life's alright in devil town | Eren x Reader

Part 3

The makeshift roads were bumpy as the truck drove across them, away from the desolate area you and the other warriors had been fighting. It was weird to be outside of the trenches and away from the battlefield, but it was also terrifying. Were you going to be taken to be killed because of your stunt with Colt? Why else would Magath pull you away, especially at a time like this, when they needed to push towards the fort as quickly as possible?

You wondered if your heart was beating loudly enough for Magath to hear. His face seemed stony and impassive, purposefully set to not give anything away. Of course, that's how he usually looked, but you hated that you couldn't get a read on him. What was going to happen?

The entire ride was filled with silence. Eventually, the trunk pulled into a place filled with plant life, trees and grass lining the crumbled sidewalks of a destroyed village. You had no idea where, and even less of an idea about what you were doing there. You did your best to distract yourself by looking out the window, but it barely worked. All it did was give you more anxiety about whatever was to come.

The village couldn't be anywhere in Marley, you hadn't traveled far enough to get there, but it was beautiful. Most of the trees were growing strong, whereas vines and flowers were starting to grow on the crumbled buildings, all made from white stone. Marleyan soldiers were walking down the sidewalks, some standing guard in front of doors to buildings, and more vehicles drove down the destroyed road. You were out of place here: none of these soldiers wore an arm band. They'd know exactly what you were immediately.

The truck came to a stop. You tried to swallow, throat dry.

"Move," Magath ordered, getting out of the truck first. You followed, hopping out of the back and standing as straight as you could, chin uplifted as you walked towards one of the largest buildings in the village. The soldiers standing on either side of the giant doors gave you harsh looks that you did your best to ignore, not wanting anything to add to the anxiety you were already feeling.

It was impossible. Your heart felt like it would burst out of your chest.

You walked through a large entrance hall and up a set of crumbled stairs that had to have been elegant at one point in time. They led to the second story, where more soldiers stood, all watching you as you followed Magath to another set of large doors. The anticipation was killing you, but you stood straight and kept your chin up. Two soldiers opened the doors for him, and then closed them once you were inside. Inside had to be some kind of meeting room: there were battle maps spread across the single long table and hung on the walls. Parts of the ceiling were missing, allowing sunlight to stream in beautifully.

"General," Magath said, saluting to the only man in the room who was seated at the head of the table.

"Magath," the general responded easily, straightening up and staring at you. The general was a graying man dressed in a uniform decorated with medals, and while he seemed tired, his entire demeanor was relaxed to the point that he didn't look like a man fighting a war.

No, you supposed. He isn't fighting.

Still, you could barely believe that you were standing in front of the man. You made sure that your salute was perfect and unwavering, and offered your complete attention, still wondering what the hell was going on. Magath gestured towards you with one hand held palm-up. "This is (y/n), our oldest warrior candidate."

"Hm?" the general hummed, leaning his head on one fist. "Doesn't look like much..."

"I assure you, General, that we make sure every warrior candidate is completely capable before they inherit a titan," Magath replied.

"Hey," the general called to you. "How old are you?"

"Seventeen, General," you immediately replied.