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The Empire of Titans Chapter 23 (The Truth of Humanity)
🕑 Added 2023-01-17 20:46:45 +0000 UTCErwin Smith
Erwin was lost in a deep slumber when he felt a forceful shaking that jolted him back to reality. Groggy and disoriented, he instinctively reached out and grabbed the wrist of the person who was disturbing his peaceful sleep. As he blinked his eyes open, he was met with the enveloping darkness of the room, with only a flickering candle flame casting eerie shadows across the walls. The dim light made it difficult for Erwin to discern the identity of the person he had grabbed.
"Hange?" Erwin said, a little confused after a moment of silence, barely making out the details of her face due to the dim light in the room; only now he noticed that his grip around her wrist was a bit too tight.
A moment of silence passed before Erwin spoke again, this time with a little more urgency, "What is happening?" He let go of her wrist, feeling a twinge of guilt as he saw the faint red marks left by his fingers. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he moved away the blankets covering him and sat up, his eyes searching Hange's face for an answer.
"I'm sorry for waking you up at such a late hour, but Levi called a meeting saying it was of the highest importance and to wake you up," Hange explained; as she continued to speak, Hange's attention was momentarily diverted as she began to massage her aching wrist.
Erwin's heart fluttered in his chest, the sudden announcement of a meeting with Levi causing him to become immediately alert. The commander knew that Levi wouldn't call a meeting without a very good reason; in fact, he had never called one before. Erwin's drowsiness vanished instantly, replaced by a surge of energy coursing through his veins. He sprang from his bed, his eyes scanning the room for his uniform. Spotting it hanging on the head of a nearby chair, he reached out and snatched it up, feeling the familiar weight of the fabric in his hands. As he dressed, his thoughts raced with the possibilities of what this meeting could be about, his mind whirring with plans and strategies.
"Why is he calling this meeting?" Erwin questioned sharply, not facing her as he wore his uniform.
As Hange stood there holding the candelabra in her right hand, she tried her best to explain the situation to Erwin, "I don't know what it is about. He only said that it was of great importance and that Mike would be there too." As she spoke, her voice was filled with uncertainty and confusion, which made Erwin smile inwardly.
He knew that Hange was always eager to learn and understand everything that was happening around her, but this time, it seemed like even she was clueless. Erwin walked towards the window and looked outside, trying to gauge the time of night. The darkness outside was enveloping, and the only sound that could be heard was the gentle rustling of the leaves in the wind. Erwin assumed that it was around 3 AM, but he didn't need to wait until Mike was woken up to know that this was something out of the ordinary. The fact that Mike was being summoned at such an ungodly hour only added to the mystery.
Erwin stood tall and confident in his uniform, his eyes fixed on Hange. "Very well, lead the way, Hange," he said in his deep and commanding voice, his tone revealing his unwavering faith in her. With a nod of her head, Hange took the lead, her boots clacking on the stone floor as she escorted Erwin from his quarters to the prestigious Commander's room in the heart of the Survey Corps HQ.
As Erwin strolled through the corridor towards his office, he couldn't help but feel his heart pounding in his chest with a mix of anticipation and nerves. As a seasoned commander, he had been in high-pressure situations before, but there was something about this meeting that made his adrenaline surge. Despite the rush of emotions, Erwin remained stoic, his facial expression giving nothing away. He knew the importance of maintaining composure, especially in moments like these, where the outcome could mean the difference between success and failure.
Erwin's heart began to race as he surveyed his surroundings, taking note of the eerie silence that enveloped him, broken only by the soft flicker of the dim light emanating from the large candelabra scattered around the corners of the building and attached to the walls, casting long shadows on the empty space around him, emphasizing the stark emptiness and stillness of the place.
Erwin led the way up the grand staircase towards the spacious Commander's office, his footsteps echoing against the walls as Hange followed closely behind. As they ascended, Erwin turned his head slightly towards Hange and inquired, "Hange, who is part of this meeting?"
"Levi, Mike, me, you, and five cadets from the Training Corps," Hange informed him while adjusting her glasses. Erwin listened intently as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. He wondered if the trap had worked.
As they made their way down the hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoed against the walls, filling the silence that had enveloped them. The tension was palpable, and Erwin couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as they approached the door. Hange reached for the handle, and with a soft click, the door swung open, revealing the dimly lit office space beyond. Erwin stepped inside, his eyes quickly adjusting to the low light. As he looked around, he couldn't help but notice the two figures standing in the corner, their bodies clad in the sleek and deadly ODM Gear that they had all grown accustomed to using in their line of work. Despite the surprise of seeing Levi and Mike in full gear, Erwin couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him.
Sitting around the round table of his office were who he assumed to be the five cadets who, the moment they heard the door open, As he entered the room, the cadets quickly stood up from their seats in unison, their eyes fixed on him as they turned to salute him respectfully.
Erwin eyed each of them closely. He didn't know any of them but figured he would soon know them.
One of them has a boyish face, with large hazel eyes and a small pointed nose, which is distinctly a bit red. His blond hair is styled in a long undercut with bangs over his entire forehead. He has noticeable defined eyebrows and sideburns, indicating his age. His frame is relatively small and lacking in muscle, but not the definition.
The second was a tall, slender young woman with short, shaggy black hair parted down the middle. She had deeply intimidating gray eyes and freckles on her cheeks. Her hair was usually kept in a low ponytail with a white tie.
Wearing the uniform of her faction with a dark v-neck underneath. Erwin noted that she was keeping the blonde girl close to her.
The third was a petite young woman and the smallest person in the office, even shorter than Levi! She has long blonde hair, large blue eyes, and a heart-shaped face.
The fourth cadet was a fairly tall and well-toned woman. She has pale skin, gray eyes, and shaggy black hair cut to chin-length.
She was wearing the Cadet Corps uniform, with a white blouse underneath and a red scarf.
The fifth cadet was a young man of average height and muscular build. He has a reasonably long, rounded face and sizable, expressive green eyes. His hair is short and black, and his bangs fall in a natural, middle-parted, curtain-type style.
He was wearing typical townsfolk attire that consisted of brown trousers, a green shirt with string tassels at the collar, a reddish-brown coat, and simple brown shoes.
Erwin did not comment. Instead, his eyes turned to Levi, who was eyeing the young cadets carefully.
As Erwin strolled up to the front of the round table, a long square window made of wood with an intricately shaped handle behind him. Turning his attention to Levi, he posed the question in a calm yet curious tone, "Levi, might I be informed what was so important that it couldn't wait until the morning?" His mind was racing with thoughts of what could be so pressing that it required a meeting at this late hour.
"Yes, we did as you asked; during the training, the titan reacted when Cadet Ymir approached it. He spoke her name, 'Lady Ymir,'" Levi explained, Erwin's eyes went to the tall girl who, despite his gaze, didn't look that much affected, but Erwin quickly noted that the boy with green eyes and the girl wearing the scarf were the ones most calm. Despite being in the room and being questioned, they didn't seem nervous or anxious.
Erwin did not comment again but noted that Hange didn't react to this information. It seems she already knew this. Erwin waited for Levi to continue his explanation.
"After the Titan reacted, we waited until night came not to draw attention. We found these five brats talking in the forest. I couldn't quite hear what they were saying, but Cadet Eren Yeager made a comment about telling something to you, that's when I decided to reveal myself to him, and then he told me that he needed to talk with you and to reveal the truth of the world." Levi finished his explanation, his eyes going from Erwin to Eren.
Erwin's eyes widened in astonishment for a fleeting moment, his pupils dilating as if trying to capture the enormity of the situation. Still, then his expression reverted to its usual calm demeanor, concealing the tempestuous emotions that were raging inside him like wildfire, threatening to consume him completely. Although his countenance remained stoic, his heart was beating wildly, fueling the flames of passion that had been ignited within him.
His eyes looked over at Eren, who, despite having the attention on him from everyone else, looked completely calm and collected.
"What are your names, cadets?" Erwin commanded.
"Krista Lenz,"
"Ymir,"
"Armin Arlert from Shiganshina."
"Mikasa Ackerman from Shiganshina."
"Eren Yeager from Shiganshina."
Hearing their names, Erwin remembered the ones from Shiganshina were the same three kids Levi Squad had encountered in the forest a few months after the fall of Shiganshina. Erwin knew this wasn't just pure coincidence; sitting down, he gestured for everyone else to sit.
As Levi took his seat to the right of the room, Hange settled on his left side, clutching a notepad and pencil in her hands, her eyes eagerly scanning the young cadets. Meanwhile, Mike stood casually against the wall, his hawk-like gaze trained intently on the five cadets who had just taken their seats across from the trio. As the cadets settled in, Erwin, their commanding officer, crossed his fingers in front of his face, a silent signal that the briefing was about to begin.
Observing them carefully, Erwin quickly noticed that Eren had a small cut on his hand which had been left unattended. The dried blood around the wound indicated it had happened a while ago, but the cut was still fresh and open. As he continued to observe the cadets, he couldn't help but notice that Cadet Armin had a tiny cut on his thumb, and he saw that Cadet Mikasa had a small cut on her lower lip.
"Well, Cadet Yeager, you said you have information about the world's truth. We are all ears." Erwin started, his gaze directed at the young Cadet, who cleared his throat first.
"When Shiganshina fell. I was there when the Colossal Titan showed up. I can still see his skinless face staring down at us. When he broke the gate, one of the many rocks fell into my house. I watched my mom getting eaten in front of me. My father found me that night. He told me the truth that he's from outside the walls." Eren started, earning shocked looks and looks of pity from Hange but mixed with excitement.
Erwin's voice barely contained his excitement as he questioned Levi, "Outside the walls?" His calm facade was slipping, revealing the thrill that coursed through his veins at the mere thought of what lay beyond the confines of their safe haven. Levi couldn't help but notice the glint in Erwin's eyes.
"Yes, my father had a basement back at home. Since I remember myself, he always told me never to enter it, saying one day he would show me what was inside." Eren answered with a nod before pulling out the key from his pocket and laying it in front of Erwin, who inspected it for a few moments before his attention turned to Eren.
"After the fall of Shiganshina, he found me and brought me to the woods. He told me what he had hidden in the basement; he told me that two millennia ago, a girl named Ymir made contact with what he called 'The Source of All Life,' or maybe 'the Devil,' no one knows anymore, once she made contact, she became the first Titan in History." Eren said.
Levi's eyes widened in disbelief as he heard Eren's words, causing everyone around him to turn and stare in shock. Even the usually stoic Erwin couldn't help but crack a smile, his lips twitching up in amusement. It was a revelation that went against everything they had been taught about the Titans and their arrival, and it left them all reeling with a mixture of confusion and intrigue. As they tried to make sense of the situation, Levi found himself struggling to keep his composure, while Erwin seemed to relish in the unexpected turn of events.
Hange wanted to ask but kept her mouth shut for now, knowing the cadet would reveal it.
"Ymir could return to her human form. With that power in her hand, she fought for her people, Eldians. The King of Eldians, knowing Ymir's power could be exploited, used her to fight wars. Eldian territory spread far and wide, conquering everything in their way. Eventually, King Fritz married Ymir, and they had three daughters, Maria, Rose, and Sina." The Scouts and the commander noticed that their names were the names of the walls.
Eren then explained the rest of the story, how Ymir's Titan had split into nine Titans and how Eldians had used them for five centuries until they found out about the ability to turn every Eldian into a Pure Titan that is mindless and only eats people. Before he could go on- "Wait?!" Hange interrupted him with a pale face. Eren noticed that even Captain Levi looked shocked but was better at hiding it.
"Pure Titans? Are you saying that all the Titans outside the walls are these pure Titans, and they had been once humans?" Hange questioned. Her pencil, which had been scribbling furiously in her notepad, suddenly slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor. The silence in the room was deafening as Eren's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of their implications.
With a deep sigh, Eren looked down at his hands. "It's true," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "They were once like us."
Hange's breathing became increasingly rapid, her chest heaving with each inhale as she slowly lowered her gaze to her lap, her hands trembling with anxiety. Despite Mike's stoic demeanor, it was evident that he was deeply disturbed by the words he just heard. Leaning heavily against the wall, his eyes darted around the room.
Levi stood there, his mind whirling with confusion and disbelief as he tried to process what he had just heard. The shock was evident on his face as he looked at Eren, his eyes wide with shock at the realization that he had been living a lie all this time. "So you are saying that I have been flying around and killing people all this time when I thought I was helping humanity?" he questioned, his voice laced with disbelief and anger.
"You did them a favor." Ymir cuts in, and her voice makes the scouts turn to look at her. Levi looked at her, waiting for her to explain herself.
"I was a Pure Titan for sixty years, is Hell, and one that you can't wake up from," Ymir added with an emotionless voice. Krista and Eren reached out and gently grabbed Ymir's hand, sending a subtle message of support and understanding. Ymir, who had been feeling uneasy and anxious, immediately felt a sense of comfort and reassurance from the touch of her friend's hands. Her words seemed to make Levi feel better, which raised questions.
"Wait, You were a Titan? Please Tell me h-" She barely had time to finish her sentence before Levi cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Calm down, Four-eyes," he said, his voice laced with irritation as he forced her back into her seat with a gentle but firm hand.
Eren then explained how a hundred years ago, Karl Fritz feeling ashamed of what Eldian people had done to the world for hundreds of years, decided to end his own empire, first by starting conflicts amongst each other to ensure that a War would start between Eldians, during the war, he and a good part of his people fled to an island. Eren then explained how he used the power of The Founding Titan to turn a million Eldians into Colossal Titans and, using their hardening ability, to create the three walls.
As Mike leaned forward, his eyes widened with shock as he interrupted Eren, "You mean?" he asked. Eren nodded, confirming Mike's worst fears.
"Yes," Eren replied, "the walls are full of Colossal Titans, and they remain dormant to this day." At this revelation, the three scouts and Commander Erwin felt a shiver run down their spines as they stared at the towering walls surrounding them.
They couldn't help but wonder what would happen if those Titans were to awaken from their slumber.
"Once the walls were built, the King erased the memories of every Eldian inside the walls, making everyone believe that the rest of Humanity was eaten by the Titans," Eren said. This made Erwin look down at his hands, with a bright smile forming on his face. This took everyone by surprise, even Levi.
Levi's eyes widened in disbelief and confusion as he stared at their commander's face, trying to decipher the meaning behind his smile.
"What the hell is that smile?" Levi questioned, his voice laced with astonishment. Standing beside him, Hange and Mike exchanged curious glances, eagerly awaiting a response from their leader.
"My father was right after all, he had a theory that our memories had been stolen from us, and now I'm- happy to know that he was right," Erwin explained, knowing that what they had been told was nothing to be happy about, his three scouts glanced at each other before turning to look at Eren.
Eren then explained how Marley treated Eldians, how Marley had spread propaganda for a century that Paradis is full of devils, and that every time Eldians are punished in Marley, they are sent to Paradis and turn into Pure Titans.
Eren then explained how his own father had been sent to Paradis and that four years ago, he had confronted the true king of the Walls.
"True King?" Erwin questioned sharply.
"Yes, the true king is Family Reiss. The true king right now is Rod Reiss." Eren explained with a frown.
Erwin's sharp eyes caught a subtle flinch from Cadet Krista at the mention of the name Rod Reiss. However, he was not the only one who noticed this reaction. Levi, the squad captain, also picked up on her sudden movement and narrowed his piercing gaze in her direction as if trying to decipher the reason behind her discomfort.
Eren then explained how his father had eaten the holder of the Founding Titan and then turned him into a Pure Titan, which led to him having the Attack and Founding Titan.
"Wait, so that you can turn into a Titan?!!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the room. Her excitement was palpable, and her smile stretched from ear to ear. Eren, on the other hand, felt his face flush with embarrassment as Hange got into his personal space.
Eren, feeling a little embarrassed by the attention, shrank away from her, hoping to put some distance between them. But Hange was undeterred and continued to close the gap between them, her curiosity piqued. As she got closer, Mikasa shot her a withering glare, warning her to back off. But Hange seemed oblivious to Mikasa's displeasure and pressed on, eager to learn more. "Yes," Eren said quietly, his embarrassment growing by the second.
"My God, Please Show Me. I Want to" "Calm down, Four eyes." Levi said, annoyed, grabbing her shoulder and forcing her back to her place before turning his attention back to Eren.
"You said that the Founding Titan can control all Titans if that's the case. Why haven't you acted already?" Levi asked sharply, earning a glare from Cadet Ackerman, but he ignored her existence, wanting an explanation from Eren.
Eren seeing the tension as clear as day, quickly explained how Karl Fritz's vow stopped any Eldian with Royal Blood from using the Founding Titan to make things better and that his father didn't know how to use the Founder since he didn't have Royal Blood.
"I can use my Attack Titan, but I'm afraid my Founding Titan is off-limits right now." Eren finished his explanation. He could see the evident anger in their eyes, especially Erwin and Levi but not directed at him.
"To think that the king all this time wanted all of us to get slaughtered. All those deaths..." Mike murmured to himself. He clenched his teeth and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to make sense of the senseless tragedy that had befallen their people. All around him, he could see the faces of those he had loved and lost - friends, family, and even strangers who had become like family in the face of the Titans' relentless onslaught. Each memory was like a dagger to his heart.
Out of nowhere, Hange suddenly exclaimed, "I need some tea!" Her fondness for tea was quite uncommon, and she would only drink it on occasions when she wanted to spend time with Levi since he never sipped anything else. However, at this very moment, with all the new information she had just been told, she felt as if her head was about to detach from her neck. The tea was not just a beverage but a source of comfort and a way to calm her racing thoughts.
"Very well." Erwin agreed.
The aroma of the fragrant tea leaves filled the air as she carefully poured the brew into each cup, taking care not to spill a drop. A gentle breeze wafted through the open window, rustling the curtains and carrying with it the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Half an hour later, each with a warm cup of tea in front of them. Levi, always the first to dive in, reached for his cup and took a long sip, savoring the rich flavor of the tea.
After five minutes of silence between them, all the scouts were busy thinking about everything they had been told.
Erwin leaned back on his chair, gazing at the person in front of him with an expression of genuine interest. "Now, while I believe every word you said," he began slowly, "I would like to know if you have any proof?" His voice was calm and measured, a reflection of the tea's soothing effects on his nerves. As he placed the porcelain cup gently on the table, he couldn't help but remember how many times Levi drank tea, who often relied on the beverage to calm himself before making any important decisions.
Eren didn't answer; he simply showed the wound on his hand, and they all saw it heal with steam.
"Steam!"
"Like a Titan,"
Erwin smiled. It seemed their chances of survival weren't that low. After drinking his tea, Armin explained how he believed that The Colossal and The Armour Titan had infiltrated the Walls and that their first objective should be to capture them.
"There's something else we must discuss," Eren said before taking a deep breath.
"What is it?" Erwin asked, knowing this one was something very important with the way Eren's tone changed.
"What I'm about to say shouldn't leave this room is extremely important that no one outside of this room knows about this for now," Eren spoke seriously, looking at Erwin dead in the eye.
Hange was about to ask what could be so important when Erwin said.
"Done. You have our word," Erwin declared firmly, his voice ringing out in the otherwise silent room, "that what you will say won't be discussed with anyone else outside of this room." His words hung heavy in the air, the weight of their commitment palpable as each scout nodded their agreement.
"My father left letters explaining everything, but he also told me how he had created a serum that turns any Eldian injected with it into a Semi-Titan Shifter," Eren explained before with a sudden movement as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black box. He hesitated momentarily before opening it, revealing a vial of the serum neatly arranged inside.
Hange's eyes widened as she observed the slender, silver syringe that gleamed in the dim light of the office, filled with a mysterious red liquid that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
"A semi-Titan Shifter is just like a Titan Shifter but a weaker version, but despite that, it gains the ability to heal and turn the Eldian into one of the Nine Titans except for the Founding Titan," Eren explained, now hearing this new piece of information.
Hange's eyes were fixed on the syringe as if it was the only thing in the world that mattered. She leaned in ever closer, fascinated by the thin needle that glinted in the light. As she did, a thin trail of drool escaped from the corner of her mouth, snaking its way down her chin in a most unappealing manner. The sight was enough to make Levi's stomach turn, as he recoiled in disgust before Erwin could even ask Eren if he could make more.
"OHHHH, PLEASE. Can I Have It? Can I HAVE IT? I want to be able to turn int-" But before she could finish her sentence, Levi interrupted her, his expression shifting from annoyance to revulsion. With a quick motion, he placed his hand over her mouth, muffling her words and silencing her plead. However, he hated having to resort to such measures. Ymir chuckled at the woman's antics. She wondered how someone could be so fixated on Titans.
"Silence, Four Eyes," Levi ordered as her drool wetted his hand.
"Calm down, Hange, we will decide that later," Erwin told Hange, who pouted, clearly displeased but still looking at the syringe with hope in her eyes.
Mikasa really didn't like the creepy way she was looking at both Eren and the Syringe.
"Now, do you know how to make more of this?" Erwin asked Eren turning to face him again.
"I do, but to make more, we need The Spinal Fluid of The Attack Titan, which I can provide easily, but we need the blood of a Titan with Royal Blood while they are in Titan form," Eren explained. This earned frowns from the others except for Krista, who knew who her father was, and Eren, saying that the Reiss family was of Royal Blood... If I become one, would my blood do the job? Krista thought.
"My father made three syringes," Eren's voice made Krista escape her thoughts.
"Where are the two others?" Erwin asked right away, but he already had an idea of what had happened to the other two.
Mikasa and Armin simply showed their own cuts, and they saw them heal. Levi narrowed his eyes slightly, now understanding they were in the presence of Four Titan Shifters. He believed their words, but it wasn't easy to trust them. Yet.
Erwin did not comment on the fact that Eren had used two valuable Syringes on his friends rather than saving them. Mike looked slightly displeased but didn't comment on it.
"As for the last one. I think the commander should have it," Eren finished before moving the open box over to Erwin, who eyed the Syringe carefully. As if pondering whether to accept it or not.
Hange pouted but said nothing, knowing this would increase Erwin's chances of survival. Levi's face was as blank as ever, but one could tell he looked pleased that Eren had saved the last one for Erwin. Mike nodded at Erwin to accept it, but the commander was quiet.
"Perhaps I should have it." A voice broke the silence like a knife through butter.
This made everyone turn towards the source of the voice, only to see Krista looking at them with conviction. Her eyes seemed somehow different.
"Why you?" he asked, his voice low and measured, as he scrutinized her every move. Krista stood her ground, her own gaze fixed on his and a fierce determination etched on her features.
Despite the moment's intensity, Krista surprisingly didn't back down from his gaze. Instead, she looked as if a fire was burning in her eyes, a fierce passion that refused to be quenched.
"Because my name is Historia Reiss,"
Comments
Randy Burns
Well that cats out of the bag.
Raimundo Araújo
I think your writing is very good, keep it up from work I will continue here enjoying the stories you write
