𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 | 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭

Chapter Sixty-Three

After Yelena left it's only Onyankopon on the other side, Jean angrily grabs the bars.

"Onyankopon! What the hell is going on?!" He shouts while Onyankopon stands there, visibly anxious what for?

"Marley launched an attack on the island! They came flying in on airships! There are about five-hundred soldiers, plus the Armored, Jaw, and Cart. And Eren is fighting alone!"

I perk up at the mention of the Cart Titan, I push in front of Jean.

"Pieck is here?" I finally speak as Onyankopon ignores me, only bringing his shaky hands to the lock on the door.

"But he's struggling! He's not going to last long. Marley's going to take the Founder! You have to help, join us! Protect Eren!"

Onyankopon swings the cell door open as Connie jumps on him, "are you shitting me?! We're not on the same side! This is your battle, you already betrayed us once! Why the hell would we do what you say!"

He grips his collar even tighter, Onyankopon struggling to breathe now.

"I'm sorry. I never wanted this, but Yelena would've put a bullet in my head if I hadn't gone along with the plan."

That only angers Connie more.

"You think I want to hear your excuses?! You've been acting like our friend, while you used that wine to take over Paradis! I'm sick of it. I'm so sick of getting betrayed! Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Adelita, you! Even Eren's betrayed us, I can't stand it! Why should we do a damn thing about him?! Huh?!"

I mean he didn't have to add me, thought we were over that.

Connie continues to take his anger out on Onyankopon as we exit the cell, Armin makes his way to him gripping at his hand for him to stop.

"I'd like to hear him out at least, kay."

Connie roughly drops him to the ground as he begins to heave, and we all watch.

"I had no idea that Yelena was plotting any of this. The tainted wine, or the euthanization plan... The volunteers didn't know!"

His answer only angers Connie.

"He's telling the truth. I never discussed tainted wine with the volunteers. Yelena ordered us not to mention it to them."

Nicolo buts in saving Onyankopon from an angry Connie.

"Besides, I don't want Eldians to get euthanized! I want to build Paradis together and beat Marley side by side! That's why I threw everything away to come! I gave my all to the people of this island! And I did it because I believed this island had a future! Kids are the future! If the euthanization plan is carried out, what's the point of all our effort?!"

Onyankopon is begging now, begging for us to understand him and I do.

I've been placed in a spot like this before, and it took a while for me to gain trust again.

"You have to believe me."

His eyes meet with Armin's, pleading to him without words.

"He's telling the truth."

Armin believes him.

"Years ago, when you first came here. You said something that stuck with me. 'That we Subjects of Ymir exist because we were wanted.' That the world is more interesting with different kinds of people. I think you believe that, and I think that belief goes against everything Zeke's doing. You meant all the things you said, then get back on your feet. Onyankopon."

Armin lays a hand out to him like he always does, like he once did for me.

"I'm sorry, but what are we supposed to do? There isn't much for us." I whisper as I move to cling to Armin's side.