Chapter Text

Attack On My Heart.

Chap. 1 Started: April 25, 2025. Finished: April 28, 2025.

By: artie_snclaeirss

Volume 1, Chapter 1.

 [The woman behind that cloak. (She sees too much.)]

Centuries ago, mankind was slaughtered to near extinction by large, monstrous, humanoid creatures called Titans, forcing humans to hide in fear behind enormous concentric walls. What makes these giants truly terrifying is that their taste for human flesh is not born out of hunger but what appears to be out of pleasure. To ensure their survival, the remnants of humanity began living within defensive barriers, resulting in hundreds of years without a single titan encounter. However, that fragile calm is soon shattered when a colossal Titan manages to breach the supposedly impregnable outer wall, reigniting the fight for survival against the man-eating abominations.”

“This is big news! We have a titan on our side now!” A man yelled.

(WITHIN WALL ROSE, YEAR 850)

It was an eventful but gloomy morning. It felt heavy and tense, almost like the whole world was holding its breath. In a nearby corner of town, people had gathered, a newspaper pressed against the wall, murmurs weaving through the crowd. “Who knows, maybe we could retake Wall Maria!” a citizen of Trost says,

“It almost feels like.. Our Savior!” Another exclaims... Our savior, huh. Was this man saying that a young boy, at the age of 15, despite having titan powers could potentially save the world?

Wall Rose, one of the remaining walls that could shield the people of Paradis, the 2nd outermost wall protecting humanity, became one of the busiest and most populated wall after the fall of Wall Maria.

It was here, behind these defenses, that the 15 year-old boy in question now resided, along with his friends and fellow allies.

(ON TOP OF THE WALLS)

“Oh, you’re just as straight-laced as the rumors say. Still, it’s only a morning walk, we just happened to cross paths,” Pyxis said casually.

Dot Pyxis, relaxed yet sharp beneath the surface, was the highest-ranking officer responsible for the defense of the southern territories, including key locations like Trost District.

Physically, Pyxis is an older man, bald, with a long mustache and a kind of sleepy, amused look in his eyes. He’s almost always carrying a flask of liquor, and he’s known for being a bit of a drunkard, which at first makes him seem irresponsible. But underneath that laid-back surface, Pyxis is incredibly shrewd, clever, and brave. He’s one of the few leaders willing to take enormous risks if he thinks they’ll help humanity survive.

On the other hand, Erwin Smith is the Commander of the Scout Regiment, the branch of the military that ventures outside the walls to fight Titans and uncover the truth about the world. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp blue eyes and short blond hair always standing perfectly straight, like a man who carries the full weight of humanity’s survival on his back.

”So, let’s chat during our little stroll. Have you heard the Military Police wants to take custody of Eren Yeager?” Pyxis said, his tone light but deliberate.

“Yes. I received word yesterday,” Erwin replied.

“They’re planning to hold a deliberation on the matter.”

“I see…It falls entirely on Zachary to decide. Whether the Scout Regiment or the Military Police gets him.”

“Zachary… You mean Premier Dhalis Zachary?”

Dhalis Zachary is a cold, patient strategist who hates the corrupt elite and isn’t afraid to get ugly to destroy them. He doesn’t fight Titans on the battlefield — he fights human corruption from the shadows, and he’s very good at it. He oversees three regiments, The Garrison Regiment, the Scout Regiment, and the Military Police. He will base his decision on one thing, which is whether Eren Jaeger’s existence is beneficial or harmful to humanity. If he deems him a detriment, he won’t hesitate to have Eren executed.

Pyxis shared his thoughts with Erwin regarding Eren. He didn’t want the boy dead—but unfortunately, many within the Garrison Regiment remained fearful of his powers. The most Pyxis could do was refrain from siding with the Military Police.

He pulled a flask from his pocket and took a drink. “Are the odds in your favor?” he asked.

Erwin met his gaze, steady and unreadable, before finally replying. “No. But we do have a proposal ready…”

(IN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY)

A young man who looks like he’s in his teenage years that has blue-green eyes and brown hair was in military custody — locked up in a stone prison beneath a military courtroom, deep inside the inner walls.

“Excuse me. I need to use the toilet…” He says as he was chained on the hard bed of his cell. Several members of the MP’s were guarding him, preventing him from escaping his cell. “You just went!” one replies.

“Please give me water—“

“Hey!” another guard exclaims, stopping the young boy before he could finish.

“Know your place, Monster..” The guard adds.

The young boy’s eyes widened, he wasn’t used to getting called ‘Monster’. He looks down on his bed. Monster… Yes, that might be the case… But is he that terrifying that he had to be restrained that much?

Meanwhile, a mysterious woman stood hidden in an empty hallway just outside the boy’s cell. A cloak with the Wings of Freedom draped over her shoulders, hood drawn low. She looked every bit a Scout soldier—but didn’t seem to care whether her squadmates noticed her absence or not.

She had been secretly listening to the conversation between the boy and the guards just moments ago. She had recently overheard the news that the boy possessed special titan powers. Her curiosity led her to creep closer, hoping to confirm it for herself.

But just as she was about to move nearer, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor.

She turned to flee—but before she could, a hand shot out from behind, seizing her by the collar and yanking her back. The grip was firm. The voice, calm. “Hello there, Sinclair.”

Her breath caught. How did they know? Then she realized—her hair was peeking out from beneath her hood.

Artemis Sinclair was a striking figure. Her white hair and sharp blue eyes gave her an almost ethereal presence. With a toned physique, she moved with both agility and purpose, exuding an air of quiet strength.

Full of secrets, Artemis wore her calm, blunt, and at times reckless demeanor like a mask—one that concealed the depth of her intelligence and the complexity of her true nature.

Her expression remained unbothered; she had recognized the voice immediately. It was Hange, that brown haired mad scientist.

Sinclair allowed herself a faint smile. After all, she was the only wavy-haired whitehead Hange knew in the Scouts. “Shouldn’t you be with your squadmates? You know, Levi and the others?” Hange asked, tilting their head slightly.

Sinclair glanced behind her. Yes—she saw Hange… but not Moblit.

“Where’s Moblit?” she asked, noting that only Miche stood nearby.

Hange didn’t respond, as Sinclair’s voice had been too low, almost a mumble. They hadn’t caught it. “We’re heading to see Eren. Wanna come?” Hange offered.

Sinclair nodded as they made their way toward the young boy — or should we call him,Eren.

Hange, Miche, and Sinclair approached the boy’s cell, and as soon as they arrived, Hange swiftly leaned forward, peeking inside. Their eyes widened. They looked incredibly curious about him. Having always been fascinated by Titans and their behavior, their first instinct was to study Eren’s transformation and powers as a Titan shifter. Hange smiled before speaking. “So you’re Eren? You okay? How are things?”

Before Hange could continue, Sinclair cut in. “Calm down, Hange.”

Hange turned their head, shooting her an amused glance before looking back at the boy inside the cell. A soft chuckle escaped them. “I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long,” they said, voice gentler now.

Sinclair said nothing. She simply observed, her expression unreadable as she slowly pulled down the hood of her cloak, letting her white hair catch the light. Quiet as ever, she watched the moment unfold.

“But now, you finally have a chance to get out,” Hange added, their tone brightening once more. Footsteps approached—the solid, slow steps of Miche Zacharius. As he came up beside Hange, the lock clicked, and the door to the cell creaked open. Eren stepped out, only for cold metal to clamp around his wrists. The cuffs locked with a practiced finality. They began moving down a corridor, the space overhead laced with vent-like panels where sunlight filtered through in pale streaks, casting shifting lines of gold across the stone floor.

“I’m Hange Zoë, a section commander in the Scout Regiment,” Hange began as they walked, casually glancing back at Eren. “This is Miche Zacharius, also a section commander. And that whitehead is Artemis Sinclair — she’s not a superior, probably just sneaking around while Captain Levi isn’t looking.”

Eren’s gaze flicked toward Miche, just in time to see the man lean slightly closer, nostrils flaring as he sniffed him. “I—” Eren stammered, startled, but Hange quickly cut in. “Oh, he always sniffs people like that when he first meets them.” Miche smirked faintly, saying nothing, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement. “He has a habit of laughing through his nose,” Hange continued, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. “I doubt he means anything by it. Oddness aside, he is skilled enough to be a section commander.”

They came to a stop in front of a large wooden door. Hange turned to Eren once more, their eyes alight with that same unpredictable energy. “Oh, my! Sorry! I just prattled on, didn’t I? We’re already here but… No, it will be okay. It’s actually better if I don’t explain!”

“Wait…” Eren managed, but the door swung open behind him, and in the next instant, he was pushed inside.

“It’s selfish of us, but all we can do is put blind faith in you. Good luck.” Hange’s voice softened into something serious, their usual lightness fading as they offered a final nod. Then, without another word, they closed the door.

They had arrived at the courthouse.

“Whitehead, huh…” Sinclair murmured to herself, the corner of her mouth twitching. She found Hange’s nickname oddly amusing.

Meanwhile, inside the courtroom… “Kneel down!” the MPs shouted at Eren. Obeying, Eren dropped to his knees. The MPs secured him to the ground with a metal rod. He looked around, seeing all three Regiments watching him, along with his friends.

Zachary settled into his seat with deliberate calm. “Shall we begin?” he said, putting on his glasses before continuing. “You are Eren Jaeger, a soldier who has sworn to give his life for the people. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” Eren replied, looking at Zachary.

“Given the extraordinary circumstances, this deliberation will be held as a court martial. Hence, regular law will not apply, so to speak. I have full decision-making authority on this matter, which includes determining whether you should live or die,” Zachary said, his voice steady and commanding.

In that moment, Sinclair slipped in through the back door of the court, standing beside her squadmates as she watched the scene unfold. Her chin rested against her palm as she listened to everything that was happening.

“Any objections?” Zachary added.

“No, sir,” Eren replied.

“Your astuteness is appreciated… I’ll get right to the point. As expected, concealing your existence proved impossible. Unless we publicly disclose it in some fashion, we risk the outbreak of a new, non-Titan threat. It falls on me to decide which regiment will take charge of you — the Military Police or the Scout Regiment. Now, let’s hear what the MPs propose,” Zachary said, his tone measured but sharp, as he shifted his gaze toward the representatives.

Nile Dawk stepped forward, his uniform crisp, expression unreadable. “I, Nile Dawk, Commander of the Military Police, offer the following proposal.”

He held a paper in his hands, glancing down at it — a prepared statement, clearly written like a script.

“We believe that after a thorough examination of Eren’s body, he should be disposed of immediately. It’s true that his titan ability helped thwart this latest incursion. However, his existence is now stirring up rebellious ideas as well.” A sharp silence fell over the chamber. Oh, no… Did they just say they want to get rid of Eren?

“As such, after he has provided us with as much information as possible, he will be made a fallen warrior of humanity.” That ends Dawk’s speech.

Nile Dawk is a loyal man stuck inside a broken system, trying to do his duty, even when it eats away at him. He represents a more realistic kind of human struggle — survival vs. idealism.

“He is a vermin who has defiled and infiltrated the walls built by God’s great wisdom! He should be killed at once!” Pastor Nick exclaimed, despite having no right to speak.

“Pastor Nick, please remain quiet,” Dawk said firmly.

“Next, let’s hear the Scout Regiment’s idea,” Zachary said, turning to the Scouts’ side.

“Yes, sir,” Erwin spoke up. “I, Erwin Smith, 13th Commander of the Scout Regiment, offer the following proposal: we intend to accept Eren as an official member of the Scout Regiment and utilize his Titan ability to retake Wall Maria.” Erwin paused briefly before finishing. “That’s all.”

Artemis, on the other hand, didn’t pay much attention — until Erwin suddenly proposed that the young boy would be accepted as a member of the Scouts. ‘Please don’t tell me he’ll be my squadmate!’, she begged in her mind. Though, her face remained stoic. ‘They’re already a pain in the ass, especially that sleep-deprived idiot, Captain Levi fucking Ackerman’, she added bitterly in her thoughts. Artemis glared at Levi, insults flooding in her mind.

Levi glanced over his shoulder, sensing someone’s gaze. His eyes landed on Sinclair, but she wasn’t looking at him. She was focused on the situation—well, pretending to be.

Levi rolled his eyes at her before turning his attention back to the matter at hand.

Erwin was now discussing their plan to retake Wall Maria when suddenly a merchant interrupted. “Wait a damn minute! Shouldn’t we be sealing all the gates now? The gates are the only part the Colossal Titan can break! If we reinforce them, we’ll never get attacked again!”

“Shut up, you merchant dog! With a Titan’s help, we can return to Wall Maria!” others shouted.

“We won’t tolerate any more of your childish heroics!”

Then, Levi, the idiot Sinclair calls, spoke up. “You’ve got a big mouth, swine. How can you be sure the Titans will just wait while you reinforce the gates? And when you say ‘we,’ you mean the friends you’re protecting so you can all flatten yourselves. Are you blind to the people struggling to survive with what little land is left?”

The merchant shot back, “I’m just saying that if we seal the gates, we can live—”

Before he could even finish, Pastor Nick cut in. “Hold your tongue, miscreant! You would suggest humans meddle with Wall Rose, a gift from God? That wall is a divine miracle that transcends human understanding!”

The arguing continued as Eren remained kneeling on the floor, unable to speak.

Zachary slammed his hand on the table to command attention.

“Order! I ask that you save your personal sentiments for another venue,” he said sternly.

“I need to clarify something. Mr. Jaeger, as a soldier, can you continue to serve humanity by controlling your Titan ability?”

Eren finally spoke up. “Yes, sir! I can!”

“Really?” Zachary replied, his voice tinged with skepticism.

“Because it says here in this report on the Trost battle that, shortly after transforming, you swung your fists at Mikasa Ackerman.”

Eren glances at his side, gaze landing at Mikasa, he was taken aback. He hadn’t been aware of his actions during that moment. It felt like he had been unconscious. Armin and Mikasa stared at him, their eyes filled with concern. Eren didn’t remember losing control.

“Tch…” Mikasa muttered, glaring at Rico Brzenska, one of the elite soldiers within the Garrison — specifically part of the team that helped defend the walls and protect civilians from Titans.

“What, you expect me to lie in a report?” Rico shot back.

”Hiding this fact wouldn’t do humanity any good.”

Zachary spoke up once more, asking, “And who is Mikasa Ackerman?”

“I am, sir,” Mikasa replied. Zachary stared at her.

“You? Is it true that Jaeger, in Titan form, attacked you?”

Mikasa glanced at Eren, her mouth tightening. She hesitated, torn between saying“no” to protect him or “yes” to stay honest.

Rico shot her a look. “It’s in Eren’s best interest that you answer honestly.”

Eren remained stunned, watching them silently. Mikasa held Eren’s gaze for a moment before turning back to Zachary.

“Yes, it’s true,” she said.

A ripple of surprise spread through the courtroom, with some people letting out quiet exclamations of, “Whoa…!” The courtroom fell silent for a moment, many thinking to themselves, I knew it! A Titan’s a Titan!

Everyone was frozen in shock — and so was Eren. He struggled to comprehend the idea that he had tried to kill Mikasa. Mikasa spoke up, her voice steady. “He also saved my life on two prior occasions while in Titan form. The first time, just as I was about to fall into the hands of a Titan, he intervened and protected me. The second time, he shielded both me and Armin from a bombardment. I ask that you take these facts into consideration as well.”

Before she could say more, Dawk raised an objection. As he began to speak, Sinclair mumbled under her breath, “Tch. Funny how they’re quicker to fear power than to understand it. But of course, order’s easier to maintain when your people stay scared.”

“What’s more, our own investigation into this matter led us to a most surprising discovery. Eren Jaeger and Mikasa Ackerman, at the age of nine, stabbed and killed three adult robber-kidnappers,” Nile Dawk announced.

As the words left his mouth, Sinclair’s interest was piqued. She straightened her posture, her expression growing serious — though a hint of amusement lingered in her eyes.

Nile continued, “Even if it was in self-defense, we cannot help but question his basic humanity. Should we really place lives and funds in his hands, not to mention the very fate of humanity?” The corners of Sinclair’s lips curled into a small smirk. She was intrigued. In a way, she saw herself reflected in the boy. The memory of her own past stirred — back to a time before she became part of the scouts.

Citizens began to murmur anxiously. “That’s right! He’s clearly a Titan that snuck in by taking the form of a child!” one man exclaimed in horror, pointing at Mikasa. “Her too!” he added, his voice rising. Was he seriously suggesting Mikasa was like Eren, despite her helping to kill the robber-kidnappers? Mikasa stared at the man, stunned.

“I bet she’s not human at all!” the man shouted. “Yes! We should dissect her just to be safe!” another voice agreed.

“Hold on!” Eren objected sharply. “I might be a monster, but she has nothing to do with this! Nothing at all!” Mikasa’s eyes widened in shock. Eren was defending her. The citizens kept arguing, not accepting Eren’s words.

“No!” Eren roared, moving suddenly — the metal rod pinning him down groaning under the force.

The entire courtroom fell silent, watching in astonishment. Even restrained, Eren was strong enough to nearly break free. “No… It’s not like that. But you’re all using speculation to push your own selfish agendas!” Eren said, his voice firm.

Some citizens still looked confused, whispering among themselves. “What?” one of them muttered.

Eren pressed on. “In fact…” He hesitated, thinking to himself, Is this bad? But he pushed forward. “…None of you have ever seen a Titan, so why are you so afraid?” Another moment of hesitation crossed his mind. Maybe I should stop talking… But then he clenched his fists. No. I’m going to tell them everything that’s on my mind! “What’s the use of having power if you’re not going to fight? If you’re afraid to fight for your lives, then help me! You cowards!” The MPs were stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Another shocked “What?” escaped someone’s mouth. “Just shut up and place everything in me!” Eren shouted. The whole courtroom fell silent. Shock was written all over the citizens’ faces — jaws dropped, eyes wide.

Sinclair, however, looked completely unimpressed. Boredom lingered in her sharp blue eyes as she looked at the ceiling. “Tch. Emotional outburst, check. Public scandal, check. What’s next? A punchline? If this is their idea of a fair trial, they might as well throw chairs instead of arguments,” she muttered, clearly irritated.

“He’s reckless, but at least he’s not pretending to be neutral behind a podium.” she added, crossing her arms.

“Take aim!” Nile commanded sharply. A soldier obeyed instantly, raising his rifle and aiming directly at Eren. Eren’s eyes widened in horror — he didn’t want to die.

And then — Thwack!

A brutal kick landed squarely in his face before he got shot. The impact was so strong it knocked a tooth out. The sound of the kick snapped Sinclair’s attention. She looks down from the ceiling, her gaze landing on Eren, who was getting kicked by… How did he get there?

Eren’s eyes met Levi’s as another kick landed, the harsh beatings continuing.

Mikasa’s expression darkened, her brows furrowing in anger. She steps forward, ready to defend Eren — now, physically. A low grunt escaped her as she moved. “Wait, Mikasa!” Armin’s voice stopped her. He grabbed her arm, preventing her from charging forward. Mikasa stood still, her face filled with concern and frustration as she watched Levi continue to beat Eren.

Meanwhile, Sinclair leaned forward, her arms crossed and settled on the railings, her head resting casually on top of them. Her expression was nonchalant, but beneath that calm exterior, she was intrigued. The courtroom fell into an uneasy silence, most of the people still frozen with the same shocked expressions.

Nile’s voice broke the stillness. “Wait, Levi!”

Levi stopped mid-kick, looking at Nile. “What?”

Nile’s gaze darkened as he met Levi’s eyes. “That’s dangerous. What if he gets mad and transforms into a Titan?”

Levi scoffed, landing another kick without hesitation. “Don’t be silly,” he muttered, before grabbing Eren by the hair, forcing his head up. Eren looked like a wreck — his hair matted and messy, his face covered in bruises, blood dripping from his nose and mouth.

“You guys are going to dissect him, aren’t you?” Levi said, his voice calm but sharp as he looked over at Nile. “When he transformed, he supposedly killed 20 Titans before running out of strength. As an enemy, his intelligence makes him even more dangerous. Even so, I could handle him just fine.” Levi’s expression turned more serious, almost cold. “But could you? Whoever dares torment him better think long and hard. Can you actually kill him?”

“Heh…” A huff of disbelief escaped Sinclair’s lips. “I can’t believe this idiot would do something so bold,” she mumbled under her breath. “The temerity!” she added, followed by a short chuckle. Her eyes met Levi’s steel-blue gaze. He locked eyes with her for a moment, then turned his attention back to the room.

Erwin raised his hand. “Sir. I have a proposition.”

Zachary looked over at him. “What is it?” Erwin lowered his hand before speaking. “Eren’s Titan ability is riddled with uncertainties, posing a constant and unpredictable danger. As such, we will place Eren under Captain Levi’s supervision and conduct a recon mission outside the wall.”

Bam! Sinclair was taken aback, her eyes widening slightly. This Eren kid was going to be part of their squad?! Her thoughts spun. Oh, great… I’m already stressed with my squadmates, and now this? She let out an inward groan, mentally bracing herself for the chaos that was bound to follow.

“Based on the results of the mission, you can decide if Eren has control over his Titan ability…” Erwin said, glancing at Zachary. Erwin continued, “…And whether his existence is beneficial to humankind.”

Zachary turned his attention to Levi. “Supervising Eren Jaeger, is it?” He studied Levi for a moment before asking, “Can you do this, Levi?”

Levi finally released his grip on Eren’s hair, letting the boy slump back to the ground. He looked down at Eren, his expression unreadable. “Oh, I can most definitely kill him,” Levi replied coolly. “The real problem is, there’s no middle ground.”

Zachary’s voice rang out, sharp and final. “I’ve made my decision…”

(DUSK COMES, THE TRIAL FINISHES.)

“Man, talk about harsh.” Hange says.

Eren sat in a dimly lit room with Hange, Miche, Levi, and Erwin. Hange was gently tending to his wounds. “I bet it hurts,” Hange remarked with a hint of sympathy. “A little,” Eren replied, pressing a handkerchief to his cheek to stem the bleeding. “So, how exactly does it hurt?” Hange asked, their tone curious. Eren opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Erwin’s voice. “I’m sorry about that. But it did get you placed under our custody.”

“Yes,” Eren answered quietly, glancing at Erwin.

“The pain was worth it. It allowed us to play our trump card at the most effective moment.” Erwin crouched down, extending his hand toward Eren. “You have my admiration,” he said with a smile. “Eren, I look forward to working with you.”

“Right! Thank you, sir!” Eren responded eagerly, shaking Erwin’s hand with determination in his eyes.

What they didn’t know was that Sinclair was outside the room, her ear pressed against the door. She had been eavesdropping. Her eyes widened as she listened, her mind racing. Erwin was… serious!? This kid was now officially a member of their squad. Great, just what she needed—another headache. Cheers to that, Artemis.

A loud thud echoed from the room, followed by Levi’s voice as he sat beside Eren. “Tell me, Eren,” Levi said. “Yes?” Eren replied, his expression tense and nervous. Levi’s voice was calm, but sharp. “Do you resent me?”

“No. I understand it was a necessary performance,” Eren answered, his voice steady despite the pressure

“Good, then,” Levi replied, his tone flat and unreadable.

“Still, you didn’t have to go so far. You knocked his tooth out!” Hange said, holding up the tooth for Eren to see.

Sinclair, who had been listening from the other side of the door, felt her composure falter. She wanted so badly to get closer, to be part of the conversation.

Back inside: “Don’t pick that up. It’s disgusting,” Levi muttered, clearly unamused by Hange’s actions. Hange, however, wasn’t deterred.

“This is a precious sample in its own right,” they said, a glint of fascination in their eyes.

Levi glanced at Eren, his tone turning serious. “Be thankful you aren’t being dissected by people like them, Eren.”

“Don’t compare me to them. I would never kill Eren,” Hange retorted, their eyes softening as they turned back to Eren.

“Hey, Eren,” Hange said gently. “Let me see inside your mouth.” Eren complied, opening his mouth wide, and Hange leaned in for a closer look. Their eyes widened in surprise.

“The tooth… has already grown back,” Hange remarked, astounded by the rapid regeneration.

Sinclair, still hidden outside the door, was taken aback. Eren could heal that fast? Her mind raced. Unlike—no. Secrets must remain secrets. She quickly suppressed the thought, her gaze hardening as she leaned back against the wall, trying to regain her composure.

——To be continued…