From the cloud of debris, civilians and debutants scattered like ants. Adria stood, frozen in the face of pure Titans. She couldn't tell how many there were through the chaos, but none of the Marlean rifles were able to penetrate their thick hides.
Viktor's scream echoed above all else and her gaze was pulled from the Titans. Three guards piled on top to restrain him, they seemed to be under the direction of the maid. She gestured off towards the city and Viktor was dragged, kicking, and screaming for her whilst the other Tybur's including Willy were evacuated.
"Protect us Helos!" one of the patrons shouted at her.
Adria stepped back as they were crushed beneath one of the Titans feet.
She had no weapons to defend herself and she couldn't muster the willpower to self-mutilate and activate her Yelts gene.
"It's the Devils!" screamed another.
"Helos!"
Helos. Helos. Helos. Helos.
Adria inhaled a sharp breath and caught eye of some of the armed guards, their rifles trailed her. If she didn't gain their favour, she would surely die. Adria set her shoulders tight and jumped onto the back of one of the squat Titans. She set it off balance and kicked it across the jaw before it could feast on a group of children dressed in foreign garb. The Titan propelled into the wall and slumped forward.
The children echoed the cry of Helos in thanks, scattering out of the arena.
However, to her surprise, the Titans didn't follow the crowd. Faint sparks of electricity crackled off their features and their eyes narrowed in on her. Adria cocked her head and raised her hands defensively.
This couldn't be a rescue squad from inside the Walls, they hadn't experimented enough to create their own Titans. Whilst these had no overt sentience, Adria could tell that they were being manipulated somehow. This was evident by them homing in on her as a target.
Adria swiped her boot against the dirt and saw the fallen spear one of the actors had dropped at the start of the commotion. She flicked her toe and the weapon flipped into her hand. She twirled it confidently at the circle of Titans.
"You fuckers better move," Adria lowered her centre of gravity, raising the spear. "Nothing will ever come between humanities strongest duo. Never again."
There was an echo of gunfire, and the floodlights went out, shrouding the square in a haze of dust. She heard the dull thuds of bodies hitting the fortifications.
Adria's eyes shifted cautiously, none of the Titans had moved.
"Humanities strongest duo when together," the unmistakable hiss of ODM wires echoed. "Savagely predictable when apart."
As Adria threw the spear at the first Titan in front, hollowing out its throat and penetrating the nape, the hiss grew. Adria clenched her jaw and jumped onto the Titan's back to create distance, pulling the weapon out of its neck, and aiming for the next.
A cloaked figure rose above her, illuminated by the distorted moon light. Their features were shrouded, but their legs were clad in the familiar military harnesses of Paradis' ODM gear.
Hastily, Adria flicked the spear's point to block the figure's kick, but it was useless. The power behind the reflex movement caused the spear to imbed itself in the wall, tearing at the second Titans nape in its wake.
Adria crossed her forearms over her head to block the figure's sole as they aimed to kicked her in the face. She pushed back hard enough for them to have to utilise the grappling hooks to reposition themselves at a higher vantage point.
As the body of the second Titan collapsed in a decomposing heap, the shockwave of dust loosened their hood.
Adria didn't think, she merely reacted. She balled her fist, noting the electricity that sparked around her knuckles. Each step she took caused the ground to fracture. She propelled herself at the hooded figure and screamed.
Before her fist could connect with their nose, they withdrew a fresh set of blades and did the same defensive manoeuvre as she had, crossing them over their face. Though, the steel was nothing compared to Adria's might and the first three sections of the blade snapped towards the hilt. Adria punched the person back into the circle of Titans, panting.
In response to her scream, the Titans tentatively stepped forward towards the person.
"You've seen my face," they whistled low. "That's going to be a problem."
More flashes of light arced around the Titans, and they refocussed, turning to her.
Adria bared her teeth as the Titans advanced, arms outstretched. She didn't anticipate they were going to kill her, that would be against the figure's wishes.
Adria planted her feet and saluted with a grimace as one of the Titans grabbed her by the hair, dangling her over its mouth, "Commander."
* * *
She was contained beneath the Marlean city, bound to a chair, and gagged. However, getting her to this point had been a struggle. Adria had broken free out of the jaw of the first Titan that tried to transport her her and she had to be hit over the head to be transported hidden in a cart of supplies to the internment zone. Thankfully, the Resistance had the resources to contain her.
To ensure that no search parties were created, a portion of Adria's hair had been cut and her left arm was severed below the elbow to fashion the narrative that she had been eaten and had died in Willy's vision of Helos' bravery. Resistance forces also attempted to quell the media that this was an assault from Eldia. Instead, the narrative was reframed that it was warrior testing which went arry.
Steam curled off her features to signify her healing and subsequent return to consciousness.
One of the guards removed the bag from her head and she loosened the gag with ease, snapping her jaws.
Her voice was barely above a whisper, "Your title precedes you, Commander."
"Oh love, there's no need to be like that," Brant propped up his own chair. "It's so good to finally see you."
"When I envisioned what it would be like to ever meet you. . .this wasn't my first thought," Adria gritted her teeth. "Some part of me wished this was one of my regressions. It seems to be a theme with the Yelts, nothing can be stable for too long."
He scoffed, "You're not surprised?"
Adria shook her head, "Humanities' only hope wouldn't willingly be devoured by a Titan. Every move you made as Commander had a strategic purpose."
"Smart girl," he ruffled her hair. "You're just as beautiful as your mother."
"She's dead," Adria couldn't help but laugh. She kicked back in the chair and tore from the cloth restrains, pointing at him. "And you're nothing more than a fucking coward. If you've been hiding all this time. . .alive, you could have spared us from this Hell but no, it's like you wanted everyone behind the Walls to suffer."
"Sit down," Brant didn't even flinch.
"Because of your defection, the Survey Corps have lost so many lives. Our country is a political shit-show and we're on the brink of military collapse. Your subordinates have been devoured, your wife and brother in-law were murdered. . .and all for what?" Adria spread her arms. "For you to sit here and pretend to be Helos? Why would you come back here?"
"Sit down," he repeated.
Adria shook her regrown arm as if conjuring feeling back into it and balled her fist. She barely saw Brant react. In a flash, he twisted her wrist and diverted the momentum downwards and then flipped her entire weight over his shoulder, splintering the chair beneath her.
He exhaled a long breath and sat in her chair, "I understand, believe me, I do. But for this to be easy, you must sit there and listen. Clear?"
Adria spat at him, "I hate you."
"I hate me too," Brant unbuckled the chest harness and leaned forward. "Nothing I've done, has been easy to swallow. However, you will come to understand that burden as Commander. But please, 'Ria. . .listen to me."
Adria brushed splinters from her blouse and reclined, her jaw set tight, "Fine."
Brant crossed his leg over his thigh, "Get comfortable, this will take a while. We have twenty-something years to catch up on together."
* * *
I understand you have the sparse knowledge left by Denga Ackerman and your own regressions to know that we are different. Whilst our origins are still a mystery, we are biproducts of some form of selective breeding or experimentation.
At their strongest, a Yelts can manipulate Titans to a certain extent. We mimic their strength, dexterity, and durability. We can regrow limbs and heal non-fatal wounds. Even those with diluted Yelts genes can awaken such traits.
Because of these gifts, we became prized. Though, rather than being manipulated or coerced, the Yelts wished to use their abilities for political, monetary, and territorial gain.
One of the main ancient nomadic tribes birthed the ancestors of Eldia, of which most people have derived from. When conflict arose, the Yelts chose to work with Marley. We could no longer support the cruelty of the Eldian royals as they wished to keep their riches within the family and continue their barbaric expansion. However, our Yelts ancestors as a peace treaty of sorts, agreed to serve beneath the King as their royal guard to ensure their safety. We didn't prefer one faction over other, we understood that negotiation and diplomacy could cease conflict far easier than farmer's sons.
Over time, the royal family chose the location of Paradis and barricaded themselves behind armoured fortifications which nobody could penetrate. It was rumoured that this was out of guilt and that the royal family had rescinded their history.
The original Titan powers had been dispersed or lost to time which led to more experimentation by surrounding territories. Out of fear of future conflict, Marley pleaded with the Yelts for their assistance to rebuild and facilitate relations with other countries. It was agreed that there would only ever be one to two Yelts behind Paradis' Walls, performing their duties to the royal family whilst feeding information back to Marley and the main branch of the Yelts.
Though, some in Marley believed Yelts were traitors for sympathising with Eldia. This is where the idea of Helos came in to pacify the public. It is nothing more than a story to sate the masses. If our family's bravery transcended legend, nobody would dare oppose us openly—it worked for centuries until the recent Tybur's.
They increased pressure against Eldia and feared that they were amassing an army behind the Walls. Yelts were then trained to be sent over as assassins, killing members of the military and Ackerman to weaken Eldia from the inside. However, when it was my turn, I saw how peaceful the empire was. The people behind the Walls weren't barbarians or animals which raped or pillaged, they were humble farmers wanting to survive behind the confines of their kingdom. But this didn't sate Marley, hearing that the enemy were vulnerable sparked a new feud. The fear transformed to the potential of what Eldia could do in time.
Marley wanted to expand beyond the shores and reclaim Paradis as retribution for all the bloodshed caused by the original Eldian tribe and the Titan powers they utilised. The Tybur's supported this notion and revealed that this could be achieved by using our own Titans.
The existence of the original Nine were a close guarded secret but the experiments were not.
Marley had taken Eldian refugees upon federation and upon the Tybur's requests, decided to separate them from the main populous. Internment zones were established for Eldians to live. They were discriminated against and considered as lesser class citizens due to their ability to transform into Titans and being connected to the mainland of Paradis. This is when the indoctrination began.
Helos' ideals of bravery, strength and overall goal of eradicating Titans became paramount and were taught to children. This caused a surge of 'warriors' to be created to achieve a real Helos.
By this point, the Yelts had withdrawn completely from Paradis, but I was of age and didn't understand the need for conflict. Due to Paradis' isolation, they were decades behind our technology and the surrounding nations, the greatest threat they posed were only to themselves. But militant minds like my father, who was devout to the Tybur family—disagreed.
To Matthias, if we gave Eldia the opportunity to develop and harness the power of Titans or have the royal family refocus on expansion, then the world as we knew it would vanish. He wished to quash the kingdom at its most vulnerable state.
I showed so much potential that the Tybur's believed I was the embodiment of Helos. Though, I was unable to transform into a Titan. For some reason, my gene prevented it. With additional experimentation, my father Matthias was able to inherit the Defence Titan and he was to undertake the assault in my place.
By this time, I considered myself a double agent. I had bolstered Eldia's military and ensured soldiers were trained and equipped to kill Titans. But that was only a short-term preventative measure. I made the decision to steal serum from my father and murder him before he could complete the mission.
Knowing the outrage this would cause, I knew I was on borrowed time. I taught Denga Ackerman all that I knew so he could pass it on to Gregory, Neal or even yourself if he didn't end up getting killed or eaten. I entrusted my goal of freeing humanity from their fear and protecting Paradis to Keith Shadis and the Survey Corps. I also ensured that you would be protected within the Corps as soon as you came of age.
Upon my return to Marley after Matthias' death, I was met with questions and accusations. I had mutilated myself before reaching the fortifications to make my lie palatable. I told the military that Eldia had manufactured their own Titans which were genetically superior and were no match, which lead to the loss of the Defence Titan.
This caused Marley to scramble. There were talks of more warriors undergoing Titan experimentation. They were stupid enough to allow me to oversee the operation. With my knowledge of Eldia and the lie I crafted; I was able to convince the military to select one warrior.
I'd observed one for a while, he was an orphan whose parents were murdered for differing political ideals. They'd been labelled as pacifists, preaching for peace and to end the conflict offshore with treaties and not violence. They were turned into Titans and sent to Eldia, a common punishment for Eldian criminals in the internment zones.
Candidates had already been chosen for Marley's prize, the Beast Titan and the others. However, the orphan was subject to additional experimentation and was unable to properly transform. For this reason, they were going to send him over the wall to be devoured.
I intercepted and said that whilst his powers were latent, he could still be of use to Marley.
I explained that there was an agricultural district that was set up as a government experiment to see if civilisation could expand outside of the main Walls built by the royals. If I transported him there myself, he could massacre them and cripple Paradis' food supply to one of their main cities. I was able to convince the powers at be that minor and unsuspecting moves would have the most long-term rewards for Marley.
That orphan was Viktor. However, rather than have him kill all of Wall Hanna at eight, I was able to manipulate his memory. I left instruction for the Survey Corps to find him and upon location, indoctrinate him into the military and monitor him.
I then embarked on one of my last expeditions as Commander knowing that I'd sown the seeds of destruction. Though, it was to my own detriment. A warrior in particular, Zeke Jeagar, the future inheritor of the Beast Titan distrusted me after Matthias' death. They had become close, and he shared by father's nihilistic ideals that the entirety of Eldia should be destroyed.
He'd followed me to Paradis and witnessed the survival of Wall Hanna. He was able to confront me during an expedition and I chose to 'sacrifice' myself for the lives of my comrades. I allowed Zeke to devour my lower half before I escaped and hid. Zeke, due to his age at the time, didn't comprehend the vitality of the Yelts and didn't check for the rest of my body before returning to Marley.
Zeke attempted to smear my character once back on the island, but many opposed him. Unlike the other Yelts, I didn't look down at my Eldian brothers and sisters in the internment zones—I'd spent time playing games with their children, teaching some of their young men to fight as warriors and gave them much needed supplies. Thankfully, my image remained somewhat intact, but I chose to remain in hiding.
Just as well, when Zeke returned from Paradis with Viktor, shit hit the fan.
My 'death' ended up tarnishing the Yelts name. Rumours began that I was a usurper and had started my own life in Paradis, strengthening my allegiance to them over Marley. He told the Tybur's that I had a child, and it was decreed that all of my connections in Paradis were to be terminated.
Though, to save face, Viktor mentioned that my heir lived on behind the Walls and that she would be determined to come back to her homeland once knowing the truth. He concocted a lie that you had been taught the Marlean ideals of victory, bravery, and devotion to the country through information I had left after my death. Willy Tybur had already known of your existence after my disappearance, but he didn't want to order Zeke to eat you until he was certain of your allegiance. Therefore, I telepathically tried to connect with you, to convince you enough to share this ingrained desire for Marley to ensure you would survive.
Marley then changed its tactics from mindlessly deploying warriors and pure Titans, to acquiring you.
Willy and Zeke infiltrated Eldia to find no royals on the throne. With enough manipulation, they were able to survey the land for a few months before returning. They realised that Eldia posed no threat, but it's potential is what scared them. They knew they needed a Yelts to oppose any future Eldian usurping.
I didn't think they would be dumb enough to send Viktor back, but they had gotten to him before I could. They've temporarily transferred the War Hammer Titan to him, but since he isn't of Tybur descent I'm sure he will be fed to someone soon. The Tybur's would never relinquish control of their greatest political asset. It was Viktor's idea to infiltrate the Corps and reclaim you. He brought you here knowing the consequence it will have for you and Paradis.
Marley will never let you leave now that they have you.
Adria pulled her knees to her chest and stared in disbelief at her father, "W–why?"
Without asking, Brant seemed to know her uncertainty, "It's human nature. Men will do anything in their power to get ahead in life. Unfortunately for Paradis, Marley has convinced the surrounding nations that Paradis' destruction would have universal benefit whilst atoning for sins of the past. Peace would be achievable if men put aside their desire for power."
"It seems futile. The world is infinite beyond the Walls, and it will come to the point where Walls will no longer save us," Adria shook her head. "If I were you, I would've abandoned the military and lived out my days with my family, blissfully unaware of what was outside the Walls."
"And as a child, you wanted to explore the outside. Now that your naïve perception has been crushed, the reality of the outside is no longer appealing. What would make you more of a coward, Adria? Utilising your strength and influence to create peace even though it seems too hard, or cowering behind the Walls with this knowledge until someone drops heavy artillery on your head?" Brant leaned back. "I guarantee that if push came to shove, Viktor would trade your life for his—that is why you are here. This wasn't strategic or for a higher purpose, it was to ensure he would receive the War Hammer Titan and align himself advantageously."
"I can't be the one to carry the burden of your ideals," Adria cried, pointing at him. "I never asked for this!"
"When you're given such genetic gifts and are the only people who have a sure chance of bringing about peace, that burden becomes a responsibility. This is your duty," Brant looked down at her in pity. "You must face your choices and their consequences. You can be selfish and attempt to live in bliss despite what you now know, or you can make something of yourself."
Adria dug her nails into her palms and watch steam curl from the crescent indents.
"Like me, you have always strived to be more. I'm sure Erwin and Keith have instilled their faith that you will lead them. So will you lead them to slaughter or victory?" Brant asked. "Nothing gets easier, you will come to realise that on your own."
Adria's tears dampened her pants. She craved the naivety of childhood or even her ignorance behind Wall Sheena—where conflict was the furthest from her mind. Though, she'd be lying if she ignored her gut instinct to fight. She closed her eyes. She remembered the smiling faces of Leo, Graham and Suzanne—did they deserve to die for their lineage? Did she?
She exhaled a shaky breath, "Where's Viktor?"
Brant tilted his head and rolled his eyes, "Really, Adria?"
Her eyes narrowed, "Not like that. Does he know about all of this?"
Brant shook his head, "I would've liked to have met him again, but he made sure to align with the Tybur's as soon as Zeke brought him here. You should know how lost he has been since birth. The Tybur's have chosen to give him an identity by constructing this narrative that he has claim in Marley. They want to make him dependent on them. . .and now holding the War Hammer, he's subject to a debt that only his death will repay. Viktor thinks he's smart and playing Willy, but it's the reverse."
Adria's tears fell harder, "When I met Zeke properly, he showed me. . .memories of the conflict. But it was different from Willy's story of Helos. He's apparently shown Viktor the same memories and he ended up blaming Eldia for the position they were in."
"He will believe anything that ensures he falls in favour of the winner. To him, especially as the War Hammer, siding with Marley is now the clear choice to secure his best interests. I believe that was clear when he retrieved you. That was his choice," Brant sighed. "I know this is hard for you. . .but consider it the first step in the important lesson of life. You cannot help people who choose not to receive it. If Viktor wants to destroy Paradis Island for Marley, that is his choice."
"And what of humanities strongest duo?" Adria sobbed.
Brant's jaw throbbed, "You are only as strong as the support network around you. The Survey Corps have been able to provide what Viktor no longer can. He may be capitalising on your feelings to protect himself from you. The Yelts are a threat to everybody, keep your friends close but your enemies closer, you know? I obviously can't make too much of a comment, but I would strongly suggest you consider yourself strong on your own without Viktor by your side. He brought you here and that was his choice."
Adria's gut churned, "But I love him. . .so much."
"And I loved you and your mother just as much," Brant cleared his throat. "But to ensure your future and safety, I couldn't outrun the consequences of my actions. If you stay here to serve Marley at the behest of the Tybur's, Paradis' destruction will be on your conscience. If you escape and return to the mainland, Marley's looming army will be waiting for your return. Neither of those options include being able to live a life with Viktor unless his choice aligns with yours."
Adria's cries echoed throughout the bunker.
Brant squeezed her shoulder, "You cannot force him to choose. He will make the decision on his own."
Adria exhaled a shaky breath, "Will you come back with me?"
A ghost of a smile twitched up his lips. His hand dropped to the turquoise tie hidden beneath her blouse, "If fate permits. What do you plan to do?"
Adria stood and cracked her knuckles, "I will convince the Tybur's that an assault on Paradis is necessary but to exclude Viktor. I will convince Willy to create as many Titans as possible to overwhelm the Walls defences, but I will send word to Keith, Hanji, or any of the captains to be prepared. Once home, I will then do whatever I can to ensure Paradis learns the truth. We will prepare for Marley, and we will wait for them."
* * *
Neal dismounted his horse at the shoreline and stared out across the water.
Hanji and Mike saluted, "Remember, if you can't locate Adria, if there is any threat on your life—you come back to us, understood?"
He adjusted the necklace with a smirk, "You think so highly of me Captain Zoe. Bringing Adria back is the only outcome."
"We mean it, you hightail it out of there if shit goes wrong," Mike grunted.
Neal ran the edge of the blade across his tongue, cutting it, "Don't you worry, I'll bring Adria back by dinner."
Though, his proclamationwas swallowed beneath the echo of Ymir's lightening.