Okay… when was the last time I updated? What is wrong with me? I am terribly sorry for the long hiatus. I'd like to say I've had no time for this fan fiction recently but I'd be lying. I've had plenty of time to continue. I found time to apply for part time jobs, buy my university books for second semester, meet up with my friends… to be honest, I've had no inspiration so far. I'm coming to a very critical stage of this fan fiction, introducing more pairings and characters to help move the plot forward and I haven't even gotten to the most crucial parts yet. I promise I'll be more frequent in updating in the near future...
Day 5.
From his private office window, Erwin proudly watched men clad in impressive navy blue and white march proudly through the streets of Utopia and Port Trost in groups of 12. With their heads raised high, black leather boots brightly polished, the Commodore's men radiated a fierce aura of power, strict regimented order and heroism. The common folk in their dirtied rags and bare feet either stood in awe at their magnificence or cowered away in the shadows, ashamed of their appearance.
For the past few days, Erwin had spent his time recruiting every able man within the city. The population was vast, their county large and many born and raised at sea. The number of men had grown from 1000 to 1500 in such a short period. Many citizens had grown tired of the life of poverty, with little to eat and forced to obey and submit under the rule of pirates and cutthroats. Like their Commodore, the people wanted to eradicate all filth within and outside of their borders and revert it back to the Utopia and paradise they once knew.
Although the Commodore was used being obeyed and followed, he never imagined having such power and strength before. With this number behind him, he would be unstoppable. He felt more dominant than his superior Admiral Pixis, dare he say more powerful then the king himself. If only he had that boy's abilities… there would be no need for such a large navy or having to sacrifice so many innocent lives just to have Captain Levi dead. This was war. Sacrifices and intense blood shed was to be expected if he was to safe Utopia and his reputation.
Erwin sighed and shut his eyes, allowing the sounds of metal sharpening against wet stones, the harsh strides of leather soles against worn wood and the repetitive percussive sounds of the navy's military drums to invade the trivial thoughts of later battle formations and attack plans. Deep within his mind, he searched through his memories, back to when he had caught that young merman… back to that haunting mysterious crooning. The memory of that voice was so clear. He could never forget such a voice and how it tore his soul to shreds. The vivid recollection was enough to drown the mundane noises of the society he thrived. The mournful tune cut through him like a knife. It was more painful then any inflicted battle scar on his body. The heartache he experienced was deeper, wrenching at the core within him until he felt like screaming.
The naval officer clutched his throat tightly, forcing his mind back to reality. If that voice still stirred and affected him to this day, then it was true a mermaid or merman's abilities were that influential and powerful. He needed them no matter what the cost.
A loud rap startled him. Erwin immediately composed himself, straightening his back.
"Enter!" he ordered sharply.
Nanaba entered his office, her face gaunt due to lack of sleep but nevertheless expressionless. She saluted to her superior.
"I've been given a message from your informant, Beast. Kirschtein has arrived in Port Hermiha"
Erwin showed no emotion from the news.
"Has he infiltrated Captain Levi's crew?"
Nanaba shook her head.
"As of yet, no"
"Tell Beast I won't be satisfied until his assassin has done his job… Beast's life depends on it after all" Erwin replied steely.
Nanaba bit her lip slightly at this unfeeling and coldhearted remark but said nothing.
"I will inform him immediately Commodore" Nanaba said.
"Get to it then"
Nanaba saluted once more the left the Commodore alone once more.
Erwin sneered.
"That's right… I won't be satisfied until I get that boy's voice… only then can I defeat that son of a bitch Captain Levi once and for all. Only then will I be satisfied!"
Port Hermiha
Jean tucked his dry chapped hands deep within the pockets of his dark brown leather overcoat, sniffing with disdain of what he saw. This was Port Hermiha? He had imagined a bustling sea port of colors, the smell of spice and sea salt, brawls and fist fights at every entrance and back corner of the streets. The young man had been thoroughly disappointed. Port Hermiha was just like a third class Port Trost, where the cast offs resided.
He hated the way stares of scrutiny and distrust burned at the back of his head. Onlookers looked at him venomously as if he was an unwanted outsider, dirt underneath their feet.
'Why couldn't idiots learn to mind their own business?'
What was worse, the weather was terrible. Stormy grey clouds pelted an icy rain, drenching his clothes quickly. Frigid water trickled down the back of his neck and through the thin cotton fabric of his shirt. Like tiny ice like knives, they stunned him, quickly encouraging goose pimples to form on his skin.
Jean huffed underneath his leather coat and hat as he made his way to an open bar, the 'Siren', moodily shuffling into the busy area and ignoring stares. At least the bar was warm from the log fires. The smell of cooked meat stew in gravy made his mouth salivate. He had not had a good meal for ages.
He sat himself at the bar counter, tipping his hat at the balding bar tender. The bar tender gave Jean a surprisingly suspicious look before continuing to clean pewter mugs.
"What can I get ya sonny?"
"An ale, a strong one. If you have any food, I'll take it" Jean said moodily tipping the bar tender.
"Oh, so you're from the North…"
The bartender noted his accent. He then poured his drink and set a bowl of meat stew and mashed potato with cutlery roughly on the counter top. Jean eyed him.
"Another youth, I hope you don't make trouble like the last one. Youngsters these days… have no fucking respect for personal property".
Jean spooned several mouthfuls of meat stew, and chewed, pretending to be bored. He washed his fill with the sweetened ale.
"That hits the spot. So what happened?"
"A friggin mute caused ruckus in my humble bar. One of my regulars and him got into a sword fight… blood everywhere. Do you know how long it takes for a man to scrub blood off a beautifully polished ebony floor?"
Jean continued to eat and shrugged.
"I wouldn't know. So who won?" Jean commented between mouthfuls.
The Bartender roughly spat at the floor and wiped his mouth.
"That boy! It was unbelievable… I thought that little scrawny ragamuffin wouldn't have been able to lift his sword let alone use it effectively. He put up quite the fight… he's a lot stronger then I thought he was. Wouldn't want to get on his bad side"
"Catch his name?"
"No… he didn't mention it to me… but I can tell you this sonny"
He gestured Jean to move closer so he could whisper. Jean complied suppressing a shudder of revulsion from the bartender's stench of bad breath and yellowed teeth. It took every urge not to throw up the meal he had eaten.
The bartender tapped the grimy countertop with his index finger.
"I'll tell you this… that boy comes from bad company. It's best for you to keep your distance"
Jean gave a non-committed shrug.
"He's my age. That shouldn't be a problem. I can take him down easily. I've had my fair share of sword battles"
"That's not the point sonny. He's part of a crew that rules the Southern and Northern borders. We don't speak of them… you get on their bad side, you'd be lucky if you get disposed of quickly and painlessly"
"I thank you for your concern… but I'm perfectly capable looking after myself" Jean whispered harshly.
"Listen to me sonny. That boy is part of Captain Levi's crew, the most notorious pirate to roam the seas!"
Hearing this information, Jean's eyes widened a fraction. Finally a lead. He pretended to be uninterested. If he could just find out about the whereabouts of the Captain or even one of his fellow crew, signing up as a participant for his cause would be a simple and easy step.
"Ah… I see Captain Levi's left a mark. I've already heard the stories from the northern borders"
"Then you know he intends to defeat the Commodore Smith? The devil plans to have his own forces to fight with him so he can get his hands of Utopia"
"Yes, I've heard that story a couple of times before I left home… but Utopia is certainly a gold mine. I wouldn't mind stealing a few spoils myself… and I love a good fight now and again" Jean replied, purposely hinting to the bar tender of his intentions of joining the Captain's side.
The bar tender looked at Jean as if he was insane. He whispered harshly.
"Don't be a fool boy! Why do you youths have to be so stubborn? You'll get yourself killed… Captain Levi is an unpredictable monster, a killer".
"This is Port Hermiha… we're all killers. It's simple, I join Captain Levi's side, fight with him and earn my own spoils. I'd rather die in battle then alone and penniless or at the hands of the Commodore's men" Jean said, is voice hard.
The bar tender averted Jean's cold and hard glare and to the entrance of the bar. Jean's resoluteness was like steel. The bar tender shuddered… the men of the north were just as ruthless and by God's ill favour, the very crew he detested entered the bar.
"Well it seems luck is on your side… Captain Levi's crew have entered my humble abode" the bar tender said sarcastically.
Jean swiveled his head around and he surveyed the crew with deep interest, trying to burn their faces into the very depths of his memory. They all had the similar look of steely ambition, their eyes icy and hardened by the many years of blood shed they experienced in their lives.
His eyes then fell on the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
At the left hand side of the crowed stood a youth around his age, tanned and glowing from the days of being in the sun. The youth's handsome, young but chiseled face was set in a deep scowl, his dark eyebrows furrowed dangerously. His eyes were a magnificent turquoise but cold. Out of all the crew, he stood out the most. He stood proud and defiant challenging the gazes of scrutiny.
Jean was mystified… there was something about the boy. He looked at the other men. Like Jean, their eyes were fixed on this beautiful creature then looked back at the young man. He was certainly a good-looking youth yet he radiated a dangerous and mysterious aura that made him seem supernatural, not of this world. The boy's bright turquoise blue gaze, fierce was also tantalizingly seductive. Never before, had Jean seen such a clear and vivid colour nor had he felt such attraction towards another human being.
"Is that Captain Levi? He's so young" Jean whispered to the bar tender, still completely in awe of the figure before me.
The older man looked at him incredulously.
"No… don't be stupid. That's the youth who trashed my beautiful inn. What the fuck is he doing here?"
"Then… who is he then?"
"… He's one of Captain Levi's follower's, a right hand man probably. There are rumours saying he's his little bitch"
Jean raised his eyebrows at the crude rumour. He looked back towards the youth with deep interest.
"What can you tell me about him… "
"He's mute. Yet there's something about him that makes me want to jump on his very fucking bones"
Jean shrugged his shoulders. He couldn't disagree with the bar tender… the boy certainly emitted a sensuous allure.
"Does this boy have a name?"
The Bar tender nodded his dark eyes glinting in the low light.
"His name is Eren Jaeger"
"Jaeger? As in 'hunter?' Pfft!" Jean laughed at the name but somewhat thankful the bar tender knew the name of this beautiful angel.
"Don't laugh you fool! He lives up to his reputation. He's a formidable fighter for his age… he took down one the toughest and most ruthless men in Port Hermiha… so imagine what his Captain can do!"
Jean looked back to the boy called Eren Jaeger, deeply intrigued. If this youth was as close to the Captain Levi as the rumours say then maybe he could use the boy to his advantage. He studied the crew, deep in conversation in well lit corner of the bar area close to the cheery log fire, their faces and clothes partly a glow from its orange blaze and highlighting and lengthening darkened blue black shadows against the grimy plaster walls. Like demons for souls, the shadows danced in the strong flickering light of the fire. The blaze was that strong.
A young pretty woman sat close to the Eren, discussing something. Eren merely nodded his recognition of her words due to his incapability to speak. Jean cursed at the sound of cheering and ale mugs clinking. He strained to hear and pick up anything useful to him.
"Eren we're running short of time. I know you don't want Captain Levi to be betrayed and hurt but it's not the time to be picky. We need all the men we can get… we are fighting a naval fleet" the young woman said desperately to Eren who sat stone faced, arms crossed. Jean raised an eyebrow and felt the corners of his mouth turn up into a smile. This boy was stubborn. He liked a feisty character.
"Thank you bar tender for your concern but I have a crew to join" Jean said casually tilting his hat.
With a new found determination, he confidently strode towards the crew, interrupting Eren and Petra's conversation. Jean almost had to catch his breath when Eren's eyes met with his own. Hardened pools of aquamarine met a fiery ambitious golden brown. Eren studied the over confident stranger, clicking his tongue with disdain. The man before him looked like the byproduct of a man who fucked a horse. What did he want?
Jean casually leant on the table much to the shock of the crew.
"The name is Jean Kirschtein. I'm here to join Captain Levi's crew".
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Yes there will be Jean x Eren angst and feels… why do I do this to myself.
Love, Evening Falls.