Chapter 40: Family Sorrows
In the dim candle light, Kenny sat quietly as he waited for the guards to come take him away. Sitting on his bed in a prison cell, in his own personal dungeon, at the heart of the capital, the shackles which loosely connected his hands and feet together rattled as he sat up and walked around his cell, the row of MPs watching him tensed up as they lowered their muskets slightly.
"Calm ya self" Kenny stated to them "I'm just walkin' around, no harm in that." He hobbled around his cell, his injury still needing some to repair. Time he didn't have.
He was impatient for it; he knew his crimes and his verdict to this new government even when they denied him a trail.
But he couldn't blame them, it was how the last government did things; he himself was judge, jury and executioner for Rod and the assembly in their schemes. As he wondered his cell his pondered on the feeling inside him. Nothing, despite it all he felt nothing; his dreams, comrades and almost everything and everyone he held dear were gone now. He lost, but that's just how the world worked really.
Suddenly the door of the dungeon open, the MPs all turned their heads to the side and saluted as two figures walked into view of the cell.
Kenny smirked as he saw them "Well… nothin' like a family reunion." He commented as Levi and Mikasa looked at him through the bars of his cell like a caged animal, he quickly noticed that in Levi's hands was a small box.
"Kenny, we need to talk." Levi said, he turned his head towards the MPs "Guards can you leave us with the prisoner, you can come back when we leave or when-"
"Or when the guards come and finally get me?" Kenny said, interrupting Levi. "How longs that gonna be, pretty soon?"
Levi stared at Kenny for a second before turning his head back to the MPs. "We'll be fine." He said the MPs quickly walked outside the dungeon, closing the door and leaving the Ackermans to themselves.
Kenny walked over to a wooden stool and picked it up before placing it in front of Levi and Mikasa. "So how long I've got left?" he asked as he sat down and faced them.
"Couple minutes at most" Levi replied.
"How they gonna do it?" Kenny asked further. "Firing squad? Exile me outside the walls? Beheading?"
"It's a public execution, they're gonna hang you." Levi answered "MPs are setting up the gallows now as we speak."
"You picked a hell of a time to come then, leaving it to the last minute." Kenny joked. "And it's a shame this'll be the only time I get to talk to ya, Mikasa" he turned his attention to her "Every meetin' before that had us trying to kill each other."
"You kidnapped Eren, put my friends in danger, even tortured one of them, and tried to kill me first." Mikasa replied it wasn't hard to tell she was angry "I'd do it again if I had to."
"Fair enough." Kenny replied.
"Kenny, we're here to ask some questions." Levi stated "And to hand you these." Levi placed down the box in his hands and opened the lid, inside were a pair of smart leather shoes, Levi slipped them through the bar to Kenny.
"Should have brought a whole tux if ya wanted me to look nice for the hanging" Kenny commented as he took the shoes "bit heavy…" the realisation suddenly dawned on him.
"This will make it quick… hopefully." Levi said. "We're running out of time, we need you to answer some questions."
"Shoot." Kenny replied.
"Ed told us about your plan, to take the coordinate and then challenge the God that sent Edward and Alphonse here, why?"
"Power… it's what I wanted and it kept me going knowing I'd get it someday." Kenny replied. "Well until now at least." He turned his head back to Mikasa once more "Tell me Mikasa, what keeps you going, why do you get up in the morning and keep doing what you do?"
Mikasa hesitated answering for a few seconds "My friends" she answered simply "I want to protect them; they're the only family I have now."
"Family? Just like my grandpa." Kenny replied as he looked down to the ground. "No matter what or who, everyone's got something driven' them forward; it can be booze, women, God, family, the king, dreams, and children and power…" Kenny listed "they couldn't keep going unless their drunk on something. Everyone is a slave to something… even him." Kenny lifted his head up towards Levi "Tell me Levi, they call you humanity's strongest soldier but do ya really think of ya self as a hero?"
"I'll do what needs to be done and be whoever I need to be." Levi stated.
"I'll take that as a yes then." Kenny replied.
"Are you still planning on carrying out your dream?" Levi asked.
"Ya know… I think I'm just about done." Kenny replied.
"Why is the first king content with seeing humanity be wiped out?" Levi questioned. "What is this philosophy of peace?"
"I don't know" Kenny replied simply "All I know I know from my grandpa; told me that the Ackermans opposed the first king for the reason he wanted to wipe away the memories and keep everyone inside the walls." Kenny threw off his shoes and placed on the leather pair given to him "It's why they hunted us for all those years but we don't even know the secret anymore."
"Our names are Ackerman and we all experienced that same event; it turned us into who we are now, what is the Ackerman family?" Levi inquired.
"Apparently we were elite guards to the royal family, living it up in the high life till we took a stand against the king." Kenny replied. "Fucking idiots had to ruin something good."
"What are you to us?" Levi asked his tone was noticeably softer.
"I was Kuchel's brother." Kenny replied, he turned back to Mikasa "As for you little lady, I'm not too sure what I am to you but I knew you existed and your family were living near Shiganshina for a time. I read what happened to ya parents in ya profile, sorry that happened to ya and I'm sorry I couldn't have been there to stop it." Kenny let his head slump down slightly "I'm sorry I couldn't stop either of ya parents from dying on you. I don't know too much about the kind a people ya are but I know ya both deserved better than this." There was a knock on the door, catching their attention for only a few seconds.
Looks like times up…
Levi walked up and wrapped his hand around the bar "On that day, why did you leave me?" he asked.
"I couldn't be some kid's dad…" the door to the dungeon open as MPs armed with muskets entered.
"Captain Levi, we're here to escort the prisoner." The officer stated as he placed his clenched fist over his heart.
Levi looked over at Kenny and then to the MPs "Go on, I won't stop you." he replied.
"Guess this is it then." Kenny remarked as he stood up from the wooden stool as the officers open the doors to his cell. "You two gonna be there?" he asked as the MPs grabbed Kenny by his arms and moved him out of his cell.
"Yes." Levi replied.
"Thank you." Kenny didn't resist as the MPs moved him from the dungeon. They walked him up the stairs, two MPs walking both in front and behind him with the ones holding his arms and all armed with muskets, he was walked through the building and basked in the sunlight beaming from the windows. He hadn't seen the sun in probably a bit more than a day but it felt like an eternity.
It was nice.
They brought him towards some double doors; they opened slowly as they approached it. Past the doors were the concrete walls, spiked fences and the wide open gates of the Military Police building that housed him. On the platform going down he could see the open space, the mass crowd gathering around and the gallows which had already been set up for him.
"Keep moving." Ordered the MP behind him as they shoved the butt of their musket into Kenny's back. Kenny lurched forward, almost tripping down the stairs, as he continued his way towards the gallows. A platoon of MPs was now surrounding the gallows as he was escorted towards it. Even now he didn't feel scared, anxious or angry.
No, it was like relief; he was going to be free of it soon.
"Up the stairs." The MP ordered, the two holding his arms moved back and aimed their muskets at him. Right now he could already see, feel and imagine the ways he could escape. That was just the Ackerman blood in him trying to find a way to survive. He walked up the wooden stairs and onto the platform. Two more MPs waited for him.
"Stand here prisoner." They moved him in front of the noose as they wrapped the rope around his neck. It felt itchy against his skin. He looked around in the crowd for them, his eyes catching sight of some shuffling nearby as he spotted Levi and Mikasa watching him in the middle of the crowd.
"Kenny Ackerman, for the murder of numerous military officials and soldiers, the Mayor of Stohess and countless innocents, you have been sentenced to die." The MP announced as he read off from his notes "Any last words?"
"Don't worry about a thing, Grandpa, the family's gonna be alright." He said looking down at Levi and Mikasa. A black bag was then placed over his head, blocking his view of them as it was tighten around his neck.
If those two can take down a son of a bitch like me, then there ain't anything in this world that can stop them…
The last thing that went through his mind was if the shoes he was given would work.
Squashed together inside a carriage, Levi squad traveled towards the back entrance of the palace where the fake king had once resided. The streets were flooded with people as the carriage moved along the road at crawling speed. Connie and Sasha peered through the closed curtains of the carriage. Both Ed and Alphonse were sat in between Eren, Armin and Mikasa while Sasha, Connie, Jean and Mina sat on the other side.
"Hey can you guys not do that?" Ed asked. "Don't want people to know we're here and cause a ruckus."
"I forgot to ask, was it true what they said in the newspaper about you guys? The whole message from the Truth thing?" Connie asked.
"It was a fabrication, Connie." Alphonse replied "In order to get the people to support Historia's rule."
"And just when the public we're getting use to you two." Jean commented "Might make your lives harder if you have any business in a crowded area."
"No kidding." Ed sighed.
"Things will calm down eventually." Mina tried to reassure them. "A lot has been happening in a short space of time, people just have to get use to the change."
"Still though, the expectation on you guys to deliver will be even higher now with all this talk of divine connections." Armin commented "Honestly it seems like a gamble; a slip up or failure from either of you could send the system crashing down." Armin leaned forward slightly as he rubbed the side of his chin "Still none of this will matter if we lose to the titans in Shiganshina; failing to meet any perceived expectations will be the least of our worries."
"Everything hinges on whether we win." Eren stated plainly.
"So nothing's changed" Jean added "or at least not that much." Silence loomed over and around them as the thought of the coming operation seeped into their minds.
Suddenly there was the sliding latch was opened "Hey we're pulling up to the back entrance now." said Levi. The carriage slowly made a turn
The sound of gravel being crushed under the hooves of the horse and the wheel of the carriage, followed by the screeching sound of gates closing as the carriage came to a halt. There was a knock at the front "Get out." Levi ordered. Armin opened the door as they stepped out into the courtyard of the palace.
"This place looks nice." Alphonse commented looking around at the palace.
"Admire the place later; you guys are here to see Historia before she becomes Queen." Levi said.
"Aren't you coming to see her too, Captain?" Eren asked.
"I've got some things to sort out with Darius, Petra you take them to meet her." Levi said as he walked off "I'll meet you guys afterwards."
The group all looked to Petra who shrugged "You heard the captain." She said as she waved them forward towards the doors of the palace's interior. The small group all scurried inside, the palace interior was stunning. Polished marble floors, bright white wallpaper with red velvet curtains partially covered the clear windows which decorated the walls with the paintings and small statues of royal family members past.
"Woah…" Connie said as he looked around.
"So this is where Historia's going to live?" Sasha added "It looks really nice."
Ed elbowed Alphonse's arm softly, catching his attention "Wrath's place looked nicer to be honest."
Alphonse shrugged in response "Yeah I guess so."
A member of the palace's staff walked up to them "You all must be Historia's former squad members." The staff member said "Her majesty is currently getting ready but I can take you to her." They were quickly led up some stairs and onto the second floor and through a grand looking hallway to one of the many rooms. "She's in here." They said opening the door. The squad quietly entered the room; an MP stood by the door as Historia sat by the large window dressed in a long bright white gown.
She turned her head to face them and stood up from her chair "Guys… Lieutenant." She was about to place her clenched fist on her heart when Petra walked up and hugged her.
Petra pulled back slowly, hands gently holding Historia's shoulders "It's good to see you again. You look nice."
"Thank you" Historia replied, she turned towards her friends "Everyone, it's good to see you again." They all went up to her and individually hugged her. She walked up to Edward and Alphonse who stood back and watched, she wrapped her arms around them both. "Thank you both for doing this, I know it wasn't easy for you." She moved back and looked at Ed "What you said back in the cavern… you were right, I wanted to make my dad love me."
"He didn't deserve someone like you." Ed replied.
"You must be feeling nervous." Sasha said.
"I'm a bit nervous." Historia "Still doesn't compare to battling titans though." They all chuckled.
"Or getting shot at by the MPs" Connie added he then quickly shifted towards the guards "No offence."
"Are you two nervous?" Historia asked both Ed and Alphonse
"Just got to show up, stand in front of you and kneel? Not the hardest task to complete." Ed replied. "We've performed in front of people so it's not something unusual for us."
"So much has changed, hasn't it?" Historia said.
"You became a queen." Mina added "Well about to become one."
"Things are probably going to continue changing from here on out." Jean replied.
"But it will all be for the better… hopefully." Eren added.
"We've all been through so much together." Historia said "Jean, Sasha, Mina, Petra… I know your parents must have been through so much. That's why I've asked for them to be compensated in some way, if anything we're to happen to you they'll be protected."
The three stood speechless for a second before Petra replied "Thank you." Mina began rubbing her eyes, Sasha had a soft smile on her face as she began blinking repeatedly and Jean turned away for a few seconds with his clenched fist covering his mouth. "Yeah… thank you." Jean mumbled out.
"Oh come on you guys." Petra laughed softly as she wiped a tear off her cheek "You're gonna make me cry."
"It's a bit too late for me." Mina giggled as she flicked away at tear with her finger. There was another chuckle amidst the tears
"Im… I'm so proud of you guys." Petra said "You've all done so well, I couldn't have asked for better team mates."
"And we're lucky to have you watching over us." Eren replied.
"You saved Armin and my lives back then, we owe you for that." Jean added.
"I'd do it all again." Petra replied.
There was a knock on the door as a smartly dressed official entered the room "Excuse me for interrupting but it's time now."
Historia turned her body around to see Edward and Alphonse holding the ends of her large regal robe. "Thank you" she mouthed to them. Both brothers nodded their heads in response. They stood inside the large hallway as they waited for the big moment.
"It's okay; we all have to play our part in this." Alphonse replied.
Suddenly the doors leading outside opened before them. "I guess this is it." Ed said. The three walked out of the palace to the sound of drums and loud cheering and a large set of wooden stairs in front of her.
As the doors to the palace behind her closed a massive wooden platform with the colours of the royal family's banners draped over it greeted her, blocking her view of the masses of people that stood on the other side waiting for her, a mountain of steps waited before her to make the climb upwards.
Historia took in a deep breath before letting out soft sigh. She then began to walk up the large set of stairs towards the platform with Edward and Alphonse following her and holding up her robe from the floor. The buildings soon came into view as they neared the top and the loud cheers and yells that preceded their climb became almost deafening. When Historia finally got onto the top of the platform she could she them all, the masses of people forming an impossibly large lake of people.
Commanders Erwin, Dok, Pixis, Darius stood before her along with other officials with a golden crown resting on a large red cushion on the floor. Ed and Alphonse walked in front of her and turned to face her, standing at the sides of the crown. The crowd quickly died down as the two came in sight and watched in anticipation of the two.
They knelt down, gently picked up the crown and lifted it up from the cushion as Historia bowed her head slightly as they placed the crown over her head. She lifted her head up to face them, both Ed and Alphonse nodded at her, they then knelt before her.
"Long live the queen!" Ed yelled.
"Chosen by God!" Alphonse added.
The commanders and officials followed as they knelt before her. "Long live the Queen!" there was a ear piercing cheer as the mass of people began to voice their support.
"Long live the queen!"
"The true queen!"
"Chosen by God!"
Historia placed her clenched fist over her heart as she bowed her head slightly towards those knelt before her. She turned towards the people and lifted her head up, held high, she faced her people.
Despite it all, the event and time, she felt calm.
Ymir, if you could see me now… what would you say? Would you laugh? Would you be proud? Or would you still ask me to run away with you?
She turned back to people knelt before her "Rise." She commanded.
I don't know how you would feel… but all I know is that this is my choice. It is no one else's but mine… and I will live my life with pride.
The commanders and both Elrics stood up before her, the sound of a cannon being fired in distance echoed. She turned around as both Ed and Alphonse lifted up the ends of her long robe once more as they walked off the platform, the doors to the palace opened once more to let them in. As the group slipped back through the doors as they closed both Ed and Alphonse dropped the ends of Historia's robe unceremoniously.
"That was loud." Alphonse commented as he rubbed his ears.
"Thought my ears were about to pop." Ed added.
"My Queen, you did well." Darius stated catching their attention. "You too, Elrics, You've played your part well and humanity is grateful."
"Commander Darius, have you thought about changing the system to a democracy?" Edward questioned "Cus' we didn't just 'legitimise' a regime just for you to have total control to do whatever you want behind the scenes." Both Edward and Alphonse looked at Darius accusingly.
Darius looked at them blankly "In time things must change, much like what we have done now, there will come a time but for now we all must focus on humanity's survival than its long term governance."
"We will hold you too that, Commander." Ed replied.
"I'm sure you will." Darius replied. "Now let's get ready for the celebration, there will be a lot of work ahead of us." He walked past them while patting both Edward and Alphonse on the back. "One more thing you should know, my Queen." He said turning back to face them "Your former comrade, Annie Leonhart, will be placed on trial soon. The general consensus is that she will be sentenced to death and her titan transferred to someone else, I've already briefed Captain Levi about this earlier in the day." The three continued to listen to him patiently "Of course however if you feel the need to find someone who'll put a case forward in her defence then you are free to do so, everything will be behind closed doors so the public won't know." Darius once more turned his back to them and walked away leaving them.
"The others must be waiting for us." Historia said breaking their concentration. "We shouldn't keep them waiting any longer now."
"You're right." Ed replied, they continued to walk down the long hallway.
"You should probably get out of that robe now." Alphonse commented "it's surprisingly weighty."
"No kidding it's like having to drag chains attached to my shoulders." Historia laughed lightly.
"Historia, are you going to take Darius on that offer?" Ed asked.
"To help Annie… I'm going to have to think about it." Historia replied "She's our friend."
"She's your friend, Al and I only know her as the Female titan." Ed replied
"There are a lot of things I'll have to weight up first." Historia stated, she wondered to herself whether she should try to help Annie.
"I know you can never forgive us but please, someone…anyone… find us…" Bertholdt words seem to echo inside her mind, did Annie feel the same way too?
A couple minutes had passed since the coronation and Historia had removed her crown and royal clothing for a plain gown as she reunited with her friends, who had watched from a balcony of the palace.
"So ummm… do we call say your majesty or do we still call you Historia?" Connie asked sheepishly as the group walked together.
"Still call me by my name, Connie." Historia replied.
"Historia, do you still plan on hitting Captain Levi." Eren asked.
"We're you and Ed the ones who encouraged me to do it?" Historia threw back, an anxious look on her face.
"It was a suggestion from the Reeves Boss but if you can let it go then you should." Eren advised.
"I'm not fit to be Queen unless I do this." Historia replied.
"I say go for it, Historia." Ed added with a devious smile on his face.
"Brother…" Alphonse whined disapprovingly.
"What? Someone's gotta hit Levi and you know I'm not allowed to." Ed responded.
The group quickly came upon Levi and Petra who waited for them in the hallway, Petra gave a small wave at them as they continued to approach them.
"Well… this is it." Jean said as they stopped in front of the two.
"Historia, congratulations on becom-"
"AAAAHHHHH!" Historia yelled as she pulled her arm back and threw a hard right punch into Levi's arm. Everyone gasped, shocked by the sheer audacity and bravery of Historia to punch her former officer while Ed and Jean seemed to cheer her on. "HAHAHA!" Historia laughed loudly "What you gonna do now, huh? I'm your queen, you can't-"
"Heh…" the biggest shock of all came afterwards when the squad witnessed the usually stone faced Levi crack a small smile. It was like watching a miracle unfold before them. "Thanks, all of you."
Annie lay staring up at the familiar ceiling of her underground cell and the rough surface of the stone walls which trapped her from the dim candle lights just outside the metal bars which separated her from the outside.
Damn it… she thought right there… they were right there in front of us this entire time she clenched her fist tightly as she slammed it against the wall. It was too late now to do anything; they were going to sentence her to die just like Kenny soon. She raised her hand to her face and for a few seconds contemplated biting into it.
Wouldn't work, I'd just be restrained underground.
She turned over to her side and stared into the wall. Her thoughts shifted back to home… that training field littered with straw filled dummies surrounded by a mass crowd of trees which hid them from the world. She always hated that place. What she wouldn't give to see it again.
Her father waiting for her to come back and the promise she gave him that she would return. He'd always use to force her to train her close combat skill; he's the one who got her into the warrior programme in the first place.
I wouldn't have had a lot of time left after this mission to spend with him and now I won't have any time at all…
"Just promise me… you'll come back to me…"
Annie pressed the end of her pillow against her face as she grabbed the corner of it in frustration. "No… I can't die here… Im… Im… going-" suddenly the cell door screeched open, Annie lifted her head up to see Mina walking through.
"Oh… Annie, were you sleeping?" Mina asked "I'll come back later-"
"No its fine, I was just thinking about something." Annie replied as she sat up on her bed. Mina walked into the cell as she sat down on the bed with Annie.
"Thinking about what, if you don't mind me asking." Mina asked.
"Home…" Annie replied as she looked over to the floor.
"What's your home like, your real home?" Mina asked further.
"It's quiet and my dad makes me work hard." Annie replied. "It's a wooden area and we live secluded from others." Annie clenched her fist.
Mina placed her hand on Annie's fist "I wish I can help you with that." Mina replied. "Maybe in the future we can try to make peace with your home and reunite you with him."
Annie looked at me with sad eyes; she knew Mina was trying her best to cheer her up and keep her hopeful, always trying to be a good friend. "That won't happen." Reality was far too cruel and complicated.
"It might be naïve for me to say but after winning against someone like the king and Kenny maybe there's a chance for everything." Mina replied.
"They're going to transfer my titan." Annie stated coldly. She suddenly felt Mina's hand gasp hers tightly.
"I know…" Mina muttered. "Captain Levi told us after the coronation."
"So you know that I'm done for?" Annie asked.
"No… like I said, anything can happen." Mina replied "Which is why I'm going to put a case forward for you at your trial." Both Annie and Mina stared into each other, neither breaking away "I don't know when or how but… I'm going to save you and when this whole thing with the titans and this thing about you, Reiner and Bertholdt's home are resolved I'll help you get back to your dad, I promise I'll find a way."
"That's the place" Sasha stated as she peered through the telescope at an estate in the middle of a field surround by tall grass, the orange dawn casting a shadow the lurking garrison and scouts hidden in the tall grass. A few days had passed since the new regime had been installed but there still remained pockets of resistance from the autocrats, former nobility and those remaining first squad MPs scattered across the walls. Bit by bit they were being apprehended or eradicated and hiding inside a ditch in the mud, shielded by the towering grass around them, Levi squad were now closing in on the final stronghold of the first squad MPs.
"How many of them are we looking at here?" Levi asked.
"About eight of them outside just patrolling the outside, armed with muskets, but there could be others inside; I saw some people pass the windows a couple of times." Sasha replied.
"Are the garrison ready?" Levi asked.
Sasha turned from the left then to the right, spotting others hiding in the grass waving at her. "Yes sir."
"Thank you." Levi replied he turned towards his squad who were huddled around him; almost everyone was there barring Eren who remained under Scout protection. "Okay here's the plan." He pointed towards a small map of the estate's blueprints. "Petra, you do the honors."
"The garrison are going to cause a distraction at the front of the building." Petra stated, she then glided her finger towards their position and then towards the back of the estate. "Our job is to infiltrate the building from the back and flush out the others. Remember, we want to capture as many of them as we can so avoid killing."
Suddenly a loud bang disrupted the peaceful field as a chorus of muskets followed and a collective cry rang out. "That's the signal." Levi said "Move through the grass and don't get caught." As Levi squad shuffled through the grass, Armin quickly made a last minute check of his matches, taking one of them one of the box, as they made their way to the back of the estate. Levi quickly raised his hand up, halting their movement, he pointed towards Armin and then the back wall of the estate.
Armin shuffled forward I have to get this just right; I'll get caught as soon as I stand up. He placed the match and the striker and concentrated on a path towards the target. He quickly stood up from the tall grass and struck the match, a contained explosion blew a hole into the wall in the estate. Only a few seconds later a small group of rogues ran through the hole, spotting Armin standing in the grass.
"It's the arsonist!" yelled one of the men as they aimed their muskets at Armin; the man was then hit in the shoulder by an incoming arrow. Very quickly further shots from muskets were followed, hitting the rebels' legs and arms. Levi squad quickly shuffled forward towards the wounded rebels and the massive hole in the wall.
"Petra, you take Connie, Jean and Sasha and take these men to the garrison position, stay hidden in the grass" Levi ordered. "Move into the estate with the garrison once we take the front entrance.
"Yes, captain." Petra said as they started to tie up the hands of the rebels.
Levi, Edward, Alphonse, Armin and Mina entered the building; the inside was dark with its windows boarded up and only a few scattered candles providing glimmers of light. The inside was a complete mess with dusty crates piled up along the hallway and the fancy rugs that had decorated the floor were ripped and ruined. The team came up to a corner, the sound of gunfire and yelling was once again intense, Levi pulled out his blade and stuck the blade out of the corner and watched the reflection of rebel soldiers shooting from the front windows at the garrison.
Levi turned back to the others and raised up his hand showing four fingers, Ed walked forward and stood next to Levi, he watched the reflection as he pressed his hands together and placed them onto the floor, never keeping his eyes off the reflection. There was a flash of blue light and lighting followed by the collective "Ugh!" of the men standing at the other side of the corner. The group followed from the corner as a line of fists began to slowly dissolve back into the walls.
Both Ed and Alphonse rushed forward, a door to the side swings open and other rebels rush forward trying to hit them with the butt of their muskets. Ed expertly ducks under the strike from one of the attackers and hits an uppercut into his attacker's guts and the struck them in the temple with his right foot with a wipe kick. Alphonse grabbed the musket with his attacker and stood off for a few seconds before pushing them into the wall and struck his opponent's face with a direct front kick to the face.
"Good work." Levi complemented.
"We've done this before." Ed replied.
"Yeah I know." Levi quickly replied.
The sound of footsteps rumbled above them, Ed clapped his hands together and placed them onto the walls the second floor suddenly receded into the side as the rebel troops above fell down into the first floor. A tall rebel soldier dressed in the uniform of the first squad MPs landed in front of Armin. Armin quickly stamped onto the head of the soldier before they could get up as the others did the same.
Armin looked down at the soldier he stamped on and noticed the label near his badge; he knelt down for a closer look. Djel Sannes…
Levi kicks open the front door into the open front of the estate and pulled out a flare gun from his side, firing off a gun and a large column of green smoke. Everything went smoothly; outnumbered and outmatched the rest of the remaining rebels had given up, turning themselves in to the garrison troops and Levi squad.
Armin watched through the window of the upper floor as the groups of rebels were placed into wagons, tied up. "No time to procrastinate, Armin." Jean said catching his attention "We still have to clear out every room for anything valuable."
Armin, Jean and Alphonse walked up towards the last unopened door in the estate "This probably leads into the attic." Armin guessed.
Alphonse grabbed the handle of the door and turned it only to find the handle resisting to turning. "It's locked." Alphonse commented. He took his hand off the door knob and pressed both hands together, placing them onto the door morphed into a stack of planks lined up onto the side of the doorframe, in front of them was a set of stairs leading up.
"Couldn't have just destroyed the door?" Jean asked.
"I'm sure the next person to own this will appreciate the extra lumber." Alphonse replied jokingly. Alphonse then peer his head into staircase. "Hello?" he called out "If there's anyone up there, come down at once; if you surrender now we promise not to hurt you."
Jean lifted up the shotgun he was holding as he moved in front and began ascending the stairs slowly; both Armin and Alphonse followed him. The stairs led to an open area, closed off only by the walls of the roof, the sun flowing through the lone window. Jean peaked over the floor, his eyes scanning the space "Looks to be empty." he said as he walked up onto the floor. Both Armin and Alphonse followed him up; all around them were large wooden crates and tables pushed up to the walls with various contraptions and tools scattered across them.
"What is this stuff?" Jean said as he began picking up items off the table.
"This… this is a revolver." Alphonse said picking up a cylinder with holes in it.
"Revolver, what's that?" Armin asked.
"It's a type of gun, it holds multiple bullets." Alphonse explained. "Or at least it looks like a revolver."
"This is the Anti-personnel's ODM gear." Jean said picking up the gear and showing it to Armin and Alphonse.
Armin walked across the tables of items and found a small book with a hard black coloured cover; he picked up the book and scanned the contents of the book. The layout of the book was the year, surnames, incident and then full name of the MPs in charge of the operation.
The names of people who were killed by the first squad MPs went on for page after page…
Daniels… Achilles… Becker… Geiger… Hertz… Holtz… Allen… Church… Clarke… Snyder… Weaver… Smith… Howard… Davis… Peters… Walker…
Arlert...
840 / Mr and Mrs Arlert / couple try to leave the walls via blimp and both were shot before ascension / Djel Sannes.
"So the attic is packed with them with equipment and tech." Levi said as he listened to Jean and Alphonse. They were all standing outside the estate as the garrison constantly began moving crates and prisoners from the building.
"Yes captain." Alphonse said, he then handed him the modified ODM gear. Levi took the ODM gear and examined it; turning it around trying to pick up every detail of it.
"Alright, thanks for letting me know." Levi said. "Where's Arlert, wasn't he with you?"
"He was captain; he had to hand the garrison officers a book about the first squad's pervious operations." Jean explained "The book had a bunch of names of people inside; it went back a couple years."
"A kill list" Levi stated.
"Yes." Jean replied.
"That's none of our concern then, the central government can manage that." Levi stated. "Get back to the others; we're following the garrison to Hermina, we have some business concerning the trial of Leonhart also some very rich pigs would like to talk to you and Edward." He mentioned turning his head towards Alphonse "You two are dismissed."
"Yes, captain." Both Jean and Alphonse replied as they placed their fist over their heart. Levi nodded back as he left the two. "Jean, you head back, I'm going to meet up with Armin." Alphonse said.
"Go ahead." Jean said as he walked away.
Alphonse casually walked over towards the group of wagons, walking towards them keeping an eye out for Armin; he spotted the neat line of wagons and the battered prisoners sitting inside and the numerous garrison soldiers standing around. His eyes searched for Armin, he turned his head back slightly towards a lone tree and found him; standing solitarily as he looked over at small piece of paper in his hand. Alphonse jogged towards Armin; the closer he came the more he noticed that Armin was deep in thought.
Why hasn't he noticed yet?
"Hey!" Alphonse called out. Armin didn't turn his head; he was looking back at the piece of paper, then towards the wagons, then the piece of paper, then the wagons, then the piece of paper, then the wagons… Alphonse stopped jogging and as he came closer noticed that the piece of paper in Armin's hand was being scrunched from the bottom, like he was holding onto it for dear life.
Alphonse walked up to Armin "Armin." He said as he placed his hand on Armin's shoulder. Armin jumped slightly as he turned his head towards Alphonse.
"Alphonse, sorry I didn't see you there." Armin replied.
"Armin, what's that you're holding?" Alphonse asked.
"Just some notes on flame alchemy." Armin assured him.
"Can I see?" Alphonse asked as he moved his hand towards the note.
Armin quickly snatched it away "Actually I was hoping that you could test me later." Armin folded the note and shoved it into his pocket. "Consider this me just studying." He said with a smile.
"Okay sure… anyway Levi said we're heading over to Hermina with the garrison." Alphonse said as the two began to walk off "We have to stay there for a few days, Levi has to sort some things out with Annie's trial and Ed and I have some people to meet."
"What kind of people?" Armin asked.
"Just some business people" Alphonse replied. "You're getting pretty good at flame alchemy."
"I know" Armin replied. Alphonse's eyes looked down at the pocket where Armin placed his note.
What are you hiding, Armin?
It was a long journey to Hermina all and all during it, Alphonse made sure to keep a close eye on Armin.
As the large gate of the district opened before them the convoy passed through the large tunnel to a crowd of curious people "You two, hoods up, don't want to cause a scene." Levi instructed.
"It's not like we can choose to." Ed grumbled.
"No back talk." Levi replied.
Alphonse moved his hood over his head and pulled down the end to cover his eyes. He looked down at the horse behind him as the sound of clopping, the rumbling and squeaking of the wheels and the mumbling of the surrounding crowds filled his ears. He could make out his and Edward's name being spoken and the eyes of those searching for them, he felt the heat in his cheeks as he began to feel embarrassed.
It was a long way from prying eyes.
Inside the barracks of Hermina district; Armin sat at a desk near his bed, his eyes going over that one line on the piece of paper, an entire day had passed since they arrived at the district.
"840 / Mr and Mrs Arlert / couple try to leave the walls via blimp and both were shot before ascension / Djel Sannes." He muttered to himself. He shut his eyes for a second and sighed deeply.
He placed the note down on the table and pulled out his matchbox, looking at the alchemy symbols drawn into the front and the back of the box. As he continued to stare at the symbol his mind began to creep towards the memory of the intense screaming and the smell of scorched flesh…
He slammed the box onto the desk, squashing the box; he slowly lifted his hand up and looking at the box once more. He sat back on his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I'm not like them… I'm not like him…" he muttered. He picked up the note on the table once more "Djel Sannes…" he thought back to that the man he helped capture.
He stood up from his chair, picked up his matchbox and shoved it back into his pocket. He then rushed out of the door and through the barracks; he decided then and there he was going to confront him. But Armin couldn't just walk into the prison then and there, he needed to observe and learn first. He went outside, the heat of the sun bearing down on him slightly as he continued to pace around. He began to wonder further away from the barracks.
"Why did you do it?" Armin muttered to himself "Why did you kill them…" as he continued to walk through the streets he came across a large group of people crowding around a street corner.
"Hey can you move back!" yelled Ed, Armin perked up slightly, the thoughts of his heads being quickly dissolved as he tried to catch sight of them through the crowd.
"Have you received more messages from God?"
"When will we be free of the titans?"
"Have you come to save humanity?"
"Can you help transform Hermina?"
"Are you angels in the guise of humans?"
"Please settle down, we're still just people." Alphonse assured them as he stuck his arms out to make some space between them and the crowd. "Now if you can please stand aside we have business to attend to." Also instantly the crowd began to disperse, as the people began to move Armin picked out the faces of both Ed and Alphonse. They looked almost taken aback by how quickly the people responded to their asking to leave.
"Ed, Alphonse." Armin called out as he walked towards them.
"Armin, good to see you" Alphonse replied waving at him.
"Nice to meet someone who isn't obsessed with us" Ed remarked.
"Does this happen all the time you go out now?" Armin asked, he turned his head side to side to watch the people lingering around slowly leave.
"No, it seems like whenever we're in a crowded area we'll have a bunch of people come up to us." Ed replied "But not everyone thankfully."
"They always seem to comply whenever we ask them to stand back or to leave us alone." Alphonse said, the look on his face suggested he was a little unnerved by that fact.
"I guess there's a legend being built around you; the more you do for them, the more people will believe that you are something more than human." Armin theorised. "If you two wanted to you could start your own following."
Armin watched as both visibly shuddered at the thought "Never." Ed stated "That will never happen, we've seem where that kind of thinking leads and how messed up it is to exploit something like that."
"So what are you two doing anyways?" Armin asked, trying to steer the conversation away from the current topic.
"Just came back from a meeting with some business leaders in Hermina." Alphonse replied "They wanted to pitch to us that they could develop the tech ideas we've been helping Hange's team design."
"One of them went on about automail and how much he was impressed by it." Ed added. "I swear it was like listening to Winry."
"Winry?"
"Winry is our friend back on our world, she's also Ed's mechanic." Alphonse replied. "Anyway Armin, why are you out?"
"Just wanted to get some fresh air and walk around Hermina is all." Armin replied. Not exactly a lie…
Alphonse stared at Armin for a second; Armin knew that he was catching onto him. "Really, well it was nice seeing you and remember that I'm going to quiz you on your flame alchemy."
Oh right… that was my cover for… he slipped his hand into his pocket and felt the edges of the note.
"Of course, Alphonse" Armin replied. Both Ed and Alphonse nodded at him before walking away. Armin watched them for a few seconds before quickly turning away and heading towards the prison in Hermina.
He picked up some rocks along his path, as he was only a few streets away from the prison he stepped into an alleyway where he began scraping a transmutation circle into the titles. He placed the other rocks into the center of the circle and placed his hands on the edges. A bright flash of light lit up the alleyway very briefly and before him were a few gold pieces. He snatched up the pieces and quickly began walking towards the prison once more.
At the entrance were two guards, MPs, who were standing watch over the gate connected to the large walls. "I've been sent here by captain Levi." Armin stated as he walked up to the guards. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the note. "I've been asked to question certain individuals in regards to this list."
"Go on then." One of the MPs said as they waved Armin through. Armin walked through the gate and into the prison complex.
Inside was a lobby and a desk, Armin approached the desk "Do you know where the rebels are being held? I'm with Levi squad and I've been asked to question one of the prisoners about this."
"Down the left corridor and at the end, they're being held in the large cell." Armin nodded to the person at the desk before making his way to them.
Down the long grey corridor he came upon a metal door and a single guard sitting down on a wooden chair. "I'm here to question one of the prisoners about this." Armin stated as he shown the guard the piece of paper. The guard stood up and unlocked the door before opening it for Armin. As Armin stepped in the large room he stood before large cell which took up most of the room and metal bars separating him and the prisoners. The captured remnants of the first squad all turned towards him. All eyes were now on him as the door behind him slammed shut. He felt nervous, an impending sense of regret and anxiety chipped away at his resolve, but he stepped forward and scanned the large cell for him.
"Djel Sannes." He called "Step forward." All the prisoners turned towards a single man in the back. There he was, the men who Armin ran into during the raid and who he help apprehend. Djel walked forward towards Armin, he towered over Armin as they came face to face with each other.
"What do you want?" he questioned.
"I'm here to ask you some questions." Armin replied.
"You think… you think you could get me to talk?" Djel questioned Armin once more "You usurpers and your false Queen, they questioned me for hours but got nothing from me. What makes them think I'd give up anything for you?"
"You refuse to talk out of some kind of loyalty for the false king?" for Frieda Reiss who was just a puppet to the coordinate?" Armin questioned.
"I refuse to submit to that brat Historia." Djel growled. "I'll die before I'll call her my queen, my queen died in that cave 5 years ago."
"I see…" Armin said, placed his hand inside his pocket. His fingers grasping at the match box in his pocket, an idea of burning him alive right then and there flashing through his mind. He turned his back towards the captured interior MPs and headed back to the door, knocking on it and being let out of the room. "Could you do something for me." He asked the guard as he closed the door.
"What?" the guard asked impolitely.
"I need you to listen to the conversations, record anything spoken that might be important and report that to me every day for the next few days." Armin asked. The guard gave Armin a funny look at his request but before he could respond Armin was already reaching into the pocket of coat and pulled out a single piece of gold. The guard's eyes widen for a second as his mouth gaped slightly. "I'll give you one for each day should you provide the information. Do you accept?" the guard stared down at the gold then towards Armin and back towards the gold…
"Sure kid… I'll do it." The guard replied.
Armin walked away from the guard, the prison building and its gate. As he walked back to the barracks he wondered to himself why he didn't just burn Djel right then and there and bribe to back up his explanation.
I still have to know… why he did it, what drove him to kill them...
"Okay, so the symbols for an explosion and a more regular ignition of fire are identified in these differences." Armin explained as he presented the transmutation circles to Alphonse. Alphonse looked over the symbols drawn on paper on the clip board, Armin was taking this review of his flame alchemy very sincerely and Alphonse wouldn't have suspected anything less from Armin who himself asked for this. They sat alone inside an office space inside the barracks.
So why couldn't Alphonse shake off the feeling that this was some kind of smoke screen?
"Armin, is this all you've been up to since we've been here?" Alphonse asked as he handed the clipboard back to Armin. It had only been a bit over a day since they arrived in Hermina.
"Well there isn't much else to do other than practice and refine my flame alchemy." Armin replied taking the board, he began scribbling notes on the board as Alphonse continue to look at him.
That note…
"Really? Okay." Alphonse replied. "What are you doing later today? Perhaps we can get something to eat together." Alphonse suggested.
"You know I'd like to but I plan on heading over to the district library to study some elements." Armin replied "Another time maybe."
"Okay then." Alphonse replied nodding slightly. "I guess that'll be it for today, we'll pick up on this next time."
"Thank you, Alphonse." Armin said as he got up from his chair and left the room. Alphonse watched Armin as he left the room, as Armin went out of view Alphonse turned his head towards the window and sighed gently.
What else do I have to do today? Oh yeah, the meeting with those district engineers and academics…
It was going to be a long few days.
A few hours had passed and Alphonse and Edward found themselves inside a small lecture room, standing in front of a green board which covered the entire wall that was entirely covered with various explanations and diagrams of elements and their atomic structure.
"These are the different metal alloys, importantly nickel alloy which is used for electrical wire." Ed explained. "If you ever plan on creating technology which we have on our world you'll need to know this to power them." Alphonse began writing down the chemical compound for the alloy.
The attendees scribbled down the information into their paper or notebooks. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, catching everyone's attention.
"I guess that's time." Alphonse said as he placed the chalk to the side. "Same place and time tomorrow." He informed them. The large crowd shuffled away from their seats and towards the exit as both Ed and Alphonse cleared up the board and collected their things. "You know when we signed up for the Scout regiment I never expected to be giving lectures." He said, turning his head towards Ed who was busy wiping the board.
"It's a nice change of pace from getting shot at or almost getting eaten." Ed replied. A few of the attendees walked up to them. "Can I help you?" Ed asked.
"Is it true what they say, that you were sent by God?" asked one of the people.
"Yeah" Ed replied.
"What does he look like?" another attendee.
"It's an outline of a person with a mouth." He replied.
"It gave you your alchemy?"
"In theory everyone can do alchemy but it requires an incredible amount of commitment towards learning and knowing various fields of science connected alchemy." Alphonse replied this time. "That and people need to draw transmutation circles to perform alchemy."
"But I heard that you two only need to clap your hands together."
"It's complicated." Ed replied. There was some whispering among the group. "You got one more question and then we got to go."
"If everyone can learn alchemy then could you teach others?" Both Ed and Alphonse looked at the person. "I mean it's a known fact that squad leader Hange and another one of your comrades have performed alchemy too so you must have taught them."
"That's a whole other thing." Alphonse replied. "We spend almost every day with them so we can teach them; you can't learn alchemy overnight or in a week and the time taken for them to learn while relatively short is because they're both exceptional."
"Listen we got to leave now." Ed said as he pulled Alphonse along towards the door. "See you tomorrow." They quickly made their way out of the district's university "Here Al, put this on." Ed said giving Alphonse a hat and some glasses. "Not exactly a master disguise but it should be enough to make it back to the barracks." Alphonse placed on the disguise and quickly walked through the street with their heads down.
"This kinda like when Jean and I were spying in Stohess, we-" Alphonse eyes quickly caught onto Armin who looked to be turning into a corner. Alphonse watched for a few seconds as Armin walked out of view slightly. "Brother, you go on ahead I need to check something."
"You sure, Al?" Ed asked.
"Yeah I'll be fine." Alphonse replied. Ed continued to walk back to the barracks.
Alphonse began to following Armin at a distance. He watched Armin come up to the district prison where a guard greeted him, Alphonse continued to watch from a distance, the two walked away from the entrance and the other guards as they continued to talk before Armin reached into his pocket and shook the guards hand, the guard nodded and the two parted ways.
He must be heading back now… Alphonse quickly made his way back towards the barracks. As he began to jog back his mind came back to the note that Alphonse had been holding onto to, he pulled out a pocket watch and looked at the time, making note of it.
For the remaining few days Alphonse would carry out his tasks and while keeping an eye on Armin, he quickly caught on that Armin would meet that same guard at that same time. Every night he noticed that Armin would sit at the desk near his bed and look at the note while he wrote down something on a notepad. And every time Alphonse would walk in Armin would quickly place the note in his pocket or matchbox, close to him.
Tomorrow was the last full day. Alphonse spotted Armin once more at the desk near his bed reading and writing something down. He needed to know what was on that piece of paper.
"Hey Al-" Alphonse quickly turned around to see Mina standing beside him carrying some books with her; he quickly placed his hand over her mouth to stop her from giving him away. He placed his finger to his lips as he dropped his hand down, he gently held her wrist and moved them away from the door.
"Sorry about that." Alphonse said in a hushed tone.
"It's… its fine." Mina replied "What are you doing?"
"Armin is hiding something and I think it has something to do with what he's reading." Alphonse explained.
"Is Armin in trouble?" Mina asked, now concerned.
"I don't think so but… I'm sure it's nothing but I just need to know in case he might be doing something that could get him in trouble. ." Alphonse replied. They both crept back towards the doorway of the room and peered inside to see Armin still at his desk.
"I've got an idea." Mina said "You wait here." Alphonse watched as she quietly approached Armin she then placed her books down on the desk, startling him. "Armin, can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah sure" Armin replied.
"You know that speech you made back in Trost, it was really convincing and you spoke so confidently how'd you do it?" she asked.
"Well I was running on pure adrenaline at the time." Armin replied. "I had to do a lot of thinking on my feet but I knew what I needed to say at that moment, so long as you know clearly what you're arguing for you'll be fine."
"Thank you, Armin." Mina said as she pulled the books off the desk and quickly made her way out of the room "Oh hey Alphonse you heading over to your room?" she announced winking at him. Alphonse walked along side her, both pacing away as Mina reached under the bottom book and handed Alphonse the note.
Alphonse looked at the note; it a page from that small book with a list of names, the kill list as Levi put it, one section had been outlined.
840 / Mr and Mrs Arlert / couple try to leave the walls via blimp and both were shot before ascension / Djel Sannes.
Mr and Mrs Arlert… Djel Sannes…
He quickly handed the note back to Mina "Hey!" yelled a voice from behind them. They both turned to see Armin jogging towards them. "Mina, you've might have taken a small piece of paper from my desk.
"Have I?" Mina asked, she wiped the bottom of her book and 'found' the note "Oh sorry, looks like I have." She said handing the note back to him.
Armin looked at the two slightly accusingly "Did you two have the chance to read what was on it?" he asked.
"No, I didn't even know I had taken it." Mina replied "My mistake entirely."
Armin stared at them for a few seconds "Okay, well I'll see you in the morning." He turned back and walked away from them.
Both Alphonse and Mina then began walking again "Thank you, Mina." Alphonse said.
"So what was on the piece of paper?" she asked.
"It's a page ripped from a first squad MP's book, it's from the guys we captured." Alphonse replied. "It looks like a personal matter concerning his family, Armin's planning on doing something, and I don't want him to do something he'd regret."
If Armin is going to… His mind wondered towards the match box Armin had.
Today… this personal journey which he set out on would final reach its end. Armin began his walk towards the prison as he had done so in the last few days.
But now there was a feeling of anticipation, anxiety, dread and fear… but it was a different kind of fear. It wasn't the same when he stared down the throat of a titan, when he was towered over by Annie in her titan, when he faced the horde of titans at Utgard castle or when he looked down the barrel of a gun.
This was different; he didn't know what the outcome of those encounters, whether he would survive or die it was always a struggle. This couldn't be more one-sided. When the time came what was he going to do? Could he keep his head clear?
As he walked up to the street corner he could see the prison complex partially, its large walls, barbed wire, celled windows in a dull and lifeless grey coloured building. As he came to the corner he could see someone leaning against the wall in his peripheral vision with their head turned to see Alphonse looking at him with a stony look on his face. He was dressed in his long brown Scout coat and formal clothes like Armin.
"Alphonse…" Armin said, he sighed "I knew you looked at that note, so I take it you've been spying on me for the last few days?"
"Armin, what planning on doing?" Alphonse questioned, the tone of his voice… it was the same as when Armin and him had that discussion about the philosopher stone.
"I'm not here to kill him if that's what you're wondering." Armin replied.
"Then what?" Alphonse continued "Armin… I know that guy killed your parents… I-"
"Alphonse… I was raised by my grandfather after they were killed them." Armin stated "They told us their lies about what happened to them… My grandfather and I had to move on and accept it." Armin turned his body towards Alphonse "My parents were two people on a list of hundreds killed to keep their secrets and their high place in the walls… but I want to know what drove them to do it… what drove Djel to do it and what was he thinking." The stony look on Alphonse face softens as he listened to Armin "I just want closure."
I also wanna know if…
"Okay, I believe you Armin." Alphonse replied "But… would it be alright if I came with you?"
Armin knew that Alphonse was sympathetic to him but he also knew that Alphonse was worried.
"You're worried that I'll abuse my flame alchemy." Armin stated, Alphonse didn't say anything but the hesitation to respond indicated that he hit the nail on the head.
Afraid that I'll abuse the alchemy you've taught me…
"Okay you can come with me." Armin replied. "Follow me and whatever happens just trust me, I know what I'm doing."
"I trust you, Armin." Alphonse replied as he stood up straight and followed him to the prison entrance.
The prison guard who continuously met with Armin was there outside the gate. "Who's he?" the guard asked.
"A friend, its fine" Armin replied.
"Alright then." The guard said as he motioned him to follow them. They walked into the prison; a desk greeted them as they made a turn into a long grey corridor with a single door at the end. The guard pulled out a key and unlocked the door.
"I'm going to need you to give us some time alone." Armin asked, he placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out a rough piece of gold the size of a large pebble. "This is my last payment."
"Of course." The guard said as he took the piece of gold from Armin "Larger than the last ones." The guard chuckled as he walked away from the door, leaving them.
"Armin you-"
"I bribed the guard? Yeah I know the consequences if I get caught but please… just trust me on this." Armin replied. He pushed the door open to see the large cage of prisoners once again. The two of them stepped inside as Armin closed the door behind him and locked it behind him. "Sannes!"
The prisoners all turned their heads towards the two in front of them on the other side of the cage.
"It's that Elric boy and the arsonist…" muttered one of the prisoners
"Those fucking brats with the weird powers."
"What are they doing here?"
"You again…" Djel said as he walked towards them. "You brought your friend with you too." He said looking at Alphonse who was standing next to Armin "You two here to question me again about the people I help kill?"
"Just one, does the surname Arlert sound familiar?" Armin questioned as he pulled out the note from his pocket. "The couple who tried to fly a blimp?"
"I remember them… that idiotic couple who thought they could fly over the walls." Djel replied. Armin clenched his fist as he felt his anger begin quickly to boil and close to spill over "Why does it matter?"
"Because you killed my parents!" Armin yelled. "That 'idiotic couple' had a son." Everyone in the room watched silently "You're going to answer my questions." He reached into his pocket once more and pulled out his matchbox "And I'm not asking."
"Armin!" Alphonse exclaimed.
Armin raised his hand up with one finger up from his clenched fist. The MPs in the cell began to panic once they say the matchbox.
"Shit! Oh fuck!"
"The arsonist is going to kill us!"
"Help! Help! Help"
"No! Oh God please no!"
"Please, please, please no!"
"He's here to kill us! He's here to kill us!"
Armin took his eyes off Sannes, still standing before him; they drifted towards the other prisoners and caught the look of fear on their face as they stared at him and backed away.
I'm a monster to these people…
"Why did you do it?" Armin questioned.
"To keep the peace" Djel stated.
"You call killing my parents keeping the peace? Who did they ever hurt? Were they ever a threat to anyone?" Armin questioned "All they wanted was to see the world. How many other people have you killed to 'keep the peace'?"
"The number of people I've killed is too many to count, I'd do it all over again if I had to and this time I'd have ended their traitorous brat too." Djel stated calmly. "Do you want to know why the walls haven't been plagued with conflict over the hundred years? Because of us, we did what was needed; the peace that everyone had enjoyed before you and the other usurpers destroyed it? It was because of us!" Armin hand began to crumble the edges of the box as he listen to Djel while Alphonse glared at Djel. "You think your parents are special? I've helped kill a teacher who knew too much for his own good, an old fool who made guns which could threaten the king and some whore in a backwoods farm, we snuffed out the fires before they could grow."
"It sounds more like you've been stuffing out human progress." Armin commented "Killing people below you who even slightly moved from the status quo and anyone who didn't follow your way of thinking."
"Fire? Those were innocent people, you murder." Alphonse accused him. "How can you talk about mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters like they were unfeeling menace?"
"It's disgusting and funny how you two take the high ground and judge me and my comrades on these actions." Djel spat "How many people have you killed? Arsonist, you've burned more than a dozen of my comrades." He said looking at Armin, he turned his head towards Alphonse "And someone had to have taught him, was it you?" Alphonse flinched slightly under his scrutiny "Those men and women had families too, families who are now vilified for their loved ones' connection to King. Make no mistake, you've had to ruin plenty of lives to get to where you are now. But that's just how it is!"
"You think we've like you?" Armin questioned.
Djel stepped forward and grabbed the bars "I know you're like me! I bet you think you are heroes, people who fight for justice and humanity, well so am I!"
Armin pulled out a matchstick from the box "Step back." He warned. The prisoners flinched as they watched Armin take out the match.
"Armin! No!" Alphonse said, he was about to grab the match from Armin's hand when Armin turned his head towards him and looked at him.
Trust me… Armin nodded his head and Alphonse backed away slightly.
"Go ahead then!" Djel exclaimed "Burn me and the rest of us! Wipe us all out and take our place then, the world needs people like us!"
"Are you insane?" exclaimed one of the prisoners
"No don't please!"
"I don't wanna burn to death!"
"Look at you, a monster that couldn't begin to compare to the titans!" Djel exclaimed "I don't fear you, neither of you brats!"
"Sannes, can you fucking not!" a prisoner exclaimed "You're gonna get us all killed."
"I've got one more question. Why?" Armin said "And I'm not asking for a 'keeping the peace' or 'just following orders' answer, what drove you to do this, killing innocent people day in and day out, what drove you to kill my parents?"
"My king" Djel stated so simply "I believed in the King and security of the walls, protecting both from war, I still do and always will." Djel stepped back "If its retribution you seek than go ahead, burn me to death if you want. We all have blood on our hands what's a few more drops into this river?"
"If that's what you want, I'll burn you all then." Armin placed the match onto the striker. At that moment Armin began to block out his surrounding; the pleading and begging of the other prisoners and Alphonse yelling at Armin as he stretches out his hand to grab the matchbox. Djel stood there, eyes closed as he awaited his fate. He didn't appear to stand up for the others. He wasn't going to.
Armin struck the striker.
Nothing.
Alphonse grabs Armin's wrist expecting a burst of fire. But there was nothing. No fire, not even a flicker of fire from the match. The prisoners who were cowering looked at Armin perplexed as Armin flicked the match into the cell.
"It's a dud." Armin stated calmly. Alphonse released Armin's wrist from his grip. Armin stepped forward "Maybe you're right Djel, maybe we're trading roles here and maybe I am a monster. But there's one thing I do know… I'd never let my comrades die for my beliefs or dreams." Armin placed the matchbox back into his pocket. "And on your dedication for the king, for Frieda Reiss and the will of the first king, the coordinate, the titan that kept them in power. It never cared about peace in the walls or humanity, the first king was willing to let us all die." Djel stepped back further as Armin wrapped his hand around the bar "The coordinate had the power to control the titans, all of them, the instrument of humanity's salvation right there but unused."
"I'm sure you loved the king. But he didn't love you."
Armin let go of the bar, he turned towards Alphonse "Let's go…" he muttered, Alphonse still looked at Armin like a lost fawn still trying to put together what happened. Alphonse then followed Armin to the door. As Armin placed his hand on the handle he turned his head back to Djel one last time "When you took my parents away from me I was so lucky to have my grandfather and my friends to support me… I wonder if you still have their support." Armin looked back towards the other prisoners either looking away or glaring at Djel as both Armin and Alphonse walked through the door.
As Armin shut the door behind them he quickly sat down on the chair in the long hallway and let out a deep sigh as Alphonse leaned up against the wall. "Armin… are you okay." He asked.
"What? Yeah, of course I am." Armin replied as he looked up towards Armin. "I told you I wasn't going to kill him."
"What were you doing back there then?" Alphonse asked.
"When I found out that my parents… I did think about getting killing him but doing something like that would have been pointless and reckless. If I wanted revenge then it had to be personal and lasting; I had the guard keep an eye on them and rely the information back to me, then used it to isolate him from his comrades in one moment and left him with the truth. The reality of the First king and his philosophy, possibly destroying his belief system."
"That's…"
"Diabolical and underhanded? Maybe I am a monster like Djel says… I'm the arsonist" Armin said "It's all relative I guess, in the eyes of some we must be bad people." His mind began to wonder towards the times he used flame alchemy to-
"You're not, Armin." Alphonse tried to reassure him "A monster or a bad person would have killed them all right then and there but you held back. We're not innocent in all this, I had to accept that I have to get my hands dirty, but we would never go after innocent people. We want to see humanity progress and they were content to hold it in place and decline for their own personal gain." Alphonse paused for a second "You're an alchemist, Armin." Alphonse stated, almost proclaiming it "And alchemists be thou for the people. Armin, you and I both want to see humanity do more than survive, we want it to thrive and that includes everyone and not just those who are on our side."
Armin smiled slightly "What's with you and Ed? Coming up with speeches in difficult moments?" While he might not have completely agreed with Alphonse then and there he felt happy and grateful to have someone supporting him.
"Well I've had a lot of difficult moments before." Alphonse replied. "I guess its good practice."
Armin leaned forward into his chair, his arm resting on his legs as he joined his hands together. All the anxiety, anger, frustration… this stew of emotions… still remained… Armin didn't notice it at first but... there were small drops of water landing onto the stone tiled floor from his shadow. He placed his fingers onto his cheeks to find a trail of water running down.
"Armin…" Alphonse said softly.
All at once it all came out. Armin began to sob as he placed his hand over his eyes "It… it... was hard… it was so hard…" he mumbled. "Losing them… my mother and father and then my grandfather being sent out there to die…" Armin tried to wipe away the tears but couldn't stop the flow "It hurts… it's still so painful."
"I know, Armin… I know…" Alphonse replied, his voice cracking slightly trying to hold it together himself. Alphonse knelt on the floor, coming face to face with Armin, and embraced him. Armin hugged Alphonse tight as he continued to cry, his tears soaking into Alphonse shoulder "I know… I know..."
It had been two days had passed since their stay at Hermina; Levi squad were now back at the castle. Inside the castle library Armin rested his head on a small stack of books with a pen in his hand; he snored lightly as his body twitched. Mina who sat on a desk nearby smiled slightly at Armin who looked very peaceful.
She turned her head back towards her book; a small stack of books related to courts and laws and courts, she flicked through the pages trying to find something useful to write down. At that moment she kind of hoped that she would find the answers to saving Annie in this book straight away. The candle next to her flickered as she let out a slight sigh.
She thought back to the last time she was at a trial, Eren, Ed's and Alphonse's trial, the anxiety of that moment, the weight of her testimony possibly being what decides the trial ,the fear of the verdict and the sadness of watching someone she cared about get hurt.
She couldn't let Annie get hurt either.
I said that I'd try to save Annie… She thought about the jury, the judge and the people who would likely all want to see Annie killed for being their enemy… but she's my friend
There were some footsteps behind her, she turned her head slightly to see Alphonse wanting towards her "Oh hey" Mina said as Alphonse walked to her side. "How are you?"
"I'm good." Alphonse.
"So what happened with Armin?" she asked. "What have you been up too?"
"It's nothing… it's all sorted anyway." Alphonse replied. "Just trying to get settled in again, what are you reading?"
"Oh um… law books…" Mina replied, being completely honest.
"Law books, why?" Alphonse asked.
"Annie's trial." Mina replied. "I… I don't want her to die; I think that she can still be useful to us and…"
"She's your friend and you want to protect her." Alphonse said. Mina nodded her head. "I understand, really I do."
"Alphonse, do you think people, even after they've done horrible things, can be redeemable?"
"Yes… I've known people who Ed and I had considered our enemies but who we teamed up with in the end… one of them we really did care for in the end."
"I think… no, Annie is redeemable and she can help us, I know it." Mina stated.
"You'll have to create an argument in her defense and bring it to Darius." Alphonse said. "I don't think Captain Levi is going to be okay with that though."
"I know… but we have a week off, I could say I want to visit my family while I organise everything." Mina explained.
"Lying about something like that… it would put your place in the squad in jeopardy."
"I know but… Annie is worth it." Mina replied "But if I succeed then they'll have to keep me around if they want to gain Annie's trust and vice versa."
"That's one way to hedge your bets." Alphonse commented. "You sound like you've got everything under control."
"Alphonse… to tell you the truth… this does feel like too much." Mina replied. "I don't know if I can do this and it feels like I'll be fighting an uphill battle. Can you help me?" Alphonse looked taken aback by the suggestion. "You don't have to help me formulate the argument or like what I'm doing… I just need to feel like I have someone in my corner in this."
Alphonse was silent for a few seconds and crossed his arms, he looked at Mina and the two stared at each other "Okay… I'll stand by you."
Mina stood up from her chair and hugged him tightly "Thank you." she replied, she turned her head slightly and kissed him on the cheek "Thank you."
Hello everyone,
I know it has been a while and you deserve an explanation; since the last chapter I've had to prepare for a future after graduation and university (come up with a plan + back plan depending on grades) sorting out my graduation and what I needed, nervousness surrounding my results and also this chapter being the longest one in my story at over 13,000 words.
I'll be sure to get to work on the next chapter as soon as I can now, hopefully get the next one out before August.
And finally I want to give a massive thank you to Cursed Knight who came up with the idea of Armin confronting Sannes; this has been a long time coming and you've had to wait for like a year for the story to reach this point.
Slightly heads up I'm not going to go straight into the Shiganshina Arc, there's going to be a small but important detour for a few chapters.