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shiorihyugawrites · 2 days ago

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The Devil's Bride

Aurora Jaeger, Eren's long-lost childhood friend, was taken from him when they were children. After years of suffering under Marleyan control, Aurora is reunited with Eren while he’s undercover in Marley, igniting a bond neither of them expected. Despite her gentle nature, Aurora breaks her vow of pacifism to save Eren’s life, solidifying their deep connection. Secretly married before the Raid on Liberio, Aurora is swept into Eren's world of chaos and destruction. As the Scouts learn of her existence, tensions rise on the airship home. Mikasa’s heart shatters, and Levi demands answers. And Eren will stop at nothing to protect the only light left in his dark world—his bride, Aurora.

In this journey of love, loyalty, and war, Aurora must reconcile her innocent heart with the brutal reality of the man she loves, while Eren faces the truth of what he’s become. (Eren x OC)

Chapter Thirty

Aurora lay nestled against Eren’s chest, their shared warmth cocooning her in a sense of safety she hadn’t felt in weeks. The first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains, painting the room in soft golden hues. Eren’s breathing was deep and steady, his arms wrapped firmly yet gently around her, as though he could shield her from the rest of the world.

But Aurora was far away in her dreams.

She was back in the cabin in Marley—their cabin. It was a serene scene, as though the chaos of the world outside had melted away, leaving only peace and happiness. The sound of a crackling fire filled the cozy space, and Aurora found herself sitting on a plush chair, cradling a newborn baby in her arms. The baby’s tiny fists waved in the air as soft coos escaped its lips. Aurora couldn’t stop staring at the infant’s features: the wisps of platinum blonde hair, the piercing green eyes so reminiscent of Eren’s. Her heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of love and completeness.

Eren knelt in front of her, his eyes softer than she had ever seen them. He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against the baby’s cheek before leaning in to press a kiss to Aurora’s temple. Everything was perfect.

But then, a shadow caught Aurora’s attention from the edge of the forest visible through the cabin window. Her gaze snapped to the figure of a woman standing just beyond the treeline. The woman had long, golden blonde hair with a headband that framed her hauntingly pale face. Her eyes were unsettling—completely white, devoid of pupils or irises, like empty voids staring directly at Aurora.

Aurora’s breath hitched. She instinctively tightened her hold on the baby, who let out a soft whimper. The woman took a single step toward the cabin, her movements slow and deliberate, her gaze never wavering. A chill ran down Aurora’s spine.

And then, just as suddenly as the woman appeared, Aurora woke up.

Her eyes flew open, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. Eren was still beside her, his arm draped protectively over her waist, but the room felt colder, emptier. Aurora’s pulse thundered in her ears as she turned her head slightly—and froze.

At the corner of the bed stood a child.

The child had golden blonde hair, just like the woman from her dream, and wore the same headband and a simple white tattered dress that seemed so worn. Her eyes were fixed on Aurora, wide and unblinking, with an intensity that sent a shiver through her. Aurora’s gaze followed the direction of the child’s stare and realized it was aimed directly at her belly, where Eren’s hand rested protectively.

Aurora blinked rapidly, her breath catching in her throat as she rubbed her eyes. When she looked again, the child was gone. The space where she had stood was empty, the room eerily silent save for the sound of Eren’s breathing.

Aurora sat up slightly, her movements stirring Eren from his sleep. His eyes fluttered open, and his voice, husky with sleep, broke the quiet. “Aurora?” he murmured, his arms tightening around her waist. “What’s wrong?”

Aurora hesitated, her mind racing. What had she just seen? She could still feel the piercing gaze of the child lingering in the back of her mind. After a moment, she took a deep breath and turned to Eren. “I… I thought I saw someone in the room,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “A child. She had blonde hair.”

Eren frowned and sat up fully, glancing around the room. His protective instincts flared as his eyes scanned every corner, but the space was empty. “There’s no one here,” he said softly, his brow furrowed as he turned back to her. “Are you sure it wasn’t a dream?”

“I don’t know,” Aurora admitted, running a hand through her hair. “Maybe it was just my imagination. I’ve been through so much lately. I could just be stressed, or maybe—maybe it was a hallucination.”

Eren’s frown deepened, worry etched into his features. He reached out, his hands gently cupping Aurora’s face as he tilted her head to meet his gaze. “You’ve been through a lot, but I don’t want to take any chances. Maybe we should see the doctor, just to make sure everything’s okay. Especially with the baby.”

Aurora opened her mouth to protest but stopped when she saw the genuine concern in Eren’s eyes. He wasn’t just worried about the baby—he was worried about her, about everything she had endured. She nodded reluctantly. “Alright. We’ll go.”

Eren leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “We’re going to be okay,” he murmured against her skin, his voice full of quiet determination. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Aurora leaned into him, her unease still lingering, but Eren’s presence was enough to ground her. Whatever was happening—whatever she had seen—they would face it together.

…

On the other side of the island, the shoreline of Paradis was quiet, save for the crashing waves against the jagged rocks. Reiner sat slumped on a boulder, his head in his hands, his chest heaving as he struggled to control his spiraling thoughts. He was now physically healed, but his mind remained shattered. Each failure stacked upon the last, suffocating him under its weight. His fingers dug into his scalp, trembling with the realization of what they had lost.

Pieck paced nearby, her usually calm demeanor cracking as her anxiety seeped through. Her long, dark hair swayed as she turned sharply, glaring at the empty horizon. "Porco ran off. He left us," she muttered bitterly, her tone low and strained. "What was he thinking? Falling in love with—" She cut herself off, her fists clenching tightly. "The Queen of the Walls, of all people. What a disaster."

Reiner's head shot up, his face pale and drenched in sweat. "We failed, Pieck," he rasped, his voice shaky. "Again. First Liberio, now this. We couldn’t get Aurora Jaeger. We couldn’t kill Historia. And now… Porco’s gone. They’re going to strip me of my Titan." His voice cracked, and he looked at her with wild eyes. "Gabi. They’ll give it to her. I can’t let that happen, Pieck."

Pieck froze mid-step, her sharp gaze softening as she saw Reiner’s panic deepen. She walked over and crouched in front of him, placing her hands firmly on his knees. "Reiner," she said sternly, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Pull yourself together. Panicking like this isn’t going to help. You’re stronger than this, and you know it."

Reiner’s lip quivered as memories of Gabi and Falco back in the internment zone in Marley flooded his mind. He slammed his fist against the rock beside him. "What good am I if I keep failing? I couldn’t protect Bertholdt. I couldn’t save Marcel. And now I’ve doomed Gabi to this life if we go back empty-handed. Marley thinks I’m weak, unstable… and maybe they’re right!"

Without hesitation, Pieck slapped him hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed across the shore, and Reiner froze, blinking in shock.

"Enough," Pieck hissed, her voice uncharacteristically harsh. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer. "We don’t have the luxury to fall apart, Reiner. Not now. Yes, we failed this mission. Yes, Porco abandoned us. But do you think sitting here whining about it will fix anything? We have people waiting for us in Marley. My father, your family—Falco and Gabi! Do you think they’ll be safe if we don’t return?"

Reiner swallowed hard, her words piercing through his despair. He nodded slowly, though his body still trembled.

Pieck let go of his collar and sat back, brushing the sand from her uniform. Her voice softened, but her resolve remained firm. "We need to think about the bigger picture. Marley is still planning their attack on Paradis with the global allied forces. That’s our chance to redeem ourselves. We’ll go back, report what we’ve learned, and make sure our loved ones are safe. Then we fight again when the time comes."

Reiner stared at her, conflicted. "You’re different, Pieck. They still value you. Marley doesn’t think you’re a failure like they do me."

Pieck rolled her eyes and stood, brushing her hands on her pants. "If Marley values me so much, why do they keep sending me on these suicide missions? I’m just as expendable as you, Reiner. The difference is I refuse to let them define my worth." She reached down and yanked him to his feet, her grip firm. "And neither should you."

Reiner wavered, but Pieck’s unyielding determination anchored him. He took a deep breath and steadied himself, though the fear still lingered in his eyes. "What do we do about Porco?" he asked hesitantly.

Pieck’s face darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. "We’ll have to report what happened, but we focus on what’s ahead. Porco made his choice, and we can’t waste time chasing after him. Right now, our priority is survival."

Reiner nodded reluctantly. He glanced back at the forest where Porco had disappeared, a mix of regret and worry etched into his features. "I hope he knows what he’s doing."

Pieck’s voice softened. "I do too. But we can’t wait for him. Let’s move."

Together, the two of them boarded the small, discreet ship they had hidden upon their arrival. As the vessel crept away from Paradis, Reiner stood at the edge, watching the island shrink in the distance. His chest ached, not from his injuries but from the weight of his failures and the uncertainty of their future.

Pieck stood beside him, her gaze fixed ahead. "This isn’t over," she murmured, more to herself than to him. "We’ll get another chance."

Reiner didn’t respond. Instead, he closed his eyes, his mind racing with doubts, fears, and fleeting hope. For now, they were alive, but what awaited them in Marley was a battle of its own.

…

Eren and Aurora sat in the small examination room at the Jaegerist compound. The air was sterile, the faint scent of antiseptic hanging around them as they waited for the doctor to finish his routine checkup. Eren’s arms were crossed, his foot tapping softly against the tiled floor, while Aurora reclined on the examination bed. Her hand rested protectively over her abdomen, a subtle yet growing curve that signified their child.

The doctor, a man with graying hair and an air of quiet authority, adjusted his glasses as he finished taking notes. “Everything looks good so far,” he said, his voice calm and professional. “Your baby is developing well, but…” He paused, his gaze flicking to Eren, then back to Aurora. “You need to be extremely cautious moving forward.”

Aurora straightened slightly, her brow furrowing. “Is something wrong?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“No, nothing is wrong, per se,” the doctor clarified. “But you’ve been under a lot of stress and in high-risk situations. You’re now 16 weeks pregnant, which means your baby is entering a critical phase of development. Stress and physical strain could potentially lead to complications, and the first trimester is when mothers are most vulnerable to miscarriage.”

The words hit both Eren and Aurora like a physical blow. Aurora’s hand instinctively tightened over her belly, while Eren’s eyes widened in alarm. His foot stopped tapping, and he sat up straighter, every muscle in his body taut.

“Miscarriage?” Eren repeated, his voice quiet but tense, as if he were afraid saying it aloud would make it real.

The doctor nodded solemnly. “I’m not saying it’s likely, but it’s possible if precautions aren’t taken. You need to rest more, avoid unnecessary stress, and stay away from dangerous situations.” He glanced at Eren pointedly. “That’s on both of you.”

Eren gave a stiff nod, his jaw clenched tightly. Aurora swallowed hard, forcing a small smile to reassure the doctor. “I’ll do my best,” she promised softly.

“Good. I’ll leave you two to talk,” the doctor said, standing and gathering his notes. He nodded politely before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him.

The silence that followed was heavy. Aurora glanced at Eren, noticing the way his hands were balled into fists on his knees. He wasn’t just tense—he was radiating guilt.

“Eren?” she asked gently, reaching for his hand.

He didn’t meet her gaze at first. Instead, he stared at the floor, his voice low and strained. “This… this isn’t the life you’re supposed to have. Titans, war, blood… all of this.” He finally looked up, his sea-green eyes dark with emotion. “I hate that this is the world I’ve brought you into. And now, our baby… They don’t deserve this.”

Aurora’s heart ached at his words. “Eren—”

“I’m supposed to protect you,” he cut her off, his voice growing louder. “You’re pregnant, Aurora, and I still let you face Levi by yourself. I should’ve been there. I should’ve stopped him. But I couldn’t, and you—” He stopped, his throat tightening as he looked away again, his voice breaking. “You could’ve died. You could’ve lost our baby.”

Aurora slid off the examination bed, moving to kneel in front of him. She cradled his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her. “Eren,” she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tears welling in her eyes. “You’ve never failed me. Not once. You’ve been my protector and my provider since the day you found me. Even before that, back in Shiganshina, you were always looking out for me. You’ve done everything you can for me and for this baby.”

Eren closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. Her thumbs brushed against his cheeks, and the warmth of her hands steadied his racing thoughts. “It doesn’t feel like enough,” he whispered. “You deserve so much more than this.”

Aurora smiled softly, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to his forehead. “You’re enough for me,” she said quietly. “You always have been. And I’m your wife—I’ll always have your back, no matter what. That’s what we do for each other.”

Eren opened his eyes, searching hers for any trace of doubt. But all he saw was the unwavering love and trust she always carried for him. It was humbling, grounding, and it made his chest ache with gratitude. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers in a deep, lingering kiss. Aurora responded immediately, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him closer.

When they finally broke apart, Aurora rested her forehead against his, their breaths mingling in the quiet room. “We’re going to get through this, Eren,” she said softly. “We’re going to survive this war, and we’re going to give our baby the peaceful life they deserve.”

Eren’s lips curved into a small, hesitant smile as he gave her a gentle kiss. They stayed there for a moment, holding each other as the weight of the world outside the examination room faded into the background. For now, all that mattered was this moment, their love, and the promise of a future they would fight for with everything they had.

They were completely lost in each other when a soft, barely audible sound came from just outside the door.

Unbeknownst to either of them, Levi stood just on the other side, leaning heavily on his crutches. His legs were still healing, and though Aurora had insisted he stay in the wheelchair for support, Levi’s pride wouldn’t allow it. He refused to look like a helpless invalid. So, with a stubborn determination, he’d hobbled across the compound to find Eren. It was time for the boy to make good on his promise to free Hange and the others from their crystal prisons. But as Levi reached for the handle, he caught snippets of Eren’s voice and paused, listening.

At first, Levi felt annoyance creeping in. He hadn’t come all this way to waste time listening to their pillow talk. But the more he listened, the more he heard the raw emotion in Eren’s voice—his guilt, his fears, and the deep, unwavering love he held for Aurora. Levi sighed softly, resting his forehead against the doorframe. Those two brats really did love each other, he thought grudgingly. As much as Levi wanted to roll his eyes, he couldn’t deny the truth.

Aurora had guts—she was braver than most men he knew, and he had no choice but to respect that. She’d stood up to him, nearly killed him, and somehow also saved his life. And then there was Eren. As much as the kid could be infuriating, it was clear that he’d burn the entire world down for Aurora without hesitation.

Levi straightened, adjusting his crutches, and gave the door a sharp knock. “Oi, lovebirds,” he called dryly, pushing the door open.

Eren and Aurora jumped apart like teenagers caught by a parent. Aurora’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and Eren scowled, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

“Captain,” Eren muttered, trying to regain his composure. “What are you doing here?”

Levi leaned against the doorway, his usual deadpan expression firmly in place. “I came to get you. You’ve got promises to keep, Jaeger. It’s time to free Hange and the others.” His sharp eyes flicked to Aurora, then back to Eren. “Unless, of course, you’re too busy.”

Aurora buried her face in her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment, while Eren shot Levi an annoyed glare. “I’m coming,” he grumbled.

But Levi wasn’t done. “And by the way,” he added, his tone clipped, “that red-headed shit-face you call your second in command has already led the Jaegerists out on their hunt for the Cart, Jaw, and Armored Titans. Thought you’d want to know.”

Eren’s jaw tightened, and he stood, helping Aurora to her feet. “Floch,” he muttered under his breath. “Thanks for letting me know, Levi.”

Levi’s eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything else, Aurora spotted his crutches and immediately placed her hands on her hips. “Captain,” she said in a tone that reminded him too much of a scolding mother, “why aren’t you in your wheelchair? You’re going to hurt yourself wobbling around on those crutches!”

Levi turned his attention to her, arching a brow. “Don’t tell me how to live my life, you poisonous brat,” he snapped back. “Besides, I’m not ‘wobbling.’ I’m walking.”

Aurora let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You’re so stubborn.”

“And you’re annoying,” Levi countered with a smirk, adjusting his crutches as he stepped further into the room.

Eren groaned, already feeling the tension building. “Will you two stop it?” he said, stepping between them. “Captain, I’ll take care of Floch and the Jaegerists later. Right now, we need to focus on freeing Armin and the others. And Aurora…” He turned to his wife, his voice softening. “We should probably head back and rest afterward. You’ve been on your feet too much lately.”

Aurora gave Eren a small, grateful smile, nodding as she placed a hand on his arm. Levi scoffed, turning toward the hallway. “Come on, lovebirds. We’ve got work to do.”

As the trio left the examination room, Levi couldn’t help but glance back at Eren and Aurora. Their bond was undeniably strong, and though he’d never admit it aloud, Levi was glad they had each other. If anyone was going to survive the chaos ahead, it would be them.

As they made their way down the winding staircase to the basement, where Mikasa was already waiting with Historia. The air was thick with tension, each step echoing loudly in the quiet stone chamber. Aurora’s eyes softened as soon as she saw Historia standing by the crystal, her composed demeanor belying the storm of emotions Aurora knew must be swirling within her.

Aurora stepped forward, her tone gentle. “Historia, how are you holding up? After…everything with the Jaw titan, I mean. That’s…a lot.”

Historia offered a faint smile, the type that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine, Aurora. I have to be.” Her voice was calm, steady, but there was an underlying edge of exhaustion. “I don’t have the luxury of falling apart. Not now.”

Aurora wanted to press further, to tell Historia it was okay to lean on her, but before she could, Mikasa’s sharp eyes flicked to Levi, hobbling on crutches instead of sitting in the wheelchair Aurora had insisted he use. Her brow furrowed.

“Captain,” Mikasa scolded, crossing her arms. “You’re supposed to be in your wheelchair. What are you doing walking around on crutches? You could seriously hurt yourself.”

Levi scowled and snapped back at her, “I don’t need a lecture from you, I’m not a damn cripple! And if you all don’t stop pestering me, I’ll hit you with one of these damn crutches.”

Mikasa blinked, stunned into silence for a moment before her own irritation flared. “This is the thanks I get after dragging your short, sorry ass around for a month? I kept you alive, Captain. You’re welcome.”

Levi’s glare deepened as he muttered, “I’d rather be dead than listen to this nonsense.”

Mikasa shot back, “Then maybe you should’ve taken better care of yourself instead of getting poisoned by—”

“Can we just focus?” Eren growled, pinching the bridge of his nose. He glanced at Aurora, who was barely suppressing a giggle at the back-and-forth between Levi and Mikasa. “We have bigger things to deal with.”

Levi snorted and adjusted his crutches. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

The group turned their attention to the massive crystal in the center of the room. The translucent structure encased their comrades—Hange, Armin, Jean, Connie, and Sasha—each of their bodies frozen in time. Their eyes were closed, their expressions peaceful, but everyone knew they had been conscious the entire time.

Eren took a step forward, the tension in the room thickening. “Everyone stand back,” he instructed, his voice firm. His eyes glowed with the power of the War Hammer Titan, the tendrils of energy wrapping around his arms as he activated its abilities. With one precise movement, he drove the power into the crystal, shattering it into a million glittering shards.

The scouts tumbled to the ground, coughing and gasping for air as the viscous fluid from the crystal clung to their clothes and hair. Jean was the first to recover, his chest heaving as he blinked rapidly, his gaze locking onto Eren.

Without a word, Jean staggered to his feet, clenched his fists, and marched straight to Eren. Before anyone could react, Jean’s fist collided with Eren’s face, sending the taller man stumbling back.

“You piece of shit!” Jean spat, his voice hoarse but seething with rage. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? We were conscious the whole time! We heard everything, Eren! Every. Single. Word.”

Eren rubbed his jaw but didn’t retaliate, letting Jean vent his anger. Armin, Hange, Connie, and Sasha began to rise, their expressions ranging from fury to disbelief. The room was suddenly alive with questions and accusations.

“How could you do this to us, Eren?” Armin demanded, his blue eyes wide with hurt. “Trapping us in that crystal… it was inhumane!”

“You might as well had just killed us instead of that torture,” Sasha added, her voice shaking. “Locking us up like animals.”

“And we heard you, by the way,” Hange interjected, adjusting her glasses and glaring at Eren. “You came down here to vent your guilt while we were stuck in there like props.”

But then, one by one, they noticed Levi standing calmly on his crutches, Mikasa at his side. And there, next to them, stood Historia and Aurora—Eren’s wife. The room fell silent as they tried to process the scene before them.

Jean broke the silence first. “What the hell is going on here?” His tone was sharp, his eyes darting between Levi, Mikasa, and Eren. “Weren’t we against him?” He pointed at Eren. “And supposed to arrest her for killing the Premier?” His hand shifted to Aurora.

Levi rolled his eyes and leaned heavily on one crutch. “The situation’s changed,” he said bluntly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Changed how?” Hange asked, her hands on her hips, her expression incredulous. “You were the one most against Eren and Aurora! And now you’re just…standing here with them?”

Levi’s gaze turned steely. “I’d suggest you close your mouths and listen.” His voice was cold, commanding, and it silenced any further protests. “Here’s what’s happened in the last month: Aurora poisoned me—”

Connie interrupted with a low whistle. “Damn.”

“Shut up, you fool,” Levi snapped before continuing. “She poisoned me. She nearly killed me. But guess what? She also saved my life when she didn’t have to. While Mikasa and I were on the run, Floch decided to play hero and hunt us down against Eren’s orders.”

The group exchanged bewildered glances as Levi continued. “The Jaw, Cart, and Armored Titans ambushed us. They tried to kidnap Aurora and kill Historia. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the Jaw Titan is in love with the Queen. It’s a shit show.” He gestured lazily toward Historia, whose face turned crimson.

Jean, Connie, Sasha, Hange, and Armin stared at Levi, their jaws practically on the floor. Connie broke the silence with a groan. “I need a stiff drink,” he muttered, rubbing his temples.

Levi smirked faintly, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Don’t we all,” he said dryly.

The room fell into a stunned silence, each person trying to process the whirlwind of revelations. Eren stood at the center of it all, his expression resolute but heavy. Levi continued to bring the scouts up to speed on what had happened in the last month and their expressons grew more stunned with every second that passed.

Finally, Jean found his voice, his tone sharp and accusatory. “So, let me get this straight, Eren. You’ve taken over the military—every branch—and your grand plan is to unleash the Rumbling? You’re actually serious?”

“Yes,” Eren replied firmly. His unwavering gaze met Jean’s, and though he spoke calmly, there was an edge to his voice. “I’m serious. The Rumbling is our only option.”

“The only option?” Hange snapped, her voice trembling with anger. She took a step closer, her hands clenching into fists. “You’re talking about genocide, Eren. Millions of people. Innocent people. Are you hearing yourself?”

“Those ‘innocent’ people want us dead,” Eren countered, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of bitterness. “The entire world sees us as devils. You’ve seen it with your own eyes. Marley’s already tried to destroy us, and they’ll keep trying. It’s us or them.”

“That’s a false choice!” Armin’s voice was louder than usual, shaking with desperation. He stepped forward, his fists tight at his sides. “We’ve always found another way, Eren! We’ve always fought to protect people without resorting to... to this! There’s got to be a way to make peace—”

“There is no peace!” Eren cut him off sharply, his voice echoing through the room. His expression hardened, and he took a step closer to Armin. “Do you think I haven’t tried to find another way? I’ve seen the future, Armin. I’ve seen what happens if we don’t act. If we don’t fight, they’ll destroy all of us. You, me, everyone we care about. They’ll kill Aurora. They’ll kill my child.”

At the mention of the baby, Sasha gasped softly, her wide eyes darting to Aurora, who stood silently beside Eren. Aurora’s expression was conflicted, and her hands rested protectively over her still-small baby bump. She didn’t speak, but the way her shoulders tensed showed how much weight she carried.

Levi, leaning on his crutches, let out a sharp breath and muttered under his breath, “Brats and their damn dramatics…”

Mikasa, standing quietly near Aurora, stiffened visibly at the mention of the Rumbling. Her eyes flicked to Eren, filled with a swirl of emotions—pain, confusion, and something unspoken. She didn’t agree with Eren’s plan, but she had also come to the same grim realization as Levi and Aurora: they had no other choice. Marley’s latest attack had only solidified that grim truth.

Hange looked between Eren and Aurora, her brows furrowed deeply in disbelief. “So, that’s it? You’ve decided for all of us? You’ve taken control, silenced your own comrades, and now you’re marching forward with a plan that’ll make you no different from Marley?”

Eren turned his intense gaze to her, his jaw tightening. “Hange, I don’t expect you to understand. But I’m doing this for us. For everyone in these walls. For Aurora. For my family. If we don’t fight, we’ll be wiped out. The Rumbling is the only way to make the world understand that they can’t touch us.”

Connie, usually the jokester of the group, stood frozen, his expression unreadable. Finally, he broke his silence, his voice shaking. “Eren... do you even hear yourself? You’re talking about killing millions of people. You’re not saving anyone. You’re becoming exactly what they think we are—monsters.”

Jean let out a bitter laugh, his hands on his hips. “And what happens after the Rumbling, huh? You flatten the world, and then what? Do you think people are just gonna bow down and worship you? That they’ll leave Paradis alone forever? Because they won’t, Eren. The hate will never stop. You’re just proving them right.”

Aurora spoke up then, her voice quiet but steady. “Jean… I don’t like this plan any more than you do. None of us do.” She glanced at Mikasa and Levi, who nodded grimly. “But Marley’s attack proved that we’re out of time. The whole world isn’t coming to Paradis to talk or negotiate. They’re coming to kill us. We either fight back, or we die.”

Sasha’s hands trembled as she spoke, her voice breaking. “But... genocide, Aurora? There’s got to be another way. This... this isn’t right.”

“Do you think I want this?” Aurora’s voice rose slightly, her emotions finally breaking through. “Do you think Eren does? We’re doing this because we have no other choice. If there were another way—any way—we’d take it. But there isn’t.”

Armin shook his head, his expression desperate. “There’s always another way. We just have to find it—”

“There’s no time,” Eren interrupted, his voice low but forceful. “Armin, I’ve already seen it. Every path leads to the same conclusion. If we don’t act now, we lose everything. We lose everyone. You can hate me all you want, but I won’t stand by and let that happen.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Hange, Armin, Jean, Connie, and Sasha exchanged uneasy glances, their minds reeling from everything they’d just heard. None of them wanted to believe it, but the grim reality was staring them in the face.

Finally, Levi broke the silence, his tone as blunt as ever. “You don’t have to like it,” he said, addressing the group, “but you do have to face the facts. Marley and the rest of the world aren’t gonna stop coming for us. If you’ve got a better plan, let’s hear it. Otherwise, shut up and deal with it.”

Jean gritted his teeth, his fists clenched. “This is insane... but fine. Let’s hear what your next steps are, Jaeger.”

Eren nodded, his face hard but resolute. “First, we’ll regroup. Then, I’ll release the others from the crystal. After that... we’ll prepare for what’s coming. Together.”

Though the words hung heavy in the air, the group nodded slowly. There was no going back now. The battle for survival had only just begun.

Eren had laid bare his plan, and while the scouts were still reeling from the enormity of the Rumbling, the toll of being trapped in hardened crystal for so long had left them physically and mentally drained. Jean, Armin, Connie, Sasha, and Hange all needed rest and medical attention to recover fully.

They would pick up strategizing tomorrow. For now, it was clear that everyone needed to retreat to their quarters and recharge.

As the group dispersed, Aurora gently approached Hange, Armin, Jean, Connie, and Sasha. Her voice was soft but firm. “If you’ll let me, I can assess you all just to make sure you’re okay. Being in that crystal for so long... it must’ve taken a toll.”

The group hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances. It wasn’t lost on them that Aurora was the same woman who had poisoned Levi—and almost killed him. Jean raised an eyebrow skeptically. “You’re a poison expert, right? I don’t think we’re too eager to have you poking around.”

Aurora flinched at the reminder but kept her composure. “I understand why you’d feel that way. But I know what I’m doing, and I just want to make sure you’re okay. No tricks.”

The tension hung in the air until Levi, still leaning on his crutches, grumbled, “Quit being idiots and let her check you out. If she wanted you dead, you’d be dead already.” His sharp tone made them flinch, but it was enough to break their hesitation.

Reluctantly, the group agreed, and Aurora began her work. Eren stood nearby, his sharp eyes watching her every move, not out of distrust but out of concern for her. He couldn’t help the pride swelling in his chest as he saw how calmly and professionally she handled the group, despite their initial distrust. But he was also keeping an eye on her—he didn’t want her pushing herself too hard after everything she’d been through.

As the others settled into their quarters, Historia returned to her room. Outwardly, she appeared composed, every inch the queen she was expected to be. But inside, her emotions were a storm. She had been holding herself together all day, but now, in the quiet of her private space, her mind raced uncontrollably.

Porco had infected her thoughts.

She sat down on the edge of her bed, her hands trembling as she clutched the blanket. She couldn’t stop replaying their encounter in her mind. The way he had shielded her, the way his eyes—filled with conflict and something else she couldn’t name—had burned into hers. She knew he wasn’t Ymir, yet the connection she felt to him was undeniable, overwhelming.

Her heart ached at the thought of him. She wanted to see him again. The realization made her feel foolish, weak. He was her enemy, a man who had been sent to kill her, and yet...

Historia shook her head sharply, trying to dispel the thoughts. “What am I doing?” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. “This is madness.”

She stood up, intending to pace the room to clear her mind, but as she turned, her breath caught in her throat.

A hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her startled cry, and the door behind her clicked shut.

Her military instincts kicked in immediately. Her body tensed, and she drove her elbow back toward her attacker, ready to fight. But before she could follow through, a voice she knew all too well stopped her in her tracks.

“Relax, it’s me,” Porco whispered, his tone low but unmistakable.

Historia froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned her head slightly, and there he was—Porco Galliard, standing in her room, looking as conflicted and intense as ever.

“Porco?” she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper as she stepped back, breaking free of his hold. “What are you doing here? How did you even get in?”

Porco shifted awkwardly, running a hand through his messy blond hair. “I... I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice strained. “I shouldn’t be here. I know that. But I couldn’t stay away.”

His words made Historia’s breath hitch. Her mind raced with a thousand questions. How had he managed to get past the compound’s security? What was he thinking, coming here? But above all, one thought loomed larger than the rest: why couldn’t she feel angry at him for being here?

Porco took a step closer, his eyes locked on hers. “I’ve abandoned my mission, my comrades... everything,” he confessed, his voice heavy with emotion. “I know it’s insane. I know I shouldn’t even be looking at you. But I can’t stop. Every time I try to convince myself to leave, I just... I keep thinking about you.”

His words hit Historia like a tidal wave. She stared at him, her chest tightening. “Porco...” she began, but she didn’t know how to finish. Her emotions were a tangled mess, and she couldn’t even begin to sort through them.

Porco clenched his fists at his sides, as if trying to ground himself. “I don’t know what I’m doing here,” he said, his voice almost desperate. “I just know I can’t hurt you. I can’t stay away from you.”

Historia’s heart raced. She wanted to push him away, to tell him to leave before anyone found him. But a part of her—a part she didn’t fully understand—wanted him to stay. She felt drawn to him, as if some invisible force was pulling them together.

“How did you even get in here?” she asked, trying to regain some semblance of composure.

Porco gave a faint, bitter smile. “Your compound isn’t as secure as you think,” he said. “Most of the Jaegerists are out hunting me, Pieck, and Reiner. It wasn’t hard to slip in.”

Historia frowned, a pang of fear tightening in her chest. If anyone found him here...

“You need to leave,” she said, though her voice lacked conviction. “If they catch you—”

“I know,” Porco interrupted. “But I don’t care.” His eyes burned with intensity as he stepped closer. “I’ve already thrown everything away. For you.”

His words left her speechless. She didn’t know what to say, how to feel. All she knew was that her heart was pounding, her emotions a whirlwind. She was supposed to hate him, wasn’t she? He was her enemy. And yet...

“Porco,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “This is madness.”

“Maybe it is,” he said quietly, his gaze softening. “But I’d rather be mad than stay away from you.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of everything that had happened, everything that was still to come, hung heavily in the air. And yet, in that small room, it felt like the rest of the world had faded away.

“Stay,” Historia whispered before she could stop herself.

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