Chapter 14 "The Scourge"

(WARNING: disturbing crime violence, descriptions of death)

Commander Hange Zoe sat before a desk piled with dossiers. Reaching for the teacup that yet freshly steamed, she grasped it gingerly by the handle to sip from it. Earlier that morning, a currier from the Royal Military Hospital in Mitras had delivered a parcel. Within it held records detailing the conditions of wounded scouts and those who had been discharged back to duty. Among them Hange found the official report of the wounded scout James Murdock and his recovery from a wild animal attack during the Stohess Assignment.

Hange read the hand penned note from Doctor Ellaine Adalheidis of the young soldiers initial wounding and the severe blood infection that followed. It detailed the swift departure from Stohess ahead of Captain Levi and his company. The Chief Officer had delivered the young scout into the safety of the hospital, having made the six-hour journey in merely four.

Laying the report on the desk top, Hange sighed. In the quiet of her office, she sank into the high back of the tufted lounge chair. Eye drifting closed, Moblit's gentle countenance drifted through her thoughts. It had been many months now since the reclaiming of Wall Maria. The deep pain it left behind lingered heavily in the absence of those lost in the battle. Pressing her hand gingerly to the patch over the empty socket of her left eye, Hange thought pensively.

"The reckless things we do when we love…," Hange mumbled softly. "Moblit, you idiot. I would have happily died with you." Looking across the room, Hange's attention keenly turned upwards as a knock rang out. "Enter!"

As the door swung open, Captain Levi appeared beyond the threshold. Dressed in a black suit, he wore a white dress shirt and cravat. Walking across the room, Levi quietly took a seat opposite Hange in the armchair near the desk. "Hange," he spoke.

"Good morning, Captain," Hange greeted him with a yawn. Pointing to the medical dossier, she continued, "I received the official report from Doctor Ellaine on the scout recruit who was wounded during the Stohess Assignment."

Levi's brow arched as he questioned indifferently, "Does he live?"

"The scout will survive," Hange replied contentedly. "I did not expect something so dramatic from such a benign assignment."

"Neither had I," Levi replied as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Recruits have a propensity for fucking up even simple assignments."

"It seems that way," Hange scoffed with a smirk. "He is extremely lucky."

"Mmhmn," Levi hummed, "She said the same thing."

"She?" Hange questioned.

Expression remaining taciturn, he clarified, "Chief Officer Adalheidis." Ellaine's smiling face rushed to the forefront of his mind.

"Ahh," Hange spoke with a nod. "Have you spoken with the Chief Officer since your return?"

"No. My attention has been occupied since returning to headquarters," Levi replied.

"Hmn," Hange nodded. "We may have the opportunity to thank the doctor in person," Hange began. "You and I will be traveling to Mitras. A council has been called by the MP's. There has been a spike in petty crimes in the interior."

"In the interior?" Levi asked. "What does that have to do with the Scouts?"

Hange shuffled through a mass of paperwork. Picking up a dossier, flipping it open, she spoke solemnly, "Something called 'Elixir of Heaven' has been released onto the streets…It's a type of hallucinogenic drug refined from the poppy flower. They are trying to mitigate it's spread."

The hair on the back of Levi's neck stood on end. "Which gang is doing this?" he asked grimly.

Hange traced through the report with a finger, "They call themselves the 'Pit Vipers'. Allegedly they are rooted in the crime networks of the underground…" Closing the folder Hange continued, "It is unclear what the MP's intentions are. They were not forth coming with details."

Levi's eyes darkened as a severity descended upon his countenance. "Opium dealers are the worst of them all," Levi growled. "That shit rots people from the inside out."

Levi loathed the stinking, rotten cesspool of the underground. He recalled the days of his youth, scraping a living from the dank streets and crumbling structures of that festering hell. Feared by thugs and gangsters, Levi had once held a title of the most notorious of them. He had killed drugs dealers, rapists, and thieves without mercy. After his capture by Commander Erwin, Levi abandoned the life of crime he had been reared into. A decade had passed since he had enlisted in the Scouts. He had not stepped foot onto the stairwell that led down into its purgatory since.

Standing, Hange sighed as she pushed back her chair from the desk. Pressing her hands to the table top her head fell between her shoulders. "Humans," she began softly. "Titans, corrupt politicians, drug dealing gangsters…it's always been humans."

"This world is cruel, Hange," he replied indifferently.

Turning up her face, Hange looked at Levi, tears welling upon the lashes of her eye. Pressing her lips together she nodded. "I ask myself what Commander Erwin would do," Hange spoke pensively, her voice shaky.

Levi's countenance softened. As his brows knit together, he looked at her with dark shadows beneath his eyes. "It's not about what he would do anymore," Levi counseled. "It's what will you do."

Standing upright, Hange pushed her hand beneath her glasses as she wiped the tears from her eye. Clearing her throat, Hange straighten her shoulders as she looked at Levi. "If you are prepared," Hange began. "We will depart presently."

Mitras, the Royal Military Hospital

Ellaine sat outside the door of the surgery staring vacantly at her steady hands darkened with warm blood. Thick droplets welled at the tips of her fingers and dripped to the floor. Wailing echoed off the quiet walls of the corridor as a grieving husband screamed for his wife. A burglary in the tenement housing had gone awry when thieves seeking valuables attacked a pregnant woman. As she attempted to defend herself, they maliciously subdued her. Stabbing her purposefully, repeatedly in the stomach, they howled with laugher as she screamed. "Save my child, please! Please, Doctor! Do something!" At the begging behest of the inconsolable husband, Ellaine had performed an emergency cesarean section. Only to find that the child within had been gruesomely dismembered.

"Doctor Ellaine," a timid voice pressed. "Doctor…Doctor Ellaine."

Turning her gaze slowly upwards, Ellaine found that her loyal orderly Baron stood over her. His dark brown eyes were red from crying. "Your orders, Doctor?" he choked.

"Fetch Nurse Anne to console the husband," she replied softly. "When he's ready, prepare the bodies of the deceased."

Baron nodded as he turned to the glass window of the surgery. He watched as the man within sobbed, bent over the bloodied bodies of his wife and child. "What kind of animal could do such a thing?" Baron spoke, his voice filled with emotion.

Ellaine's cold eyes turned towards her hands as she replied quietly, "A human." Standing to her feet, she continued, "I will report this attack to the Military Police."

"Yes, Doctor," Baron spoke as he wiped his eyes upon his sleeve. "What can I do?"

Ellaine's head bowed, she replied once more, "Fetch Nurse Anne."

"Yes, yes," Baron nodded. "Nurse Anne…" The gentlehearted orderly walked down the hall as his shoulders trembled.

Ellaine stood listening to the screams. Closing her eyes, she sighed. "Fuck." Walking across the hall into an empty surgery suite she kicked open the door and approached a large basin sink. Stepping on a lever, water rushed out of a shining silver spigot. Grasping a surgical brush, she scrubbed the blood-stained skin of her arms and hands.

It had been two weeks since Ellaine's return to the Royal Military Hospital. Upon her arrival she had been greeted with a flood of concerning reports by the staff physicians. The Surgeon General called all Chief Medical Officers to an emergency brief, wherein he disclosed that an opium scourge had begun to spread within the city. In the days that followed, more and more civilian patients had sought treatment in the triage. Their complaints of physical assaults had increased in violence from harassments to muggings. Of them all, none were as gruesome as this.

Standing at the sink, Ellaine grit her teeth. "Why doesn't the god damn Military Police do something already," she growled. Clinching her fists, anger flamed in her chest. Turning sharply from the basin, Ellaine threw open the door of the surgery and stormed down the hall. Moving quickly, she paid no heed to the calls of the nurses who passed by her.

Departing the hospital, Ellaine walked with heavily booted step. Surgical gown yet stained with bright blood, she headed towards Military headquarters. It was known to her that officers of the branches had been called and were convening that morning. Moving down the sidewalk, with every step her rage increased. Approaching the iron gated courtyard, Ellaine entered through them. Officers and scouts stopped to stare at her as she passed by them.

Entering through the front doors, a voice called after her, "Hey! Wait! You can't just barge in here!" She could hear nothing of the sounds around her save the pounding drum of her own heartbeat. Ascending the flight of stairs with agile step, her pace quickened as she moved. As the doors of the conference hall came into view, Ellaine approached the guards who stood sentinel.

As the officer's rose to attention, their faces turned in a grimace at the sight of her. As one stepped forward to speak, Ellaine held out her hand as she ordered them in a steady voice, "I am Chief Medical Officer Ellaine Adalheidis, Lady of Stohess, and the daughter of the Surgeon General. Step aside."

With a look of confusion, the guard slunk away as Ellaine missed not a single step. Reaching for the brass handle, she threw it open as she entered abruptly. Striding towards the riser where the MP's sat, her gruesome appearance drew gasps of horror from the officers within. Ellaine watched as those present leapt to their feet at the intrusion, their attentions turning towards her with expressions of shock.

"Chief Officer Adalheidis!" a voice yelled.

"Doctor Ellaine!" another shouted, "You're bleeding!"

Motioning towards her body, Ellaine spoke loudly to the gathered officers, "This…!" Her voice echoed throughout the room, "Is not my blood. It is the blood of a murdered woman and child who died in my surgery this morning."

Eyes smoldering darkly, she spoke in a pressured tone, "This is what an opium scourge looks like when it takes ahold of a city... Will you sit here and do nothing but talk?" Looking at the officers, Ellaine's voice rose to a crescendo, "You must act quickly and decisively! For gods sake do something already!"

Standing to shaky feet, an MP spoke angrily over General Zachary' shoulder, "Doctor Ellaine, you are out of line!"

A haunting expression shadowed her countenance. Outstretching her hand Ellaine pointed towards them as she spoke forebodingly, "Every day you hesitate, more innocent civilians are going to die. I am here to remind you of that!"

"Guards! Get her out of here!" an officer shouted loudly.

Casting her gaze to the crowd, Ellaine saw among them that Captain Levi sat at the rear of the room. The seething anger that burned through her veins stalled as his presence brought pause to the storm of emotions within her. "Levi…" Standing nobly draped in a gown of blood, her glowing cobalt eyes held Levi's unfaltering gaze. Ellaine watched as he rose from his chair, fist clinched at his side.

Military police rushed into the room from the hall. As they approached Ellaine to take her into custody, General Zachary lifted his hand to stay the officers. No further did they advanced as he stood from his chair. "Doctor Ellaine, I hear your pleas," Zachary spoke calmly.

Breaking her gaze from Levi, Ellaine turned to General Zachary. His wrinkled, grey countenance reserved, the premier counseled her reassuringly, "The matter is in our hands. I assure you, justice will be done." Bowing his head to her he spoke warmly, "Return to the hospital where the people need you most of all."

Head held proudly aloft, Ellaine replied resolutely, "I will hold you to your word, General." As she moved once more towards the doorway, General Zachary commanded the soldiers there present, "Stand down. Lady Adalheidis will leave in peace. Do not raise your hands to her."

Bewildered, the police stepped aside as Ellaine moved through them. Walking into the hall she strode with eyes focused ahead. Now listless from the expenditure of her anger, she turned down an empty gallery, wondering aimlessly. Coming to rest before an open window, she leaned against the wall. Warm afternoon light flooded the quiet space. Bowing her head, the fury that gripped her had begun to wane as numbness took its place. At her side, she felt a presence appear.

Levi's voice spoke, "Follow me."

Remaining quiet, Ellaine stepped alongside Levi as he led her down the corridor. Approaching the far end, he opened the door to an officer's study. As she entered, Levi assured that no one saw them as he followed her within and secured the door. Ellaine walked languidly to the center of the empty room. As he slowly approached her, Levi studied the emotionless expression upon her downcast face. Ellaine's eyes did not turn up to meet his. Lost in thought, she stood silently transfixed.

Ellaine's bold condemnation of the Military Police's inaction had made Levi's heart race. Her righteous indignation had yielded every officer to her commanding presence. When he saw the soldiers approaching to apprehend her, Levi had been compelled to his feet to defend her. Though he knew her birthright, it was not until General Zachary called Ellaine by her proper title that Levi understood who she really was.

"They stabbed her so many times…" Ellaine spoke at last, her voice hollow and distant. Lifting her countenance, she looked at Levi with resolute eyes. Tears welling upon her lashes, they dripped across her stoic face, "We must stop whoever is behind this."

Levi's brows narrowed darkly as he listened. "These bastards will be found," he spoke firmly.

Taking a shaky breath, Ellaine pulled the ties of the surgical gown at her waist. Loosening, the blood-stained fabric fell heavily to her feet. "What use is it to save humanity from titans," she spoke softly. "If we cannot save humanity from itself?"

"The nature of men cannot be changed," Levi replied coldly. "War, disease, death… these will persist for as long as humans live."

"What of peace, temperance?" Ellaine questioned her brows knitting together. "Are honor and dignity simply ornamental words? No…" Shaking her head, she continued, "Goodness is in the hearts of men."

Levi saw in her eyes the familiar flame of hope. The same enduring power he saw in the courageous spirit of Commander Erwin, of Hange, and of every scout who sacrificed their lives to safeguard humanity. Ellaine's bravery and strength had not ceased to endear her to him.

"Tell me...," Levi questioned, "How does one chastise the Premier without fear of execution?"

Ellaine laughed softly. "The General has known me since I was a girl…my rebellious nature is not new to him," she spoke with a gentle smile.

"So, what now?" Levi asked studying her. "Do I bow to you or salute you, Lady Adalheidis?"

Ellaine's eyes narrowed sharply. "Don't ever call me by that retched title," she chastised, playfully cross.

Levi tilted his head thoughtfully. "When you're angry at me," he began, "I call you Chief Officer Ellaine." Her eyes brightened as she scoffed. "When you're sewing up one of my scouts," Levi recounted as he stepped towards her. "I call you Doctor Ellaine." Reaching for her, he pressed his hand gently to her cheek. "What do I call you now?"

Leaning her head into his palm, a gentle flush rose across her cheeks. "When I am with you," she spoke quietly. "Call me only Ellaine." Pressing her hand against his she looked at Levi with softened eyes.

Brushing his thumb across her cheek, he spoke softly, "Ellaine..."

Evening, Central Mitras

A thunderstorm had rolled over the city and blanketed the hot summer evening. As the clouds opened, rain poured from the sky. Slicked cobblestone streets glistened darkly. Levi stood beneath the awning of headquarters, it was half past nine o clock in the evening. He looked down at the small piece of paper in his hand. Ellaine had scribbled her address upon it before stubbornly returning to the hospital without escort.

"I'll go alone," she had pressed. "I'll be alright…"

Looking up, there was no signs of pause in the rain. Pushing the paper into his pocket, Levi pulled up his hood and strode out into the wet streets, lit dimly by the glow of street lamps. Following beside the shelter of the buildings, he moved through the dark night. No one lingered in the thoroughfares as the storm had driven the nightlife of Mitras indoors. Passing the lights of the taverns, Levi listened to the sounds of laughter and revelry from within as he moved onward. Turning down the block, he made his way towards a white washed apartment building.

Entering through the front door, he pushed the hood from his head as he shook his cape, water droplets falling about him. Casually ascending the stairs, he made his way to the third level. Walking down the dimly lit hall, he approached Ellaine's door, number 308. It was then that he saw the frame had been broken, the handle hanging loosely. Levi's heart leapt against his chest. Gritting his teeth, he slowly approached, until at last he threw open the door and entered. "Ellaine?" he called sharply.

In the dark, the apartment was empty and cast in shadow. As a lightning bolt flashed, Levi saw that the furniture within had been over turned, a vase of flowers smashed upon the floor, books and papers strewn across the room. He recognized her doctor's bag; it had been dumped upon the bed and rifled through, bottles and instruments laying haphazardly tossed about. There was no way of determining signs of a struggle in the debris. He found no bloodied weapons or bullet casings. Moving into the washroom, he saw the mirror of the vanity had been shattered with a single fist sized impact. His eyes instinctively looked for a splatter of blood though there was none. A sickening trepidation descended upon him as he stood stark still in the chaos of the ransacked apartment. "Where is she?"

Mind a frantic whir, Levi followed his instincts. Dashing from the apartment, he fled down the flights of stairs in leaps. Throwing open the door of the building he ran head long into the night. Rain fell heavily from the sky as he moved beneath the street lamps. Levi sprinted through the alleyways as he passed military headquarters. Wet hair clinging to his face, the rain stung his skin as he moved. Was it disgruntled military police? Thieves? Levi's thoughts raced through the possibilities. "Not her...Not her…" As the lights of the Royal Hospital came into view, Levi pushed harder. Running through the courtyard towards the column lined entrance, he grasped the heavy iron clad door as he pulled it open. Sliding across the slick white marble floor, Levi steadied himself as his wet boots gave no traction. Within the quiet halls, dimmed with gas lanterns, nurses turned to look at him with surprise.

"Sir?" a nurse asked, "Are you alright?"

"Doctor Ellaine?" Levi spoke in a pressured voice, his breath hastened. "Where is she?"

Her brows raising, the nurse spoke quickly, "In her office, she was there a moment ago…"

Sprinting up the stairwell, the nurse called after him, "Wait, Sir!" Holding to the banister, he ascended them in a flash. He recognized the corridor that led to the great hall and turning, saw a row of bureaus on the opposite end of the landing. Moving quickly towards them he read the names etched upon the glass windows until at last he found hers. Opening the door, he stepped within as he called for her frantically, "Ellaine?"

Levi saw that she stood before a humble mirror, dressed in a simple civilian gown of blue, tying the belt of her trench coat. Turning towards him with surprise, she spoke aghast, "Levi?" Walking with heavy steps towards her, he wrapped his arms around her as she dropped the leather satchel from her shoulder. Embracing her tightly, Levi breathed heavily.

"You are soaking wet!" she cried as the cold damp of his skin and hair pressed against her. "Levi? Levi what's wrong?" Pressing her hands to his drenched cloak she held him close.

Releasing Ellaine, Levi looked at her with wild eyes. Studying her quickly, inspecting for injury, he saw none. His chest rose and fell with labored breath as he panted. Ellaine's unexpected delay leaving the hospital had unknowingly spared her from the attack.

"I'm sorry I'm late to meet you, a patient they, I…" she stammered with alarm. Brows knit together, her azure eyes widened, "What is happening? Did you run here?"

"Ellaine," Levi spoke, his voice gruff. "Your apartment has been ransacked."

"What?" she asked with a grimace.

"I thought someone had…" he began, his voice trailing.

"Had what?" Ellaine spoke with concern. Pressing her hands to his chest she calmed him, "I'm okay… I'm right here."

Sliding his hands into her hair, Levi pulled her close as he kissed her. Winding her hands into his shirt, Ellaine parted her lips. The wet heat of his mouth over hers and the cold damp of his body sent chills rushing across her skin. She sighed as he kissed her eagerly opened mouthed. Pressing his brow to hers, Levi exhaled slowly, his heart yet racing in his chest.

Looking into Ellaine's eyes, Levi urged her departure, "It's not safe in Mitras. You must leave the city."

"I can't leave," she admonished softly. "I won't abandon my patients…"

"Ellaine, you're a target," he warned, gritting his teeth.

"What do you mean?" she spoke with confusion.

"The thief from your library," Levi recalled darkly. "It was a mule. Gangs in the underground use children to find the weakness of their targets."

It was then that a quiet voice came from the door. Looking over Levi's shoulder, Ellaine saw that Nurse Maggie appeared there, gentle eyes staring beyond in worry. Seeing them together, her young face burned brightly with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry!" Maggie shrieked as she moved quickly to leave the room.

"Maggie!" Ellaine shouted after her.

Levi dropped his hands from Ellaine's countenance as he straightened his shoulders. The shadows beneath his eyes deepened, they had been caught. Turning his gaze, Levi looked towards the door. Black locks slicked back against his head, eyes sharply focused, water dripping from his dark cape. Levi stood guarding Ellaine like a devilish sentinel.

The sheepish nurse peered beyond the door frame with terror. Stepping inside, she pressed her hands together as she bowed her head. "Doctor Ellaine, a-are you alright?" she spoke nervously. Squeezing her eyes shut she whined, "Captain Levi, you are really scary looking."

Pressing fingertips to her brow Ellaine sighed as she shook her head. "Maggie, fetch me the key to the physician's loft," she spoke softly. "My apartment has been broken into. I will stay at the hospital tonight."

"Oh my goodness," Maggie yelled with shock, her eyes widening, "Yes ma'am, I will, right away." Dashing from the office, Maggie's heeled footstep could be heard running down the hall.

Grasping Levi's cold, pale hand, Ellaine rubbed it between her own. "You are freezing Levi," she spoke softly.

Looking at Ellaine, Levi remained quiet. His hand grasped between hers, he curled his fingers around her palm. The thought had not yet retreated from his mind that she might have been killed that night. If time had occurred any differently, he would have found her lying in the broken glass and trampled flowers. He swallowed hard. The closer Ellaine grew to him, likewise did a terrible fear grow within him at the thought of her loss. Releasing his hand, Ellaine looked towards the door as Maggie appeared once more.

Returning with a brass skeleton key in hand, Maggie walked timidly towards Ellaine. Holding it out to her, Maggie's eyes shined as she looked bravely into Levi's. "Don't do anything creepy, Captain," she barked. "If you hurt Doctor Ellaine, so help me..."

Levi's brows narrowed as he looked at the blushing, flustered nurse. "Creepy?" He could tell she had mustered a great deal of courage to speak in her mistress' defense.

"Sweet Maggie," Ellaine laughed as she took the key in her hand, "The Captain won't harm me." Ellaine continued in a low voice, "For my safety, speak of this to no one. Do you understand?" Nodding her head, Maggie's eyes softened. Turning from them, she departed quietly.

Ellaine waited until they were alone. With a sigh, she looked at Levi. Pressing her hand to his chest she spoke softly, "Come with me upstairs…we need to get these wet clothes off you."

(Authors note: For the sake this story, I am including one of my personal favorite "ships", in that I absolutely adored the relationship between Hange and Moblit. There's no greater act of selflessness and love than saving someone life, as seen in Moblit's sacrifice to save Hange. Thank you so much for reading. Next chapter will include another sex scene, because who doesn't love a good romp mixed in with violence and death. As always, please leave your thoughts and comments in the ratings. Respectful regards, THOA)

(Characters and places within the AOT world belong to Hajime Isayama and full copywrite belongs to him. OC and plotline belong to author THOA.)