The Web of Trust and the Coming Storm

Building trust wasn't as simple as saving lives or fighting alongside someone—it required patience, careful words, and just enough mystery to keep people intrigued. That was something I knew well.

The Survey Corps had suffered losses, and the city was still reeling from the Female Titan's attack. Most people had no idea that Titans could be among them in human form, and the higher-ups weren't exactly keen on spreading that paranoia. That meant, for now, Annie's secret stayed buried—literally.

Still, the atmosphere was tense. Soldiers whispered among themselves, throwing wary glances at one another. The seeds of doubt had already been planted.

Playing the Long Game

I made my rounds, interacting with different squads, subtly reinforcing my place within the Corps.

With Jean, it was easy. He was skeptical by nature but had a good head on his shoulders. "You really don't trust anyone, huh?" I teased as we leaned against the training field fence, watching new recruits spar.

Jean scoffed. "After everything we've seen? You're damn right I don't. But I'll give you this—you're different. You don't hesitate."

I smirked. "I just know when to pick my fights."

With Sasha, I took a different approach. I "accidentally" dropped some high-quality rations near her during a break, and within seconds, she was at my side, grinning. "You, my friend, are officially in my good graces."

"Didn't know I was out of them."

She laughed, tearing into the food. "Trust me, everyone starts at zero until they feed me."

Connie was an easy one—he was simple, straightforward. "You ever get nervous?" he asked after training, panting as he wiped sweat from his forehead.

"All the time," I said honestly. "Difference is, I don't let it show."

And then there was Historia.

A Conversation with a Queen in Disguise

"Are you always this good at reading people?" Historia asked as we sat on the rooftop, looking over the city. The sun was setting, casting golden light over the damaged buildings.

"It helps when you don't get too caught up in your own head," I said, resting my arms on my knees. "People tell you what they want if you listen the right way."

She studied me, thoughtful. "And what do I want?"

"To stop feeling powerless," I said without hesitation.

Her expression didn't change, but I caught the way her fingers tightened on the stone ledge. "That obvious, huh?"

"To someone paying attention."

Historia exhaled and leaned back. "You're a strange one, Akira. It's like you know more than you should."

I just smiled. "Call it intuition."

The Calm Before the Storm

A few days later, a mission was issued for an inspection trip outside the city to check the Wall Rose perimeter. A group of soldiers, including myself, was assigned to accompany the Survey Corps leadership to a nearby town. The recent events with the Female Titan had left everyone on edge, and there were murmurs about the possibility of more infiltrators hiding among them.

We arrived in the town by horseback, the streets bustling with civilians going about their daily lives. But even with the normalcy, there was tension in the air. Something wasn't right.

While Erwin and the others gathered intelligence, I observed, listening in on conversations and keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Mikasa, standing beside me, noticed my focus.

"You're watching for something," she stated, arms crossed.

I glanced at her. "Aren't you?"

She nodded, gripping the hilt of her blade. "Something feels off."

Before I could respond, a group of scouts rode in from the outskirts of the town, their faces pale with urgency. They quickly made their way toward Erwin, whispering something that made his expression harden.

The air grew heavier.

"What's going on?" Jean muttered, stepping up beside me.

I didn't answer. I already had a bad feeling.

Erwin turned to the assembled soldiers, his voice calm but firm. "We may have a situation. I need all available personnel ready to move out immediately."

People began moving at once, but there was no clear explanation—only silent urgency. No public announcements, no cries of alarm. Whatever was happening, they weren't spreading the news just yet.

Mikasa looked at me again, this time with an edge of seriousness. "We need to be ready."

I gave her a quick grin. "Wouldn't miss it."

This was it. Another turning point.

And I was ready.