Shadows of Truth and Deception (Levi • OC)

CHAPTER 17 - Trial

trial /ˈtrʌɪəl/ — a formal examination of evidence by a judge, typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings

     Eren Jaeger was sitting on a bed in a dungeon, the shackles on his wrists jiggling with every movement. He was confused and lost, unable to understand himself, so he didn't blame his guards, who denied him food and called him a monster.

     He had no idea how many days had passed since he turned into a Titan to block the hole in Wall Rose. He had no idea how many days had passed since the commander of the Survey Corps and humanity's strongest soldier came to visit him in the dungeon the Military Police had thrown him in, promising to find a way out for him.

     Just as he wondered if he would spend the rest of his life there, steps echoed through the dungeons. A woman with glasses and a high ponytail stopped in front of his bars.

     "I'm sorry we kept you waiting," she said, smiling. "It looks like you can finally get out of here."

     She introduced herself as Hange Zoe and led him through hallway after hallway, walking a safe distance from him. A tall man named Miche Zacharius held him by the chain that bound his arms behind his back, leading him forward. A woman with long, blood-red hair and dangerously green eyes walked behind them all, remaining quiet while Hange talked, her eyes glued on Eren while she wore a stone-cold expression that sent shivers down his spine.

     He remembered her from when she visited the Training Corps. She was just as mesmerizing now as she had been then but a hundred times more terrifying, her face lacking the relaxed smile she'd worn when he first saw her.

      They led him to a courtroom. He was bound to a pillar, unable to stand up or even move. He observed the people around him—Commanders Nile Dok, Dot Pixis, and Erwin Smith, Captains Hange and Miche, who took their places next to Captain Levi, the blood-red-haired woman who walked to two kids, standing behind them as if she were a guard. And the two kids were Armin Arlert, who observed him with fear and worry, and Mikasa Ackerman, whose grey eyes shone with the determination that she would get him out of there—which was probably why the woman stood behind her, ready to hold her back if needed.

     "Well, let's begin."

     The man who spoke was the head of all three military branches, Commander-in-Chief Darius Zackly. He read from papers in front of him for a long while, his words foreign and confusing to Eren, but he realized the debate was about which military branch would be responsible for his activities—either the Military Police Brigade or the Survey Corps.

     Nile Dok planned to examine and exterminate him. Erwin Smith wanted to make him a member of the Survey Corps and use him to retake Wall Maria.

     "Eren," Zackly spoke after both commanders made their statements. "It seems you wish to join the Survey Corps. Can you continue as a soldier and use this Titan power for the benefit of the human race?"

     Eren gulped but squared his shoulders. "Y-yes, sir. I can!"

     "Is that so..." Zackly picked up a paper. "This is from the report on the Recovery Mission. Right after becoming a Titan, you swung your fist three times at Mikasa Ackerman."

     The courtroom became silent. Eren could feel all eyes on him, but he turned to Mikasa with a terrified expression—he remembered none of that.

     "Where is Mikasa Ackerman?" Zackly asked.

     "That's me, sir," Mikasa answered quietly.

     "Is it true that Eren attacked you?"

     Mikasa gritted her teeth, struggling to get the words out of her mouth. The redheaded woman behind her nudged her with an elbow—a silent command.