Author's Note: Hey, everybody, and welcome to the beginning of the another story I've been wanting to do for quite some time. Despite only appearing for a short time, Frieda Reiss is one of my favorite one-shot characters in Attack on Titan, and while I understand why, it's sad that she never got to be fully fleshed out as a character. Consider this story as my way of rectifying that. Now, I know that my track record of writing multiple stories has been crap, and I am very guilty of leaving my readers hanging on several occasions. The good news is that I am not alone in this venture. Say hello to my co-writer/editor for this story: MickeyTaco. Say hi, Mickey.

MickeyTaco: Hello everyone! I'm so excited to be able to help with what is arguably one of my favorite anime/manga worlds. I hope you're ready for an adventure that is sure to chill, horrify, and excite you, and that's only the first chapter!

Crod42: Spoilers!

MickeyTaco: Shhhh! Without further ado, please check out the first installment to our story: The True Queen.

Crod42: And just for the record, we are not liable for any sickness you may receive upon reading this tale.

MickeyTaco: And the nightmare fuel is free!

*In all seriousness, the following story contains intense violence, gore, language, dark themes, nudity, and potential, consensual, sexual content. You have been warned!*

The True Queen

Chapter 1: Broken Vow

(Year 842)

It was hard to see the luminescent light of the crystal cave through the tears Frieda Reiss shed. She never wanted to see this day come, but time was never merciful to the guilty or the innocent. Running seemed like a good idea. Hide in her room where she would be safe from this horrible day. Her parents would understand, wouldn't they?

She could hear them behind her. They were talking about something important, most likely about who would receive the holy inheritance next. "Holy..." If this truly was a holy power, then why did it curse her family in such a terrible way? They were tasked to protect their people, and this was their reward?

"Dear Frieda, don't cry."

Frieda gasped, turning her blue eyes upward. There he was at the top of the altar. His legs were bound so he would not run. His arms were chained and covered so he could not fight back. His wrinkled face looked down at hers, giving her that comforting smile that he used to give her.

"This is how things are meant to be," he told her, his purple eyes filled with wisdom and sadness. "You know this a price I must pay."

"I don't want you to go," Freida wailed, sinking to her knees, ignoring how cold the crystal was. "Please don't go."

"Frieda, you must stop this." Footsteps that approached her echoed throughout the cavern, the conversation she didn't listen to coming to a stop. She felt a gentle hand grasp her shoulder, her head turning towards the sympathetic yet stern expression of her father, Rod Reiss. "You must be strong. Crying will not prevent the inevitable. Uri knows this. You know this."

"If you must cry, little one," the man at the altar added, "cry for our lost and wayward people."

She stiffened at the mention of their people. They were lost because her ancestors made them lost. They were wayward because they had nowhere else to go. They were isolated in walls built on the backs of innocent people, doomed to be trapped until the day of their deaths came. Her wonderful uncle preached the goodness of humanity, pleaded for love to be shown to them. In the end, did he ever truly show them love?

An idea began to take hold in her young mind. A crazy one, to be sure, but there were not many options before her that could make such a difference. Her parents were probably too blind to make the call that needed to be made. And her young siblings, all children that deserved to live their lives to the fullest. She would not dare curse them with the fate that continued to be handed throughout their family since the beginning.

"Give me the serum, Father," Frieda requested shakily.

Rod's eyes widened, clearly not expecting that from her. "What did you say?"

She wiped away her tears in order for him to see her determined eyes. "I will become the next Coordinate."

As expected, her family recoiled with dropped jaws, unable to believe that she, of all people, would volunteer for such an ordeal.

The eldest of Frieda's brothers, yet younger than her, approached. "Frieda, please don't do this. I'll take the serum. You can't-."

"You're not ready for this, Urklyn," Frieda interrupted, standing up. "I know you well enough to know that."

"I… I don't want to lose you, too," he confessed, his voice cracking either from age or grief.

"And that is why you are not ready, Urklyn," their father said stoically. "While you would do it to honor your sister, the ones who receive the holy inheritance must do it for the sake of all our people." His gaze drifted to his daughter. "Unless you have the same motivations as your brother."

Frieda held firm. "I would spare any member of my family the fate that has afflicted our family, but I know that our people come first. I will protect them with my very life, and I will never give in to the ghosts of my ancestors."

The two stared at each other for the longest time, the seconds passing by in silence. Finally, Rod relented with a heavy sigh. "Then it shall be so." He took her hand into his and placed a syringe containing the liquid in it. "Lead us well, my daughter… my Queen." He curled her fingers around it as he stepped back with a slight bow. "Come, Urklyn."

Reluctantly, Urklyn returned to the rest of the family, trying not to break down for the sake of his sister. He didn't want to make this harder for her than it had to be.

Frieda stared at the golden liquid as it sloshed around inside. All she had to do was inject it into her arm. It was so simple, yet harder than anything she had ever done in her life. She lowered it to stare at her family. Her mother, Greta, was on the verge of tears herself, clinging onto her husband. Abel simply stared back with a shocked expression until her father commanded her to turn around. Urklyn knelt to Dirk and little Florian's level, embracing them tightly as so they wouldn't see the horrors that would be unleashed. Frieda could only pray that they would not let their curiosity get the better of them and allow their innocence to remain untarnished.

She placed the needle against her arm, preparing to push it in. Her arm shook, doubt crawling into her skin like a spider. She closed her eyes and did the only thing she could do: pray. "Goddess Ymir, please give me the strength and wisdom to lead our people, show them the love and compassion you showed them all those years ago. And please, welcome Uncle Uri into your kingdom. Let him rest his tired head among family." Tears fell down her face yet again as she pushed the needle in. "Please forgive me."

A fire engulfed her instantly, setting her body ablaze. It felt like her skin was boiling, so she let out a frightened and pained scream that sent shivers down the spines of her family. Slowly, the scream got deeper and distorted as time went on, sounding more like a demon than that of a human being. Pieces of flesh swarmed her and fused with her body, increasing in size rapidly. Energy coursed through her body that begged for a release. It felt so wrong. All of this was so wrong. She wanted to get away, but it was impossible. She needed freedom. She needed safety. She needed humans.

At ten meters tall, a gigantic humanoid stood in Frieda's place. The black hair was the only giveaway that proved who she really was. Her current body had ridges all over as if they were dents. There were no lips on her form and instead, only an exposed jaw. Her gigantic eyes drifted towards her chained uncle, who still smiled at her, and, without hesitation, she bit down, ripping him in half. Only his pelvis remained. The blood sizzled in her mouth and she gulped, a lump going down her throat. A roar escaped her lungs, satisfied with her kill.

With a second quick swallow, the remaining blood slid down her throat, and she turned to the other humans in the room. Taking a large step in their direction, her face loomed menacingly closer, her hand reached to claim the sobbing woman. Then, she froze, eyes widening in horror. She pulled back her hand and clutched her head with it, roaring in pain. Steam erupted from the back of her nape and her gigantic body crashed to the ground with a resounding thump.

Pulling themselves out of their stupor, Rod and Urklyn were the first ones to reach the nape. Blood poured from an opening, a rotting smell filling the air. The two resisted the urge to vomit as they began to tug more of the skin and flesh off. The steam grew thicker, but the two caught sight of Frieda's human body. Reaching inside, they drew her out, a squelching sound emitting from the flesh. Red strands were stuck to her body, the monster not wanting to release her, but they were quickly snapped off.

Carefully, Urklyn and his father lowered Frieda to the ground, her closed eyes ordained with burns. She looked peaceful, almost as if she was asleep.

"Frieda?" her father asked cautiously.

With a groan, Frieda opened her eyes. They were an icy purple, just like her uncle's.

(Year 845)

Three years did nothing to age the beautiful cavern underneath the chapel. The natural, luminescent glow of the crystals created an ethereal environment for the Reiss family coming to worship and pray. They all wore white robes and sandals for the occasion, white for purity, and sandals for peace. Once everyone had gathered around, Frieda began with the opening prayer.

"Goddess Ymir, the creator of the holy inheritance, blessed are your descendants. We, the protectors of your people, do offer up prayers for the souls of those who are departing." Frieda's eyes were closed as a sign of reverence as she offered up a prayer on behalf of her family, who were all huddled together. "May they find rest in your holy and eternal embrace. Might you continue to find favor with us as we increase your holy mission-"

A resounding slam caused half the family to jump, though all of their hearts skipped a beat or two. Frieda whirled around, stepping in front of her family on instinct.

Standing in front of her, unannounced, was a man struggling to catch his breath, doubled over. A simple look at his clothes revealed that he was a commoner, probably from the Wall Maria districts.

Florian took refuge with her mother, clinging onto her waist. Dirk stayed behind Frieda as if she could shield him from the danger. Urklyn stood to the side in case he needed to act. Abel, as expected, stared defiantly at the stranger. Their father seemed to be the most worried of the bunch, his eyes darting between Frieda and the man.

"How dare you trespass into my home?" Frieda asked, eyes blazing with anger. "State your business before I kill you here and now."

He adjusted his circular glasses and raised himself to a more proper posture, though he looked quite desperate. "Please, listen to me. Shiganshina, my home, has been attacked by the Titans. They're inside the Walls."

She gave a derisive snort. "I am well aware of that fact. That doesn't explain who you are and why you're here."

"My name is Grisha Yeager," he explained, his brown eyes pleading with her icy ones. "I, like you, am a Subject of Ymir."

Frieda's eyes widened, her anger put aside for the moment. "Impossible." She was the only one with the power of the Titans on this island.

Grisha was not deterred as he continued. "I am an Eldian, and I have come from beyond the Walls."

In an instant, her eyes narrowed dangerously. Now it all made sense. "You're from Marley."

"I fled from Marley to not only seek refuge within these Walls, but to ask for your help." To her surprise, the man knelt before her. "I am begging you, Queen of the Walls. Please, you must kill all the Titans attacking the Walls at once before my wife… my children… before the people of the Walls are eaten!" Tears dripped down his face, staining the crystal floors.

Frieda's gaze softened considerably. This was not an invader. He was a father begging for the life of his family. She could never find it in her heart to fault him for that. "I understand your circumstances, but I can't give you what you need. I'm sorry."

Grisha's head jerked up, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Your ancestor, Karl Fritz, swore to retaliate if the Marleyans ever tried to destroy us all. He made a vow for the Eldians' sake, your people!"

"Did I stutter, Mr. Yeager?" Her voice took on an edge. "I cannot do anything about the Titans. Now, leave this place."

"Can't… or won't?"

Frieda's hand tightened into a fist. "You are trying my patience. I have given you my answer. If Ymir deems your family to live, then they will live. If not, then that's the way things will happen. I won't repeat myself: get out of my home!"

In a split second, everything changed. Grisha whipped out a knife from his sleeve and stabbed it directly into his palm. The family recoiled from the explosion that filled the cave, a monster forming in Grisha's place. Standing at fifteen meters, the Titan's eyes were a bright green that glowed. His facial hair was thicker and black, a stark contrast from his human form. He let out a roar that spelled disaster for the family.

Frieda was not the same, hesitant girl she was three years ago. She wasn't just an adult. She was the Queen of the Eldians, and she would be damned if this demon laid a single finger on her family. Eyes blazing with rage, she bit down hard on her hand, drawing blood.

Flesh quickly formed around her body as she towered to her full Titan form, standing at 13 meters. Her feminine physique was unmistakable yet not unattractive. Her face conveyed the fury she had been unable to contain as she roared in the face of the monster that dared to not only intrude into this sacred place, but attack her family. It was unforgivable, and he would die for it.

She charged at him and delivered a hard punch to his jaw, causing him to recoil, but the attack didn't draw a hint of blood. That fact only made her angrier as she ran at him with the intent of tearing him apart. Unfortunately, Grisha launched his own punch that sent her crashing into a crystal pillar, cracking it. Her spine ached from the blow and she was pretty sure there was a dent in her face.

In that singular moment, Frieda began to understand her situation. This man was a superior opponent to her. Sure, she knew the basics of fighting from Kenny just like her siblings did, but this was far different. If she wasn't careful, she could very well lose her life and put her family at risk. She'd burn in Hell first.

Grisha advanced on her with a charge, but she was ready this time. She sidestepped his dash and slammed him into the crystal pillar, shattering it completely. Stalactites rained down from the ceiling and onto the Titan, forcing him to raise his arms in defense. Several screams caught her attention, making her head dart towards her running family. What the hell were they still doing here? And then, it dawned on her: she and Grisha were blocking the exit. Shaking it off, she tried to reach his nape only for his arm to send her rolling across the ground in a heap.

"Leave her alone!"

Frieda's heart almost stopped. Florian. Her eyes darted once more to her family, seeing that her baby sister was being held back by Greta. Grisha paid the little one no mind as he pinned her down, keeping one hand on her wrist. He raised his other hand, curling into a fist, prompting her to act quickly. Before he could throw it at her, she grabbed a fallen shard of crystal and stabbed it deep into his eye, making him recoil in pain. This gave her the opportunity to kick the off-balanced Titan off her. Now, she had an advantage. Granted, he still had one functional eye, but it was something.

Once she was on her feet, Grisha took another swing at her. She wisely backed up, letting the attack hit nothing but air. She needed to act fast before he regenerated. Once another wild swing came for her, Frieda ducked under the blow and jumped onto his back. Before he knew it, she sunk her teeth right into his nape.

Grisha roared in pain, throwing his weight forward which sent Frieda rolling over his shoulder. Her momentum carried her into another crystal column that cracked under the force of the impact. Forcing herself to her feet, she had only an instant to sidestep the larger Titan that barreled straight for her. Grisha lacked the agility to stop as fast and caught himself heavily on the breaking pillar with his hand, causing it to fully crumble. He stumbled, not anticipating that it would give so easily. Frieda couldn't miss the opportunity given to her and hit the Titan from the side, sending him heavily to the floor, her lithe form atop his. A feral roar escaped her throat as she dug her jaws deep into the flesh of his hand that flew up to cover his nape, severing it fully, and exposing the vulnerable neck. One snap of her teeth cut through the muscles and sinew, exposing the screaming man engulfed within. Grisha lifted his head to plead for his life, but the last thing he saw was the fury-laden purple eyes of Frieda Reiss's Titan form, and the gaping jaw that enveloped him. With a sickening, bloody crunch, Grisha Yeager was no more.

As her prey descended down her gullet in chunks and his former Titan began to disintegrate, Frieda unleashed a victory roar that echoed throughout the cave. Once she wiped her mouth clean of blood, she turned her head to her family. Of course, Florian was kept protected from this gruesome display thanks to their mother, who was whispering assurances in her ears. Abel and Dirk were not so fortunate as they looked like they were about to vomit. Urklyn was horrified, unable to take his eyes off the bloody scene. Rod, however, reacted differently.

"Frieda, can you hear me?" he asked cautiously.

She dipped her massive head to him. "Yes, Father." Her voice was gravelly, almost like a smoker's voice. Rough and low. Slowly, she approached them, her footsteps shaking the ground. To her surprise, her father stretched his hand out to her. She bent low so he could reach her face, and he caressed her cheek lovingly. She closed her eyes, making a sound almost akin to a purr.

"God has protected us," Rod said in reverence. "We are truly blessed."

Frieda backed up a few paces and steam erupted from her nape. Her Titan form was frozen on its hands and knees as she managed to pull herself out of the messy flesh that kept her inside. However, once she was on the ground, she started to gag as she emptied her stomach of everything except bones and blood. This wasn't her acting on the primal instincts of a Titan. She devoured another human being, and it tasted good. To her family, this was divine influence, but to Frieda, she was cursed, just like her ancestors.

Crod42: Well, we just screwed the canon over good, didn't we?

MickeyTaco: Oops! Lol. Not really. This was fully intentional because as we continue with this story, you'll see-

Crod42 (slaps hand over Mickey's mouth): Quiet you.

MickeyTaco: (muffled protests)

Crod42: We hope you enjoyed this chapter, we look forward to your reviews, and we'll see you all in the next one.