A young man could be seen watching from the top of a balcony as through the ever present fog surrounding the area. He watched as the titans appeared in mass numbers all along the trees. They stopped just beyond the border of the forest that stopped on unchanging mist filled lands and kneeled to the ground as if quivering in fear.
"What are you doing Carlos?" he said, running his hand through his light blonde hair that was at this moment free of its bandana. His light grey eyes were all but sweeping over the sea of titans in the distance. He wore simple clothing that suggested the garb of a weapon maker, his hands were clocked in thick gloves as if hiding burns.
His name was Angel Aaltonen and he was an expert weapon-smith. Not only that, but he had been the one responsible for creating the Three Dimensional Maneuvering Gear not but seven long decades ago. He found it laughable and quite frustrating that, in the letter he got from Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt, he had been forgotten so easily by them. Yet that was the way these fallen worked. The Cult had been powerful back then as well even amongst the titan worshipers. Sticking their fingers into every small thing.
Yet, who knew that it was the Titans worshipers who actually did something right... Angel thought as he looked over the fog and to the green of the forest beyond this. Remembering that not but a few years ago all lands besides this were all but dead, all because of them.
There was a sudden small noise made him turn around. Through the open window he saw a man a little younger then him walked briskly through the corridor his dark eyes looking forwards straight ahead of him as he went. For an instant the man stopped and glanced at Angel on the ledge before continuing on.
Angel couldn't help but shiver. There was something dangerous and cold about that man, but that what happens when one losing the two things he has always held dear to him. And it was your ancestors who were responsible for it.
"Angel..."
He turned back around and smiled.
"Kyklo, Charle..."
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . *
Carlos, along with the others who were following close behind him, soared through the air above the half ruined city jumping from rooftop to rooftop every few times watching the smoke raise from the corpses of titans. If he listened closely he could hear those filthy false god worshippers below. Preaching and shouting utter nonsense on the streets. How he wanted just to see their blood spill upon the ground once more. The wind seemed to push him more speedily to his destination faster and faster. The sky was clear before them all even with the smoke. Yes the elements were indeed on their side as they pressed on.
But... weren't they always?
"Carlos, there's something you should know."
"Not now, Reiner."
"No. There's something you have to know. One of them was a vampire..."
Carlos looked back at him and with a node the four of them landed smoothly on a tall building and both of them turned to Reiner and Bertholdt.
"What was that? But... how can that be? Weren't Vampires on the Gods side not only during the war but before? At least that's what Lady Sina told us," Carlos said, looking at Reiner skeptically.
"Believe me. I saw his fangs. Not only that but he is also one of his."
"Really? Good for him. Can't imagine how that damn Nightmares blood must have tasted to him... or how he even got to him in the first place. Though I don't think that there's not time to talk about it. Come, we should go. Lady Sina probably already told them everything. I don't think they'll take it very well once they hear the truth of it all..."
"We'll be going straight home after this, right? I'm sick of this place... And It will be good to see Lady Sina again," Bertholdt's voice trailed off, remembering what he had done.
"You didn't know," Carlos said.
"Yes but..."
"You have no idea how I feel about you right now for what you did to her. But... I would be a complete hypocrite for saying that since I did the same to the Lady Sina... That was why I left that girl Ymir alive... I don't know how she managed to not listen to my command while she was a titan but I have a feeling that she will be joining us very soon..."
.* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . *
"Historia... Glad to see yours is the last face I'll see before this place goes straight to hell," Ymir smirked, as the small girl pushed to pull the boulder off of her.
"Save your strength, Ymir..." the small girl grunted as she finally managed to free the girl.
"Historia... there's something I need to tell you..." Ymir said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Not now Ymir... Please stop moving around the blood will..."
"Oh for the Goddess' sake I'm not gonna die!" Ymir shouted, finally losing it. Historia was just about to shout something back at her when the impact of what Ymir had just said struck her.
"Ymir... How do you know about this Goddess?"
"So... you know it to then?"
"So... is it true..."
"Yes, I know that it's true. I... A very long time ago I... err... ate one of their friend when he, Bertholdt and Reiner were on their way to the wall. I don't know how it happened. That boy, Carlos and Annie unlike the other had control over the titans and ordered them not to touch them only to follow... For a reason I'm sure you already know. After that, I somehow gained a small bit of his memories as well as gained back my body and abilities as one of them. But some of the memories were ones that I could do without," Ymir shuddered holding a hand to cover her eyes. "Believe me... Stuff the titans do is nothing compared to what the humans did to each-other back then."
"But... why did you try to take me with you?" Ymir looked at the small girl and sighed.
"A young girl who lived in the Reiss household... You may not know it but they are distantly related to Sina's own mother. I thought that she was you... I thought that... if I brought you to them they... wouldn't try to kill me for what they did to their friend... I thought that your time here had harden you so much that you would jump at the chance of leaving this damned place behind... If I... got you all alone and I made you listen to me... I'm not sorry for any of it at all Historia... It's just that..."
Historia gently placed her finger to the tan girl's lips.
"I don't care..."
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * .* . * . * . *
Eren could not believe his eyes. Who was this boy standing in the air holding Alex, or Sina, in his arms. Looking up at the boy vaguely does he hear Atem's answer. Jack Frost? Who? Where had he heard that name before? Why were his eyes... shaped like that. Why was he feeling this strange sensation of cold? It was not the same kind of cold that he had felt back at the landfill. That freezing, biting harsh wind... it felt pleasant and - dare he say it? Exciting.
Jack graceful floated down to the ground below carefully setting the girl on her feet. Alex however had different plans and soon slid to her knees unable to stand with a bashful look on her face. Rose flew to her shoulder hooting softly and looking at her in confusion while rubbing his head against her hair. Jack didn't know where that came from and didn't have time to poke any more quick fun at it as he turned back to Pitch.
"So... you are here, Jack?" The shadow version of Pitch said, yellow eyes narrowing at him. "My my... weak aren't you? And... ah yes... the priest," he smirked, his eyes turning directly to Malik.
"This won't end like last time," the young Egyptian hissed, his knuckles white against the rod. There was a sudden blinding flash of white light.
"Are you this Pitch Atem talked about?" Usagi said, stepped into the throng of people.
"Another one? Selene no doubt..." Pitch muttered.
Michiru, Haruka and Hotara looked on. Frowning at their princess' behavior towards these fallen.
"Hey guys... what'd I miss?" Sasha asked, smiling sheepishly and waving nervously at her fellow comrades.
"...Not much... Christa got a name change... and... and now there's this strange light happening all of a sudden..." Connie began, looking around at the source of the light. Mikasa, Sina, Armin, and Eren looked down at their hands each glowing with a golden light that mixed with Usagi's own. Slowly it faded seemingly into their very skin of the back of their hands each forming the shape of triangles. But when Eren and the other's were gold in color Sina's was in the middle and glowed grey. While Eren, Armin and Mikasa glanced down at their's in confusion Sina gazed down at it in a sense of calm familiarity.
Onyx's dark eyes twinkled in triumph.
At last!
Rotto stood next to the shadow and smiled.
"I see... So that's what happened, Pitch hissed, trying to bring himself up on shackling knees his eyes flashing on the golden triangles. "Onyx... Kill them..." Pitch said, his form fading against the sun.
Onyx stiffened and his eyes narrowed in a silent laugh mocking him. "...No," Onyx said, as cooly as the breeze sweeping them and raised one thin eyebrow a smirk on his pale lips as he gazed at his "master." "Ya'll shove me in a suicidal vortex so you could switch me out for Jack and still think that I'm loyal to you? Like I'm your one trick pony. Honestly. When did you loose your touch to reality along with your sanity any way old man? You won't win so do your own dirty work... The fears you once controlled me with... can't possess me anymore. I'm out of your power now," he sneered. Moving protectively in front of Armin and the otehrs. "Frankly old man you're as pathetic as ever. And I'm sure your daughter would agree..." Onyx finished watching as he faded away a dark look on his face. Asher sighed whipping the blood from his face.
Onyx, Had he heard that right? Jack sharply turned around to the figure dressed all in black... the same black robes the same boy... or fearling.
"Hey ya, Jack," Asher said to him pleasantly. "Been a thousand years with you? A week?" "How's Lily doing...? Though this probably isn't a good time to ask," he said, smirking slightly before turning to the group that were gathering around Eren and the others.
Arimin, Eren and Mikasa gazed down at the symbol on his hands surprise etched onto their faces. Eren stared Sina gazed down at it in familiarization.
"What is this?" Arimin asked, looking up at Atem who frowned slightly. "It is..."
"It's called the Triforce. It is an ancient power created by three Golden Goddess. It is a power that can shape any desire and wish no matter what or who it might be. Your goddess held the true form and power of it in its entirety and naturally she was sought after by Pitch during the war," Asher said, walking up to Eren and taking his hand looking down intently at the mark set against the flesh. "Kinda makes since with your Titan form having pointed ears for it's said that the Hylians have long ears to hear the voices of the gods..."
"But... you said tri right? So why does Sina have one?" Armin asked, turning to Alex.
"Because there was a secret fourth piece that no one knew about..." came Carlos' voice from behind them, he and Annie Reiner and Bertholdt were all there looking at the scene before them. Carlos stepped forwards his eyes on Sina. "We need you four to come with us," Carlos said plainly.
No one doubted who he was addressing.
"Annie, you were a warrior of the Goddess?" Armin said, looking straight at her. Annie looked at him eyes blank but inside she was burning with rage for her blindness.
"Yes. I don't understand... How I could have been so blinded, it was right in front of my eyes the while time."
"It seems that the fallen humans are regaining what they had so foolishly cased aside in your mad worship of the False God..." Carlos smirked, his eyes on Hanji.
"Armin... what are you doing?" Eren hissed, at his friend eyes filled with rage as he turned to the small group ahead of him Did you forget what they did ? You're all mass nothing murders ever last one of you no matter what reason you hide it behind! Yo-"
"Get over yourself," Sina muttered her open hand still raised in the air and the sound of the slap still ringing in everyone's ears. Eren held his cheek still red and stinging from where she had slapped it and watched, his eyes wide in shock, as the young girl turned her back on them and walked purposely and without hesitation up to the group of four with a look of pure resignation on her face so different from what she looked like so long ago, Carlos thought.
"Lady Sina," Carlos said softly, "I do not ask you to forgive me for what I did. But... know that..."
"It's fine..." Alex said flatly.
"So... that is it?" Erwin said stepping forwards.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Sina shouted abruptly turning around to glare at Erwin through furious and angry dark eyes. "I was burnt to death by you people! Not only that but I had to watch as my father was driven mad with grief over it! You should be grateful that I am even helping you people by brining life back to this place now!" As Sina spoke, she furiously began to unravel and tore at the thick bandages on her hands finally revealing the fully healed, yet still smoking, white skin underneath." And I am not "Alex Lea" or "Chastity." Daughter of a drunken Mormon zealot. I am Sina Moto! Only daughter of Maria and Kiriouchi Moto of the last true humans," she hissed, clenching her hand and let the smoke billow out, her hair seemingly shinning a dark black for a moment against the shinning sun. "And there's hardly a single damn I care what you lot think about it." Both Bertholdt and Reiner drew back at the last comment. A look of slight shock and awe on their faces.
Bertholdt stepped forwards placing a hand gently on her shoulder and walked with her back to their group. Annie met Eren's angry green eyes his with her cold blue cold like the ice of her old Homeland.
"Mass murders you call us? Funny... You have no clue... Eren. No clue of how many were killed by the ones you so defend. The atrocities they stared... the dead, decomposing mounting bodies... The fires of their accused still alive and withering in the flames... Not but thirdly years ago the land outside the walls was nothing but a barren wasteland because of what your ancestors did! she shouted, pointing an accusing finger behind him beyond the wall.
"We will take back what used to be our Kingdom..." Carlos hissed at him.
Annie glanced at Atem and then to Carlos who nodded and both of them stepped more openly and walked straight back and full of the dignity of their position towards him. Atem looked at them both wearily and Marik and Jounochi's eyes narrowed. Marik's hand clenching over the gold instrument Eirene and Athoris were was the only who seemed calm. When the two were barely an arms from him they placed their left first against their heart in salute to him.
"Creation of Ra. As one of the last true human and as Warriors to the Goddess Rhea, we bid you a most regretful welcome to her world..."
"I see... So that's it then."
"H-hey! What the he'll are you doing?!"
The titans... Were once used by Rhea in the war... why on earth would they go after you? Atem said, looking back to Eren.
"Princess, you know what is right." Haruka said softly, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry... Sasha," Makoto said softly.
"You bastards..."
"Say what you will... but this is the truth. Everything you know is a lie, Eren. Including what you believe what the titans are," Onyx said calmly.
"I never said I believed anything about the damn walls!"
"Then... why are you denying it?"
"Let me put it this way," Carlos said mildly, stepping forward. "Either you come with us or... with just a simple thought. I will call every last damned titan here from every corner of the land and turn ever single member of the fallen race into Titans before your very eyes. Tell me, Eren do you even know the world you're fighting for? Did you even consider why they wanted to kill you so badly...? It wasn't just because they feared you knew some secrets about that wall. It was because they saw in you something they could not understand... Something that had forsaken and in their beliefs needed to be destroyed. It's your choice, Eren... You can't hope to deny it Either, it will chew you up and spit you out until you are begging to join us..."
Eren felt his body convulse and seem to go rigid and his eyes were soon filled with anger. But his hand would not go to his weapon. He felt the fight go out of him.
"Yes. I remember those eyes well... No matter what you say you cannot hope to harm me..." Carlos said softly, "You know deep inside that I am right..."
"...It's true," Onyx said slowly, "When I first entered this place I felt an overwhelming sense of power," he muttered a dark look on his face.
Carlos frowned slightly as he looked at the pale boy before him a memory of a blood socked black battle field filling his mind.
"You..." he hissed.
"Yes... me. And you... You are that boy who lost both of his arms trying to save Rhea..." Onyx said slowly. Carlos' eyes hardened his fingers twitching as if reaching for his sword before he shook his head.
"She died fairly well if you wonder," Onyx said softly. "She... she never answered to him or cried out in pain... to the very end..."
"I see..." Carlos said a hard look on his face. "If you must know I do not hate you. Wretched child taken by darkness..."
"I was no child..." Onyx said as the boy's eyes fell on Jack.
"...Oh... a spirit...? Tell me how are you fearing here? Not very well, I expect. You're powers must be feeling very weak?"Carlos said, as he looked at Jack a look of concern on his face.
Armin stepped forward towards his friend.
"Eren... we should..."
"If we cooperate with you... You will keep the titans away?" Erwin interrupted him, stepped towards Carlos a little, eyeing him incredulously. Carlos turned his green as grass eyes to him and Annie glanced at him through her sky blue eyes and both of them nodded.
"Yes. You have our word," Carlos said to the commander.
"What the hell are you doing, Erwin!?" came Niles voice shattering the uneasy ceasefire.
"Nile stop!"
"Oh...? Look at this," Carlos smirked, turning to the small band of Military Policemen guns raised and ready to fire at them all. "That think that they can take us on?" The mere thought is laughable." he chuckled looking at Annie.
"Truly," Annie smirked, inwardly she couldn't wait to see what her partner would do to them next. Bertholdt and Reiner watched Carlos smirking and Sina chuckled.
Nile held his gun steady at the one right in front of him and fired, but the shot never came. Niles as well as the rest of his mens gun broke apart and fell to the ground. An instant later he heard more than felt his Maneuvering gear fall heavily to the ground. One of the Military police doubled over in pain as the heaviest parts fell on his leg. Niles barely had time to collect himself before he was soon face to face with cold green eyes.
"Why don't you tell your useless over-exhausted doll of a king that the only one who deserve the tittle of royalty is Rhea and us... And while you're at it you can tell him and your underlings that... the ones he ordered to have kill are still very much alive..." Carlos hissed, raising his sword to his throat.
Niles gulped as a part of his mustache split and fell to the ground.
Erwin watched his eyes stoic at what he had just witnessed as nothing more than a flash of grey and cold steel slicing through the very air.
Levi raised and eyebrow smirking at what he had just seen.
"Not bad..." he muttered, and turned to Sina.
"Oy... Has he always been able to do that?"
"Don't talk to the Lady Sina like that!" Bertholdt barked at him.
"I think that that will be quite enough," came a soft voice behind them.
Carlos stopped, his blade half an inch form the man and turned seeing a darkly dressed figure sitting on what appeared to have once been part of a part of a fallen building. He looked dark, his hair was as black as the night and his eyes were cat like purple slits, he was dressed in the robes he had seen the God of the Underworld once wore. On his forehead showed three moon symbol each connected to each-other in some way and his eyes glowed like gentle silver pearls.
Usagi gulped couldn't help but feel as if she was seeing Neheliania in the flesh again.
Hotaru watched the man with intreats.
"And... you are?" Carlos asked, letting Niles fall to the ground in a cold sweat.
"Me? I am Hades... Lord of the Underworld and dead."
Carlos' eyes narrowed.
"No you're not," the boy hissed.
"Oh? My my... Cerberus, you never told me he had such sharp eyes," Hades said, turning to the one dressed similarly next to him.
"Yeah... there's a lot of things I never told you about him," Cerburis said, his snake like red eyes landing on Nora.
"Warrior of Rhea... I am sorry to say that the first Hades died in the war. And by the will of Selene I have become his replacement..." Hades said, sliding easily from the rock and walking towards the group before him.
Sina frowned, looking at the God of the Dead in confusion as he approached. A half awakened, hazy memory dancing before her eyes. It came to full realization when he turned his eyes to hers and she looked up at full recognition at his purple eyes who found her and widened slightly.
"God of the Underworld, Hades. I thank-you for convincing Ra to grant my request," Sina said softly, placing her left fist to her heart and the other behind her back, her eyes closed in respect to him. Hades eyes seemed to soften upon seeing her and as he passed her by he gently ruffled her hair. Sina felt a soft smile cross her thin lips.
Annie and the rest looked at her.
Atem watched as Hades came to stand by him.
"Avatar of Ra, you need not fear for you world. I was sent here by Ra... You are to accompany the ones bearing the mark of Rhea on their skin. You will me more safer there than here..."
"Very well," Atem said, his eyes hard.
"Devil! You all disrespect God by breaking his wall!"
"Yeah... Sorry, you just missed him by a few minutes. But I'll be more than happy to help you out," Onyx smirked, looking over at Nick standing there in all openness as sweat pored down his face.
Erwin blinked looking over at Onyx and then turned to Carlos.
"My my... you people are always past reasoning... Even they know the truth already," Carlos finished, gesturing behind him. Erwin looked and for the first time he saw the faces of the people all around them. They way they looked he knew they had seen and heard everything.
The people's eyes were locked on the four before them a look of uncertainty on their faces as they turned to Nick accusing looks in their eyes who looked as uncertain as they did as he began to sweat as much as Bertholdt on a bad day.
"Like I said... I have no reason to lie. They saw it. You know of it... the very being you people worship was that man..." Carlos said his hand on his sword as he stepped more forwards to the man now shackling on the ground.
"W-wait!" Hanji shouted, running and grabbing his arm. Carlos looked at her before sighing and lowering his weapon.
"Though I do believe that is the right course of action However... I believe it is better to leave this man as he is... knowing everything he believe in is a lie and has damaged the very world..." Hades said as Cerburis frowned.
"Are you kidding? I'm sure Ammit and I can make a meal out of him..." the hell-dog of the underworld smirked as his shadow fell across the man. Hades sighed, turning back to Atem.
"At any rate... I will be able to take you to where you are able to revive her through you but not today... You will have to wait for me in a place where the Goddess' power is still pulsing. Do not worry, I will find you. The more of you that leave the better," he said eyes falling on Hotaru.
Bertholdt scoffed.
"Something wrong?" Hades asked, turning his eyes to his.
"Forgive me but... frankly, I don't trust anyone here enough to train a puppy..." he muttered. Sina paused and then turned to him.
"Bertholdt-kun it might be worth having them around..."~ Sina said turning towards her elder her eyes wide and glittering, an all-most simpering look in their depths.
Bertholdt felt his breath being sucked down his windpipe and he felt his body go slightly damp as he fell to his knees and hugged the girl before him.
"Oh you have got to be f*#%ing kidding me," Levi muttered.
"Little Goddess!" Bertholdt cried, hugging her tightly.
"Are we sure were not thinking of Historia..." Connie muttered, earring a cold of ice glare from Bertholdt.
"Speaking of Historia... I saw her slip out when the building was attacked," Rotto said dully.
"Well, wherever Ymir is Histora Isn't that much far behind..."
Jean was in a state of confusion. Nothing had made sense to him and yet it all seemed to fit perfectly into place, in a crazy insane way that is. He blinked trying to get his voice back and looked towards Hades watching as he began to leave.
"Wait!" he shouted, as he ran up quickly to him. Hades stopped and turned to look at the young solder. Cerberus eyed him, frowning slightly "You're the lord of the dead right? Please... tell me. Where is Marco?"
"Marco?" the God asked, turning to him and frowned. "A fallen comrade..."
"...Yes..."
Hades looked at him intently him for a moment and sighed.
"The souls of the dead are forever trapped here in this world. They are unable to find peace for their Goddess is dead the fallen will never find soulence for the crimes they preform. If you wish to bring his soul peace then bring Rhea back to her lands...What is you name?"
"Jean Keristine..."
"Keristine...?
"Yes."
"I highly recommend that you change it... for it is not a name to be associated by one living in the light of goddess' and gods. You will understand that in time..."
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . *
"From what Carlos was saying it looks like you weren't her... Whatever... I could care less even if you were her." Ymir's voice could be heard saying as she moved closer to Historia.
"Ymir..."
"Shh..." This time it was her putting a finger to her pale lips.
"You know, I don't care at all what your sexual preference is, it's just that I know you don't want us to watch," Carlos said, as he and seemingly ever member of the Scouting Legion and that annoying blonde girl as well as a boy with stalk white hair come into the sinking cell.
Historia gave a little shocked gasp and shot straight us standing in front of Ymir protectively as Levi approached them.
"Relax... You're girlfriend isn't going to die... You're just going to have to come with us," Levi paused and looked around the bearly stacell rollroom and turned to Carlos. "You're going to own me a new cell... he mutter to him who just shrugged as Ymir looked intently at Jack.
"I don't know why... but there's something about you I like," Ymir said, as she looked closely at the Winter Spirit.
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . *
The surrounding citizens of Rose again watched as the boy with the sharp eyes and sun-kissed skin was being led through the remains of the city. But this time he wasn't in shackles, or being led to the dungeon. Instead he was amongst the members of the Scouting Legion being led out of the walls and to the land beyond. There were none among them who were making a single sound. They knew- even the children- what would happened if they did. Many, if not all of them, had also witnessed and heard what had been said and done not hours before. Though unbelievable it may seem they all knew that it was all too true. In short they did not know what to think.
One child however broke free from his mother's side and out of the surrounding crowd and dashed towards Sina who was riding on her own horse alongside Mike. Carlos, Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie watched him wearily. And Rose flew down and perched himself on his mistress' shoulder. Silver eyes were glued to the boy as he approached. Eren looked back remembering the same child who had looked out the window along with his sister during his first expedition. As if in another lifetime. Sina glanced down at the child as he stopped right bedside her and held up a small bundle of flowers in his hands as high as he could reach towards her. As she looked at his eyes a memory of fire danced across her mind as well as the laughing, cruel eyes of a man now staring through the uncertain eyes of a child holding out a small token of forgiveness for past deeds. Sina had a sudden urge to kick the boy to the ground and be on her way. However, she carefully bent down and carefully took the flowers out of his hands and ruffled his hair with a stiff node and a small smile.
The people around pondered what this was all that had been about and when the child returned to his mother's side she could not coax a reply out of him, only that he had "done something very bad to the pretty lady." So the people continued to simply watch them go by. Out the gate and into the world outside the demolished walls. None of them understanding why there was such an odd chill in the air for mid summer.
"So... where is this place you talked about?" Levi muttered, riding alongside as they exited through the final gate.
"It's five and a half hours travel away from the river bank to another small river that connects to it. It is far past your headquarters. It will be night time soon and I am sure everyone would need some rest there," Carlos said, looking over his shoulder at the others behind them.
Levi eyed him frowning slightly and then nodded stiffly.
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . *
"I don't give a single damn what happened to him. I can never forgive him... No matter what he says," Connie was saying, his eyes as hard as stone later at the castle. It was nighttime and the moon hung full over them. Clean and clear over the cloudless night sky as if in a blessing. Or so Usagi had said. Levi had just scoffed at her causing Haruka to stiffen at his manner and glare at him causing a very stiff scene between the two Michiru and Hanji that both had to intervene in the end.
"To tell the truth I can't trust any of them either... But... I do kind of understand a little of what it it's like to be targeted by one of those people," Eren said slowly, thinking about his time at the court room. "Those people are insane... What they tried to do Reiner and Bertholdt is just... sick." the brunette finished, his mind thinking back to hours before and sighed.
They had been staying in the room all this time. They had been allowed to go out but they never did.
"If you think that's the worst of it, Eren you are very fortunate," Alex said, without so much as looking from her her book called "Hamlet" at the table. "Always fighting to survive the day. That's was their life was like for them..." she sighed closing her book and leaning back in her chair.
The mark on the back of Eren hand glowed brightly startling him a little.
"Asher... what did he want with Rhea anyway?" Armin asked, looking at him. The shedow looked at him and sighed
"Because she held a secret to the true power created by the Golden Goddess within her. Naturally Pitch wanted its secret and I was ordered to capture her... She fought like hell. She was terrifying really... but in the end... she was taken. No matter what he did to her she never answered to him. She was kept alive, but barely... He never broke her no matter what he did. Nor how many horrors he set to her mind or ever repairing body. Her domineer only changed the day when... the day when she was told about the attack on Hylia's realm. It was... a look of pure terror and hatred..." Onyx said, remembering that day long ago in that dank, dark, and gloomy cell. And the lithe figure chained to the floor whose mismatched eyes had been wide with horror and revolution through the cloud of smoke that seemed to be emitting from her entire being.
"You know... you seem different then before..."
Heh... "I do do I? Perhaps my past is just catching up to me..." he said thoughtfully, a hand resting on his chin. An awkward silence followed soon after.
The sound of glass shattering broke throught the silence of the room and when they looked up to see where it had come form everyone saw a broken cup on the ground next to Sina who was holding her hand.
"OY! Be more careful next time..." Levi said, annoyed and ready to tell her to clean the mess she made up. But then he saw the blood seeping through her fingers that were tightly closed around her hand and to the floor as he approached her.
"I-I'm fine," she gasped, holding her hand even tightly as blood began to seep through her fingers. Onyx's eyes narrowed and he crossed the room in several strides walked towards her. Sina shrunk away from him.
"Please," Onyx said fight hard to sound as pleasant as Rotto had taught him to be, and carefully reaching for her hand. Reluctantly Alex obeyed not shocked at all about who cold and scratchy his skin felt to her and when she did the back of her hand revealed a large gash on the back of her hand that was seeping blood to the ground. It was cut directly on the shapes of the triforce and it cut so deeply into the skin that one could see the white bone underneath.
"Old wounds opening up?" Asher said softly, holding Sina's hand carefully in his. "What? Did you think that bastard only stopped at mental tortures? Oh no... Not with that twisted mind of his."
"Please, don't tell them."
"That bastard..." Eren felt his jaw harden in anger and a sudden sharp pain shut up his right hand making his cry out a little and as he looked down he saw a small trial of blood flow down his hand before it began to heal. Eren's eyes winded in shock remembering he had once had a cut like that when and had shown it to his father. He remembered that he had seen a look of triumph in his eyes before he had quickly bandaged it off from sight of his mother watchful eyes.
Eren turned around and raced out the door. A moment later Alex fled after him.
"EREN!" Levi shouted after him.
"Let him go," Hanji said slowly.
He knows where they are he turners a corner and come to a half open door and peaks inside. At first he thinks he's entered a dream. What else could he come up with? Eren stood immobile at the door-way looking in on the scene thinking that his eyes must be paying tricks on him. After all how could Annie...
"Do you really find it strange? Alex asked, popping out of no where beside him. "For years they could only rely on each-other for survival... I used to watch them... long ago. I often thought I was getting in their way sometimes..." she giggled, looking in on the scene she had seen for so many times. Annie was sitting on the coach with Carlos on her lap stroking his hair. His eyes were closed and a look of peace was on his face as she quietly and softly sang to him in a voice Eren was surprised she could even possess.
"The servant lost eternal to the mists of time... Never found and faded into the mist. The goddess will sleep in gold keeping the cracked land pure to unite the heavens and the earth once more under the grey of the light... The darkness still lives through the blood..."
"This is when they can feel peaceful... " Alex said slowly, as they both looked in one the scene.
"Bah... We can't find a moments peace among these children," Carlos muttered suddenly, raising himself off of Annie's lap his sharp eyes looking towards the half open door. "Honestly... and you say I've lost my touch... Lady Sina, there is no need for you to lurk out there... You two can come in if you want."
With a strange squeal Alex ran off down the hall leaving Eren the only one in the doorway. He looked back at the two in the room and swallowed hard. These were the people responsible for his mother's murder. They had tried to kill humanity. And yet... and yet... The reason behind it was not like anything he had ever thought it would be. Eren glanced down at the mark on his left hand and breathed in deeply.
"I wanted to ask you two... about my father..."
At that Carlos sat up straighter and Annie's eyes grew hard.
"We were going to ask you the same thing..."
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * .* . * . * . * . * . *
Outside two figures clocked and covered in the darkness crouched in the bushes and foliage that surrounded the castle. They were looking in on the scene through the light flooded window. One of them sat up a little on their knees as if to get a better look at it. The small amount of movement causing his hood to fall away to reveal dark reddish brown hair as dark as the night that surrounded him. It looked spiky and was swept cleanly away from his eyes and face, however his left one that was narrowed in confusion was the only one that was seeable. This was not what he had been expecting, especially not with Carlos. Before he pulled the hood back to cover his face the light form the moon reveal several shallow and small scars on his forehead in the shape of a sharp X that was cut harshly into his very skin. The wind rushed by him lifting his hair and revealing a cruel scar that was running directly down his left eye that was forever closed and useless to him. There was still another one that was running diagonally along the bridge of his nose like someone had tried to slashed his face. He knelt down back in the darkness when he saw a shadow pass along the lower window next to their room. He sighed and looked towards the more petite figure next to him. Through the lowered hood soft blue eyes could be seen looking at him questioningly, her light blonde hair was loose about her and, if she removed her cloak, would fall like a gentle cloud all around her entire being. He turned to her, dark reddish brown eyes shinning gently at her.
"Kyklo... Do you think they've been captured?" said the soft clear voice of a young girl next to him.
The young man smiled. He didn't understand why but even during a time like this her voice would always calm him. Like it did for him long ago in that dark cage.
"Stay away from the light and keep your hood down, Charle... One of them might see you." he spoke to her softly. "No. At least... it doesn't seem that way. After all, Carlos wouldn't call the titans off if the four of them had been would he? Something else is going on in there..."
"Should we... go back and tell the professor and Angel about this?"
The boy paused at her words and frowned shacking his head. "No. Come on, let's find a way to get inside."
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . *
"You dared to take that boy at his word? For god sake Erwin he helped to create the titans!"
"Niles... I know you were there you were listening to every word since Sina regained her memories. We lost who we were. We lost our way. We lost the light. We killed an innocent child and a helpless, bedridden woman and drove a man insane... And countless other acts. Destroyed the land... Back then... We were the titans..."
"Erwin... This is no child's play or a fictional story to be be enjoyed. That boy might be specal but... This is just..."
"I know. But it is our only hope for the future. With just a thought Carlos, and possible Annie, are able to call the titans back here. He's given his word that he won't as long as we cooperate with them. And besides... Like you have just said I have always felt something from those three..." the Scouting Legion commander finished as he felt the carriage come to a gentle stop and he left the carriage leaving Nile alone with just his thoughts.
The ones the king commanded to be killed are still alive and well.
The Chief of the Military Police felt his breath go cold and his body start to shake. Did he mean... all of them? Did that mean the Titan child and that little harlot were still very much alive as well?
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . *
"I see... so that's it then?" Pixis sighed from behind his desk looking us at Erwin. Besides the two of them they were the only ones in the room "So... the titans will not attack us... No matter what that man does."
"Yes... Carlos has given his world."
"Of course..." He has always been like that...
"Yes... it makes sense as well. There was always something special about those three. One could just feel it. And that young girl as well. She was literally out of this time," the old man sighed heavily, reaching into his desk and pulling out a pair of old worn grey colored finger gloves. They appeared to be slightly singed and blackened by fire at the corners.
Erwin eyed them wondering why such an old man had such an old pair of gloves fit for a small girl's hands- a careless girl's hands.
"Did they... belong to someone you knew?"
"A young lady I once knew wore these once... Elegant, charming... spoiled yet lovely as can be expected from a father who loves his daughter. Not ready to face the challenges of her task... Tell me Erwin, if you were holding the burning corpses of your wife and child how would you consider humanity then if you were in Kuchirou's position?"
"I think... Sir... I never told you that man's name..."
"I think... it is time I visited my dear little granddaughter one last time before she leaves," Pixis chuckled softly, eyes twinkling as he exited the door leaving Erwin alone in the room with a look of utter disbelief on his normally stoic face. It couldn't be... could it? He sucked a small bit of his breath in and turned sharply to the small locket the commander had left on the table that held the face of a young girl. His eyes winding in shock before quickly following his elder out the door.
The picture inside the locket looked old, worn, and very dirty with a look of many ages gone by in it. The kind of dirty that would make Levi go into one of his cleaning moods. Inside it showed a single person. A child with soft innocent eyes and a careless smile on her face. Though it was hard to tell because of the black and white colors in the photograph the child once had black hair and eyes cut and shaped so similarly to Sina that it was uncanny. She was holding herself well, elegantly and refined, wearing a strange assortment of strange seemingly multiple layered clothing. Her gloved hands were folded neatly in front of her person.
However, through the fabric a single grey triangular light glowed through the cotton .
* . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . * . *
Ymir sighed irritably as she leaned against the nearest pillar next to Historia and glaring at Moblit who just stood there looking at the two of them. Really, did Hanji have to have her person pet watch over them? Well at least she was with Histor...
"...Did you see that?"
"Did I see what?" Moblit asked, glancing around and then back at Ymir.
"Someone just jumped onto the roof!"
"Impossible..." Moblit said, shrugging her worries away as Historia looked at her.
"Yeah... but aren't their still titans around?"
"...Squad leader Hanji!" Moblit shouted, quickly running towards the Mess hall.
"You told him that just to get rid of him, didn't you?" Histora sighed.
"Oh... maybe," Ymir smirked, pulling the petite blonde closer to herself taking her hand in her leaning in closer. "Really Historia, Annie and Carlos already called them all away from us!"
A few meters away from the two of them the same two clocked figures from outside came around the corner paused at the scene before their eyes and quickly retreated backwards.
"Umm... Kyklo?" Charle said nervously and quietly to the very rigid figure next to her.
"She's the one..." Kyklo muttered, feeling his body shake with rage despite himself.
"Huh?"
"She's the titan that ate Berwick..."
"She's... The Dancing Titan?"
... Short preview for next chapter ...
"And I thought... all along that the titans were our true enemies... It looks like... we were wrong all this time..." Armin sniffed, holding his mother's limp yet still warm with life hand gently yet firmly in his left one. Hoping against hope that the Goddess' remaining power in his hand would help to wake her up. "Eren, Mikasa... I don't know about you two but... I am going to see this job through. To the end...!"
Eren looked down at his eldest, most closest friend sitting down next to his family, so close to tears and yet burning with the same hate and determination as him that it made his heart sink. He sighed heavily as he looked around the still as death room filled with nothing but the sound of light skeletal breathing and rhythmic beeping sounds. He was right... Annie and the rest had been right all along...
Mikasa looked forward, not looking down at the many bodies laid on the beds before her, not at the commander sitting like a stone by his father's bed, but out the window shinning light into the rom and towards the mass graves on the grounds below and towards the fog covered forest. Her eyes glassy with an unknown emotion. She had always known that the walls were nothing but a death trap. This was where humanity would truly survive and flourish.
Damn the Wallist...
Damn the brigade.
Damn the king!
Damn them all to hell!
So... has anyone read the latest chapter of SnK? 'Cause you can't deny that they did kill the ones who went out of the wall to simply look around. I think... C'mon! They showed the Military Police shooting down a woman and her child in an crate tied to a balloon! A freakin' balloon! Tied to a freaking crate! Gods damn it!
Anyway...
Charle, Angel and Kyklo are all character that appear in SnKs spin off manga called Before the Fall. I in no way own any of them, except for Hades/Nehel. You can read about him in my The birth of Hades. The revised one would be better.