Tainted Vision | Levi x Reader

The Trial | Part 19

Our decent down the staircase was slow and quiet. Creaks and thuds followed our heavy footsteps and echoed throughout the different layers of the building as we made our descent down the stairs towards the courtroom. As we reached the first floor, I saw the entrance of the courtroom stationed in front of the staircase.

I slowly reached out for the handle. As the cold metal came in contact with my hand I felt small goosebumps crawl up my arms as I slowly twisted the knob and pulled the door open. As I pulled the door fully open I could feel the overwhelming amount of tension fall onto my shoulders and I felt my breath clog up in my throat for a moment. Everyone's eyes were drawn towards the entrance as I took a step into the courtroom and the sounds of my heavy footsteps resonated loudly as both Levi and I made our way towards our stands near Erwin.

I took small glances around the room as I took my spot between Erwin and Levi. The townspeople were whispering to each other about the current events taking place and knew from the looks on their faces that their thoughts were filled with disgust and terror. The nature of these people were disgusting, all they thought about were their homes, land, and food. My gaze drifted away from the towns people as I heard the doors to the courtroom open again. I carefully leaned over the railing a bit to get a better view.

Two cadets entered the room and their faces were awfully familiar. I recognized them immediately. They were those other two kids I saw that day with Eren, I never caught their names though. The girl with black hair seemed unfazed at the sudden tension, however, the blonde boy behind her seemed to be quite the opposite. I could see the stress and tension penetrate his body as his hands curled up into fists and his face caving in with anxiety.

They soon traveled to their designated spots and I could no longer spot them through the rows of soldiers. Silence filled the room once again as we awaited Eren's arrival.

Soon enough, multiple footsteps were heard approaching the door. I could hear the sounds of muffled voices as the footsteps drew closer and before I knew it, I saw Eren being dragged into the courtroom with Hange and Mike closing the door behind him. Everyone's attention was focused on the boy as he stood dumbfounded near the doorway. If the tension before wasn't already heavy enough, it was beyond imagination now.

"Get a move on!" One of the soldiers yelled as they pushed the nozzle of their gun straight into Eren's back and shoved him forwards. I saw Eren stumble a bit before he stood up straight and began walking towards the small open area in the middle of the courtroom.

"Kneel down." The same soldier ordered as the other grabbed a large metal rod. They were going to restrain this kid even further. Eren followed their commands and kneeled down as one of the soldiers placed the metal rod over Eren's cuffs and secured them to the floor. Eren shifted his cuffs around inside of the metal rod as he realized what they had just done. Small whispers began to fill the room as Eren darted his eyes around in confusion, he stopped as his gaze landed on his two friends.

My attention was drawn away from Eren as I heard a door opening to my left. The commander of all three military brigades, Darius Zackly, walked out and took his seat.

"Now then, let us begin." Darius stated before he picked up Eren's informational sheet, "Eren Yeager. You are a soldier who had offered his life for mankind. Is this accurate?" Darius questioned as he read the information off the sheet.

"Yes." Eren replied barely above a whisper.

"This is an unprecedented case. The trail will be a special court-martial in which common law does not apply, with the final decision being left entirely to me. We shall also decide whether you live or die. Do you have any objections?" Darius continued before he finally tore his gaze from the papers to Eren on the ground below. There wasn't much of a choice to begin with...Eren had no choice but to comply if he even wants a chance to continue living.