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"Be safe. If it gets too risky, put him down," she motioned over to Zeke and Levi nodded.
Then they went their separate ways.
Within Wall Maria…Deliberation Hall…
Greer made her way below the deliberation hall into the prison beneath it. She walked up to his cell and their eyes met. He had shaved his facial hair off; his hair was pulled back into a loose bun.
Silence.
Silence.
She touched the bars, rusted with age.
"Memories," she mused and Eren seemed to relax some.
"I spent more time in here than anywhere else. Though now it's for crimes much more serious," he said an she frowned lightly.
"I don't like seeing you in here. Never did," she admitted and he stared at her.
Silence.
"You know, you're the only person who's visited me…minus the new commander. She won't come back here though. Our last conversation wasn't pleasant," he said and Greer leaned against the bars.
"Well, technically, I'm not even supposed to be here. But I managed to slip by unnoticed. There are quite a few protesters outside, advocating for your release. Call themselves Jeagerists. Know anything about that?" she mused.
Eren smiled slightly.
"Before I left, I told Floch of my plan. He's been gathering a small army of followers since then," he explained.
Greer nodded.
"Your plan," she repeated and he nodded.
"To reunite with Zeke and acquire the founding titan's full power," he said and she stared at him.
"And what will happen to us?" she asked and he furrowed his eyebrows.
"Nothing will happen to you. We'll finally have peace. We'll destroy all of our enemies. Bring down that wall. Rid ourselves of the old regime and bring in a new one. A better one," he said quickly then paused.
Silence.
Silence.
"But I'm part of the old regime," she said and he shook his head.
"You were never one of them. Out of courtesy to you I will give them a chance to change sides. But Zackley has to go. I don't trust Shadis or Pixus either. There are events in motion that cannot be stopped now. You're with us," he said.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
"I'm with you."
The Next Day…
Things had gotten out of hand fast. The scouts were in jail cells. Hange was on full watch. Pixus and his men were also being watched. Zackley was dead. Shadis got his ass beat by trainees. Greer hadn't heard from Levi, but that was to be expected. Eren had asked Greer if she knew where he was, but she didn't. Only Hange knew. Now she sat with him, staring out the window, watching the world on fire below.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
"You're upset with me," he said and Greer nodded.
"Did you know about the wine?" she asked and his eyes lowered.
"Innocent people could have drunk that wine—"
"—it was only sent to the higher ups and their squadrons."
Silence.
"Wine was sent with Levi's group," she hissed in a whisper and Eren looked at her.
"He doesn't drink wine—"
"—but his comrades do! And he's with the one person who can activate it at any moment!" she snapped and then turned around.
Silence.
Silence.
"And you were so cruel to Mikasa and Armin. They love you—"
"—it has to be this way," he cut her off and she turned and stared at him.
But he wasn't looking at her.
Silence.
"Eren, look at me," she said and he did.
She stared at him, trying to find the boy she once knew. She leaned closer and let her head knock against his playfully, causing his eyes to widen.
"Thank you, Eren. Thank you for allowing me to feel hope again. If anyone else made it out…tell them we fought and died bravely. Tell them we made a titan fearful. Talk us up, okay?" she grinned.
Eren wiped at his eyes with his sleeve and nodded.
"I will!" he promised.
Greer managed to maneuver her gear so she was at his side. She let her head knock against his playfully causing his eyes to widen.
"Be outstanding. Prove those loser government officials wrong and kick some serious ass," she said and pressed her lips to his forehead.
He's still in there somewhere. Buried deep. I can still reach him.
"I can get Hange to show us where Zeke is. All I ask in return is to allow me to go with them. Levi is there and I think I can save some bloodshed if I go," she said and, after a beat, he nodded.
"Come with me," he said leading her to where they were keeping Hange and her squad.
Hange was surprised to see Greer with Eren.
"Greer—"
"—you're going to take us to where Zeke is. If you don't, I have ways to make you do it unwillingly. So, let's make this easy on everyone," she said firmly and Hange's eyes widened.
Silence.
"It's time to stop messing around. Concede so we can become one squad again. No one has to die," Greer said firmly.
Silence.
Hange stared at Greer for a long minute. Then she stood up and dusted herself off.
"Fine, I'll show you, not that you're leaving me much of a choice. I wouldn't ever want to encounter your means of torture, Greer," she said coldly and Floch smirked.
"We should trade stories after this. I'd love to learn some of those methods," he mused and Greer forced a smile.
"Floch and two men of his choosing will go with you. Greer's not to be harmed under any circumstances," Eren said and left.
The Titan Forest…
They had heard an explosion a few minutes ago and Greer felt a sickening dread in her stomach. They came upon a river bank, looking around at the carnage that was once a cart with horses. Hange gasped and took off towards the bank of the river.
"Hey!" Floch called, but Greer followed right behind her.
Greer dropped to her knees on the muddy bank as Hange turned Levi over carefully. She glanced at Hange, who nodded slightly. Floch walked over with the rest of the group.
"What's his status?"
"He's dead," Hange said and Greer covered her face, a sob escaping her throat.
Silence.
"Well, let's just make sure," Floch said lifting the rifle.
Greer knocked it away, surprising him.
"Show some respect! You can't kill someone twice!" she snapped and Floch stared at her.
Then a noise distracted them and they turned to see Zeke come out of the fog, fully naked and healed. Greer turned to Hange quickly and grabbed her hand.
"Go," she mouthed, but Hange shook her head.
"Come with us," she mouthed back.
Greer shook her head.
"You'll need a distraction. And besides, I have to go back for the others. Save him, Zoe. Save him and I'll never ask another thing of you. But to do that you have to go now. I'll be fine. They won't hurt me," she whispered and Hange's grip on her tightened.
"I'll save him," she whispered.
She felt a hand grab hers weakly and looked down at Levi. He was barely conscious and she couldn't take the time to assess all of his wounds, but she could tell he knew what was happening. She gave his bloody hand a squeeze.
"I'll find my way back to you," she whispered and kissed his hand.
And then she helped Hange get a good grip on him, and shoved them into the river. Floch turned to her and cursed.
"They're in the river, shoot them!" he growled.
One of the men aimed, but Greer was quick to knock his gun off course. This caused another to aim at her.
"No, don't!" Floch yelled as a single gunshot echoed through the air.
I hope everyone enjoyed it! Please let me know your thoughts by reviewing! The chapter is short again, because I have to cut it properly. Can't go giving away big surprises all at once!