Chapter 1 - Don't Go

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WARNING: Spoilers.

"What could I have possibly done to prevent this? To save everyone, including myself...? Nothing. Just nothing. No matter how many twisted scenarios torment my mind, there was no way to stop that bomb. I’ve always wondered why I was singled out to be Darius's assistant. Why me? It feels like a cruel joke. I’m consumed by guilt—deep, suffocating guilt—for Darius, for my friends who had to witness that horror, and for the unbearable reality of leaving this world behind... without him."

(Y/n) gazed out of the window in Darius Zackley’s office, lost in thought while he sifted through paperwork in preparation for the upcoming meeting with her close friends, Mikasa and Armin.

“So tell me, how does it feel to be the famous ‘Captain Levi’s wife?’” he asked, attempting to strike up a conversation.

A smirk played on her lips. “Oh, it’s quite the dream, Sir.”

He chuckled softly. “I must apologize for missing your wedding. I can only imagine how beautiful it was.”

“It truly was, Sir. We had doves take flight after the kiss. It felt like heaven,” (Y/n) said, her thoughts drifting back to that magical day a few years ago. “It feels like it was only a month ago.”

“Only a month ago? Not yesterday?” he pondered, raising an eyebrow in playful curiosity.

"Well, with all our new technological advances, it feels incredibly far away now. We've come so far with the discovery of more... ‘nations,’ right? Yes, nations. It’s astonishing. We even received that flying boat from the Hizuru clan."

Darius nodded, genuinely impressed by her enthusiasm, though she couldn’t shake the bittersweet weight that settled in her heart.

“But…” she began again, gaining Darius’s attention. “I can’t shake the feeling that… terrible things are about to happen here, and soon. We’re in the midst of something that will change history, and we’re walking into the unknown. To say we’ll be fine… well…”

Darius opened his mouth to respond, but he lost his train of thought as the loud murmur of a crowd drifted in from outside.

(Y/n) tensed and stood up from the couch, her eyes wide. “What the hell…?”

“They’ve been rioting at every local military base,” Darius sighed wearily. “I guess this one is next. Those two should be here soon, if they haven't been gobbled up by that mob already.”

(Y/n) walked carefully over to the window and stared down at the chaos unfolding below. Her heart raced as a chilling sense of danger crept in, fueling her anxiety. Suddenly, two loud knocks echoed from the door, making her jump.

“Come in,” Darius said aloud.

Mikasa and Armin stepped inside, both saluting. (Y/n) returned their gesture with a gentle smile.

“Commander in Chief, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule today,” Armin said earnestly.

“Not at all. I apologize that we had to convene under such circumstances,” Darius replied, glancing out the window. “Quite some time has passed since your initial request.” He turned to face them once more. “Please, have a seat, heroes of Shiganshina.”

Mikasa and Armin settled into the soft armchairs positioned in front of Darius’s desk, while he took his place across from them. (Y/n) remained by the window, her gaze fixed on the guards diligently working to prevent the rioters from breaching the gate.

“I hear Hanji is running around like mad, as always,” Darius began, shaking his head with a hint of fond amusement.

“Yes, the commander is following some leads…” Mikasa replied as she settled into her seat.

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