Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

THIRTY-THREE

'Havas possesses more power than our frail nation could ever fully grasp. They bathe and revel in the explosive power that could eradicate the titan's oppression of our people. And what do they do with it? They turn their backs on their own race; man against man, they turn their weapons on us. I give you my word: we will meet our end, not in the jaws of monsters, but staring down the nose of a Havasian shotgun.'

-An extract from scholar and journalist Aksel Briggs' first work, now widely banned across the Walls for inspiring a violent vigilante movement.

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THIRTY-THREE

Somewhere in Southern Titan Country

The supply shack was tucked inconspicuously into the forest— a small wooden cabin, dressed with brambles and moss to disguise it to the unwelcome eye.

Lorelai marvelled at it as she dismounted. She had spent several weeks here once, and it was the first bit of Havas she had seen in months.

"We're here," she announced.

"Incredible," declared Erwin. "An actual building outside the Walls... When you told me it existed, I couldn't quite believe it." He dismounted and approached the building with wide, fascinated eyes. Levi followed him, taking in the place with a blank gaze.

Lorelai trailed after them, finding Erwin's fascination a little endearing. She turned to the rest of the group. "We'll get the supplies. Everyone else, clear off any titans. There are heat sensors hooked up to explosives that will blow us to kingdom come if there's one in the area."

They saluted her and took off to patrol the area on horseback.

Erwin and Levi were waiting for her at the door. "How do we get in?" Erwin asked avidly, his eyes shining with anticipation. "Is there a special key? Or perhaps a password-"

Lorelai kicked the door down. It landed with a loud crash that sent the birds in the area squawking as they flew away.

"Oh."

She chuckled and entered the little shack, turning on the old light bulbs to illuminate the space.

It was just as she remembered it. Snug and damp smelling, two camp cots lined the walls; an old rug dressed the stone floor. Otherwise, the cabin was empty.

Erwin visibly despaired, turning to Lorelai accusingly. "There-there's nothing here."

"Oh, relax, Commander," Lorelai chided. "Did you really think we'd just leave our munitions out in the open for anyone to come across?" She crouched down and rolled the rug back to expose a metal trapdoor.

Erwin doubted Lorelai could kick this one down. He crouched down next to her, watching as she uncovered a small glass square that beeped red as each second passed.

"I'm not sure if my thumbprint is still in the database... but it's worth a shot." She wiped her thumb down on her jacket and gently pressed it to the scanner.

A few seconds of silence passed, filled only by heavy breathing. Until eventually, a green light flashed, and the click of the lock told them it had worked. Lorelai and Erwin met each other's eyes in silent, mutual glee.

"Incredible," he mumbled.

Together, they hoisted the heavy trapdoor open, exposing a ladder that led down into a dark and cold room.