I'd like to announce that I hit a new bench pressing personal record of 140kg earlier this month and nearly crushed the lower half of my face if it wasn't for my spotter coming in at the last second! Very cool!

Oh also I made a poll to see what ship is the most popular in this story, you can vote for it on my FFN profile. (I AM DOING THIS POLL OUT OF CURIOSITY, IT IS NOT A SERIOUS POLL.)


Day 12, minutes after Floch's revelation.

Erwin Smith stood still, a whirlwind of emotions crashing within him, as he grappled to capture the essence of what he felt. Was it a potent mix of exhilaration that coursed through his veins? The gratification of having his long-held theories vindicated? Or perhaps a smoldering rage, a fire roaring within his chest, fueled by the injustices of their history?

His father, wise as ever, had been right all along, and Erwin now stood on the precipice of truth. The theories he had nurtured, seemingly audacious and far-fetched, now stood on solid ground, confirmed in a manner that exceeded his wildest expectations. Erwin held no doubts now; an enemy lurked beyond the walls and within them, their intent to dismantle humanity a chilling reality.

And it was all thanks to him.

Floch Forster.

A name that stirred a perplexing fascination within Erwin. Everything about the boy intrigued him, defying easy categorization. Erwin had glimpsed that haunted look in his eyes, It was an incongruity Erwin couldn't dismiss, especially on the face of a cadet who had barely tasted the rigors of basic training, which was partly why he hadn't asked him to leave that day. When the boy then expressed his desire to join their regiment, and spoke of his dreams in a way that struck a chord in Erwin's own memories he knew his gut feeling wasn't wrong.

Floch presented himself as an ordinary young man back then, his records suggesting an unremarkable upbringing. But that gaze in his eyes doesn't simply manifest itself out of thin air, beneath that seemingly ordinary façade, Erwin sensed the depths of something he couldn't quite grasp yet. Nonetheless, Erwin's gratitude for the pivotal role Floch played in bringing him closer to realizing his dream surpassed all else.

Now, It was only a matter of reaching that basement in Shiganshina.

One by one, the men and women filed out of the office, leaving Erwin, Mike, Levi, Hange, and Moblit to discuss. As the door closed behind the departing figures, Hange staggered a few steps before collapsing onto the sofa where Floch and Eren sat moments ago, her gaze fixed blankly on the ceiling as if trapped in a nightmarish stupor.

Levi, his arms rigidly crossed against his chest, leaned against the wall next to the exit. A faint furrow carved its way between his brows as he voiced his thoughts, skepticism lacing his words. "Well, shit. That was a whole lot to take in. But I ain't buying it all just yet. There's gaps in the story, gaps big enough to drive a damn titan through. He's still holding out on us." A troubled grimace suddenly marred his features. "But to think we've been running around like headless chickens, killing and getting killed by other people."

Mike nodded in agreement, acknowledging Levi's cautious stance. "He held that information back from us in Trost, we could've saved countless lives if we knew the full extent of what we were up against, we can't afford to take everything at face value like this."

Erwin regarded both of them with an unyielding gaze. "I understand your reservations. We'll exercise patience and observe his actions in the coming days, rest assured tonight is simply the beginning, in the future, we won't move until we have all the facts firmly in our grasp."

Erwin's gaze shifted to the remaining two figures in the room. "Hange, Moblit, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

Moblit cast a sidelong glance at the motionless section commander before offering his perspective. "It feels like it's all finally coming together. Given the section commander's own extensive research, there's no denying the origin of these titans. It opens up new avenues for investigation, particularly concerning the church itself. I believe tracking down that pastor from the tribunal might lead us in the right direction."

Erwin nodded, contemplating Moblit's words before adding his own insight. "I agree. However, jumping into action without fully understanding the implications could be disastrous. We cannot afford to overlook the intelligent titans out at large, they're lurking, biding their time. We can't expose ourselves to potential surprise attacks while we focus solely on the government. Such vulnerability amidst the ensuing chaos of what is essentially a coup, would be catastrophic and near impossible to recover from."

"Erwin, this changes everything we thought we knew about the titans and the walls!" Hange's voice burst forth, jolting the room's occupants from their contemplation. "The king, the real king, this Rod Reiss. If we can tap into his powers, we'll knock out two birds with one stone. We'll finally have a shot at turning the tables on our enemies, and according to Floch's account, they won't stand a chance." However, a shadow of doubt crossed her face as she sank into the couch. "But the more I mull it over, the more peculiar it gets. If the king has that kind of power, why the hell did he let those three titans breach our walls without lifting a finger?"

Moblit wore a contemplative expression, his thoughts churning before he spoke up. "Remember, section commander. Forster did mention that Ymir's version of events might be a tad distorted. For all we know, it could be half-truths or downright lies. Maybe we should approach Krista herself and be sure of it."

Hange's eyes gleamed with renewed vigor as she sat up, her curiosity fueling her. "Absolutely. We need to dive deep into the history of this Reiss family, hunt for hidden records or secrets. Who knows what kind of skeletons are tucked away in their closets?" Leaning forward, she continued, her determination evident. "Erwin, we'll need allies. We also have to gather as much intel as we can. The more we know, the stronger our position becomes."

Erwin leaned forward, rising from his seat, his voice measured yet commanding. "Agreed, We'll handle Krista tomorrow night, Eren and Floch should be present as well. As for finding allies, I can think of a few who can be swayed once we lay this information on the table. Hange, Moblit, I'll leave you both in charge of investigating Rod Reiss, as for the rest of us we'll focus our efforts on locating and eliminating the hidden titans." The two nodded at him, as he turned towards the other two occupants of the room.

Levi scowled, frustration etched across his face. "Alright, so what's the plan then? We babysit a couple of monsters, then go on a wild goose chase chasing shadows? How do we know who we can trust? With a conspiracy of this scale, you can bet your ass they've got eyes and ears everywhere."

Erwin let out a sharp exhale. "The Premier and Commander Pixis have both proven their willingness to aid us in our struggle. We'll start by sharing our findings with them. We'll carefully handpick team members we can rely on—those who bleed for the Survey Corps and humanity." He turned his attention to Mike. "In the meantime, keep a close eye on those new recruits. Having five titans in a single graduating class is far too suspicious to brush aside, for all we know, another one of them might be wearing our uniform right now."

Mike nodded, his eyes resolute. "Consider it done. We'll make it look like part of their training."

"Sir, with your permission, I'd also like to dedicate my time to understanding Eren's powers better. We need to find a way to extract that spinal fluid. It'll be our ticket to acquiring the abilities of our captured titan," Hange interjected, her voice brimming with determination.

"Granted." Erwin replied, a glimmer of anticipation flickering in his eyes. "I'll have Levi squad accompany you for security during your experiments. We can't afford any mishaps, especially considering the instability of Eren's powers. Step by step, we'll handle it all, we'll finally be able to break free from this vicious cycle."

Erwin's lips curled into a wry smile as he turned away from the group, contemplating the path ahead.

It was finally here, the answer to his dream.

"We'll play their game, but we'll damn well play it on our own terms."


"Sir, How Do You Know For Sure There's Nobody On The Other Side Of The Walls?" - Erwin Smith 850 AD , The commander's final words following the aftermath of the Survey corps' bloodiest battle.


As they trudged towards their chambers, a heavy silence engulfed them. Floch's mind churned, unable to shake the weight of what he had just revealed, knowing full well there was no turning back now. But still, there were secrets he clutched close to his chest, secrets he hesitated to share, especially not with the likes of commander Hange and captain Levi.

Beside him, Eren ambled along, his gaze firmly anchored to the floor, adrift in his own labyrinth of thoughts.

Floch cast a quick sideways glance at him, though Eren was privy to most of their discussion beforehand, the boy couldn't help but be stunned by certain revelations. Suppressing a weary sigh, Floch braced himself for the long night ahead, anticipating that he would barrage him with an endless stream of inquiries, preventing any chance of rest.

His gaze hardened abruptly, fixating on a distant point, his mind whisked away to thoughts of Ymir. Nearly a week had passed since that fateful incident, and he found himself grappling with uncertainty. How could he reach out to her? What were her intentions beyond mere escape? He doubted she had given it much forethought,, likely acting on a whim to spare Historia the torment of being associated with her. A frown creased his brow as a troubling notion slithered into his mind—what if the warriors managed to intercept Ymir first? She could either be captured or, even worse yet, collaborate with them once again

"Damn it, Ymir," he muttered under his breath, frustration gnawing at his core.

"So you and Ymir knew about Krista and her family all along?" Eren's voice shattered the silence, yanking Floch out of his own reverie. Floch tilted his head slightly, meeting Eren's gaze with a hint of weariness.

"Something like that, yeah."

"So why the hell did you tell me to find her back then? What does Krista know exactly?" Eren's narrowed eyes pierced through Floch, carrying a chilling undertone. "What else is she hiding?"

"It's... complicated," Floch replied, his brow furrowing in consternation.

"Complicated? Bullshit!" Eren's voice erupted with a snarl, his frustration coursing through every syllable. "Everything is complicated with you, and every other goddamn word that comes out of your mouth is a riddle!"

Floch's patience reached its breaking point, and he snapped. He whirled around, his eyes ablaze with frustration. "I am more than willing to lay everything out for you, down to the last minute detail, but damn it, have a shred of patience!" He gestured fervently, his words laced with exasperation. "There's a time and place for everything, and let's not forget the last time I shared information with you! You think you're the only one? Get in fucking line! I have a mountain of issues to deal with—Ymir, and those other bastards, the goddamn government! I also need to settle things with Sandra and the others, and believe me, some of those scouts would love nothing more than to stab me with the way they look at me." He closed the gap between them, tapping his finger pointedly against Eren's chest. "And in case you haven't noticed, despite single-handedly delivering humanity's first victory, we've got an army of people breathing down our necks, eagerly waiting for us to slip up!"

Floch scowled, his words punctuated by each tap on the chest. "So, for the love of everything, find some fucking patience!" He hissed in a clipped tone, nearly out of breath, before spinning on his heels and storming away.

Eren watched him retreat, his brows furrowing in frustration. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

Abruptly halting his steps, Floch's features softened into a mask of curiosity. He turned, studying Eren's motionless form, his gaze fixating on the tightly clenched fists. A mixture of apprehension and intrigue flickered within Floch's narrowed eyes. In a low tone barely audible above the hush, Eren began, and Floch strained to catch every word. "Just tell me something, Floch. In that cell, you mentioned that my powers were inherited. Tonight, you said the only way that can happen is if I were to transform and consume the previous wielder... A few years ago, I woke up alone in a forest, next to a severed hand, holding my father's key and glasses."

Eren's gaze rose, his visage troubled and confused. "Did I... Did I devour my own father to acquire these powers?"

Taken aback by the directness of the question, Floch's body tensed momentarily, a flicker of unease crossing his expression before he gathered his composure. "Most likely... yes."

Eren closed the gap between them, his hand snatching Floch's collar, and with a swift force, he slammed him against the wall, his face contorted with unbridled rage. A guttural growl escaped his clenched teeth as he seethed at the bewildered redhead, eyes burning with fury. "Why?!" he spat, his voice laced with venom. "What possible reason could my father have had to condemn me to this fate? Why didn't he just keep the powers for himself?!"

Floch, his expression stoic and unmoved, met Eren's furious gaze, his eyes momentarily flickering downward, he couldn't help but release a weary sigh. "Because these powers come at a cost."

Eren faltered, curiosity mingling with his anger, his jaw clenching with intensity as he demanded more information. "Enough with the fucking riddles! What does that even mean?!"

"It means," Floch met his gaze, his voice heavy, "once you inherit one of the nine titans, you are cursed to live thirteen years before you're forced to pass down the powers or die." The words fell like a bombshell, detonating within Eren's mind, shattering his preconceptions. "Your father's time was most likely running out, and he made the choice to pass his powers down to you before the curse claimed him."

Eren entered a state of catatonic shock, the grip on Floch's collar loosening slightly as he stared blankly into the man's eyes, his mouth agape in disbelief. Floch, standing firm, observed the turmoil raging within Eren, silently waiting to witness the path this would lead them down. With a heavy heart, Eren lowered his head, his chest heaving frantically as he battled to maintain his crumbling composure.

"I didn't want you to find out like this," Floch muttered, his voice heavy with remorse as he gazed at Eren with somber eyes. "I'm sorry-" His words were abruptly cut off as Eren's fist hurtled toward him.

Instinct took over, and Floch's body moved with lightning speed, his agile form ducking just in the nick of time, narrowly evading the devastating blow. Eren winced, his knuckles connecting with the wall in front of him. The impact reverberated through his hand, a jolt of pain shooting up his arm. As Floch swiftly retaliated, launching a fist toward Eren's midsection, Eren twisted his body with a desperate fluidity, narrowly evading the strike.

In a moment of vulnerability, Floch overextended, leaving himself open. Eren seized the opportunity, delivering a solid hook to Floch's cheek. Pain surged through Floch's face, his features contorting in agony as the blow collided with the still-healing wound inflicted by Mikasa. Eren followed up with a series of punches, driving Floch backward through the corridor. Bits of blood from his busted lip splattered on the ground, staining the path of their frenzied struggle. Floch's brow furrowed in anger, as he ducked under another swing. In a surge of sheer strength, he lunged at Eren, locking his arms around his waist before propelling both of them forward, slamming Eren brutally onto the cold hard floor.

The impact forced the air from Eren's lungs, leaving him gasping for breath as pain radiated through his body. With Floch now straddling him, Eren could do nothing but feeble attempts to block the unrelenting blows directed at his face. Each strike reverberated through his bones, eliciting grunts of pain. Floch's attacks continued, fueled by anger and frustration, until he noticed that Eren's defense was faltering. Pulling back, he paused, panting heavily, his eyes fixed on the battered form beneath him, a sneer of superiority etched across his face.

Floch rose to his feet, weariness mingling with irritation on his features. Eren, his body battered and defeated, met the redhead's gaze through a swollen and bruised eye. Moments later, The exhausted Floch extended a hand for him. Though initially hesitant, Eren accepted it. Without exchanging any words, they leaned on eachother for support and limped out of the corridor back to their room.

Historia watched them leave from behind a corner, a troubled look on her face.


Day 13

Deceiver, bastard, manipulator.

Those were just a few of the venomous words that swirled relentlessly in Ymir's tormented mind as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. Seated across the table were two individuals who bore an uncanny resemblance to a supposed orphan. Her anger boiled beneath the surface, threatening to erupt, as the trio before her met her gaze. Her eyes couldn't help but wander to the side of the table, fixating on the innocent young blonde girl who could only be his sister.

What in the world was the meaning of all this?

Floch claimed he wasn't from the island, that he was an Eldian hailing from the Marley mainland, just like her. He spun a tale of being brought to Paradis at a young age, witnessing the gruesome demise of his parents, before crawling his way to these very walls, just as she had done. But it was all a facade, a mask of lies. The burning question seared in Ymir's mind: Who the hell was Floch Forster? Trust did not come easily to her, yet a small part of her naively hoped for something different. She had bestowed upon him the utmost measure of trust one could muster in her situation, only to be repeatedly deceived. He callously abused the sliver of faith she had placed in him, and now left her consumed by confusion and anger.

She would find him. She would track him down, corner him, and squeeze the truth from him like juice from a lemon. Ymir clenched her fists underneath the table. She knew that he was hiding things from her, but the brunette never anticipated anything like this. And to think she had entrusted him with watching over Krista—oh, If only she could kick herself for being so damn foolish.

"I know it's a bit late to ask at this point, but if you don't mind, how exactly do you know our son?" the woman inquired, skepticism evident in her eyes.

Ymir's thoughts were abruptly interrupted as she turned to face the auburn-haired woman. "We were in the same graduating class, and we fought together in the battle for Trost," she responded, causing an uneasy tension to fill the room. Louise winced, her troubled eyes shifting downward.

The woman's expression softened. "Oh, I see. I'm sorry if that brought up unpleasant memories. It's still very recent, after all."

"It's fine, ma'am."

"So, if you were classmates, why did you need us to reach out to him?" Waldemar inquired.

Ymir furrowed her brow. "Well... we ended up joining different divisions. I chose to serve in the Garrison, and he... well, he joined the Survey Corps," she explained, causing both parents' eyes to widen in alarm.

"He what?!" The woman shouted, standing up from her seat.

His father, looking somewhat disturbed himself calmed the woman down. "Not in front of our guest, Karoline, we'll discuss this later." He turned to the girl again, "So, you needed our help to contact him directly then?" She nodded, as the man continued. "I see, we can help you out, I'll see if I can get a word to him through Sandra or Gordon, that's how we get our updates about the brat in any case."

"I'd appreciate it." Ymir hesitated for a second before deciding to ask a risky question. "Sir, I wanted to ask you something. Does the name 'Marley' ring a bell for you?" Ymir watched their reactions intently, however to her disappointment none of them seemed to react at the name.

The man cupped his chin in thought, humming audibly. "I'm not sure, is that a name for a new village somewhere? Never heard of it before." He shook his head.

Ymir frowned, "I figured as much."

Waldemar's eyes lit up with understanding. "I take it that's where you're from?"

She nodded reluctantly. "You could say that."

The man was about to speak again when a knock suddenly came on the door, he stood up and greeted the visitor, prompting the woman to also join him upon recognizing their neighbor. Ymir took this opportunity and stood up to leave by the back exit, by the time Louise turned around to look at her all she could find was a letter left on the table. She furrowed her brows in search of the girl, finding no trace of her anywhere.

One thought went through Louise's mind at that moment.

'What a strange girl, we didn't even get her name.'


Day 19

"Carly Stratmann, just twenty years old, born in eight-thirty. She's the only daughter of Elliot G. Stratmann, president of the Marlene company. And now, she's been reported missing, a mere two days ago," Marco read aloud from the paper, He took a casual sip from his tea before a frown creased his features. "Has anyone even bothered to take this case seriously, or are they so lazy that they passed it off to Hitch immediately?"

"They might know something we don't, so who knows? Could be dealing with a real gem of a family here," Jean replied with a hint of sarcasm, his mouth still full of omelette.

"Nonsense! We can't waste any time. Our first order of business is to pay a visit to the father and gather more information," Marco declared, setting his cup down and rising from his seat. "Are you on board with that?"

Jean let out a weary sigh, quickly wiping his mouth before getting up as well. "Yeah, yeah, the sooner we get this done, the better. I just hope this isn't some twisted case of daddy issues gone wrong." Jean furrowed his brows, his concern palpable, as the two of them exited the bustling mess hall of the Military Police branch.

They made their way towards the specified address, the path leading them deeper into the opulent and exclusive corners of the Stohess district. Standing just outside the gates, both boys were struck by the sheer grandeur of the mansion before them. Within moments, a well-dressed butler appeared, graciously escorting them inside towards where the father awaited. With a polite knock on the door, the butler announced their presence before they were granted entry.

The room revealed a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a bushy mustache, From observing the golden rings on his finger, the expensive cigarettes and alcohol stored in the cabinets as well as the countless portraits on the walls, Jean would say this guy was the epitome of a wealthy businessman. He ushered them in as Marco and Jean settled into the plush sofa chairs encircling the mammoth conference table.

"Sir, we're here to ask questions about your daughter's disappearance. Any additional details you can provide would be helpful for our investigation," Marco spoke earnestly, retrieving a small notebook from his jacket pocket.

The man extracted a cigarette from its case and ignited it with a match, holding it delicately between his index finger and thumb. He raised it to his lips and took a drag before exhaling a cloud of smoke. "So, I gather that your investigation has just begun? Meaning, you haven't found her yet. Have you managed to uncover any leads at all?" he inquired, a hint of anticipation in his voice.

Jean's gaze narrowed. "No, sir."

The man furrowed his brows, "That's certainly reassuring, isn't it? It has been two long days since I reported my daughter missing. Yet during that time, you've done nothing. And now, suddenly, today, you decide to act, after assuring me yesterday that you Military Police were doing everything you can to find her. How do you explain this? Rampant incompetence?" he questioned, his gravelly voice casual yet filled with accusation.

Marco's expression turned apologetic. "You're absolutely right, sir. We have no excuses."

"Yes you do. It's all you Military Police know. Let me guess, you're not the first ones assigned to this case. It has been passed around, hasn't it?"

Jean's lips thinned, "Yes. We just received it earlier this morning after it changed hands twice."

"That sounds about right. So, if I understand correctly, you two are the only soldiers willing to take on this case?" Both Marco and Jean nodded in confirmation, piquing his curiosity even further. "And how long have you two been in this line of work?"

"About two weeks," Jean curtly replied.

The man's eyes widened in surprise before he erupted into laughter, his boisterous chuckles filling the room. Jean and Marco shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their professional demeanor momentarily disrupted by the unexpected outburst. Eventually, the man regained his composure, wiping away a tear of amusement. "Well, well, it's not every day I get to witness my hard-earned taxes at work. All that money spent, and all I get in return is two days of neglect and a half-assed investigation led by a couple of greenhorns." His words dripped with both sarcasm and amusement.

Jean's annoyance flickered across his face. "If it looks like we're not up to the task, why not hire a freelancer? Seems like you've got the funds for it," he retorted, a tinge of defiance coloring his tone.

The man took another drag from his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Ah, now that's a tempting thought," he mused, contemplating the suggestion. Jean and Marco were about to make their exit when the man interrupted, his voice carrying a note of sincerity. "But you see, that's not a viable option for me. I can't rely on some hired gun to find my daughter while he's busy concocting ways to empty my pockets." He extinguished his cigarette, his gaze now fixed on the two officers. "I like to think I have a good eye for people. You may be rookies, but you strike me as a competent bunch. My gut tells me that you're the ones I can trust to honor your word and deliver results. So, tell me, will you find my daughter?" he asked.

Jean and Marco exchanged a meaningful glance, Jean shrugged nonchalantly before the pair locked eyes with the man, their determination evident. With a single nod from Marco, he spoke firmly. "It's our job, sir. We will find her."


Day 13

"Alright, Eren! Whenever you're ready!" Hange's voice echoed from behind cover, rallying the members of Squad Levi and Mike into position as Moblit hugged the other side of the tree they hid behind.

Eren furrowed his brows, observing them from a distance. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought they were preparing to strike him down. He turned his gaze to Floch, who stood by the treeline next to the commander. A silent understanding passed between them as they exchanged nods. Eren raised his hand to his mouth and bit down at the base of his thumb, triggering his transformation. Within seconds, a blinding flash of light engulfed the surrounding field, thundering across the forest. The nearby scouts shielded their faces momentarily, their hearts skipping a beat at the imposing sight of the fifteen-meter titan.

Oluo's voice rang out among his squadmates, filled with doubt. "Are we sure this is a good idea?"

Hange nodded resolutely, her unwavering determination evident. "Absolutely, we need to document everything we can about these intelligent titans!"

In a hushed whisper, Oluo leaned towards Petra, his skepticism unabated. "Between you and me, I think she's lost it." His comment was swiftly met with an elbow to the side from Petra. "Shut up and focus," she hissed, briefly glancing at Floch with a frown.

"Very good! Can you hear me, Eren?!" Hange called out, her voice filled with excitement. Eren, in his titan form, looked down at her and nodded. Hange's eyes widened for a moment, her mouth agape, before a rush of heat flushed her cheeks, and she released a couple of excited noises inbetween heavy breaths. Levi silently reminded himself to maintain his patience as he observed her enthusiastic antics. "Okay! Okay! Now then! The first thing we'll be testing is your regenerative ability! For this experiment, Squad Levi will take turns severing your limbs to observe the extent of your healing factor! If you experience any pain in this form, let us know! Now, please hold one of your arms out for them and patiently await further instructions!" Hange shouted, her voice carrying a mix of enthusiasm and authority.

Inside his titan, Eren frowned, caught off guard by the nature of the task he had unknowingly signed up for. Before reluctantly doing as instructed. Squad Levi, Mike, and Moblit shared equal levels of astonishment, having just discovered what they were about to do. "What?! Are you crazy?! I'm not going near that thing!" Gelgar shouted at Hange, his voice filled with disbelief.

Eld expressed his concerns, joining the protest. "How can we be certain that he won't instinctively attack us?"

Nanaba pinched the bridge of her nose. "I should have stayed in bed." She muttered under her breath.

Levi stepped in, his voice commanding. "Alright, simmer down, all of you.." He directed his gaze at Hange. "Four-eyes, what the hell is all this about?" His tone was laced with a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

Hange's expression turned somber for a moment. "If you remember the field reports from back in Trost, the enemy titan kept sprouting fingers to throw at us in crystalized form. If we are to engage with them again in the future, we need to understand the full scope of their capabilities, and look for any weaknesses to exploit. This here is a great opportunity for that, given their similar anatomies, observing what Eren can do can give us a clearer image of what to expect in the future."

A troubled look washed over Floch as he observed Hange from far behind, before turning to Commander Erwin. "Sir, once these experiments are wrapped up, I'd like to ask for your permission to share my knowledge of these titans with the other soldiers." His fists clenched. "I owe 'em that much. I couldn't finish the job back in Trost, and because of that, Leonhart managed to transform."

Erwin cast a sidelong glance at Floch before nodding. "Very well, but for now, I'd prefer if you held back any information regarding the king and anything related to that matter." Floch's surprise was evident as Erwin's gaze hardened. "While I've taken great pains to eliminate obstacles and opposition within our regiment, it never hurts to exercise caution."

"I..." Floch trailed off as Erwin interrupted him.

"I would have likely done the same."

Furrowing his brows, Floch sought clarification. "I beg your pardon?"

"I would have kept that information to myself until I knew for certain who to trust. Even though it would have been immensely helpful to understand the true nature of our adversaries, after what happened with that letter, I felt it was the right decision. I have no doubt that there are forces actively working against us as we speak. They are likely aware of your involvement, even though we've concealed your identity. Now, it's only a matter of time until they connect the dots by themselves." Erwin explained.

"I see, good thing it was sent anonymously, then," Floch responded with unease. "I had no idea you would be under such close watch, It was unexpected."

"The possibility of having Military Police spies among our ranks is not far-fetched. If you had been compromised before we learned everything we did so far, it would have jeopardized all the progress we've made up to this day." Erwin turned his steely gaze towards the redhead. "In this world, one cannot achieve anything without making necessary sacrifices. If someone is unwilling to take that extra step forward, they are destined to fail. You must understand this as well."

Floch gazed ahead, his eyes fixed on the experiment unfolding before him. He observed Eren slowly regenerating his steaming arm, his brows furrowed in deep thought. "I do. I've marched through hell and back with my comrades in the one hundred and fourth. Some of them, I'm sure, had no choice but to follow my lead, forced to throw their lives away. I witnessed friends die, following my orders. I managed to save a few, lost countless others," he said, his fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white. "Now that most of them have followed me here, it seems I'll have to go through it all over again. I kept convincing myself that I had to do whatever it took to achieve my goals, that it was necessary in the grand scheme of things, regardless of the cost."

Floch looked up at Erwin, his eyes filled with pain. "Sir, does it ever get easier? All that blood on your hands, does it ever fade away, even for just a moment?"

Erwin's response came without hesitation. "Never."

"I see. I was naive to think I could simply ignore it," Floch chuckled bitterly.

"As long as there are people willing to stand up and fight, there will always be an equal measure of sacrifice. Being in my position exposes you to the true cruelty of this world. Over the years, you learn to live with it. Those who can't endure it are not meant to last," Erwin explained, his voice carrying the weight of experience. " "The men and women I've lost within these walls, they all gave their lives for something they believed in. To a mere taxpayer, it might appear as a worthless stretch of land or a waste of their taxes, but to us, it's one step closer to our dreams. And those comrades, whether they despised or respected me, they perished under my command, all the same." He furrowed his brows as he shifted his gaze forward. "Many lives rest on my shoulders, so as long as I remain here, I am bound by my duty to make it all worthwhile in the end. My only promise is to keep moving forward, in their memory if nothing else."

"I see."

Eren suddenly crumpled, his titan form visibly weakened from its once formidable state. The scouts swiftly withdrew, leaving behind a battlefield strewn with steaming and dissipating limbs. In a flash, Captain Levi flew towards the fallen titan, snatching Eren from its nape. A pained expression crossed Floch's face as he witnessed the sorry state of the young boy, being dragged back into the shelter of the dense treeline. Hange, brimming with jubilation over her discoveries, was promptly scolded by Moblit, who stood by her side. Meanwhile, the weary veterans sought refuge in the shade, their tired bodies aching as they observed the unfolding scene.

Floch's gaze ascended to the heavens, catching sight of a bird gracefully soaring overhead.

"Let's give them all something to believe in, then," he murmured.


"Somebody has to bite the bullet and risk taking action in order for others to not become victims, we needed to become victims ourselves." - Floch Forster 850 AD, Operation wall Maria, surrounded on all fronts, minutes until lights out,


A man sat bound to a sturdy chair, his head shrouded by a thick cloth that concealed his identity and robbed him of sight. The musty scent of damp stone and decay prevaded in the air, mingling with a faint metallic tang that engulfed the dimly lit dungeon cell. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows that danced along the rough-hewn walls, distorting the room's jagged contours.

Two figures stood before the captive, the man's eyes gleamed with a glint of sadistic pleasure, he toyed with a dagger in hand, its dull edge catching the dim light. The female counterpart, clad in dark garments that seemed to absorb even the faintest glow, stood off to the side, a folder clutched in hand. The two met each other's gaze, she shook her head at him before his eager grin fell into a thin grim line of disappointment.

"Looks like this one's a lost cause," she remarked, and the man beneath the cloth began to whimper.

"A real shame," the older man replied, swiftly moving behind the captive and dragging the blade across his throat. The room was filled with gurgles, his life fading away in an instant. "I thought we were onto something there. Who's next?"

She glanced down at the list, her gaze lingering on the last few crossed-out names.

H̶E̶I̶N̶R̶I̶C̶H̶ B̶E̶C̶K̶E̶R̶

O̶S̶C̶A̶R̶ S̶C̶H̶M̶I̶D̶T̶

M̶A̶T̶H̶I̶S̶ W̶A̶G̶N̶E̶R̶

E̶M̶I̶L̶ L̶A̶R̶S̶E̶N̶

L̶U̶I̶S̶ W̶E̶B̶E̶R̶

"We've gone through the entire list, captain."

"Ehhh?! You've gotta be kiddin' me, seriously?! Gimme that!" He snatched the folder from her hands and examined its contents with intensity, but his face quickly fell. "Well, I'll be damned. No more folks to pay a visit."

He flung the folder aside, his anger surging as he vehemently kicked the lifeless body in the chair, sending it sprawling backwards. Cursing in frustration, he studied the fallen figure intently, until something caught his attention—something protruding from the pocket. He stooped down, retrieved the item, and discovered a doctor's note. "Say, according to his records, this guy spent over four months recuperating at Ehrmich Military Hospital. Wasn't it during that time that some imbecile roasted himself in the shower?"

Intrigued, the woman verified the information. "Yes, it was ruled as an unfortunate accident. Why?"

"Unfortunate accident, my ass! I want records of every damn person admitted to that hospital during this guy's stay until the shower incident."

"Very well," she acquiesced.

Kenny Ackermann stormed out of the cell, leaving his men to deal with the corpse, a single thought burning in his mind.

"I ain't givin' up on you that easy, my patriotic friend."