Chapter XVIII: Strings

Chapter XVIII: Strings

The sun shone brightly over the sprawling refugee camp on the outskirts of Trost. Tents and makeshift shelters stretched as far as the eye could see. Most people had been unable to relocate, while others had stubbornly decided to go back and claim the rubble where their homes once stood. But many had been sprawling in improvised settlements surrounding the fallen city.

Amidst this sea of canvas and despair, a small group of soldiers moved, led by a young woman with red hair that caught the fading light like a fiery halo. As they walked through the camp, people began to recognize her, whispering excitedly and pointing. Some even called out her name.

Anja Wolf, the Hero of Trost, moved through the camp with purpose, her Scout Regiment uniform pristine despite the dust and grime of the surroundings. She smiled and waved at the people, feeling a mix of pride and nervousness at their recognition. At her side, a squad of fellow Scouts distributed supplies - blankets, food, medicine - to the eager hands of the refugees.

"Bless you, miss," an elderly woman said, tears in her eyes as she accepted a loaf of bread from Anja. "You're a true hero. You saved us all!"

Anja smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest at the woman's words, even as a twinge of discomfort twisted in her gut. "I'm just doing my duty," she said, her voice carrying a note of humility that had been carefully coached by her superiors. "We're all in this together."

As she moved through the camp, Anja couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with these people. She, too, had once lost everything when the Titans breached Wall Maria. She, too, had found refuge in Trost, only to see the city now fallen to ruin.

"I know your pain," she said, her voice rising above the murmur of the crowd. "I was there when Shiganshina fell. I saw my home, my family, everything I knew taken by the Titans. And when Trost was attacked, I felt that same despair."

The refugees nodded. They clung to Anja's words, to the strength and resolve in her voice. Children looked up at her with wide, admiring eyes, and Anja felt a weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders.

"They call it a victory," Anja continued, her eyes sweeping over the sea of faces. "But look around you. Look at the ruins of our city, the thousands displaced. Is this what victory looks like?"

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.

"No," Anja said, her voice growing stronger, more impassioned. "This is not a victory. This is a wake-up call. A reminder that the Titans will not rest until every last one of us is devoured. Until every single one of our homes is destroyed. But we will not let that happen. We will not cower in fear. We will not hide behind our walls any longer. We will stand and fight!" She paused, letting the words sink in, then raised her voice to a shout. "Because this attack has shown us something. It has shown us that we are capable of fighting back. We are capable of surviving. And we are capable of reclaiming what is rightfully ours!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, the sound washing over Anja like a physical force. She basked in it, feeling a rush of something she couldn't quite name. Pride? Purpose? She had been so accustomed to others seeing her with fear that this felt entirely new. Here, in this moment, she was loved, admired, respected.

"The Scout Regiment leads the charge," she cried, her fist punching the air. "But we cannot do it alone. We need your support. Every donation of clothes, money, your skill - every volunteer willing to take up the fight, brings us one step closer to victory. Together, we can push the Titans back and finally put an end to them. Together, we can build a future worth fighting for!"

As the applause thundered around her, Anja felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Moblit, one of her assigned handlers. He nodded approvingly. "Well done," he said, his voice low. "Missed a few of your lines, but the delivery was good."

"Oh… I'll try to do better next time," Anja said, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. But as she looked back at the cheering crowd, a genuine smile spread across her face, the adoration and hope in their eyes fueling something warm in her chest.

She moved away from the crowd as people began making donations and some of the younger refugees started signing up to join the military. Anja watched as they handed over meager possessions, things they could barely afford to give, all for the sake of the cause. For a moment, a wave of guilt washed over her.

"We shouldn't ask donations from these people… They barely have anything left…" she murmured to Moblit, her brow furrowed with concern.

Moblit placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Every little bit helps. These people want to contribute. They believe in what we're doing. In what you're doing. Come on, we're almost done here. Give your statement to the press like you've practiced and we can move on."

Anja took a deep breath. "Alright…" Squaring her shoulders as she turned to face the crowd of journalists that had gathered, their pens poised over notepads.

An old man in the front row raised his hand and introduced himself. "Roy, from Berg Newspapers, Miss Anja, the people in Stohess are wondering, do you have any plans to visit the capital, soon?" the reporter called out.

Anja smiled politely. "My duty is here at the moment. We are helping the immediate victims of the Titan attack. But of course, I would gladly go if invited." The words felt stiff and rehearsed on her tongue, but she maintained her composed exterior.

"Miss Anja, what message do you have for the refugees of Trost? Asked another journalist.

Anja's reply was immediate. "I would tell them to stay strong and never give up. We are working tirelessly to ensure their safety and aid them in the reconstruction of the city."

"Miss!" another voice shouted. A man with a notebook and a press badge pushed his way to the front of the crowd. "Can you tell us about your experiences in Trost? What was it like to face the Armored Titan one-on-one?"

Anja's breath caught in her throat, the memories flooding back in a rush blood, the stench of death. For a moment, she was back there, the world narrowed to the pounding of her heart and the Titan's glowing orange eyes, the feeling of bone-deep exhaustion and terror, the rage that had consumed her. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.

Moblit smoothly stepped in, placing himself between Anja and the reporters. "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for questions today. Miss Wolf has a very busy schedule. Rest assured, the Scout Regiment will be releasing an official statement about the Battle of Trost soon. Thank you for your time."

With that, he ushered Anja away, his hand firm on her elbow. Anja let herself be led, her mind still reeling, she could still hear the cheers of the people. It wasn't until they were safely in the carriage, rattling down the road back towards Trost, that she allowed herself to breathe.

Moblit was already rifling through his notes, making marks and muttering to himself. After a few moments, he looked up at Anja with a satisfied smile.

"Excellent work today, Anja," he said, clapping her on the shoulder. "The Section Commander will be thrilled with the turnout, and the donations."

Anja nodded, forcing a smile. "I'm just glad I could help," she said, but the words rang hollow even to her own ears.

As the carriage bumped along the uneven road, Anja stared out the window, watching the refugee camp disappear behind them. The admiration, the cheers, the hopeful faces - it had filled her with a sense of purpose, of pride. But beneath it all, a nagging doubt twisted in her gut.

Was this really helping? Or was she just a figurehead, a symbol to be paraded around? She thought of the refugees handing over their last scraps of food, their worn clothing, their sons and daughters. They were placing their hopes in her, in the Scout Regiment.

But could they really deliver on those promises? Could they truly defeat the Titans, reclaim the land that had been lost? Or were they just feeding people false hope?

Anja shook her head. No, she was making a difference. She had to believe that. The Scout Regiment was humanity's best chance, and if her role was to inspire people, to give them something to believe in, then that's what she would do.

She straightened her shoulders, turning back to Moblit.

"What's next on the schedule?"

...

Armin sat with Mikasa in a quiet corner of the bustling military barracks, watching as soldiers went about their duties. He could tell that Mikasa was worried, her dark eyes clouded with concern.

"Still no news of Eren," Mikasa murmured. "It's been weeks. I thought we'd have heard something by now."

Armin nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I'm sure he is okay, the Scouts will protect him."

Mikasa sighed, her fingers absently tracing the worn edge of her scarf. "I know. It's just... hard, not knowing anything, the wait is killing me."

"We'll see him again soon enough," Armin said, his voice filled with quiet conviction. "We are just a week away from choosing our regiments. We'll be together again, all of us."

Mikasa glanced at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "You really want to join?"

Armin's smile was small but determined. "Yes, I've made up my mind. This goes beyond Eren. Seeing the world beyond the walls, that's what I've always wanted... I'm not strong like you but I'll try my best to not be a hinderance."

Mikasa turned to him, her expression fierce. "Don't say that, Armin. If it wasn't for you the Armored would have killed Eren, us, we wouldn't even be here to begin with. The Scouts need someone like you."

Armin ducked his head, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "I don't know about that..."

Mikasa gripped his hand, forcing him to meet her gaze. "I do. Armin, you have so much potential. You just need to believe in yourself, the way we believe in you."

Armin's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and gratitude shining in their blue depths. "Thank you, Mikasa. That... that means a lot."

Mikasa gave him a small nod, they sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Then Mikasa broke the silence, her voice quiet. "Do you think Anja has seen Eren? She's joined them already..."

Armin shook his head. "If she had, she would have told us. Besides, it's not like she's around much these days."

He nodded towards a nearby poster, one of many that had sprung up around the camp in recent days. A rendition of Anja in a Scout Regiment jacket, her red hair blowing dramatically in the wind, with the slogan "Join the Hero of Trost!" emblazoned beneath.

Mikasa's expression darkened as she took in the poster. "Right, she's busy being paraded around like some kind of mascot. Just look at this stuff. The military is treating her like she's the only one who fought in Trost."

Armin sighed. "I know…"

"But why?" Mikasa asked, frustration seeping into her voice. "Have they forgotten everything Eren did? Everything we did?"

Armin was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "I think... I think it's because Eren's situation is difficult for people to understand. A human who can turn into a Titan? It's frightening, even for those who know him. But Anja... she's easier to market as a hero. A human who fought against the Armored Titan, it can inspire others. She just fits the narrative they want to sell. You talk about it long enough, and soon they might even forget Eren took a part in the battle at all…"

Mikasa scoffed. "So they're just using her and she's smiling and waving while Eren is left to languish somewhere? Does that sound fair to you?"

"I don't think she---"

"Lies!"

Their conversation was cut short by a sudden commotion across the yard. A group of cadets had gathered around Mina Carolina, who was tearing down a poster with a look of pure rage.

"It's all lies!" Mina screamed, her voice cracking with emotion. "Anja Wolf is no hero. She's a murderer!"

The cadets around her murmured, shock and disbelief rippling through the crowd.

"What are you talking about, Mina?" a cadet asked, stepping forward. "Anja fought the Armored Titan. She saved countless lives. How can you say that?"

Mina whirled on him, her eyes wild. "Because I saw the truth! I was there, in the battle. I saw her kill Nac Tius, one of our own comrades! She tore him apart like a rabid animal!"

Gasps of horror echoed through the group. Some cadets stepped back, their faces pale.

"You're lying," another cadet said, shaking his head vehemently. "Anja would never do that. She's a hero, a true soldier. You're just jealous of her!"

Mina laughed bitterly. "Jealous? Of a fraud, a killer posing as a savior? You're all blind, fooled by the propaganda they're shoving down our throats. Soon enough you'll see her for what she truly is."

The argument escalated, voices rising to shouts. Pushes turned to shoves, and soon the cadets were brawling openly.

Armin and Mikasa rushed over, trying to break up the fight.

"Stop it!" Armin yelled, struggling to be heard over the chaos. "This solves nothing! We shouldn't be fighting each other!"

But his words were drowned out by the clamor. It wasn't until the sharp whistles of the Military Police cut through the air that the cadets finally fell still, panting and glaring at each other.

The MPs pushed through the crowd, their faces stern.

"What's going on here?" one of them demanded.

The cadets parted, revealing the torn poster on the ground and Mina, who stood defiantly amidst the wreckage.

"She was tearing down the posters," a cadet explained, pointing at Mina. "Saying the Hero of Trost is a murderer."

The MP's eyes narrowed. He turned to Mina. "Is that so?"

Mina lifted her chin, her voice trembling but firm. "I'm just telling the truth. Anja Wolf is a murderer. She's dangerous."

The MP scoffed. "Save it for the magistrate, cadet. You're coming with us. For destroying military property and spreading seditious rumors."

Mina didn't resist as they snapped the cuffs on her wrists, but she cast a final, burning glance over her shoulder as they led her away. "The truth will come out," she said, her voice ringing with conviction. "You'll see. You'll all see."

As the MPs escorted Mina away, the crowd dispersed, murmuring uneasily. Mikasa watched them go, her expression unreadable.

Mikasa watched them go, her expression thoughtful. "Who could have put those ideas in her head?" she wondered aloud.

Armin didn't respond. He was staring at the torn poster on the ground, a troubled frown creasing his brow. He wanted to dismiss Mina's words outright, he couldn't quite shake the sliver of doubt that had lodged itself in his mind, she sounded so certain…

Anja, a killer? It seemed impossible to him... She was their friend. And yet...

He shook his head, more firmly this time.

No. He couldn't believe it. Until he had proof, concrete and undeniable.

He watched as the torn pieces of the poster were carried away by a swift breeze.

...

The tent was a world apart from streets of Trost. Inside, the air was charged, filled with the strong aromas of chemicals. Anja sat in a corner, perched on a rickety stool, a poster clutched in her hands. She stared down at the image of herself, rendered in bold, heroic strokes. In it, she stood tall and proud, a sword raised high above her head, the words "To Victory! Join the Hero of Trost!" printed on top.

Anja sighed, her brow furrowed. "Is all this really necessary?" she asked, holding up the poster for Hange to see.

Hange glanced up from her notes, her glasses glinting in the flickering light of the lanterns that hung from the tent's ceiling. Her makeshift desk was a jumble of crates and boxes, piled high with papers, books, and strange instruments. "Well, it does make it easier to get the word out," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "You can't be everywhere at once, can you?"

Anja's shoulders slumped. "That's not what I meant..." she mumbled, but Hange had already turned back to her work, her attention consumed by the flask she was holding up to the light.

"Just try to focus on that speech again," Hange said absently, squinting at the liquid in the flask. "You nearly nailed it last time."

Anja sighed again, turning her gaze to the back of the poster, her speech, was written there. "Right..." She took a deep breath, trying to summon the enthusiasm that always seemed to elude her. "The Scout Regiment is at the forefront of Titan research. With your support, we can find their weaknesses, and..."

But the words felt hollow, a mere echo of the heroic image she was supposed to embody. Here, in the dimly lit confines of the tent, hearing the distant chatter of soldiers outside and the scratching of Hange's quill, Anja felt anything but heroic.

Her mind began to wander, drifting to thoughts of fresh air and open spaces. It would be nice to stretch her legs, to feel the wind on her face, if only for a moment. She glanced at Hange, who was now completely engrossed in comparing two flasks, holding them up to the scant light with a look of intense concentration.

Quietly, Anja rose from her stool, her eyes darting to the tent's entrance. The Scout soldiers standing guard outside seemed engaged in their own conversation, their backs turned. Anja's gaze then fell on a small, innocuous gap in the tent's rear wall, half-hidden behind a stack of crates. Slowly, carefully, she began to inch towards it, her footsteps muffled by the dirt floor.

She was just a few feet away when Hange's voice rang out, sharp and sudden in the stillness. "Incredible!"

Anja froze, her heart leaping into her throat. But when she turned, she saw that Hange wasn't looking at her. The researcher was on her feet, her eyes fixed on one of the Titans, a look of manic excitement on her face.

"Come take a look at this, Anja!" Hange exclaimed, beckoning her over.

Reluctantly, Anja followed, allowing herself to be led deeper into the tent. They passed through a series of flaps and partitions until they stood in a space dominated by two enormous forms.

Titans. They were pinned to the ground with massive spikes and bound with chains as thick as a man's arm. Anja felt her breath catch in her throat, a familiar fear rising in her chest. Even though she had seen the captured titans before, she still couldn't get used to it.

"Remember how I told you Chikatilo and Albert were sleepy during the night?" Hange asked, practically bouncing on her heels.

Anja blinked, tearing her gaze away from the Titans. "What? Who?"

Hange waved a hand dismissively. "My Titans! Didn't you pay attention?"

Anja felt a flush of embarrassment. "Oh, yes, I remember now." It was a lie, but Hange didn't seem to notice.

"Take a look at Beane here," Hange said, gesturing to the larger of the two Titans. It was a 7-meter class with short, messy brown hair and brown eyes. "I've been testing his response to sunlight deprivation."

As if on cue, a small clock on Hange's desk chimed, marking the passage of another hour. Hange's grin widened. "Three hours and counting, and he's still beaming! Ha! Isn't he a lively one?"

Anja's eyes were drawn to a small cage near the Titan's head, where two birds, one white feathered and another brown, fluttered and chirped. "What are those for?" she asked, nodding towards the cage.

Hange followed her gaze. "Ah, just a little experiment. I wanted to see if Titans exhibited any predatory behavior towards them. So far, nothing. Neither Bean nor Sawney showed the slightest interest in our feathered friends."

Anja frowned, studying the Titans more closely, the other one, a smaller 4-meter class with short blond hair and blue eyes. Unlike Beane, it seemed utterly still, its eyes open but vacant. Beane's eyes were fixed solely on Hange, tracking her every move with mindless hunger, it drooled opening its mouth. It paid no attention to the birds or her for that matter.

Hange moved closer to Beane, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The Titan stirred, rattling its chains as it strained towards her. Anja tensed, but Hange seemed unfazed.

"I believe they gain energy from sunlight," she explained, circling the restrained Titan. "But it doesn't seem to be a necessity for their survival. More like a boost to their system. Fascinating, isn't it?"

"Could we go a little further away?" Anja asked, unease prickling along her spine.

Hange blinked, as if remembering Anja's presence. "Oh, of course. Sorry, I get a bit carried away sometimes." She carefully picked up the bird cage and gestured for Anja to follow her. They took a few steps back, putting some distance between themselves and the Titan.

Anja tried to control the trembling in her hands. "How you can be so comfortable around them," she said, shaking her head. "After everything they've done to us..."

Hange's expression turned thoughtful. "It wasn't easy for me, at first," she admitted. "But the more I learned about them, the more fascinated I became. They're such unique creatures, Anja. Did you know they don't need to eat us to survive? In fact, they have no digestive system at all. Their bodies sustain themselves through some unknown mechanism. No lungs, no reproductive organs... and if you cut off any part of them other than the nape, they just regenerate it. It's truly mind-boggling."

She paused, her eyes taking on a distant look. "In some ways, their behavior remind me of certain predators in the animal kingdom. Take cats for instance, they often hunt and kill small animals not out of hunger but due to an instinctual drive. A compulsion devoid of rational motivation, brutal, yes, but there's no malice in it. It's just instinct, pure and simple."

Anja absorbed this information, her mind racing. "But why us? Why humans?"

Hange shrugged, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "That's the big question, isn't it?

"Taste, maybe?" Anja suggested.

"No, they don't have a sense of taste, I've already tested for it. Perhaps it's just hardwired into them."

She paused, her brow furrowing. "Of course, our recent expedition threw a wrench into a lot of my theories. The abnormals we encountered behaved in ways I've never seen before. I wish we could have captured one for study."

Hange sighed, running a hand through her hair. "There's still so much we don't know about them. I can't help but wonder, why they're so fixated on humans? With so many options to choose from they exclusively target us. Only to regurgitate our remains later. It's as if the act of killing is more important than the consumption itself."

Anja's stomach turned at the thought. She remembered the aftermath of Trost, the streets littered with the half-eaten corpses of soldiers and civilians alike, the image was seared into her mind. What of Nac? A terrible thought occurred to her.

"Section Commander," she said slowly, "do Titans ever eat the bodies of those who are already dead? Or do they only attack the living?"

Hange paused, considering the question. "You know, in all my studies and expeditions, I've never seen a Titan show much interest in a corpse, when it comes to eating it of course. They seem to be drawn exclusively to living humans. Once someone is dead, the Titans lose all interest. Just one of the many mysteries about their behavior."

She turned to Anja, a curious look in her eye. "Why do you ask? Did you see something during the battle that made you wonder?"

Just then, the tent flap opened, and Moblit entered, his arms laden with papers. "Section Commander, here are the reports you asked for." He paused, glancing between Hange and Anja. "Will you still be leaving tonight?"

Anja's head snapped up. "You're leaving?" she asked, unable to keep the surprise from her voice.

Hange smacked her forehead. "Ah, I'd almost forgotten! Thank you, Moblit." She turned to Anja, an apologetic smile on her face. "I'll be off for a few days, paying your friend Eren a visit."

Anja's heart leapt. "Eren? Can I go with you?"

Hange's expression turned sympathetic. "Oh, I... Well, I don't know. It's not something I can decide. Commander Erwin is the only one who can authorize a visit."

Anja felt her shoulders slump. But Hange's next words sent a flicker of hope through her chest.

 "I need to report to the Commander before leaving," Hange said, gathering up her notes. "Why don't you come with me? You can ask him yourself."

Anja followed Hange out of the tent, falling into step beside her as they navigated the streets of Trost. The evening air, cool and fresh compared to the stuffiness of the tent, filled Anja's lungs as she walked.

Several minutes into their journey, Hange abruptly stopped, frowning as she sifted through the papers in her hands. "Oh no," she muttered, scanning the documents. "I forgot the report from the last expedition. It must still be on my desk."

Anja glanced at Hange, noting her worried expression. "I can go back and get it for you if you'd like," she offered. "You mentioned you were already running late, right?"

Hange paused, considering the offer, then nodded with a grateful smile. "That would be a huge help. The report should be on my desk, labeled 'Expedition 56'. It contains notes and sketches from our last mission outside the walls."

"Got it," Anja said, turning back towards the tent. "I'll meet you at Commander Erwin's office once I find it."

"Thank you, Anja!" Hange called out as Anja started to jog away. "I owe you one!"

Anja waved in acknowledgment and retraced their steps through the dilapidated streets, the moon's bright glow making navigation easy. The guards, familiar with her, allowed her to pass unhindered as she reached the tent.

Inside, Anja approached Hange's 'desk', that cluttered assortment of boxes and crates laden with papers, books, and peculiar instruments. A birdcage housing two small birds, one white and one brown—the same ones Hange had placed near the Titans earlier—caught her attention briefly.

Focusing on her task, Anja began searching through the papers for the one marked 'Expedition 56'. As she rummaged, her eyes fell upon a small glass vial sitting alone in a rack, filled with a dark, syrupy liquid. For an instant, the liquid seemed to move, as if something were stirring within its opaque depths.

Transfixed, Anja watched the liquid swirl and pulse, almost as if it were alive. The mesmerizing sight held her gaze, drawing her in.

Without warning, the caged birds burst into a chorus of agitated chirps, breaking Anja's trance. Startled, she jerked back, her elbow knocking into a precariously balanced piece of equipment. She lunged to catch it, but the rack toppled, sending the vial tumbling to the edge.

"Damn it," Anja muttered as the vial hit against the birdcage on the floor, only a hairline crack was enough to release its contents.

The dark liquid oozed out, pooling on the ground and emitting a strong, pungent odor. Some of it splashed onto the birdcage, causing the birds to flutter and chirp frantically. However, almost as quickly as they had reacted, they calmed, preening their feathers as if nothing had occurred.

Anja observed in astonishment as the spilled liquid rapidly evaporated, vanishing without a trace within seconds. Only a faint, lingering odor and the broken vial remained as evidence of the incident.

Spotting the 'Expedition 56' report, miraculously unscathed by the mishap, Anja grabbed it. She hastily scooped up the broken vial, depositing out of sight before hurrying out of the tent.

... 

She arrived at the building where the Scout's Commander had set up temporary office. The structure, one of the few left mostly intact in the block, just a simple three story building, its windows dark save for a lone light flickering in an upstairs room. Two soldiers stood guard at the entrance, their faces stern and alert.

"The Commander is expecting you, Wolf," one of them said as Anja approached, nodding towards the door.

Anja acknowledged him with a quick nod and stepped inside, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. As she climbed the stairs to the second floor, muffled voices drifted down from the illuminated office above. She raised her hand to knock, but before her knuckles could connect with the wood, the door swung open.

A tall, broad-shouldered man with a scruffy blond beard stood in the doorway, his nose twitching as if catching a scent. "Thought I smelled something," he mumbled, eyeing Anja curiously.

"Just let her pass, Miche. It's alright," came Commander Erwin's voice from within the office.

Miche stepped aside, allowing Anja to enter. Inside, she found Hange standing by Erwin's desk, a stack of papers piled before her. Erwin himself sat behind the desk, his blue eyes sharp and assessing as they fell upon Anja.

"Sorry I took so long," Anja said, handing the report to Hange.

Hange accepted it with a grateful nod, adding it to the pile on Erwin's desk.

Erwin glanced at the papers, then back at Hange. "Be on your way now. I'll let you know if something comes up."

Anja blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. She had assumed she would be accompanying Hange to see Eren. But before she could voice her confusion, Hange placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Sorry," she murmured, an apologetic look in her eyes. Then, with a final nod to Erwin, she turned and left the office, Miche following close behind.

"Please, sit," Erwin said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.

Anja hesitated for a moment before lowering herself into the seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "Sir, I guess Section Commander Hange already told you..."

"Yes, she has," Erwin said, his voice calm but firm. "And the answer is no."

Anja's heart sank, disappointment welling up inside her. But before she could protest, Erwin continued.

"I understand your desire to see your friend, and I assure you, you will. But your work here is not yet finished."

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk, hands clasped before him. "According to Hange's reports and the accounts I've received, the turnout at your recent appearances has been increasing. The support you've gathered, the donations you've secured are proving incredibly helpful to our cause."

Anja shifted in her seat, a mix of pride and discomfort at the praise. She knew the words she spoke at those events weren't entirely her own. She glanced around the office, taking in the maps and diagrams pinned to the walls, the books and papers scattered across every surface. On Erwin's desk, she noticed a large map marked with numerous annotations and symbols, like a battle plan in the making.

"With the regiment assignments coming up next week, I have no doubt that many will join our ranks because of you," Erwin continued. "Your presence here is vital. The people look to you as a symbol of hope, a beacon in these dark times. We need that now more than ever."

He paused, his gaze softening slightly. "I know it's a heavy burden to bear. But you're not alone in this. We're all fighting for the same cause, working towards the same goal."

Anja nodded, swallowing past the lump in her throat. "I understand, sir. I just... I worry about my friends, it's been a while since I've seen them."

Erwin smiled, a small, reassuring curve of his lips. "Rest assured; they are all doing well. Eren, in particular, is making excellent progress under the best possible care and protection. And who knows? Perhaps due to your efforts, you might see them all join the Scout Regiment soon. Your influence can go a long way in inspiring others to join our cause."

Anja's eyes lit up at the possibility, a hopeful smile spreading across her face. "Really? You think so, sir?"

Erwin nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, I do. But for now, let us focus on the task at hand. Word of your achievements has already reached the capital, according to the papers." He glanced down at the map on his desk, his finger tracing a line from Trost to the center of the map."It's only a matter of time before you receive an official invitation to Stohess."

Anja's eyes widened. The heart of the kingdom, where the nobles and the king resided, sounded like a world apart from their own. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

"A visit to the capital would be a tremendous opportunity," Erwin said, his voice taking on a note of excitement. "The support and resources we could secure there would be invaluable for the upcoming expedition."

Anja tilted her head. "What kind of expedition, sir?"

He tapped the map again, his gaze growing distant for a moment. "I'm still charting out the details, but what you need to know is that it will be of utmost importance to our cause. The resources and support you're helping to secure will be crucial to its success."

Anja leaned forward. "What do you need me to do, sir?"

Erwin's smile widened, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. "Keep doing what you're doing. Inspire the people. Rally their support. Secure the resources we need. Your role in making this possible cannot be overstated."

He stood, rounding the desk to place a hand on Anja's shoulder. "I know I'm asking a lot of you, Wolf. But I wouldn't do so if I didn't believe in your ability to rise to the challenge."

Anja rose to her feet, meeting Erwin's gaze with a newfound determination. "I won't let you down, sir. I'll do whatever it takes."

Erwin nodded. "I know you will. Now, I won't keep you any longer, get some rest soldier. You have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow."

As Anja left Erwin's office, her mind buzzed with the weight of her new responsibilities. The expedition, the capital, the role she had to play... It was a lot to process. She made her way back to her quarters, the streets of Trost quiet and still in the late evening hours.

Exhausted from the day's events, Anja collapsed onto her bed, her eyes heavy with sleep. She drifted off almost immediately, the thoughts and challenges that lay ahead swirled together in her mind.

...

Anja found herself in a bustling city, surrounded by smiling faces and laughter. She couldn't quite place where or when she was, but it felt familiar, comforting.

A city, bustling with life. Laughter echoed through the air, carried on a warm breeze. Sunlight glints off shop windows and the smiles of passersby.

Familiar faces in the crowd. Friends, perhaps. They walk and talk, their expressions bright, their movements fluid and natural.

A flicker. A hum. It filled the air, growing louder and more insistent with each passing second. It was as if the world shivered, just for a moment.

The laughter continued, the smiles never faltering. But the edges of things blur, colors bleeding into one another.

As Anja looked down, she noticed the ground glistened. Red. Crimson blood. It pooled around her feet, seeping into the cracks of the pavement. Yet, everyone else walked through it without a care, their shoes leaving crimson footprints in their wake, yet there were no ripples.

She tried to cry out, to warn them, but her voice was lost in the static.

Silver glints in the sun. Thin, almost invisible threads, stretching up, up, into the darkening sky.

Attached to the limbs and heads of the people around her. Their movements felt twitchy now, unnatural. Puppets on invisible strings.

The red spreads, consuming the pavement, the streets. It laps at the feet of the puppets, but they pay it no mind.

She looked down on her own hands and saw that she, too, had strings. Dark and thin. But hers were different - instead of reaching up to the sky, they plunged downward, tethering her to the blood-soaked ground.

Then the strings began to pull tightly, dragging her down into the crimson puddle. She struggled, trying to resist, but the force was too strong. The blood rose around her, engulfing her, turning black, an abyss.

The puppets dance on, oblivious. Her hand sinks, the black rising, consuming.

Static fills the air, drowning out the laughter. The world tilts, the strings tighten.

Darkness, all-encompassing. A final, desperate gasp.

...

Anja jolted awake, a scream lodged in her throat. She sat up, her heart pounding, trying to shake off the lingering unease of the nightmare. As her eyes adjusted to the early morning light, she noticed a flicker of movement by her window.

Two birds sat on the sill, their small black eyes fixed on her, one white another brown feathered. Anja recognized them immediately – Hange's birds.

Unnerved, Anja rose from the bed, moving cautiously towards the window. As she approached, the birds took flight, disappearing into the bright sky.

Anja stood there for a moment, trying to make sense of what she had seen... How did they escape? Why where they there? But before she could dwell on it further, a knock at the door startled her back to reality.

"Anja?" Moblit's voice called from the other side. "We have to go. It's time for your speech."

Anja shook her head, pushing the strange events of the morning to the back of her mind. She had a job to do.

"I'll be right there," she called back, already reaching for her uniform. As she dressed, she tried to focus on the task ahead, on the words she would recite this time to inspire the people of Trost. But the unease of the nightmare lingered, a shadow at the edge of her thoughts, waiting to be acknowledged.

...

The day passed in a blur, Anja's mind split between the present moment and the lurking remnants of her unsettling dream. She stood on the stage, the words of her speech flowing from her lips as rehearsed hundreds of times, her voice projecting confidence and hope to the gathered crowd.

As the speech concluded, Anja stepped down to greet the people who had come to see her, falling into the familiar rhythm of her role as the Hero of Trost. She offered smiles and words of encouragement, her responses rehearsed and automatic.

"Thank you for your support," she said to one of the attendees, "Your help is much appreciated."

They smiled and moved on, a sea of faces, she could scarcely keep up with them all. And each moved on making way for the next person in line.

"Good to see the Hero of Trost in person. I was starting to think you were just a myth." the voice said, a hint of amusement underlying the words. "Quite the performance you put on up there."

"Thank you, it's…" Anja paused, her hand still extended, as she looked up to see who the voice belonged to. And when she did, her practiced smile faltered for a moment.

Annie?

...

The backstage was quiet, the muffled sounds of the dispersing crowd fading into the background. Annie leaned against a wall, her arms crossed, her expression a mix of nonchalance and subtle curiosity.

"So, I see you're doing well," she said, her eyes flicking to Anja's shoulder. "That wound of yours didn't heal yet?"

Anja touched the mark, feeling the scar run all the way to her back. Even under her jacket, it still felt as if it were burning slightly. "No, it bothers me a little, but it's nothing I can't handle. Can barely even feel it."

Annie's lips quirked in a faint smile. "Hmm, you didn't make such a bad choice with the Scouts after all."

Anja shrugged, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. She tried to muster some enthusiasm. "Yeah, I mean, it's great. They even gave me my own room. The food is nice…" Her voice trailed off, the initial excitement fading. "Yeah... It's..."

"Not what you expected?" Annie finished, her tone knowing.

Anja sighed. "No... But it's not all bad."

Annie pushed off from the wall, moving closer. She glanced at a poster of Anja hanging nearby, a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "I can see it has its benefits."

She shifted, eager to change the subject. "So... How have you been?"

Annie's expression remained neutral. "Well, the Garrison doesn't run out of tasks to give us, and we haven't even managed to get all of the rubble clear yet. But we're getting there."

"I meant if you are well."

A flicker of something - amusement, perhaps - crossed Annie's face. "I... Yes, can't complain."

Anja sighed, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Doubt I'll get more than that from you. And the others?"

Annie shrugged giving her a quizzical look. "I can't say. Everyone is stuck in their own tasks." She paused, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face. "You know, speaking of... What about Eren? No one has seen him since he joined up, I assumed you'd know."

Anja shook her head. "No, I haven't seen him… I just know he isn't in Trost. They're keeping things pretty quiet. I'm not even sure what they even plan to do with him, but I heard he's fine. Why?"

Annie nodded, her expression remained neutral. "I was just curious. He's your friend, after all you barely hear anything about him these days..."

Anja studied her for a moment, a faint frown creasing her brow. Something about Annie's tone didn't quite ring true.

Annie cleared her throat "So, anyway, we're all counting the days for when we pick our regiments."

"And... Have you decided yet?"

Annie's gaze turned cool. "If you think your speeches have made me change my mind, the answer is no. I will go to the Military Police."

Anja leaned in, her voice low and earnest. "Well, you can mock them all you want, but it's true. The Scout Regiment is the only one that can bring some real change."

Annie scoffed. "Save the propaganda for your speeches. I don't care about it." Her tone turned more joking. "By the looks of it, all you're doing is parading around. It's not like you're doing any actual work. I'd rather do that in the interior."

"Oh, I see where this is going." Anja wasn't deterred. A mischievous glint entered her eye. "I'll do you one better. C'mon." She grabbed her Scout cloak from a nearby chair and draped it over her shoulders, pulling up the hood to cover her face and opened the door outside motioning for Annie to follow .

Annie hesitated for a moment, suspicion warring with curiosity in her eyes, but eventually followed Anja through the door.

They walked through the back alleys and side streets, Anja's cloak billowing out behind her.

"Where are we going?" Annie asked, even as she fell into step behind Anja.

Anja glanced back, a smile playing on her lips. "You'll see."

They approached a checkpoint with armed guards bearing the Garrison Regiment's sigil stationed among the rubble and still-standing buildings.

"Isn't this area off-limits?" Annie murmured, her eyes darting to the shadows.

Anja waved a hand dismissively. "Just follow along, will you? Trust me."

She led Annie around a corner, weaving through broken buildings and sneaking past the guards. Annie seemed slightly on edge, but it didn't take long before they reached their destination. It wasn't the first time Anja had passed through there, sneaking in and out of Hange's lectures.

"This is kind of where I am at most of the time, in between 'speeches'." Anja explained, gesturing towards the large tent in front of them. "It's not exactly authorized, so we have to be careful." She moved towards the back of the tent, where there were no guards stationed, and began to clear away some crates that had been stacked there.

"I made this little escape route a while back," she said with a smirk, revealing a small hole in the canvas. Anja peeked inside, ensuring there was no one, then gestured for Annie. "Come on.

They slipped inside, the stale air was the first thing that hit her, she never got used to it, the dim interior filled with all of Hange's strange equipment and the two covered shapes of Beane and Sawney.

"What is this place?" Annie asked, her eyes adjusting to the gloom.

"This is where Section Commander Hange has been conducting most of her experiments, I've helped her a few times. She knows a lot about Titans." Anja's voice was tinged with excitement. "Just don't touch anything, please."

"There's more to being a Scout than speeches, huh?" Annie remarked, her gaze roving over the tent's contents.

Anja's attention was drawn to Hange's desk, a disorganized collection of crates. The cage where the birds had been was still there, but the tiny door was open. Someone had let them out?

Annie's voice pulled Anja's focus back. "What's that?" She pointed to two large, covered shapes in the center of the tent.

Anja followed her gaze, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Oh, I'll show you, but promise not to freak out."

Slowly, she pulled back the cover from one of them, revealing the restrained form of a Titan. It was Beane, his brown eyes instantly locking onto Annie as he began to stir, straining against his bonds.

Annie stumbled back, her body tensing as if ready to attack, fear and shock written across her face. "W-why are they keeping Titans here? What---"

"Hey, calm down, it's alright, it can't do anything--" Anja tried to reassure her, but Beane was growing more agitated by the second. The Titan's eyes locked onto Annie, its groans escalating into growls.

Anja carefully stepped closer to Beane, trying to cover him with the tarp again. "Shh, quiet down," she whispered urgently.

But the Titan's movements became more frantic, its restraints creaking ominously. The noise level inside the tent rose, her heart pounded in her chest.

Outside, the muffled voices of guards could be heard.

"Hear that?" one guard said, his voice carrying a hint of suspicion.

"Did someone check in earlier?" another guard responded, sounding more alert.

Anja and Annie exchanged a panicked glance. Anja frantically pulled the tarp over Beane but the Titan only grew more agitated, thrashing against his bonds.

"We need to get out of here," Annie hissed, her eyes wide with urgency. "Now."

Anja nodded, her mind racing. They had to move fast. She grabbed Annie's arm, pulling her towards the back of the tent. The sound of the Titan's struggles and the approaching footsteps.

"What's going on with that thing?!" one of the guards called out, his voice closer now.

Anja and Annie slipped out through the hole, the cool fresh air hitting their faces as they emerged. Anja quickly covered the hole again with the crates,.

They ducked into the shadows, moving as quietly as possible. The guards' voices grew louder, and Anja's pulse raced. She could hear them searching the tent, their frustration evident.

"Nothing here, but I swear I heard something," a guard muttered.

"Keep looking." another replied.

Anja and Annie stayed low, creeping away from the tent and back towards the safer parts of the camp. Every step felt like an eternity, but finally, they reached a secluded alley, pausing to catch their breath.

"That... was too close," Anja whispered, her voice trembling.

Once they were sure they weren't being followed, Annie rounded on Anja, her eyes flashing with anger. "What the hell was that, Anja? Why would you bring me there?"

Anja held up her hands, taken aback by Annie's reaction. "I just wanted to show you the important work the Scouts are doing. I thought maybe if you saw it for yourself, you'd consider joining..."

Annie scoffed, shaking her head. "You thought showing me that thing would convince me? Are you out of your mind?"

"Annie, please, just listen--"

"No, you listen." Annie's voice was cold, her expression hard. "I'm not changing my mind. I'm joining the Military Police, and that's final."

Anja's shoulders slumped. "But why? Can't you see? We're the only ones doing anything to turn the tide of the war, you could do a lot of good here…"

Annie sighed, some of the anger draining from her posture. "It's not about that... I don't care about any of it, alright? I just…" Her voice faltered, and for a moment, her tough exterior seemed to crack.

There was a moment of tense silence. Annie's eyes were filled with a pain she couldn't voice.

Finally, Annie turned away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I have to go."

Annie's words hung in the air long after she'd disappeared from view, a final, echoing whisper.

Anja stood rooted to the spot, a tangle of emotions warring in her chest. Frustration, disappointment, a gnawing sense of failure.

"Where have you been?" he asked, his tone sharp. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Anja sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. "I'm sorry, sir. I just needed some air."

Moblit frowned, looking like he wanted to press further. But something in Anja's expression must have stopped him. "Fine. Just... don't disappear like that again, alright? We're going to have to reschedule for tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." The words were automatic, hollow.

Anja made her way to her quarters, each step a monumental effort. She fell onto her bed, not even bothering to undress. Exhaustion claimed her almost instantly, dragging her down into a restless, fitful sleep.

The wind whispered against the window, a gentle lullaby in the stillness of the night. Anja lay in bed, her mind adrift in the hazy space between wakefulness and dreams..

She turned, the sheets twisting around her, the pillow cool against her cheek. Sleep tugged at her, insistent, but something held her back. A feeling, a prickling at the edge of her consciousness.

The room was quiet, the shadows still. But the silence felt heavy, pregnant with something unseen, something waiting.

Anja's breath hitched, her heart a sudden drum in her chest. She lay frozen, every nerve straining, every sense heightened.

A sound, a whisper, a breath that wasn't her own. It came from everywhere and nowhere, a presence that filled the room, the air, her very lungs.

"Aa-n-j-a…"

It whispered, a hint of a trill in its tone.

She wanted to move, to sit up, to look. But her body was lead, her limbs heavy, unresponsive. Panic clawed at her throat, a scream that couldn't escape.

Something brushed against her foot, a feather-light touch that sent shivers racing up her spine. It moved, a slow, deliberate crawl, up her leg, her thigh, her stomach.

Anja's heart was a hummingbird, frantic, desperate. She tried to jerk away, to thrash, to fight, but she was paralyzed, a prisoner in her own skin.

The thing was at her face now. It hovered there, a breath away, a shadow in the darkness.

And then, pain. Searing, blinding, all-consuming. It lanced through her right eye, a white-hot needle that pierced to the very core of her being.

Anja screamed, but there was no sound. She writhed, but there was no movement. There was only the pain, the invasion, the sickening sense of something burrowing, twisting, violating.

It lasted an eternity, a heartbeat, a single, shuddering breath. And then…

Anja's eyes flew open, the morning sun a blinding glare. She lay in bed, her heart racing, her body drenched in sweat. The nightmare's grip on her mind was still fresh, the sensation of the unseen horror lingering.

She stumbled out of bed, her feet carrying her to the mirror almost of their own accord. Her hands shook as she leaned in close, examining her face, her eyes. Those vibrant green eyes stared back at her, wide and frightened, but unchanged…

Just another nightmare...

In the reflection, something caught her attention, two little shapes in the periphery of the mirror. Anja's gaze darted to the window, her breath catching in her throat.

There, on the sill, sat those two birds.

They were unnaturally still, their eyes open and staring, their bodies rigid. Like small statues.

Dead?

Then the door to her room burst open with a bang.

Moblit stood there, his face grave, his eyes wide.

"Wolf, you need to come with me. Now."

...

Anja stared at the steaming remains of Sawney and Beane, her mind struggling to comprehend what she was seeing. The Titans were reduced to nothing more than bones, their remains dissolving in the morning light.

Around her, Military Police soldiers swarmed the area, their voices a low, tense murmur as they investigated the scene. The research tent was being dismantled, the equipment packed away.

Moblit stood beside her, his face a mask of disbelief.

"Who could have done this?"

/

/

/

Note: It's finally here, life caught up to me and I've been busy. This one is a bit longer than the usual chapter, there's just too much going on, and I had to cut a lot. There are tons of things that didn't make it here, a lot having to do with side characters that are going through their own separate stories from the main plot. Let me know if you'd like to see a bonus side chapter of sorts, that delves more into them (Sasha, Ymir, Christa, Marco and Jean) or if you want me to just focus next week on continuing the main plot, thank you for reading!