God of Hate
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Godzilla or Attack on Titan
The day after the battle was a morbid and solemn affair. Despite their victory and the casualties being better than they could have been, there was little to celebrate. They were too busy cleaning up the town of dead bodies and marking down what dead they could identity. Regardless of their state, all of the bodies were being gathered for funeral pyres.
And all the while, their golden savior slept soundly. Few expected him to awake suddenly anymore. The night had been filled with cannon fire, as they killed the remaining Titans pawing uselessly at the wall. Not once had the scaled creature done more than shift in his sleep, and by order of Commander Pixis, no one was to attempt to approach the creature. It wasn't dead, so they knew it would awaken in its own good time.
That order was easier to obey than the other.
Pixis knew it was impossible to keep the incident with the Titan Shifter quite. There were too many that had been there and seen it, keeping a gag order with that many was almost impossible. He still made the order, if only for the sake of saying he tried.
"This complicates things," Pixis noted obviously, taking a swig of his drink as he stood on the wall alone, save one.
"I should assume you mean the Shifter and not the Beast?" Erwin asked knowingly.
"Clever as always," Pixis answered in amusement. "For once, the morale of the soldiers was on the up. We had retaken the wall and had a creature that appears to be our ally. But the rumors of a soldier that can turn into a Titan?" he paused to shake his head. "With no explanation, everyone is growing wary and paranoid again."
"Not without good cause," Erwin said with a nod of understanding. Pixis gave him a look and both had the same suspicion: There were more Titan Shifters. The Armored and the Colossal could be within the army, posing as soldiers. That was alarming. "We will have to try and offer an explanation. Has the prisoner said anything?"
"Not a peep. She's just sat in her cell since yesterday," Pixis answered with a hum as he looked over Trost. "There is also the matter of our friend down there."
Erwin followed his gaze towards the golden pile of scales sleeping down below. The Scout Commander was still uncertain what to make of this creature, having not seen it awake himself. "You believe the Central Government may attempt to have it executed?"
"While concerning, I'm more concerned about what to do if they don't," Pixis answered, scratching his bald head. "Even if we find a place to keep the bastard, how do we get him out of from here?"
Erwin frowned as he acknowledged that logistical issue. The only way to get the creature through any of the gates would involve this creature breaking through them enough to make room for itself, compromising the walls. Not truly an option. The only straightforward idea Erwin had meant abandoning Trost, letting the beast use it as a den of sort, moving the boulder aside when it ventured out. A small sacrifice for such a useful ally and tool.
"You said the creature is intelligent to the point of understanding speech. Perhaps it will have an idea of its own," Erwin remarked with a troubled look. "Still, if that is the case, that just leaves one very important question."
"Where did it learn our language," Pixis summarized in agreement. That was a conundrum. Did someone actually teach this creature everything it would need to understand humans?
Meanwhile
Hange hadn't known what to expect when she eagerly scaled the walls surrounding Trost, looking for something that was big enough to be a Titan, but didn't look like one. But once she laid eyes on the creature, she had only one word for it:
"Beautiful."
And it was even more so, seeing it up close and in the sun. Every inch of it was plated with scales that shimmered like gold against the light. Horns that gave a regal disposition, like crowns. Tails, two of them! Long with a club of spikes at the end of each, yet even that looked as ornate as it was functional. Even the claws at the bottom of its feet were like swords. And, of course, there were the heads. Three of them, each with necks longer than some Titans.
Truly, he was a beauty to behold.
So, Hange took it upon herself to document this apparent ally of humanity, this "dragon" as some might call it. She sat on the roof of a building, overlooking the area the three headed entity slept in. One leg was crossed over the other as she sketched a detailed image of the slumbering creature, glancing up to double check her work.
Along the edges of the parchment, she scribbled notes. Mainly the size estimations she was making. They weren't that accurate, but they'd do until she saw the creature standing and walking in all its glory. Still, there was something odd about the creature to her. Three heads, two legs, two tails, and yet no arms. It looked...incomplete, with just the barrel of the body. But that would imply the creature was malformed or, disturbingly, not yet an adult. It was already taller than every known Titan besides the Colossal, so the idea that it could still grow taller was both amazing and alarming.
"Wow, that's really good!"
"Huh?" Hange snapped her attention to the right and found a young soldier standing there. "Who are you?"
"Sas- Sorry, Cadet Sasha Blouse," she answered sheepishly. "I'm part of the team that's suppose to guard Trips."
"Trips?" Hange questioned with a head tilt. "For the three heads?"
"Well, yeah, we had to call him something. And he can't speak even if he can understan-EEE!" Sasha squealed as Hange was suddenly upon her, grabbing Sasha by the shoulders.
"You Mean You Witnessed This Creature Displaying The Ability To Understand Speech!?" Hange asked with a manic smile.
Both of them froze at the slightest shifting of the great creature's tail.
"...Ma'am, please don't wake Trips up. I don't want to annoy him after he saved me," Sasha requested with a whisper.
"He saved you?" This was the wrong thing to say, Hange's smile becoming very alarming. "Intentionally?"
"Umm, yeah?" Sasha answered awkwardly. "You're...with the Scouts right?"
"Yes, yes I am. Section Commander Hange Zoe," Hange introduced, turning her gaze back to the creature. "Don't worry, I wouldn't dare disturbing his beauty sleep."
"That's...great? I'll just be going then...," Sasha said, slowly backing away from the woman.
"I think I'll be seeing more of that girl," Hange said with a grin before sitting down and returning to her drawings.
Meanwhile
"So, you're serious," Levi stated coolly as he walked down a set of stairs that went underground, "The brat down here turned into a Titan?"
"I saw it with my own eyes, Sir," Rico answered tensely. "We found her pulling herself out of the nape of the Titan afterwards. There's no doubt that she's the one."
"And our superior wants me nearby in case she tries anything. Babysitting, in other words," Levi summarized. "I don't suppose there's anything else you can tell me?"
Rico paused in consideration before shaking her head. "No, just that when she transformed, there was a small explosion around her."
"Well, that's good to know," Levi muttered, eyeing a cell down the hall, the only one with guards right now. "What's she said?"
"Not a word," Rico answered simply. "She refuses to answer anything we asked."
"Perhaps you need better questions," Levi said as they arrived at the cell, peering at the girl inside. She was sitting on a bed, chained to a wall, and staring up at the ceiling with a blank expression.
Rico, the guards, and Ymir all jumped in alarm as Levi slammed the sole of his boot against the bars of the cell, a loud bang echoing through the underground. "What the hell!?" Ymir exclaimed, clutching her chest for a moment.
"See, she can speak," Levi stated neutrally. "I just wanted to get a good look at you, Brat."
"Piss off, half-pint," Ymir spat back. "Who the hell are you suppose to be?"
"Levi," he answered bluntly.
Ymir froze at that. Everyone in the walls knew that name. Love or hate the Scouts, the best of humanity was well known. "So, they sent the biggest short-stick they had to guard me? I'm honored," Ymir said with her arms crossed, trying to hide her nervousness at his stare.
"Well, our golden friend is on nap duty, so someone had to pick up the slack," Levi mused, leaning against the wall.
"Look, I don't know shit about that thing," Ymir said firmly.
"Really?" Levi questioned with a narrowed gaze.
"Never seen anything like it in my life," Ymir affirmed with a frown.
Levi held her gaze for a moment before nodding. "I believe you," he said, turning to leave.
Ymir blinked and suddenly felt very nervous. What did she say?
"You believe her?" Rico asked when they reached the steps.
"Not really, but if she is telling the truth, we have another lead," Levi answered.
"What do you mean?" Rico asked with a frown.
"The report said that brat transformed after the scaly bastard actually saved a cadet, but everyone thought she was eaten at first," Levi stated, glancing to Rico. "So, if she wasn't after the three-headed thing, she attacked because of the other cadet."
Rico stiffened. "You think she might be a Shifter too?"
"I doubt it. It's not impossible, but it sounds like that one would have transformed too if so, instead of letting themselves get caught by a literal maw of teeth," Levi mused thoughtfully. "Either way, this other cadet either knows something, or they might be the leverage we need to get this one to talk."
"I'd get her for questioning, but she's still unconscious," Rico informed with a frown.
"That's fine. I don't think any of us are going anywhere for the day."
Meanwhile
The situation was dire in the aftermath of their victory. Even with Trost secure, all the bodies of those sacrificed that day had to be found and collected, or whatever remained of them at least. Often, all that was left were severed limbs or a collection of bodies collected in some vile ball after a Titan had emptied its full belly.
To keep disease and plague from breaking out, it was all hands on deck. Everyone who didn't have a task elsewhere, was working around the city to help remove the dead.
But even soldiers were given breaks. Time to eat, rest, and give themselves a moment to grieve and collect themselves.
Mikasa was doing that final one in earnest.
She had an hour to herself. But she did not sleep or rest her eyes for a nap. No, she did the one thing she had been holding back since well before they had retaken Trost.
She found a quiet spot to sit down, be alone...and cry.
And once she did, it was like the tears would never stop flowing. From one thing to the next, she was able to push herself, focus herself on anything besides the fact that Eren was dead.
It hurt so much to think about about, to try and accept, that Eren was indeed gone. Eaten by some Titan that was now long dead as well. Why had she listened to him? She should have stuck with him and protected him. That was the whole reason she joined the military, to keep Eren from getting killed. And she failed, hopelessly and instantly. She failed Eren, Carla, Grisha. She failed everyone she ever cared about. Even Armin, because now his best friend was gone and it was now down to just the two of them.
She had no urge to die, no. She left that behind just before "Trips" had saved her. But it still hurt, so much.
She took a moment to take a deep breath.
Even if she had no intent to die, she was going to see this through, like Eren would have. She'd still join the Scouts, and by the Walls and everything beyond them, she would see the ocean with Armin if it was the last thing she did.
"Mikasa, I've been looking all over for you," Reiner said as he entered the alley Mikasa was sitting in. "Your shift-"
She looked to him. She didn't glare, she didn't have to. Her stoic face, marred by bloodshot eyes, was story enough.
Reiner swallowed the words in his mouth before nodding. "I'll keep looking for you then," Reiner said, turning to leave and pretend like he hadn't seen her.
Mikasa didn't trust her voice to voice it, but she was thankful for that.
She took deep breaths, feeling a pit of rage in her chest. "Was this how you felt, Eren?" she asked herself, thinking back to that day, when they lost everything and Eren vowed to kill all the Titans.
If this was how he felt, she at least understood him a bit better in the end.
Meanwhile
Teeth. Teethteethteeth, too many teeth!
Krista lurched up in a cold sweet, halfway jumping to her feet as she looked around frantically. She was...on a table, covered by a blanket? And why was she not in uniform? Who had changed her?!
"So, you're awake."
She turned her gaze to meet a familiar head of blonde hair. "Armin?" Krista greeted in surprise. "What's going on? Weren't we...in Trost, fighting Titans?" she asked numbly, wondering if it had all been a horrible dream.
Armin smiled apologetically. "We were, Krista. That was yesterday. Take a look around," Armin said, motioning to the room around them.
Krista did so, realizing she was in some kind of mess hall, but there were people laying on the tables, just like her. "What is this...?"
"They're using this as a makeshift medical area, for the least critically injured," Armin explained softly. "Everyone with life threatening injuries got priority."
"But what happened? I remember the boulder, and then...?" Krista's eyes went wide again. "Oh walls, was I eaten by that...thing?"
"Not really?" Armin answered awkwardly. "It's more like he saved you, by catching you."
"Really?" Krista asked in surprise. "But then why did I pass out?"
"We're not sure, but you probably couldn't breath properly inside the mouth," Armin answered with a shrug. "You passed out. That was yesterday."
"Yesterday!?" Krista repeated in shock. "Did...did everyone else make...?" she stopped as she realized what she said, seeing the grimace Armin tried to cover. "Oh, Armin, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-"
"No, no it's fine. I know what you meant," Armin assured quietly, holding himself together. "As far as we know, no one else died after that," he answered, being technically truthful.
"Thank goodness," Krista said in relief before looking awkward. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but...?"
"Oh, we decided someone should be here when you woke up, so we tried to have someone here when we're not busy with the...clean up," Armin said with a frown.
Krista frowned at the implications. She could only imagine what it had to be like, scavenging for the bodies of those that fell to the Titans, whatever remained of them at least. Training never truly prepared them for that part of being in the military, but she doubt there was anything that truly could ready them short of actually experiencing it.
"I'll report in to start helping,' Krista immediately volunteered as she made to slide off the table, wobbling on her feet as she grasped her head with a groan.
"Careful," Armin said, hands half way outstretched to grab her if she fell. "Are you sure nothing's hurt or feels broken?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just had a weird dream is all," Krista answered idly.
"Dream?" Armin repeated curiously.
"Yeah, it felt like it kept going on forever. I can't remember much though, just that I was a little kid again, playing with my sister," Krista answered with a distant look in her eyes.
"Oh? I didn't know you had a sibling," Armin commented curiously.
"That's the weird part: I don't have a sister. Guess I just...dreamed of having one," Krista said with an awkward smile.
Armin opened his mouth, but paused suddenly with a startled look on his face.
"Armin, what's wr-?" Krista started, only to stop she felt it as well.
The ground rumbling beneath them. It was soft, but it was there, the walls shuddering..
Meanwhile
Hange let out a shuddering breath of awe as the great, golden mass began to stir with reptilian groans. She watched on as it rose to its feet, necks craning and flexing as vibrant green eyes revealed themselves to peer at the world once more. She immediately began to rapidly write sketches and notes now that she could see the creature in its full glory. The middle head have two frills along the back of its neck while the other two only had one, the way it stood with the tails used to counter balance the heads, the-
The large shadow that was blocking her light.
Hange froze, feeling the hot breath washing over her body. She slowly looked up and beheld those emerald eyes piercing her from atop a large snout. Distinctly intelligent eyes no less, in her opinion at least..
Slowly, deliberately, she rose from her seat, keeping her hands where they could be seen. To both sides of her, she could see the other two heads watching her as well. Curiously, she noticed that not only was this creature capable of facial expressions, but unless she was misreading the heads, each one was giving her very different looks. The one to her right appear actively curious, while the one on her left was more on guard and weary. The middle was the hardest to read. Thoughtful would be her guess.
She could be wrong, but there was a way to test that theory.
"Hello, Handsome!" Hange said with a smile.
She was rewarded with all the heads pulling back in surprise. She flushed, practically drooling as she realized this creature truly understood her. She quickly regathered herself, watching each head's surprise melt into a different reaction. The middle head tilted his head at her, while the suspicious one still looked taken back, and the curious one might just be amused with her now.
So, three different creatures in one body? Or were they just three parts of the same mind?
She was brought out of her musing as she realized the one to her right moving around to her backside, looking at her intently. She blinked as she looked down and realized what he was looking towards: her sketches. "Oh, do you want to see my handiwork?" Hange offered with a grin, turning to the front to show her sketch to the middle head, the other two moving closer to get a better look.
They leaned forward, just short of budding heads as they tried to take in the drawing.
"I hope you don't mind, but I couldn't help drawing you while you slept!" Hange called up cheerily.
Eins, Zwei, and Drei all regarded the strange woman and her sketch with interest. Of course, they already knew what they looked like. A perk of having three heads with long necks. Still, it was...interesting seeing themselves from the outside. Even if it was a bit hard to make out, the sketch being so small compared to themselves.
"Looks like nap time's over."
Speaking of small, another human swooped in on ODM gear and landed near the woman, having a perpetually severe look on his face. Eins stared at him intently, feeling a bit on edge.
"Levi! You're just in time to say good morning to our new friend," she greeted with a smile.
[[[Levi?]]]
[Why is that familiar?]
[[...Captain Levi.]]
[[[[The Strongest Human. The Strongest Scout.]]]]
"I'm not sure he likes me," Levi stated, eyes shifting between each of the heads keenly, but especially the creature's right head, which seemed to be eyeing him.
"I think that one is just grumpy," Hange retorted, waving her hand dismissively.
Levi rose an eyebrow as he saw the left head nodding in agreement.
Zwei perked up suddenly, head looking every which way for a moment before backing away from the roof, the other two heads scanning the area as well.
"What spooked him?" Hange asked in surprise.
"If I had to guess, I think he realized he's being watched," Levi remarked, watching as the beast's heads looked toward the top of the wall.
More precisely, the soldiers atop the wall, manning cannons aimed in his direction.
"He even knows what cannons are?" Hange murmured in interest.
[What are they doing?]
[[[Are they going to attack?]]]
[[They're just scared we'll attack first.]]
[So we do nothing?]
[[[They're not the enemy.]]]
[[We can probably dodge them anyway.]]
"I apologize for them."
The trio of heads glanced back toward the roof, and found a third human standing there now. A blond man with very big eyebrows, his stare intense.
"Erwin/Commander," Levi and Hange greeted as he walked between them.
"But some are still worried by your presence here," Erwin called out as the reptile turned to face them fully. Erwin was no fool though, he knew this being was keenly aware of the weapons still being pointed at him. "Despite that, I would like to offer thanks on behalf of humanity. Without you, Trost would have been lost."
Eins, Zwei, and Drei regarded him curiously, almost feeling awkward as they settled for a nod of acknowledgement. Even if they could speak, what do they even say to that?
"Tell me, do you have a plan to get out of here?" Erwin asked simply, getting a negative headshake. "I see. That was a very brave thing to do, trapping yourself in here."
Eins narrowed his eyes. When people said brave, sometimes they meant foolish. Was this a compliment or an insult?
Drei glare at him, wanting him to just accept the words at face value.
The trio of humans noticed the exchange with interest, and Erwin could tell by the stare that the middle head knew they noticed it as well.
"Would you have any interest in helping us further against the Titans?" Erwin questioned firmly.
All three heads nodded, their teeth showing their bloodlust for the Titans, Eins's especially.
Hange felt a chill down her spine as she saw what was clearly hatred in those eyes.
"Then we have common cause, against a common enemy," Erwin stated, as if some great agreement had been made. "I was asked to deliver a message as well, one I hope you understand: The soldiers are clearing the dead from the city, so try to be careful where you walk."
The trio of heads nodded in a calmer manner, and...Hange and Levi shared a look with one another, realizing that weren't imagining it. This creature's left head had a look of sorrow and sadness for the dead.
"Thank you, again," Erwin said as he turned to leave, walking to the other side of the roof, Hange and Levi falling in after him.
"See you soon, you beautiful beast!" Hange called over her shoulder.
But none of the heads acknowledged her this time. Instead, their eyes were keenly fixated on their backs, on their cloaks, on the symbol they wore:
The Wings of Freedom.
End of Chapter
The return of the anime rejuvinated my drive for all things AoT. Anyway, yes, this is largely a cooldown chapter, but setting up various things for later. And Hange absolutely gushing over Erendorah, who had no idea how to react to that.
Not much else to say: Ymir's in prinson, Mikasa is grieving, Krista is awake, and everyone is trying to figure out what to do with the massive titan-killing creature.
Until next time, have fun!
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