Attack On Titan: Pure Blood

Chapter 13: 104th Cadet Corps Final Part 13: The Night of Dissolution

The night had always been the ally of those people who wanted to hide something. Murders, kidnappings, drug sales, robberies, and other illegal acts mostly occurred at night.

And there were also meetings that had to be kept absolutely secret.

Annie was on her way to one of these gatherings, sneaking through the trees and bushes to meet at the designated rendezvous point. It didn't take long to arrive. She was offended, and somewhat annoyed, when she realized where it was happening, the place where she and Victor did their training and spent time together. The place where they had spent the first birthday that had been special to her.

And if that wasn't enough, her annoyance only increased when she saw her "fellow warrior" with his back leaning against the tree where Victor always sat waiting for her with a smile on his face as he wrote or drew in his journal.

Annie narrowed her eyes in annoyance as Reiner detached himself from the tree and looked at her.

"You've finally arrived," he pointed out. "For a minute I thought you wouldn't come."

"It's not like I have a choice," she said in a cold tone. She leaned against a tree and crossed her arms. "We better get this over with quick. I don't want you to see me meet you."

Bertolt looked slightly downcast at that, while Reiner nodded seriously.

"We will act in three days," Reiner reported. "When we go to Trost for maintenance services after graduation, Bertolt will make his appearance, and we will force royalty to make their move. They won't sit idly by when they learn that Wall Rose has also fallen."

"Are you... are you sure they will act, Reiner?" Bertolt asked doubtfully. "They did not make their appearance after the fall of Wall Maria five years ago. Do you think this time they will act?"

"They'll have to," Reiner said. "Royalty lives within the walls of Wall Sina, I don't think they won't do anything when only the last wall is left standing. And when they do, we will be there as members of the Military Police to see their actions up close. I can safely say that the three of us are in the top ten, so we can become part of the inner circle of the army that is under the direct command of the King of the Walls. At last ... our mission is nearing completion."

His last statement brought a silence between the three of them. Each of them had a distant look on their face. All they were thinking about was one thing only; go home.

"It wasn't that bad..." Bertolt commented absently. "These five years ... have not been as I expected. I thought that the people within these walls were demons that threatened to destroy the world, but ... I guess I was wrong ..."

Reiner frowned and lowered his gaze.

"Yes, I know. There are good people within these walls," Reiner admitted, more than one face of his fellow recruits flashing through his mind. "The training was... fun. It got really tough these last few months, especially the handling of the 3DM3D. Even with all that, it wasn't that bad ... Our teammates weren't that bad."

Reiner's tone turned sad at the end of that, but he closed his eyes tightly and swallowed hard, as if admitting a fact that was bitter to him. When he opened his eyes again, his resolve had returned.

"Still, we can't let that interfere with our mission," he said harshly. "If we have to face our fellow recruits, so be it. We cannot allow our feelings to get in the way of our mission."

Bertolt sank at his words, but ended up nodding sadly.

"There are some... who are more dangerous than others," Bertolt whispered, as if guilty for admitting it.