Chapter 3: The Breach Part 1: Mankind's Worst Fears

Less than two hours after my return to the Scout Regiment's Headquarters and I'm already on the move again. I had hoped for a little stability for a few days, but that hope has been dashed. By this point the sun is most of the way down, its fading rays turning the cloudy sky a deep orange. It's starting to get cold out here and I wrap my cloak more tightly about my shoulders. I'm grateful that for once I don't have to ride a horse. Edward is pleasant enough company for an animal, but saddle soreness is always something of a problem after a long journey.

The wagon we're sitting in is bumping along slightly due to its pace and poor condition of the road. Only the main roads get regular maintenance so this one is in rather poor condition. I fiddle nervously with one of my handles, flicking the blade holder on and off. "Will you quit doing that!" snaps Captain Levi in annoyance.

"Sorry sir," I apologize, putting the handle back into its holster under my cloak and jacket.

"Do we actually have any sort of plan of response for this kind of situation?" asks Eren worriedly. "I mean, we always assumed that if a breach came it would be at one of the gates."

"Officially there isn't really a proper plan of action," admits Hange. "The inhabitants of Wall Rose are supposed to be evacuated into the under cities of Wall Sina. The food there is likely to run out within a few weeks though, not to mention the space. Infighting is likely to start within a matter of days."

"But, what are we going to do about plugging the breach? There must be some way."

"There is an idea Armin and I have been working on. It's still in its infancy though. How about I let the Corporal explain it himself?"

Everybody looks at Armin to hear what the plan is. At first Armin seems confused and then perks up when he remembers his new rank. "Oh right," he says, "Well it revolves around the theory I had about the Titan Stone. I figure that if the Female and Armoured Titans were able to create it in order to protect themselves, then Eren and Matthias should be able to do the same. The actual details of the plan are still very hazy, but we-that is the Captain and I-think that one or both of you two may be able to create the Stone necessary to close up the hole. You would then leave your titan bodies and the stone should hopefully remain in place."

"That doesn't sound like much of a plan to me," says Levi. "You're going on the presumption that only was your first theory correct, but that either Matthias or Eren can make use of that ability, and that they can just leave statues of themselves in place to hole up the breach."

"Well right now it's the only plan we've got," says Hange. "We might be able to come up with a better one if somebody would give us some information." She adds, looking meaningfully at Pastor Nicholas who is sitting on the far end on the wagon, not looking directly at anybody.

"Why did we even bring him?" asks Mikasa. "He isn't willing to tell us anything, so I can't see what possible use his presence could be."

"We're hoping," explains Hange, "that if he gets a look at what the people are going through it might appeal to his better nature."

"There is nothing," says the Pastor wearily, "that can convince me to speak."

Mikasa snorts in disgust and Levi looks away in equal irritation. Eren looks exasperated and Armin simply disappointed. "Excuse me," I say, "but I was wondering, why do you believe that the Walls are gods exactly?"

The Pastor looks at me surprised. "Whatever gave you that idea? Worship the Walls? The Walls my son are not in themselves supernatural. It is true that there are more radical members of the faith that believe that they are the embodiment of the three ancient goddesses for which they are named, but most of us hold to a far more reasonable belief. The Walls are our divine gifted protection against the demons dwelling in the lands beyond, placed there by God himself!"

"And I suppose that I count as one of those demons then?"

The man falters slightly. "What are you trying to get from me?"

"Nothing," reply with perfect truthfulness, "I'm curious about the beliefs of others. Religion has always seemed, strange to me. I can understand the need to explain the existence of man and the world, and to find some greater purpose in life, but I really can't see the reasons behind the beliefs most people have."

Pastor Nick looks at me curiously. "You are a very strange you man," he says at last.

"In more ways than one," I point out with a smile.

"Yes, I suppose so. To answer your question, I initially did hold to the belief that both you and this other young man were monsters, foul deceptions of the Great Enemy outside the Walls. In light of more recent events I am less certain. My faith is not shaken; it is easy for a mortal with a finite mind to misunderstand the situation."

"Thank you I suppose."

"As for why I hold true to my faith? Let us say that I have been shown enough to convince me."

"Hmm. This Great Enemy from beyond the Walls, does he have a name?"

"Not he, it. The Great Enemy is a force, a concept, an, an action almost. It is something that has been given reason and purpose that should not have been. We call it Geshetar."

Eren and I both sit bolt upright in shock. "Wait," says Armin looking up in surprise, "did you just say-

"Don't say it!" hisses Eren.

"Sorry," says Armin, a little taken aback.

The Pastor looks at the two of us curiously. "Young man," he says to me, "your name was Matthias wasn't it? What is your last name?"

"Quinn," I reply, "but what's that got to do with it?"

"And you, what about yours," he asks Eren.

"Yeager."

The Pastor lets out a long breath. "If that's the case then I don't see what you need me for. You'd be better suited to ask your fathers about this."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"As I've been saying for some time now, I will not tell you."

"Brilliant!" cries Eren throwing both hands in the air. "We already knew that piece of information, so thanks for nothing. Unfortunately, both our fathers are currently missing!"

"Hmm, I suppose that would make sense," mutters the Pastor.

"Agh!" Eren grunts, throwing himself into his seat.

"Sir," calls out the driver, "we're coming up on the forward HQ now."

"Finally, something that borders on good news," growls Levi, shooting Pastor Nick a glance that would correspond rather well with a dagger.

The forward HQ is an old two story manor house. It was probably built for some aristocrat as a holiday home. No noble wants to use a holiday home outside of the interior now though, not since Wall Rose became the exterior. Inside the courtyard there are dozens of soldiers-most from the Garrison-running hither and thither carrying reports, crates, bags, boards, muskets and all manner of items. I notice with surprise that a single squad standing over in the far corner of the courtyard and watching the others with contempt bear the green unicorn emblem of the Military Police. "What are the MPs doing here?" I wonder out loud.

"Since the Stohess incident," explains Armin, "high command has decided to start making use of its special elite troops. They don't look too pleased about it though."

"No. Why are they just watching people; shouldn't they be doing something?"

"Probably."

I shake my head. 'The Military Police: the best of the best huh? Not sure how well that title fits after Stohess to be honest. Before hand I at least had some respect for the skill the MPs had to display to make in, but after that day all I can think is how foolish anyone would be to join them. Foolish or a coward.'

Within the house itself the lighting is dim and people are still running everywhere. Commander Erwin walks up to an elderly man with long grey hair. The man turns smartly on his heel and salutes the Commander. "Major-General Smith," he says, bowing his head in respect.

"At ease Captain," says Erwin. "Tell us, what's the situation?"

"Multiple patrols have been sent out in an effort to locate the point of the breach. None of them have returned yet but that isn't surprising. There's a lot of ground to cover between here and Trost."

"I suppose there would be. How are we doing on getting the local villages warned off?"

"Actually, your people are seeing to that."

"My people?"

"Yes, those young Scouts who were deployed out here. There were only a few soldiers with them who had ODM Gear, so it was arranged that they would locate and warn the local villagers."

"I see. Well, as soon as possible I want patrols sweeping this area. If we can locate that breach we do have a developing plan to shut it up. In the mean time we need to engage and cut down all the titans we can. The fewer that get through into the heart of Wall Rose the easier clean up will be."

"Understood sir. Are we to continue acting in the dark then sir?"

"Most definitely. The Titans become slow and sluggish in the dark without sunlight, so that's the best time for us to try and locate the breach."

I run my fingers through my hair nervously. "It sounds like the others from 104th are out there."

"Are you sure?" asks Eren.

"You know any other Scouts who'd be out here without ODM Gear?"

"I hope they're okay."

"So do I. There's something else I've been wondering about. If we were both affected by, well whatever it was, what about the traitor? We're almost certain that there's at least one other traitor inside the 104th, so what if they keeled over as well? We'd have their identity more or less proven."

"Hmm," ponders Armin. "That's a pretty good point. I guess we'll need to try and find them as soon as possible then. It's probable that whoever it is may try to slip away during the panic the breach creates. If that's the case we may never find them."

"Hey," interrupts Captain Levi. "We're going to need every pair of feet we can get, so you lot are going out on patrol as well got it?"

"Yes sir," acknowledge Eren, nodding.

"I want you all outside in five minutes."

In five minutes twenty four Scouts have been assembled in the courtyard. Armin looks a little nervous at the head of five of his own soldiers. We've divided into four standard six man squads. Captain Levi is leading one which contains Eren, Armin is set to lead another, while Mikasa and I have both been parcelled off into separate squads as well. Jean-who's assigned to my squad-gives me a nod as I fall into place beside him.

"All right listen up," orders Levi. "We know that the Titans have already breached Wall Rose for real this time. This time they haven't just kicked in a gate, they've busted a hole in the actual Wall itself. For now we're focusing on containment until we can find the source of the breach. Your task is to probe around the area where the breach is likely to be. That's everywhere between here and ten kilometres of Trost, up to fifty kilometres in. Any titans you see are to be taken down as rapidly as possible. Also keep an eye out for our fellow Scouts who are currently wandering around out there without 3D Manoeuvre Gear. If you find any you are to bring them with you. Warn off any civilians you find and be on the lookout for the point of the breach whenever you get near to the Wall. Move out!"

"Sir!"

The last rays of the sun provide very little warmth or light to show our way, but with the help of torches we manage to pick our way along the old hunting tracks. I keep glancing over my shoulder, expecting to see a titan's face leering out of the darkness. The whispering that forms the thoughts of ordinary titans began about five minutes ago, and ever since then I've been anticipating the sudden appearance of the enemy.

"Can you stop acting like an exposed rabbit?" says Jean. "It's getting on my nerves."

"Sorry," I respond, "it's just, I don't know, I feel like we're walking right past them and we can't even see it."

"Huh, well you're the one with the psychic powers."

"No, it isn't like that. I think I'm just a little bit afraid of the dark."

"Everyone's afraid of the dark," he mutters. "People just ignore that fear when they're in places they know."

"Words of wisdom indeed. Didn't expect them coming from you."

"Yeah well, I've probably just been talking to Armin too much."

"Cut the chatter you two," comes the voice of Victor from the front of the patrol. "Whether we like it or not there are titans out here somewhere. I'd rather not have them drawn to us by the sound of your voices."

The group rides along in silence for several minutes. Then, "he's here somewhere; I can feel him." The voice is deep, rich and echoes, like someone speaking into a barrel or something.

"Sir, I can hear someone," I warn.

"Squad halt," orders Victor in a hushed tone. "Who?"

"I don't know. It isn't a voice I recognise. He says he can feel somebody. I think he's looking for Eren or me."

"Great, another enemy titan shifter. That's all we need! He probably had something to do with breaking through Wall Rose."

"If he's able to break through a solid part of the Wall, then I'm not sure I want to meet him," mutters Jean.

"Quiet back there," hisses Victor.

We all sit still and listen. Then faintly off in the distance, we hear the sound of booming footsteps. "Wait a minute, what's this? Oh ho! The unmade sacrifice; this is simply perfect! Well, well my boy, I suppose you're listening in to what I'm thinking?"

I stiffen in my saddle. 'H-how? How does he know? Can he see us? Where is he?'

"Why my dear boy..."

"...I'm right over here," says the titan, as its huge hair enshrouded face looms out of the darkness.