Vengeance Of A Human

Before I Return Home

Two months later

Seeing Mikasa take the load from Eren because "'he's tired from the experiments'" is damn lie as she and Eren argue once more about her overprotectiveness. Historia and I shake our heads as I offer to take her load and leave the pair to themselves. It almost brought back a sense of familiarity that I hadn't felt in two months.

"So I hear you've been helping Hange with some new technology. With the glowing ore found in the underground cavern."

"Yes. We're calling them 'iceburst stones' and with those ores, we've been up to much with our weaponry. Also, I helped with the Titan guillotine mission outside Trost, leading our bratty friends officially as a squad leader. Reinforced by Eren's hardening, we can kill Titans without dropping a man into a fight. I cannot lie though, as much as I am liking bettering our equipment and the like… I'm ready for Shiganshina."

Historia nods as she folds her hands behind her back. "I understand. I ask Eren what he would do if he met Reiner and Bertholdt again… What about you? Do you think...you could actually kill them?"

I bit my lip. "Are you asking me as a soldier or as me?"

"As you."

"Reiner… Yes. Yes, I would, it's all I ever swore. But Bertholdt...maybe. But before I even consider it, I have to know why they hate us. I need answers. I need to know...what the basement may not be able to answer. I need to know why they spent three years among us, why they befriended us, why I shouldn't...kill them. I need to know that there's not a shred of humanity in them, that I am truly facing monsters wearing human skin, not humans playing monsters. And then… I'll deal with their deaths."

"Oh…"

I sigh. "Well, it isn't all too bad. We got some new recruits, some of them idiots from the 104th who joined the Garrison. Bunch of optimistic dumbasses...but I guess we were the same as recruits. I also guess it makes sense, after all, since we're on the verge of retaking Wall Maria. But as for us… Eren asks 'who exactly are we fighting against' and I don't have that answer… Speaking of that, you'll never guess who we revisted. Eren's memories of the guy his father met, that bastard is Commandant Keith Sadies himself."

"Really?"

"Yes. Hearing the man talk without sticking a sword up your ass was more terrifying than anything, but he spoke of Eren's father. Nothing of value...but two things stuck out. He was found outside Wall Maria...and he was quite curious about the world. He also had a crush on Eren's mother before she married his father, hehe."

"Guess it explains why he was a hardass on Eren."

"Yeah. It was he who tampered with Eren's harness back then." I look up to the sky, noticing how much time has passed since we began talking and sat in the grass. "Everyone must wonder where we are."

"Yeah...but I don't want to go. If we go, you go back to a soldier, me a Queen." We share a glance and an agreeing smile. Queen's orders and I have to obey. I set the boxes to the side and we silently stare at the lowering sun in silence. No more words, just silent enjoyment of each other's company. For the first time in two months, I finally have a sense of familiarity with happier days.

In two more months, I'll be sent back to hell.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

The night before...

"Great work, Conny," I say as we and Eren manage to tie a savage Sasha to a column inside the mess hall. Something about us having meat really set her off worst than anyone. Jean and Marlo will be nursing their wounds.