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Language:
English
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Published:
2023-08-05
Updated:
2023-12-17
Words:
19,586
Chapters:
40/?
Comments:
53
Kudos:
63
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1,453

A Definitive Deconstruction of God: Materials, Methods, and Results

Summary:

A series of tests was conducted over the course of three years to measure the regenerative, transformative, and translative function of the Colossal Titan (Titanis colossus). A total of 422 tests were carried out on the Colossal Titan’s holder, a male Eldian of 17 years at the start of the study, to better understand the titans, to determine their use in the medical world, and to find a method to transfer an intelligent titan without human consumption.

While we were unable to attain our ultimate ambition, we believe that innovation is within reach. We must simply keep trying.

In which Zeke Yeager and Hange Zoë write to each other about the voluntary experiments carried out on Bertholdt Hoover and the Colossal Titan.

Notes:

I’ve always wanted to write an epistolary fic, or a fic entirely told through letters and other written documents. Zeke and Hange feel just right for this, and Bertholdt's survival lends itself to the perfect opportunity. They should offer me ample room to explore titan shifter biology, worldbuilding, and a hefty dose of in-universe science. Gotta make use of my biology studies somewhere.

Written as a double entry for Warriors Week’s Canon Divergence and What If [Warrior] Lived? prompts and for AOT Kitchen Week’s Like An Animal, specifically the Experiments prompt. Five letters will be posted every week, I expect about 60 by the end.

This fic contains descriptions of medical trials and anatomy and will go into detail about how certain procedures are carried out and the physical, psychological, and emotional effects they have. It also references some canonical character deaths here and there.

Chapter 1: To H. 15 September, 851

Summary:

<Hidden away deep within an abandoned wing of a protected historical building they’ve been planning for years now to renovate, there sits a dusty desk that hasn’t been disturbed in quite some time. Within, wrapped in textile together with other remnants of a time long past, a folder has been carefully closed off and preserved by hands that deemed what lay within too important to lose to decay. If one were to open it, they would find a stream of correspondence that hasn’t seen the light of day in many years—and upon closer inspection, these letters seem to begin at a very particular moment in Paradis’ history.>

Chapter Text

Dear H,

 

I offer my sincerest thanks for your cordial letter.

They told me you were sharp, and your cautious method of reaching out to me proves that. It fills me with hope that the faction we have allied with is in good hands. 

But I can assure you that there is no need to spend your precious time penning down an encoded letter as this line of contact is secure and no correspondence is at risk of being intercepted. You may always trust my associates to ensure that these messages reach the requested recipient only. Should you require future use of a code, please refer to them for a custom cipher. The very first and most conspicuous cipher any spying eye will look for is first and last letter code. You will find no security in such a method. My associates will also provide you with the paper we use to write on here in Liberio to cover your tracks.

As a sign of good intentions and proof of my claims, I shall formally introduce myself: I am Zeke Yeager, Warchief of the Marleyan Warriors and holder of the Beast Titan. I understand that the circumstances under which we met were not the most amiable nor the most fortunate, so I wish that this may herald a new relationship between Paradis and us Anti-Marleyan Volunteers.

This letter was delivered to me accompanied by word of your identity. Still, I shall make no assumptions and I offer you the opportunity to introduce yourself on your own terms.

How may I help you?

 

Yours sincerely,

Warchief Zeke Yeager,
15th of September, 851

 

 

<The letter which this one is a reply to seems to be missing>