A Heart's Dedication

Prologue

"L/N, glad that you were able to make it."

"Of course, Proctor. You know I couldn't miss it."

The male in the robes nodded, acknowledging the female of whom the second voice belonged to. Her H/C hair hung over her eyes just a tiny bit, a few straggling hairs in her E/C orbs. She, like the rest of the soldiers in the room, was dressed in a standard uniform: brown jacket, white pants, the Wings of Freedom emblazoned on her chest pocket. She walked with a kind of stance that assumed importance indirectly, a subtle hint at her position in this place, in this courtroom. The stone ceiling and tiled floor were no match for her level of sophistication, the jury's box and court's stage a tiny anthill for her to climb. That was her job after all; to oversee the affair that was to commence today. As she made her way up and over to her seat, she was greeted by a few others.

"Ah, L/N, nice to see you."

"L/N, how have you been?"

The girl sighed. "I've been alright, thank you," She said, pulling out the chair from behind the boxy desk. "I'm just going to be relieved when this whole ordeal is done."

"Amen to that."

"What do you think happened?"

"I have no idea..."

As soon as those words had left her mouth, the doors on the far side of the courtroom opened. She couldn't see who would enter, but at that moment, Y/N uttered a final statement.

"...but it looks like we are going to find out."

And so entered four individuals.

One, a young woman with black hair, a tight-lipped face, and a red scarf adorning her throat.

Two, a young man with brown hair, eyes the color of a tranquil lake; a rage emitting from him in contrast.

Three, a familiar face, a woman with brown hair, goggles on her forehead, her brown eyes shimmering.

And finally, a man, another familiar face. Raven hair, parted on the right. Piercing silver eyes. The stature of a child, but the aura of one hundred dead veterans.

The group walked in silently, the heavy door shutting behind them. They sulked almost, a trail of ghosts leading their way to the front of the court. Led by the adults, the two in tow looked emotionless, tired; they looked as if they'd been to hell and back.

And Y/N knew that that was a worthy conjecture.

"And now commences the report of the Shiganshina Recovery Mission. Speak."

The woman stepped forward, head bowed down in respect.

"Judge, before we continue, one of my comrades must deliver his testimony. Do you give your permission to allow him to speak with no other context?" She gestured to the man, who had also not looked up at the superiors before him.

The judge hesitated before responding. "Permission granted."

The woman stepped back off of the podium as the man took her place.

"Speak."

"...I apologize if this is confusing in the context of what you know about the attack, but something important needs to be addressed right away."

"Go on, Captain."

"...During the battle... Commander Erwin ordered his troops to march against the Beast Titan. He was with them... he used our mass numbers as a distraction to allow me to harm the foe. However, I was unable to do so..."

"...I see."

"...after my failure, I searched for him. I found him, however, he was nearly on the brink of death. I... had the opportunity to save him... using the spinal fluid that was entrusted to me... but I did not bring him back. He ordered that Hange Zoe become the Commander after that..."

"...speak clearly, Captain. Where is the former Commander now?"

The raven-haired man bit back a choke.

"He... he is dead. Commander Erwin is dead."

A/n: And so it begins! Welcome back to you all reading my shitty writing and (hopefully not judging it).

This story is intended for mature(ish) audiences, only because there will be regular references to war, death, violence, mental health issues, and steamy sessions. Please be advised that these things are not for everyone and all readers must read with discretion.

You're all fantastic, and thank you for giving me crumbs of serotonin by reading!