Chapter 64: Facing the Past
Two years ago
The room was cold and eerily quiet despite there being a few people in the room with just a few chairs and a wooden table; Yelena, Floch and Eren all in an abandoned house just on the edge of wall Rose, a few miles away from the Trost District. It had been a month since the meeting with the delegates and scientists at the port; the commander had given all those involved some time for themselves before they began their duties once more.
"We're you followed here?" Yelena asked as she turned to Eren.
"No, we were well covered." Eren replied as he looked back to Floch who stood just outside the door, Floch nodded his head in response "We have some of our supporters sweeping the area just in case."
"Excellent." Yelena said as she sat down on a chair, a small bag in her hand.
"Did you get my letter?" Eren said "And the sample?"
Yelena smiled before then opening the bag and pulling out a vial of blood. "Right here" she said holding it up.
"And the spinal fluid?" Eren continued. Yelena then reached back into the bag and pulled out another vial before then winking at Eren playful. Eren then reached out hand before Yelena who carefully dropped it in his palm.
"Are you sure this will work?" Yelena asked as she placed the bag down on the table and laying out a small disk and syringe in front of him.
Eren picked up the syringe and looked at it for a second before then picking up the vial of blood and sticking the needle through the cap of the vial. "After the research discussion, Hange wanted to do an experiment with Historia's blood… just coming into contact with it allowed me to access paths." Eren then pressed the blood out of the syringe and into the small dish. He then put down that syringe and vial before then repeating the process with the vial of spinal fluid "If royal blood can just do that then I have to know what mixing a titan's shifter's spinal fluid with it, Zeke's spinal fluid."
But I do know…
He carefully injected the fluid into the blood on the dish before then gently stirring it before then sucking it back into the syringe.
He centred the needle above his open palm before then pressing down on the end slowly as a drop of blood leaked through the needle and then onto his hand. As the drop of blood fell onto his hand the world suddenly stopped and an all too familiar surge of energy had flashed within him as he suddenly found himself standing outside… in Shiganshina.
It was a sunny day and the street centre was busy with people walking by him, past him and through him; they talked to each other, they walked by each other, sold and bought items from each other… all ignorant of a future not so long from now.
Eren walked forward, following a familiar path up the street till he hit an upslope with stone stairs, he walked upwards and saw a house that made his heart ache as he walked towards the door. Then through it. He walked into his kitchen and spotted his mother washing dishes as a small, younger, Eren sat at the table playing with his toys.
He sighed slightly as he spotted himself, before then heading to the basement where he walked down the stairs into the darkness of the staircase going down and then to the ground floor where a single oil lamp light on a desk illuminated the dark room as Grisha sat down with his head in his hands.
Eren then looked around to see a room of bookcases, boxes and cupboards. But he knew all too well that he was not alone.
"I can't see you… but neither can you see me…" he told himself
He walked up to Grisha.
"But you know I'm here…" A memory of his voice spoke in his head.
He looked behind Grisha to a space on the wall for a few seconds, in his memories he saw himself looking at that very space he was now in, just near Grisha. He remembers nodding his head slightly.
"What are you nodding at?" asked a familiar voice, from a memory in his future.
"Sorry I was almost dozing off with how boring this attempt of yours is." He replied.
Keep him distracted… he commanded in his head.
I already know what to do… I did your part, remember? He remembered.
Eren then went back to looking at Grisha who still sat silently; Eren knelt down and placed his lips near Grisha's ear.
"Father, it's me…" he whispered, he didn't know why, no one else can hear him. "You're still being watched by them." Eren continued "I need to tell you something, it's about what I'm planning on doing and what happens next."
"What happens next?" he whispered so low he couldn't have been audible to anyone else.
"I'm going to finish the mission." Eren said, leaning back "The missions set by Kruger, the mission believed in by your fallen comrades and now carried out by mine in the future but… I'm not going to just end Marley's cruelty…I'm going to free everyone, Eldian or not, from Marley and other empires."
"How…?" Grisha whispered.
Eren then leaned back in and whispered in his ear, his plan and his intentions. What he wanted for Paradis, the world… and most importantly for his friends.
The world he wanted for them… and for himself.
Grisha took in a sharp intake of breath as he tried not to sob on the spot, Eren could feel the sadness, anguish and frustration that began to rise up like a memory that couldn't be forgotten. That will never be forgotten.
"Every nation that put its foot on Eldians or others will fall, and if the Eldian Empire rises from it so be it, that doesn't matter to me." Eren said "What I care about is getting justice for everyone who demands it." A tear ran down Grisha's cheek "I need your help."
"I'll do it…" Grisha whispered "I'll do anything…"
"Thank you." Eren replied softly. "For Armin and Mikasa…"
"For Dina…" Grisha whispered. "For my comrades…"
"For Faye…"
Edward tapped on the board with a piece of chalk as he wrote down several atomic formulas before then turning to the class; writing notes on the board he then turned to the class of students who diligently wrote it down.
"When it comes to metals it is possible to restructure them into different shapes and even the types." Ed explained "It's even possible to transform stone or rock into a metal." He then took out a small rock from his pocket and placed it on the desk, before then clapping his hands together and tapping on it; the rock then forming in a small rod of shiny silver. He held up the object to the class who watched in amazement. "Any questions?"
A forest of hands quickly rose up, he then picked one at the back "You there, at the back."
"How long have you been working with metals?" asked a cadet "Is that your specialty?"
"I'd like to think that both Al and I are pretty flexible with our alchemy, not restricted to just one type, but I would say I have a history of using metal." Ed replied "They did call me Fullmetal back where I'm from, though that was also for another reason, alright next question." Again a forest of hands. "You at the front."
"How long did it take for you and teacher to master alchemy?" another asked.
Teacher…
Ed smirked to himself as he remembered Izumi "Well Al and I started at a pretty young age." He said "Our… father- he had a whole library of alchemy books and we got a hold of it so that helps but if you want to get to our level then you need to dedicate yourself to it; all of you are smart, no doubt about that, but alchemy needs dedication and practice alongside intelligence." He then looked around "One last question before I need to head out." Again an army of arms sticking out. "You at the front."
"I was wondering if I can ask… because teacher usually just shoots us down when we ask but- how do we perform alchemy without a circle?" they asked, Ed's breath hitched slightly.
Ed was silent for a second as he looked to the ground "You don't." he replied in a monotone voice "You can't and you shouldn't want to." Ed said as he looked back at the cadet "You don't want to get it, trust me when I say this; trying to clean up messes or regrets involving alchemy is a massive pain in the ass." Ed leaned against the black board before then tapping on his left leg "I should know and I got off lucky, others lose a lot more." He stared at the cadet for a few seconds "So do you want to use a transmutation circle or play roulette with your limps on the off chance that what does get traded either doesn't kill you or render the ability completely useless anyways?"
The cadet didn't respond.
"Listen. Everyone." Ed said "Alphonse wants you to explore and research alchemy and push the boundaries; learning and discovering new limits and abilities with alchemy is something Alphonse and even I will always encourage. But don't be stupid; don't go sticking your hand where it doesn't belong. Or you'll end up losing it or worst." Ed then reached into his pocket and pulled out his pocket watch, opening it and looking at the time "I have to go, class dismissed, I'll be back for another lecture next month."
"Sir, we still have fifteen minutes left." Said one of the cadets.
"Yeah ah, Al and I have a meeting to head to at the port tomorrow and getting there is going to be... long." he told them, the cadets seemed to understand.
The class room began to pack their items as they first left the small lecture hall. "Sorry for cutting it short, I'll make up for it next time." The class began to pack up and leave, saying their goodbyes to Ed as they walked out the door. As the classroom emptied Edward began to quickly pack up his papers from the desk before he then spotted the folded and now slightly crumpled picture. He picked it up and sighed looking at the image of him, Winry and Alphonse.
Soon… I promise soon…
"We'll be back soon." He muttered to himself.
"Hey, brother." Called out a voice from the doorway, he turned to see Alphonse looking at him with a soft smile yet absence of cheer.
"Hey Al, you ready to go?" Ed asked as he placed the photo into his pocket.
"Uh yeah." Alphonse replied as he closed the door. "Levi and the others are waiting for us."
"Whats wrong?" Ed asked.
"It's… how was the lecture?" Alphonse asked, dodging the question.
"It went well." Ed replied "I'm happy to keep doing these lectures occasionally but I don't want to be committed to them or anything."
"Yeah I know, I understand." Alphonse replied as he looked to the side.
"Alphonse, whats wrong?" Ed asked again. "Has something happened?"
Alphonse was silent "It's… its Mina."
"Did something happen?" Ed asked "Have you two had a fight or break up?"
"No it's nothing like that." Alphonse replied.
"Then what? You know how I feel about this, you and her are going to get hurt later down the line." Ed stated "So what is it?"
"Its- its Mina… shes…" Alphonse stuttered on his words as he couldn't look him in the eyes.
But he didn't need to finish his sentence.
"No…" Ed muttered. "Please tell me…" Alphonse was silent. "You two can't have been so damn reckless." He felt frustration, anger and a clawing feeling of betrayal.
How could you!
Alphonse walked up to Ed shaking his head slightly "We're sorry, it just happened we-"
Edward struck Alphonse in the gut before pushing him against the desk, slamming his back. "You idiot!" Ed yelled at him.
Alphonse, slumped over slightly, stood up straight with a look of anger on his face as he readied himself, hands up in a stance Ed knew all too well.
Ed shook his head slightly before then throwing another punch at Alphonse, Alphonse blocked the attack and this time struck Ed in the stomach before he could move back.
Ed stumbled back, Alphonse then went for the finishing blow to Ed's head when Ed ducked down and hooks his arm around Alphonse's body before slamming him onto the ground.
"I thought you knew better!" Ed yelled at him as he held Alphonse on the ground.
Alphonse quickly throws a punch against Ed's face as he lay on the ground but Ed threw his own back. Marks now dressing their face as they then held each other; Edward almost strangling him while Alphonse grabbing at Ed's throat.
Suddenly the door slams open and Levi barges through, grabbing Edward off of him and almost throwing him back, as Alphonse stood up he marched over to them.
"Oi!" Levi shouted at Alphonse with an arm out, separating the two. "That's enough!" the two, Edward and Alphonse stood back as Levi stood between them.
There was a sound of a rush as a group of people watched from the door, their friends among them; Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, Sasha… and Mina with in tears in her eyes
Ed spotted her, shook his head and gritted his teeth as he walked out of the door, moving past everyone.
"Ed…" Mina called "We're sorry." Ed couldn't look back; instead he kept walking as he tried to desperately hold himself together.
Present…
It was early in the morning, the air was chilly and the sun had just began to creep over the wall of Karnes as Mina waited for Ed in the park, holding Emanuel in her arms as he looked around curiously and grabbed at her pony tail.
She continued to walk down a path until she spotted him sitting on a park bench sleeping with a briefcase sitting on his lap. Mina quickly walked up to him and sat down on the bench before then placing her hand on his shoulder and shaking him slightly "Ed." She said softly.
Ed woke up abruptly "Wuh- huh oh." He said as he straightens up and looked at her, a tired smile on his face. "Hey." He said.
"Did you spend the night on this bench?" she asked concerned "You could have stayed over if you wanted."
"No I stayed at an Inn but woke up early and decided to just…be early." Ed said "Do you want to walk or?"
"No we can sit here." Mina said.
"Okay." he then looked at Emmanuel who was now chewing on Mina's ponytail "Hey little guy, it's been a while since I last saw you…"
Mina smiled as Ed tussled with Emmanuel's hair "I think the last time you saw he was just a few months after his birth." She said trying to remember; Ed's smile began to fade as the words came out "I'm sorry that wasn't meant to be-"
"No no I know you didn't mean it that way." Ed reassured her "I'm just… I'm just pis- disappointed in myself really." Ed sighed "God… I'm such as idiot…"
"You're not, Ed." Mina replied quickly "You're not- I…" she then held Emmanuel tighter. "I know it must have been hard for you and that… that we had complicated things…"
"Everything is complicated." Ed commented.
"Please know I never meant for this to happen, we didn't mean for this to happen." Mina said. "We're sorry, Im sorr-"
"Please you have nothing to apologize for…" Ed said to her "You and Alphonse love each other, I was the one trying to control everything and acted petty when things happened." Ed then looked up to the morning sky "If anyone has a right to be angry with anyone, you should be angry with me."
They were silent for a few seconds as the sun began to rise fully over the wall and the soft wind rustled the leaves on the nearby trees.
"Did you ever hate me?" she asked quietly full of apprehension "Did… you ever hate us?"
Ed looked back at her with sad eyes before then looking at Emmanuel "Never." He told her "Not for a single second." He then turned to his briefcase and opened it; inside looked to a mix of papers and other items before then pulling out a wooden knight. "Here." He said giving Mina the toy knight, Emmanuel spotted the toy and tried to grasp at it.
Mina smiled at Emmanuel before then handing him the toy. "A knight dressed in armour."
"I'm sure Alphonse will get a kick out of it." Ed joked with her as the two chuckled. Ed then reached out for Emmanuel, Mina gently handed him to Ed who sat him down on the briefcase; the baby stared at Ed, trying to reach out for Ed's eye patch. "You don't know how lucky you are to have Alphonse, he'll be overbearing as hel-" he quickly caught himself "heck, but… that's only because he cares, alright?"
Mina smiled and tried not to shed at tear as Ed spoke softly to Emmanuel.
Ed turned back to Mina "How long much leave you got left?" he asked.
"Just a few days, then I'm reporting back to Hange." Mina replied "I guess I'm lucky, Hange has been very understanding, though I think she has a soft spot for Emmanuel, she keeps trying to make him laugh whenever she sees him."
Ed laughed loudly "I guessing she's been successful in that." Mina nodded her head giggling. "I've still got to see Commander Erwin about that report I've been writing up." he said "I know Alphonse is coming to Karnes, is there anything you guys have plan-"
"Elric!" someone then yelled to their side, they both almost jumped from their seats as their heads quickly snapped to the side to see a man look at them "Edward Elric, one of the angel of heaven sent to us from God." The man said with a blank face but with wide eyes.
Mina turned back to Ed who looked at the man with a grimace "Here." He said as he quickly but gently gave Emmanuel back to Mina and slid his briefcase to the side. "Don't let him see his face." Ed whispered, Mina held Emmanuel close, almost shielding his face.
"Are you speaking to your followers, do you have a message to tell to us?" the man asked with devotion oozing from his voice.
Ed stood up "Listen, back away and leave us alone." He raised his hand up to the man.
The man then got onto his knees and bowed his head "Messenger I am but an ignorant sheep, I seek only the guidance of God."
"Stop this, I'm not-" Ed stopped himself.
Mina then looked around as others began to enter the park and notice them, some walking up and joining the man.
"It's one of the Elrics."
"They're here in Karnes."
"The messengers of God, the angels."
Then some joined the man and bowed down with him, a murmuring of voices joining his.
Mina held Emmanuel close, Ed turned to her slightly and the two caught each other's eyes. He nodded at her.
Mina nodded back, standing up and walking away.
"Everyone please, just wait a moment." Ed said as he shifted to the side, eyes on him "I don't have a message to tell you or anything, we've just been busy trying to handle the situation."
"They will bring retribution to Marley!" one of them yelled.
"We will follow you, lead us to glory!"
Mina stood just at the entrance of the park now; she looked back to Ed now almost surrounded by people.
Kiyomi watched and listened patiently and intently as she and Erwin sat in front of a large stack of radios and other panels, a microphone sat in front of them on a table as a multitude of voices barraged them through static.
She placed her hand on under her chin as she listened to the representative from a smaller nation on the edge of Marley argue about the positives of attacking Marley now, a few other voices agreeing with him.
"They are weak!" the voice over the radio declared "If we can seize this opportunity than we can take these strategic points from their army and navy."
"My rebels can support this attack by raiding their bases and destroying their roads." One of the insurgent groups added to the argument. "If we can add the scout regiment to our strength then we will no doubt."
Kiyomi folded her arms and rolled her eyes slightly this is the declaration of someone who is overconfident she thought.
"I cannot support this." Erwin responded. "As I have said before the plan will be to focus on a way to avoid war, I still believe we can solve this without further bloodshed."
"Commander, you know we have great respect for you and Paradis, but even you must see that that time has passed." The insurgent argued "With Paradis support we can continue to break Marley down."
"Many of us have waited a long time for this." said another representative "There is agitation among the people, riots and skirmishes breaking out in Marley's colonies, my own nation included."
Impatience, that's a familiar one… she folded her legs and continued to listen.
"Perhaps we should spend some time considering first." Spoke another, a different voice over the radio "We should see if Marley is at least willing to talk first before we commit to another attack, some of us are not yet armed better defend ourselves from a Marley counterattack let alone stage our own operations."
A friendly voice Kiyomi then looked to Erwin How will you handle this?
"The representative for the Chavins makes a good point." Erwin spoke "At the very least we should wait until we can properly supply all our allies with the necessary equipment before we can consider making a move."
"So you're saying that action is not off the table?" the insurgent leader asked.
Kiyomi stared thoughtful at Erwin as he sat silently. "While the situation is volatile, no option can be taken off." He replied. "But until all other options are exhausted we should hold off launching another attack on Marley."
Appeasing and putting your foot down…
There were a few grumbles on the other side mixed with the static of the radio "So be it, commander." Came a reply "I will report back that you were adamant we hold off. For now."
"Thank you." Erwin replied. "Gentlemen, as always, it's been a pleasure speaking to you." The other made their farewell before the radio cut out and silence filled the room.
Erwin breathed in deeply before exhaling out of his mouth "I don't know how you manage to do this." He said turning his head to her.
Kiyomi smiled "Well I had years of being groomed for the role and then years of experience, none of which you have." She said stating an obvious fact, she had known Erwin was self aware enough to take a harsh truth "That being said you handled yourself pretty well." Erwin leaned back in his chair "The experience from handling your own subordinates and officials must come to use here."
"In a way yes" Erwin replied "However rallying or convincing people is easier when it was only a few groups and those close to you."
"Now there's a whole world out there with different ideas and ambitions." Kiyomi said "And a lot of them are stubborn in their goals… even if it is completely irrational."
"Those insurgents believed that they can topple Marley, an empire that must have influence over half the world." Erwin said exhausted.
"That doesn't stop them from hating Marley; some hate them more than they like living." Kiyomi replied "I would say that they're envious that you and the scouts go to launch an attack on a Marley city, something they could only dream of."
Erwin groaned lightly in response.
"Some people want land, some want money, some want influence, some resources and industries but they all have one thing in common." Kiyomi said "They all want power, whether they know it or not."
"Is that what you want?" Erwin asked.
Kiyomi smiled at him while raising her eyebrows "Do you really have to ask, Erwin?"
"No, I don't." Erwin replied.
The door behind them is burst opened as a guard quickly walked in "Commander, you're needed back inside the walls!"
Armin ate his dinner, a bowl of stew, on the chess table as Pieck sat with him eating hers; he liked talking to her even if it was behind metal bars. He bit into some of the meat in his stew as he then drank from his flask of water.
"I have to admit, I'm surprised by the food that you give to prisoners of war." Pieck commented.
"Surprised?" Armin asked as he wiped his mouth.
"Honestly I expected to eat mouldy bread and maybe some rotten vegetables" Pieck said "Cooked meat? I wouldn't have guessed that."
"What does Marley give their prisoners?" Armin asked.
"Marley is bound by international law to give their POWs actual food but that would consist of some vegetables and bread." She said "But it wasn't unheard of for POWs to be fed scraps or worst."
"What happened to Eldian POWs?" Armin asked.
Pieck was silent for a bit "Under international law they should be given the same rights." She said before then taking a bite out of her piece of bread "But there's a gap between what is written and what is done." Pieck began to pick at what was left of her food "There's a dilemma among Eldian soldiers; either keep the armband on and possibly starve to death or take it off, get caught and then executed. By either their captors or by Marley."
Armin was quiet as he took in that information, he thought of what would happen if he or his friends were captured by Marley or anyone else.
"Did you know anyone, Eldians who were POWs?" Armin asked.
"A few, or at least those who survived." Pieck replied "They were all emaciated."
"That's horrible but I think I know exactly what you're talking about." Armin said. "I've seen people who were starved before, prisoners and… just people on the street."
"Reiner told us that after the initial attack there was an immediate food shortage." Pieck said "Was that true?"
"There was a food shortage." Armin replied as he turned his head to her "When wall Maria fell, survivors were made to work the fields to combat the food shortage; there wasn't enough food for everyone at the time." She quickly noticed a small grimace was being etched on his face.
"Bad memory?" Pieck asked.
"It is." Armin replied "There wasn't enough to go around for everyone inside the walls after the loss of much of our farmlands, a fifth of the population was sent out to 'recapture lost territory. My grandfather among them."
Armin notice Pieck become solemn; clutching at her fork with a straight mouth and sympathetic eyes looking at him "I'm sorry that happened to you."
"It was a long time ago." Armin replied. "I had my friends looking out for me since then, they're my family, they're a part of the reason I joined the military all those years ago."
"I think I understand." Pieck replied. "No I do understand that." She said as she finished off her plate.
"What about you, do you have any family?" Armin asked.
"Just my father, my mother died when she was young and he never remarried." Pieck said. "He became ill when I was young, we couldn't afford to pay for the treatment needed so I joined the warrior programme."
"Shorten your own life to save his." Armin said.
"The irony is not lost on me or him." Pieck replied.
"Sorry we're taking up your time." Armin said "You should be spending whats left of it with him."
"You can't exactly let me out now." Pieck said "Beside, it's better than being killed or fed to a titan; you aren't planning on doing that?"
"No, we're not going to feed you to a titan." Armin said "Would have been easier to take information from you that way."
"Why didn't you or the army do that then?" Pieck asked. "Also you haven't really tried asking me anything relating to Marley military secrets, though I assume Zeke probably spilled all that already." Pieck pushed her plate to the side "Why am I still alive?"
"I can't say." Armin replied "I do have one last question to ask you, Pieck; what do you want?" Pieck looked at him a bit perplexed.
"What do I want?" Pieck repeated the question.
"In the grand scheme of things, if you could remake the world, what do you want?" Armin clarified.
Pieck sighed out through her nose "I want… I want all Eldians to be free of persecution." She stated "And I want them to live without fear that one day the whole world will suddenly wipe us out."
"I've heard a lot of people say that." Armin replied "Though they all had different ideas on how to get there; how do you plan on doing that, through Marley?"
"I do not trust Marley." Pieck stated matter of factly "But the people I can trust are my friends and comrades, I know that what they want is what I want too."
Armin nodded his head "That makes sense."
"What do you want, Armin?" Pieck asked this time.
Armin looked down at the board for a second before then looking back at Pieck "I want to see the world that my grandfather's book had shown me all those years ago."
"Would you do anything to achieve that?" Pieck followed up.
Armin raised his hand and looked at his glove "If I set the world on fire, then I might as well be burning that book, him and my parents." Armin explained "I want to explore the world not take from others." Armin stood up from his chair, he pointed to the entrance through the bars, Pieck stood up and handed him the plate. "Thank you, Pieck." He said "I really enjoyed our conversations but my time is up; I hope we can speak again under better terms."
Pieck didn't say a word, instead nodded at him as Armin walked out of the hallway and through the door as the guard closed it behind him and locked it. He walked into the empty kitchen of the prison before then placing the plate and bowl into the wooden bucket full of water and then sat at a nearby table.
He pulled out a piece of paper from inside his coat and began to write down his thoughts.
"Lieutenant." Nanaba called out catching his attention before then sitting down opposite him. "How has the interrogation been going?"
"I wouldn't call it interrogation but I think we had gotten what we needed." Armin. He then tapped his pen at the beginning of the page as he thought of his first key point. "Pieck Finger is as Zeke Yeager suggested; intelligent, tactical and has plenty of intrigue to match us."
"That will be good to tell Erwin, if you're ready then we can head back to the capital tomorrow." Nanaba stated. "So knowing all this, does that make her a powerful enemy?"
"That's the thing; I don't think she's our enemy." Armin replied.
Alphonse placed his hands onto the smooth ground as a large crowd of his students stood by and watched. The Ground began to morph in front of them all as very familiar blue lights shone on the ground as sparks accompanied it.
A large mark, a transmutation symbol, was now etched into the ground. A familiar circle of earth modified slightly to morph stone.
Alphonse stood up and looked back to his students, now a small crowd watching him too from a distance, something which he had gotten use to now as he practiced with classes. It wasn't hard to see the wonder on their faces, the curiosity and the fear.
But now it he could see something else… blank faces, like those watching had seemed this all before and were thoroughly unimpressed.
Alphonse shook his head slightly and then his attention back to his class "You're all familiar with this now." He told them "Reflect and speed test; transmute something to defend yourself with before the others can toss those wet sponges at you." He looked to the others who then moved towards the buckets of grey wet sponges.
He snickered slightly as he watched them take the sponges out almost gleefully; a fun little game and test for all of them.
"Emma, you're up first." There were some audible giggles and sighs of relief as
Emma stepped forward first; Alphonse nodded his head; a good student and eager learner. Emma walked into the middle and turned to Alphonse before then nodding back to him with a smile.
Alphonse smiled back; he always remembered the compulsion for them to salute him, something he had to teach out of them just for when he and they were just being a teacher and his students.
Alchemy is more than just a weapon for the army.
"And go!" he yelled.
Emma dropped to her knees and slammed her hands onto the ground, within a second a stone wall erupted from the ground and quickly shielded her from the wet sponges, splattering against the wall.
"Over the wall!" Alphonse commanded. The students then began to toss the sponges over the wall, arcing down.
Emma slid to the side and slammed her hand on the ground as she made cover for herself and the wet sponges plopped onto it. Suddenly the cover transformed into a hand which tossed the dripping sponges back at the other students who tried to shield themselves, laughter ringing out as the students were hit by the falling sponges.
Alphonse watched them all, a feeling of peace falling over him.
As Emma laughed playful suddenly a tomato was thrown at her, hitting her on the head. She fell to the ground, clutching the spot where it hit her. The laughter quickly dying, snuffed out.
Alphonse turned his head sharply to the direction it was thrown, his head was burning hot as he looked for the person who had thrown it. "Who threw that!" he yelled at the crowd. The other students quickly ran to Emma's aid, checking on her and wiping away the remains from her face.
Alphonse stepped towards the crowd, some backing away from him. But others stood their ground. It was only as he got closer did he begin to properly see their faces.
Former students of his.
"You…" he said to them in an almost threatening manner. "You all have some nerve to show you're faces here again and dare attack my students!"
"Students? More like your followers, you run a cult!" one of them shot back at Alphonse.
"A cult full of cowards and weaklings!" another added.
"I think all of you know better than to call us weak." Alphonse shot back "Especially when all of you were so undisciplined."
"You kicked us out because we didn't want to follow your ways." One fired back. "Sharing alchemy with everyone? Even with those who want us dead?!"
"The whole world doesn't want us dead." Alphonse argued back "And last I check, we came here to help humanity."
"We should be the only humanity you care about, the people of the walls took you and your brother in." one of them argued back. "We deserve it, and we should choose what to do with it."
"That's why not a single one of you will ever learn alchemy." Alphonse said pointing at them.
"You and your brother don't give a damn about us but Eren does, the yeagerists have the right idea!" one of them yelled "They'll be the ones to save us, not you or your cult of illusionists!"
Hange lays her head across the edge of her chair and sighs before turning her head up right and taking a gulp of warm coffee from the mug before then placing it back on her desk.
What was that that Alphonse said? Don't let this be a substitute for sleep? Hange then chuckled to herself before then rubbing her eyes.
"Later, I still need to find out whats in this wine." Hange muttered to herself before then looking back into the microscope.
She sighed as she pressed her finger underneath the marking on the glass tray. Nothing.
"What the hell could it be?" Hange said disgruntled. "It's not poison I can find, a Marley made poison perhaps? but why hasn't anyone dropped dead then?" Hange leaned back in her chair once more
They're not killing anyone, spreading a sickness perhaps? but there haven't been any reports of mass sickness or illnesses spreading through the ranks of the military police.
She then looked through the microscope again But there definitely is something in that wine.
She turned to her side and then looked over to a small group of other vials of liquids and test tubes. She picked one up with her hand and played around with it between her fingers.
Her grip then tightens over the vial, her finger pressing on it, almost threatening to break it between her finger and thumb. A sense of realization sweeping over her, consuming her…
"No…"
She quickly took out another glass dish before then drawing a transmutation symbol on it and then pouring a drop of wine in it.
"No…no…no…"
Her hands almost shaking as she placed it under the microscope.
Calcium, magnesium, chloride… She began to list the elements in her head.
She placed her finger underneath the dish as a familiar blue light shone through.
Success.
As the wine parted with the mystery substance, it then quickly turned to smoke as it touched the air.
She shot up from her seat as she continued to stare at the microscope as a faint smoke disappeared into the air.
She grabbed her coat and quickly sprinted out of her office.
He wondered how he could keep a straight face; through the noise of the crowd, the loud questions of the journalists and the angered commands of his body guards he knew anyone else would have been intimidated by this, even he wouldn't have been exactly thrilled with the idea of facing the public or the press during the early years of his command of the regiment.
A sad part of the job and an unnecessary obstacle to his goal… which now no longer existed.
"Commander Erwin, is it true you have imprisoned Eren Yeager?" asked one of the press trying to get through the line of guards.
"Commander, what are your plans for a possible Marley invasion?" asked another.
"Commander, is it true that the Elric brothers are influencing Paradis foreign policy?"
"Commander, is it true you and the Elrics promised another country alchemy in exchange for their support?"
Erwin didn't say anything; he knew there wouldn't be a point; he couldn't afford to get bogged down trying to correct or argue the regiment's point of view or his.
He approached the large metal gate with the wings of freedom emblem cast onto the bars, scout soldiers on the other side pulled it open as he walked through onto the other side.
"Make sure they don't pass through." He told one of the scouts as he walked towards the door of the now scout regiment headquarters in the capital; a grey and looming building with uniform windows all standing in perfect rows from top to bottom, the only colours being the large green banners that hung off the roof and next to the large archway to the entrance, a symbol of the regiment's now grand status.
Standing just by the door was Nanaba waiting for him, as he approached the stop set of sets she nodded at him and opened the door. "Are they all here?" he asked.
"Only the ones who the military police captured" Nanaba replied "The rest of the team has escaped, we're still hunting for them but it's all too likely they've now escaped into the public like the other members of Eren's supporters."
She then handed him a file, Erwin opened the file and read its contents as he walked inside; before him were the familiar faces of members of Levi squad and the now Jean's squad as they surrounded a few individuals sitting in chairs. Waiting for him.
Erwin walked towards them, all eyes on him, as he then sat down on a chair facing the group of people "Floch team; guilty of leaking classified information, undermining regiment operations, stealing military equipment and accused of killing surrendering soldiers during the raid on Liberio, especially when ordered not to engage with them."
Floch glanced over to Marlowe who stood just to Erwin's side next to Jean, Sasha and Connie. "I'm not surprised."
"You don't deny it?" Erwin questioned.
"Do you deny imprisoning Eren Yeager?" Floch asked back "Do you deny allowing both Edward and Alphonse free reign to influence how Eldia should conduct itself.
"Eren Yeager deserted from the regiment and forced us to raid Liberio" Erwin replied "And prior to this, he was among other who influenced my direction on how we faced the rest of humanity."
"Yes the 'peaceful' route" Floch said almost mockingly "Where we go to every nation and asked them to tolerate our existence while they keep others like us in internment while gifting the very advantage we have over them."
"And what would you have us do?" Erwin question calmly "Fight? March on the cities of every nation who threaten us? We are facing humans, people, not the titans who only sought to eat us."
"No, the titans were mindless but the people outside who rule are cruel." Floch argued back. "I deny nothing." He said, going back to the original conversation "Out of respect for you commander I held off telling people about what Eren had told me because I believed you would see sense soon. I was wrong."
"Wrong how?" Erwin asked almost curious.
"In the past you use to be resolute in your decision, you were willing to do what was necessary in order to secure the one thing that was important for our survival. Victory. You were willing to sacrifice anything for victory in the name of walled humanity."
Erwin sighed as he bowed his head slightly You couldn't be more wrong… he felt uncomfortable hearing this selfless and heroic version of him.
"Now, four years after the battle in Shiganshina, you want to make peace with those who wanted us dead when the answer is clear and simple; a great show of strength, an Eldian empire can guarantee that we live free for generations to come."
"Eldian empire…" Erwin repeated back, he lifted his head up back to face them again "I swore to protect humanity, not place it under my boot."
"You swore to protect walled humanity." Floch corrected him.
"But humanity nonetheless" Erwin countered.
Floch was silent for a few seconds "How disappointing, is this what our comrades had died for? Is this what you plan on doing with the sacrifices they made? Perhaps it would have been better if you never inherited the colossal that day, Erwin."
As soon as Floch finished his sentence, Nanaba struck him across the face with a punch from her non-metal arm. "You dare speak to your commander like that?" she questioned him, pure visceral in her voice.
Floch looked towards Nanaba this time "You were there… when my comrades were devoured by titans… you should sympathise with us, after all, we are who we are because of you… you led scared children to battle that night." Nanaba staggered back slightly "Is another night at Utgard something you want?"
"That enough" Marlowe spoke out this time, stepping forward.
"Escort them to their cells." Jean ordered looking to the guards; they were picked up from their chairs and moved away.
Erwin shut his eyes for a second and sighed through his nose before standing up from his chair and walking towards Nanaba, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don't take that to heart, Nanaba." He tried to reassure her.
"I know." Nanaba said "I just- I wish I could have done better that night; I should have just asked those recruits to escape, I shouldn't have made them fight."
"Then you and the rest of your squad would have been overwhelmed and you would have died that night." Erwin told her "Whatever happens to us and how we react to it is ours or what path it takes us on. And the same goes with them."
"You're right, Erwin." Nanaba said looking at him with sad eyes.
Erwin let go of her shoulder as she then walked away with the other scouts. Erwin peered through nearby window; the crowd of people still outside the gates as, he sighed.
He turned to see Armin walking towards him, a brown folder in his hand. Armin saluted him "Commander Erwin."
"Lieutenant Arlert." Erwin replied. "You have a report for me?"
"Yes, Commander" Armin handed him the folder "It's the report on Pieck Finger."
"Thank you, Lieutenant." Erwin nodded his head.
He walked through the corridors and up the stairs, the different staff and scout troops greeting him before he retreated to his office. Erwin shut the door behind him and walked up to the desk; everything was as he had left it, untouched from the months he had spent at the port.
He placed his finger on the desk, it was spotless and cold.
He moved around the desk and sat down on the chair, slumping into it as he turned to face the window.
He leaned forward and rested elbows on his legs as he pressed his faced against his crossed fingers.
For just a little bit he had a moment of peace.
Suddenly the door slammed open as Hange stumbled in breathless "Erwin… Erwin…" she said as she reached his desk, leaning on it as she caught her breath. She looked up at him, mouth slightly agape and a look of fear on her face. "The wine, the wine…" she then turned back and ran to the door. Before she could close it someone placed their hand on it stopping her. They pushed back against the door, Ed peering his head out.
"Hange, you're here." Ed said.
Hange grabbed Ed by the collar and pulled him into the office, Ed tumbled to the floor as Hange slammed the door shut.
"What the hell?" Ed said as he looked up from the floor.
"Erwin, the wine, it-" She stopped herself and looked around before then walking to the desk and taking a piece of paper and a pen. Erwin looked at the paper as did Ed who got up from the floor and walked up to the desk.
The written words caught his breath as his whole body tensed up. Ed gasped slightly as he stared at what was written.
SPINAL FLUID IN THE WINE
"Oh my God…" Ed muttered.
Erwin breathed in deeply before blowing out from his nose. "Who else knows?" he asked.
"Just us" Hange said.
"For now let's keep it this way." Erwin told them. "The wine was used mainly by the Military police and the upper sections of the Garrison; as far as I know the scout regiments hierarchy or its rank and file have not drank any of the Marleyan wine."
"Zeke and the volunteers have us by the neck and we didn't know it." Hange said in an almost hushed whisper "If he gets within range of any one in the army then it will be chaos; we have to transfer his titan to someone, even if that person is a placeholder for someone else in future."
"We'll have to strongly consider doing so." Erwin replied "Draw up a list of candidates, no one essential." Erwin noticed Ed grip the table as he said that yet held himself. "Edward, your report?"
Ed placed his folder on the table "From what I could find about Zeke's history I've got three conclusions; he's a double agent for Marley looking to hurt us from the inside."
"That's looking pretty likely." Hange commented.
Ed nodded in agreement "Second was he was out for vengeance against Marley and is using us as a tool for that."
"He's already gotten Marley to declare war on us and there are supporters of a war in the upper hierarchy of the army and government; he wouldn't need to poison us if he was looking to just use Paradis to bring down Marley." Erwin theorised.
"Weirder still his own designed plans for us were to have us stalemate with Marley until we reached a certain development level." Hange stated "You'd think someone with less than a year left would want to see a plan of revenge."
"The third is he's working for no one and has something of his own planned." Ed finished "What it is I don't know."
"What could you grasp from his history?" Erwin asked.
"His childhood was messy no doubt about that." Ed stated "Parents were restorationists who put big ideas in his head and grandparents who told him nothing but Marley propaganda; it seems to be a mix of self pride and hatred for Eldians."
"So who knows whats going on in his head" Hange remarked.
"Exactly" Ed replied "I think the safest thing to say is that we can't trust the guy, he's got far too much to hide and we have no way of finding out what he's planning. Even Eren isn't willing to cooperate with us…"
"It's likely then that only the volunteers would know then?" Erwin asked.
"Possibly" Ed replied shrugging his shoulders.
"What about the Yeagerists?" Erwin then asked. Both Ed and Hange looked at him, Ed was about to open his mouth to say something when he noticed the look in Erwin's eyes. It was unspoken yet the order was clear.
"They would know something." Hange replied.
Erwin nodded at Hange then looked to Ed would stared down at the desk with a cold look on his face but his eyes moved up to Erwin, a familiar frustration greeted him but still Ed nodded his head.
Both Ed and Hange then turned towards the door and walked out of the office, shutting the door behind them and once more leaving Erwin alone.
Erwin then picked up the reports and began to read them, first Ed's report as he made his own notes and then Armin's report on the Cart Titan, Pieck Finger. He took his time, going through them.
Not even those who had known him for years, fighting by his side do not know of his true intentions, nor the fact they he would betray them.
He flipped over to the next page of the report.
Was I any different, no one knew what I truly wanted; at times I hid it even from myself?
What makes me different?
"We all have dreams, hope and aspirations commander, that's what makes us human." Erwin remembered what Ed had told him back in Shiganshina "But isn't the fact that with all those different goals we all united to achieve it together and for a greater good, isn't that what's amazing?"
Do your goals align with ours, Zeke?
Suddenly there was a knock on his door once more.
"Come in." Erwin said as he closed the report, the door slowly opened and inside stepped a young fresh faced recruit wearing the uniform of the cadet corps. The recruit smiled at Erwin as they saluted them.
In their hand was a large book. "Commander Erwin, I'm just returning this book." The recruit then walked towards the bookshelf, almost shuffling quickly to it.
"I don't remember giving permission for someone to use any of the books in my office." Erwin stated, the recruit froze in place before they could slip the book in.
"I was- I was told to return this book back to your office by Squad leader Hange." The recruit replied "You know how she is; she's always in a hurry."
Erwin tensed up and clenched his fist as he stood up from his seat.
"Interesting." He replied "Strange that she would ask you to return a book, considering Hange didn't take anything from this office or mention anything when she met with me not that long ago."
The recruit didn't say a thing as they stood still, holding the book in place.
"What's in the book?" he asked.
Still nothing, no reply from them as they stood still staring at the shelf on the book.
What's in the book?" he demanded this time.
The recruit looked at the door.
"If you're thinking of escaping then know I can lock down the building before you could leave through any exit." Erwin calmly informed them. "So I suggest you tell me whats in the book?"
The recruit turned back to the shelf as they slide the book in. "To hell with it." The recruit then walked calmly to the door then pressed their backs on it, blocking the exit as they stared down Erwin.
Erwin looked at them then looked back at the book they placed on the shelf.
The realization dawned on him quickly as he grabbed a pen from his desk and stabbed it into his hand.
Hange and Ed quickly walked through the hallway, the sound of their feet shuffling across the floor filling in the heavy silence between them.
Hange shifted her eyes towards Ed, the frustrated look hadn't left his face as he walked with her.
As they turned the corner, they almost bumped into two other people; Ed quickly grabbed Hange and pulled her back slightly as she just missed the incoming person rounding the corner.
As she staggered back slightly "Squad Leader Hange." Armin said as he quickly saluted her. Hange then looked back to both him and Mikasa standing before them.
"Lieutenant Armin!" Hange said with a smile and saluting them back "How are you, sorry I couldn't get in touch with you during your interrogation of the Cart Titan" She began to scratch the back of her head softly "I probably should have given you some tips but I sure you made do."
"That wouldn't have been necessary, Squad Leader." Armin said almost perturbed.
"Mikasa, its good to see you too." Hange said "How's the rest of Levi squad?"
"They're doing well… though it's been difficult." Mikasa replied, the name wasn't uttered, yet it hung over them, an absence which served as a perpetual reminder.
"Yeah… we all miss her too." Hange replied.
She then glanced towards Ed who remained silent.
"Squad Leader Hange, could I speak to Edward for a minute?" Armin asked.
"Of course, though be quick we're in a hurry." Hange said "Mikasa and I will be right around the corner." She then took Mikasa's sleeve and guided her around the corner as both Armin and Edward walked back.
Hange then stopped and stamped on the floor, each step lighter then the next, she looked to Mikasa as if asking her to copy. Mikasa raised an eyebrow before following her lead.
Hange then pressed her back against the wall and very slowly shifted back towards the corner before making it just above an arm's length from the corner, Mikasa following her lead still.
Just out of the reach of their ears they could hear the muttering of Armin and Ed, even in their hushed tone they could hear the frustration and intensity in their conversation.
"We've had this discussion before, no." Ed said "It's out of the question."
"Things have changed since then." Armin responded "You know it; we've got our backs up against a wall. We're out of options."
"You don't know that." Ed argued back.
"I do." Armin shot back "And so does Alphonse." there was a brief pause "Alphonse sent a letter to me, he's willing to do so if you're willing to do it too."
Another pause, waiting for a response from Edward, only the sound of his breathing could be heard.
"I'm still not going to do it, I told you that thing is pure evil and there's no way in hell I'm making it, with or without Al's blessing for it." Ed shot back.
Pure evil…There was only one thing that both Edward and Alphonse ever described as pure evil… The Philosopher stone! Armin wants to make a philosopher stone!
"Hange, what is it?" Mikasa asked in a silent whisper.
Hange turned her head to her and placed her finger to her lips before mouthing "I'll tell you later."
"This is the last time. Armin." Ed said aggressively "Enough." There was a sound of footsteps, both Hange and Mikasa almost scurried back before the sound of a hand grabbing at cloth and boots skidding the floor stopped them. "What the-"
"You said that no matter we'll find a way to deal with it." Armin said back with equal aggression. "You said that we'll win, can we win?" Another pause, more silence, this one however speaking volumes. "Tell me, how we can win, because I can't think of a way out of this."
"I don't." Ed admitted through a sigh.
"Neither do I." Armin said too. "We don't have ace in the cards like Eren and Zeke or the mass of armies, wealth, resources and power to go along with a grand strategy like Marley or the other empires of the worlds. We we're got one thing they don't have; and its ingredients are roaming around in our large cage."
Hange just caught her before she could gasp at Armin's admission.
The titans… he wants to use the titans, he designed his traps for this…
"I can't believe you, Armin." Ed said "A plan four years in the making?"
"It wasn't a plan." Armin informed him "It was insurance; I never wanted to use it but I don't think I could live with the idea that we were going to be facing the unknown and not have this to fall back on."
Ed sighed loudly "Goddamn it."
"I guess I was right." Armin remarked, sadness in his voice.
"We'll discuss this later." Ed said before he began to walk away, this time both Hange and Mikasa scurried back to down the hall "Don't bother I know you were listening." They heard Ed call out, they both froze in place. Ed turned the corner and looked at them with a blank expression on his face. "I'll see you later, Mikasa." Before then nodding his head at Hange, signalling her to move.
She patted Mikasa on the shoulder before quickly walking away with Ed.
"You two were talking about the stone." Hange said in a whisper.
"Hange, thanks for being you." Ed remarked almost jokingly with a straight face. "You might be overwhelming but at least you didn't push... this at least."
Hange smiled and shook her head "To be honest Edward, if I knew both you and Alphonse could have pushed into making the stone, I would have done so myself."
Wim lay on the hard bed sleep as he waited for the next part of their plan. He felt at ease as he rested his head on his hand and crossed his legs.
Their capture by those traitors was only a setback in the plans of Eren Yeager, in their mission to free Eldians across the world.
He slept peacefully and unaware.
As he sudden felt a hand press down against his mouth and a damp cloth filled with something sweet invading his nose and mouth as two people held him down on the bed as he then tried to struggle.
He looked up to see a familiar face looking down at him.
Squad leader Hange clothing the cloth over his nose and mouth as he knee and other arm held down his arms and someone else held him down his legs.
"Shhhh…" Hange said "Go back to sleep."
Wim could feel himself lose consciousness as his eyes began to roll into the back of his head and his body slowly grew weaker and weaker; his vision blurred until it went black and his body went still.
When Wim came to he found himself slumped to the side, an ache to the side of his neck as the feel of rope wrapped tightly around his body held him up against a chair. He raised his head up with a weak groan as he regained his sight; two blurry images in front of him slowly clearing into two people.
He quickly remembered being apprehended by Hange and another person; as his vision cleared he saw Hange standing to the side wearing black gloves holding next to her…
"Edward Elric…" he croaked out. Ed walked towards him, now standing over him. Yet Wim did not cower in the presence of this false idol. "I'm surprised to see you here, but I guess even "angel of God" has to get in the mud with the rest of us.
Hange then walked up to him and punched Wim in the gut before then striking him across the face.
"Make this easy for yourself, Wim." Edward told him, his voice was calm yet didn't lack the undertone of anger. "What are Zeke and Eren Yeager planning?"
"How should I know?" Wim stated.
Hange then punched him in the chest before then striking him against the other side of his cheek.
"Is this all you intend on doing?" Wim questioned "Making one of your fools do the dirty work as you just ask questions?"
"I'm just getting started, Wim." Hange said "But out of respect a former comrade I'm holding off using tools just yet."
"Comrade… you were never my comrade." Wim growled back "A traitor and a fool is what you were; you and that spineless commander have chosen to side with the Elrics, you've let yourselves be seduced by their parlour tricks."
Hange frowned at that remark "With the write symbols and thinking I can break your body in ways you couldn't imagine with just a single touch." She then turned to Edward "And Ed here, there's no imagining what he can do to you."
Wim then turned back to Ed "Then do it then, you think you can break me?" He stared into Edward's eyes "You and your brother came all this way to save us? Eren will save us from Marley and you illusionists, Eren told us why you're here; you'll never see your dead family." Wim finished by then spitting at Ed.
Ed clapped his hands together and suddenly a dark room was set alight with the sparks of blue lightening before Ed then grabbed Wim's forehead. "Illusions?" Ed questioned "I don't do magic, I do alchemy." Ed leaned in slightly "And I can do more than break your body; I've done it before, I can reach into your body and rip your soul out."
"Soul?" Wim asked his voice wobbling, for the first time now, he began to feel apprehension. Fear.
"Even a soul is transmutable." Ed replied "I can reach into your very mind and take the very thing that makes you who you are. You've never seen what it's like for a lost soul to be used as nothing but a fuel source for alchemy; its hell, agony, those lost souls go mad and most lose any idea of who they were." Ed then leaned back as his grip around Wim's forehead tightened. "What are Zeke and Eren planning?"
"You're lying…" Wim responded
"I rip the true form out of a homunculi, a monster, into a small scared and foolish boy." Ed "You want to take that chance? What are they planning?"
"I… I don't know." Wim replied.
"That's not good enough." Ed stated.
"I don't know!" Wim almost cried out.
"Fine, I'll put you to good use then." Ed then breathed in deeply as he tilted Wim's head back.
"Wait!" Wim cried out. "Wait, I'll tell you what I know." Ed then released Wim's head "Eren told us what Zeke Yeager wants; he believes he's trying to save Eldians and the world, he wants to euthanize all Eldians."
"What?" Hange exclaimed "How, what, how the hell would he do that?"
"The coordinate, he plans on using Eren for it." Wim said.
"So what, with the snap of his fingers all Eldians just drop dead or something?" Ed questioned.
"No… he wants to stop Eldians from having children… at least that's what Eren told us."
"So we all grow old and slowly die out." Hange said.
"Eren wouldn't support something like this." Ed stated "This is insanity; whats Eren planning?"
"He's going to use Zeke and his royal blood." Wim confessed "He wants to-"
Suddenly the ground above them shook violently as dust from the ceiling fell onto the floor and the sound of a loud explosion catches them all off guard.
Hello everyone,
Last time I updated was in august which was such a long time and I apologise for that. A lot has happened recently with my life that this story has taken a backseat to it for a while and may still do.
But as I've said before I'm looking to continue this to the end, only about fifteen more chapters left anyways.