JULY 10TH, Day 8: Earthy (e.g. Ocean Air)

Mikasa woke with the thin white sheet wrapped around her and immediately pulled it closer as she heard the wind raging outside. She was cold and was sure a breeze had penetrated a crack or crevice somewhere in the cottage, which resulted in a brisk chill in the air.

But what struck Mikasa was that she found a cold space beside her. Levi was gone and suddenly fear and loneliness hit Mikasa in the chest like an anvil.

Surely he wouldn't have left me here by myself…Does he regret staying with me last night?

Something from the corner of her eye caught her attention. Steam was rising from a cup on the table beside the couch she found herself sitting on. She reached over to the cup, trying to keep the sheet wrapped tightly against her.

She brought the cup up to her nose and smelt the familiar scent of mint.

Levi must have left this tea for me. He must not have gone far.

Mikasa let the hot scented liquid roll down her throat, her chest immediately warming up. Feeling more relaxed, she laid back into the sofa and looked out the window. The view outside was bleak. Rain had just started to fall and drops splattered onto the window, Mikasa found the sound soothing and only wished that Levi was here beside her.

As she drank her tea and listening to the rhythmic pitter-patter of the rain, she could feel her eyes getting heavy and sleep lace her body and she began to dream.

Levi cursed himself as the wind tore at his green cape emblazoned with the Survey Corp emblem. He neared the front door to the cottage and quickened his pace. He was eager to get back to somewhere warm and dry, but most of all, back to Mikasa.

He set the buckets full of fresh water as he finally reached the door of the cottage. Levi had used the last of the water for their morning tea. Although Mikasa had still been asleep when he made it, he made her a cup none the less and set it down on the table beside her. Levi leaned against a worktop in the kitchen and just watched her sleep as he drank his tea.

The short statured captain finally opened the door to the cottage to find Mikasa still lying on the sofa with the cup of mint tea in her hand, but her eyes were closed and she appeared to be asleep. Levi allowed himself to smile for the briefest of seconds, just before she woke up at the sound of the wind slamming the door against the wall.

Levi set down the buckets full of water yet again and marched briskly to the door to close it shut, forcing it against the strength of the wind.

Seemingly embarrassed that she had been caught sleeping; Mikasa shot up off of the sofa and began to fold the sheets.

"So you're finally awake?" Levi said

"I woke up earlier, but you were gone. I must have dozed off again." Mikasa said as she stretched her limbs.

"You must have a lot on you mind with the Nile Dok situation." Levi mused

"Mmm… I was wondering why we haven't heard anything from Headquarters yet?" Mikasa asked

"We won't be hearing anything from them at all. Erwin specifically said that we won't receive a message until the Military Police and Nile Dok have left Headquarters. He doesn't want to risk them seeing any suspicious activity from our scouts and having them followed." Levi finished.

"So we wait…" Mikasa pondered

"We wait."

The evening seemed to descend quickly that day, as the overcast clouds consumed the sky and darkness began to fall. Mikasa and Levi were busying themselves with making dinner for night. Somehow they avoided about talking about their sleeping arrangements last night and continued to make polite conversation. What Mikasa feared most was any awkward silences that might invite the topic of conversation to turn to what exactly they were going to do about each other.

"We need more carrots, Mikasa." Levi said, "Keep an eye on the potatoes while I go get some more from the garden."

Mikasa shook her head, "It's ok, I'll go. I know you can't stand the mud and dirt that comes with digging up vegetables."

Mikasa was sure that she saw Levi's lips pout for a flicker of a second, and she smiled to herself. The wind was biting as she confronted the oncoming breeze.

There must be a storm on the way…

Mikasa stumbled around in the dark, cursing herself that she forgot to bring a torch with her. The rain that had started this morning had not ceased all day. A consistent shower of rain engulfed the flat plains that surrounded the cottage. Mikasa now wished she had brought her cape with her too, as she hair had already become damp.

The thick clouds that blanketed the sky seemed to dissipate a little and a silvery luminance shone down over the cottage. Now Mikasa had a better idea where she was, and could see the familiar green stalks of the carrots she had found yesterday in the vegetable garden.

She ploughed her hands into the cold moist earth as she attempted to bring up the carrots. She was rewarded with a thick fat carrot, and best of all it did not appear to be blighted with any rot.

A few more of these and me and Levi will be able to have a feast.

Mikasa dug down again hoping to pull up a few more carrots of the same size when she sensed movement in her peripheral vision. Mikasa's visions went stark white in a flash and she could feel herself falling backwards onto the flat of her back.

Mikasa's head was spinning, pain centred at the front of her head which radiated down to her jaw and shoulders. Her vision returned to the darkness.

"Is this the girl?"

Mikasa did not recognise the voice; but something about it made her think that this person was not particularly old.

"I'm not sure," the next voice said. It has gruffer than the previous voice, "I better get the boss over her to check… tie her up in the meantime just in case she is."

Mikasa heard two sets of footsteps, one leading away from her, and the other seemed to make their way towards her. She could feel strong arms turn her over onto her front, and her arms were brought behind her back. She could feel the wet earth underneath her cheek and wondered what exactly had just happened.

She heard several footsteps returning to her position as her hands were finally bound tightly in rope.

"This is the girl boss…is she the right one?" The gruff voice said.

She heard one set of footsteps come closer to her, and stop as a foot turned her over onto her back so the cold rays of the moon shone over her face. She could already feel the muddy earth seep into Survey Corp jacket and the white shirt underneath.

"This is the girl I want. Where is the other scout?"

Coldness struck Mikasa chest as soon as she recognised the voice of Nile Dok.

He can't be here! How did he find us?

She was tempted to open her eyes but she decided against it. She would pretend to be knocked out cold for now, and see what she could find out.

"Our men that have been observing from the perimeter believe that the other scout is inside the cottage, Commander…" the MP with the young voice said trailing off.

Mikasa chanced opening her eyes slightly in an attempt to gauge how many people she would be up against if she decided to take them on. Nile Dok was accompanied by at least five people who bore the insignia of the Military Police. He had turned to the other MP, who seemed hesitant to answer his Commander.

"You seem as if you wish to say something else, Solider – spit it out!" Nile Dok's curt voice cut through the air.

"Yes, Commander… It's just that they also believe that the other scout is actually Captain Levi, sir…" Mikasa did not miss the fear that seemed to infect itself into the young MP's voice.

There was a moment of silence as the MP's considered the prospect of fighting with the fabled Captain Levi of the Survey Corp. Humanity's Strongest, Levi was named; both to civilians and soldiers from every military division.

"Don't tell me that you are afraid of that midget!" Nile Dok hissed to the MP beside him, "In fact…I want him taken alive, so that I will have the honour of killing him. How someone from the slums in the underground was ever allowed into the service of the military is beyond me!"

The MP's still hadn't moved, and Nile Dok threw daggers in their direction.

They may take me, but I can't let them kill Levi…

The MPs had their back turned to Mikasa, evidently they did not think of her as a threat as her hands were tightly bound together behind her back and she had been playing at being knocked out.

"LEVIIIIIII! RUUUUUUUUUN!" Mikasa screamed as loud and as long as her lungs would allow her.

The MP's and Nile Dok's faces were stunned as they turned around.

Nile Dok, who seemed to realise what exactly Mikasa had been up to, barked orders to his men who ran in different directions. Nile then proceeded to march over to Mikasa and promptly swung his leg in a long arch and kicked the side of Mikasa's head so hard that she was sure that she would have whiplash along with black eyes.

She fell silent again, the pain had silenced her.

Levi must have heard me. Hopefully he will be able to get away. All he needs to do is take one of the horses. But that MP said that they had soldiers observing from the perimeter… exactly how many MP's did Nile Dok bring with him?

Suddenly there was a commotion over by the stables, and Mikasa heard the sound of boots dashing through the mud.

"Over there!" A voice in the distance cried out, "It's one of the horses!"

"Is anyone riding it?" Another voice in the dark called out.

There was a moment of hesitation before the voice replied, "I'm not sure… there could be someone riding it. It's so dark, I can hardly see a thing!"

Nile Dok turned in the direction that the voices had called from in the distance. "I want five of you to follow him and bring him back here now!" Nile shouted clearly.

"Yes, sir!" the voices in the distance replied in unison.

The tall figure of Nile Dok turned to Mikasa, and he took in her image for several moments before saying anything.

"Your little stunt trying to call out to the only person who has the remotest chance of saving you, has failed Mikasa." Nile took several steps forward and kneeled on one knee until his face was uncomfortable close to Mikasa's. "I told you that I would have you on a dissection table, my dear."

Mikasa inched forward in defiance, their noses actually touching.

"I'm not on your dissection table yet." Mikasa said calmly.

"No. But you will be."

Mikasa wanted to cringe away from his face. Every fibre of her being screamed at her to do so, but she had to show him that she was not afraid.

"Once I have killed Levi, I will have his corpse brought back to Mitras and paraded in clear view of everyone. The story will be of how you, like that Yeager boy, have the ability to change into a Titan and how you killed Levi."

"No one will believe you!" Mikasa spat.

"They will believe it when they see 'Humanity's Strongest' corpse!" Nile mocked. "Those stupid civilians in the districts hope too much for a mascot that will save them from the Titans. They inflate Levi's status much beyond his actual abilities."

He couldn't be more wrong.

Mikasa noticed movement behind Nile Dok and the flash of a knife reflecting the pale brilliance of the moon. Nile seemed to sense something behind him and spun on his heel away from his attacker. The knife swung and tore through the arm of the jacket of Commander of the Military Police.

Levi stood in front of Mikasa for a moment, before commencing his attack on Nile once more. Mikasa could barely keep up with the swift movements of the bodies in the dark; the only indication of real movement was the staggered flickers of the knife.

Mikasa tried to pull herself onto her side and onto her knees. Her head began to throb as she raised her head. Stars materialised in front of her as she tried to gather herself.

I have to help Levi.

Just as she mustered the strength to get to her feet, Mikasa heard the sound of numerous footsteps come from all directions. Still unable to see exactly what was going on, Mikasa began to stagger in the direction of the flashes of the knife, and try to be of some help to Levi.

However, the footstep that she had heard all seemed to be running in the same direction as Mikasa. Suddenly she was knocked to floor again, flying face first to the muddy earth.

"Get him!" Nile Dok shouted.
Next came the incomprehensible shouting at each other. Mikasa was unable to gauge how many people's voices she could make out.

There's too many of them for us to take on.

Mikasa quickly looked up, mud rolling down her face and into her eyes. Everyone seemed to have converged into one spot. There was grunting and several groans coming from the crowd. Undoubtedly, Levi was putting up a good fight but even Mikasa did not think that he would be able to take them all on by himself.

After a few more moments, Mikasa's fear was confirmed when two MP's dragged Levi over beside her. He was still struggling in his bonds, and muttering curses under his breathe.

"You should have ran, Levi." Mikasa voice was small, as she tried to get a good look at him in the little light that the moon offered.

He had a nose bleed, and his hair was dishevelled and covered in mud.

"I would never have left you this lot in a million years." The venom in Levi's voice as he motioned with his head to the MPs that were making their way over to them was plain.

As the MP's began to surround the pair of scouts, Mikasa could feel the sensation of impending doom shroud her body.

"So Mikasa… It looks like I will also have the pleasure of killing your boyfriend." Nile Dok said as the other MP's made a gap and let him through to the front, right in front of Mikasa and Levi.

Even with the seriousness of the situation, Mikasa could feel heat rise to her cheeks. It was a strange contrast to the mud that caked her face and rain that was now lashing against it.

A "Tch" escaped Levi's mouth, and just as quickly Nile Dok's boot veered in the direction of Levi's head. As soon as Mikasa heard the smack of the impact, she flinched.

The force of the Commander of the Military Police's kick had Levi's head now facing in Mikasa's direction. Levi's eyes were closed, but as soon as he opened them, Mikasa recognised the deadly gaze Levi often wore when in battle.

The sound of gargling saliva came from Levi's throat, and a huge glob of bloody spit landed on the boots of Nile Dok. A dead look occupied his face, and he simply turned to his subordinates and said, "Show 'Captain' Levi what happens when you disrespect those of higher ranking in the military."

Several of the MP's came forth and began to kick and punch at every inch of Levi's body. Mikasa could tell that he was trying to hide the pain, but she would do anything to make it stop.

"Please! Stop this! This is pointless!" Mikasa shouted.

"Continue, as I have ordered!" Nile said over her shouts.

The MP's continued with their assault, and Mikasa's felt a crushing sensation in her chest when she saw them land several hard blows to Levi's head and face.

"NO! YOU'LL KILL HIM! PLEASE! I'LL DO ANYTHING. JUST STOP HURTING HIM!" Mikasa screamed. She was sure that she felt a tearing in her throat from all of her desperate shouts.

"Hmm." Nile pondered for a moment, "Ah yes, I wanted him alive didn't I? Nothing would please me more than to kill this filthy rat from the underground. You can stop now, soldiers." His tone was nonchalant.

As the MPs who beat Levi returned to their previous positions surrounding them, Mikasa turned back to Levi. He was in a bloody state, and Mikasa was sure that some bruising was already beginning to form on his face. But Levi boldly remained silent, not showing weakness to spite Nile.

"Where was I again…? Ah yes! Do not even try to refute that fact, Levi." Nile said, "We have been watching the pair of you for a while. Ever since the hearing in Mitras, where you so valiantly defended Mikasa against my MPs, I had a feeling that something was going on."

Mikasa's heart was pounding.

"I have had the both of you tailed since you returned from the hearing to your Survey Corps Headquarters. When the both of you departed from the safety of your HQ, I could not believe my luck." The delight in Nile voice made Mikasa's skin crawl.

"Obviously you knew that I would be making my way to your HQ, but you had no idea that I had several MP's lying in wait, making note of anyone coming or going from your base. When my MP's reported that only the two of you left in the dead of night, the cogs started turning in my head."

Nile now stood in front of Mikasa, and knelt on a knee as he had done before. The unpleasant sensation of Nile Dok's face so close to hers was obvious on Mikasa face as she cringed, and turned her face away from his. Mikasa dared not look at Levi. Nile's eyes were now trained on Mikasa's face.

"Of course, it is no wonder that even someone a cold as you Levi, would be interested in her. She is a beauty after all." Nile said, inching his face ever closer to Mikasa.

"The only shock is that she actually seems to be taken in with you. You see, we've been watching both of you since we got here. How you both spend all of your time holed up in that little cottage, where you think no one can see or hear you."

Mikasa's face was beet red.

"But Mikasa," Nile said, "you know you could do so much better than Levi. He is so short after all and not handsome in the slightest. Plus he only holds the lowly rank of 'Captain'."

Nile cheek was now physically touching Mikasa's. She was leaning as far back away from him as she could without completely falling over. But she noticed that Nile's eyes were now targeting Levi's.

Mikasa allowed herself a look at her Captain. A fiery rage was pointed straight back at Nile Dok, and Mikasa noticed that Levi hands were clenched in temper.

Suddenly Nile Dok turned his head away from Levi and to Mikasa instead, where he planted a kiss on her lips. Instinctively, Mikasa pursed her lips and attempted to squirm away from the Commander.

"ENOUGH!" Levi shouted.

But the short statured captain was already free from the bonds that held him.

It's now or never, Mikasa thought.

She head-butted Nile Dok as hard as she could, and watched him collapse onto the ground. She doubted that Nile would be down permanently. Mikasa grabbed the knife that she had concealed on a daily basis under her Survey Corp jacket. With her trusty knife in hand she severed the rope that bonded her hands together. By the time Mikasa was free, Levi had already taken down two MPs.

There were shouts from all directions, and figures seemed to crowd around Levi. However, Mikasa now had her own problems as several MPs were running in her direction. She made the snap judgement that if came down to it; she would have to kill these MPs.

They were willing to watch Levi die, so I am willing to watch them die; even if it is by my own hand.

There were three of them approaching her and she made quick work of the first. The second seemed like a more seasoned fighter, but with a flick of her knife into the MPs thigh had him on the ground in seconds. The third who had seen his comrades fall just before he reached Mikasa, did not underestimate her abilities. He came at her with his dual blades still attached to his ODM gear. Mikasa only had the short reach of her sole knife, and had to parry several blows before she got close enough to him so she could stab several times into his chest.

She watched him fall as he dropped his blades and grabbed at his chest. There was a sickening hissing noise every time he gasped for breath. No doubt she had punctured his lungs several times. Mikasa felt no remorse as she left him to drown in his own blood.

She turned her attention back to Levi who was now facing five MPs by himself. They had him surrounded in a circle and Levi turned on his heel, pivoting to keep an eye on his attackers. He too had only a short blade held in a back hand position. Mikasa ran in his direction and hoped to even the odds.

Suddenly one of the MPs behind Levi made a run at him, but Levi had pre-empted the attack and spun on his heel to parry the first blade and dodge the second. But before Levi had time to spin back around to the rest of his attackers, an older looking MP bought down both of his blades in a long arch. Just then, Mikasa reached Levi and parried the first blade, the blow was so hard that it knocked the knife out of her hand. Mikasa felt the second of the attacker's blade cut through the fabric of her jacket and graze her arm.

Levi and Mikasa stood back to back, as they faced five MPs. Their attackers began circling them, looking for a chance to strike. Mikasa, realising that she had dropped her knife bent to pick it up, when her hand also came upon the handles of two blades still attached to ODM gear. She cut the attachments with her knife and passed one blade to Levi and kept to other for herself. Levi and Mikasa both held one knife and one blade.

"You should have run while they were focused on me, Mikasa." Levi muttered, his back still touching Mikasa.

"Hmpf!" Mikasa snorted, "I wouldn't have left you with this lot in a million years." She had recited Levi's own words to him from only minutes ago and smiled to herself.

The five MPs still circled them; they were obviously taking the threat of Levi and Mikasa very seriously. The "Woman worth a hundred soldiers" had already proved herself in this battle. The MPs were slowly tightening the circle they had formed around Levi and Mikasa.

"Tch. Don't you remember what I told you at the dance after the hearing?" Levi said.

Of course I do. But I won't save myself at the expense of losing you.

"I haven't the foggiest idea what you said back there, Captain."

"Tch"

The sound left Levi's lips just as he raised his weapons, ready to meet those of his enemies. Mikasa raised hers too, her heart beating furiously in anticipation of the oncoming attack. The rain continued to beat down and a bolt of lightning lit up the sky in an instant.

This was when Levi and Mikasa decided simultaneously to attack the MPs. Levi had gone for the three MPs in front of him and he slashed purposefully with his blades. Mikasa heard the clangs of the parrying blades behind her as she made her own blades dance with the two MPs that she faced.

She took down the first with a deep slash across his neck, and glanced when she saw him try in vain to stem the tide of the oncoming blood that poured out. The second MP put up a better fight, but he seemed to grow tired of continuously swinging the long heavy dual blades. This one went down when Mikasa left a particularly deep gash from his collar bone to belly button. Fortunately for him, he would not take long to bleed out.

Mikasa turned around quickly to see how Levi was fairing. She was surprised to see that he had only taken down one of his three attackers. She watched his blades tear through the air, but miss their targets wildly. He steps were sluggish and he seemed to wobble when changing directions.

This isn't like Levi… something is wrong.

In a second Mikasa was side by side with Levi, and she noticed that he seemed to have trouble locking his gaze on the enemies.

"Levi – what's wrong?" Mikasa asked.

"That MP over there … knocked me …over the head with … something… I'm …just dizzy." Levi replied. Mikasa did not like how slurred his speech was. The beating he had taken from the MPs before, particularly to his head ha obviously caused some damage.

Both of the MP began their assault yet again and Mikasa decided she needed to end this as soon as possible so that she could attend to Levi's wounds. Levi took on an older MP, and Mikasa took the other younger one. Mikasa and the young MPs blades chimed several times, without either of them seeming to hold an advantage over the other.

Mikasa quickly peeked over to see how Levi was performing. Poorly, she concluded. The older MP seeing the Levi was not in his best form, chanced a swing of his leg under Levi's. Levi instantly fell on the ground and Mikasa watched in horror as the older MP initiated a pounding of his fists on Levi's head and face.

The young MP had observed Mikasa's distraction and swiftly brought down a blade which cut across the top of her shoulder and led down her back. Searing with pain, Mikasa whirled around and struck her blade through a gap between the young MPs ribs until it reached the other side of his back. The MP coughed, and blood splattered across Mikasa's face as she pulled out her blade.

Mikasa sprinted across to the older MP who was still beating Levi. In her rage Mikasa tackled him to the ground and began beating him, in the same way he had beaten her captain. There was a ringing in her ears, which she would later realise was the sound of her screaming at full volume as she violently assailed the older MP.

Abruptly, she realised that the MP had stopped moving. His chest failed to rise and fall. Confident that she had killed Levi's attacker, she turned to check on Levi.

She was met by Nile Dok standing with a blade over Levi who was still lying on the floor. Mikasa had completely forgotten about him since she first head-butted him.

"Get away from him you bastard!" Mikasa screamed.

"Levi is nearly half dead already, Mikasa." Nile said, prodding him with his foot. Levi's body was limp and did not respond in any way to Nile's muddy boots.

Mikasa heart felt like it was going to burst from her chest.

No…he can't die! Levi can't die!

"It would be a mercy for me to kill him now, Mikasa…" The Commander of the MPs said with lashings of merriment attached to his words.

"If you touch him again, I promise that it will be the last thing that you will do!"

Nile extended his arm into the air as the blade it held reflected the soft and dainty lunar radiance that peeked through the dirty pastel clouds above. Mikasa watched as Nile swung his blade downwards when time seemed to slow down.

She could still see the rain drops cascade all around her, but it seemed to take its time. Nile Dok's blade seemed to take an eternity to descend towards Levi. Her captain's angular face and hair dripped a mixture of blood, mud and rain. A conscious Levi would never have let such grime defile his person. When all of a sudden, it hit Mikasa that she had experienced this sensation before.

This reminds me of the night when I met Eren. The night my parents were murdered. The night that I killed for the first time.

She had time to think now. Mikasa concluded that she would not have any chance to sprint over to Nile Dok and stop his attack on Levi. It would only take one swing on Nile's blade to kill Levi. Mikasa became aware of the weapons in her hands. She thought of throwing her sword, but decided that by the time it would take her to build up enough momentum in her arm to throw it, that Nile Dok would already have brought down a killing blow over Levi. Her thoughts then turned to her knife that she had carried every day since the night her parents had died.

Mikasa had once confided in Levi that she thought it was stupid if people did not prepare themselves for the worst case scenario. Now that Mikasa was faced with it, she was glad that she had concealed her weapon for years even though this was the first time that it could potential save not only her life, but the life of Levi.

It was final, she was going to throw her knife at Nile. She would only have one chance to get this right, otherwise Levi would was die when Nile brought down his blade. Mikasa focused her breathing and kept her eyes on the Commander. She raised her right arm which held her weathered but still sharp knife.

Don't think about it….just do it.

With that, Mikasa flung up arm and watched in slow motion as the knife hurtled through the air. Plummeting through the rain drops as it picked up speed and headed straight between the eyes of Nile Dok. Time reverted back to normal speed just as Nile's body hit the floor in a dull thud and a splash, along with the blade that had just moments before threatened to kill Levi.

Mikasa ran over the Levi and could not help but still feel a sense of anxiety even though their enemies were dead.

"Levi!" She screamed as she reached him, shaking the limp body of her captain. His was face obscured by a veil of thick blood that concealed his face.

She leaned her head on her chest and waited for movement. Every second seemed like agony as she waited for a sign that he was still alive. Finally his chest rose as he silently pulled in air in a soundless breath.

He is unconscious. But he is still alive. Mikasa looked over his bloody and beaten body. He desperately needs medical help. I have to get us out of here.

Recalling that Nile Dok had sent five scouts to look for the horse Levi had set free, Mikasa decided to get back to the Survey Corps Headquarters as soon as possible.

Mikasa grabbed Levi and slung him over her shoulder as she began to make her way over to the stable. A lone horse stood untouched by the battle that she and Levi had just endured. Mikasa mustered the last of her strength and managed to get Levi slumped over the horse. She then climbed on the same horse, with Levi positioned in front of her so she could prevent him from falling off.

Just then, Mikasa became aware of all of her aches in pains she had sustained in the battle. She could feel the slice on her back and arm; but a severe pain manifested itself on her right thigh. Looking down Mikasa was able to spot a gleam from the hilt of a dagger on the side of her leg.

If I pull this out now, I risk bleeding out before I get us back to base…

Deciding not to pull out the dagger that had found a home at some point throughout the battle in Mikasa's leg, she had her loyal steed canter out gently from the stable. Mikasa's carbon black hair was plastered to her face from rain and sweat, as she took a final look at the carnage left after her and Levi's encounter with the MPs. The "woman worth a hundred soldiers" thought she felt a stinging tinge of regret, when she thought of the waste of life she saw with the unknown quantity of bodies that lay in the mud and pouring rain. Or maybe it was just from the sting from her wounds.

Mikasa had her steed gallop for as long as it could before tiring and eventually slowed to a trot. She didn't know if it was down to tiredness from fighting or from the adrenaline she had used up, but Mikasa now began to feel lightheaded. She looked down to her once white trousers that were part of her Survey Corps uniform; now however, they sported a dark crimson colour that stemmed from the dagger in her thigh. Her eyelids continued to grow heavy until she could fight the sensation no more and her eyes closed and her body went limp.