God of Hate

"Lady Frieda. It's a pleasure to have you here," Pixis regarded good-naturedly, as he always did in the presence of nobility.

"The pleasure is mine, Commander Pixis," Frieda answered, her walking stick tapping as she walked to the nearest couch. "I hope you don't mind if I sit. Old riding injury, never gives me a day's rest."

"Sorry to hear that," Levi said neutrally.

She glanced at him and hummed. "You must be the famous Captain Levi, Humanity's Strongest. I know several nobles that tried to buy you into being personal guards for them. I believe you told them, and I quote, I'll take my chances with the gluttonous fucks I know."

Hange tried not to smile at that, not even a bit.

"I recall saying something like that," Levi admitted, knowing it would do no good to deny it. If she didn't like the scouts, kissing her ass wouldn't help any.

Frieda just chuckled. "I'll send them your regards," she said before turning to the room as a whole. "So, let me make sure I've gotten none of the facts misplaced so far. We have two unknown entities. One is a human that can turn into a Titan at will, and the other was a human that is stuck as a giant creature that is, supposedly, not a Titan."

"We've designated them as "The Shifter" and "Trips" for now, Lady Frieda," Pixis informed, looking to Erwin and Hange. "The Scouts have been instrumental in our attempts to understand the existence of both creatures."

"Right, and this...Trips? He saved the city and killed the Titans, but was attacked by this Shifter," Frieda summarized, getting nods. She glanced to the scouts with a hum. "I should wait to hear more when the others arrive, but I did come early with a request."

"And what might that be?" Erwin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I'd like to meet this creature…this Trips."

Silence came over the room.

Hange glanced to the commanders, but they were giving the noblewoman curious looks. "That...can be arranged, if you so desire," Hange answered. "May we ask why though?"

"How else are we meant to judge this creature, that you claim is intelligent and understands humans, that means us no harm, if we don't look upon it with our own eyes?" Frieda inquired ruefully. "Besides, there shouldn't be a problem, should there?"

"We will need some time," Erwin answered calmly. "Last we heard, Trips was taking a nap."

Frieda tilted her head. "Forgive my ignorance, but Titans don't sleep in the conventional sense, do they?"

"No, Ma'am," Hange confirmed. "Titans become inactive when kept out of daylight for prolonged periods, but we've never witnessed them truly fall into a slumber, let alone in daylight."

"Trips has been active at night. He's rather restless with nothing to do most of the time," Pixis explained.

"I can only imagine. If what you say is true, the city must feel very small after a while," Frieda mused. "Take all the time you need. My leg could use a rest."

Meanwhile

As far as Krista was concerned, this was the definition of awkwardness.

Her shift with Mikasa had started, and...nobody had said anything.

Both Eren and Mikasa both just stood there; herself and Mikasa on a rooftop, staring at the three heads. All three sets of eyes watched them as well.

It was bad enough that she had to be here for this private moment as a translator, but the tension was insanely thick now.

How did Armin put up with these two?

Ultimately, she sighed and decided to break the ice herself. "So, Mikasa, you glad that he kept his eyes?"

[[[[Huh?]]]]

Mikasa smiled with a nod. "Yes. I don't think it would have been as easy to believe otherwise," Mikasa said fondly as she stared up. "I did think they reminded me of you, but I thought, well..."

[[There was no way I turned into an armless lizard.]]

[With three damn heads!]

[[[...]]]

"It seemed impossible he was this...thing," Krista answered delicately, looking to Eren. "Seriously, what do I call, whatever you are? You're not a Titan."

[Do you think I know?]

[[Just say lizard or...whatever Armin was calling us before.]]

[[[A dragon?]]]

[[[[Yeah, a dragon.]]]]

"I have no idea what a drag-gun even is," Krista retorted.

Mikasa frowned before turning back to Eren. "Are you feeling well, after what happened?"

Eins growled in his throat while nodding to Drei on the opposite end, Zwei craning over to look pointedly at the regrown horn, causing Drei to nip at the air in annoyed embarrassment.

"He says it's all better. It even looks like the old one," Krista translated, happy to have this conversation moving.

"No, it's still shorter than it used to be, and it's smoother right now," Mikasa mused observantly.

All three heads looked at her, shocked and confused as they grunted a question.

"How do you already have the horns memorized?" Krista asked on Eren's behalf and her own.

Mikasa shrugged. "I had little better to do. I keep finding little things different with each head," Mikasa mused, looking to Eins. "Like that one has a shorter snout, with more curved horns."

[I do?]

Zwei looked between each head intently, studying the protrusions on both.

[[Huh. She's actually right.]]

[[[Wonder if Hange has noticed that?]]]

"Wow, Mikasa, that's..." Krista stopped, not sure what to say to that exactly. "Impressive? I mean, I've been more focused on how each one sounds."

Mikasa nodded. "I've been wondering that," she said, glancing at Drei. "That's the one that gave me back the scarf."

Drei gave an awkward, toothy smile that would have terrified most people.

"Thank you, Eren," Mikasa said with a smile, fiddling with the red cloth idly.

[[[[You're welcome. I'm just sorry I took so long to let you know I was alive.]]]]

"He's sorry it took so long," Krista explained with a small smile.

"It's not your fault," Mikasa assured. "You couldn't exactly speak. And you were busy saving Trost," she mused absently. "It must have been hard, waking up like this."

[[...It really wasn't.]]

[It felt good, honestly.]

[[[Don't tell her that, Krista.]]]

Krista looked at him curiously before schooling her expression. "He caught on pretty quick," she supplied. She didn't exactly want to lie to her, but...Mikasa didn't need to start doubting that Eren even wanted to turn human again.

"I saw," Mikasa said with a frown. "Have you been okay with that madwoman poking and prodding at you?"

[[[Yes.]]]

[No!]

[[Mostly.]]

"He...has conflicting feelings, I think," Krista summarized with a raised eyebrow. "You mean, Section Commander Hange, right?"

"I'm not surprised you know her, given the circumstances," Mikasa said neutrally.

"I'm more acquainted with Captain Levi," Krista answered.

[The Runt.]

Krista chose to ignore that muttering from Eins. "He's been...helpful but blunt with his honesty. Since, you know, it's his job to...deal with the Shifter, if she becomes a problem," she said solemnly.

Mikasa's eyes softened. She couldn't imagine having to sit down and talk politely with someone whose job it was to kill Eren at the slightest mistake on his part.

"So, what did Hange do that...upset you so much, Mikasa?" Krista asked curiously.

[[She checked to see if we had an asshole.]]

Krista blinked hard. "I didn't need that image in my head," she said with wide eyes.

"She's also been rather eager to rip a piece of him off," Mikasa mused.

[[[It was one scale, Mikasa.]]]

"He has a point, I think," Krista commented. "I mean, he can regenerate right."

"You know he can, Krista, you saw it too, when he was pushing the boulder," Mikasa reminded, scowling up at the three heads. "Did you even know you could heal like that, from being injured that much?"

[[[[I knew how to run and bite. Everything else, I figured out as I went.]]]]

"That's a no," Krista answered, eyes looking between the soldier and the reptile.

Mikasa sighed. "It really is you. Reckless as ever," she said with a head shake.

She froze as she felt hot air blow over her. She raised her gaze to see Drei's snout just out of arm's reach, staring at her soulfully, apologetically.

Mikasa smiled as she reached out and ran a hand on the snout. "I know I said it before, but...I'm so happy you're here, Eren," she whispered with shimmering dark eyes.

Drei nuzzled against her, lightly, gently, prompting a chuckle from the strongest of the 104th. Mikasa glanced up at the other two heads. The middle one glanced away, feigning disinterest while the other grunted and turned his head away.

Still Eren indeed.

Krista smiled at the scene playing out before her. She wondered if she'd have some weirdly touching moment with Ymir in her Titan form one day.

It was bizzare thoughts like this that made her truly wonder what had become of the world recently.

Eventually, the two parted, and all three heads turned to Krista with varying degrees of gratitude.

[[[[Thanks, Historia.]]]]

"No problem," Krista said before blinking with an uncertain face.

"Is something a matter?" Mikasa asked with a frown.

"No, just thinking. Isn't it about time for the next group to show up though?" Krista asked curiously.

Mikasa scowled, not wanting to end this here, but a quick look at the sun told her that the blond had a point. "Connie and Sasha should be here soon."

"..." Krista raised an eyebrow. "Do they know that?"

Mikasa paused. She had made this change in teams at a rather last moment, so who knew. "I'll go check," Mikasa said with resignment

[[[[See you soon, Mikasa.]]]]

Mikasa smiled over her shoulder. "You too, Eren."

With that, she took off, gas shooting from her ODM gear.

Krista would have commented how sweet it was that Mikasa knew what Eren said without needing it translated, but she couldn't help frowning as she looked up at Eren. "How did you know that?"

[[[[Eh?]]]]

All three heads looked down at the small human in surprise.

[What are you on about?]

[[Know what?]]

[[[Be more specific?]]]

Krista sighed, leaning closer and trying to keep her voice down but audible. "You just called me Historia."

All the heads tilted and glanced at each other in confusion.

[[[[Yes, and?]]]]

"I go by Krista, remember?" she reminded.

[[[[Yeah, but it's not like anyone can hear me.]]]]

"No, Eren," Krista groaned, looking at him pointedly. "How do you know that name though?"

[[[[You told me!]]]]

"I did?" Krista said in bewilderment. "When did that happen?"

[[[[When we...]]]]]

All three heads suddenly froze with what could only be bewilderment on their scaly visages.

[The hell...?]

[[[But, I don't...]]]

[[Huh...]]

Krista gave him a very, very worried look. "Is...everything alright?"

The three heads frown as one, as Eren absently muttered four words to himself.

[[[[What am I remembering...?]]]]

Meanwhile

"Oi, brat, listen up."

"You don't have to shout, shrimp. You could hear a turd dropping in this place," Ymir pointed out, whipping her face of some crumbs, and placing her bowl on the stand.

"You're disgusting," Levi said flatly. "Now take this seriously. The first of your judges arrived early."

"Okay?" Ymir asked with a raised eyebrow. "I can't exactly make myself anymore presentable if that's your gripe."

"I'm giving you one warning. We're all on standing orders to kill you now if you do the slightest thing suspicious," Levi warned.

Ymir grimaced. "Not surprised. Guess you can't really be sure I'm telling anything real yet. Fine, I'll keep the sass to a minimum whenever I get to meet these people, and won't move too much. That help?"

"It should. Just remember, it might not just be your life on the line," Levi pointed out coldly.

"Walls, do you have to be such a bastard? I get it! I pull shit, Krista is the one in hot waters," Ymir said with a sigh. "So…how does this work? They coming down here to my lovely abodes to pass judgment or what?"

"Haven't the slightest clue," Levi answered.

Ymir frowned. "Just be honest with me. Do you believe me, or at least Krista? At all?"

"Your lovebird? Yeah. I buy that she's just been caught up in your bullshit without knowing it," Levi answered, staring down at her impassively. "You? I don't trust you to clean your own cell."

"Figures," Ymir accepted, relieved nonetheless.

"It doesn't have anything to do with you being a Titan," Levi stated, firm yet honest. "It's that look in your eye."

Ymir met his look with a scowl.

"You're loyal to that girl and nothing else. You'd snatch her up and run off alone if you thought it was a good idea," Levi elaborated. "You'd abandon every comrade you trained alongside. Right?"

Ymir didn't answer.

'Even if she wanted to stay by their sides, and risk dying," Levi continued.

"Yeah, I'm a selfish bitch," Ymir agreed venomously. "What of it?"

"That's all," Levi answered simply. "I can't trust you."

Ymir paused before nodding. "I didn't expect you to, honestly."

"You just want to make sure I trust Krista," Levi mused. "You can see why I don't buy you jumped on board with us, just like that."

It wasn't a question, and they knew it.

"It'll make sense in time, Captain Shrimp," Ymir answered with a careless wave of her hand. "You want something extra? My daily token of knowledge?"

"Either talk or I don't remind them to feed you later," Levi warned.

"Charming as ever," Ymir grunted. "This isn't helpful, but I'm sure Eyebrows will find it interesting."

Levi waited with calm impatience.

"Humor me for a second. You know how, before the wall came up, the world was filled with people of all kinds of..." Ymir paused to look thoughtful. "I don't even think you understand what "races" mean."

"I'm guessing not the sporting kind," Levi mused.

Ymir snorted in amusement. "No, hardly. It's a word to describe people of different heritages. Not like the noble shits though, I mean like people having different shades of skin and certain looks to their faces. Stuff like that."

"Another stupid way people make to divide themselves, got it," Levi mused. "What's your point?"

"Well, as far as I know, no one in the walls knows what you all called yourselves back then," Ymir explained.

Levi frowned. "I know something about this actually. People in the underground use to try to kidnap people of certain looks, rare ones," he said in thought. "So, wouldn't the people of the Walls be made of a lot of different of these "races?"

Ymir smirked. "Clever bastard. I think you know why it's mostly just one group though."

"The people that made the walls got priority. Both because they made them, and because they were closest," Levi speculated.

"A few generations later, and people of the less numerous races have married into the majority, and mostly bred themselves out in the process," Ymir summarized

"You're right. Interesting, but useless," Levi agreed with a hum. "Might as well as hear it though. What is it?"

Ymir smirked. "You're called Eldians, the people of Eldia."

Meanwhile

Rico frowned and stood on the curve of Trost's walls. The commanders had ordered more troops on the walls, and two of the elite scouts were watching over the entire thing; specifically, two that answered directly to Captain Levi…meaning that they, like her, were a few of those in the know, that the Golden Beast and Titan Shifter were both cadets of the 104th. She wasn't sure why she was trusted with that information, but she also didn't really care to discover the reason. She was more concerned with what she didn't know, two in particular.

One was the death of Captain Kitz Woermann.

He wasn't very inspiring as a leader, she knew. But for all his fearful nature, she respected him enough to follow his lead. And now it fell to her to deliver the news to his wife and child, to tell them why he'd never return home again. If nothing else, she wanted to be able to tell them why. And tell them he had been...brave, for once, in trusting the creature that had saved Trost.

But something about his death didn't make sense? Kitz Woermann had been terrified of dying. To find him sitting peacefully in the chair, bleeding out from a missing leg? No, she knew the man would have tried to stop the bleeding and use his gear to rush back to the safety of Wall Rose or lost consciousness trying. And how had he even gotten so far from the battle?

Maybe she was overthinking it. Maybe she just wanted his death to mean more than just an unlucky chance of fate on that fateful day.

The second, more current mystery on her mind was what had the Scouts so spooked.

Officially, they were doing this because there was going to be a...meeting between "Trips" and some noble sent by the government, to pass judgment on both creatures, Beast and Titan. And that made perfect logical sense. They had to at minimum appear that they, in theory, could deal with Yeager if he turned on them. Having two elites at his only possible escape exit certainly would fit that.

So, why were these elite scouts glancing outside the walls instead of inside them?

It could just be their nature, keeping an eye on the Titans, and wondering if the Colossal or Armored Titans might reappear.

But then, there were no Titans out there. Something she had noted with a troubled look. Most soldiers were too focused on what was happening within the walls, treating the scaly creature like some great spectacle to distract themselves with. But some, like her, had noticed the strange lack of Titans. Something had to have either lured them away or killed them. And in either case, it had to have happened at night. When Titans were vulnerable and nobody could see what was going on.

And, if she was right, when Yeager had a horn blown off.

Something else was going on, and Rico didn't like it.

There were only two clear possibilities. Either the Armored Titan, or another Shifter entirely, or it was something similar to what Yeager had become. Those were the only things she knew of that could, perhaps, take down many Titans in one night.

If it was a Shifter, that was bad. It meant their enemies were on the move. If it was another creature, that was an unknown. Almost worse in a way than an enemy.

A glint caught her eye, drawing her attention back to Trost. The golden beast was on the move again, heading towards the gate of Wall Rose.

She hoped Yeager made a good first impression.

Meanwhile

"Okay, Eren, remember! Be careful with literally everything you do!" Hange said loudly. "We somehow lucked out and got one of the more pleasant nobles."

Zwei gave her a skeptical glance while Drei nodded, Eins not deigning to acknowledge her. He was currently walking at a steady pace, Hange and Armin moving at a slight run atop the roofs to keep up with him, with Connie and Sasha running behind them. They were headed to the inner gate, where there was supposedly a noble wanting to meet him.

All three of his heads had differing mixed feelings about that prospect.

"Ma'am, no offense, but didn't you say that this was a formality at this point?" Sasha asked with a frown.

"They're not going to try and provoke or kill him," Armin reasoned with a frown. "But the more goodwill we have, the fewer obstacles we'll have in the future when we need...anything approved regarding E-Trips."

"So, we don't want to give them a reason to fuck with us later, right?" Connie summarized.

"That's the long and short!" Hange said with a grin.

"So why is he/she coming?" Sasha and Connie asked, nodding to each other. "Hey!"

"Settle down, you can argue later!" Armin pleaded before glancing up at Eren's massive form.

Even as a human, Eren often didn't make the best first impressions. However, it was almost impossible for him to put his foot in his mouth if he couldn't speak; hence why the commanders were keeping Krista a secret for now. Honestly, it was probably best if most people didn't know what Eren's angry right head was often saying.

So lost in thought, Armin missed a broken shingle, his foot slipping under him as he fell.

The golden giant stopped suddenly, Drei turning with a call of concern towards Armin, the other two heads looking to the blonde patiently.

"Hey, Armin, you okay?" Connie asked, helping his friend up with a hand under his arm.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Armin assured with a sigh.

"Armin," Hange spoke up. "This woman and the others coming know that he was a human cadet. If we need to convince them that he's more than "not a threat" and actually an ally, we're going to have to rely on you."

"On me?" Armin asked in surprise.

"You know him best after Mikasa. And while she's an excellent soldier, it's obvious to anyone that she's not skilled in words. Not the way we need at least," Hange pointed out. "You, however, were able to convince a captain to take a risk on him even before knowing who Trips really is."

Connie almost snorted as he noticed Eren's heads all nodding in agreement. Mikasa was precise and blunt with her words usually, but swaying over skeptical officials? That was outside her expertise.

"But how could I-" Armin said doubtfully, only to be cut off by a loud grunt from Eren.

The three-headed being was giving him three identical stares. Something like a smirk, as if he had complete confidence and faith in Armin's abilities. The heads all slowly nodded before turning to begin walking again.

"Well, I'd say he believes in you, Armin," Sasha said with a grin, patting him on a back.

"Come on, we keep them waiting anymore, and they might think something went wrong," Hange warned with a good-natured smile.

Meanwhile

Erwin stood in the street of Trost, not far from the gate. He was here with Levi, Pixis, Petra, Eld, Anka, and Gustav as they flanked Frieda. A few other soldiers were watching nearby. It was a delicate balance, looking like they didn't blindly trust "Trips" while not appearing too cautious of him. Taking Frieda's protection seriously without implying she needed protection from their new ally.

"Are you sure you don't need a seat, Ma'am?" Gustav inquired politely.

Frieda smiled, tapping her walking stick. "Oh, I can manage to be on my feet for a while. The ride here was more of a strain than this."

"If you don't mind me asking, Madam, but why did you ride ahead?" Pixis inquired, offering her a drink from his flask.

Frieda surprised a few of them by taking it and taking a brief swig. "You have good taste, Commander," she praised to Anka's disappointment and Pixis's amusement. "And because I'd rather be in more pain and sore for a few hours than less pain for another whole day."

"Hey," Levi spoke up, nodding down the street. "He's coming."

They saw some figures in the air on ODM gear first, likely Hange and the others…then, the main event.

In hindsight, Erwin realized there was no way to make Eren's approach less intimidating, especially from ground level. A soft rumbling on the earth as three giant heads suddenly emerged from a street, their scaly snouts turning towards them with green eyes locked on them. The large creature walked towards them, the tails mindful of the buildings. Closer and closer Eren drew, and Erwin could see the unease on Anka and Gustav' appearances. They had never been up close like this…

But as the three-headed beast came to a halt, Erwin couldn't help noticing the utter lack of reaction on Frieda's face. She was just...smiling; almost intrigued it appeared while looking up at the Titan-Killer.

The three heads leaned down. Not all the way, not too much to be intimidated by the sets of giant teeth or the breath exhaling from the mouths and noses. Just enough to make it clear they had his attention.

He was doing as well as Erwin could have possibly hoped.

"Lady Frieda!" Hange spoke up as she landed between them and Eren. "May I introduce this beautiful, golden bastard that we affectionately call Trips. Trips, this is Frieda," Hange introduced, waving from one to the other.

All three heads nodded in greeting, keeping their reactions in sync and neutral.

"It's a pleasure, "Trips,"" she said with a chuckle. "You've caused quite the stir in the walls."

That seemed to surprise Eren, his three heads glancing at one another before looking to the Commanders and Hange curiously, Zwei to Erwin, Drei to Hange and Eins to Pixis.

"Oh, I suppose you didn't bother to tell him?" Frieda asked with a chuckle, glancing over her shoulder.

"We've been a bit distracted," Hange answered with a shrug.

"I'm not surprised," Frieda accepted, looking up as the three heads refocused on her. "Everyone is talking of the Golden Beast that slew the Titans and saved Trost. Some fear you, thinking you might be something even more dangerous and terrible than the Titans. But most people in Rose and Senna are treating you like some great miracle from the heavens, a savior to strike down the Titans. It's actually becoming a problem for the Church of the Walls."

Everyone tensed when Eren's left most head did something resembling a snort.

"Yes, that's about how I feel," Frieda pretended to whisper with a conspiratorial smile. "People are desperate for something to believe in. And the Church, being them, is already trying to denounce you as something befouling the walls."

There was the slightest change in Eren's facial expressions.

'But enough about that," Frieda said. "I'll keep this simple, "Trips:" Do you want to help the people of the walls still, in reclaiming Wall Maria?"

The three heads all rose higher as if standing at attention while nodding distinctly. One nod was aggressive and the other was eager, while the middle was measured.

"Good," Frieda said. "But you know, given that you exist at all, there are probably other things out there, more dangerous than Titans. We can barely hold up against the Titans. Do you think you'll be up to the task, of fighting off greater monsters like you?"

Everyone watched Eren intently, cautiously. All at once, he seemed to sneer as one of his tails crept to the front, putting more than a few of them on edge until...

The tail's club in was placed over his chest. Erwin smiled, realizing it was a salute.

A better answer probably didn't exist in Eren's situation.

End of Chapter

Honestly this was mostly Frieda's chapter, making you all wonder what the hell is going on with her. But than, of course, there is the Eren's moment with Krista, or rather, Historia. Good luck guessing what is going on there.

Still, everything is coming together, and trust me, I have something special planned for the trial. XP Until next time!

Early viewing of chapters 16-17 avaliable on my pat-reon:

p a treon . com (slash) akumakami64