Chapter Text
Post-16th Rebellion War, Paradis
Her teeth clenched as the metallic tang of blood spread across her tongue, a thin line of crimson tracing the corner of her cracked lip. Stone-hard hands gripped her bruised arms mercilessly, dragging her like a lifeless carcass toward the towering gates of Wall Maria, Paradis.
The massive gates creaked open with a low, grinding moan, each note reverberating through her chest. Beyond them, the indistinct roar of applause swelled, growing sharper with every heartbeat. The crowd’s cheers surged like an unrelenting tide, eager and bloodthirsty. Their cries reached her ears, each voice celebrating her capture as if she were the spoils of the greatest hunt of the century.
At the forefront of it all stood her captor, Brigadier General Reiner Braun. His imposing frame cast a shadow that seemed to envelop her entirely, his triumph radiating in every proud step he took. He was the hunter, and she, the trophy—dragged into the heart of her doom for all to see.
The deep rumble of horns and the pounding rhythm of drums merged with the crowd’s fervent screams, the cacophony tearing through her skull. She kept her eyes shut, unwilling to see the faces of those reveling in her downfall. She didn’t need to look to understand the truth: they were here to celebrate her death.
No miracle would save her. No whisper of hope dared to reach her now. She was a notorious criminal, delivered into the hands of Sina Capital’s highest officers. Her survival, for the moment, was a cruel mercy—a directive to extract every scrap of information from her through torture before discarding her like a broken toy.
She braced for that end, longing for the finality of it—or so she told herself. Yet, deep within, a fragile spark of defiance clung to the sliver of hope that had kept her alive all this time. A phantom savior, a figment of her imagination, might yet appear and snatch her from the jaws of death.
But as she gazed inwardly at the broken woman she had become, she knew the truth. Even the gods above wouldn’t deign to intervene. Her choices had led her here, to this abyss, and there was no turning back.
"Move, criminal!"
A sharp kick sent her stumbling forward, her swollen eyes fluttering open for a brief moment before the burning pain forced them shut again. She was dragged like dead weight, her feet scraping against the rough ground as the angry roars of the crowd grew louder. She didn’t need to look to know what waited for her—the faces of people united in their hatred, eager to see her fall. Their cheers didn’t sting as much as the ache pulsing through her body, a constant reminder of how broken she was.
Now, they were all here. Packed into the dome, hungry for blood. Waiting to see justice—or vengeance, really—served.
She hung between two soldiers, her weight too much for her battered legs to carry. Around her stood a circle of military officers, their guns aimed at her like she might still be a threat. At her side was Brigadier General Reiner Braun, standing tall and rigid, his presence as commanding as ever.
What are they waiting for? she wondered bitterly, her thoughts clouded by pain. Her body was done, and her spirit wasn’t far behind.
"Just k-kill…m-me," she rasped, her voice a fragile whisper. Her legs gave out completely, leaving her dangling in the grip of the soldiers holding her up.
"You’re not dying yet ," Reiner said coldly. His tone didn’t waver, solid and final. "The Lieutenant General will decide what happens to you."
The crowd’s cheers died down, replaced by an uneasy quiet. The silence was suffocating, like the air itself was bracing for something heavy.
Even in her haze, she managed to let out a faint, bitter laugh. The taste of blood filled her mouth, but she didn’t care.
"As if h-he’d get anything from m-me," she muttered, her words barely audible.
One of the soldiers smirked cruelly. "Oh, he’ll get something, all right. He’ll have you begging like a dog—"
"Enough, Forster," Reiner snapped, his voice cutting through the soldier’s mockery like a blade. "Disrespecting the Lieutenant General will not be tolerated."
The soldiers around them tensed, lowering their gazes under Reiner’s sharp glare. The brief silence that followed was broken only by her ragged breathing—and then, a chuckle. Quiet, shaky, but unmistakable.
Her battered body finally hit the ground as the soldiers released her. She lay there, trembling with laughter that sounded more like a dying gasp. The absurdity of it all—it was almost funny.
Don’t we all deserve to be saved? Even criminals? The thought felt ridiculous, even to her. If someone had the power to save her, they’d have come by now.
Her laughter grew quieter until it faded completely. She lay there in the dirt, staring at nothing, waiting for the end she knew was coming.
“She’s gone crazy,” another soldier muttered as the corporal stepped forward and kicked her from behind, making her body jerk toward the Brigadier.
“She just needs a little more beating.”
The corporal then shoved her face down, almost forcing it into the rough ground of the dome. The crowd seemed unusually quiet, as if unsure of how to react. The corporal didn’t seem bothered by this. He grabbed her by the collar of her torn, bloodstained shirt and wrapped his hand around her neck, choking her. Her eyes drooped half-closed in a daze.
“What are you laughing at? You little bitch!” he spat.
He yanked her toward the center of the dome, where her body slammed into the ground. She could barely make out the figures of the authorities in front of her, blurred and distant. She tried to push herself up with trembling hands, struggling to find some support.
She blinked a few times, hoping her vision would clear.
Ah, they're saluting.
But... who?
A tall, dark figure started to approach. Her eyes slowly began to focus. The man was walking toward them, long brown hair tied back, his presence towering over even the Brigadier. His aura was powerful—intimidating.
Ah, it must be the Lieutenant they were talking about earlier. The one who decides my fate.
She closed her eyes briefly, praying for an end to her suffering.
Lieutenant, please, end it quickly. Let me rest.
With that thought, she saw him clearly now, her eyes fluttering open and mumbled.
“M-m—”
“Lieutenant General! My apologies, I didn’t see—”
“Introduce the captee, Brigadier Braun.”
A cold wind seemed to pass with his words, silencing the corporal completely. The man flinched and quickly turned, suddenly aware of the Lieutenant’s presence. The soldiers around her snapped into a salute, including the corporal, as the woman lay still on the ground.
So, he’s the Lieutenant. His fiery olive eyes look at me as if I’m nothing more than a pitiful creature that must be erased. A creature who’s brought nothing but trouble for his unit and the whole city as a rebel.
“Reiner Braun, Brigadier General of the Vanguard Corps of Wall Maria, officially presents to you the capture of the most wanted rebel criminal of Paradis Island, Asa Kim.”
“Asa… Kim,” the lieutenant repeated, his voice flat.
“Yes, that’s what they call her, lieutenant. But we’re still investigating her background. We’ve heard she doesn’t have any family left.”
The Brigadier took the lead in presenting her, his voice steady as he prepared to send the rebel off to the dungeons of the Capital.
“Asa Kim, please show respect to the Lieutenant General of the Gold Battalions of Wall Sina—”
“Eren Yaeger,” the lieutenant cut in, introducing himself. “...And you are?”
The criminal’s mind seemed to blank. Her eyes, now fully open, blinked in confusion.
I don’t understand.
The towering figure, so much larger than anyone around her, stared down at Asa Kim—the notorious rebel who had fought her way out of the walls of Paradis.
“Lieutenant, I told you her name is Asa Kim—”
“I’m asking for her real name, Brigadier,” Eren Yaeger interrupted coldly, his gaze unflinching. “Not some alias the rebels gave her.” Everyone stood at attention, stunned. “So, tell me your name, frau.”
In that moment, Asa felt small. Or was she just imagining it? Clinging to the last bit of hope, she realized she was standing at the edge of her life, waiting for the end.
But this man, this lieutenant—there was no chance he would treat her better than the soldiers who’d captured her. There was always a blade hidden beneath that calm mask.
“I-I don’t have a name,” she mumbled, her swollen lip making her words hard to hear.
“You do,” the lieutenant smiled. “And I’ll make you tell me.” The smile that spread across his face made him look brighter than anyone else in the room. A rush of emotions surged through her as his words hit her like a spark.
Asa Kim finally caught a glimpse of his face—the face of a deity sent to rid the world of evil spirits. It felt like she was staring at the very embodiment of fate, a man made for this moment.
The Paradis soldier with the highest number of monster kills from the mountain. The soldier with the most rebel kills. The soldier who had invented the Gold Mechs and drones that protected Paradis from the deadliest legions threatening the world. That soldier was Lieutenant General Eren Yaeger, the war hero of Paradis.
She knew all of this.
“Brigadier, Supreme Leader Smith sends his congratulations and gratitude for a job well done. Your reward will be decided soon,” said the Deputy Commander, the lieutenant’s chief of staff and right hand. “But for now, Asa Kim’s transport to the dungeons of Wall Sina for interrogation—and her eventual execution—must take priority to prevent any accidents, considering her past offenses and capabilities.”
The mood shifted. What little pity remained turned to anger and resentment as the soldiers recalled the chaos Asa had caused—how she had made them look like fools.
“Execution?” the lieutenant repeated, his voice questioning the deputy’s words.
“Yes, Lieutenant. Wasn’t that what you and the high command decided during the strategic meeting at headquarters?” Deputy Springer asked, a slight hint of confusion in his voice.
“Yes. But I can’t recall agreeing to that,” Eren Yaeger replied coolly.
“W-what do you mean, Lieutenant?”
“Well, if I didn’t agree to that, then I suppose I’ll need to make another decision regarding her detainment.”
The deputy might have felt a headache brewing, but he knew Eren well. Despite his unpredictable and independent nature, the lieutenant’s sharp instincts had led him to victory countless times, securing the safety of Paradis. The deputy knew better than to question that.
“What could that be, Lieutenant?” the brigadier asked, his voice laced with curiosity. “What other measures could possibly handle this cunning criminal?”
The lieutenant sighed, then chuckled. “My… my, killing her would be such a waste of a sharp mind, Reiner.”
Eren’s tone shifted, now addressing Reiner not just as a subordinate but as an old comrade. The two had fought side by side to protect Paradis, and now, in this moment, their bond was palpable.
Reiner scoffed, but didn’t disagree.
“You know what I’m thinking, don’t you?” Eren asked, his gaze steady.
“Definitely,” Reiner answered, crossing his arms and tapping his foot, his grin widening as he caught onto the lieutenant’s sly idea.
“So, I reject the execution of Asa Kim,” Eren said, slipping his hands into his pockets and leaning slightly forward. “If she’s half as clever as her reputation suggests, we might as well use that to our advantage.”
As he stepped closer to Asa, his voice was smooth. “She’s survived this long, evaded capture for years, and crippled key sectors of our defenses. That takes more than brute strength. It takes strategy, resourcefulness, and, dare I say, intelligence.”
To some, it might seem like an act of mercy to spare the life of a criminal. But for those who saw the truth, it was a much darker decision—using her extraordinary skills as a weapon not only against Paradis’ enemies but also against the exiled rebels from her own past. She’d be forced to turn against her people. She’d be a tool for their destruction.
“This isn’t mercy,” Eren continued, his tone suddenly cold and sharp. “It’s a chance to prove your worth.”
“W-what… do you want from me?”
Eren’s expression remained unreadable as he stood before her. “Your mind. Your skills. Your strength,” he replied. “Earn my trust, and you might find a new purpose. Fail me…” He didn’t need to finish the sentence; the threat hung heavily in the air.
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared challenge the Lieutenant General. Reiner sighed, crossing his arms. “Your call, Lieutenant. But when this backfires—”
“It won’t,” Eren interrupted, his confidence unwavering. “Because I don’t make mistakes.”
Reiner shook his head, muttering under his breath. “You’re insane.”
“Insanity has saved Paradis more times than reason ever could,” Eren shot back without missing a beat. “Springer, prepare her transport to Wall Sina… but not to the dungeons.”
“But why, Lieutenant? The order was—”
“I make the orders, Springer,” Eren cut in, his voice firm.
—“She’s coming with me.”