Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

ONE-HUNDRED-AND-ONE

'Trust is the greatest enabler of our world.'

-An unseen extract written by philosopher Adette Briggs.

<><><>

ONE-HUNDRED-AND-ONE

Wall Maria, North Region, Islet

Levi returned to Islet in chaos.

From every street, from every window, people talked and gossiped about the coming dawn— a morning that, supposedly, would change everything.

Lorelai was to duel at dawn.

She would walk up to the gates where this had all started, the world's eyes upon her. She would look her father in the eye and shoot to kill... were she not killed first.

Lorelai was prepared to give her life, to give their future to put this man in his grave. What on earth was she thinking?

Levi arrived the night before the dreaded morning. He'd been away, seeing to the hostage situation in Noaks. Despite hearing of Erwin's doubts, Levi had trusted that Lorelai would deal with the situation.

Either she'd gone off the deep end... or she was getting desperate. Levi couldn't decide which was worse.

The snow blasted against his face as he walked down the dark streets. Islet was as quiet as always, but there was a buzz in the air. The world was waiting for the dawn, watching in anticipation.

Levi eventually reached the inn, the light from the window breaking through the night. He could hear the muffled sounds of shouting inside. Romero, he recognised.

The door creaking, Levi stepped in. The snowstorm howled behind him as he closed the door. The room fell silent.

Everyone was here, Romero, Erwin, Gabriel, Elske. They all seemed rather on edge. Romero had veins popping from his forehead; Erwin sat morosely in an armchair. Gabriel and Elske were glaring daggers at Lorelai.

She was leaning against a wall, silent, arms crossed.

"Levi," Erwin greeted. "I'm sure you've caught word of the situation."

He nodded, hanging up his coat. Levi caught Lorelai's gaze for a moment, but then she looked away.

"How did it come to this?"

Romero huffed, pointing an accusing finger at Lorelai. "She thinks the only way to resolve this is by going out there and making some damn dramatic display!"

Lorelai chuckled to herself; all eyes turned to her.

"You think this is funny?" asked Erwin incredulously.

"It's probably not, right? No, this very terrible," she laughed. "Oh, your faces." Lorelai looked around the room. "You all look scared to death."

"You are the most self-absorbed, apathetic bitch in these damn Walls," Gabriel cursed. "We're all here because we've been sucked into your damn drama. We didn't ask for any of this!"

"And neither did I. And yet I'm not whining like children about what needs to be done."

The room fell into hostile silence. Lorelai only sighed lethargically, sitting down and watching them, a bored expression on her face.

"What if you get killed, Lorelai?" spoke up Elske eventually.

"So be it," she shrugged. "I'm not as important as you all seem to think. If my father shoots first... the conflict will be over, and your lives will continue." Levi visibly winced from the corner of her eye.