The sun was shining brightly overhead in the Capitol when Jaegerist Elite Arya Halbrand took up her post at the main entrance leading into the compound's designated courthouse. The flags erected on the high poles on either side of the door snapped and wriggled in the warm breeze. The outer-most sentries in the city had only just spotted their expected company a few minutes ago, but already the entire Jaegerist military force was on high alert. Invisible to the naked eye, trained marksmen were stationed at intervals along the high outer ramparts. Armed elites were tucked behind supply wagons positioned at strategic points along the edge of the walls and, though she couldn't see them from where she now stood, she suspected that behind every glazed window facing out towards the courtyard's main gates was the muzzle of a gun.
The tension in the air was palpable as the minutes dragged on; every face she saw contained a mixture of both immense suspicion and burning curiosity. Before long, a clipped shout from atop the main gates announced the Allied Ambassador's arrival.
They're here.
Arya concentrated on keeping her face expressionless as the gates swung open to reveal six people on horseback, a small cart of supplies towed behind them and their accompanying military escort.
So, these are the faces that are said to have destroyed our future.
She frantically studied each of them in turn as they made their slow progression to the shallow steps below her. She didn't know what she had been expecting to see but this certainly was not it. These were not ancient and grizzled demons, they were people; young people by the looks of them. At the head of the company was a lean blonde man whom she assumed to be the commanding officer.
Armin Arlert, the man who killed Eren Jaeger. Arya had made sure to memorize the names and descriptions listed on the initial assessment report from the harbor. She searched for any sign of malcontent in his delicate features that would betray his calm demeanor, but there were none. His face was sure and resolved.
Running through the names she had read, she matched each of them to the vague descriptions given to her regiment.
Behind and slightly to the right of the one called Armin was Jean Kirstein, an arrogant face framed by long copper-brown hair that reached all the way to his wide shoulders. His mouth was set in a hard line as he kept his eyes forward towards the courthouse. To Armin's left was Connie Springer: a thin man with a near buzz cut whose eyes were darting back and forth constantly.
These were the people who were born and raised here just like her, behind the walls. The ones who, according to the government, had turned their back on Paradis and sided with the enemy.
In their wake was Reiner Braun, Annie Leonhart and Pieck Finger.
Wait, that can't be right.
Arya's eyes widened a fraction despite herself. If the stories were correct, the three of them had all possessed the power of the enemies' titans. Reiner, blonde and built like an ox, had been directly responsible for the first breach of wall Maria in Shinganshina 11 years ago, and Annie (another blonde with an unreadable stoic expression) the immense damage done to Stohess almost 6 years later. Pieck, her dark hair hanging in her strangely absent-minded face, was accomplice to just as many deaths of Eldian people in the last days before the Rumbling.
As they reached the base of the courthouse and began to dismount, Arya's mind was swimming. How could they stand together like this? So long they spent on opposite sides of a conflict that was built by thousands of years of war. Yet here they were, banded together in a mission to unite the nations of the world. How was that possible?
The party drew up close to one another, all eyes looking to their commander. He nodded once and, with armed soldiers covering the rear in a stiff semi-circle, he led his team up the stairs and across the small landing towards her. The massive oak doors to her right swung inward as they approached, General Loren stepping out into the high noon sunlight to meet them. He was flanked by several other members of the High Council, all with the same wary expression.
There was Lieutenant Alexander Tobias, who oversaw the training of new recruits, short and stocky with a thick beard covering most of his face. Even smaller still, neck laden with heavy golden chains that caused him to stoop, was the impossibly ferocious Isaac Elias; known to most as simply the High Priest of the Eldian church. Crafted from the remnants of the Church of the Walls, Elias led his congregations with poisonous fervor. He not only expected reverence of the now crumbed walls of Paradis and the power they had held within them, but also the devotion to Eren Jaeger as their Lord and Savior. The look he gave the group that walked to meet them was nothing short of murderous.
Then there was Lady Clara, a dark and boney woman who worked as a liaison for the Jaegerist controlled government and the people of Paradis. She portrayed herself as a friendly bridge between the two, but her cruelty ran deep; her presence in a particular city was enough to throw its inhabitants into fearful silence.
Lastly was the Military Premiere and ruling Justice Otto Kreiser. Much as Dahlis Zachary had overseen the three branches of the Paradis military before his death, Kreiser was the last word on all matters regarding the management of Jaegerist affairs. Tall, thick and incredibly grey, he regarded Armin coolly as they all stopped a few paces away from their welcoming party.
"So, there you are." He said in a dry, cracked voice. "Come to parlay with us, have you? You know, there are many who believe this is a foolish endeavor on your part."
"And yet here we are. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, sir. We are grateful for the escort."
Armin's voice was high and clear as he addressed Premiere Kreiser. Hoping that proximity would help her, Arya searched for any hint of falsehood in his graciousness, but there was only one defining trait she could find on the stranger's face: he was kind.
"Hmph, well," Snorted the Premiere as he stepped hesitantly to the side, "let's get this started then, shall we?"
Arya was to hold her position until they had all made it inside, then reassign herself to the interior of the courtroom as a sentry to the council. Standing tall as her commanding officers passed by her, she suddenly found herself meeting the gaze of the man called Armin.
His eyes were very blue and very open, as clear as the sky above them. Confusion swept over her as she returned his assessing look. It was almost as if he was searching for something in the depths of her wide ochre eyes, like an open-ended question with no apparent answer. This bizarre interaction only lasted an instant before he disappeared through the doors behind her in the wake of the Council.
Something began to stir in Arya then as she followed the rear guards into the building and stationed herself next to the High Council's podium: a gnawing thought at the back of her mind that couldn't quite take shape. Everyone took their seats at opposing benches as the stands around them filled. Teams from every paper on Paradis and nearly all prominent families residing in the Capitol were here to bear witness. After the sound of scuffing feet and scraping chairs died down, Premiere Kreiser approached the podium.
"Right, let us bring this meeting to order. I, Premiere Otto Kreiser of the Jaegerist Military Regiment and Justice of the Eldian High Council recognize you, Armin Arlert, Commanding Official of the Allied Nations Ambassador Unit. Mr. Arlert, it is my understanding that you and your people have come here to Paradis to share information in relation to the events that transpired both during and after the Rumbling, is that correct?"
Armin stood. "That is correct, sir."
"In that case, please begin."
The sun had dipped low in the sky by the time the conference came to a close. Armin, aided by the other members of the Allied Ambassadors, had spoken for hours recounting the events that had led to the Rumbling and all that followed, which in turn had resulted in the death of Eren Jaeger. Their voices were raspy and full of emotion by the time their story concluded, but still they held their heads high in the face of the Council's incredulous looks.
Arya's mind was reeling. Is that truly what happened? One event seemed even more impossible than the next. Mass castration? An army of history's greatest titans? Some story of an organism that seemed to be the source of the Founder's power, and how Eren Jaeger came to meet his end. There was just too much information to sift through to find any truth, and yet all six ambassadors wore the same exact expression: a look of pure conviction. Arya blinked in amazement. Whether or not the tale they told was real, it was clear that every single one of them believed it.
"Well, that was quite the story Mr. Arlert." Premiere Kreiser said slowly.
The Eldian High Council had been unexpectedly quiet during the meeting. It was particularly Isaac Elias's silence that perturbed Arya. She had been anticipating much more open anger and wrath towards them, but he remained as mute as the others, a grim frown on his face. Besides speaking up to ask for clarification, or further explanation regarding a specific event, they all kept as still as stone. In fact, the entire courtroom had been eerily devoid of protest as the conference progressed. Besides a few unruly attendees, the crowd merely stared in rapt attention as Armin spoke.
"I understand completely how impossible what we've told you must sound, Premiere Kreiser." Armin agreed respectably. "But however unfeasible it may seem; these are the truths you and the people of Paradis have been looking for."
He rose once more from his chair to address the entire Council. "Gentlemen of the Council, My Lady, it is on this truth that we have come here today, to extend our hands to you as a sign of openness. The Allied Nations are hopeful that despite the events that have come to pass these last several years, we can eventually reach a mutually consented agreement. Let us leave those dark times in the past where they belong, and move forward together, united."
Armin swept his powerful gaze over the crowd now. "The people of Eldia and of the world deserve peace, deserve the freedom to live their lives without fear. The world we live is in much bigger now, and much emptier than it was before. Pain and loss surrounds us all now, but it is within this pain that we can start anew. Help us focus on rebuilding our nations, on rebuilding trust and acceptance for everyone. You have a significant group of Eldians on this island that are ready to make a move towards reconciliation, and we cannot let their voices go unheard. This is the world we have been given, so with that I leave the decision to you, Premiere Kreiser and honorable members of the Eldian council, what kind of world it will be."
The cavernous courtroom rang with silence as Armin stared resolutely at Otto Kreiser and the members of parliament.
General Loren smiled maliciously down at him and let out a short laugh. "Powerful speech young one, I admire your fortitude. But answer me this: what kind of repentance does your Allied Nations plan to give to the people of Eldia for the 100 odd years our people were subjugated? For the thousands of Eldian lives that were taken simply for existing? Is that supposed to be, as you said, put in the past as well?"
Armin was ready for this question, it seemed. "Your anger is deeply understood, General Loren. May I remind you that every member of my diplomatic team is Eldian, myself included. It was also our people, our families, and our freedom that was lost in the persecution of the descendants of Ymir. Not one Eldian is expected to just forget what was done to our people, but we have this one chance to let go of our hatred and change history. We can't waste it."
Caleb Loren regarded him shrewdly but said no more.
"And what of Mikasa and Levi Ackerman?" Lieutenant Tobias asked suddenly, looking down at Armin over the large curvature of his belly. "Neither of them has been seen in over three years. I am surprised not to see them here with you, given your relationship and the importance of this convergence."
Armin dropped his gaze and bent his head, a look of sadness crossing his face. "I regret to inform you sir that Mikasa Ackerman, as well as her kin, Levi Ackerman, lost their lives in the battle of Fort Salta three years ago."
The crowded room began to murmur loudly at the receival of this news. Arya started. The great Ackerman bloodline was gone? She had never laid eyes on the last remaining members of the Ackerman clan, but she had heard their stories. She looked in the mournful faces of Armin's team and felt an unexpected pang of sadness for their loss.
But… Her eyes narrowed as she looked at them more closely. There was something off in the rigidness of Jean's jawline, on the angle of Annie's slumped shoulders. Arya quickly looked back at Armin. There, right there, just around the edge of his mouth.
They were lying.
Why? She wondered. What could possibly be gained by claiming their dead?
This was why she was here, assigned to this specific spot instead of a more seasoned veteran. General Loren regarded her ability to read people very highly and had relayed specific instructions to alert the Council to any misgivings she had during the court proceedings. She had almost turned to give him a signal when it hit her: they were lying to protect their friends, to keep them safe.
Even as they stood surrounded by hostile forces the protection of their people took precedence. That indistinguishable gnawing feeling deep in her stomach grew more pronounced, and a warning in Arya's heart stayed her hand. By the looks of it, this farce was well warranted. The Council scowled down at them, as if some finite resource had been stolen from them.
Premiere Kreiser cleared his throat and the room fell quiet.
"You and your team have given us much to consider, Mr. Arlert. I think, for the time being, we call this meeting to a close to allow for internal discussion among the heads of state. You will be given quarters here in this complex for the evening. Tomorrow morning, we will reconvene and move forward with talks of how this alliance may work to benefit the Eldian people."
The room once more erupted into concerned chatter. The members of the Allied Ambassadors stared wildly at one another as Armin looked up sharply at the Premiere, confused and startled. Arya had similar thoughts.
What the hell? They are just going to leave it here and start all over again tomorrow? That wasn't part of the plan.
His composure was thrown for a moment, but he regained it quickly. "Uh, yes sir. We appreciate you taking the time to hear us out. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts on the matter."
"Then I hereby declare this meeting adjourned. If you would remain seated as the gallery exits, an escort will show you to your accommodations shortly."
The room became filled with noise as the citizens of the Capitol filed out of the main entrance and into the street. Not long after a small group of soldiers did indeed come to escort the mainland company to where they would be staying within the fortress; all that remained of the once full courtroom was the High Council members, who were speaking fervently in hushed voices to one another.
General Loren approached Arya where she stood, rooted to the spot. She hurriedly saluted him, trying to mask any thoughts that might have been showing on her face.
"Captain Halbrand. Quite the show they put on, huh?"
He wasn't completely paying attention to her; he was still focused intently on the conversation his counterparts were having, which gave her time to compose her expression.
Arya hesitated. "It was indeed, sir. Quite a crock if I may speak freely."
He laughed callously, nodding his head. "I think the council may agree with you on that. I knew those traitorous snakes would come up with something insane to spout to us, but that was something else. No matter," he said absentmindedly, "our retribution will come." He turned back to Arya now, focusing on her intently. "Did you happen to pick up on anything specific?"
For the briefest moment Arya's life balanced on the edge of a knife; she had this one simple choice to make that would throw her over one side or another. This was something she had trained for, something that she had been directly ordered to do in the name of Eldia and the good of her people. Why did she hesitate? Why couldn't she let that nagging feeling go? What did it mean?
Things are not as they seem.
"No sir, nothing."
General Loren nodded. "Right. Get those bastard's gear inside, then I want you to head to the interrogation room downstairs immediately. Commander Angelo is working on something I think you could assist him with."
"Of course, sir, right away."
"I made you an elite straight out of the cadet core for a reason, Captain. Do not fail me. If all goes as it should, Eldia will be rejoicing by this time tomorrow."
Arya saluted him as he turned to rejoin the council members then took her leave, heaving a sigh of relief. She had lied to him, her commanding officer. Confusion swirled in her head. What did that prove about her?
Shakily, Arya tried to focus on the task at hand. Once the crates from the cart had been moved to a small storage room off the main foyer, Arya walked back through the courtroom doors in a daze.
She had wondered why Commander Angelo was suspiciously missing from such an important event. Speaking of suspicious, why did the Premiere decide to extend their stay and prolong the court proceedings at the last minute? Armin and his band of ambassadors should be on horseback by now, heading south towards their ship. Everything about this supposedly monumental gathering felt forced, like some kind of-
Arya had stopped mid-step at the bottom of a long and narrow stairway. She had made her way down the stone staircase at the back of the courtroom towards the underground wing that held their interrogation sector, but paused just as she came to the lower landing. At the end of the dark hallway a door stood half open, light pouring out onto the cobbled floor.
Something is wrong here.
Working off an instantaneous burst of intuition just as she had when the General had questioned her, Arya moved silently down the hallway towards the somehow ominous panel of light. She could hear voices echoing down the hall now, and the distinct sound of someone crying. Her chest tightened. As smoothly as she could, she leaned her head around the edge of the door just enough to see a small portion of the room.
Commander Angelo was bent over a prone figure that lay sobbing and heaving on the hard floor. His facial features were contorted in a sinister grimace of satisfaction. The person he stood over was a man, cuts and bruises covered his bare arms. His face was disfigured, blood pouring out of a huge gash on his bottom lip.
"You want to know what my favorite part is?" Angelo sneered, grabbing a fist full of the man's hair and forcing him to look at the commander's face. "It's that you will get to watch. I will make sure you stay alive long enough to see your precious freedom-loving cohorts get executed for their crimes against the Eldian race." He slammed the man back down on the ground and wiped the blood from his hands.
"I do appreciate you helping me root out the band of traitorous scum who planned to help those heretics escape, that was certainly a stroke of luck. Who knew their poisonous influence reached so far into the Capitol. Unfortunate."
Angelo spat on the ground and turned to face his captive.
"Within a few hours the people responsible for the downfall of our nation and the death of Eren Jaeger will finally be held responsible for their treachery. As for you, sad to say, I'm going to need a little more information before you join them."
Heart pounding, Arya was frozen against the slick stone wall outside. Truth came crashing down on her like a tidal wave and she now knew exactly what idea had been chewing at her from the inside out, why she had said no to General Loren. She thought of Armin's searching blue eyes, of the conviction that stole over all their faces as they revealed their story to the world. The way they stood together, united, no matter the haunting background they shared. He may have lied to protect the ones he cared about, but the rest of it was real, wasn't it?
Yes, she finally knew what this feeling was. It was the same feeling Arya had held in her heart for as long as she could remember. The one she felt deep within herself every time she craned her neck back to stare at the immense Walls that had loomed over her whole life. Up to this point she had never been able to find the right words for it, but she knew them now.
I'm on the wrong side.