyond the walls. We expect thirty percent will not return." -Everyone gasped.
'I'll not be surprised if most people leave. No offense to Commander Erwin, but he kinda sucks at motivating speeches. He's painfully realistic. I get it, but still…' -Finn thought as he stood next to Annie. He glanced at her and she glanced back. Finn noticed a very tiny small on her face as she looked at him. He returned the gesture while making sure nobody saw him smiling. This wasn't a good moment to smile.'I wish I could join them and protect Eren, but I have my mission to carry.'
„In four years, most recruits will be dead." -Erwin continued."But those who make it through that hell will become superior soldiers, capable of surviving anything. Now you have the cold, hard facts. Any still willing to risk their lives, remain here." -Everyone looked at each other with worried faces."Ask yourselves „Am I willing to offer up my beating heart for Mankind?". All those wishing to join another branch are dismissed."
It was time to decide. Annie didn't even hesitate to turn around and leave. He hesitantly followed the suit but stopped for a moment to put his hand on Armin's shoulder. He gave his reassuring nod to Armin and Mikasa before joining Annie. Fortunately, he didn't lose her in the crowd of people. He also noticed that Jean and Marco also left. It wasn't surprising. They both wanted to join the MP since day one.
Finn was curious as to how many people would stay and join the Survey Corp. From the looks of it, the number wouldn't be larger than eleven or fourteen.
„Are you okay?" -Annie asked. Despite her stoic appearance, her eyes told another story.
„Um? Yeah, I'm okay…" -Finn said with a sheepish smile.
„It wasn't easy leaving your friends, right?" -She asked and Finn nodded."I almost thought you'd change your mind."
„I'm sorry if it looked like that." -He apologized as they stopped by the bridge. Most of the Cadets already scattered, so they were alone."I planned to join the MP from the start. I wanted to convince Eren, but with him being a Titan and all…"
„I know…" -She said gently and put her hand on his shoulder."But… I'm glad that We're both joining the MP."
„I love you, Annie…" -He said with a warm smile. Annie blushed and looked away.
„Don't say it so suddenly…" -She said irritated tone. Annie both hated and loved when he said that. It made her happy, but she knew that their relationship would be over soon. If Reiner was right, then they would go back home soon. Part of her hated the idea of leaving, but she also made a promise to her father."You know I don't like it if you say it out of blue."
„I know, but part of me thinks you like it." -Finn said with a chuckle as he wrapped his arm around her.
„Wait… What if somebody sees us?" -Annie said shyly. She didn't want other Cadets to see them like this.
„We're alone, so don't worry." -He said and looked up. Today was a full moon."Look at the moon. It's beautiful… But not as beautiful as you."
„That's so cheesy…" -She said, but secretly it made her happy. At least for a moment, she could forget about everything.
„Remember what We promised each other?" -Finn asked, and Annie looked at her."If We survive, then We'll go on a date."
„Oh… right." -She said as she looked away.'Dammit… I forgot about it completely.'
„I heard that there is going to be a festival in Stohess District in a few days." -Finn said with a grin."Sounds like a perfect spot for our first date."
„You think they're going to allow us to have fun?" -Annie asked in unsure tone.
„I'll think of something, don't worry." -Finn said with a smile. He leaned on to face, who blushed even more. She knew what he wanted to do. But she also wanted it. They both kissed each other for a while before pulling their lips away."I love you, Annie…"
„I… I love you too." -Annie said with a smile.