The entire nation was on high alert.
Eren Jaeger escaped his cell. Jaegerists were embedded throughout the military. Premier Zachary was dead, torn apart by a bomb.
A single coordinated strike.
The government reeled, exactly as Eren, Zeke, and Yelena intended.
All high-ranking Scouts had gathered inside a restaurant run by one of the Marleyan volunteers, Niccolo. The goal was simple: question him about Eren’s escape.
Nothing stayed simple.
Gabi Braun and Falco Grice were present. Falco lay unconscious on the floor, blood matting his hair after Niccolo swung a wine bottle meant for Gabi and missed.
And the wine itself?
Contained Zeke’s spinal fluid.
The realization hit like ice water. Eldians who drank it would freeze up the moment Zeke screamed.
As Mikasa and Armin escorted Gabi into another room, trying to keep her calm, the truth finally surfaced.
The Jaegerists revealed themselves.
Mikasa and Armin escorted Gabi out of the room, separating her from the furious Niccolo and distraught Braus family.
Hange ordered for Falco to be taken into the bathroom, attempting to not only tend to his wounds— but also rinse away the wine that could've gotten inside his mouth.
However, before they could fully finish— A shout echoed from the other room.
Hange left the bathroom alongside Jean and Connie. The sight in front of them shocked the trio to their very core.
Floch: "Hange. Great. You’re here too."
His tone was cold, almost rehearsed. When Hange, Jean, and Connie stepped out of the bathroom, they were met with gun barrels inches from their faces.
Scouts. Their own comrades.
Onyankopon was already restrained. Niccolo stood behind Jean, hands raised.
Floch: "Hange, you’ll take us to Zeke."
His voice told the story, this was not a request.
Hange: "Floch, don’t act stupid! We sent you an offer, we could’ve—"
Floch pressed the gun harder against Onyankopon’s head.
Floch: "We don’t deal with the military. Eren knows Pyxis won’t give him up without a fight. He’s probably already scrambling to steal the Founding Titan."
Of course he knew. Eren had been part of the military long enough to understand exactly how it would respond.
Niccolo: "Griez?! Did Yelena talk you into this?!"
His eyes burned into the volunteer who stood among the traitors.
Griez: "You were always too obsessed with the Island Devils."
He nodded toward the Braus family, cornered, rifles trained on them.
"I knew better than to tell you how to reach us."
Hange’s visible eye burned with restrained fury.
Hange: "Floch, I’m telling you now’s not the time for infighting! We found Zeke’s spinal fluid in the wine. A lot of people could be infected."
Floch: "Oh? That? It only affects a bunch of dumb MPs." He sneered, clearly feeling no remorse at all.
Hange froze.
Hange: "I… never said anything about MPs…"
Her voice dropped.
"You knew?!"
The room tightened around itself. Every word felt like it could set something off.
You had been inspecting the wine cellar when the shouting began. By the time you reached the doorway, you understood everything.
Floch didn’t know you were there.
The situation was already on the brink.
What do you do?