The Reaper

by Queen Of The War Flowers

"It's a warning," he said, looking over the city he'd once called home. "It's warning that the Reaper is back." Aha, I hummed, clasping a hand on what I was looking for and pulled the mask from the crevice. My old friend, I've missed you. I turned and they were all staring at me, wide-eyes. Poor naive kids. "When I told you I ran the Underground, I meant it."

11. I fucking did it!

11

I waited in anticipation for something to happen… anything, but his territory was completely silent. His alarms weren't going off, there weren't any running guards; it was all just peaceful. Something's wrong, I thought. Something is definitely wrong. I started walking towards his territory, keeping my head down and my ears up, straining to hear anything about what had gone down. They were supposed to be here by now, so where the fuck were they? I'd heard someone say before; 'the calm before the storm,' and boy, were they right.

From the depths of Cain's territory, gunshots could be heard mingling with yells and all the guards stationed on the outskirts of his territory went racing towards the disruption. I couldn't breathe. Something was wrong. This was all wrong. Against my better judgement, I went running towards the commotion and pushing past the people around me, I disappeared into Cain's territory. Shit was about to hit the fan.

I'd only ever been here once before on a recon mission, so my baring's were foggy, but I just followed the men running towards the noise, instead of the people running away. Just stay out of sight and god, I hope no one's been hurt.

I stuck to the shadows, running silently through the streets until I found where the fighting was happening. Oh no…

"Things have really changed," I said, walking alongside Levi, towards the courtyard. There was still an element of awkwardness to our encounters, but we had come to a comfortable agreement. It was just the way he interacted. He didn't like people, but there was people he tolerated and I had found myself as one of those people. "Haven't they, Sir?"

He hummed in agreement. "Have you decided what division you're going to join once you've graduated?"

I nodded. Like he didn't know, I thought with a small grin on my face. I looked up at the Captain and saw that he was watching me from the corner of his eye. I raised an eyebrow and he went back to looking ahead. I caught you, sir. We were a lot more comfortable with each other, having come to that agreement two years ago and after three years, I think I could say that we were comrades and that we trusted each other. I was very lucky to be able to say that.

"I'm joining the Survey Corps," I replied, wringing my hands together. For some reason, I was nervous. Like, I knew I had the ability to choose whatever division I wanted because I had the marks, but part of me still didn't think I deserved a place in the Survey Corps. Had these three years made up for all of the mistakes I'd made since I got here? "You're not going to be getting rid of me easily."

"Well that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about, brat," Levi continued, stopping which in turn, made me stop to look at him. What's this about? "I want you to join the special ops squad."

Well fuck. That's not what I was expecting him to say. He wants me to join his squad? But only the best of the best joined his squad... and I am not the best by far. "You want me to join your squad?"

Now it was his turn to nod. "You're a good soldier. You deserve a place on the best squad."

He thinks I'm a good soldier? Good enough to be on his squad? That was almost a complement... Did The Levi Ackerman just complement me? Well if he wants me, who am I to turn down the Captain. A giant grin spread across my face and I nodded. "It would be an honour, Sir."

Disguised Scouts and Cain's men's corpses were scattered across the courtyard and there were people fighting each other in the streets. Cain knew we were here and shit had hit the fan. The Scouts were going to get slaughtered… this isn't familiar territory. God fucking damn it. Why did I let them come down here?

I kicked into action, running towards the fighting and after pulling my knife from my boot, I set to work slaughtering Cain's guards. You're not touching me people. I couldn't see Erwin or Levi, which meant that they were deeper in Cain's territory, and I kept my hood pulled up as I moved through his men. One slice after another, I butchered Cain's men; thank god I knew the difference between a man who lived in the Underground a man who didn't, until there was a clear path in front of me. I ignored the stares of the disguised Scouts and kept moving through the compound. I have to make sure they're okay. I need to know they're okay.

I felt the blood dripping down my face, mixing with my sweat and I wiped my brow. I was angry. Fuck that, I was pissed. I felt the arms of the Reaper curling themselves around me and I wasn't fighting it.

This was the fucking Underground.

I was the fucking Reaper and I was going to act like it.

I dropped body after body until I reached where I knew Cain spent most of his time. His inner compound. I'm going to kill you, Cain. I'm going to rip your head from your fucking shoulders and fucking dance on your grave.

I stayed in the shadows, eyes darting back and forth every time I heard something move. People were yelling, screams were echoing in the corridors and I was on the hunt. I was going to take this whole thing down. I would protect Sebastian. I would protect Erwin. I would protect Levi. I would protect everyone, because that's what I do.

I entered the main building, where I knew Cain's office would be. He's a coward; he'd want more than one line of protection, so logically he'd be smack bang in the middle of his whole operation. Big mistake though, I thought.

I've found you Rudolfo.

I darted through the corridors, following the trail of corpses and knew that I'd found them. I'd found them all. A grin spread across my face and I pushed the final door open, my eyes falling on Erwin, Levi and Cain. Levi had a gun pointed and Cain's face and Erwin was mid-yell, turning around when he heard me enter. I mean, yeah, I could've just watched form the shadows, but I was on a high. This is the closest to my old life, I've been in a while. I kept my gaze trained on Cain, not wanting to see the disappointment on Erwin's face and stalked towards the man behind the desk. Years of opposition had finally started to piss me off and I wanted Cain to pay.

"Salem."

I shot a glance at Erwin, who was looking at me with anger and disappointment in his eyes, but I snarled and kept walking towards Cain. That was, until Erwin blocked my path and put his hands on my shoulder. "Stay out of this, Erwin. I want his head."
"This isn't the way," he replied, looking down at me in anger. I know. I'm not supposed to be here, but this is what I fucking do. Just stay out of this. I don't want to hurt you. "This is not who you are anymore."

"Rudolfo Cain deserves to die," I snarled, fighting his grip while Levi watched on. What? So, he doesn't have anything to say either? He's the one that got me down here. "And I'm going to kill him, Sir."

"Levi."

Another pair of arms grabbed my waist and started dragging me backwards. "Get off me," I yelled, struggling in his grip and tried to punch his arms away. "I have to kill him. He ruined my life down here. He's killed thousands of my men. Good men. I want his head."

"When I told you to come down here," he whispered, using my yells to cover his noise. "I expected you to keep a level head and stay out of sight, brat."

He just doesn't understand. None of them do. Seeing Cain grinning as he watched this whole ordeal, pushed me over the edge and I thrashed even harder in Levi's grip. For fucks sake. Why is he so strong? Get the fuck off me. "Stop struggling, brat," he said in a louder voice, finally dragging me far enough away, that he could turn me around and grasp my shoulders tightly. "Get a hold of yourself, Cadet. This isn't the time or the place."

Joining the other graduation Cadets in their lines, I stood proud next to my fellow comrades and friends and waited for Erwin to give his speech. I made eye contact with Eren and I grinned at him, with him responding with his own smile. C'mon Eren. Be proud. This is your moment. You did it. You made your mom proud. You made everyone around you so fucking proud.

"Graduating Cadets," Erwin said, his voice booming over the silent courtyard. Dok and Pixis stood either side of Erwin and they addressed us all. Scouts lined the courtyard and it definitely felt like all eyes were on us. "After three years of training, the time has come to choose where your heart and desires lie. The Survey Corps, The Garrison and The Military Police. As you know, only the top ten graduates are permitted to request to join the Military Police and the top ten are as follows."

Erwin went down the list, earning a grin from me when he announced my name second. I saw Mikasa look at me when my name was called, but I just shrugged, mouthing that she was now officially better than me. This earned me a small grin and we went back to listening to Erwin.

One by one, the Commanders of each division called out their names, with plethora of graduate cadets following them until only those who wished to join the Survey Corps were left. I was impressed. Almost all of the people I'd come to know as friends, had decided to follow the same path as me and we would all be joining the Survey Corps. They all looked down right terrified, some even having silent tears rolling down their face but they were brave. Brave enough to put their lives on the line for the rest of humanity. These were the one in a million people.

"Look on soldiers," Erwin said, his voice booming as he addressed the Scouts around the compound. "These are your new comrades. Our mission for saving humanity is stronger with these soldiers here. Tomorrow you'll get your assignments and work will begin. Good luck."

And it was over like that. I was a Scout. We saluted the Commander proudly and walked to the dinner hall, our new official home until our deaths and we celebrated with food and drinks; a rarity these days.

"Salem," Erwin said, calling me back once almost everyone had gone. Another secret conversation? I'm in demand today. "A moment of your time?"

"You know, you're the second person to ask me that today," I replied, smiling as I stood in front of him. God, he still towers over me. "What can I do you for?"

"I'm so proud of you," he said, a genuine smile on his face. "Over the last three years you've come so far and I'm proud and privileged to know that you chose to join the Survey Corps."
I grinned and saluted mockingly. "I'm glad I'm still here so you can accept me, Sir."

"Now join your fellow Scouts, Salem. The real work begins tomorrow."

I nodded and saluted, leaving a smiling Erwin, to catch up with Eren and Co. I slid into the bench next to Eren and ruffled his hair joyously. "You did it," I muttered, smiling at him as I snatched a piece of bread form the table.

He raised an eyebrow, something he'd learned from me. "What?"

"Three years ago. You wanted to make your mom proud by graduating the Cadet Corps and joining the Survey Corps. You did it. You made her proud. You made me proud."

We were both smiling at each other and I really took in how much he'd changed. He too, now towered over me and he was older, physically and mentally. We'd come to see each other as brother and sister and I had genuinely come to love him. I would hope he felt the same. I'd be lying if I hadn't been worried about seeing the people I'd come to know as my family going beyond the wall. I didn't want to watch more people die. I almost scoffed at myself and how soft I'd become. We were Scouts now, our destiny was to die beyond the wall. The burden that rested on my shoulders would always be there now, but I also got to see my friends live the lives they've always wanted. They wanted to be soldiers. Saviours and I would protect them until my dying breath.

"Thank you for everything," Eren said, gripping my scarred hand in his own. I returned his squeeze and nodded.

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

"I have to kill him," I replied, still fighting in Levi's grip. My angry yells had become pathetic wails and fruitless attempts to break his grip. "He hurt me. He hurt everyone I know. He has to pay for what he did."

"Not now," he replied, gritting his teeth and then he pulled me into his arms, holding me in another awkward hug. "I know he hurt you, brat, but now is not the time."

How the hell had I ended up here again? In the arms of Shorty, fighting his grip because I was uncontrollably angry yet again. None of them understand… why won't they just listen to me? "I just wanted to make him feel how I felt."

"I know," he murmured, petting my back hesitantly.

Both Erwin and Cain watched on and Levi lead me from the room, depositing me on the ground in the next room and he told me to wait there. I didn't even fight him. I pulled my knees up to my chest and nodded, watching as he walked back into the room where Cain was. I was in shit. Deep shit, yet all I could think about was Levi comforting me and Erwin's disappointed expression. I could leave. Run while they're distracted and re-join Sebastian. Lord knows I've missed him so much. But I couldn't get myself from the floor. I was glued to the spot. I had fucked up once, I couldn't fuck up again. I couldn't bear to put them through it. What the fuck is wrong with me? Can't go one way but won't go the other. Jesus, Salem. Get your act together. You're either the Reaper or you're not. You can't live two lives.

The ride back held a sombre mood to say the least. Neither Erwin or Levi had spoken to me since I busted into Cain's territory and despite the glee bubbling in my stomach at the sight of Cain in chains (he was being transported to a prison above ground), that feeling was buried and drowned by the guilt and dread that was swirling in my body about what I'd done. I'd lost my head. Acted out of character for someone who was supposed to be calm and reserved and look where it had gotten me. Fucked.

I watched Levi drag Cain towards the holding cell's once we arrived back at the compound, but Erwin spoke one word to me; a word that made my stomach drop and want to curl into a ball.

"Office".

I followed him like a puppy with its tail between their legs and once we were both in his office, I tried and failed to say something that would make this okay. Erwin was beyond pissed and had every right to be. I couldn't make this okay.

"I can't have you breaking rules, Salem," Erwin said sternly, watching me with a steely gaze. I don't think I've ever seen him so angry with me. The man in front of me was the Commander. There was no emotion on his face. He was just the Commander. "I've put up with your antics up until now, but the stunt you pulled in Cain's territory, I can't have you doing that. I-"

"-Sir," I interrupted, trying to smooth things over but Erwin slamming his fist on the desk silenced me quickly. He'd never gotten angry like this. It was out of character… I'd really fucked up. Why doesn't he see I had to do this? I kept my gaze trained on the floor and tried my best not to wince every time he spoke.

"Stop interrupting," he said, his voice still deathly clam, but his eyes were on fire. My stomach dropped even further and my stomach was churning with guilt. "You're out of control, Salem. Your punishment is as follows-"He's punishing me? "You're on stable duty and you're confined to your room unless you have chores or training."

He's treating me like a child? I couldn't help it when I curled in on myself, pouting like a child and scowling at everyone and everything. He's the boss. Can't dispute his bullshit rules, can I? Anger of guilt, I thought. "Until when?"

"Until you're ordered otherwise. You're dismissed."

I shot Erwin a glance and I don't think he could've got me out of the room faster. The expression of disappointment, mixed with frustration and anger wasn't a good look on him. I'm sorry, alright. I'm really sorry.

The walk to my room felt like the longest walk in history. I felt as if everyone was staring at me, knowing what I did, and I just kept my gaze on the floor. Guilt. Remorse. New feelings I hadn't felt in a long time I couldn't make this one better. I had to face what I'd done. I don't think I left my room, even when I had to unless I had training or punishment chores, preferring to keep to myself. I even stopped talking to Eren, who tried to do everything to cheer me up. He hadn't even bothered to ask me about what had happened in the last few weeks; he just said he missed his Salem. That only made me self-isolation even harder. I'd let everyone down.

I think that was the first time I'd regretted staying since I joined. I wanted to crawl into a hole and never leave. Good thing I didn't though. Look at me now. I'm a Scout.

I'm a fucking Scout.

And that's it for this one guys! I know it's shorter than normal, but I think from now on I'll be uploading short stories because of my schedule and I'm finding it easier to write less right now. It might change in the future, but I hope you understand. I'd rather write less and be able to upload more, than leave you guys hanging for new chapters.

So, we finally reached a pivotal moment in Salem's life. She's finally a Scout. She did it! I'm really enjoying writing the flashbacks and I hope you're enjoying reading it. I figured this would be a better way to tell her story, without plodding along for ten thousand chapters. Don't forget to leave a like and a review and I'll see you guys in the next chapter.

-TheQueenOfTheWarFlowers