Souls Of Sorrow || 𝐸𝑟𝑒𝑛 𝐽𝑎𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑋 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟

Chapter 36 - You

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I watch from the rocks above the cove as a distant ship slowly makes it's way towards the island.

This isn't the first enemy ship we've taken out, unfortunately it won't be the last. Since the war started we've all been on high alert, our camp being stationed near the cove so we can hear anything coming.

We haven't kept anyone alive from the enemy rank, except for one, Niccolo, a cook from one of the ships. He's not a soldier, just forced to join the ranks.

I hold my gun at the ready, surveying the others carefully hidden in the surrounding area. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see my father holding the hostage at sword point, Hange kneeling next to him.

There's a rushing sound, almost like a waterfall, as the ship is lifted from the sea's surface. Eren's titan form holds it on his shoulder, then walking it towards land as the soldiers aboard scream from the unexpected action.

Eren's footsteps echo through the earth as he heads towards us. He promptly sets the ship down on the dry ground with a loud crash.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen of Marley!" Hange calls out cheerily, waving her arms as she makes herself known. "Welcome to Paradis island! Nice to meet you, I'm Hange! It's an honor to welcome guests who've sailed from oh-so-far across the sea to come here. You must be exhausted, so why not join us for some tea?"

I resist the urge to smile at her over the top display of sweetness, watching as my father presents the hostage to those on the ship.

"If you're curious about this guest of ours, he arrived just before you and we're already getting along splendidly! Isn't that right? Tell them, Niccolo!" Hange laughs, a grin plastered on her face. Niccolo does not look excited.

"Please, Captain!" he calls out towards the ship. "Forget about me and gun these devils down while you can!"

At that, I shift in my perch, aiming my gun at who I assume is the ship's captain, ready for anything his squadron might try.

Said man stands up, aiming his own gun at Hange. "Know this you goddamn devils! Marley doesn't negotiate with filthy bloods like you. And we certainly won't sit down with you and drink the pig piss you call tea!"

"You sure about that?" Hange shouts, not scared in the slightest. "Maybe you should be more polite, unless you want to piss off the titan looming behind you."

Looming would be the correct word. Eren certainly doesn't look pleased with the bullshit the Marley soldiers are spewing. He looks much more intimidating at night, with the moonlight glinting off his teeth.

"Marley will never bend to your will!" The ship Captain shouts. Then a gunshot rings out and he crumples to the wood at his feet. A tall soldier stands behind him, holding a small gun, which they then lower to their side. There's a moment of stunned silence before the other members on the ship start yelling, which is cut short when they're threatened by the former and another soldier.

The tall soldier takes of their helmet, showing the face of the woman underneath as well as the chopped blonde bowl cut she has. "Hange," she says calmly, "I'd like to accept your invitation. Let's have some tea."

I study her from my distance, turning my gun away from her. She isn't a threat, not yet at least.

I take out the members of the ship's crew, putting a bullet in each of their heads, save for the woman and the soldier that seems to be on her side. Hange and my father both turn to look in my direction, but I don't acknowledge the disapproval. Either way, that crew wasn't leaving this island. I'm saving them the time.