Jason sat silently in the carriage. He couldn't remember the last time he was in one. Especially one this fancy.
Did I ever ride in a carriage?
He searched his memories for one, but couldn't find a time where he rode in a carriage.
Bored, he looked out the window to try and find something, anything to occupy his mind.
Before him flashed a medieval city, with buildings and alleyways as the backdrop for the citizens to walk by. Most of the people wore medieval clothing. The women mostly wore dresses and the men pants and vests. It was like Jason went in a time machine.
Why did this place feel like it was in the past? No cars, no phones. Horses occupied the streets and messengers delivered letters. The only people that felt somewhat close to his time were the military. Their clothing and gear looked more like they were from his time period.
Maybe I traveled to the past?
No. Jason wasn't the best at history, but he never heard of a European country in the 1500's having to deal with human eating monsters.
Maybe I traveled to another planet?
He sighed in frustration. Even for him that was far fetched.
"Mr. Grace? Are you ready to talk now?" The commander of the Scout Regiment asked him politely. He was sitting across from him in the carriage and was wearing his uniform proudly. Erwin Smith was a tall man with an almost square face. He had large blue eyes and parted his blonde hair in a seven to three ratio.
Maybe I am in California.
Erwin gave him a patient look. Jason ignored him and continued to look out the window.
"Oi. Answer the commander." Captain Levi ordered.
Even since their 'conversation' outside the wall, Levi had stuck to Jason like glue. Except when they put him in a jail cell at their headquarters. He didn't know why they didn't leave him to rot in their prison. Maybe they thought putting him in a different environment would make him more comfortable to answer their questions. He hadn't talked then and he wasn't going to start now. Funnily enough, they let Jason keep the hoodie with the winged symbol on the back.
The captain was in civilian clothes and had a crutch next to him. He touched the handle of his sheathed knife. Even with the injured leg, Levi was still intimidating.
Jason straightened his posture and gave the commander his full attention. Then, "No, I am not ready to talk."
Levi mumbled a curse, about to take out his knife. Before he could stab him, Erwin held up a hand. "It's alright Levi. I can handle it."
Not breaking eye contact with Jason, he asked another question.
"Do you have any hobbies?"
Jason gave him a suspicious look.
"I like to read books. I also like to carve wood. Taking a block and slowly working to what I want it to be is rewarding, and calming."
He gave Jason a small smile.
Jason stayed silent.
"They tell me they found you fighting the Female titan. That if it wasn't for you, one of my scouts would have died. You have my thanks."
The statement wounded Jason's pride. Armin and the others saved him, not the other way around. And what was this about 'having his thanks'. Erwin Smith was the reason most of his regiment died in their last expedition. Since when do you care about your soldiers?
"They also tell me you were a lost scout from a previous expedition. While I believe that my soldiers wouldn't lie to me, it is highly unlikely for you to survive outside of the walls for any amount of time without ODM gear or a horse."
Erwin paused, Jason assumed for dramatic effect.
"So, tell me Jason Grace, who are you?"
Jason slowly returned his gaze to the window.
Who am I?
He remembered the speech he gave Porphyrion when his memories finally came back to him. I'm the son of Jupiter! I'm a child of Rome, consul to demigods, praetor of the First Legion. I slew the Trojan Sea Monster, I toppled the black throne of Kronos and destroyed the Titan Krios with my own hands. And now I'm going to destroy you, Porphyrion, and feed you to your own wolves.
What a corny speech, he thought to himself. But that was the first thing he said when he regained some of his memories. Was that who I really was? A list of military achievements and my parentage? Sounds more like a resume to a legacy law firm than an identity.
Who was Jason Grace?
"I don't know."
Jason, surprised that he answered, returned his gaze to the commander to gauge his reaction. The commander gave him the same look he's been giving him since they got in this cart. A neutral face, revealing absolutely nothing about what he was thinking. The captain next to him kept his narrow gaze at the commander, also not revealing any emotion.
I'm dealing with robots.
Before the conversation could continue, the carriage suddenly stopped. A voice from outside shouted, "Security! Don't worry about here, find out what's going on!"
Erwin and Levi proceeded to exit the carriage calmly. As if they expected this to happen. Jason stayed inside, unsure of what to do. With the door open, he saw the commotion outside.
"Nile!" Erwin began, speaking to someone he couldn't see. "Send all the soldiers we have. You need to consider this a titan appearance."
"What are you talking about?" A man's voice asked. "This is Wall Sina! There is no way a titan would appear here."
Jason decided to poke his head out of the door of the carriage.
A soldier exited another carriage that was following there's and he approached Erwin. It was Jean! He noticed Jason's head and immediately looked away. Jean stood in front of the commander and declared, "Commander! I'm coming with you!"
"Grab your gear from Squad four."
"Roger!"
He flipped his hood behind him.
"Your enthusiasm is good, but don't forget to stay alive." Levi reminded him.
"Yes sir!"
He ran past the man that was arguing with the commander. And they continued to argue. But Jason wasn't listening to them anymore. He was fully out of the carriage, focusing on where the commotion was coming from.
A stream of black smoke appeared in the distance opposite the afternoon sun. Huge explosions of rubble and brick could be heard and felt where he was standing. Jason focused on the thumping. It was familiar somehow, despite being uneven. Uneven? Like in the forest?
Thump! … Thump thump! BOOM!
His eyes widened at the realization of what was happening. He approached the commander, but Levi stood in front of him, blocking his way.
"ARE YOU INSANE!" Jason yelled at the commander.
The man didn't answer, instead focusing on wearing his ODM equipment.
"Sacrificing you men isn't enough! You have to sacrifice the innocent as well!" Jason continued to approach Erwin, but the captain put his hand on Jason's chest, stopping him in his tracks. What he lacked in height, he more than made up for in strength.
Erwin looked at him with that same calm demeanor. Without a moment's hesitation he placed the last set of his gear and turned to the men around them.
"Every available man, follow me. We'll rendezvous with the other squads."
Jason cursed under his breath. Yelling at this mad man would do nothing. So, he took action instead.
Guns were suddenly pointed at the commander, and the man from earlier stated something about being traitorous to the crown. But none of that mattered to Jason. With everyone's attention on Erwin, Jason began to run in the direction of the explosion.
Levi didn't follow.