Attack on Titan: Bloodline -- Version 2

• Chapter 11 •

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the world while Lorraine and Mikasa hoisted Eren over Wall Rose, draping his arms over their shoulders. He was unconscious, but he occasionally let out a groan. Armin asked as they gently lowered themselves down the wall and onto the ground, "How do you think this happened? Has he always...y-you know...?" Lorraine sighed, looking at her friend's sleeping face. Mikasa said softly, "We should worry about getting him to safety first. We'll ask questions later." Lorraine grunted, struggling to hold Eren's dead weight, "She's right. We have to...make sure he's okay--" She gasped. Mikasa and Armin both looked up. The group was suddenly surrounded by Garrison soldiers.

"Oh no! What do we do now? They'll never let us go!"

"I'll kill them all."

Lorraine's eyes widened apprehensively as she and Armin gaped at Eren. Mikasa froze in her place for a moment. Eren's eyes were half-lidded and he had a horrific grin on his face. His smile faded as he began to realize the situation. Lorraine asked, gently hitting his cheek, "Eren? Eren, are you okay?" Armin asked frantically, "Can you move? Please, Eren! Tell them everything you know! I-I'm sure they'll understand!"Eren asked, confused, "Armin? Lorraine? Wh-where are we?" Whispers fluttered around from the army of Garrison soldiers.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yeah. He said he's gonna kill us all."

"I know. I heard it, too."

"I'll bet he wants to eat us!"

Mikasa stood up and stood defensively in front of her sister and her friends. Eren looked around, still not sure what was happening. He asked shakily, "Wh-what are they talking about? A-are they pointing their blades at us?! B-but those are for taking out Titans! Why are they looking at us like that? Wh-what's going on!?" Lorraine tightened her grip on his body as she looked back up at Mikasa and the Garrison. Armin knelt beside Eren, holding his other arm and supporting his weight. A light breeze stirred up the dust around them while Garrison Regiment Commander Kitz Woermann shouted, "Cadets Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, Lorraine Ackerman, and Armin Arlert! You have committed an act of treason! Whether you live or die depends solely on your actions here and now! Don't try anything funny or attempt to move from where you stand! If you do, we will blast you to bits immediately and without hesitation!" Lorraine's amber eyes darted from soldier to soldier fearfully. Each one had both Titan-killing blades drawn and all the sharp blades were aimed directly at the four kids.

"Now," Commander Woermann shouted, "This is a direct question! Answer truthfully! Are you a human or a Titan!?" Lorraine began to protest, but Eren interrupted, "I-I'm sorry, Sir, but I...I-I don't understand!" Commander Woermann said skeptically, "Feigning innocence won't help you, Monster!! Now answer the question before we blast you to bits!" Eren gasped and looked around, panicking. Woermann explained, "Listen! A great many people witnessed the moment you appeared from inside the body of a Titan!!" Eren's blue-green eyes shimmered.

"We've allowed an unknown being to infiltrate Wall Rose! Even if you are a member of the Cadets as sanctioned by the King, it is well within my authority to eliminate any and all threats as quickly as possible! The Armoured Titan that took down Wall Maria could very well appear at any moment now!! Hell, for all we know, you could simply be a distraction!"

Mikasa furrowed her brows and gritted her teeth. Woermann continued, "Even as we speak, the very survival of humanity is at stake! Do you understand?! We simply cannot afford to waste any more time or manpower on you; however, I will take you down with high explosives if I must!" A female soldier with short, silvery-white hair and round, wire-framed glasses said something quietly to the Garrison Commander. She was too quiet for anyone to hear, but Mikasa stepped forward aggressively.