In the grand audience chamber of the royal palace, an air of tension and anticipation hung heavy over the assembled officials and military leaders. At the center of the room, seated upon her throne, was Historia Reiss, her delicate features set in a mask of regal composure. To her right stood Aaron Mustang, his tall, imposing form a silent, protective presence at her side. And to her left, Commander-in-Chief Darius Zackly, his face a study in barely-concealed frustration and unease.
Before them, Section Commander Hange Zoe stood at attention, her glasses glinting in the dim light of the chamber as she read from the report in her hands. Behind her, Captain Levi Ackerman and a contingent of Survey Corps soldiers stood at the ready, their faces grim and their stances alert.
On the opposite side of the room, Commander Dot Pixis and a detachment of Garrison Regiment troops stood in silent observation, their expressions carefully neutral as they listened to Hange's words.
"And those are the conditions set forth by Zeke Yeager," Hange concluded, her voice ringing out clear and strong in the stillness of the chamber. "The conditions that must be met in order for him to reveal his plan to save all Eldians from the threat of Marley and the world beyond the walls."
Aaron leaned forward in his seat, his emerald eyes flashing with a keen, assessing light. "Accepting the volunteer forces, allowing Zeke to enter Paradis, and granting him a meeting with his brother Eren," he mused, his voice low and thoughtful. "It doesn't sound like an unreasonable set of demands, given what's at stake."
Zackly scoffed, his face twisting with disdain and disbelief. "Nonsense," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "This is the same man who once sought to steal the power of the Founding Titan for himself. Now, with his back against the wall and his options limited, he comes to us with this so-called 'plan' to save our people? It's clearly a trap, a ploy to buy himself time and worm his way into our midst."
Hange cleared her throat, her expression grave and her voice low and urgent. "There's more," she said, her gaze sliding to where Eren Yeager stood among the ranks of the Survey Corps. "Zeke also claims to know how to activate the full power of the Founding Titan. According to him, it requires Eren to come into physical contact with a Titan of royal blood."
A murmur of shock and disbelief rippled through the chamber, and Pixis stepped forward, his weathered face creased with concern. "And how can we trust the word of a man who has proven himself to be our enemy time and time again?" he asked, his voice low and skeptical. "What proof do we have that this supposed method of activating the Founding Titan's power is anything more than a lie, a trick to lure us into a false sense of security?"
Eren stepped forward, his green eyes blazing with a fierce, unwavering conviction. "He's telling the truth," he said, his voice low and intense. "When I temporarily activated the Founding Titan's power before, it was because I came into contact with a Titan of royal blood - my father's first wife, Dina Fritz. If Zeke says that physical contact with a royal-blooded Titan is the key, then I believe him."
Zackly's eyes narrowed, his face twisting with suspicion and anger. "And why did you keep this information from us, Yeager?" he demanded, his voice low and accusing. "Why did you not report this crucial fact to your superiors the moment you learned of it?"
Eren's chin lifted, his gaze steady and unflinching as he met Zackly's glare. "Because I didn't want Historia to be turned into a Titan based on incomplete and unverified information," he said, his voice calm and even. "I couldn't risk her safety and well-being on the word of a man who has proven himself to be our enemy."
Zackly's face reddened with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. "That was not your decision to make, Yeager!" he snarled, his voice rising with barely-contained fury. "You are a soldier of Paradis, sworn to serve and protect the crown. It is your duty to report any and all information that could impact the safety and security of our nation, regardless of your personal feelings or reservations."
Aaron leaned forward in his seat, his emerald eyes flashing with a cold, dangerous light. "Actually, Commander Zackly," he said, his voice low and mocking, "Eren did report this information. To me."
Zackly's head whipped around, his eyes widening with shock and outrage. "And why did you not see fit to share this with the rest of us, Director Mustang?" he demanded, his voice shaking with barely-suppressed rage.
Aaron shrugged, a small, insolent smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Because the Department of Internal Affairs answers directly to the Queen," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I don't need to explain myself or my actions to anyone else, least of all to you."
He turned to face the rest of the assembled officials and military leaders, his expression growing serious and his voice low and urgent. "The fact of the matter is, if we don't find a way to work with Zeke and his volunteer forces, we'll be facing an invasion from Marley that we are woefully unprepared to defend against," he said, his gaze sweeping the room. "Thousands of enemy ships on our shores, and no means to fight them off. Our best chance at survival is to follow Zeke's plan, to use the power of the Founding Titan to protect ourselves and our people."
Pixis frowned, his weathered face creased with concern and uncertainty. "You would have us put our faith in the word of a traitor?" he asked, his voice low and skeptical. "You would have us entrust the fate of our nation to a man who has proven himself to be our enemy time and time again?"
Aaron's eyes flashed with a cold, unyielding light. "I would have us do whatever it takes to ensure the survival and prosperity of Paradis," he said, his voice low and intense. "And right now, that means working with Zeke and his forces, whether we like it or not."
He turned to Historia, his expression softening and his voice growing low and tender. "What say you, my Queen?" he asked, his gaze searching her face for any sign of hesitation or doubt. "What is your will in this matter?"
Historia was silent for a long moment, her delicate brows furrowed in thought as she weighed the options before her. Finally, she nodded, her face set with a regal, unwavering resolve.
"My will is the will of my consort," she said, her voice ringing out clear and strong in the stillness of the chamber. "If Aaron believes that working with Zeke is our best chance at survival, then that is the path we shall take."
She rose from her throne, her slender form seeming to radiate with an aura of power and authority. "This audience is at an end," she declared, her voice brooking no argument or dissent. "You have your orders. See that they are carried out."
As the assembled officials and military leaders bowed and began to disperse, Zackly made his way over to Aaron, his face a mask of barely-contained rage and frustration.
"Listen well, Mustang," he growled, his voice low and threatening. "You may be a skilled soldier, perhaps even the strongest among us. But you are no leader, and you have no experience in the art of statecraft and diplomacy. Do not make the mistake of thinking that your brute strength and cunning alone will be enough to navigate the treacherous waters ahead."
Aaron smirked, his emerald eyes glinting with a cold, mocking light. "Blah, blah, blah," he drawled, his voice dripping with disdain. "Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk, old man?"
He reached out and clapped Zackly on the shoulder, his grip just a little too tight to be friendly. "Why don't you leave the real work to those of us who actually know what we're doing, hmm?" he said, his voice low and mocking. "Stick to your papers and your politics, and let the soldiers handle the rest."
With that, he turned and strode over to where Levi stood, his tall form towering over the shorter man. "Oi, shorty," he called out, his voice filled with a teasing, irreverent edge. "I need you to bring that Yelena woman to me, pronto. I have some questions for her."
Levi's eyes flashed with annoyance, and he lashed out with a lightning-fast kick that caught Aaron square in the shin. "Don't call me shorty, you overgrown beanpole," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
But even as he spoke, a small, grudging smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "But yeah, I was just about to suggest the same thing," he said, his voice growing serious and his gaze intense. "We need to know more about Zeke's plan, and Yelena's the one who can give us the answers we need."
Aaron nodded, his expression grim and his eyes hard and focused. "Agreed," he said, his voice low and determined. "Let's get to work."
As the two men began to make their way out of the audience chamber, Historia hurried to catch up with them, her delicate features creased with concern and uncertainty.
"Darling," she said, her voice low and hesitant as she reached out to take Aaron's hand in her own. "I was thinking... perhaps we should postpone the wedding. With everything that's happening, with the threat of war looming on the horizon... it doesn't seem right to celebrate, to carry on as if nothing has changed."
Aaron turned to face her, his expression softening and his emerald eyes filled with a tender, reassuring light. "Nonsense, my love," he said, his voice low and soothing as he reached out to cup her cheek in his hand. "Zeke and his forces come in peace, or so they claim. And even if they prove to be false, even if they dare to raise a hand against us... I will be there to protect you, to keep you safe from harm."
He grinned, a fierce, cocky light flashing in his eyes. "Besides," he said, his voice filled with a reckless, indomitable confidence, "I've beaten Zeke before, and I'll do it again if I have to. The man's no match for me, and he knows it."
Historia sighed, a small, rueful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth despite the worry and uncertainty that still clouded her eyes. "I suppose you're right," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, unwavering faith. "If anyone can keep us safe, it's you, my love."
.....
In a dimly lit room deep within the heart of the royal palace, Aaron Mustang sat across from Yelena, his emerald eyes fixed on her with an intense, unwavering focus. The tall, blonde woman met his gaze with a calm, unruffled composure, her hands folded neatly in her lap and her posture straight and proud.
"So," Aaron said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, dangerous edge. "You're the one who's been whispering in Zeke's ear, filling his head with grand plans and schemes."
Yelena smiled, a small, enigmatic curve of her lips that gave nothing away. "I am but a humble servant of the true savior of Eldia," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, unshakable conviction. "Zeke Yeager is the one chosen by fate to lead our people to freedom and glory."
Aaron leaned back in his chair, his expression skeptical and his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "And what exactly does this 'freedom and glory' entail?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "From where I'm sitting, it looks an awful lot like trading one master for another."
Yelena shook her head, her pale blue eyes shining with a fervent, almost fanatical light. "You misunderstand," she said, her voice low and intense. "Zeke seeks not to rule over Eldia, but to liberate it from the chains of oppression and hatred that have bound our people for so long."
She leaned forward, her gaze boring into Aaron's with a fierce, unwavering intensity. "For generations, the Eldian people have been taught to hate and fear themselves, to believe that they are monsters and demons unworthy of life or love. Marley has fed us these lies, has used them to keep us weak and divided, to turn us against each other and against ourselves."
Her voice grew louder, more passionate, her words tumbling out in a rush of emotion and conviction. "But Zeke sees through their deceptions, their manipulations. He knows that the Eldian people are not monsters, but victims of a cruel and unjust world order. And he has a plan to break the cycle of hatred and violence, to create a new future for our people, one free from the chains of the past."
Aaron's brow furrowed, his expression skeptical and his voice low and challenging. "And what exactly is this plan?" he asked, his eyes boring into Yelena's with a fierce, unyielding intensity. "What is Zeke plotting, and why should we trust him to lead us to this supposed 'new future'?"
Yelena smiled again, a small, secretive curve of her lips that sent a chill down Aaron's spine. "I'm afraid I cannot reveal the details of Zeke's plan," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, unshakable conviction. "Not yet, at least. But know this, Aaron Mustang: Zeke is the only one who can save the Eldian people from the destruction and devastation that awaits us if we continue down our current path."
She leaned back in her chair, her pale blue eyes fixed on Aaron with a calm, unwavering intensity. "Marley will never stop hunting us, never stop seeking to eradicate us from the face of the earth. They see us as a threat, a cancer that must be cut out and destroyed before it can spread and infect the rest of the world."
Her voice grew softer, more pensive, her gaze distant and unfocused. "I was once like you, you know," she said, her words barely above a whisper. "I believed in the lies that Marley told us, believed that we were monsters and demons unworthy of life or love. But then I met Zeke, and he showed me the truth."
She looked up at Aaron, her eyes shining with a fierce, unshakable conviction. "He showed me that we are not monsters, but people, with hopes and dreams and fears just like anyone else. And he showed me that we have the power to change our fate, to create a new future for ourselves and for generations to come."
Aaron was silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable and his eyes fixed on Yelena with a piercing, assessing intensity. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and filled with a quiet, dangerous edge.
"I don't trust Zeke," he said, his words blunt and uncompromising. "And I don't trust anyone who follows him blindly, without question or doubt."
He leaned forward, his emerald eyes blazing with a fierce, unyielding light. "But I do trust in the strength and resilience of the Eldian people," he said, his voice growing stronger and more passionate with every word. "I trust in our ability to forge our own path, to create our own future, free from the lies and manipulations of those who would seek to control us."
He stood abruptly, his tall, muscular form towering over Yelena like a colossus. "I will hear Zeke out," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, unwavering determination. "I will listen to his plan, and I will judge it on its merits. But I will not blindly follow anyone, not even a supposed savior."
He turned to leave, his long strides carrying him towards the door with a fierce, purposeful intensity. But before he reached it, he paused, his head turning to look back at Yelena over his shoulder.
"One more thing," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, dangerous intensity. "If Zeke betrays us, if he proves to be just another tyrant seeking to use and exploit our people for his own gain... I will personally see to it that he pays for his crimes, with his life if necessary."
As Aaron turned to leave the dimly lit room, Yelena's voice called out to him once more, her tone laced with a strange mix of curiosity and admiration.
"Wait," she said, her pale blue eyes fixed on his retreating form. "I'm not done with you yet, Aaron Mustang."
Aaron paused, his hand resting on the doorknob, his back still turned to the enigmatic woman. "What more could you possibly want from me?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, simmering irritation.
Yelena smiled, a small, enigmatic curve of her lips that spoke of secrets and mysteries yet to be revealed. "I want to know more about you," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost reverent intensity. "The man behind the legend, the soldier who struck fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned warriors of Marley."
She stood slowly, her tall, slender form unfolding with a grace and poise that belied the strength and power coiled within her muscles. "Reiner spoke of you with a mix of awe and terror," she said, her pale blue eyes glinting with a strange, almost manic intensity. "And Zeke... well, we both know how that encounter ended, don't we?"
Aaron turned to face her, his emerald eyes narrowing as he took in the almost hungry expression on her face. "What's your point, Yelena?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, dangerous edge.
Yelena's smile widened, her gaze roaming over Aaron's tall, muscular form with an almost predatory intensity. "My point, Aaron Mustang, is that you are a rare and fascinating creature," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost hypnotic intensity. "A man of unparalleled strength and skill, driven by a fierce, unwavering loyalty to those he holds dear."
She took a step towards him, her movements slow and deliberate, like a cat stalking its prey. "Historia Reiss, the Queen of the Walls... and Rosy, your beloved sister," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "They are the center of your world, the driving force behind every action you take, every decision you make."
Aaron's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides as he fought to control the rage and unease that coiled within his gut. "What are you getting at, Yelena?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, barely-contained fury.
Yelena's eyes glinted with a strange, almost manic intensity, her lips curving into a small, enigmatic smile. "I wonder, Aaron Mustang," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost mocking intensity, "just how far you would go to protect them, to keep them safe from harm."
She leaned in closer, her breath hot against his ear as she whispered, "Would you sacrifice your own principles, your own moral code, if it meant saving their lives? Would you betray your comrades, your nation, your very humanity, if it meant keeping them from harm?"
Aaron's heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps as he fought to control the seething, swirling maelstrom of emotions that raged within him. "I would do anything for them," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, unwavering conviction. "I would burn the world to ashes and salt the earth where it once stood, if it meant keeping Historia and Rosy safe."
Yelena's smile widened, her pale blue eyes glinting with a strange, almost triumphant intensity. "I thought as much," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost reverent intensity. "You are a man of singular focus and determination, Aaron Mustang. A man who would stop at nothing to protect those he loves, no matter the cost to himself or to others."
She stepped back, her gaze fixed on him with a calm, unwavering intensity. "That is why Zeke is so interested in you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why he sees you as a potential ally, a kindred spirit in the struggle for Eldian freedom and survival."
Aaron's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening as he took a step towards Yelena, his tall form looming over her like a thundercloud. "I am not Zeke's ally," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, dangerous intensity. "I am not anyone's pawn or puppet, to be manipulated and used for their own ends."
Yelena's smile only widened, her pale blue eyes glinting with a strange, almost manic intensity. "We shall see, Aaron Mustang," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost prophetic intensity. "We shall see how long your fierce, unyielding independence holds up in the face of the coming storm."
She turned to leave, her tall, slender form moving with a grace and poise that belied the strength and power coiled within her muscles. "Zeke's plan will change everything," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost reverent intensity. "It will shatter the very foundations of the world as we know it, and rebuild it anew in the image of true freedom and justice."
She paused at the door, her hand resting on the knob as she looked back at Aaron over her shoulder. "And when that day comes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "you will have to choose, Aaron Mustang. To stand with us, and embrace the future that Zeke has envisioned... or to be swept away by the tides of history, along with all those who would oppose us."
....
Several weeks had passed since Aaron's tense encounter with Yelena in the dimly lit room of the palace. The days had been filled with a flurry of activity and preparation, as the Survey Corps worked tirelessly to secure the island's defenses and gather intelligence on the looming threat of Marley.
Aaron had thrown himself into the work with a singular focus and determination, his mind consumed with thoughts of the coming battle and the need to protect those he held most dear. But even as he poured himself into the task at hand, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him since his conversation with Yelena, the sense that there was more to Zeke's plan than met the eye.
It was during one of these moments of quiet contemplation that Onyakopon found him, the dark-skinned Marleyan soldier's face etched with a mix of excitement and trepidation as he approached Aaron in the bustling corridors of the palace.
"Captain Mustang," Onyakopon said, his voice low and urgent as he fell into step beside the taller man. "I have some information that I think you'll find very interesting."
Aaron glanced at him, his emerald eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the other man's expression. "What is it, Onyakopon?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, focused intensity.
Onyakopon took a deep breath, his dark eyes shining with a strange, almost fervent intensity. "It's about Hizuru," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The land of the rising sun, the nation that once allied itself with Eldia in the days before the Great Titan War."
Aaron's brow furrowed, his mind racing as he tried to recall what little he knew of the mysterious eastern nation. "What about them?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, cautious curiosity.
Onyakopon leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "They could be a powerful ally in the coming fight against Marley," he said, his words tumbling out in a rush of excitement and urgency. "Their technology and resources could tip the balance in our favor, give us the edge we need to secure victory and freedom for Eldia."
Aaron was silent for a long moment, his mind churning with the implications of Onyakopon's words. He knew that the Survey Corps was in desperate need of allies, that the fight against Marley would be long and brutal and filled with countless sacrifices. But he also knew that allying with a foreign power was a risky proposition, one that could just as easily backfire and leave them even more vulnerable than before.
Before he could respond, however, the sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor, and a familiar figure emerged from the shadows, her tall, slender form moving with a grace and poise that belied the strength and power coiled within her muscles.
"Captain Mustang," Yelena said, her pale blue eyes fixed on Aaron with a strange, almost mocking intensity. "Or should I say, King Mustang? Congratulations on your recent nuptials, by the way. I'm sure you and Queen Historia will be very happy together."
Aaron's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides as he fought to control the sudden surge of anger and unease that washed over him at the sight of the enigmatic woman. "I'm not a king, Yelena," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, dangerous edge. "I may be married to Historia, but I have no royal blood in my veins."
Yelena's smile only widened, her pale blue eyes glinting with a strange, almost triumphant intensity. "Pity," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, mocking intensity. "It seems a shame that a man of your strength and cunning should be shackled to someone so... simple."
Before Aaron could respond, however, another figure emerged from the shadows, her delicate features etched with a mix of concern and anger as she took in the scene before her.
"What's going on here?" Historia asked, her voice low and filled with a quiet, regal authority as she stepped forward to stand beside her husband.
Yelena's demeanor changed in an instant, her mocking smile replaced by a look of courteous deference as she bowed her head before the young queen. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost reverent intensity. "I was just congratulating Captain Mustang on your recent marriage, and discussing a matter of some importance with him and Onyakopon."
Historia's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between the three of them with a quick, assessing intensity. "And what matter would that be?" she asked, her voice low and filled with a quiet, unyielding authority.
Yelena glanced at Aaron, her pale blue eyes glinting with a strange, almost challenging intensity. "The matter of Hizuru, Your Majesty," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost conspiratorial intensity. "And the role they could play in the coming fight against Marley."
Aaron's mind raced, his thoughts churning with the implications of Yelena's words. He knew that Historia was still wary of the enigmatic woman, that she distrusted her motives and her loyalties. But he also knew that they needed all the allies they could get, that the fate of Eldia and the future of their people hung in the balance.
"Onyakopon was just telling me about Hizuru," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, focused intensity as he turned to face his wife. "About how their technology and resources could be a valuable asset in the fight against Marley."
Historia was silent for a long moment, her delicate brows furrowed in thought as she weighed the implications of Aaron's words. Finally, she nodded, her expression hardening with a quiet, unyielding determination.
"If Hizuru is willing to ally with us, then we should pursue that opportunity," she said, her voice low and filled with a quiet, regal authority. "But we must be cautious, and we must ensure that any alliance we forge is built on a foundation of trust and mutual benefit."
Aaron nodded, his emerald eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering intensity. "I agree," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, focused determination. "We can't afford to take any chances, not with so much at stake. But if Hizuru is willing to stand with us, to fight alongside us against the tyranny of Marley... then we would be fools to turn them away."
Yelena's smile widened, her pale blue eyes glinting with a strange, almost triumphant intensity. "I can make the necessary arrangements, Your Majesty," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost eager intensity. "I have contacts within the Hizuru government, people who are sympathetic to our cause and who would be willing to open negotiations on your behalf."
Historia's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking to Aaron with a quick, questioning intensity. He nodded, his expression hardening with a quiet, unyielding determination.
"Do it," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, focused intensity. "But keep us informed of every step, every development. We can't afford any surprises, not now."
Yelena bowed her head, her tall, slender form moving with a fluid, almost feline grace as she turned to leave. "As you wish, Captain," she said, her voice soft and filled with a quiet, almost mocking intensity. "I will keep you apprised of any progress, and will arrange for a meeting with the Hizuru representatives as soon as possible."
As she disappeared into the shadows of the palace corridors, Onyakopon turned to Aaron and Historia, his dark eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering intensity.
"You're making the right decision," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, focused determination. "Hizuru could be the key to securing our victory against Marley, to finally bringing an end to the cycle of hatred and violence that has plagued our world for so long."
Aaron nodded, his emerald eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering intensity. "I hope you're right, Onyakopon," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, focused determination. "Because if we're going to win this fight, if we're going to secure a future for our people... then we're going to need all the help we can get."
....
In a dimly lit room deep within the heart of the palace, Commander-in-Chief Darius Zackly sat across from Commander Dot Pixis, their faces etched with a mix of frustration and concern as they discussed the recent events that had transpired.
"I still can't believe that Mustang was able to evade arrest," Zackly said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, seething anger. "And not only that, but he managed to beat the living hell out of our soldiers in the process."
Pixis nodded, his weathered face creased with a look of grim resignation. "It's not surprising, really," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, almost rueful intensity. "Mustang is one of the strongest soldiers in the Survey Corps, and he's always been fiercely loyal to the Queen. It was never going to be easy to bring him in."
Zackly's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides as he fought to control the anger and frustration that welled up within him. "And now that he's officially married to Historia, he's practically untouchable," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, bitter intensity. "Any move against him will be seen as an attack on the monarchy itself."
Pixis was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant and thoughtful as he considered the implications of Zackly's words. "So what do we do?" he asked at last, his voice low and filled with a quiet, almost resigned intensity. "We can't just sit back and let Mustang and the Survey Corps run roughshod over the military hierarchy. There has to be a way to rein them in, to bring them under control."
Zackly's eyes narrowed, a sudden, calculating look passing over his features as he leaned forward in his chair. "What about Yelena?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a quiet, almost conspiratorial intensity. "She seems to have some sort of connection to Mustang, some insight into his motives and his plans. Perhaps she could be persuaded to help us, to find a way to bring him to heel."
Pixis's brow furrowed, a look of skepticism passing over his face as he considered Zackly's words. "I don't know," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, almost cautious intensity. "Yelena is a wild card, an unknown quantity. We don't know where her true loyalties lie, or what her ultimate goals might be."
Zackly's lips curved into a small, almost predatory smile, his eyes glinting with a cold, calculating intensity. "Then perhaps it's time we found out," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, almost menacing intensity. "Perhaps it's time we had a little chat with Yelena, and saw just how far she's willing to go to help us bring Mustang and the Survey Corps under control."
...
Later that night, in the private chambers of the royal suite, Historia lay atop Aaron, her delicate features etched with a look of pure, unadulterated bliss as she moved against him, her hips rocking in a slow, sensual rhythm that sent shivers of pleasure racing down his spine.
"I'm close," she gasped, her voice low and breathy as she threw her head back, her golden hair cascading down her back in a shimmering curtain of silk. "Oh god, Aaron, I'm so close..."
With a final, shuddering cry, she reached her climax, her body tensing and quivering against his as waves of ecstasy crashed over her like a tidal wave. She collapsed against his chest, her breathing ragged and her skin slick with sweat as she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, her lips brushing against his skin in a soft, tender kiss.
"I hope I get pregnant soon," she murmured, her voice low and filled with a quiet, almost wistful intensity. "I want to start a family with you, Aaron. I want to build a future together, a life filled with love and happiness and joy."
Aaron's heart swelled with emotion, his arms tightening around her slender frame as he pressed a soft, tender kiss to the top of her head. "I want that too, Historia," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, intense conviction. "More than anything in the world."
They lay there for a long moment, their bodies entwined and their hearts beating as one, lost in the warm, comforting glow of their love. But even as he held her close, even as he reveled in the feel of her skin against his own, Aaron's mind couldn't help but wander to the challenges that lay ahead, to the threats and dangers that loomed on the horizon.
"What do you think about this Hizuru situation?" Historia asked, her voice low and filled with a quiet, almost hesitant intensity as she lifted her head to look at him, her blue eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt or uncertainty.
Aaron was silent for a long moment, his brow furrowed in thought as he considered her question. "I don't know," he said at last, his voice low and filled with a quiet, almost pensive intensity. "I want to believe that they could be a valuable ally, that they could help us turn the tide against Marley. But I also know that we can't afford to take any chances, not with so much at stake."
He sighed, his fingers absently tracing patterns on the smooth, soft skin of her back as he lost himself in thought. "I guess I'll just have to wait until I can meet with them in person," he said, his voice low and filled with a quiet, almost resigned intensity. "See what they have to offer, and whether or not we can trust them to stand with us when the time comes."