Attack on Titan: Bloodline – Chapter 8 (April 29, 2019)

"Go get 'em!"

"The Scout Regiment is amazing!"

"Kick some ass!"

The marketplace of Trost District was bustling with excitement the next morning as the Scout Regiment, who had only just returned, were being deployed on yet another mission. Lorraine pushed her way through the crowd to the front where she could catch a glimpse of all of the most famous Scout Regiment members.

"Commander Erwin!"

"Give those Titans a piece of your mind!"

"We're counting on the Scouts!"

The tall blonde man sat proudly atop his white horse, his sky-blue eyes shimmering with confidence. Mina, standing next to Lorraine all of a sudden, broke her awe-struck gaze, tapping on her shoulder and practically yanking her jacket sleeve off. She squealed excitedly, "Oh my God! Lo, look! Look! It's him!" Lorraine looked where Mina was pointing. There was the famed Captain Levi, sitting on the back of his pure black horse with a bored expression plastered on his face. Mina was jumping up and down, her cheeks flushed, swooning, "Oh, they say he's as mighty as an entire brigade! Can you believe that!?" Lorraine studied the man intently.

"I remember hearing stories about him. He's rumoured to be the strongest soldier in the Scouts. I heard that he's known as Humanity's Strongest Soldier. He must be truly amazing."

Even though he was likely in his thirties, he looked young, save for a few light wrinkles around his narrow eyes. His jet-black hair was cut into a short undercut style, parted on the right side of his head and falling softly over his head. Despite his bored appearance, Lorraine couldn't help but notice his deep, blue eyes. He glanced down at her for a moment. When their eyes locked, she smiled gently at him. His expression changed to one of mild surprise, but he was quickly distracted by the woman riding next to him. She felt her heart jump when he looked at her, but she couldn't explain it. It was familiar, yet it was nothing like the feeling of being with Reiner.

"Reiner..."

She shook her head and turned, her gaze falling to the ground.

"No. Stop it, Lorraine. Remember what Annie said. Relationships should not be taken lightly. Any one of us could die at any time."

She said before leaving Mina behind, "I'm gonna go find Eren and the others." Mina sighed, still staring in awe at the Scouts, "Alright." Lorraine laughed and pushed back through the crowd. As she walked past civilians and soldiers alike, she scanned the crowd for her sister or her friends. Unfortunately, at only 5'1", she could barely see over the small gathering, so she slipped under them and towards the more open outskirts of the crowd. She stretched her arms above her head and took a deep breath of the beautiful, cool air. The scent of baked goods and flowers filled the air with a delicious scent that reminded her of Shiganshina.

"Lorraine. There you are."

Lorraine turned and smiled. Mikasa walked up to her. The older girl asked softly, "Did you get to see them? The Scouts?" Lorraine nodded and said, "Yeah. They're all so amazing." Mikasa sighed, her beautiful, rosy lips curled into a small smile. The two girls started walking around the beautifully decorated town square, which was blooming with gorgeous floral gardens and decked out with colourful banners. The girls walked together in total silence, making their way back to camp, listening to the bright sound of a street guitarist playing as they walked past the local shops. Mikasa glanced at Lorraine out of the corner of her eyes and said gently, "What's up?" Lorraine grunted questioningly. Mikasa stated calmly, "What are you thinking about?" Lorraine looked down at her feet, averting her eyes and said shortly, "Nothing."

"Lorraine," Mikasa said, grabbing the wrist of Lorraine's jacket, "I can see it in your eyes when you've got something on your mind. I just want to help-" Lorraine interrupted, "I don't want to talk about it." Mikasa let go of her jacket and said, "Is it about last night?" Lorraine snapped at her, "Look, I said 'I don't want to talk about it'! It's that simple." Mikasa pleaded, "Lorraine, if something's bothering you-" Lorraine said sharply, "Mikasa! For the last time, I said 'I don't want to talk about it'! What can't you understand about that?" Mikasa fell silent.

"I'm fifteen years old, now, Mikasa. I can make decisions for myself and I don't need you constantly worrying about me!"

Mikasa shot her little sister a glare and said calmly, "I'm just trying to help you. Where is this coming from?" Lorraine said, "It's not like you would understand." Mikasa pleaded, "Then help me to understand." Lorraine scoffed, then turned, whipping her long, black ponytail around and walking away in a huff. Mikasa called out as Lorraine stormed off, "Lorraine, wait!"

Lorraine walked up to Eren and said in an irritated tone, "Tch. There you are. Where are you guys going?" Eren beamed and said, "To the top of the wall to help care for the cannons. Do you want to come?" Lorraine nodded without so much as a glance behind her, giving a kind of half-hearted smile. Armin asked, "What is it?" Lorraine said annoyedly, "Wouldn't you like to know?" Eren sighed, "Did you and Mikasa have another argument?" Lorraine said, confirming Eren's suspicions, "She's just so nosy." Eren said in agreement, "Yeah, I know what you mean." Armin sighed, not wanting to get in the middle of the feud, and suggested, "Look, let's just go. We have work to do." Lorraine and Eren both nodded and followed their blonde friend.

When the lift reached the top of Wall Rose, the trio spotted their fellow graduates there, cleaning the cannons and making sure the stock was good in the event of an emergency. Mina had already found her way up and was talking to Thomas, all while both were checking up on the weapons stash. Connie was making sure the nearest cannon had a proper supply of powder and had cannonballs nearby. The trio was about to head to another section of the Wall when they heard Connie mention the Scout Regiment, to which Eren asked, surprised, "Connie?! You're joining the Scouts!?" Lorraine said in a sassy tone, resting both hands on her hips and furrowing her brows skeptically, "But, Connie! You were so dead-set on the MPs! What gives?" Connie retorted, "None of your business! So what if I am? I really-" Mina stepped closer and interrupted, "Eren, I think your speech last night really won him over!" Lorraine muttered, "Tch. I think it was Captain Levi who won you over." Mina hit her arm and said, blushing, "No way!" Thomas said, "Don't be embarrassed, Connie. You're not alone." Eren was about to speak up when Sasha cleared her throat behind them, catching the entire group's attention, then spoke in a hushed voice.

"Hey, guys? Promise not to tell anyone, but I...uh...I totally just stole some meat from the officers' storehouse!"

Everyone scolded her simultaneously. Lorraine rolled her eyes. Eren said quietly, but worriedly, "Sasha, do you want to end up in solitary confinement again!? Seriously, what is wrong with you?!" Connie said under his breath, "What isn't wrong with her?" Sasha, on the other hand, remained optimistic as ever, and said confidently, "It's fine! We can all share it later, sliced up, put between some bread...!" She paused, practically drooling. Mina said sternly, "Go put it back!" Armin agreed, "Yeah! After we lost all that land, meat's become really valuable!" Sasha chuckled, opening a crate and putting the meat inside, "Yeah, I know that. It's alright, guys. Soon enough, we'll reclaim all the land we need for livestock." Lorraine smiled at Sasha's confidence.

"I-I'd really like a slice!"

"Hey, if he gets some, so do I!"

"Me, too!"

"I'm in!"

"Don't count me out!"

Lorraine turned and walked away from the conversation, stopping at the edge of the wall and gazing out into the city of Trost. She took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling the breeze picking up and blowing through her long, black hair, her side-swept bangs brushing past her cheeks.

"It's a nice thought. I just hope she's right. Humanity deserves to make a comeback."

Eren said, putting his hand on her shoulder, "I can't believe it's been five years. Look at us. All of us. We're ready to stand tall again." Lorraine turned to look at Eren and said, "I know." Eren said, "We can do it. Humanity didn't start this fight, but we're gonna finish-"

They were interrupted by a huge flash of orange lightning. They stood atop the wall, paralyzed. Lorraine looked up into the face of the Colossal Titan. Her heart skipped a beat. Eren gaped, wide-eyed at the creature. Silence filled the space between the Cadets. The colossus sent a gust of steam along the top of the wall as a very loud sound was heard below. Lorraine, Eren, and the other Cadets were sent flying off the wall, but managed to use their ODM Gear to attach themselves to the side of it. Connie shouted loudly, watching as one Cadet who had been hit fell unconscious to the streets, "Samuel!". Thankfully, Sasha was quick and managed to hook his leg with her ODM Gear, spraying blood onto the wall.

"Samuel! Try not to move! Okay?!"

Lorraine's eyes were wide with terror. Eren muttered beside her, "That was too damn close." Lorraine gasped and said, "Oh, God, look! There!" She pointed to the gate, which had a huge, gaping hole in it. Her hands were trembling as she held the ODM blades. Connie said shakily, "They're gonna get in...th-they're gonna get in! They're gonna get in!" Lorraine was shaking.

"Why today...? Today of all days...why did it have to be today...? No...! It's just like five years ago...in Shiganshina...we're all going to die...!"

Eren practically screamed, "Not if I can help it! This is it, people!" He shot up towards the top of the wall, zipping past Lorraine. Lorraine furrowed her brows and followed him. As they landed on the wall, Eren turned his attention to the Colossal Titan while Lorraine turned to the Cadets. Eren began furiously attacking the Titan, who swiped with his gigantic hand and took out the cannons. Lorraine swiftly dodged the swipe and shouted, landing back on the wall, "Come on! Get up the wall!" The Cadets made their way up, Sasha dragging Samuel up as gently as she can. As Sasha and Lorraine helped Samuel up, a sudden burst of steam shot out of the Colossal Titan, shrouding the area in a dense blanket of it. Lorraine shielded her eyes.

"Hot!"

Eren's voice rang out loudly, echoing far. As the steam cleared, the Cadets noticed that the Colossal Titan was gone. With the sound of cables, Eren landed back on the wall next to Lorraine and said, "I'm sorry. I missed. He vanished." Lorraine had grabbed a nearby med kit and removed Samuel's boot before rolling up his pant leg and wrapping his calf up tightly, stopping the bleeding until he could get proper treatment. Mikasa had just arrived and helped Armin up the wall. Armin shouted, "Is everyone okay?!" Lorraine finished bandaging up Samuel's leg and said, "We're alright, but Samuel was hurt! Armin, Mikasa, go back to HQ and alert everyone about the attack. We'll be right behind you." Armin said, "You're sure?" Lorraine nodded. Mikasa said before turning to follow Armin, "Please just be careful." Lorraine smiled softly at Mikasa.

"I...I'm so sorry. I let him get away."

Eren looked at the ground sadly. Connie said, "Come on, Eren. Stop apologizing. We were all scared stiff." Lorraine stood up and said, feigning confidence, "Okay, listen to me. There's no time to lose. Wall Rose has been breached, which means we're going to have to get back to HQ all together, avoiding as many Titans as we can, gather the supplies we need, then turn to authorities for further orders." She looked around and said, "Connie, I want you flying on the right side of the formation, Eren on the left, Mina, bring up the rear." Sasha picked up Samuel on her back and said, "I've got Samuel!"

"Good. Thank you, Sasha. Stay towards the center and do not engage the Titans. Any questions?"

"No," Eren said, "Lead the way, Lo."

Lorraine smiled gently and said, readying her gear, "Excellent. Let's go!" The Cadets flew off like a flock of birds in formation. They flew through town all the way back to HQ, avoiding Titans wherever possible. Eren looked up at Lorraine, who showed a new confidence he had never seen in her before. It seemed like an eternity before they finally reached HQ. The group landed all together. While Sasha ran Samuel to the medical ward, Lorraine rushed to find one of the higher-ups. Lorraine shouted, spotting Captain Ian Dietrich, "Sir! We have a situation!" He said calmly, "Yes, we're aware. The Colossal Titan Response Operation is already underway. You and the other Cadets are to head to the courtyard for further orders." Lorraine saluted and shouted, "Sir!"

The Cadets all filed into the courtyard hurriedly, many scared and in a panic. Lorraine was among the frightened ones, but she tried her best to keep up her brave facade. As the last of the Cadets filed in, a tall, frightened-looking man in a Garrison uniform stepped out in front.

"Cadets, listen up! The Advance Team has, as of this moment, been completely wiped out! That's right; the outer gate is history. The Titans are in! This, of course, means that the Armoured Titan is likely to reappear."

Lorraine's mind flashed back to Shiganshina. She remembered those glowing, golden eyes. The sheer strength of the Titan barrelling through the gate as though it were made from paper.

"If and when he does, the inner gate will also be history. Now, I want everyone split into four squadrons, just as practiced! All squadrons are responsible for supply running, message relay, and combat under the command of the Garrison Regiment! Inside these larger squadrons will be multiple smaller groups. The Intercept Squadron will be taking the Vanguard, closest to the outer gate. Cadets will be taking the Middle Guard, led by the Support Squadron. Rear Guard will go to the Elites."

Lorraine nodded, but many Cadets began muttering quietly, unsure of the situation, but they were quickly silenced.

"Quiet! I expect you all to man your posts to the bitter end! Soldiers, be ready!"

"Yes, Sir!"

As the smaller Squads were being assigned, Lorraine sat next to a horrified Daz, whose nerves had gotten the better of him. Krista rubbed his back as he violently emptied the contents of his stomach onto the ground, softly telling him, "You'll be okay, Daz. I promise." Lorraine stood up and started walking to the fuelling station, when she heard someone calling her name. She turned around. It was Reiner. She threw her arms around his waist and felt his big, strong arms embracing her as he said in a slightly surprised tone, "Lo, you're on my squad as Squad Leader. Damn, you must have made an impression if you're already assigned as a Squad Leader." She said shyly, twirling a strand of hair from her ponytail in between her fingers, "I guess so." Reiner said softly, "Oh, come on. Don't be so modest." She smiled. He turned to walk back to where Bertholdt and Annie stood, but before he did, Lorraine spoke.

"Hey."

He turned to look at her. She said, "Good luck out there, Reiner." He smirked and said with a wink, "I will. You, too." He turned, leaving her standing in the middle of the yard. She furrowed her brows and walked quickly to the refuelling station. She knelt beside the pumps and began refuelling, when she heard Armin shakily refuelling next to her. She was about to ask him something, but Eren and Mikasa rushed over and Eren asked, "Hey! Armin! Lo! Are you two okay?" Lorraine responded, "I'm fine!" Armin said, trembling, his voice growing more panicked by the second, "I-I'll be fine soon! Still, this is really bad! W-we don't have the technology to seal a hole that big! It's nearly eight meters high and we never did manage to move that giant rock near the front gate! U-unless we seal that hole, this city is lost! I-it'll only be a matter of time before Wall Rose is breached!"

"Armin!"

Eren grabbed his shoulder roughly and said sternly, "Calm down! This isn't going to be like last time!" Armin stared at Eren in shock for a moment, then said in a hushed voice, "I...I-I'm sorry. I'm alright." Lorraine set her gas canister down and gently took Armin's hand. He was still shaking violently. She said softly, squeezing his hand, "Hey. It's going to be okay, Armin. We'll figure this out." Mikasa sighed. Lorraine looked up at her sister, then returned to refuelling her canisters before heading out to meet her squad.

On the rooftops, several groups of Cadets and Garrison soldiers had been positioned in various locations. Lorraine stood at the front of Squad 29, blades drawn, looking out over the now Titan-infested city of Trost. She gripped her blades nervously, a bead of sweat rolling down her cheek.

"Shit. There are so many of them. I just hope the civilians all made it out. Please, God, keep Mikasa and the others safe."

Reiner looked at her, watching as her soft, jet-black hair flowed in the light breeze. Lorraine took a deep breath.

"I can do this."

She said, looking back at her team with hesitation, "Are you all ready?" Bertholdt said confidently, "Yes, ma'am. All we need is your order." She smiled. Her eyes glinted with confidence and she said, holding her blade high, "Right. Squad 29, let's move!" The Cadets moved at unreal speeds, slaying Titan after Titan. Blood sprayed into the air and splattered onto their uniforms, only to evaporate just as swiftly. Chunks of flesh flew into the air. Lorraine flipped between buildings gracefully. She held her right-hand blade in the opposite direction it was meant to be held, her pinky and ring fingers resting on the triggers, and was repeatedly slashing through the Titans' napes with the greatest of ease. She had just landed on a rooftop when she heard a scream behind her.

"Jean! No!"

She saw Jean being held in the grip of a 7-meter class Titan and took off, but slipped on a loose shingle and fell, scraping her forearm. Just as she realized that she couldn't make it, Marco quickly slashed off the Titan's entire hand in an instant, saving Jean as Annie attacked its nape, taking it down in one fell swoop. Reiner landed next to Lorraine and helped her up. She brushed him off and said, "Jean! Are you alright?" He panted and said, "Shit. That was too close." He looked down and said, "Your arm!" Lorraine looked down and saw that her sleeve was torn and lightly stained red. She said, rolling the sleeve up, "It's just a scrape. Don't worry. I'm just glad you're okay."

As the day dragged on, the Cadets felt the telltale signs of rain, watching the skies as grey storm clouds rolled in. Lorraine landed on the rooftops, followed by her squadmates. She looked around, her brows knitted together as if she were concentrating, letting out a noise that sounded like a quiet grunt. Annie stepped closer and asked monotonously, "What's wrong?" She said in a serious tone, "I...I'm not sure. I just...I just got a bad feeling..." Annie fell silent. Raindrops began to fall, gradually getting heavier as Squad 29 sat, waiting for the signal to retreat or for more Titans. Lorraine was on edge, pacing back and forth on the rooftop. Jean noticed this and said, "Lo...you need to save your energy. Sit down." Bertholdt said quietly, "Jean's right. I-I'm sure everything's fine." Lorraine looked back at them, then sighed.

"Today...this rain reminds me of them..."

Annie asked, "Of who?" Lorraine responded, "Sorry. I'm just thinking aloud." She sat on the edge of the tall building, dangling her legs over the edge, and said, "Our parents." Annie joined her and said, "Your parents...they died a long time ago...right?" Lorraine nodded.

"Yeah. That was the first time Mikasa and I met Eren. We'd met his father, but never Eren."

Connie asked, "So, what happened to them?" Lorraine looked up into the sky. She thought back to that horrible day. The day she lost both of her parents. The day she almost lost Mikasa.