Titanic Secuity
The ship rocked gently as it anchored, the creaking of the ropes blending with the bustling sounds of the port. Eren's wide eyes darted everywhere, taking in the sight of the massive vessels docked, their sails towering like colossal wings. Workers shouted orders and hauled crates, the air alive with the scent of salt and fish. It was chaotic yet mesmerizing.
She barely noticed when Zeke slipped a large coat over her shoulders, its oversized hood nearly swallowing her head. "What's this for?" she asked, wriggling to pull it off.
Zeke grabbed her hands gently but firmly, stopping her. "You don't want to draw attention, do you?" His voice was calm, but his tone left little room for argument.
"What attention? I didn't do anything," she muttered, her irritation plain.
"You're new here, Eren," Zeke said smoothly, leaning closer. "Trust me, people don't take kindly to strangers. Just keep it on for now, okay?"
Reluctantly, she huffed and stopped fidgeting with the coat, though she still tugged at the hood as it brushed her face uncomfortably.
As they disembarked, Eren's senses were overwhelmed. The port was a hive of activity, filled with smells of fresh fish, wet wood, and something faintly metallic. Foreign voices mixed into a language she didn't fully recognize. Her head swiveled in every direction, trying to absorb everything at once.
Zeke stayed close, ushering her toward a narrow alley. They walked briskly, avoiding the main streets, until they reached a dimly lit warehouse tucked away near the docks.
Eren hesitated at the entrance. "Why are we here? This place looks abandoned," she said, eyeing the cracked wood and rusted hinges.
"It's safer this way," Zeke replied, opening the door. The inside was sparse but not entirely empty—barrels and crates were stacked neatly along the walls. "The locals aren't exactly used to foreigners," he added, his tone measured.
"What?" Eren's brows furrowed. "Why not? I didn't think Marley cared about stuff like that."
Zeke sighed and rested a hand on her shoulder. "It's complicated. But don't worry, you're with me. Just keep your head down for now, and everything will be fine."
Eren wasn't entirely convinced but nodded anyway. The air inside the warehouse felt heavy, and a chill ran down her spine. Something about the way Zeke avoided her gaze left her uneasy. But before she could press further, he stepped away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Eren waited. And waited. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as she sat alone in the dimly lit warehouse. The faint scent of saltwater drifted in from the window, a reminder of the vast ocean just beyond. She peered outside, her gaze fixed on the horizon where ships bobbed gently on the waves.
Her chest tightened. If only Armin and Mikasa could've seen this, she thought. Armin would have rambled on about maritime engineering, and Mikasa… Mikasa would've just stood there, silently awed but protective.
The creak of the door pulled her from her thoughts. Zeke entered, but he wasn't alone. A group of soldiers followed, their faces stern and their weapons gleaming. Eren instinctively flinched, her body pressing back against the wall.
"Relax," Zeke said, raising a hand in what was supposed to be a calming gesture. "They're just here for protocol. You're not in any danger."
Eren's eyes darted between the soldiers and Zeke. Protocol? The last time she'd heard that word, it had been during her first trial as a Titan shifter. Memories of shackles and cold stares flashed through her mind. This must be the Marleyan version of that, she thought bitterly.
One soldier stepped forward, cuffs in hand. They were heavy, reinforced with intricate mechanisms she couldn't comprehend. When they clicked around her wrists, it felt like her freedom was being drained away, link by link.
They placed a strange mouthpiece over her lips, securing it tightly. She frowned, the contraption uncomfortable and alien. "What's this for?" she mumbled through the restraint.
"So you don't bite your tongue," Zeke replied nonchalantly, as if that explained everything.
The soldiers led her outside to a metallic carriage. Its sleek body gleamed under the midday sun, and it rumbled with life despite having no horses attached.
"Awesome," Eren whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "Section Commander Hange would kill to see one of these things."
The ride through the bustling city was like stepping into another world. The streets were lined with well-dressed people, their outfits so refined they reminded her of the elites inside Wall Sina. Vendors called out to passersby, selling items Eren couldn't even begin to name. She pressed her face to the window, taking it all in.
"Is that a… shoe shop?" she exclaimed, her excitement spilling over. "And that guy… he's just cutting someone's hair in public? Is that a—" Her voice trailed off as her eyes landed on a building with a bright red sign and scantily clad figures loitering near the entrance. She blinked. "Ah, some things don't change."
Zeke chuckled softly from across the carriage, though his expression remained guarded.
"What's that?" Eren suddenly pointed, her eyes lighting up as a boy walked past with a colorful mound of something in a cone.
Zeke followed her gaze. "That's ice cream."
"Ice cream…" she repeated slowly, the unfamiliar word rolling off her tongue. Her mouth watered at the sight.
Before she could ask for some, the carriage came to an abrupt halt outside a towering military facility. The soldiers led her into the stark, imposing building, its cold walls a stark contrast to the vibrant streets outside.
They brought her to a holding chamber, its metal walls humming faintly. The room was sterile, devoid of any comfort.
"Wait here," Zeke instructed, his voice clipped. Without waiting for her response, he turned and left, the door locking behind him with a resounding clang.
Eren sat down on the lone bench in the room, the silence pressing down on her like a weight. Her mind churned, questions and unease swirling together. She was here now, but for what? And what was Zeke really planning?
Û~Û
Eren paced in the holding cell, her gaze drifting to the small window as she tried to ignore the silence pressing in. When the blonde-haired boy and redheaded girl appeared outside her cell, she brightened, eager to break the monotony.
"Hello!" she called out, waving. "Can you tell me where Zeke is?"
The boy froze as though caught in a spotlight, his blue eyes wide with unease. The girl gave her a look—a mixture of disgust and confusion, like a child encountering a bug for the first time.
Eren's hand slowly dropped. The tension was palpable. Why are there kids in a military facility? she wondered. Are they privates? Do their parents work here?
And why were they staring at her like that? Her chest tightened. Do they know I'm a shifter? Zeke had assured her she was safe, but these kids looked at her like she was some kind of monster.
Before she could press further, a woman entered. Dressed in a crisp black and white outfit, she carried an air of authority. "You two," the woman said firmly, her voice sharp. "Out."
The children hesitated but eventually left, the boy casting one last nervous glance at Eren before disappearing down the hall.
Eren sighed, shaking her head. Kids could be weird sometimes.
The woman stepped closer and held out a bundle of clothing—a plain brown gown, unremarkable but clean. "Change into this."
Eren blinked. "Uh, okay, but… can you at least tell me where Zeke is? Or what's going on?"
The woman said nothing. Her face remained unreadable, her silence frustratingly stoic.
Eren sighed, resigned. "Fine, whatever."
But when she reached for the gown, the woman didn't move. She just stood there, arms crossed, waiting.
"Um…" Eren hesitated. "You're just gonna… stand there?"
"Yes," the woman said simply.
"I can't change with you here!" Eren exclaimed, her cheeks flushing.
The woman arched an eyebrow. "Why not? We're both women. Unless…" She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing. "You have something to hide?"
Eren's heart skipped a beat. Panic bubbled beneath the surface. How do I even begin to explain this? She swallowed hard, forcing a laugh. "It's just… it's weird, okay? Privacy, ever heard of it?"
The woman didn't budge.
Eren bit her lip, clenching the gown tightly. She couldn't tell them the truth—not here, not now. "Look, I'll change. Just turn around, alright?"
After a tense moment, the woman sighed and turned her back. "Make it quick."
Eren's hands shook as she undressed, the humiliation prickling her skin. She hurriedly pulled the gown over her head, its rough fabric scratching against her arms.
"I'm done," she muttered.
The woman turned back, her expression as unreadable as ever. Without a word, she nodded and left, locking the door behind her.
Eren slumped onto the bench, burying her face in her hands. This was just the beginning, she realised. And somehow, it already felt like too much.
Û~Û
The door to the holding chamber creaked open, and Zeke stepped in, his expression calm but carrying a subtle urgency. "Come on," he said, gesturing for Eren to follow.
She stood, tugging at the uncomfortable fabric of the brown gown she'd been forced to wear, but she followed him without protest. The hallways were sterile and unwelcoming, their coldness amplified by the silence that echoed around them.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice tentative.
"To a place where you'll be staying," Zeke replied, not slowing his pace.
They walked for what felt like hours, the monotony broken only when Zeke led her into a dimly lit, ancient-looking building—a church. The smell of old wood and incense filled the air. At the far end of the hall stood the black-dressed woman who had given Eren the gown earlier. Her face was as unreadable as ever, her posture rigid and composed.
Zeke guided Eren toward her. "You'll be staying with her for now," he said.
Eren hesitated, her eyes darting between Zeke and the woman. "Um… I'm Eren Yeager," she offered, her voice slightly uncertain.
The woman didn't respond. She didn't even blink, her cold gaze cutting through Eren.
Zeke cleared his throat. "She is Lara Tybur," he said, his tone soft but firm, as though trying to reassure Eren.
Eren's breath caught in her throat. The name sounded vaguely familiar, though she couldn't place it. Something about her presence felt heavy, suffocating.
Zeke placed a hand on Eren's shoulder. "The authorities will look into your case. I'll make sure of it."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone with Lara Tybur. Eren swallowed hard, trying to calm the unease curling in her stomach.
Lara finally spoke, her voice calm and precise. "You'll find your quarters through that door." She gestured toward a side room, her movements sharp and deliberate.
Eren nodded, though her unease remained. She didn't know what awaited her, but one thing was clear—she was far from home.
Û~Û
Author Note: Uh-oh. Without Mikasa, Eren could never defeat the Hammerhead Titan…
Eren, rest in one piece, please.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Do drop your thoughts in the review section.
PS:
It's my birthday, I can't throw a party, but hey, what better way to celebrate than with a new story?
I published a new story: Thousands Of Spells Away. It's a crossover between 'Naruto' and 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End'. Go and check it out!
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