Chapter 7: The Anticipated Revelation

Dawn was near as the sun beams shine brightly through the break in the trees. Kristell and Peter were soundly awoken by the chirp of birds and small critters as they looked around for Liette. Her makeshift bed was empty, and the fire was just put out, so it occurred to them that she had woken up not too long ago.

Both of them didn't give it much thought as they began to clean up their campsite. They were sure that Liette was safe, and probably was taking care of some business.

"Where is she? We've got to go soon" Peter asked quite impatiently as he stacked their rolled up blankets onto the wagon. As he got seated onto the driving seat of the wagon, Kristell saw Liette leisurely making her way to join them.

After greeting them with a good morning, Liette got onto the wagon, "Sorry about that. I was washing up a little bit before we departed"

Making sure they had everything ready to go, they continued on their way towards the Karanese District. Liette estimated that they had about half a day's travel left, and quite frankly, she was very eager to find out what Irvin wanted to tell her.

Their trip was mostly silent as she sat there as Peter and Kristell took turns to take the reins of the horses, glaring at the scenery slowly move from one still life to the other. Her eyes blankly concentrated on nothing and looked at everything. It was a silent meditation; her mind thought back on the time she spent with Norma, Filla, and all the others.

"Why…?" She wondered to herself, half asleep. "After all these years… I still don't know… why…."

Unknown Area – Inner Wall Sina

"My Liege, we found the girl you wanted dead. She's making her way to the Karanese District"

"You did now?" A sinister voice asked from the depths of the dark office. A single candle illuminated the room in a dim radiance, and only the outline of the shadowy person was seen.

"Yes, do you want us to kill her as planned?"

"No, that was simply a test to see if she was a worthy enough opponent" The Person replied cockily as they took a cigar out, and lit it with the candle flame. "She's been through the valley of hell and back in one piece. That's one tough shit to kill if you ask me"

"Then what shall we do for now?"

"Simply watch her for now. Hahaha…" The smoke from the tobacco was faintly visible, "This will be interesting…"

"Sire…?"

"Tell the other crime lords that the game is on. The game for Liette Herrman…"

"Yes Sire"

"Hehehe…..HAHAHAHA…. You are mine Liette, all mine, and I will take back what belongs to me…"

Wall Rose – Karanese District: Gate

"Liette… wake up, we're here" Kristell shook Liette awake from her spot at the reins with Peter sitting beside her.

Liette woke up suddenly from her sound sleep in a daze. Rubbing her eyes in slight confusion, her senses slowly woke up themselves as she asked, "Did I knock out?"

"You sure did" Peter replied as he hailed to the officers at the gate.

"Did you get enough sleep last night?" Kristell inquired.

Shaking her head, Liette added, "To be honest, I was keeping watch. It's dangerous in the wilderness at night, bandits may creep up any time." It was genuine concern that came from Liette's heart. It was something she learned while in the circus as they traveled. There are much more bandits and brigands out in the wilderness than meets the eye.

Both Kristell and Peter were rather surprised at Liette's gesture of keeping them safe, and both of them expressed their gratitude to her.

"Do you usually watch over new troops like us?" Kristell asked. They were standing next to the wagon because it was being inspected by guards posted by.

"Not usually, but you guys remind of some friends I used to know" Liette replied, smiling gently to herself. After the inspection was over, they were cleared to enter the Karanese District. The entrance gate was bustling with merchants weaving in and out to sell their wares and make a profit, paranoid travelers seeking a safer alternative from the Trost District after the events of the Shiganshina District, and the like. "Well, this is where I get off" she said stepping lightly off the wagon, making sure not to strain her ankle too much.

"I guess this is goodbye then" Peter said bidding farewell to Liette.

"We'll be in town for a while anyway, so see you around" Kristell also bid as they both waved with a new kindled friendship built up.

"Take care…" Liette as she watched them continue on, disappearing into the traffic. As she was smiling, she took a look around, she was supposed to meet Rivaille and Irvin around this area, yet, they were nowhere to be seen. Amidst the jumbled chatter and noise amongst the pedestrians, Liette felt a tap on her shoulder and looked to see.

"Hurry up, I can't stand how filthy this street is any longer" It was Rivaille, and his face conveyed the feeling that he wasn't too happy.

Liette did nothing but smile at Rivaille's somewhat grumpy mood as she said in her mind, "Good to see you too Rivaille…"

Long waited reunions aside, Rivaille escorted Liette to the Scouting Legion HQ for the Karanese District. Since the fall of the outer walls, Irvin ordered that new Scouting Legion HQ's be placed at the four districts around the Wall Rose so that they may be able to commence operations from all locations, but he gave the Trost District the highest concentration of Scouting Legion members because it was closest to the Shiganshina District. He proposed that a possible future activity for the Scouting Legion was to aid in the repair of the Wall Maria in order for humanity to recapture it.

Navigating through the unfamiliar layout of the foreign HQ, Rivaille had finally knocked on the door of an office at the far end of the hallway of the second floor.

"Commander, she's here" Rivaille said, knocking a few more times before opening the door. Entering, both of them promptly saluted to their commanding officer.

Irvin put the papers he was reading down, ready to get to the manner at hand quickly. "Liette, I see to it that you have recovered from your wounds?"

"Yes Commander" Liette replied as Irvin gesture for her to sit down.

"Are you adequate mentally though?" He asked, peering at her as if he were looking into her soul.

Liette thought about it before blinking a few times, the more she thought about it, the more her expression became saddened. "Only partially…"

Irvin was silent as he gave her a moment to compose herself. Speaking up again, he said, "As you recall in my letter, I said that there was someone who knew you. He wants to talk to you. It may seem confusing, but I will go into details after you have talked to him" Writing on a piece of paper, Irvin folded it and slid it towards Liette. "This is where you will find him. Please talk to him, and see me afterward."

"Who is this person though?" Liette questioned, taking the paper into her own hands.

"You will find out in when you see him" Irvin dodged the question bluntly, "Please, prepare yourself. What he is going to tell you is mentally delicate."

"Yessir" Liette didn't quite understand what he meant, but she took it as seriously as him. The only thing that still puzzled her was what this was all about.

"Oh and Liette" Irvin stood up.

"Yes?"

He pressed his fist on his heart and saluted to her, "Thank you for your service to mankind. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten"

Nodding her head and saluting back, she said at the top of her lungs, "I accept your praise! Thank you Commander!"

Despite the depressing emotions that swept upon Liette, she said to herself that their sacrifices will never go in vain, despite all circumstances. On her way out and down the hall, Rivaille caught her by the shoulder.

"Glad to have you back Liette" Rivaille slightly smiled at her. With all sincerity, he felt at ease to see Liette safe and sound. It wasn't a side of him that he usually showed, but he did nonetheless. Some considered him unapproachable, but he was still human after all.

"I'm glad to be back"

Northern Karanese District

Since the Karanese District goes on a different compass scale, the East and West are the respective entrances into the city while the sides of the walls are the North and the South. Irvin's instructions were to head to the northern part of the city and locate the house with the description as provided. It was a small home, probably enough for one person only. The exterior wasn't blazingly different, in fact, it was extremely plain like all the other buildings nearby.

Hoping that it was the right place, Liette knocked on the door a few times. After a few moments of no reply, she was about to knock again before a voice from inside called out, "Please come in! I'll be with you in a minute!"

Entering as told, Liette glanced around the house. It was as plain as the outside, yet, the home was that of a middle class persons. The person who wanted to see her clearly wasn't very poor.

"Please have a seat!" A voice echoed from somewhere in the house, "I'm just finishing up some things, I'll be with you in a moment!"

Searching around, Liette took a seat at a chair in the present living room. With a few moments to spare, she realized the familiarity of some of these trinkets on display. There were wooden carvings strewn about sitting on tables and drawers. These looked as if they were partially damaged because of the burn and char marks on them. Glass ornaments gleamed with the light shining through the open window.

"These… they all look so familiar…" Liette muttered to herself, inspecting the nostalgic objects even further. At that moment, something also clicked in her mind, "That voice…! Why does his voice sound so familiar?" She asked herself about this person of interest.

"Sorry I took so long, I was filing a few papers. Would you like something to drink Commander Ir….vin…?" Liette's person of interest asked as he entered the room, his voice gagging up with surprise once he set his sights upon her.

Noticing that he was in the room, Liette stood up straight and turned her head to greet him. Her eyes met a sight that shocked her.

"Liette….?" He asked, his voice croaky.

"N-Nelson….?" Liette was just as surprised as Nelson, that both of them were in the room together. She couldn't say anything. All these years Liette had thought that everyone perished. She thought she was alone in the world.

Now, standing before her, was the last person she expected to see. Family, long lost family, finally reunited in such uncanny circumstances.

Slowly approaching Liette, he held his hands up to touch her face, running his hand against her soft cheek to make sure it wasn't an illusion, "Liette… Liette! It's you! It's really you!" he exclaimed wrapping his arms around her. He already knew she was still alive, but, he wanted to make sure, absolutely sure.

She was lost without words, and Liette could do nothing but wrap her arms around her foster brother. "Nelson…. I…I was so….so lonely…."

"Shhh….." Nelson whispered, "Big brother is here. Just let it all out. He's been lonely too."

At this point, Liette couldn't contain it any further, she began to wail out and sob like a child. "Waaaahhhh! Nelson….it was… so scary…. I-I didn't know what to do without you, or Norma, or Roger, or Filla…I just didn't know…I just… ran…." Catches in her throat made her speech somewhat inaudible, but Nelson understood anyway.

Nelson rubbed her back to comfort her as he began to tear up also, "It's okay… I didn't know what to do without them either…. Especially without you…"

ooo

Even after most of the crying was done, Liette couldn't help but shed a few more. "N-Nelson… please.. tell me… how…?" Liette managed to say without choking on her own voice.

Nelson sat down next to Liette, calming himself down before he explained himself. He knew exactly what Liette was asking, and so he responded duly, "I was in town that day. So… I avoided.. it all. When I got back to see almost all of the fairgrounds in ash, I felt… so bad… so empty…. So guilty. Why me?" His voice began to sound depressed as he lowered his head in shame and guilt.

Liette sympathized as her eyes fell sullen with sadness, "Did… did anyone else… make it out alive?"

He shook his head in reply, "As far as I know, you and I are the only survivors. When.. when I got back, the Stationary Guard were already on the scene. Most of the bodies were burnt to the bone, so I couldn't make them out. It was, so crushing." Taking a deep breath before continuing on, Nelson glared at Liette with his troubled eyes, "Norma's body was among the few that were undamaged. So I took the obligation of burying it…"

"And….and Roger…?"

Again, he shook his head. "Only his bones remained…We could only identify him by his cane nearby"

"I figured so…" Liette's voice dragged down as she folded her hands together, resting her elbows in her knees. "I saw him… die…."

Her foster brother stayed quiet, as, he was having a hard time trying to muster up the courage to reveal the guilt biting at his heart for the past seven years. "Liette… I have, something terrifying to tell you. But no matter how terrible it is, will you be able to accept it?"

Liette bit her lip for a moment, thinking back on that conversation that Nelson and Norma had, back then. Then she looked up at Nelson, his blonde hair was neatly kept as his brown eyes stared into her with a seriousness that she had never seen from him before. "Yes… I will…"

Nelson's mouth quivered a bit as he began to speak, "Liette….Roger…. Roger was a slave trader. He was going to sell you when you were old enough…"

Liette blinked a few times, still trying process what Nelson had said. "Sell…. Me…? Roger? No… Roger… wasn't that kind of person…" Her voice was filled with disbelief. In truth, Liette was so scared of the truth that her entire mind rejected it completely.

"I thought that too…" Nelson replied, shifting his gaze to his book shelf. He browsed through it hastily, pulling out a dusty worn diary. "But it was the only way to keep us afloat. If it weren't for him, all of us would be rotting on the streets by then." Gently placing the diary onto the table in front of Liette, "This… this was Norma's diary. She and Roger…. Were partners…"

Her eyes shot open in despair, "No…. not Norma…. She… she wouldn't… would she?!" Tears began to form in her eyes again because accepting this cruel revelation was too much for Liette to handle.

Nelson sighed deeply, almost unable to continue as it was too painful for him. "Norma was going… she was going to talk him out of giving you away. A lot of people knew about it, including me. But then, the killing happened… and… you know the rest…"

Liette still could not believe Nelson's words, it was as if she was listening to a madman preaching lies about her past, but it wasn't. It was Nelson, her brother, one of the people she trusted the most. She was scared that he might've changed within these seven years, but not to the point where he would lie to her.

"Everything… is in Norma's diary." Nelson urged as he slid the old book a bit closer to Liette.

Her hands were trembling, and her mind was racing. Everything in her life was upside down. The people whom she loved the most, both lied to her. Liette wondered if she was living a life of lies, a life of delusion and secrets. Managing to control her twitching hands, Liette took hold of the diary.

"Did… did Roger love me…?" Liette asked in a quiet tone, somewhat shocked still, and unable to convey any emotion at the moment while wiping her tears.

"I couldn't tell. Maybe at first, but, as you grew up, he became more and more distant… more cold, to you and everyone else."

"What about Norma…?"

Nelson solemnly nodded, "Norma loved you as if you were her own daughter. She would have given her life for you"

Liette became silent again before asking one more question, "Nelson… do you love me?"

Waiting for an answer, she felt Nelson's arms wrap around her head, quietly embracing her. "You're my sister, of course I love you"

ooo

Liette departed from Nelson, as, she needed sometime alone. Nelson understood completely, and only requested that she stop by later for dinner. They had a massive lot of catching up to do.

Liette wandered through the unfamiliar streets of the Karanese District aimlessly, her mind absent from her body in constant wonder. People were glaring strangely at her. She was dressed in her Military uniform, yet, with no 3DMG. People were wondering what was up with her, but did not bother to ask or approach her at all.

Norma's diary felt heavy in her hands as she found herself in the middle of an alley. It was a quiet, empty place away from anyone else. Her chest tightened up as she decided to open up Norma's Diary to a random page, to read the pages that may unlock the secrets that haunted her life.

Passage 137

Today we adopted the most adorable girl; her name was Liette. It seems that she was quite interested in the acrobats, and I'm still deciding on whether or not to let her join. She better know that there's a whole lot of training to be done if she wants to perform up there, but I think that she's up to it.

Liette's so beautiful, a sight like her only comes once in a lifetime. I see why Roger took an interest in this girl, as, her physical features are unique beyond a doubt. But, lately I've been feeling guilty about this whole slave trading business. I try to convince Roger to sell them to nice families and households, but he refuses so stubbornly. In recent, he's been very harsh and demeaning; different from his usual.

There's been so many children that have grown up with us throughout the years, yet, they always go away before we can establish set relationships with them. Sometimes I begin to really like them, and then they go. I hope that it won't happen this time.

I'm so tired of this lifestyle, always moving, always on the run. I just want to settle down, maybe even start a family.

Norma's words made Liette realize that she was still the same mother figure to her, no matter what. "Was that.. what she was going to talk to Roger about before the end…?" Liette asked herself, rubbing her chin. Various scenarios wrought itself through Liette's head until one stuck in her head, like a fly caught in a spider web. Another terrible realization had occurred to her, and she squealed in pain as she thought about it, gripping the sides of her head cringing over.

"Could…. Could Roger have killed…. Norma…?" She whispered to herself, as she thought back to that traumatizing memory. "Norma… Norma was the first one dead before… before it started." A image of a limp hand frightened Liette once more as she cowered, "She probably would have been shot… instead of strangled…."

Replaying those thoughts, and that scene, over and over in her head, Liette dropped to the side, lying in the middle of the alley. She thought over and over, until her mind didn't think anything. She just laid there, "He killed her….to keep her quiet." Liette whispered, accepting the harsh reality. But there was one question she considered before breaking down mentally, "Who killed everyone else?"

ooo

"Damn, where the hell is she…?" Lance Corporal Rivaille asked himself as he trudged rather annoyingly down the street. He saw some horse waste at the side of the street, and his nose scrunched up instantly at the stench. He had no problem riding horses, but when it came to more indiscreet such as that, he would lose complexion. "Let's just find her and get a move on. We don't have much time" he murmured swerving to the side into the nearby alley as to avoid the dung as much as possible.

Night was near, and he still had not found Liette yet. He was sure by now that Liette had already talked to Nelson, she should have followed orders are already reported to Irvin after. Though Rivaille can't blame her, but he was a tad bit disappointed to let personal struggles interfere with the job at hand.

Watching the rats scurry about for food, he scoffed a bit, "I guess that's just part of the human nature"

He walked for a bit, cutting through the alleys in search for Liette until he found his target, lying on the ground, unmoving. "Liette!" He said rushing to see what the matter was. He shook her body as he turned her over to face up. Her eyes were red from the constant crying as dry tears stained themselves over her cheeks. It was the pinnacle of mental breakdown.

He gasped when he saw her. Rivaille had never seen Liette in this condition before, and it rendered him extremely uncomfortable to even look at her.

"Rivaille…?" Liette said, slowly bringing her mind back to awareness as she got herself up to a sitting position.

"What the hell happened?"

Liette didn't answer for a moment, and shook her head holding the diary up, "My life… I don't… I don't even know who I am anymore…"

Rivaille did nothing but glare into her purple eyes, it was void of anything, as if the person whom he once called Liette Herrman was no longer there.

"What kind of person am I...? If I don't even know who I am… I'm not worth… being alive anymore… if I don't know my purpose… my being…."

At this point, Rivaille was annoyed, annoyed by the deep cliché existence talk, "Stop it!" he yelled out punching Liette square in the face. "You are Liette Herrman. One of the finest elite in the Scouting Legion, proud member of the 17th Division squad, esteemed soldier, loyal comrade. A hope for humanity…" Rivaille said with his tone becoming somewhat sentimental as he stood up, "But most of all, you are a trusted friend. And I, Lance Corporal Rivaille will ensure that this friend will not be left behind. He will ensure that their problems will be solved, and he will aid them, to the very end"

Holding his hand out, he hoped that Liette would return to her old self. The old self that he had caught interest into six years before, and was still interested in now.

Liette watched him as she heard his words echo through the alley, and into her ears, reaching to the inner depths of her mind. The pain radiating from her cheek stung, but the words he spoke to her were soothing. He had called her a friend. All this time, she thought of them as acquaintances, and for him to change that, she knew that he truly cared. Her eyes widened at the re-realization of who she was again. "Rivaille… you're right…" she began to cry again as she gripped his hand tightly.

Western Karanese District: Madrick Guild Hall

Commander Irvin walked casually through the halls of the somewhat empty Guild Hall. Through the fruits of his investigation, he stumbled upon a lowly guild that is known to a well of information gatherers and spies. It was much easier than he expected to request to talk with their leader, as he simply asked, and they said come in.

The Madrick Guild has been known to be a goldmine of information about nearly everything and, in an effort to further deepen his investigation, Irvine had decided to request some assistance.

The guild color was purple, as indicated with the purple tapestries and carpets, and unusually, they had somewhat modest furniture and displays. As valuable as a guild this may be, it surprisingly does not seem to be affected by the temptations of corruption. There were a few splits in the hallway as Irvin looked about to see where he needed to go next, they said that their Main Hall was down this hallway, yet, there were multiple ones where he was standing.

"You must be Irvin Smith" A chilling voice said from the somewhat dim lighting of the halls.

Although it was chilling, Irvin was very unphased as he turned to see a person garbed in dark clothing appear from the shadows.

"Yes, and you are…?"

"My identity does not matter, as I am not the one you are searching for. But my name is Elsa for the sake of courtesy" The girl was rather young, a little bit younger than Liette. She had dark brown hair tied up into a single braid as the lower portion of her face was covered by a purple mask. "Our leader is expecting you" she added as she patted her hand over the stone wall, eventually pressing down hard enough to push one of the stones in.

Upon pushing, the wall began to shake as it began to open, revealing an entrance.

Irvin watched in interest at the unusual technology used in creating a contraption such as this. It was almost as compelling as understanding how the 3DMG operated.

Shifting his focus back to Elsa, he followed her into the barely lit hall, with large steps leading up to a single throne. Only a few small torches were lit along with the pale moonlight from the windows along the wall. Upon that throne was a woman, sitting with one leg over the other, plucking the strings of a mandolin, finely tuning them with her slender fingers.

Even though it was very dim, Irvin managed to shape out her attire. As the trademark of the Guild, she wore a purple dress with a slit down the side, revealing most of her left leg. It was eerily oriental, something Irvin saw very rarely in this day and age.

An indigo cloak blended with her dress as a matching scarf was wrapped around her neck. Most of her face was shrouded in shadow, masked by the simplicity of her hood.

"I have been expecting you, Commander Irvin" her voice was so soft that it barely echoed with the hollow room.

Irvin's eyes widened slightly with surprise, as he was quite impressed with out quick the information channels of this spy network were, "I'm impressed. Not even our messengers in the Scouting Legion are this fast."

"Funny you should say…" The woman replied, putting her instrument down, standing up. "What is your business here, seeking our assistance?"

"I am in need of information concerning the Nine Crime Lords. If you require a fee, I will pay duly"

There was a musty silence for a few moments before she spoke again. "The Nine Crime Lords? Well, this is quite intriguing Commander." Slowly pulling her hood down to reveal her face in the pale moonlight.

"I am Irene Hirsch, the first Crime Lord that you seek"

A/N: Hello guys! I'm back with another chapter, and I hope you enjoyed it this time. I know that you guys are wanting more titan action, but that will come much later after this whole Nine Crime Lords thing is settled. For now, I wanted to shift my focus from less action, and more psychological, mystery themed plot elements. There will be action, there will be killing, there will be a lot of plot twists.

To be honest, I'm not too sure if everything is clear up to this point about the Crime Lords thing, if it doesn't, please leave a review below to tip me in and I'll try to clear things up in the next chapter.

Anyway, see you next time, and stay tuned for another chapter.