In the heart of chaos and despair, Alice's trembling hands fought to maintain their grip on her weapon, the world around her a blurred maelstrom of tears and frantic emotions. Her vision distorted, a deluge of tears obscured her aim, yet her focus remained through as she fought as much as possible. The shotgun was trained on a sharply dressed man, the cold steel of the barrel pressed against the weight of her desperation.
The man, seemingly impervious to the imminent threat, languidly inhaled the smoke from his cigarette, his legs casually crossed, exuding an eerie calm. His eyes, sharp and calculating, locked onto hers with a directness that sent shivers down her spine.
"Someone has to pay," he declared, his voice as sharp as a blade, cutting through the tension that hung in the air like a storm about to unleash its fury. "So who is it going to be? Me? Us? Or them?"
Alice's response was a tormented silence, her world consumed by the agonizing whirlwind of grief and anger. Unrelenting sobs wracked her body as the weight of her decision bore down on her. And then, in a moment that held the echoes of countless emotions, her finger on the trigger began to squeeze, her resolve hardening with each passing second. The shotgun trembled, the impending act of retribution hanging in the balance.
Attack on Titan: White Rabbit
Chapter I: Penumbra
THREE YEARS EARLIER...
The carriage glided gracefully through the bustling streets of Ehrmich, its rhythmic clatter merging with the ambient sounds of a busy day, the warm evening sun painting the surroundings in a soothing orange hue. Inside the carriage, a palpable tension hung in the air, a consequence of the day's awkward events that had left Henrietta deeply embarrassed. She studied her daughter, whose distant gaze was locked on the world outside, peeking through the small gap in the curtains. The seconds dragged on before she finally decided to address the matter that had been looming since their departure.
"So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?" Henrietta began, her tone laced with confrontation, yet she managed to maintain her usual air of composure. Alice, sensing the impending conversation she had been dreading, shifted her eyes to her mother and felt a pang of nervousness. She swiftly feigned innocence.
"What was 'what', mother?"
Henrietta sighed, a subtle undertone of frustration seeping into her voice. "You know very well 'what' I'm talking about, young lady. Your uncivilized behavior around our hosts, your mockery of your future husband, the embarrassment you caused me and our family."
Alice's frown deepened. "Mother, I don't understand why you insist on putting me through this. Those people are nothing but insincere phonies!" she protested, a hint of defiance in her voice. "And that Aldo... he's utterly ridiculous. I can't bear the thought of spending the rest of my life with him!"
"My dear, this is how it has always been. We are not like those from the lower castes. We must protect what we have. Aldo's family is just as rich and influential as ours. It is imperative that we ensure our prestige carries on with you," Henrietta explained, a sense of snobbish duty coating her words.
"But what if I don't want that?" Alice questioned, her voice trembling as the words escaped her lips. It was the first glimpse of her true desires. She had been carrying a weight on her chest, a silent rebellion that had now found its voice. She couldn't hold back any longer.
Henrietta's response was a chuckle, dismissive and almost patronizing. She couldn't fathom the depth of her daughter's longing. "Don't be ridiculous, Alice. Why wouldn't you want to maintain our glorious standards?"
The frustration that had been building within Alice finally erupted. "I want to achieve something of my own! I'm tired of perpetually residing under your and father's shadows. I want to build something I can be truly proud of!" She spoke with a conviction that surprised even herself.
Henrietta, however, remained unyielding. "You are only 13 years old, Alice," she said, her tone tinged with condescension. "Don't let a mere act of teenage rebellion cloud your judgment. You have lived a privileged life, privately tutored by some of the most respected experts within the Walls, mingled with the crème de la crème of our society, and been bestowed with everything you could ever desire. Do you truly believe that throwing it all away is the wisest choice?"
Alice was at a loss for words. Her mother's response had made it painfully clear that understanding her was an impossible task or, worse yet, an unwilling one. Henrietta would forever dismiss her wishes, relegating them to nothing more than a foolish waste of time. Defeated, Alice released an explicit sigh of frustration and anger. She averted her gaze from her mother and turned back to the world passing by outside the carriage. Beyond the polished gates that separated the inner district from the sanctuary of Wall Sina, the pristine streets of the upper-class neighborhood unfurled before her. It was a place only the highest echelons of society could afford to call home, a realm second in grandeur only to the capital city of Mitras itself.
Life within the Smith family appeared to proceed as it always had. Henrietta, a prolific writer whose works were eagerly published by the Royal Government itself, buried herself in her writing. Her study, filled with leather-bound books and quills, was a sanctuary for her craft. Alice's father, Rocco, remained a distant figure, seldom seen at home during the week. As an influential businessman, his life was an endless whirlwind of activity. He crisscrossed between the districts of Wall Sina and Rose and the capital city of Mitras, tending to his myriad affairs and investments. Yet, beneath the veneer of normalcy, an electrifying tension lingered in the Smith household, threatening to ignite. In the grandeur of their elegant home, Alice felt like a bird in a gilded cage. The luxuries that surrounded her became symbols of her confinement. The chandeliers that bathed the opulent halls in a soft glow, the intricately carved furniture, and the portraits of ancestors who had achieved greatness; all of it now felt like heavy shackles.
One evening, as she roamed the quiet halls of the Smith mansion, a gnawing restlessness took root in her heart. It had been days since the confrontation in the carriage, and her mother's dismissive stance still hung heavily in the air. Alice's dreams of a life beyond the gilded walls were festering like an open wound. In her room, she gazed at herself in the ornate mirror, her reflection a reflection of privilege and dissatisfaction. A moment of clarity washed over her, much like the sun's fading light over Wall Sina. She couldn't continue to be confined by the expectations of her noble lineage, nor could she accept a future predetermined by her parents. The overwhelming desire to chart her own path, to escape the stifling ornamented confines of Wall Sina and experience the world outside, overcame her. This choice wasn't an act of rebellion but a declaration of independence, a step towards a destiny she would shape on her own terms. She was determined to break free from her gilded cage and embark on a journey—her journey. But how was she to achieve that?
Frustrated and yearning for something more, Alice decided to take a risk. She entered her father's study, his private room filled with maps, charts, and documents that revealed the intricate workings of their family's business ventures. She had always avoided entering the room, being obedient, respectful, but this time, she couldn't help herself. It was as if an unquenchable thirst had taken over her, the need to find a hint, a lead, anything that could help her understand what she was to do if she wanted to be free from her family's weight. In the dim light, she browsed through one of her father's reports, detailing the complex trade networks that spanned the districts, connecting Wall Sina with the bustling districts beyond.
Survey Corps. Garrison. Engineer Corps. Military Police. Interior Police. Anti-Personnel Squad?
The names of the military ranks and regiments kept appearing throughout the report, intertwined with the business dealings of her family and other names she couldn't quite recognize. It was as if a realization struck her like a bolt of lightning- the military wasn't just a world of blood and sacrifice; it was also a realm of power and influence. The Military Police, in particular, held a unique position of authority.
As she continued to read, her mind raced with possibilities. Joining the Military Police would allow her to escape the confines of her privileged life while ascending the ranks within a respected institution. The thought sparked both excitement and trepidation. The decision remained unmade, but the spark of curiosity had ignited, leaving her in a state of profound doubt, and the weight of her decision bore down upon her, and she was left in a state of internal conflict, torn between her yearning for a new life and the uncertainties that lay ahead.
It was a tranquil morning in the art studio, the scent of oil paints and the soft murmur of fellow students enveloping Alice. Her art class was a refuge from the stifling world of privilege that awaited her beyond the studio's doors. With each brushstroke, she tried to express the complexity of emotions that had been swirling within her. She painted with fervor, her mind drifting between the canvas and her impending decision. The studio buzzed with the presence of her classmates, each absorbed in their own creations, but as she mixed colors and applied them to the canvas, she muted them away, acutely aware of her conflicting desires, focusing on them as an image slowly took form within her canvas.
Suddenly, she put the brush down, startling her fellow students. She took a few steps back, looking at her creation, snapping out of her trance as she realized what was that she had done; she had given life to a delicate and enigmatic flower. The blossom, the centerpiece of her canvas, was a botanical wonder, caught in a perpetual state of transformation. The flower's petals displayed a subtle play of colors. On one side, they were a pristine white, but bore an air of sterility. On the other side, the petals transitioned into a deep, ethereal shade of blue. They were vibrant, yet shrouded in the unknown.
At the heart of the flower, the stamen and pistil formed a central figure, like the fulcrum of a scale. Her brushwork rendered the central figure with an exquisite blend of the white and blue. Alice, her heart pounding, announced that she needed to leave the class early. Her instructor, with a quizzical look, allowed her to go. Without waiting for explanations or goodbyes, Alice rushed out of the studio, with courage to go for the one thing she had in mind.
Henrietta cherished her precious moments of solitude in the library. Seated on one of the fancy plush couches at its center, she savored the soothing tranquility of her haven, surrounded by dozens of shelves, each filled with dozens of books. A cup of black tea rested beside her, and she was engrossed in a book, the gentle, natural light filtering through the library's expansive windows casting a serene glow on her reading nook. The world outside seemed distant, its cacophony reduced to a distant hum, barely noticeable from her cocoon of serenity. The door to the library creaked open, causing Henrietta to lower her book. Her eyes met Alice's, her daughter's entrance surprising her, as she wasn't expecting to see her for another hour.
"Alice, back already from your piano lessons?" Henrietta inquired, a note of curiosity in her voice, unaware of the revelation that awaited her.
Alice settled onto the couch opposite her mother, their gazes locking. "I requested to leave earlier today," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of nervousness and determination.
Henrietta raised an eyebrow, marking her place in the book and leaning forward. "And why is that? Did something happen? Do you feel unwell?" Alice took a deep breath, her eyes locked onto her mother's, a weighty secret held within.
"Well, I would be lying if I said I do not feel ill to some extent. Mostly, it is this anticipation that has been driving me anxious. Mother, there is something I must tell you."
Henrietta, sensing the gravest of situations, was visibly concerned. "I am listening, my dear. What is wrong?"
Alice hesitated for a moment before starting, her words laced with conviction. "You see, last Wednesday, after leaving the painting studio from my classes, I asked the coachmen to stop by Ehrmich's Military headquarters."
Henrietta's imagination leapt to dire conclusions. "Did someone assault you?!" she asked, her posture shifting with shock.
Quick to reassure her mother, Alice explained, "No, no! I was there because I wanted to enlist."
Henrietta was struck dumb, her mind racing as she tried to process her daughter's revelation. "En...list?"
"Yes. It is time I decide my own future, mother," Alice nodded, resolute in her decision.
Henrietta's initial shock turned into a sense of impending danger as she leaned back in her seat. Her eyes welled with unshed tears, but the expression on her face remained concealed behind her hands. The room fell into a heavy silence, time seeming to stand still as Henrietta contemplated her daughter's choice, haunted by an uneasy feeling of déjà vu.
Alice, her voice unwavering, continued to explain her determination. "I will do whatever is necessary to enter the Military Police. And I will make my own way up the ranks. I will become successful."
Henrietta remained still, her face hidden behind her hands, lost in her thoughts. Alice anxiously awaited her response, feeling a mix of emotions – relief, disbelief, and the weight of her choice settling in. A minute that felt like an eternity passed before her mother finally spoke, showing her face once more, red just like her eyes, shimmering. With a mixture of resignation and concern, she finally replied.
"Alright."
Alice was taken aback by her mother's unexpected response. She blinked in disbelief, needing a moment to process the words as if she required a second confirmation. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" she inquired.
Henrietta hesitated, her voice shaky with emotions as she repeated. "I said... Alright, Alice."
The room held its breath, and Alice's heart raced. She felt a whirlwind of emotions – surprise and gratitude, mostly, as she never expected her mother to be so accepting right away, but a touch of sadness lingered as she looked at her devastated expression.
Henrietta continued, "I... I do not agree with your decision. I believe it is a bad idea compared to what awaits you, from us. But... knowing you have the Military Police in mind instead of something as perilous as the Survey Corps or, God forbid, the lowly Garrison, it does bring me a modicum of relief. At least you are not squandering your potential for something unworthy. If that's what it takes to silence your resolve, so be it."
In this charged atmosphere, Henrietta's thoughts drifted to a memory she had kept hidden away for the longest time. She took a deep breath, letting her mind take a trip down memory lane, and she stood up, trying to compose herself.
"Follow me."
Intrigued and a bit bewildered, Alice walked behind her mother as she led the way. They entered Henrietta's office, a room within the library, adorned with even more books than Alice could ever hope to read.
As they entered the office, Henrietta's demeanor had shifted. She seemed more somber, as if a hidden world was about to be unveiled. Her eyes locked onto a small shelf tucked away in the back. With deliberate, almost reverent movements, Henrietta retrieved a dusty, old book bound in faded leather.
"What is this, mother?" Alice's voice carried a sense of genuine curiosity as she approached the desk where the book rested, her gaze fixed on the ancient relic.
Henrietta regarded her daughter with a mix of solemnity and nostalgia. "This," she began, her words chosen with precision, "is our family tree."
As Henrietta carefully opened the book, a cloud of dust dispersed into the room, carried away by the faint sunlight streaming through the curtains. The pages revealed a tapestry of names and connections, tracing the illustrious history of the Smith family across generations.
"Whenever there is a marriage or the birth of a new member," Henrietta explained as her fingers gently turned the pages, "we have the book updated. It is how we keep our history intact, a testament to our noble blood."
Alice's eyes followed the intricate branches of the family tree, the names of familiar and unfamiliar relatives interwoven on its pages. The story of her family even dated back to the times before the fall, which for all she knew through her life, wasn't legal. Knowledge of the outside world, of any kind, was prohibited.
The pages eventually came to rest at an illustration that caught Alice's attention. It depicted her maternal grandmother, a regal woman, alongside her maternal grandfather, both exuding a sense of gravitas and aristocracy. Sitting on a chair in front of her grandmother was a baby, and Alice quickly recognized the infant as her own mother, Henrietta. However, besides her mother was a girl, not any older than 12 years old. Alice couldn't recognize who that was.
Henrietta's finger, trembling slightly, came to rest on the mysterious girl in the illustration. She spoke with a shaky voice, her emotions laid bare. "This... is my sister, Marie Smith. Your aunt."
"Marie?" Alice questioned, a note of surprise in her voice. "Mother, you have a sister? How come I never met her?"
"Marie passed away long before you were even born," Henrietta explained, her words carrying a sense of melancholy. "She was much like you, driven to seek more from life, to carve her own path within these Walls. Her journey led her to the University of Yarckel, where she pursued a degree in Literature. It was there that she met a young man, a History student, and love blossomed between them. They eventually married. His name was Edward Thompson, but upon marriage, he adopted our family name, becoming one Edward Smith."
Henrietta's gaze remained fixed on the faded image in the family tree book, a mixture of sadness and nostalgia in her eyes. She continued. "Marie and Edward had much in common, sharing the same drive for knowledge and a desire to explore life beyond these Walls. Of course, it was a dream that could never truly be realized for them. What was possible for them, though, was to bring a new life into this world. A child. That child was eventually born, his name Erwin Smith, your cousin."
The name Erwin had a hint of familiarity to Alice, although she couldn't immediately place where she had heard it before. "Erwin? That name..."
"You have actually met him before," her mother continued, a faint smile of remembrance touching her lips. "But you were just a newborn at the time. Erwin was about 19 years old, if my memory serves me correctly. It was the last time I saw him in person."
Alice's curiosity grew, and she leaned in, eager to understand. "What... happened to my aunt?"
"A few years after your cousin was born, your aunt..." Henrietta's voice faltered for a moment, not only as if she were reliving painful memories, but also as if she realized she wasn't supposed to say what nearly rolled off her tongue. She hesitated, a shadow passing over her features before she continued. "She fell suddenly ill, and despite all efforts, her condition couldn't be treated. She passed away at the young age of 26, leaving behind a void that was truly devastating for our family."
Alice absorbed the somber news, her mind racing with questions. "After Aunt Marie's death, what happened to Uncle Edward?"
"Your uncle was deeply affected by Marie's passing, and he underwent a profound change. He refused the inheritance he was entitled to from her, and with the financial support from Erwin's part of the inheritance, he decided to leave the inner districts, and they relocated to the district of Karanes. We rarely heard from them afterward. Then, when Erwin was just a couple of years younger than you are now, Edward's body was discovered in a small town to the south of Karanes. He had met an untimely end in an unfortunate accident."
Alice's eyes widened in surprise. "This is... such a tragedy."
Her mother nodded, her expression pensive and laden with the pain of the past. "Indeed, my dear. I had only just met your father when it happened, and we attended the funeral together. Your cousin lived with his paternal relatives for a few years after Marie's passing. Then..."
Alice leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Then... what happened?"
Henrietta's voice took on a wistful tone, bringing the conversation full circle. "He enlisted. That last time I saw him was a couple of years after his graduation. He had joined the Survey Corps, and that has been his life ever since. There were moments when your father and I feared that he had met his end in combat, but he always managed to survive. It's why, two years ago, he was promoted to Commander."
"Commander?!" Alice's eyes widened in astonishment. It suddenly became clear to her where she had heard Erwin's name before.
"Yes," Henrietta confirmed with a nod. "He is the current Commander of the Survey Corps. It was only a matter of time before such an event would find its way to our social circle."
As Henrietta concluded her story, a newfound sense of determination welled up within Alice. Despite the tragedy in her family's past, she couldn't help but feel a connection to her late aunt, Marie. And the knowledge that her cousin, Erwin, had achieved success in his military career only reinforced her resolve.
Henrietta placed a reassuring hand on her daughter's shoulder. "My dear, if this is the path you have chosen for yourself, I will not stand in your way. I see the potential for greatness within you. I believe you will find success in the Military Police. However, I must caution you... the journey ahead is arduous and fraught with peril. I trust you are fully aware of the challenges you will face."
Alice let her mother's words sink in, a seed of anxiety being planted alongside her support. She was aware the path would not be easy, but for a moment, her insecurity took the spotlight. Would she even be able to follow this through to the end? What if she failed? What about the humiliation of having to return to her family, lost, without a backup plan?
Nonetheless, it did not matter. She was set to leave for training in just a few days. This was it, no matter what. And she had to keep herself focused if she wanted to achieve her goals.
Under the pristine azure morning sky, a hidden gem of nature lay nestled in a vast open field, encircled by rolling hills and dense forests. The cadets stood on the precipice of their new lives, their ambitions, and the daunting initiation ritual that lay before them. The sun cast warm glow over them, promising a new beginning, a chance to transcend the limitations of their upbringing and embark on the path of soldiers.
It was there that the hopeful trainees destined to become the future 104th Training Corps gathered. Arrayed in perfect formation, they turned their eager faces toward the center of attention: their formidable instructor, Commandant Keith Shadis, responsible for the southern division of the Corps. His tall, rugged figure loomed over the cadets, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd with an unwavering intensity, standing with an imposing presence that demanded respect. The air was electric with anticipation, as the cadets, in their pristine uniforms, formed neat lines, each trying to hide the anxiety and excitement that surged within them.
As Shadis began the initiation ritual, his voice resonated through the natural crater, a thunderous proclamation that sent a shiver down the spines of the cadets. "We shall now begin the enlistment ceremony for the 104th Training Corps! Unfortunately for you, I, Keith Shadis, have been assigned to be your instructor!"
His words were a declaration of unwavering authority, a stark reminder that he had no intentions of making their transition into the Corps a pleasant one. "I don't have the slightest intention to welcome you here! So straighten those spines, maggots!" Shadis continued, his tone unyielding.
The cadets stood at attention even sharper than before, their faces a mixture of apprehension and determination, their eyes locked onto their formidable instructor. Shadis's voice took on a harsh edge as he continued.
"As you are now, you're all cattle with no purpose other than to become Titan fodder! Nothing more than that! I will take you useless degenerates and make something useful out of you!" Shadis declared with an air of ruthless determination. "I will drill all of our methods for fighting the Titans into your heads! And then, once you find yourself facing down a Titan three years from now, will you still find yourself to be prey?! Or will you be an honorable soldier, ready to give your life for the King?!"
The way he spoke was a call to arms, a challenge to rise above their fears and become true protectors of humanity.
"Maybe even perhaps a glorious killing machine, exterminating Titans every time you step outside these Walls that protect us?!" Shadis's speech reached its crescendo, a vision of victory and valor that he painted before them. "You will decide for yourselves what you want to be!"
With those words, Shadis left the cadets with a profound choice, one that would shape their destinies as soldiers. His speech, though brutal and unyielding, was a crucible in which they would either break or be forged into the heroes they aspired to become. The cadets knew that their journey had only just begun, and Shadis was there to guide them through the fire of transformation.
Alice stood resolute. Her eyes, a crystalline green like leaves during spring, remained fixed on their formidable instructor. She clenched her jaw, determination etched across her face as she braced herself against the verbal onslaught. Her black hair and bangs framed her face like a halo, a tangible symbol of her resilience. The turbulent winds of Shadis's speech couldn't sway her.
The initiation ceremony continued as Keith Shadis turned his attention to a nearby cadet from the first row. His piercing gaze fell upon the unsuspecting recruit, who trembled under the weight of the Commandant's scrutiny.
"You! Who the hell are you?!" Shadis demanded, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. The cadet, feeling the full force of Shadis's intensity, quickly saluted him, stammering as he attempted to respond.
"Floch Forster, sir!"