Chapter 55: Strangers and Friends
In the now occupied government building of one of the Mid-East alliance's cities; Marley's higher sat around a long table inside the destroyed meeting room of their counterparts, the large window behind them was shattered and the roof above them was blown open allowing the sun to shine over them and the open air tussling the small pile of newspapers lying on the table as they discussed the grim future of their hegemonic power against an increasingly advanced world against the power of the titans despite their victory over an enemy alliance.
They looked up to the sky as they contemplated the future irrelevance of the titans in warfare. "We don't have any titans… with wings do we?" the general asked, he fist holding up his head as he rested his elbow on the table. The room was silent.
"General, I am saying that we can no longer rely on the power of the titans." Magath stated.
"Yes I know, we'll soon lose our global military dominance." The general replied "No… its worse, we are a nation that is falling behind others technological, we were Marley, once a nation of heroes who defeated the Eldian devils… what a catastrophe… even worse our historic enemy across our north-eastern shore may very well be surpassing us along with the rest of the world."
Zeke watched the general sulk for a second before raising his hand "I'm sorry general but, may I be so bold as to offer my advice?" he asked.
"Ah Zeke, the boy wonder." The general said "Please go on."
"Now more than ever, we should go ahead with our original operation to head back and seize Paradis Island." Zeke proclaimed, the room was silent as they all looked at him. "We must capture the founding titan and the island of its resources."
"Were you listening to us?" Magath questioned "Marley cannot rely on the future of the titans for its power."
"Yes colonel, I am aware of that." Zeke replied "However if the future of Marley is in its conventional weapons then taking the island must become a priority; firstly we have to buy ourselves some time to develop more advanced conventional weapons and secondly, if we wish to quickly bridge the gap and overtake our competitors and enemies than we will need the island's resources and that includes alchemy."
"Yes, that right." The general remembered "You're report about the defeat mentioned that the enemy had developed artillery capable of destroying titans, years before other nations had them."
"Yes, if Reiner's experience behind enemy lines indicates they were previously far behind us." Zeke mentioned "However it was only with alchemy that they've experienced this explosion in development; however while their weapons may have advanced we should reasonable assume their infrastructure, organisational and population development will still be far behind even ours, we need to take that opportunity to act." He explained "We need to make the world know that we are serious about maintaining dominance; let the newspapers read 'Marley occupies Paradis and secures all titan powers' while we silently use alchemy to speed up our strength."
"Hmmm." The general hummed "You are on the last year of your term." He pointed out.
"Yes and I am very concerned about the suitability of Colt and the full powers of my beast titan should he inherit it at a time such as that." Zeke kept his sight on the general with his apprentice standing just behind him.
"You want to use the last year of your life to get revenge over the defeat you suffered four years ago." The general stated.
"Precisely." Zeke replied, he stood up from his seat "The only one who should being an end Grisha's restorationist dream should be his former son."
"Well spoken, boy wonder, I have never once doubted you're dedication to Marley, betraying your parents as a child." The general replied "I will take your advice to the next party talks." The meeting disbanded as the military higher ups exited the room and the building to do other tasks.
Both Zeke and Colt walked up through the crowded streets of the occupied city; the streets and houses were scared with the marks of a recent battle as holes made from bullets and artillery shells decorated them as the citizens wondered and worked as the Marley occupying forces patrolled the streets. The two walked up to a nearby balcony, passed someone's washing, hanging on the balcony and fluttering in the hot summer air.
"Sorry I used you as a pretext, Colt." Zeke said as he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it on fire.
"Oh no, please don't apologise." Colt reassured him with a smile "An Eldian being able to speak their opinion to the Marley general, it was an honour to be a part of that! " Colt lowered his head slightly as he looked at the ground "Also you're right, I wouldn't be able to do what you can mister Zeke." He admitted "You have a power not like the other holders; controlling titans made from your spinal fluid, you're like the founding titan… why are you so special mister Zeke?"
Zeke inhaled with the cigarette, removing it from his lips and exhaling out a trail of smoke "Nobody really knows, not even the titan society… but when the times comes Colt, you'll know about my secret."
"What secret?" Colt asked.
There was a subtle sound of footsteps approaching them "How I wipe my ass, it's really special, hope you keep it a secret." Zeke said as seriously as he could.
"No please, I want to hear all about it." Magath said as he approached them, a cigarette in hand "I want a detailed report, right down to the numbers of hairs, or are you just trying to say you need some privacy?"
"No colonel!" they both related as their raised their right hand up in salute.
"Of course." Magath said as he looked at Colt who quickly lit a match for him. "Don't mind me, talk about your asses if you want."
"Are you interested in Eldian asses, sir?" Zeke asked light-heartedly.
"Funny." Magath remarked "You did well at the meeting, Zeke." He praised with tone of someone who was politely scolding another "Twenty years I've known you, yet still you remain an enigma."
"Please colonel, you flatter me." Zeke said rubbing the back of his head.
"In any case, you said you can take down Paradis in one year." Magath asked.
"Well, I'm saying I have a single year left." Zeke replied.
Magath looked at Zeke "You said back there that Paradis could still yet be behind us in their technological development despite the use of alchemy, do you really believe that?"
Zeke looked to the side in thought "The fact that they created artillery that was effective against titans before any other country is concerning, it wouldn't take someone incredibly intelligent to realise that in some parts they've surpassed us." Zeke explained "But you need more than just knowledge; you need the trained personnel, manpower and training to do something bigger, keeping in mind Paradis has a population of less than one million people and they, the Elrics, are just two people likely trying to teach others concepts decades ahead of the island, though that being said we do know they've taught two others from our last encounter."
"I see your point." Magath said, after exhaling smoke "Alchemy could very well be the future power in this world, something to replace the titans." Colt shifted uncomfortably in the spot as he heard that. "Still though, even if they have more advanced conventional weapons, they never could have destroyed all thirty two ships, some of which were destroyers over the last three years."
"Yes, it's likely that those ships were destroyed with the aid of the titans which they have under their control."Zeke reasoned "It's likely a certainty that Paradis have transferred the colossal titan to another person, seeing as they transferred the Female titan to another user who Reiner identified as one 'Mina Carolina.'" Zeke explained, he turned to Magath with a serious but almost scared look on his face. "Commander, if we plan on attacking the island again then we must be ready for three things; first it's their conventional weapons which, on an individual level, maybe more advanced than what we have, secondly the titans who they possess four of though the founder and attack titan are within Eren who will no doubt inflict heavy losses on our side, especially with the colossal titan, and finally certain individuals."
"Certain individuals?" Magath asked confused. "Wouldn't the Elrics be the third threat to us?"
"What I mean by this is that there other alchemists to contend with other than them which will be a challenge." Zeke continued "However the Elrics, individually, are not just powerful alchemist but also skilled in combat, resourceful and intelligent; capturing or even killing them will be an immense task itself." He explained "Then there's the Ackerman clan, a bloodline on the island which is a by-product of titan science during the time of the Eldian empire."
Zeke looked at the ground as he rubbed the side of his chest a memory of a blade being buried into it with a certain one eyed person twisting it.
"To tell you the truth, Colonel, I never want to see any of them ever again…"
It had been a few days since the end of the war, yet the warrior programme and the training still continued as harsh and intense as ever. Or at least Gabi was; Udo rubbed the side of his ribs, still sore from the tackle that Gabi had given him in their hand to hand training.
"Of course she'd push herself hard on that." Udo grumbled as she walked along the street "Why did Falco have to rile her up like that…"
The one to inherit the armoured titan… is me…
"Yeah good luck with that." Udo muttered to himself, he continued to walk down the street, hugging his bag close to him with his head down and his eyes focused just straight ahead of him. He wished he could block the world off for a moment or be able to ignore what was going on around him; but as much as he tried to not notice it, he just couldn't ignore it.
"That's a warrior candidate…" muttered a passerby.
"He's still an Eldian." Another person said, the emphasis on the last word was filled with disgust.
"Disgusting rat." said another.
He looked up to see the stares and the glares as some watched him walk by before getting onto the street themselves or avoided him like he had some kind of infectious illness. He should feel use to this; the hatred and the disgust from the Marley people, it was the same as always since he had to move back and forth from the HQ to the internment zone.
It was worse back in the other internment zone… he tried to reassure himself, his family's old life back in one of the nation of the Mid-East alliance which he participated in defeating. Still he couldn't help but feel aggrieved.
I fought for you bastards! I'm still going to have to fight and die for you! He wanted to yell at them, he just wanted a little respect from them for what he would have to do for them. He felt his own resentment and anger start to boil in him as he continue to walk and catch more looks from people around him.
He didn't notice it, but his own feelings began to surface in his expression as he looked back at them.
"Hey, you think you can look at us like that?" questioned a onlooker, Udo's face dropped as the rage he was feeling quickly vanished in place of fear. "Damn Eldian, you think you're better than us or something?"
"N- No sir." Udo said weakly. "I'm sorry I-"
"You think that just you're a warrior candidate that makes you an honorary Marleyan?" another man said as a group approached him "Huh, you disgusting Eldian rat?"
Udo stepped back from him "No sir, please-"
"We could tell your commanding officer about what you did." Said one of the men "You think they'll send and your devil family to that damned island where you all belong." Udo stepped back even further until his back was up against a wall of a building, he looked around as a group of two adult men cornered him. "You gonna hit us, go on then do it." He taunted, his eyes looked at the people walking by.
Someone please! Reiner, Pieck, Porco, Magath! Someone, anyone! No one came and no one seemed to care about him here.
Udo knew he couldn't fight back, there was no way he could and not get killed either here or being sent to Paradis. One of the men grabbed him by the collar as they then dragged him into a nearby alleyway. "We'll teach you some respect." He said as he threw Udo to the ground. "Think you can look at us like that." His glasses fell off his face.
They marched up to him, Udo raised his hands to his face as he braced for a kick. His blood pumping, feeling frozen in place and terrified and helpless about what was going to happen.
"Urgh!" came a whimpered cry as the sound of a hard fist and a person colliding into some metal rubbish bins came, Udo looked up to see the man lying on the ground.
"What the-" the next man was swiftly struck in the face, his head and body crashing into the wall as he fell into the ground, he felt around the ground for his glasses, as he quickly grabbed hold on them he placed them back on his face.
Udo then looked to the third person standing over him now, his savior; a man dressed in a smart long light brown coat cover a black vest, white shirt and green tie. He looked like an average looking person with dark black hair and golden eye, with a black eye patch covering his left eye.
"You're lucky I saw you." he said as he reached his hand out to Udo, he grabbed his hand as the man pulled him up "Did those guy's hurt you?" Udo looked at the man for a few seconds amazed by what had happened. However as the adrenaline in his body began to pass away, he was hit by a sudden wave of grief, fear and sadness. All at once he starts to bawl his eyes out unable to speak. "Hey it's alright, you don't have to worry, I'm here." The man knelt down in front of him, taking off their coat as they placed it around Udo "C'mon let's get out of here."
Udo didn't really know what was going on but for some reason, he just didn't care at this point as he once more looked at the ground as the man led him away. He looked up to see themselves on the bank of a river, bridges connecting the two sides across as a few benches lined outside the edge of the banks of the river.
The man sat down "Sit down; you need time to compose yourself." Udo sat down on the edge of the bench as he wiped away his tears, he began to feel calmer as he watched the water rush by. "You're a warrior candidate, I saw your armband." The man said.
"Yes, I'm a warrior candidate." Udo replied "Not like that means much…" he remarked.
"Why's that?" the man asked.
Udo looked at the man a bit perplexed by the question "Because I'm an Eldian, they hate us because of who we are and our history." Udo explained "They think we'll turn into titans and eat them, they wish we'd have vanished from the world… yet I still have to fight for them even if they treat me and family like scum."
The man inhaled and exhaled deeply "I don't know how you feel but I've been around the world and heard stories like yours, it's awful to be judged by something you can't control instead of what you do." He said, the man looked at him "I may not know you but I know you don't deserve that, you or the Eldian people."
Udo looked at the man with his mouth slightly agape and confused eyes "Than- Thank you, sir." Udo said "If it's alright to ask, you said you traveled the world, are you from Marley?"
"No, I'm not a Marleyan." He said "I'm also not an Eldian, I'm from somewhere far away." He said "I'm here on research work; I'm a scientist doing some work on biology." The man looked back at him "Listen, if you have any friends or family it's probably best you walk with them."
"I… my friends all finish at different times, in fact I left early because one of my friends threw me to the ground during combat training, also I'm the only one with a pass that can leave the internment zone." Udo explained. "I'm usually walking alone but this is the first time this has happened."
"Sorry to hear that." The man said.
"How is your visit going then?" Udo asked, hesitantly. "How's Liberio?"
"It's been going well; it's always nice travelling, my brother and I did it a lot for our own thing when we were younger." He explained "But honestly I think I left because I wanted to get away from here…"
"Why's that?" Udo inquired further.
"My brother and I, our relationship has been a bit rocky… something happened not long ago and we couldn't really patch things up." he stated "It's funny though, for a time we just avoided each other… now I just want to see them again." The man looked towards the river "now… I want to tell him its fine." He turned back to Udo. "Oh, by the way, you said you were struggling in combat training, I could offer you a few pointers." He offered "I'm also going to be the internment zone for my research so I can meet you somewhere you'll feeler safer.
Udo looked at him more confused by the offer "Are- Are you sure you want to do that?" he asked.
"Yeah, I know a thing or two about fighting." He said "I guess you know by now." He chuckled "I'm sorry, I should have asked your name." he said with a cheerful smile.
"It's Udo Frei." Udo replied.
"Nice to meet you, Udo." He said "My name is Hohenheim, Von Hohenheim."
Edward sat at the bench as he watched the water rush past the bridges that connected the two sides of the banks, an orange light washed over sky as the light of the setting sun sparkles slightly on the water; Ed tapped his fingers on the side of his briefcase which rested on his lap. Around him he could hear the sound of children playing, people walking by and the sound of cars humming in the distance. Ed periodically looked around trying to see if anyone was nearby, so far it looked empty as everyone began to go home.
A person then walked up and sat on the edge of the bench, a bag placed between them. "Whats one of the main ingredient for cake?" Edward asked still staring at the water.
"Calcium." The man replied.
Ed chuckled as he turned his head to face him "Hello Armin." He greeted him; Armin was dressed in a smart suit with a hat slanted down to cover his face.
"How's has spending time in Marley been?" he asked "Did you find it a shock at first?"
"Nah, I've seen places like this back at Amestris, I'm pretty use to it." Ed replied "How have you been?" Ed asked.
"I'm doing well." Armin replied "I've managed to improve my flame alchemy skill lately." He said his voice wavered slightly at the end.
"That's good to hear." Ed replied. "How's... everyone else." He hesitated saying. "How's he doing lately?"
"They're doing well." Armin replied "Everyone is busy but that's to be expected really." Armin looks towards Edward "He's doing well too; he tries to ask about you from time, he misses you a lot."
"I was a real jerk from running off like this." Ed said with weak smile on his face.
"You didn't run away, Erwin asked and you volunteered." Armin tried to reassure him. "You told Erwin once that it didn't matter what you wanted because what you did helped everyone."
"I know, it's just… I wish I talked to Al more." Edward lamented "I just want to spend time with everyone now and here I am across the ocean."
"I'm here for what it's worth." Armin said, they both sighed out a smile "And then, there's still Eren out there. Were you able to any clues about where he is?"
"Not yet." Ed replied.
"Anything on Zeke?" Armin asked.
"I've looked through a couple of the internment zone's public records on his life but found nothing we don't already know, hopefully any records here will be better." Ed replied. "However I did meet a kid who happens to be a warrior candidate; he almost got beaten up by a bunch of guys and I saved him." Armin listened interested "I met him a few times already; I got an idea that the Marley officers are planning something if only just vaguely."
"It's not a bad start." Armin said, he then pulled out an envelope from his jacket and handed it to Ed, he open it and pulled out the folded paper inside. "But this will help."
Ed looked at the papers; he scanned through the contents "So Eren is here then." Ed said looking up from the report "Did he only send just one letter?"
"It's all we have so far." Armin replied.
"He said he's leaving everything up to Zeke then…" Ed said reading the paper "Which makes trying to make that profile of Zeke more important."
"Even if we have to do this, Erwin still doesn't trust Zeke." Armin stated.
"Neither can I." Ed said "Call it a hunch or maybe just a grudge but I just can't trust the guy."
Armin leaned forward slightly "Yet we're now stuck following his plan considering our lack of alternatives." He looked at Ed.
Ed looked back at him as the two stared at each other; he started to glare at him "No, how many times do I have to keep telling you?"
"Plenty of times but I just pointing out what should be obvious; you said you can't trust Zeke, maybe rightly so, but… we have little other viable options that doesn't involve his plans." Armin highlighted.
"I told you before, whatever comes our way; we'll find a way to deal with it and win." Ed stated. "Beside, Erwin said we're playing our cards close to our chest so we just have to gather information, see how things go and try to go from there and stick to our plan."
Armin looked unconvinced "Alright, if you think that is for the best, just… don't close the door on it completely, everything is set up for you and Alphonse if you're ready."
"It. Won't. Happen." Ed grumbled, he sighed heavily as he turned to read more of the report "Tom Xavier?" a carefully drawn portrait of the man underneath the report.
"Yeah, Mina and Erwin have been trying to look through their memories about Zeke; that name kept coming up, both he and Zeke seemed to be close." Armin explained.
"That name, this guy was the previous holder of the beast." Ed said "That's what the records said; I should start looking into him, might shed some light on things." He turned back to Armin "Did you bring the uniform?" Armin nudged the bag. Ed pulled it to him and looked into it; a neatly folded set of Marleyan public security clothes greeted him.
"Good luck Ed." Armin said "And… if you see Eren, tell him to come home."
Edward sat at the desk inside the library near to the hotel that he was staying in, a small pile of books and records lay on his desk as he read through the different newspaper clips and papers looking for anything related to them; finding his date of birth, their parents and former residence.
He looked at the small pile that sat on his desk, all the papers that he could find on both Zeke and Xavier.
So far the only records I can find about this guy is from anything inside the internment zone… nothing from Marley though… except that he's a titan researcher and their warrior.
He read through the records of Xavier's life; it looked like everything was in order, everything until he reached the age of seventeen when the last piece of recorded information about him was the fact he did hard labour once after forgetting his papers passing through the gate once. Then after that, it was like he had disappeared off the face of the earth and then eight years later, an article about a' knowledgeable titan researcher named Tom Xavier inheriting the Beast titan.'
He came upon an old newspaper article, an obituary for a mother and her son found dead at their home in a newspaper in a Marley public record; maybe it was morbid curiosity but he read the story.
Mother and son found dead in their home his mouth twitched into a grimace as he continued to read the story their names were Alice Amporn and Paul Amporn, public security forces have ruled this as a murder suicide upon further investigation it was discovered that Paul Amporn had Eldian blood while his mother was a Marleyan, so far his Eldian father has yet to be located and apprehended by security officers…
Ed sat back in his seat, his finger pressed against his lips wondering. He continued to read further. "Alice was twenty six and her son was seven years old." He read out loud "Both presumed dead on Tuesday August 14th 8-" Ed's blood suddenly ran cold, he turned back to the small pile of papers from the internment zone and scrambled through them, he found the last piece of recorded information after his disappearance from the records.
It was just a year after their deaths than he became a titan researcher.
"No way…" He got up from his seat and rushed over to the same section of the library, looking through the names, archives and registers that the shelves held, he then stumbled upon the marriage register of the city, a large book which was dated for the last thirty years.
Ed held it in his arms like a child as he tried to quickly flick through the dates until he found the names he was looking for; Alice Schmidt and Thomas Amporn, married just one year after his disappearance from the internment zone records.
"No way…" Ed muttered "It couldn't be…" he shut the register and placed it back on the shelf; he then looked up the wife and her family, quickly collecting the names of her parents, family, employment and death.
Only remaining family you had is your sister… and she doesn't live that far from here… Ed quickly rushed back to his seat where he quickly scribbled down his notes and about what he may have found before placing the books onto a tray, grabbing his things and leaving the city's archive.
He headed back to his hotel and into his room; washing his hair of the black dye and quickly put on his the Marleyan uniform he had gotten from Armin, he looked out of his window, a metal pipe which would hum loudly from time to time stood just near it.
The cheapest rooms have their perks
Checking that no one was there, he quickly transmuted the pipes into a ladder, climbed out of his window, close it and climbed down to the ground, changing them back before he left and anyone could see. He fixed his uniform a bit before he headed out into the street and towards the residential area not far from his hotel.
He walked down the streets of the city in a calm rush, carrying with him a bag containing his notes and research; he came upon a quiet neighbor of houses all connected together, children ran happily across the road while some idly walked around, some with their pets.
He then came upon the house "This is the one." He muttered, he knocked on the door. He could hear the sound of footsteps inside walking towards the door, the sound of a bolt being turned and the click of the door, before him was a middle aged woman with dark hair and eyes, traces of wrinkles on her face and neck wearing a homely skirt and jumper.
"Oh." She said a bit shocked to see him.
Sorry for the sudden appearance, I just have a few questions to ask you." Ed said "I promise you that you're not in trouble, just need some insight for an investigation that we're carrying out."
"About what?" she asked, a bit guarded in her stance and tone.
"It's about the death of your sister and nephew." Ed replied.
The woman grimaced "My sister, don't call that devil spawn my nephew." She almost spat.
Ed clenched his teeth slightly "Sorry." He said, but never meaning it. The woman walked inside and waved Ed in, they both went into the living room where Ed took a seat at the table as she did. "This hopefully won't take long."
"So what are you asking?" she asked. "I answered the questions you had all those years ago."
"We're reopening the investigation into who the father is." Ed replied.
"I've told you all last time." The woman said a bit exasperated "The man who did it, who tricked my sister escaped back into the internment zone." She said "He became a warrior for Marley!" she said almost furious.
"A warrior for Marley?" Ed said, pretending to be surprised. "Sorry I haven't heard of that, I'm new to my branch so I may not have all the details."
"I saw it all those years ago." The woman continued "The evil devil had the nerve to show his face back outside the interment zone walking around like he take my sister and tried to fool her into bearing his devil spawn."
That's YOUR nephew you're talking about…
"I see, anything else about him?" Ed asked him "What did he look like from the time you had known him…before, of course, his discover?"
The woman went on to detail his description "He had chubby cheeks and an average build." She said "And he wore glasses but not like regular ones, these ones were strange looking, God you should know, he was a warrior." She said irritated.
"Please be calm madam."Ed asked of her "As I said before I'm new to my branch and just looking into an investigation they've given me."
"Sorry, it's just…" the woman trailed off "Those damn devils took my sister from me, she was right to kill that demon spawn, that Eldian devil could have transformed into a titan and killed everyone in the street… it's just, she didn't have to kill herself too; that spawn may have came from her but it wasn't her child."
It took almost every fiber of Ed's being not to glare at the woman and keep a straight face "It's not my place to comment on such a thing, I can only say that you were a big help and I will definitely be taking your answers to heart." Ed and the woman stood up, she went back to the door and opened it.
"Honestly…" she said "I just wish all those devils would just disappear from the world."
"Left arm out." Hohenheim ordered "Right arm, tucked in guarding your face." Udo followed his instructions as he struck out with his left arm into the air. "Left leg out" he ordered "Right leg strike." Udo kicked out, swinging his leg out. "Good, that was good, better than last time but you still need to work on your kicks, you have the direction down but not the power behind it."
"Thank you, Mr Hohenheim." Udo said, wiping away the bit of sweat from his forehead, it had been over a week now since he met him; at first these lessons were a way of just distracting himself as it felt nice to have a non-Eldian treat him with respect… like a real person and an equal, now he came to enjoy their time and their conversations, now Udo found himself a bit excited to talk to this visitor Udo sat down on the grass as he caught his breath. "You did well, that's enough for today."
"How was your day, Mr Hohenheim?"
"It's going great, I've been reading lot and interviewing people for my work, I've made good progress." Hohenheim said "Just like you."
"That's good." Udo said.
"How was your day, Udo?" Hohenheim asked.
"It was good, yeah it was good." Udo replied "I managed to put Gabi down in hand to hand combat for the first time, it was thanks to your advice, I wish you were there to see it; Falco and Zofia went crazy about it."
"What about your other friend?" Hohenheim asked.
"Gabi? She was really frustrated about it; this is probably her strongest subject." Udo said "There's no way that either I, Zofia or even Falco can displace her as the favorite to inherit the armoured titan; she was a hero after the war with the Mid-East alliance and her cousin is the armoured titan so no doubt he's putting in the good word for her."
"Her cousin is the armoured titan? No doubt that must make her a clear favorite." Hohenheim said "It must be something though, to work with the titan shifters."
"It's almost terrifying to watch really." Udo said "They can tear apart their enemies almost with ease… I really wonder how they lost at Paradis, it makes you wonder just who those people are but I guess now everyone can beat titans now, one day Marley isn't going to need us and then we're truly done for."
"What do you mean?" Hohenheim asked.
"We're used by Marley as weapons of war, it's really the only reason they keep us at all." Udo said "We become titans to be used and people are reminded that we can turn into titans who eat people… they hate us, the people of the world hate us." Udo lowered his head and hugged his knees "One day Marley will crumble and then there's nothing we can do as the world decide that the subjects of Ymir can be wiped out without consequence." Udo started to hug his knees at the thought of the burning of the internment zone as he and his family are dragged out of their homes, he turned his head to Hohenheim "Mr Hohenheim… I know you come into the internment zone your work but I'm sure you don't want to be here… you don't have to stay." Udo turned his head and looked to the ground.
Hohenheim stood up and then sat down next to Udo on the grass "Tell me how you feel, Udo." He asked.
Udo was silent for a couple seconds "This…This is awful, this whole thing is just awful." Udo grumbled weakly "I hate this, people hate us because of something we can't control, something we didn't ask for. Everyone wishes that we just never existed." Udo tucked his head into his knees "I don't want my family to die, it feels like the only way to do that is to become a warrior and help the people who want nothing more than to use us as weapons, but I hate that… I hate this; I just don't know what to do."
Hohenheim took in a deep breath before exhaling loudly "I think I know how you feel." He said "Honestly I've been through moments like that… I think I might be going through it again with this whole job I'm doing; you think it's just the one thing, the one goal, we have to reach to get there but then you realize you're nowhere near reaching it." He said "The idea, the dream you've believed you could reach gets further away and you wonder if you were a fool to hope."
"What can I do?" Udo asked "What do we have to do?"
"I can't tell you that, you have to figure that out." Udo "But you just have to keep moving forward, you've got two good legs so use them, Udo. You're strong enough to make your own path."
Udo straightens his legs out as he took in Hohenheim's words. "I guess you have a point, sir." Udo replied "It's funny though, what you just said is almost similar to the advice that Falco was given by his friend he's been visiting at that hospital."Udo said "He sometimes mentions that one of the wounded soldiers talks to him and been motivating him."
Hohenheim turned is head a bit and looked at him "Really… he goes to visit him every day, I see him sometimes on my way home." Udo mentions "After he usually goes to post letters back outside the internment zone and heads home."
"Have you told anyone else this?" Hohenheim asks a bit concerned.
Udo quickly realised what he had done and begins to panic inside "Mr Hohenheim please don't tell anyone about that, I don't want to get my friend in trouble I-"
"Udo, don't worry, I won't tell anyone I promise." He replied to Udo's relief "I'm just saying don't tell anyone else you saw that or you and your friend could get in trouble."
"Thank you, sir." Udo said.
"Don't mention it." Hohenheim replied "You should head back home; your mom is probably worried sick to death wondering where you are." Udo gave Hohenheim a weak smile as he stood up "Same time tomorrow?" he asked. Udo nodded his head as Hohenheim responded with a thumb up to him.
Ed stood outside the doors of the entrance to the hospital, its second floor windows and roof peering over the walls; he stepped past the two brick wall entrance to see a large building in its entirety, a brick path leading up to the steps and then the double doors into the hospital itself.
All around the open space between the open entrance and the doors to the building, nurses treated men who were dressed in white hospital clothes and their white armbands; the sight was saddening, some of them wondered aimlessly around the grass, some were guided are by nurses as a bandage covered their eyes, some limped around on crutches missing limbs and others were sat on wheels chairs as they were pushed around by the medical staff.
Ed sighed as he looked at the sight in front of them.
"It's horrible isn't it?" Someone just to the side of him said, Ed knew that voice from anywhere. "All these people used as instruments of war and now just left here to rot."
Ed turned his head to the side, shifting his body a bit to see a man sitting on a bench near him; the man was holding a single crutch, dressed in hospital clothes like the others with an armband on them. Their left leg up to their knee was gone, their trouser leg tied into a knot underneath it.
Even with the long and untimely hair and the bandages covering the left side of their face, Ed instantly knew who it was.
"Eren."
"Hello Ed, I didn't think I'd see you here."