*

TWO DAYS LATER - COUNCIL MEETING

Sitting side by side between Erwin and Levi, we were stationed by ranks and opposite of the Military and Garrison. The premier, Zachary, sat at the top chair reading the reports that were given in advance, before we all arrived.

With creating further technology, weaponry, and building an orphanage; our lives were clearly coming to an unsettling peace.

I understood that we've finally had peace and stability within the kingdom, since Historia held the weight of humanity by placing the crown upon her head. Yet, I still felt unsettled for some reason, as if my own nightmares couldn't get any worse. Night after night, I couldn't get a decent amount of sleep in. It wasn't anything new to me, but it was getting more irritating.

Zachary shifts his glasses, lowering the reports he just skimmed by, "I see......a titan guillotine?" raising his eyes to meet everyone's attention. "Excellent job, Survey Corps. The retaking of Wall Maria is starting to look realistic. How goes the nighttime pathmaking in Shiganshina District?"

Erwin nods, "Sir, we've now secured a path more than halfway in," informing him, of the progress so far. "Our swift progress has only been possible thanks to that shining ore....The day we execute the plan to reclaim Wall Maria is now in sight....."

My hands balled into fists firmly, hoping this will become a success. This is my home I once grew up in, and hated the fact that it was the first district to be taken down by the enemies' tyranny.

How careless are they? Breaking through, without a real plan in sight....

"...As is the practical introduction of those new weapons," Erwin continues on, my eyes slicing up to glancing up over my shoulder. "Within the month....I believe that all our preparations will be complete."

Most of the higher ranking officers and soldiers began murmuring, hearing relief or confusion. Clearly this was at least the positive side of the plan, but despite how early this news was brought to Zachary's attention, some would be having misgivings on Erwin's plan.

However, I felt a wave of nausea hit me out of nowhere, causing me to cover my mouth discreetly. Grimacing unpleasantly, I squeeze my eyes to ease the dizziness rushing to my head. Swallowing back whatever wanted to come up my throat , I exhale quietly while trying to be professional and composed.

A hand rests over my thigh beneath the table, causing me to glance over to my left to see Levi looking at me with concern. Giving him a warm smile, I focus back on the meeting.

"Earlier than expected," A military officer spoke up, glancing over the papers with a slight grimace. "But...failure is not an option. After all, keeping the Aristocats we've taxed so heavily under control...and securing the survey corp's special funding......all that is predicated on retaking that lost territory. If we fail, we'll go bankrupt."

I could sense Levi taking everything into consideration, just by how quiet he's been. Side Glancing in his direction, the Mp falls quiet noticing he was looking in Levi's direction.

"Captain, sir.....do you have any advice?" He asks, rather carefully.

Levi was quiet for a moment, ".....no, I don't," he replies, blatantly. "I think you're absolutely right."

Taken by his response, I expected no less to common sense.

Erwin clears his throat, "We have bled both inside and outside the walls, all in order to retake Wall Maria," he comments, displaying our hard work all these years. "As for the survey Corps, we intend to devote our full strength to repay our lost fellow soldiers for giving their lives."

Zachary nods with agreement, "Indeed....it is past time you were rewarded for your efforts," He concurs, firmly while glancing over to the Commander. "I pray that the treasure you seek, sleeps in that cellar in Shiganshina."

Pursing my lips tightly in a thin line, my eyes discreetly glance in Erwin's direction with concern.

*

After the quick rundown and meeting with our progress, we soon headed to a secluded room with Hanji, Commander Pyxis, Commander Erwin, Levi and I. Currently wait for the Premier to arrive, my eyes rested upon the small box with strange tools I've never saw before.

Clearly I understand the syringe part, but the rest was left to the imaginable.

The sound of the door opening and closing, turns our attention to whom was entering. "Looks like I'm late, sorry," The premier apologises, walking over to sit himself on the chair before Levi and I. "Have any luck? Were you able to establish what's in the container?"

Hanji nods, "We have a vague idea, but unfortunately with our technology, I'm afraid we can't dig much deeper," She replies, straightforwardly. "Like we've heard from Eren and Historia, it seems to originate from some sort of human body fluid.......however, it vaporizes when exposed to air, making further analysis virtually impossible to perform."

I hum in agreement, "Clearly, whoever made this, must have extraordinary technology to conduct such a fluid far superior to our own knowledge," assuming the case, despite what little knowledge we knew about titans.

'I just can't imagine how the Reiss family could have managed to do it," Hanji spoke up.

The premier hums in thought, "hmmm........"

"In that case, rather than tamper with it," Pyxis spoke up, suggesting something else. "We should put it to use for our current objective."

"But....to whom do we entrust it?" Zachary questions, the glint in his eyes darken slightly as if he had an idea. Turning to Erwin, "To you, Erwin?"

He shook his head, "No....with my wound, I would be a poor choice," he declines such a suggestion, grasping at the empty sleeve where his missing arm once was. "This syringe, it belongs in the hands of either one of our elite. Someone with the best odds of survival....."

Levi would probably be best choice, despite we know our odds of survival are fifty-fifty. Clearly, I'm not even sure I will make it out alive if something was to happen to me on this mission.

"Akira, will you accept it?"

Glancing up, "Huh? Me?" point to myself, surprised at the thought he would suggest choosing me. "No, I can't......"

"Why is that?" The Commander eyes me, as if he wanted me to give him a solid and confident answer. Clearly I didn't think of myself trust worthy enough, and besides Levi was fit enough to hold such an item.

"Clearly I don't trust myself to hold such an item, but......if it had to become a decision in whom we inject it too...." I began, clearing trying to at least give my part in this. "......then I will support whoever is chosen, but if it's an order I shall do it."

Erwin was hesitant by my response, but gives in and turns to Levi.

"Alright then, Levi, will you accept it?"

"If it's an order, just say so," Levi bluntly replies. "Why even bother asking?"

Erwin adverts his eyes away from him, "When we need to use this, there may not be time to plan," he explains. "We'll be relying on you and Akira to make a decision swiftly, and with little deliberation. Judging when to use it, and on whom, will be your responsibility.....Will you accept it?"

Silence fills the room, as my eyes meets over to lock with Hanji's. Clearly, this was a very heavy request of Erwin. With all means necessary, if I'm ordered to do so, I will try and to everything in my power to make it become a success.

"If this dream of yours comes true, what will you do then?" Levi inquires, with such a complex question.

"I don't know, and I won't," Erwin simply says, his tone lowering quietly with such an unconvincing voice. "Not until it happens."

Levi meets my eyes steadily, seeing himself coming to a decision already.

"All right, I'll do it," he says, before closing the tin box and tucked it into his cloak. However I noticed a sudden change in his eyes, begins to concern me the moment he tucked it away. His posture subtly slouches forward, while his eyes were clouded with an unpredictable look.

Was there something he's concerned about?

"Hmmm....now then, I'd like to discuss that work of mine," Zachary spoke up, shifting the tension for a moment. He leans against the table, hands in a fist in deep thought. "As you know, I'm hoping to unveil it soon. Have you given it any thought?"

Pyxis tilts his head arching an eyebrow, "You mean you still haven't give up on that? If the public were to see such a repulsive display, whatever trust they have in the military would evaporate,"

"You don't know art when you see it,"

*

NEXT DAY - SURVEY CORPS OFFICE

Today has been rather busy and overwhelming, as Eren remembered something from the past. Stating that Commander Shadis was there during the time before the walls were breached, he wanted to gather anything to find out what his was like.

Making a quick meeting to the Cadet Corps, Hanji Levi, and I lead the squad and listened to his story.

To think Grisha Yeager was from outside the walls, and now.....I'm just finding out that both Grisha and my own father knew each other before moving to the walls. So many questions flooded in, but no one could answer them......

...however, only my Uncle would know......maybe I could....

"You wished to see me, Commander?"

He walks over to me slowly with a nod, "Yes, and Hanji as well," he informs me, while my brows furrowed with discomposure. Speaking of her, the door slams widely open with their usual cheery voice.

"I'm here, was I late?!" She announces, mildly loud.

The Commander shook his head, "No, just on time actually" assuring the scientist, I still felt anxious. Not because of him or Hanji, but the sudden meeting out of nowhere. Even though he's addressed he will prepare a small meeting between us three, but clearly he didn't inform me what he is wishing to discuss. "Take a seat, there's a lot to discuss. I know you two travelled great distance today, so just relax for a few minutes."

Gesturing his left hand to the seats before him, he gladly sat down while Hanji and I took the subtle gesture.

Just when my eyes lift to meet his, I noticed him speaking with his eyes with Hanji for only a moment. Clearly this made me more confused, as if Hanji knows what this was about all along. Not wanting to cause a commotion, to distill the conversation.

"I know you both got back from Commander Shadis

"Let's just get straight to the point," Erwin addresses quickly, before his strong blue eyes slice over to mine. "Akira, being a soldier......there will be sacrifices to be made......however, a Commander will know when to step down from his role...."

"Sir?"

Brows pinched together with a focused expression, "You've been a soldier about a decade or more......your skills incomparable to most soldiers within the regiment," He continues, his tone shifts more deeper with a different hidden emotion seeping through. "Both you and Hanji have been with me the longest, and proven your loyalty under my supervision and the previous Commander.......amongst many others who died finding the truth......"

Lowering my head remembering their names, my stomach churns at the many memories I've developed over the years.

".......though I trust Levi with everything, he wishes to remain where he is currently and I couldn't convince him otherwise," Erwin admits, while I slightly tilt my head in confusion. He leans closer, "Akira, will you become the fourteenth Commander of this regiment?"

For a moment I took in consideration he was joking, but waiting for him to say more, all I was given was a serious expression.

"Eh? Me?" turning to Hanji, she grins ear to ear. Waving my hands in defence, "I can't, I'm not fit to have such an objective title.......with all due respect Commander Erwin I--"

"The decision was divided between you both," Erwin cuts me off, allowing me to calm down slowly. "Both you and Hanji are the top soldiers I can count on, by deciding the next Commander........"

Shaking my head, I was more confused as to why he's talking about such changes to the regiment.

"Clearly, the operation will go smoothly?" I assume, but a shift of a grim aura surrounds the Commander. It's as if he was some kind of fortune teller, knowing his future was limited. But so soon? "Commander, please don't give up your life so easily?"

"........."

A hand grasps my shoulder playfully, "Come on, he's just preparing on someone he can trust!" Hanji assures me, out loud with a carefree expression. "To be quite frank here, I had the same reaction as you......but it took time for me to dwell on it. I've made up my mind, whether I get it or not."

"Hanji..."

Such a heavy weight role wasn't for me, and I didn't think of myself so highly, but only a mere Corporal. Though Erwin and I started out with a rough patch, my loyalty grew for his hopes and dreams.

Yet, he can be so unpredictable, it was scary.

"If you wish not become Commander, I've decided to shift you to Section Commander instead," Erwin spoke up clearly, while my eyes widen with surprise. "You are resilient in tough situations, you remain well balanced in indecisive circumstances, you keep an open mind to others and you've watched over many soldiers train...you tend to take everything accountable no matter the position you're in......."

Some I would agree too, but me being myself, I'm not use to such praises or words of declaration.

"Comman--"

"Akira, you may think you're none of those things...." He interjects sharply, before his tone softens. "......but Hanji agrees with me, and I've said the same things to Hanji as well...it's a lot, but I know who I'm asking....whether you don't think so."

Having the weight of the entire regiment was beyond my capabilities, but over many years of watching two Commanders since I was a teenager, showed me how much leading a regiment takes. Though I'm twenty seven now, and I still plan to stay alive as long as possible, was I really fit to become a Commander? Would they follow a woman, like me?

"Your answer will be decided once it's passed on in time," Erwin clarifies, which left an empty feeling settle in my chest. He turns to Hanji, "If she refuses the title, please promote her to Section Commander at least for all the years that she commemorated towards the Scouts and Walls."

Hanji nods, "Yes, Commander,"

Clearly raising my title was a stretch, but if Erwin trusts me enough, then I shall obey his orders. Whether my rank goes up, my loyalty won't change to the Scouts. I have my answer, but right now all I wanted was to take back my hometown.

"Anyway, another meeting is taking place soon," Erwin pushes his chair out, while I sat there trying to process everything.

*

TROST DISTRICT

Sitting with five squad leaders, Marlene, Klaus, Dirk and Harold, around the table, I sat between Dirk and Hanji. With information of papers given to the Commander, he seemed to gather what we've explained from the visit with Commandant Shadis.

"You spoke to Shadis, and based on what he told you, it seems that Grisha Yeager is a human who came from outside the walls," Erwin clarifies, repeating what we've been told. "It seems that Grisha Yeager is a human who came from outside the walls."

Nodding quietly, Hanji turns to him.

"Yes, and like the others," Hanji spoke up, confirming what information we've been given. "Annie, Reiner and Bertholdt, it appears he also had the Power of the titans....but where those three sought to undermine it, he was supportive of humanity within the walls."

Levi was standing up against the wall behind him, in deep thought. Lately we haven't been spending much time, due to how close the operation was about to commence. Worried for him, I decided to wait until personal matters can be discussed later.

Klaus raises his head, "If he was really that supportive of the Scouts and what we do, maybe he coulda thrown a bit more information our way,"

Hanji purses their lips, "I wonder...from the moment he entered the walls, he was searching for the royal family," She recalls, in deep thought. "A heavy burden to shoulder alone...if you ask me...." Hanji turns to Erwin and I. "...that's not something you do unless you have an iron will and incredible resolve....and let's not forget, that same man later wanted to show his young son, eager to join the Scouts, something important.....staring death in the face, he said the truth of it all was there, in the cellar.........what's down there? What was he hiding?"

In deep thought I pinch the bridge of nose, still processing a lot from early today.

"Things which mustn't be said," Erwin simply says. lowly. "No, things which can't be spoken....things he couldn't say, even if he wanted to. That which the first Reiss King wiped from our consciousness," his eyes cast a shadow, from the sun setting behind through the window panes. "Memories of our world, at least, that's my hope....but speculating more won't accomplish anything."

Taking a moment to think for ourselves, my head was clouded with questions I wanted to ask my mother.

Is my family really from beyond the walls? Why did you move here, when we're trapped behind these walls?

What is the Yamasaki clan? Why is my Uncle trying to hard to kill me, to the point where risking his life was manageable?

"Now the final preparations are now complete," Erwin states firmly. "The operation to retake Wall Maria begins in two days. Wanna know what's in that cellar? Let's go see for ourselves......We're Scouts. That's what we do."

Smiling softly at the little encouragement, I take a deep breath in and out.

"I'll leave it to you to alert your squads," Erwin insists, firmly. We all began to push our chairs back, standing up to head out. "Akira, stay behind...."

Surprised by another request, I stood firmly on the side. Feeling presence behind me, warm calloused fingers threaded through mine, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

"Right, we'll keep it quiet for now, though," Klaus suggests, pushing his chair away while standing up.

"I think our troops deserve some meat on a day like this," Harold comments, with a grin. A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips, knowing they also want some excuse to eat some tasty meat before a battle.

"Good idea," Dirk agrees. "Gotta show those kids the adults can be counted on.......also what about Commandant Shadis keeping important secrets from us?"

Quietly everyone dismisses themselves, while Hanji hushes them while trying to tell them to forget it. Clearly it wasn't the time to start accusing, when we have something far more important. Levi drifts away from beside, finding him closing the doors on Hanji who was left confused.

Erwin was confused, "What is it, Levi?"

"This may sound impatient, but...." Levi pauses for a moment, slightly hesitant about something. His jaw was clenched, debating whether to ask Erwin his question. ".....what do you think you'll do after retaking Wall Maria? I'm guessing a defense plan comes first, but after that? What's next?"

"Levi," I hiss lightly.

"Eliminating threats," The Commander simply replies. "Outside the walls, there seems to be someone hoping that titans will eat us all, down to the last person...as to who? Well, if we have any luck, we'll find that answer in the cellar...a full plan will have to wait. First we need to see what's in that room."

Levi didn't seem to be enjoying his response, eyebrows more pinched together with