Attack on Titan: Bloodline – Chapter 39 (July 8, 2022)
Eren grumbled and slowly opened his eyes. As the crystalline chamber came into focus once again, he tried to shift, but he realized that his arms were being restrained, keeping them outstretched beside him. He looked around. He was kneeling down, but he had been placed someplace higher than the rest of the chamber. He could still feel the gag in his mouth as he attempted to pull himself free from his metal chains.
"Shit! What's going on?! Where am I? Lorraine!"
He stopped. Walking towards him down below, dressed in white robes and a loose, white dress, her blonde hair swaying gently behind her, was Historia. As he stared at her, she looked up and said, "Eren. You're awake. I'm glad." She held her arms out beside her as if gesturing for a hug. She said, "Just hang in there for a bit. We'll be okay."
"At least Historia's alright," Eren thought. He let out a soft sigh.
Historia said, "Eren, listen. My father has always been humanity's ally. His only goal is to keep the people within the walls safe. It's clear to me now that we just misunderstood him." She sighed and continued, "He didn't deny anything. It's true that he went after the Scouts, and his people did kill Pastor Nick, but he did that because he had no choice!" She clasped her hands against her chest, gazing up at Eren pleadingly.
"Everything he's done, he did for the sake of humanity."
"Thank you, Historia," Rod Reiss said, stepping into the chamber behind her. He set down a small medical bag and said, "Please, allow me to explain the rest."
Eren thought, "That's right. The last thing I saw before the cage was those two. How long has it been since then? What happened to the Scouts? Do they know where Lorraine and I are?" He glanced around the room.
"What exactly is the deal with all these glowing pillars? The walls and floors, too. They just keep going. I can't even tell if it's day or night."
He tugged at his chains again, attempting to pull back and fall forwards, but nothing worked. He stopped, breathing harshly through his nose.
"Wait," he thought, "There's something else about this place. It feels oddly familiar somehow."
Rod, walking up the steps behind him, holding Historia by the hand, said, "If you're wondering, no, you've never been here before; however, you may recognize it nonetheless."
As Eren continued to struggle against the chains, Rod loosened his grip on his daughter's hand and moved his hand up to her wrist. He guided her hand towards Eren's back, doing the same with his own free hand.
"I would like us to try something before I explain everything to Eren. If the two of us touch him, there's a possibility that he will remember everything without us saying a single word."
As he felt the two's rather cold hands touch his bare back, he felt a jolt of electricity flow through him and up his spine. He gasped as the memories flooded back to him all at once. There was something odd about them, though. These were memories that weren't even his. He saw the Reiss Family gathered in the crystal chapel. Rod, his wife, and their five children were screaming and scrambling away from him. The oldest girl bit her hand and in the next instant, her Titan took shape. It had a feminine body and long, black hair like hers. Her eyes were glowing a bright violet colour. Another set of arms reached out and not only killed the young woman, eating her out of the Titan's nape, but also slaughtering the entire family.
"Who's memories are these," Eren thought, beginning to panic, "These aren't anything I've experienced!"
As the person whose memories he was experiencing ran through a town in ruins, he looked down at a small hand, the basement key wrapped around it. As he looked up, he saw and heard the screams of terror coming from himself.
"Dad's memories?"
He injected himself with the serum, transforming him into a horrific creature. A tiny Titan with a disproportionately large head and bulging eyes. Its arms were small. Its legs were weak. He clawed his way closer and closer until finally, everything went black.
Lorraine grimaced. She had just felt a small jolt of electricity course through her body. She wondered what could have caused it and stood up. She ran to the cage door and growled through the bars, trying to call to Eren, but it was still no use. None of the soldiers payed her any mind. She was alone, despite being surrounded. Kenny, who was seated nearby, tapped his foot on the ground impatiently.
"Damn," he said in a low mumble, "What the hell's takin' those two so long? We gotta get a move on, here."
He pushed himself off the wall and walked past Lorraine, toward the central chamber where Eren was being held.
Rod said softly, "So? Do you remember, Eren? Did you learn of your father's sins?" Eren breathed heavily, his heart pounding in his chest in fear, anger, and regret. Tears stung his eyes as he stared blankly into the ever-luminescent chamber's depths. Rod turned to Historia, seeing that she, too, had tears in her eyes. He asked, "What's wrong? Are you alright?"
"H-how could I…How could I forget? In all that time, how could I…?"
She took a shaking breath and said, "I was never alone. I-I had her. She was always there for me. That girl…she gave me books. Taught me how to read and write. She was so kind to me. So, how could I forget about her?" Rod sighed.
"Frieda," he said, If you're referring to a kind-hearted girl with long, black hair, then I would imagine you're referring to my eldest daughter, Frieda Reiss. She was," his gaze fell to the ground in sorrow, "your half-sister." Historia gasped.
"She must have grown worried about you and gone to check up on you from time to time. If she was erasing your memories, just know that she did it to protect you. Touching Eren seems to have returned those memories to you."
"Father," Historia asked timidly, "Where is she? I'd like to tell her thank you…for being there for me." Rod looked up at her, then back down at Eren sadly.
"Frieda…is no longer of this world."
Eren closed his eyes. His heart sank to his stomach.
"At one time," Rod explained, "I had six children. Five years ago, however, my wife and five of my children were murdered by a man named Grisha Jeager. Your sister was killed by Eren's father." Historia's eyes grew glassy and widened. Rod gently wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to his chest comfortingly.
"Grisha had the ability to transform into a Titan. I still didn't know where he obtained this ability, but his goal was to take something from my family. The power that resided within Frieda. In theory, Frieda's Titan was unsurpassable, but at her young age, she lacked the experience to wield it successfully."
He heaved a deep breath out and said, "Because of her inability to properly unleash her true potential, Grisha ate her and stole that power for himself. But, that wasn't enough. He then turned his attention to the children. He wanted to eradicate the Reiss family." He closed his eyes, holding Historia tighter.
"Dirk and Abel were crushed. He trampled my wife as she held our son Florian. He squeezed the life out of my eldest son, Urklyn. Through some curse or miracle, I alone escaped that night."
Historia held her father and said softly, "It's not fair. She didn't deserve that." She pulled away and stared down at Eren.
"Why would he do such a terrible thing?"
Levi explained, his hands clasped in front of him as he leaned on his knees, "Listen up, everyone. You should understand, this is Kenny the Ripper we'll be facing. If he's there, he's our biggest obstacle." He looked up through his brows, pressed together in anger.
"In terms of his threat level," he said sternly, "it'll be like you're fighting me. Although, with those weapons of his, he'll likely be stronger."
Sasha muttered, "Then, h-he's unbeatable. For us, anyway."
Connie said, "Maybe we should wait and meet up with other–"
Mikasa cut him off, "No chance in hell!"
Connie gasped and corrected himself quickly, looking over at her, "R-right! Not a chance! If we wait, there's a chance Eren'll be eaten."
Armin turned around and said, "God only knows if Lorraine's there, too, but if she is, she'll be in danger, too." He turned back and said, "You know, based on what the Captain just told us, the odds won't be entirely in Kenny's favour."
Jean asked, "You really think so?"
Armin nodded and explained, "I do. His squad is well-trained, but we have way more combat experience."
"By the way, Levi," Hange said, lowering her voice, "I have to ask: how exactly is it that you lived with Kenny the Ripper, but you know hardly anything about him? Didn't the two of you ever talk?"
Levi shook his head, grimacing. He said, "Not much. I only just learned the man's last name." He looked at Mikasa, who had pulled her legs to her chest and tucked her chin between her knees.
"Don't know if you heard, but it's Ackerman. Might be a relative of yours."
Mikasa sighed.
"I remember our," she frowned, "M-my parents saying that my dad's side, the Ackermans, were persecuted when they lived in the cities. My mom said her ancestors were Eastern. Her family's appearance made it difficult for them to fit in. Both groups were chased deep within the mountains near the edge of the wall. That's how the two of them met." Hange and Levi exchanged a glance as Mikasa continued, "But, my father never told me why the Ackermans were persecuted. He looked the same as all of you, though, so I don't think he was of a different race."
Levi said softly, "Tell me. Have you ever suddenly felt a 'power' awaken inside of you?" Mikasa gasped and looked up at him.
"I have."
Levi nodded and said, "This has happened for Kenny Ackerman, as well. He once told me that suddenly, out of nowhere, he felt an absurd amount of strength flowing through him. In that moment, he said, he knew exactly what he needed to do." Mikasa stared up at Levi, her mouth agape as her mind flashed back to the day Eren had saved her from those three traffickers. The day they killed all three men.
"It's happened to me, too," he said, leaning forward once again, "Makes me wonder."
Mikasa said softly, "Hang on. What about Lorraine?" Levi looked up at her, humming skeptically. She said, "Lorraine's never had anything like that…at least, not that she's ever told me."
Hange said, "That is interesting. She is an Ackerman, so if it was a bloodline-related thing, then she should have had some kind of…what did you call it? Awakening?"
Levi nodded, then said, "Perhaps it's all a big coincidence. Maybe it's something bigger. For now, we should remain focused on the task at hand. Look." He gestured in front of them where the Reiss Family's estate slowly crawled over the hillside and into view.
Historia and Rod walked down the staircase. Eren's mind was still racing. His heart was filled with sorrow and guilt for the actions of his father. Footsteps echoed through the large, open chamber as Kenny entered.
"Hey, hey, hey," he said, annoyed, "What's the holdup? We don't exactly have a lot of time for chit-chat! It's only a matter of time before the Scouts get here. I can hold Levi off and stall him, but since the Scouts are no longer outlawed after the massive coup d'état that went down, there's a strong possibility that there's gonna be a lot more of 'em than we originally planned."
Rod and Historia gasped. Kenny said, "You best get a move on."
Rod nodded and said, "I will. You take the Anti-Personnel Control Squad and defend the entrance at all costs." Kenny sneered.
"I already told you," Rod said, "the ceremony cannot be done in the presence of you or your crew."
Kenny groaned, "Aww, come on! Where's the trust, Your Majesty?"
Rod narrowed his eyes and said, "I do trust you. It's because of that trust that you're here. Now, go."
Kenny tilted his hat and bowed his head, saying with a grimace, "Sorry, Your Grace, I'm just so worried about you." He turned and walked out, clicking his tongue in frustration.
Outside, the Scouts tied their horses and parked the carriage a short distance away from a small, stone chapel, tucked into a small grove of trees, grabbing torches and their weapons. Rifles, archery supplies, flare guns, and large barrels of explosive material were loaded into the church. Levi said calmly, "Remember the plan, guys. Let's go get them back. Sasha, Mikasa, you two come with me."
"Sir."
Levi, Mikasa, and Sasha approached the chapel, followed by the others, who held up their weapons at the ready. When they determined that the chapel was empty, the others took their positions, filing in one by one. Moblit stood outside the door, armed with a rifle. The Scouts searched the chapel, in search of a hatch that Hange noted was listed on Erwin's report.
"Here," Hange said, pulling back a red carpet, "The hidden door to the secret chamber. Reiss and Eren should be inside. Lorraine is probably there, too, but no promises." Mikasa sighed.
Levi pulled back the door and said softly, "Alright, the rescue operation has officially begun. Let's move."
Kenny positioned himself and his soldiers at the ready, waiting for the Scout Regiment's arrival. He pulled a relatively long, curved dagger out of its sheath and gazed down at it.
Lorraine still snarled and growled, kicking and screaming at the metal bars, tears of desperation escaping her eyes.
Rod knelt down and opened the medical bag from before. He said, rummaging around inside the bag, "Now, Historia, it seems like we're finally alone. I do apologize for making you wait. I can imagine this is going to sound strange to you, but Frieda isn't entirely dead." Her eyes widened.
"Her memories are alive. Would you like the chance to meet her?"
Historia nodded. Rod smiled at her, pulling a small box out and standing up. He opened the box and presented it to her. The box, lined with a very soft cushion and red silk, contained a small vial of a mysterious liquid and a very large, very sharp syringe. Eren's eyes shot open and he launched forward, yanking the chains again, and did his best to shriek and scream, though he couldn't get a word out. He called to Historia. He pleaded for her to decline. He begged Rod not to do it.
Lorraine heaved and let out another scream, but stopped upon hearing a very loud sound from above her. It was the sound of a wooden door being kicked in.
"Captain?"
Kenny smirked and with a flip of his dagger, he shoved it back into its sheath. He said, "Here they come. Get ready!" He and the other Military Police soldiers pulled out their firearms. Lorraine backed up cautiously, breathing heavily and looking around the room. Above her, there was the sound of a rolling cart of some sort. One by one, three small barrels, wrapped up in cloth bags and strapped to sets of wheels rolled into her view. She gasped and ran to the farthest point of her cage, bracing herself for whatever would happen next.