𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 |𝐒𝐍𝐊/𝐀𝐎𝐓|

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟎

location: forest within titan territory. eta: 3 hours

The tension was thick.

For some reason, Noah was on edge. The soldiers were hidden easily. He'd left to find the scouts.

Something didn't feel right. He felt almost as if he were being watched. He didn't doubt an enemy was hiding. That didn't mean he liked it.

He'd studied the titans, the behavior, he knew an abnormal when he saw one. What really scared him was this Beast titan. According to the others, he was the one who brought the titans within Wall Maria. That one time everyone thought it was breached.

What irked him the most was the fact that he, Lake, Oliver, and Delphine knew the most about titans (mainly because of the old contract) and yet they were unprepared.

The plan was simple... but not easy.

Using his newfound hardening abilities, Eren would close the wall. They'd get rid of any stray titans, and hopefully, they would be able to capture either Reiner or Bertholdt to feed to a brave soldier. Thus giving those abilities to someone new and much more reliable.

Would being back in the place Eren saw his mother die be a hindrance? Or would it aid him to fulfill his duty?

In any case, that was the simple plan. More variables came into place. Eren was a target. His abilities were wanted and needed by Reiner, Bertholdt, and the Beast Titan. The beast titan acted as the boss, and no one knew the full extent of his abilities. For all they know he could try to control Eren.

Along with these factors, there was the thought of keeping their horses safe. What if the beast titan somehow destroyed them? How would the soldiers make an escape?

What if the Beast titan could control other titans and make them hunt down Merfolk? That question made him pause, the leaves rustling below him.

He'd wondered sometimes if Delphine thought she was being selfish by trying to help others. He wondered if her own people thought of her any different. When he returned home even for a moment, everyone was happy to see him. All those thoughts of doubt surfacing were replaced with pride.

He was proud of Delphine and the kingdom.

He wondered how many people she would lose. Was she prepared to deal with that guilt?

Were her own soldiers prepared to sacrifice themselves for a people they didn't know?

Noah shook his head. He didn't think of these things when he was younger when he would sneak out with Delphine and they'd watch the Karathen from afar.

No, he was wiser. He understood war now, especially it's losses. He'd seen what it'd done to the kingdom, and more specifically what it'd done to Delphine. She'd done the inhumane and saved her people. But she'd lost herself.

He was glad she agreed with him. He knew it would be hard for her to send them away.

He tried his best to be optimistic but as the sun began to rise and the intense stare of eyes seemed to burn through him, he somehow knew this day would only end in intense bloodshed. He wanted to know if he was ready for that.

Noah was quick to pull at the reins of his horse, the sun finally peeking through the clouds. He could hear the loud pounding of horses, a few miles away. He gripped the paper tightly, the seashell hanging from his jacket the only connection he had to his hidden soldiers.

Checking in Sir Noah. We're getting into formation as instructed. Each squadron has fulfilled its weapon duty. We're ready to commence the plan whenever necessary sir.

Noah sighed in relief, for now, they were okay. I'll send for you when it is time. Noah responded, his thoughts projected through the shell-like water.

He was grateful for Delphine's connection to water or else they'd be very lost. They would have never known they could do so much with the planet's most available resource.

He gripped the paper in his hands tightly as the horses came into view. As he leaned forward, kicking the hip of his grey horse Sprite he was quick to join the ranks. Others almost cursed at his sudden intrusion, causing him to yell out an apology.

"Noah, I was wondering when you'd show up," Erwin stated his voice calm causing Noah to chuckle, "Sorry sir, I feel as if we're being watched, here's my full report on the area," he stuffed the paper into Erwin's satchel causing the blonde to nod appreciatively.

Noah slowed considerably as the walls came into view, the damaged houses on the outside enough to prepare him for the events. This was real.

People were going to die.

But how many?

───

location: castle; time: 11:00 am

William finally pushed open the door, his hands wringing with Historia behind him her nerves through the roof.

"Delphine?" He questioned his voice barely above a whisper. Her room was pristine clean. Her clothes hanging in the closet, her sheets made, and her vanity area littered with different pieces of jewelry. Her crown however was gone.

Historia paused, "She wasn't wearing the crown yesterday?"

The distress was evident on William's face.

"Where could she have gone?" William whispered to himself as Historia wrapped her arms around herself.

Delphine wasn't one to leave, especially without leaving a note or something. As shy and nervous she was, she preferred human interaction mostly with the people she deemed worthy. Mainly her closest friends.

So where was she?

Historia shook her head snapping out of the horrible thoughts entering her mind, "This is not like her, something is wrong. Military Police!" She called out and not a second later the door burst open.

She turned her eyes betraying her unwavering voice, the order coming through clearly, "Queen Delphine is missing, I want every available soldier searching for her."

The soldier's eyes widened, before they scrambled away, running in different directions.

William covered his mouth, falling to his knees, "I knew I was useless," he muttered to himself, "She spends one day with me and I let her get kidnapped," he attempted to keep his cries to himself, but they fell through.

Historia fell down next to him, her dress fanning around her as she leaned down next to him resting her arm on his. It was heart-wrenching to see the sweet worried friend crying. She respected him, not used to seeing a man crying.

"We'll find her," She attempted to assure, thoughts of where and how running through her mind.

William paused for a moment, pictures flashing in his mind.

"Dead or Alive?"

Historia sincerely hoped Delphine would hold on. She had too many people that cared for her.

Historia clinched her fist filled with determination. What they needed right now was hope. 

𝐚/𝐧: i am not even gonna lie, i'm not even done with chapter 27 thankfully it's break time so i should finish it this week. thanks for being patient, hope you guys enjoy this chapter!