After visiting Eren, Y/N stayed in Trost for a while. She wanted to understand exactly what Eren was up to and what he saw in his future. His talk about how everything is predetermined and nothing can be changed frightened her. She wanted to visit him again, so that he would calm the tossings of her soul. What he said about the merging of the previous owners of the titans with the current owner interested her. From a scientific point of view, she was very skeptical about all this, because she couldn't explain it, but she couldn't deny that it could explain a lot. On the other hand, it gave her the hope that what she had lost long ago - Armin, her Armin - was still out there somewhere. That her friend, who looked at her with warmth and care in his eyes, calmed her anxieties, gave her the desire to live - still exists in this world. But... this theory still didn't explain everything.
When she left, Sasha's condition got better, but so far she couldn't move independently. She still needed daily bandaging. Y/N left her in the care of Damian's father and his assistants while Y/N was in Trost with his son.
It was morning. Y/N, as usual, took her morning coffee and headed towards the headquarters to meet with her team. In the evening, she intended to go back to Eren with Damian's help. Eren was placed under the supervision of the military with the permission of the members of the royal council, which means that Damian, as a member of the royal guard, had influence in terms of access to prisoners. At least he skillfully pretended to have. The junior military police officer who guarded Eren were easily led by Damian's story, seeing in front of them an important royal guard.
She was already approaching the headquarters, immersed in her thoughts about the upcoming day, as she noticed a crowd of protesters at the headquarters. «What is this... Where from...», Y/N was confused, she didn't expect this. Protesters broke into the headquarters of the military through closed gates. They were stopped by military police officers, among whom Y/N saw Hitch. The protesters demanded Eren's release, shouting loud slogans that only Eren would lead them to victory. Y/N stood in front of headquarters across the road, slowly sipping her coffee, waiting for this to be over.
- And you slept quickly after last night, as I see.
- Good morning to you too, Damian.
The guy approached her and stood next to her, also looking at the brawl near the entrance.
- And how often do you have it here?
- I see this for the first time. Looks like a lot has changed in a month.
They looked at what was happening, until suddenly they were doused with a stream of smoke. There was an explosion at the headquarters. The entire third floor was on fire. All the windows were broken, the crowd of protesters fell silent, and the victims and the military from the street began to shout, organizing the rescue of the survivors.
Y/N and Damian rushed to make their way through the crowd to get into the territory of the headquarters. They found Hitch in the crowd, and she helped them get in. Damian, remembering their «game» with Y/N for Hitch, held Y/N by the waist, helping her to squeeze inside.
- «Hitch, what happened? Is it... is it protesters or is it... an accident?» Y/N asked her.
- «We don't know yet. Everything... everything happened too unexpectedly», Hitch answered her, clearly confused. «The Commander-in-Chief is dead. I think he was the target»
- Has anyone else died?
- They're checking now. But there were definitely more people on the third floor.
- «Is there anything we can do to help?» Damian asked her to inspect the ruined building.
- Perhaps a messenger for the royal council could be useful. The commanders of units have already been informed, they'll decide what to do next.
From the crowd, Mikasa and Armin were heading towards them. Mikasa, seeing Y/N, immediately went to her. She wanted to discuss what had happened with her and Hitch, ask her about Sasha's condition and just talk to her friend. Armin just followed Mikasa, but realized too late where they were going. He saw Y/N and Damian holding her by the waist. This gesture was far from friendly. Y/N looked like it was something normal, more worried about what was going on in the building. And this meant that it was something normal. Armin knew he had no right to think of her as if she was his, but he did. It hurt him to see her with someone else. He wanted to hate Damian, he would feel better if he knew Damian was a bad person, but he wasn't. In short, he didn't know much about him. He couldn't blame him for being with her. She was smart and independent. She had a sense of humor, she knew how to support any conversation, she knew how to sincerely sympathize. And she was incredibly beautiful. It seemed to Armin that every time he saw her, she became more and more beautiful. He had always considered her beautiful, but as they grew up, simple beauty gave way to the notion of attractiveness. He knew that many people liked her, even his friends, he often heard young officers discussing beautiful girls, and Y/N was one of them. He considered such conversations unacceptable, but this didn't stop him from dreaming about her. As the years passed, her gaze became even more expressive, especially when she thought about the ideas that fascinated her mind. He wondered how she would look at him if they were together. If she loved him. When he dreamed about her, he realized that he had found an unrealizable dream - before dying, to find out how it is - to love mutually, so that she would at least once look at him «as before».
- «Y/N, hello! Didn't know you were in Trost», Mikasa approached the girl and hugged her.
- «Hi», Y/N hugged her back. «Mikasa, were you in the building? You're covered in dust», Y/N started to help her friend dust off her clothes.
- «We were at the commander-in-chief a couple of minutes before the explosion, then three recruits came in and... there was an explosion», Armin replied, deliberately avoiding Y/N's gaze.
- «It isn't known who caused the explosion?» Hitch asked them.
- «Not yet, but I think everyone will blame the Jaegerists», Armin answered her, looking at the crowd behind the fence.
- «Jaegerists? Is this... something to do with...?» Damian asked, his eyes hinting Y/N to last night.
- «Yeah, I don't know either. How long has it been since Eren started his own fanclub?» Y/N looked skeptically at Mikasa.
- «Ever since we got back and Eren was locked up, people started protesting and...», Mikasa started, glancing at Armin, who looked quite tense. «The military named them the Jaegerists because of their loyalty to Eren»
- «I wonder what Hange says? Was they go to him?» Y/N asked them.
- «Eren scared them and they got nothing from him. We tried to beg the Commander-in-Chief for a meeting with him to reason with him, but... we didn't get a permission. Who will decide these issues now is unknown», Mikasa answered her.
- «And you said it's boring here and there's nothing to do. Even in the Capital there is no such drama, Y/N», Damian said to Y/N, looking around.
- «It's better if nothing happens, if you think about it...», Y/N answered him.
Suddenly, a military police officer who had helped Y/N meet with Eren ran out of the smoke towards them. He stopped in front of them.
- Eren... He escaped! They helped him leave!
Everyone was in shock. Nobody said a word. Suddenly, Hange came up behind them.
- «What happened here? I was informed that the Commander-in-Chief had died and...», Hange started to speak, but noticed the shock on the faces of those present. «What else do I need to know?»
- Eren has escaped, Commander Hange. Now, there is a group of military police officers - they figure out who helped him.
Hange asked Armin and Mikasa to go with them to the place where Eren was being held, leaving Y/N, Hitch and Damian outside. Hitch also left to help sort out the aftermath of the explosion.
- «I think it's time to return to the Capital, since what you came for is no longer relevant», Damian said in her ear.
- «I can't just leave, they... will need help, especially Hange», Y/N turned to him. «You can go, I'm not holding you»
- «Okay, I'll visit your friend and write to you about how she's feeling», Damian told her. «Can I ask you a question?»
- Yeah...
- Did you tell your colleagues about me?
- Why do you think so? I said that we're childhood friends, that you serve under Historia, without any details.
- It's just that this guy... tried to burn a hole in me with his gaze, even creepy, because I don't know him.
- Armin? He's harmless, I don't know what...
- Is that Armin Arlert? Who is Colossal titan? Not how I imagined him... Now it's clear. Apparently all the owners of the titans are a little out of their minds.
- Yes, it's him, and don't talk about it like that. It's not their fault that this is happening. And he isn't to blame for what was done to him. I don't think he would have chosen such a life.
- «I'm not sure, but still...», Damian started, but noticed the familiar longing in Y/N's eyes, a picture finally formed in his mind. «It can't be... Seriously, Y/N? Him?»
- «What are you talking about?» She try to keep an indifferent face.
- You perfectly understood what I'm talking about. He's the person you love and who left you. It can be understood given all the factors that come with the powers of the titans.
- I don't want to talk about this.
- I'm sorry, but listen - you're going to have to let him go, you have a long life ahead of you, and he... he left you for a reason, and maybe that was the right thing to do and...
- I can't. I can't just stop loving him, why is it so hard to understand... I can't just stop thinking about what happened, if I confess my feelings to him. And... and I don't know why he left me. I can guess forever, but I won't know the truth. It hurts, Damian.
She started crying. Damian walked over to her and held her to his chest, helping her deal with her emotions. He didn't say anything else, he realized that she knew perfectly well that she needed to let him go too, and she tried, but so far it didn't work out well. He gently stroked her head, calming her restless mind. He wanted to be a comfort to her, because when she coped, he might have a chance, because he still loved her.
Armin saw everything from afar. He didn't want to look, but he couldn't tear himself away. Heartbreak tore at his heart. He wanted to feel better. Forget yourself. Want someone to help him.
So, he went to the basement. To Annie.
***
When the commanders of all three units came together, an emergency council of war was convened. Previously, the decisive vote always remained with the commander-in-chief, but now... the commanders had to make a general decision, since there was no time to wait for the opinion of the royal council, and only the queen, who was no one knows where, can appoint a new commander-in-chief.
Hange called Y/N and Damian to the meeting, as well as all the guys who used to be in Levi's squad. Now they were all senior officers and still part of Levi's squad, but Hange asked them to stay in Trost, where Eren was being held.
- You should have provided adequate security for him. How did he manage to get away? Someone helped him!
- It was your recruits who were secret Jaegerists and helped him escape! We did everything that was required of us.
And similar statements filled the assembly hall. Hange and the commander of the military police tried to figure out who was to blame. The only thing they agreed on - Eren's escape and the assassination of the commander-in-chief - are connected and arranged, most likely, by the Jaegerists. Y/N sat leaning on Damian, listening and watching boredly.
- «Given how easily we got to Eren yesterday, the military police are clearly exaggerating their merits», Damian whispered in Y/N's ear.
Y/N smiled at him, showing agreement with his words. She still didn't know whether to report that she was with Eren, because she would be considered involved in his escape. She didn't plan to tell anyone about this, but after what happened, she thought that her ethics and empathy for other people exceeded her loyalty to the promise she made to Eren. Those who died today were the same Eldians as all of them, and their murder was unjustified. She understood that, most likely, Eren didn't even know about all this. These were the tricks of Floch - almost the main fan of Eren. It was he who was one of the first who began to elevate Eren in the status of universal hope and savior. He spread these ideas among the ranks of recruits and officers who weren't being promoted. Among people who doubt the existing order.
As for herself, Y/N could hardly be attributed to the Jaegerists or to the adherents of royalty. She was known for her love of questioning people and their actions. With Hange, they increasingly discussed the idea of separating the engineering unit from the Survey corps, which was now under discussion. In theory, in a couple of months, Y/N would cease to be part of the Survey corps and military structures, forming a separate unit outside the government and the military, which would help everyone, not just the military.
- «We need to find out the plans of the volunteers, they might know where Eren is and...», Hange began.
- «I'll talk to that lady from volunteers», Commandant Pyxis expressed his desire.
- «Then I'll talk to Onyankopon, I think Yelena was definitely in the know, she always had a certain... soft spot for the Jaeger brothers», Hange said.
- «We still need to talk to Niccolo», said Armin. «We're on good terms with him, maybe he'll help us, after all, he's a Marleyan, maybe he knows some rumors or something...»
- «Then we'll decide. Commander Dawk, you'll have to mobilize all of our forces on the island in case... we need them», Commandant Pyxis said to him.
- «I agree, communication with the Marleyans and volunteers doesn't particularly attract me, especially considering the current situation», the Commander answered him.
Everyone started to disperse. Y/N headed towards Hange, who was standing and talking to the guys heading towards Niccolo.
- Hange, I'll head to the Capital with my friend from the royal guard. I'll visit Historia, tell her what happened. If there is news, I'll be back.
- «I would like you to stay here and help, but... it might be even better... But still, be careful, you don't know how things will develop», Hange said. «And Y/N, take this», they handed the girl a small note and came close to her, whispering «I trust you. Here is an indication of how to find our eternally gloomy friend»
Y/N nodded and smiled slightly at Hange's comment as she and Damian headed outside. On the way, Y/N ran into her office and took the things she needed. For some time now, she always carried with her ODM, knives, a backpack with various medicines and weapons. Further, they went to the public stables, where they left the horses yesterday. They kept discussing this and that, not noticing that they were being followed.
Entering a small deserted lane, they were approached by several armed men with ODM. Among them was Floch.
- Y/N, where are you in such a hurry with your friend?
Damian instinctively covered Y/N with his body as he stood in front of her.
- «What do you want, Floch? It seems that today you have already exceeded the plan for insanely reckless cases?» Y/N answered him.
- «I know how skillfully you're of how to talk people with your intricate questions and meaningful phrases, Y/N, but, I confess, I don't have time for this», smiling with his nasty smile, as he turned to Y/N.
- Just like I don't have time for your nonsense, Floch, it's better to leave and...
- «No, no, no, that won't do. I propose to disperse in a good way - you'll go with us voluntarily, and we'll not touch your friend, let him go where he was going», he sighed with his hand and four more of his henchmen appeared from around the corner. «Or it'll be bad way, you decide»
- Why do you need all this, you and I have never even talked longer than now...
- «I don't need you, but Eren... He asked me to bring you, but not to touch, not to harm you, but who knows, you might accidentally stumble and...», he grinned again.
- «Bastard», Damian was ready to throw himself at Floch, but Y/N stopped him.
- «Damian, he's right, we can't handle them - there are two of us, and there are six of them», she took his hand, moving as close as possible. «Going to the Capital, as we wanted, and then find Historia and tell her everything as it is. I'll go with them. Eren... he won't hurt me, but these... if anything, I can still poison them. Don't worry about me. I'll be right», she whispered in his ear. «And don't tell anyone that they took me away. I don't know what's going on... don't know yet»
- «I believe in you, Y/N, please just be careful», he tightly hugged her, breathing into her neck, not wanting to let go.
- «God, stop this. You'll still have time later», Floch shouted, grimacing.
- «Jealous or what?», Y/N answered him, looking out of Damian's arms, still hugging him and stroking his back. She knew that many people were embarrassed by public displays of intimacy, and she wanted to annoy Floch.
Floch didn't answer her, but simply gave instructions to his subordinates with a nod, and they headed towards Y/N and Damian. Approaching them, they forcefully pulled Y/N away from the guy. Damian didn't fight back, knowing Y/N could handle it, it was her decision not to put up a fight, and he supported it. He watched her leave with the Jaegerists in an unknown direction and hoped he would see her again. His heart was restless. He felt the storm coming.
***
They entered the restaurant where Niccolo worked. Today he hosted Sasha's family and the children they took in after they lost their families after the tragedy in Ragako. Niccolo came out to them and led them to one of the empty rooms where they could talk.
- «I didn't know that you have such closed halls. This is probably a room for people like our superiors», Connie said as soon as they went inside.
- «And this is probably the same wine that everyone is talking about? It seems to be only for the authorities», Jean took one of the bottles from the rack and began to examine it.
- «We aren't the last faces in the Survey corps either!», Connie told him.
- And that's right, it means they deserve it. Just a little try...
- DO NOT TOUCH WITHOUT PERMISSION!
Niccolo rushed over to them, taking the bottle away. It was evident from it that he was clearly nervous, beads of sweat appeared on his face.
- Hey, Niccolo, what are you doing? It's just wine...
- I don't want to waste it on the Eldians...
The guys looked at him, surprised at the sharp change in his attitude towards them.
- «I thought we forgot about it a long time ago», Jean came up to him and took him by the shirt. «Our origin has nothing to do with wine...»
- Don't touch me, Eldian, and don't talk to me like that...
- What's wrong with you! Don't forget, Niccolo, you're only...
- Captured Marleyan? I remember.
He broke free of Jean's grasp and left the hall with the bottle.
- What's wrong with him today?
They waited for several minutes until they heard screams. They all went to the scream and suddenly saw a picture - Niccolo was holding Falco, who was unconscious and in something like blood, and Gabi - the girl who seriously injured Sasha - was lying on the floor, trying to beg Niccolo not to harm Falco. Sasha's family, who were shocked by what was happening. Niccolo kept shouting that the Marleyans were evil, that these children were weapons in the hands of Marley, that they were murderers who were taught only to kill, brainwashing children. He talked about the fact that Gabi practically killed Sasha, that Sasha wouldn't soon be able to get on his feet because of her, and it wasn't known whether he would be able to live as before. There were tears in his eyes, he loved Sasha with all his heart and dreamed of revenge for the pain that Marley brought her. He was ready for anything.
Sasha's father reassured the guy. He fell to his knees, releasing the boy. His knife fell out of his hand and he began to cry. But... one of the girls, who came with Sasha's family, rushed at Gabi with a knife.
- You tried to kill my sister!!!
Armin and Mikasa managed to stop her just in time. The girl - Kaya - realizing what she was trying to do, began to cry. Sasha's parents began to calm the girl down.
Jean and Connie grabbed Niccolo and forced him to his knees. Mikasa decided to help Gabi by taking her to the restroom to wash her face. Hange knelt beside Falco, examining his wounds.
- «Hange, rinse the guy's mouth, the wine got in», Niccolo began to say, but interrupted himself. «Though it's probably too late»
- «What?» Hange slowly turned their head towards him. «What was in the wine?»
- Zeke's spinal fluid, I think.
- «Why do you think so? Where does the spinal fluid come from?!» Jean grabbed Niccolo and pinned him against the wall.
- «I... I don't know for sure... this wine was loaded in large quantities on the first reconnaissance mission ships, which was... strange, because no one needed alcohol in such quantities», Niccolo began to tell what he knew. «And then... when I became a cook here, I was ordered to serve this wine only to high-ranking military or statesmen...»
- «Who order you?» Hange asked him.
- «Yelena. Only she spoke to me. Whether the other volunteers know, I don't know», Niccolo answered her, lowering his head guiltily.
- «But from taking spinal fluid in this form, the Eldians are simply paralyzed, why then...», Connie began to reason.
- «We only know this because Zeke told us. It might be a lie», Hange told him. «The consequences of poisoning can appear much later, when it's already too late. Even a drop of this substance is enough...»
- «To turn an Eldian into a Titan», Niccolo finished after them.
- «But that's just your guess, right, Niccolo?» Jean turned to him hopefully.
- «Yes, there's no proof. But...», Niccolo looked up. «But any Marleyan knows how the spinal fluid was used. Ten years ago, Marley took over a major city by simply flooding the city with titans overnight. Infected Eldians were secretly brought there. And as soon as Zeke screamed, they all turned into titans. If something like this is being planned, then...»
Everyone was shocked by what they heard, no one could get used to what had been going on under their noses for years.
- «Let's assume the worst. Wash your hands and don't touch your face», Hange stood up, breathing heavily. «And Onyankopon - tell Mikasa and Armin, they went out with a girl somewhere»
But before Onyankopon left the room, a crowd of armed Jaegerists, led by Floch Forster, burst in.
***
Armin and Mikasa returned with Gabi to that empty hall where no one was.
- «Why... why didn't you kill me?» Gabi asked them.
- «No special reason», Mikasa replied to her.
- «But... I killed your colleagues, killed the warden... badly injured your friend!» Gabi cried. «I just want Falco to just be captured, he didn't deserve to die... my death would have been enough»
- «We're not going to kill you», Armin calmly answered her. «Only talking - let's kill and kill... an exact copy of someone»
Suddenly the door opened and...
Eren came to them. With a bloodied hand, as if warning that he's ready for anything.
***
A/N
Thank you some much for reading this chapter and for staying with me to this point. It's last kinda "boring" chapter. Next chapter will be eventful!!!