Erwin pushed forward on sheer force of will, flanked by Levi and Hange who supported his battered body. Ahead, Eren led the scouts watching with hope and fear.

As the door came into sight, Levi barked at Eren "Well don't just stand there, get it open!" Eren rushed to comply.

Hange's eyes gleamed with excitement behind smudged glasses. "After all this time, the truth could finally be within our grasp."

Erwin nodded grimly. So many lives lost fighting the ignorance of their enemies. As the door groaned open, Erwin found his voice once more. "For each soldier who fell so that we might learn the truth...we will uncover the answers they died to find."

A dank staircase was revealed, leading into inky blackness. Erwin turned to his weary troops. "Come. Down there lies what we've sacrificed so much to uncover. Daylight may await us."

With Eren in the lead and Levi and Hange supporting their commander, the grim party descended. Resolution and dread warred within them all.