*
After a matter of negotiation with Dimo Reeves, the deal was struck and things began to roll forward. At least we had option B, which was use the Reeves Company for our advantage in recovering both Historia and Eren. Although, we had to give him some kind of bargaining aspect in the mix. A bribery.
Whether I couldn't trust the old, fat merchant of a man, Levi placed his trust in him. Which also made me ease myself a little, trusting in Levi.
However Levi decided to hand Reeves both Historia and Eren, with three conditions left lingering in the air. Levi faces Dimo lifting three fingers, counting them down one by one to put it simply.
Levi turns to him, "One....from now on, the Reeves company will join the survey corps in opposing the interior military police brigade, as well as the royal government and it's decrees--"
"What...?!" Reeves exclaims, in distress. "Are you telling me to start a war?!"
Levi lowers his third finger down, "Two.......the Reeves company will trust the survey corps whole-heartedly,"
Reeves grunts with distaste, contorting his face along with hesistation.
"Trust you?" He seethes out. "We merchants only use that word as a joke, you know."
Levi nonchalantly arches an eyebrow, "I'm not speaking to a merchant, I'm speaking to you....Dimo Reeves," He assures the merchant. "I'm asking you about how you live your life. What kind of man are you? Will you let your men and the people of this town die...and accept defeat? or will you face the rulers of our world and fight?"
My eyes rest back onto levi, while he still knelt on his knee before Dimo.
"Even I don't know what the right answer is," He admits. "You're free to choose.."
The merchant clenches his jaw, finding no way out of this. He was cornered, and left with not many options but to comply.
He scoffs, "What kind of idiot accepts a contract without hearing all the conditions first?"
"Oops, my apologies," Levi replies, lowering his second finger to the last. "Three......from now on, the survey corps will receive priority access to any rare or luxury food, drink or product the Reeves company obtains. Tea, for example.
Reeves chuckles, "Seems you're even greedier than a merchant, I like that," lending a hand out, while Levi turns to me searching for any sign for me to add anything. Shaking my head, he soon took Levi's hand with a firm grip.
"You're a smart man, I'll give ya that," Reeves grins, already like the deal already. "We have a deal."
How easy he took the deal was beyond my comprehension, but all that matters is having him comply with a deal in the mix. These days, trust was only a dream. Seriously, we had to earn it or survive alone with nothing but yourself. So finally we're in business, ready to set this plan in motion.
*
After a while of planning, we soon followed behind the wagon as we instructed. Reeves and his son were up at the front together of the Wagon, with a few of the Military Policeman tucked within the wagon. Understanding the plan, Dimo lied to the Mp's he collected saying he had Historia and Eren with him.
Instead, we were at an unknown location awaiting to take the Mp's hostage, and begin the torturing. We didn't want too, but in our current situation we needed information to confirm our next approach.
Although, I didn't like the idea of torture, my anger was surfacing.
Keeping the kids in a separate room far from the tutoring room, Hanji managed to find and settled in a place appropriate for what's to come. Knowing full well what we're gonna do was beyond our main purpose in being a Scout, all I wanted was to find out the truth.
All of us do......
Taking a couple deep breathes in and out, I could feel my arm still throbbing from my bullet wound. Surprised how impactful the shot was, I'm surprised that I survived through it. My hand grips my forearm, while grimacing quietly in the corner away from the others.
"Dammit, this is pathetic," cursing to myself, when I hear footsteps approaching me.
Lowering my arm I inhale steadily, before seeing him turn the corner. He wore an apron, along with latex gloves in hand. He seemed to notice my hesitation, but I swallow down my uneasiness and nerves before striding towards him. His hand soon reaches over, resting upon my shoulder.
"You're wounded, you should--"
"I've got no time to wallow in pain, you know that," I whisper quietly, with a weak smile tugging upon my lips. Masking up the fact I was indeed exhausted, and overwhelmed with it all. "Besides, this is what needs to be done. It's not the best alternative, but we're desperate. Hate to admit it, but here we are."
He pauses, pressing his lips in a thin line.
A heavy sigh draws from his lips, "You're right, but....." he steps closer, hands meeting my waist and tugging me close. His hand gently brushes a few strands away from my eyes, his own searching in mine. ".....sometimes, we need to know our limits. Don't work so hard, don't.....push yourself. Please? For me at least"
I nod, "Alright, I understand....." feeling his fingers graze over my cheeks, thumbs caressing my cheeks in circular motions. Leaning into the warmth of his palms, I inhaling slowly and deeply and then out.
Leaning slightly up, his lips meet my temple tenderly.
"That's my girl, now........are you sure you want to do this?" He asks me, double checking if I'm prepared. "You can just--"
"I want too," assuring him softly, before pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. "Let's go, besides......I want to get to the bottom of whatever we're really facing. I hate to fight blindly."
His eyes slice from me to the door, before gesturing to follow along.
"Let's go, we can't waste a second,"
*
Slipping on an apron tying the thread behind my waist, I adjust the gloves on my hands not wanting blood to spill on me. It wasn't that I was disgusted, but it was to not leave evidence of our sinful actions. Levi adjusted Sannes, one of the interior officers we've abducted, binding and gagged him down.
Already had a few bruises, and maybe a broken nose he seemed fine. Kind of.
"Where do you think those two are?" I question, eyes flickering over my shoulder to Levi. He just laid down a tray of tools, while sighing deeply.
"Well it isn't like them to miss ou--"
The door was slammed open abruptly, causing me to be startled, "I made it! You haven't finished yet, have you?!" Hanji's voice questions, worriedly.
Shifting my foot to the side, my eyes keenly met their's.
"Well, maybe we gave him a broken nose, but that's not enough," I simply reply, before dangerously shifting back to meet Sannes tired eyes. "Clearly Nick's torture was far worse, than what we've given him now."
"Tch, seriously......haven't gotten my feet wet," Levi mutters.
"Sannes! I'm only a novice at human torture," Hanji approaches him, with forceful strides. "But while I lack experience, I plan to give this job my all."
Grabbing pliers from the tray, a flash of fear flickers behind the Mp's eyes.
"Hold on!!!" Sannes calls out. "What do you even want? Who the hell tortures without asking questions?!"
Scoffing dryly I hum deeply, placing my hands comfortably upon my hips.
"Looks like we already forgot all about that," glancing at Levi and Hanji, before slyly slicing back to his. "We're we meant too? I thought we didn't have to ask, because you allowed someone to suffer worse than death alone."
My tone deeply changes, while Levi shifts closer to him.
"That's right," Levi spoke up. "We do have some questions. Where we Eren and Historia taken? What do you want with Historia, and what is the Reiss family?"
Sannes wasn't able to answer, before Hanji growls with irritation impatiently.
"Come on! Can't you see that we're in a time crunch here?!" Hanji steps closer, raising the tool in hand.
Soon a nail was torn right from the bed of his finger, before his piercing and blood curdling cry echoes all around. It must be painful, but for Nick to endure all ten fingers? That gained my respect for that man, even though I barely met him. It was all during the time when the titans somehow breached the walls, so I never got to know the priest himself.
Levi and I already torn a few nails before, but the screams were louder and far more painful.
Hanji was far more ruthless, tearing them off with such anger and force with her kind of torture. My stomach churned, but my face remained stoic and held nothing to express relief.
I had to keep myself sane, because I'm afraid to let myself give in.
"Sorry, I don't have your knack for peeling nails," Hanji laments, showing the board with all his bloodied nails on display. "Just how many did you have to rip off, to get so good at it?"
"More than I could keep track of" Sannes croaks out. "Within these cramped squalid walls, war has never broken out, and I can tell you why. It's because, we, the First Interior Squad dirtied our hands to protect the peace! A teacher too smart for their own good..a stupid couple who tried to fly....A whore from a ranch in the sticks! Humanity has only made it this far because we erased them! You should be thanking us! I've never seen anyone get more pleasure out of torture than you guys! You're monsters!"
Frustration seeps through me, but my face remains nonchalant.
Yet, the denunciations he said were true, he himself was still being hypocritical. We are doing things most sinful humans would do, but all we're doing is seeking information and answers. Sometimes I wondered if our own King worried about his people, or for his own profit and gain.
"But I'm not even afraid...I...I have...I have the king," Sannes continues on. "I....I believe in the king and peace in the walls. That all the things we've done were justified...but...to think it hurts this much.....go on and torture me to death already. That's all I ever did with this blood-stained life of mine."
The man before us looked defeated, blood dripping down his nose and teeth, coating his chin. Blood stains his clothes, while looking utterly a broken mess from it all.
"Time for a break," Levi turns around on his heel, heading towards the door.
Trailing behind him one by one, we soon left Sannes alone within the cold stone room. "Ugh, damn it all," Hanji mutters. "I'm starting to feel sorry for him."
Closing the door behind us with Moblit brushing past me, I take one glance back to the man. Inhaling steadily I left it ajar, but also so we could do our next plan to set in motion. Our voices needed to be heard, needing Sannes' accomplice, Ralph, to read a script we've set for him.
Levi grabs Ralph, "Quit shoving me, it hurts," the mp rasps out, while Levi grips the back of the mans shirt.
"How pathetic can you get?" Levi bitterly says, playing along with the role. "Can't believe you started talking after just one nail. Sannes doesn't have any nails left, he's a real soldier."
I stood beside Levi with the script in hand, while Hanji and Moblit rested on the side so Sannes wouldn't see.
"Like I care, he can get tortured all he wants," Ralph retorts. "The guy never shuts up about peace and the king. The rest of us all hate his damn guts. Just do us a favour and kill him already."
I grit my teeth, "We might need to keep him around until he's verified what he told us," I spoke up, while playing along with my role.
My finger trails along the lines, as Ralph follows along.
"Yeah? Well, you got everything you wanted out of me, so why don't you lay off already?" Ralph snaps, finding this script well written. Thanks to Moblit and Hanji's rundown before, everything seems to be going smoothly. "Oh and about my cell....it'll have a bed, right?"
Once the end of the script was finished, we soon placed him back into his cell. Quietly Hanji, Levi and I nod before trailing back to Sannes, to see if he had fallen for our plan.Pushing the door it creaks open, seeing the man wearily fluttering his eyes open.
"Ready, Sannes?" Hanji asks, while Levi was ready to do more torture if it didn't go straight through that skull. "We're gonna try it again! This isn't easy for me either, but I'll be the best torturer I can--"
"Reiss is the true royal family,"
*
"Wait, so you mean the rightful heir to the throne is....." Armin's voice grew with disbelief, slowly registering the news. "...Historia?"
Hanji nods, "That's correct," She confirms. "And based on that knowledge, we're assuming that she and Eren have been taken to Lord Reiss."
Moblit soon plastered a sketch of the man, whom was our next target.
"That's him,"
My eyebrows furrow, "He's our next target," I announce, claiming the old man that was printed on a sheet. "Right now, we now know the truth. So far so good, all we need is to find the two and bring them back to safety."
"Yes, Ma'am,"
*
My eyes snap wide open, causing myself to gasp out loud, sharply. My eyes hazily gaze around, while in confusion as to my whereabouts. Sweat glistens against my temple, while only seeing his eyes piercing into my own. My skin crawls, as if he was already standing before me. That man in Trost, who was aiding kenny the Ripper yesterday.
Lifting my hand, I ran my fingers through my messy locks with a heavy sigh.
"Shit," I drawl out, with a soft groan.
That's right, I closed my eyes for a moment to ease the tension in my temple. Guess I lost a bit of blood before, no wonder I feel a little sluggish. Grimacing from the awkward position against the brick wall, my body was slightly trembling. It wasn't the pain this time, but my nerves.
He keeps invading my head, like a nightmare.
My ears ringing distantly while hearing the high pitch whistle, continuously deafening my surroundings, leaving me in my own world. Trapped within the sound.
Checking to see what time it was, it seems I wasn't out for long, maybe about fifteen minutes, but it sure was enough to let me feel unsafe again. Pushing myself up to my feet, the old torn mattress beneath me squeaks beneath my weight. Heading out, I hear a loud crash down below the stairs.
Turning around the corner I head downstairs following the sound, almost running into Levi below. He seems to notice my presence, glancing sideways.
"What's going on?" I question, bringing Hanji's attention upon us both.
My eyes soon take in situation of the room, as tables and chairs were scattered and tipped over. Messy it was, but even Hanji seemed more frustrated about it all, despite how calm they can be. Clearly they noticed both Levi and I, before gathering their composure.
"I'm sorry, seems I made a mess," They clear their throat, lowering their glasses over their eyes. "I encountered a large cockroach."
Sighing deeply, Levi turns around glancing side ways.
"I see, well as hard as you kicked it, I bet it learned it's lesson," he jokes back, stoically. "It's time you, filled them in."
"Oh yeah, I guess I might as well," Hanji agrees.
Turning back towards me, his hand reaches out to take mine, tugging me to follow up the stairs beside him.
"And You, I was gonna wake you," He nudges my good arm, glancing over his shoulder. "Is your wound healing, alright?"
Humming softly, "Yeah, I'm alright.......don't worry about me, please?" as we reach the top of the flight of stairs. We soon meet eye to eye for a split second, when Hanji comes barreling between us.
"Alright, let's everyone together," She ushers us, while Levi's lip tugs with irritation.
Slowly she begins to explain everything, briefing them in what we've learnt from the two Mp's. All the kids surrounding the table, were all taking it rather well. Even though the past couple of days were overwhelming, they still managed to loop their head around what's going on currently.
However the very reason why Eren was taken, was to be eaten.
"So they plan to eat Eren?" Armin questions, with disbelief. My eyes flicker across to see Mikasa's eyes clouded with horror, looking uncomfortable.
"Yeah, and Eren remembered a conversation between Ymir and Bertholdt," Hanji spoke up, recalling that moment all too well. It seemed Ymir didn't want to eat anyone in her pure titan form, when she ate the comrade of Bertholdt, Reiner and Annie's. "Akira, will you fill us in.......you were there."
My head lifts up, gaining everyone's attention.
I hum softly, "Situated with their conversation, it seems Ymir was once a mindless pure titan.....however when she consumed someone, she turned human again. It was someone from Bertholdt and Reiner's group........" I continue on, recalling an old conversation Hanji and I shared a few days ago. Recalling my witness to the conversation, only barely. ".......we've never seen a titan transform back to a human, by eating one......but that said, if Reiner and Bertholdt were shifters........then the rest were as well........there must be some kind of different set of rules.....or method to turn into titans."
Hanji clicks her finger in my direction.
"My thought exactly! My assumption is this," Hanji chimes in. "If a titan eats someone with that power, then it'll transform back into a human. What's more, they'll obtain whatever powers that human had. In the other day's battle, Reiner was throwing titans at Eren as he tried to run away. He knew that Eren had the power to take command of feral titans with his scream. If Eren's death would've meant that power was lost, he wouldn't have risked it. I think he hoped one of those titans would eat Eren and take his power.......so my point is, if the government has a titan of their own, they'll use it to eat Eren."
Soon at that moment Mikasa begins to storm towards the door, when Levi swiftly catches her by holding her shoulder.
"Calm down," he tells her firmly. "I know you wanna get Eren back, but going on a rampage won't help with that. Anyway...." he releases her, turning to the rest of everyone else. "...we're heading for Rod Reiss' estate. Prepare to leave at once!"
"Sir!"
One by one the children hurries out of the room to prepare to leave, while I stood beside Levi quietly with Hanji and Moblit hanging back. "I'll go tell Erwin everything we've learned about the Reiss family," She informs us, as we soon trail down the stairs. "I'm sure he's waiting to hear from us, and Lena will come with me...if that's okay...Akira?"
"Hmm, that's fine," I reply.
"Right," Levi replies.
"You and Akira head for Lord Reiss' estate," Hanji instructs. "I'll find you when I can."
Glancing over my shoulder I nod, "We will, don't worry,"
Finally grasping at some little evidence and information on some questions we asked, answered laid wake in our path. Things were happening fast, and I sometimes thought about how Erwin is doing on his side of things. This was beyond what we were assigned for, but then again we need to know.
No one else will do it, so it must be us.
-------------------------------------------------------