Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexual content

Enjoy

Utgard Castle, Wall Rose, 850...

Bertholdt glanced around the empty room. Just like the floor below, there were crates scattered about. Henning placed a torch in a holder by the door, and leaned against the wall. Raisa walked over to the crates and pushed them around with her foot. Bertholdt watched her silently as she sat down on one of the crates. Raisa raised an eyebrow at him. "Have a seat."

He hesitated at first, but walked over to sit nonetheless. Despite the couple of feet of distance between them, he felt uncomfortably close to her. The crate was perfect size for her, but for him, it was small. He placed his hands on his thighs and wiped away his sweat. Raisa furred her eyebrows. "Relax, Hoover. You look like a scared puppy."

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

"Why are you apologizing?" she asked.

Bertholdt paused. "Uh...I, uh...I'm just having a hard time relaxing. It's been pretty chaotic and intense lately."

"I can only imagine." Raisa leaned forward and rested her elbows on her thighs. "I suppose this isn't what you envisioned when you chose the Survey Corps, is it?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Rigorous training, participating in an expedition, and now, titans have invaded Wall Rose...all in a month? I had it easy during my first couple years as a Scout compared to you." Raisa tilted her head ever so slightly. "Seriously, Bee. Relax. Why are you so anxious?"

Bertholdt flinched at her question. He wiped his hands on his thighs again. "With all due respect, Section Commander, I've been called out by a superior officer. I can't help but feel like I'm...in trouble."

"You're not in trouble," she assured him with a smile. "We're just talking."

"Do Section Commanders and recruits normally talk in dim rooms like this?"

Raisa blinked then chuckled. "Touche. You know, your initial assessment scores were off the charts. You have tons of natural talent. You were ranked third in your class, right?"

"Yes, I was." Bertholdt furred his brows. "How do you know about my assessment scores?"

"Oh, we Section Commanders review all new recruits' files," she answered. "It's how we best determine who should be placed in who's section. Actually, every regiment does that. Surely you learned about military procedure in the Cadet Corps...?"

Bertholdt felt the tension in shoulders subside. "Oh...yes, ma'am. I did. Sorry."

"Now that I think about it, a lot of our talent seems to come from the south and west," Raisa noted. "You're from the south, correct? A mountain village? I know I just said I've read your file, but I can't seem to remember."

"Yes, I am. Southside of Wall Maria. It was hardly a village, though," he confessed. "I don't even think it was on the map."

"You'd be surprised. What was the name of it?"

"Farran," he answered.

"You said it was hardly a village...was it a new settlement?"

"No. Maybe...two generations old, I guess."

"Was there a library or a post office?"

Bertholdt was beginning to grow confused. "A post office."

Raisa maintained her friendly tone. "Southside of Wall Maria is very mountainous. And our evacuation system was nowhere near what it is now...how'd you get out?"

"Actually, we were evacuated. Some people from the river town at the foot of the mountain rode up to warn us." He lowered his gaze to the floor. "But...it was already too late. All the adults gave us kids the horses and sent us north. They stayed behind to...distract the titans."

"Your parents included?"

He nodded. "Any siblings?" He shook his head. "What were your parents' names?"

Bertholdt met her gaze. Her face was friendly and inviting, but her eyes...they were serious. He quickly looked away. "I'm sorry, Section Commander, I don't understand. Am I-"

"What don't you understand?" she asked. "And I'm really confused as to why you keep apologizing. We're just having a conversation, Bee."

His flicked his gaze to Henning. He was standing in the shadows of the torch, his face hidden. Bertholdt clenched his fists. "A conversation? This feels like an interrogation."

"In what way?" Her tone was still friendly. "I just wanna get to know you better."

She almost laughed at the dubious face he gave her. "Guess I don't really come across as the 'big sister' type...or the 'friendly mentor'."

"No, you most certainly do not," Henning interjected.

Raisa pointed at him whilst keeping her eyes on Bertholdt. "Your input is not relevant!"

Bertholdt felt the familiar tension in his shoulders subside again. Raisa pinched the bridge of her nose between her eyes. He studied her, and relaxed his fists. "Is this about the Female Titan?"

Raisa peeked at him over her hand. "It seemed odd that us recruits were separated from the rest of the regiment once we returned to Calaneth," he continued. "Not to mention we were obviously being guarded. Isolated."

"And here I thought you were just a cute puppy," she said, smirking. "Tell me...why do you think we had you kids isolated?"

Bertholdt felt sweat beads roll down his back. "You suspect us of something. The Female Titan took us by surprise, and she...her goal was to capture Eren, right? But she failed."

"Go on," she said, gesturing for him to continue.

"Commander Erwin would've wanted to try again, right? I've...heard he's the type to do so," Bertholdt continued. "Eren's supposed to be handed over to the Military Police in the capital. I don't doubt that they would've wanted to escort him from HQ through S...Stohess..."

"What's wrong? You were on a roll."

"You're...trying to find the Female Titan's allies, aren't you?" Bertholdt tried to control his breathing. "You already know her real identity...!"

Raisa blinked nonchalantly. "It's only natural to assume she has allies, right? She broke our formation, slaughtered the right flank, and tore through the center. The only way she would've been able to take us by surprise like that is if she had spies in the Survey Corps."

"And you think...it's me?"

"I'm here to question all of you," she confessed with a shrug. "Every single recruit. You kids just happen to be the first I've come across. Had the titans not appeared, we'd be having this conversation at the safehouse. Someone's gotta be first, Bee."

Bertholdt blinked in surprise which Raisa noted. She narrowed her eyes and smiled condescendingly. "Why'd you think I was singling you out? You've got nothing to hide, right?"

In an instant, his nervousness disappeared as he realized something. "Wait...if you're questioning us, then...is she not talking? Is she resisting? Did you...what did you do to her?"

Raisa's smile faltered at his accusatory tone. Her eyes darkened and Henning moved his hands over his anchor handles. "What did I do to her? Shouldn't you be more curious about who the Female Titan really is?"

Bertholdt widened his eyes. Raisa hadn't moved, but his eyes flicked to her ODM gear. And she noticed. "Why are you looking at my gear, Bee?"

He re-clenched his fists. The door above suddenly burst open, and Axel entered with a look of composed terror. "Section Commander! Titans are coming!"

Raisa got to her feet. "Henning, get the others! Hoover, with me!"

Henning threw the door open and disappeared to get the others. Bertholdt obediently followed Raisa up the stairs. On the roof, Gelgar stared at the approaching titans. Raisa widened her eyes in confused shock. The titans were swarming, clawing at the tower. Gelgar finally noticed Raisa and Bertholdt. "Section Commander! I-I couldn't see them in the dark."

Henning ran onto the roof with everyone else behind him. Nanaba gasped at the sight before them. "How can they move?"

"This shouldn't be happening!" Eckhart added. "The sun went down hours ago!"

Raisa glanced up at the full moon. Could it be possible? It's just a theory, but...they've never moved at night before so why now?! "Hey, guys!" Conny called. "The hell is that?"

He pointed to a titan walking by. Raisa deepened her confused frown. It was a massive titan, easily over 17 meters. It looked like an ape with long arms and covered in brown fur save for it's belly and back. It showed no interest, just lumbering on by. "It's gotta be a titan, but have you ever seen on that big?" Conny continued. "Look at it! It's more like...some kind of beast! It's headed for the wall!"

Raisa flicked her gaze to the kids. Both Reiner and Bertholdt were staring at the Beast with wide, amazed eyes. Ymir and Conny both noticed their faces as well, and were confused. Raisa silently cursed their situation. There goes my doubts. What a shitty situation we're in. A fat, 10-meter titan suddenly slammed itself against the tower. Everyone grabbed onto the guard walls for stability. Gelgar growled in frustration. "Hey, hey! Back off! Don't be coming up here!"

He hopped atop the guard wall, drawing his swords. "Ain't'cha got nothin' better to do? Bother someone else! I should be drinking right now, damn it!"

"Gelgar, calm down!" Raisa ordered as she drew her swords. "Henning, take point!"

"With pleasure." He hopped up beside Gelgar. "Come on! The only things standing between us and a tankard of ale are these ugly bastards! Attack!"

Henning led the veterans off the roof. They plummeted below and the titans opened their hands, waiting and hungry. "Think it's gonna be that easy, big guy?" Gelgar demanded. "I've got news for ya!"

He sliced through the 10-meter's fingers. Nanaba swung down and swiftly dealt the killing blow. The titan fell atop three smaller ones, crushing them instantly. Raisa turned away from the scene as the others engaged. "You kids get below and improvise some sort of barricade."

"Barricade?" Christa echoed.

"The wooden doors are no match for the smaller titans," Raisa continued. "They're most likely already in the castle. Be careful. The rest of us will keep any more from getting in as best we can. Retreat back up here as a last resort."

They stared at her, overcome with fear. "Go! Now!"

They all snapped to attention and headed for the stairs. "Yes, ma'am!"

Raisa paused a moment, watching the kids disappear down the steps. She turned her attention back to the titans below. Her squad, Gelgar, and Nanaba were breezing through the ones surrounding the tower. She noticed there were a few lingering on the outskirts of the castle. Axel flew back up to the roof with Nanaba. "Commander! What's the plan?"

"Keep your attention on those around the tower," she said. "I'll deal with the outliers."

Nanaba blinked in surprise. "Commander, it's too dark. There's no way you could-wait! Commander!"

Raisa flew down and dove between two 15-meter titans. Eckhart and Lynne swiftly killed the two of them as Raisa zoomed further amongst the enemy. Nanaba was about to call for her when Axel stopped her. "She's got this, okay? Commander Raisa has the highest kill-count out of the entire Regiment. No one's beaten her record. "

"Kill-counts don't matter when it's dark!" Nanaba argued.

"Take a look for yourself."

He pointed. Nanaba followed his gaze and gasped. Raisa was tearing through the ones lingering at the edge of the forest. They fell atop each other as she severed their ankles, and their limbs flopped uselessly. They were too slow to keep up with her. Nanaba blinked, struggling to see. Raisa moved fast. Too fast. She disappeared in the darkness and reappeared in the moonlight. Axel nudged Nanaba. "Come on! There's plenty for us to take care of."

"Right!"

The wind was rushing in Raisa's ears, but her heart was steady. As she moved, everything appeared clearly to her. Every titan. In the dark, their bodies were a light gray and they moved way to slow to catch her. She was careful with her blades, cutting through their flesh like butter. One titan tried to clap it's hands around her like it was catching a fly. She severed it's fingers, and flew up to it's neck. She dug her blades in deep, accidentally drenching herself in blood, but she kept moving. She dragged her blades around through the neck to the nape, almost taking the titan's head completely off. These titans are different. The lack of sun doesn't even seem to bother them. She killed the last one lingering in the forest, wearing down her blades.

As it fell, she replenished. Not once in a hundred years has there been a recorded case of titans moving at this time of night. Where were these titans hiding? None of them were seen by the others. Raisa cut through the back of the knees of a 10-meter that had managed to grab hold of Eckhart. It fell, wobbling and released Eckhart. "Thanks, Commander!"

Raisa flew up and sliced through the nape, getting covered in more blood. She flew through the smaller ones, avoiding their grasp and cutting their heads clean off-nape included. She rejoined some of the others at the tower. Lynne gasped upon seeing Raisa covered in steaming blood. "Commander, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she said. "None of this is mine. Looks like only the five-meters and smaller are left."

"Piece o' cake!" Gelgar chuckled.

Raisa tilted her head, hearing a strange, growing growl. She glanced up and saw a 3-meter titan falling. "Move!"

The three of them dodged the falling titan as it slammed into the stone ground. Henning swept through and killed it and a 4-meter reaching for him. Raisa zipped straight up to the window the 3-meter fell from. She hopped onto the window sill, scaring the kids. Conny, Bertholdt, and Christa screamed upon the sight of her. "Calm down," she growled. "Are you kids alright?"

"Y-Yes," Conny answered. "But, Reiner's hurt."

Raisa glanced over Conny's head. Reiner was in the middle of the room with Christa. His arm was bloodied with a large bite mark on it. The wound confused Raisa. I thought...I'll have to worry about it later. She exhaled in mild relief. "It doesn't look too severe. Most of the titans are dead so we'll most likely survive the night."

"You're kidding?" Ymir huffed. "There were so many."

Raisa raised an annoyed eyebrow. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

A strange whooshing sound drew her attention. She listened and then turned to look outside. Suddenly, the stables exploded into dust and rubble. Raisa gasped in shock. The horses! Conny hesitated to go to the window. "What was that?!"

"Stay here!" Raisa ordered.

She flew out and up to where Gelgar and Nanaba were hanging. "Commander! Did you see-!"

"I saw," she said. Her hair and clothes were beginning to dry from the evaporating blood. "Where did it come from?"

"We don't-"

Another whoosh. The top of the tower was suddenly hit with a large rock, right where Lynne and Axel were standing. Raisa gasped as their bodies soared through the air. "Axel! Lynne!"

"What the hell's going on?!" Gelgar asked through gritted teeth.

Raisa flew up to the top, and caught Lynne. Henning followed and managed to catch Axel. Eckhart, Nanaba, and Gelgar finally made it to the roof as Raisa and Henning set their dead comrades down. "Oh, no."

"They're dead," Raisa informed.

Nanaba glanced over at the wall and gasped. "Oh, my God."

Everyone followed her gaze. The Beast Titan was roaring with his fists raised in the air. By his feet, there were chunks of the wall missing. Gelgar lowered his gaze to the forest. "Oh, shit. We've got twice as many as before!"

Raisa smoothed Lynne's hair. What the fuck is going on? This isn't random. This was planned!

"Twice as many?! You've got to be kidding me!" Eckhart growled. "What the hell?"

He suddenly gasped and tackled Nanaba and Gelgar. Henning frowned at them then noticed a large rock sailing straight for them. There was no way to dodge it. In the split second, he turned and shoved Raisa. She glanced back at him as she fell through the hole in the roof. Her surprised gaze met Henning's desperate one. She instinctively reached for him as gravity took hold of her. He disappeared as the rock slammed into the roof. Raisa plummeted through the tower and landed hard on the floor below. She crashed into a stack of crates, becoming enveloped in wood, steam, and dust. "Holy shit!" Conny shouted. "Was that...?!"

The kids paused on the stairs, staring at the wreckage below. Christa gasped in realization. "Commander Raisa!"

"Christa, wait!" Ymir called.

Christa hurried back down the stairs. As the others rushed down, she waved away the dust and steam. She moved some broken wood pieces aside, then paused upon finding Raisa. "Oh, no."

The others gathered around as Christa knelt down beside Raisa's body. She was laying on her left side and completely motionless. Christa's hands hovered over Raisa's shoulders, almost shaking. She gulped and gently rolled Raisa onto her back. Christa gasped in shock. Raisa had ugly wood pieces sticking out of her left-side abdomen and her left thigh, and blood oozing out of her nose and mouth. She had a nasty gash on the left side of her forehead reaching into her hairline. Bertholdt took a deep breath and slumped his shoulders. "She's dead."

Christa pressed her hand to Raisa's neck. She widened her eyes. "She's...still alive."

"What? There's no way." Ymir frowned and glanced up at the hole in the roof. "That's at least thirty-feet. She dead-fell right into this crap. I mean, look at her."

"She has a pulse." Christa held her fingers a centimeter from Raisa's nostrils. "And she's breathing...but barely."

Conny knelt down beside Christa. "We need to move her...Bertholdt, help me."

"O-Okay." Bertholdt walked around to Raisa's left side.

"Careful," Conny warned. "We don't want to make things worse."

Bertholdt nodded. He slid one arm under her knees, and then slowly started to slip his other arm under her back. As soon as his hand began to worm against her ribs, Raisa suddenly screamed awake. Bertholdt yelped in surprise. He tried to withdraw, but Raisa latched onto him. Christa tried to calm her. "Don't move, Commander! You're hurt."

Raisa cried out in a mix of pain and anger. She glanced down at the wood pieces sticking out of her body, and cried out again, throwing her head back. Bertholdt felt her grip tighten as her breathing grew heavy and erratic. "Son of a bitch!" Raisa shouted. "Ah! Fuck!"

"Commander, you need to calm down," Christa urged. "We need to move you and dress your wounds as best we can."

Raisa threw her head back again, grunting in frustration and agony. "Goddamn it."

Bertholdt studied her painful expression. He still had one arm under her knees. "Can you feel your legs?"

Raisa's breathing slowed a bit. Her left leg twitched while her right shifted and her foot wiggled. "Yeah. I can still feel my legs."

"That's good," Conny said. "Bertholdt's gonna pick you up. We gotta get you off this stuff and lay you flat. Maybe pull these pieces out?"

"No, she'll just bleed out," Ymir countered. "It's better to secure them in place-"

"No," Raisa breathed, glancing back down at the pieces impaled in her. "Pull them out."

"Commander, you're not thinking straight," Reiner said. "Ymir's right. It's best to leave them in place until we can get you to a doctor."

Raisa shook her head. She immediately felt dizzy from the movement. "Trust me. Pull them out. Bind my wounds."

Christa glanced at Reiner's arm then at her own ripped skirt. "I don't think we have any bandages."

Raisa pulled at Bertholdt's sweater. "Take this off. It's thick enough. And your belts."

Bertholdt and Reiner exchanged glances. "C'mon!" Ymir shouted. "Sweater and belts off!"

Bertholdt gently pulled his arm free and began taking off his sweater. Reiner struggled a bit to take off his belt one-handed, but managed to wiggle it free and hand it over. Raisa stared up at the open sky through the hole in the roof. The images of Axel and Lynne's bodies flashed through her mind. As well as Henning's and the look her gave her as he shoved her, desperate to save her life and his own fear of his impending demise. Why did you do that? Why? Christa noticed a few tears streaming down Raisa's face. "I'm sorry. I know it hurts."

Raisa chuckled weakly. "I haven't...been in this much pain since...since I gave birth."

The kids exchanged worried, surprised glances. Christa silently gestured for Conny and Bertholdt to prepare to remove the wooden pieces. "You have a child?"

"A son," she answered softly. "He looks...just like his dad."

Everyone stared at Raisa, their fear growing. She closed her eyes, feeling their despair. She inhaled sharply, swallowing the pain. "Do it."

Bertholdt pulled the piece out of her abdomen first. Raisa tried not to squirm as she cried out. Ymir quickly pressed the torn pieces of Bertholdt's sweater to the wounds. Christa slipped Reiner's belt around Raisa's middle and secured the makeshift bandages in place. "Tell me about your sons," Christa said softly. "What's his name?"

Raisa tried to think as Ymir moved down to her thigh. "Remi. He's just...the cutest little monster that've ever lived. Heh. I'm sure...every parent says that...about their kid."

"And he looks just like his father?" Christa asked as Conny removed Raisa's blade holders.

"Yeah." Raisa swallowed. Her throat was dry and it each breath was painful. "But he has...my eyes, though."

Raisa met Ymir's gaze. She had her hand on the wooden piece, but was reluctant to pull. Raisa nodded, and Ymir yanked the piece free. As Conny and Reiner bandaged her thigh with Bertholdt's belt, Raisa felt majority of her pain subside, and her body began to relax. She gently grabbed Christa's arm. "Thank you."

Christa smiled and examined the gash on Raisa's forehead. "Looks like it stopped bleeding. To be honest, I don't know how long you'll last in this condition."

"I'm...tougher than I look." Raisa sighed. Bertholdt and Reiner exchanged suspicious glances. "We need to get to the roof. Nanaba, Gelgar, and Eckhart are still out there."

"Okay." Christa said. "Bertholdt?"

"Right." He scooted forward, slipping his arm under her knees again. "Are you ready?"

She nodded. Bertholdt slid his other arm under her back as gently and quickly as he could. Raisa scrunched her face and yelped in pain. She held onto him, pressing her face against his shoulder as he stood up. They hurried up the stairs and Bertholdt did his best not to jostle her in his arms. He could feel her blood staining his shirt, and he wondered how long she really would last in her condition. Conny held onto Raisa's blade holders, some hopeful part of him wondered if they could use the blades. Christa and Ymir made it to the roof first. The others joined them. Raisa lifted her head. Thanks to Bertholdt's height, she could see over Christa. "They're...," Conny's voice wavered. "They got them."

Down below, Eckhart was being gnawed on by a two titans, pulling at his body like he was a noodle. Gelgar had his head bitten off, and some smaller titans were reaching for his lifeless limbs. Nanaba was crying and screaming as she was being fought over by a few titans. She had already lost a leg. A 15-meter snatched her from the others and shoved her in it's mouth, silencing her pleas. Conny slumped down to his knees. "Damn it!"

Christa grabbed a rock and threw it down at the titans. Ymir grabbed her arm. "What're you doing? Stop! The tower's gonna give any second! You have to stay still."

"Let go!" Christa pulled her arm free. "They're dying! We have to do something!"

Raisa noticed light coming from the horizon. The faces of her sons and Levi came to her mind. Should I do it? I wonder...if I'll able to survive this. "Now what?" Conny lamented. "We sit around waiting for the tower to collapse and let ourselves get eaten alive? There's nothing else we can do? This is bullshit. We'll be wiped out before getting to finish what we started."

"No," Raisa said. She closed her eyes, accepting her own fate. "This isn't over. Bee, put me down."

"What? Why? You can't stand on your own."

"I don't need to stand to use my gear," she argued. She moved to slip her legs free, but Bertholdt held on tight. "Put me down! That's an order."

"Wait, are you gonna go and fight?" Conny asked, his eyes widening in disbelief. "You couldn't possibly stand a chance. It's suicide!"

"I told you...I'm tougher than I look." She tried to wiggle free, but she was too weak to fight against Bertholdt's strength.

"But I have your blades!" Conny kicked her blade holders that we lying beside him.

"You don't have to fight," Christa said. "Let me wear your ODM gear. I can do it. I will do it. I'll fight...to my last breath. Try to be worthy of everyone who died for-"

"Christa! Enough with that kinda crap already, okay?" Ymir scolded, shoving Christa away from Raisa. "Don't you dare use their deaths as an excuse. They didn't sacrifice themselves so you could fulfill some fantasy about going out in a blaze of glory."

Christa furred her brows. "You know that's not what I mean-"

"And you damn well know you're not like Vanessa!" Ymir continued, her tone surprising Christa. "She's in it to give humanity a fighting chance. Deep down all you care about is having the word 'hero' carved on your epitaph!"

Christa took a step back, shaking her head. "That's...that's not it at all."

Ymir huffed in frustration and pushed past her. "Commander, I'll do it. I'm better suited for it, anyway. You don't have to sacrifice your humanity. Or your secrets."

Raisa frowned in confusion. "What? What're you...?" She widened her eyes as Ymir gave her a knowing look. Ymir turned to Conny. "Where's that knife you had?"

"Huh?" He reached into his pocket. "Why?"

"Just give it here."

Conny groaned and gave her the knife. Ymir took it then patted his head. "You're very sweet. Thanks."

He shoved her hand off. Raisa tried again to get free, but Bertholdt still held on. "Ymir, what're you doing?"

Ymir checked the sharpness of the blade and met Raisa's gaze. "Oh, uh...I'm just...just gonna give 'em a little hell."

"Wait, what?" Raisa deepened her confused frown. "What're you planning to do with that knife?"

"You'll see." Ymir walked back over to Christa and latched onto her shoulders. "Listen to me. I realize you've probably forgotten. But, since we're facing the end, try to think back. Remember that oath that we made on the snowy mountain. I have no business telling you how to live your life. It's not my place. So, I guess when you break it down, this is really just more of a hope. Christa, live a life you can be proud of."

"Ymir," Christa breathed.

Ymir let go of her and walked to the other side of the roof. She took a deep breath. "Never forget the promise we made."

She took off running. Christa raised her arms, and Raisa jerked out of Bertholdt's hold. He managed to wrap his arms under her chest to keep her from falling. "Ymir, stop!"

Ymir jumped up onto the guard wall and leapt off the tower. Christa ran to the edge. "Ymir!"

Ackerman Residence, Trost District, Wall Rose, 847...

Raisa enjoyed the quietness. There was a gentle breeze coming from the open window. She was exhausted, filthy, and tired of being confined to the bed. However, she ignored all that. She held a small bundle in her arms. Her newborn was swaddled, and only his little head was uncovered. He was sleeping soundly in her arms. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. His hair was black, and his skin was copper like hers. She gently pressed her lips to his forehead. His hair tickled her nose. "You smell so good," she whispered. "My Remi."

Remi didn't stir awake. In fact, he moved his head, brushing his tiny face against her. Raisa glanced at the foot of the bed. Levi was leaning over from the chair he sat on. His head was nestled on his folded arms, and he was asleep. He snored ever so softly. Raisa lowered her gaze back to her son. She caressed his cheek with her finger. His skin was smooth and soft. She outlined his chin then tapped his nose. "You look just like your papa."

She kissed his head again. "There was a god, beloved by all. He was best, and all praise him. And so bright, light shone from him. He was brave and he was beautiful. He was so loved that all the other gods wanted to protect him. They'd do anything to keep him safe."

Remi let out a soft sigh, and Raisa beamed with delight at the sound. "You are my light, little one. I'll always protect you. Always."

Utgard Castle, Wall Rose, present day...

"Ymir!"

Everyone went to the edge. As she fell, Ymir cut her hand with the knife and her body erupted in a flash of light. Thunder boomed as Ymir transformed, unleashing a piercing, defiant scream. She was small with long black hair, dark razor sharp nails, and deadly teeth. Ymir latched onto the nearest titan and bit it's nape, tearing it out. She slashed at another one, destroying it's eyes. She jumped onto another one, tearing its nape and roaring. Conny felt his legs shake. "Talk to me. Somebody tell me it's all a dream."

"Ymir," Christa whispered.

Raisa watched the scene below in utter disbelief. What the fuck? How can...is she...? How many of them are there? She noticed Bertholdt was trembling, his arms still wrapped around under her chest. She glanced at Reiner, seeing the terrified recognition on his face. "It was her that day."

"She's the one," Bertholdt whispered.

Ymir continued her flurry of slashing and biting and fighting. But she was small, no more than 5-meters and she was surrounded by taller, stronger titans. Ymir jumped, dodging another titan's tackle and it slammed into the tower. The impact caused Christa to slip, and she began to slid over the edge. She opened her mouth to scream, but Reiner caught her, latching his hand over her ankle. Christa sighed in relief. "Thank you, Reiner. I-Ah! Stop! You're hurting me!"

Reiner stared off into space darkly as his grip on her ankle tightened. He couldn't hear Christa's pleas or Conny's yelling. Raisa shifted in Bertholdt's arms and smacked her palm against Reiner's cheek. "I said let her go! Now!"

Reiner suddenly let go and Conny helped her off the edge. Bertholdt took the moment to scoop Raisa back into his arms bridal style, and she didn't fight him. Reiner blinked as he touched his cheek. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," Christa assured him.

"Christa," Raisa said. "Tell me the truth. Did you know that Ymir's a titan? Did any of you know?"

The boys shook their heads. Christa did as well, glancing back at Ymir fighting below. "She never told me. We were inseparable. I thought...I thought we knew everything about each other."

Raisa frowned dubiously. "She never gave you guys any indication of her power? Or of any knowledge of the titans? Anything?"

"No," Reiner said, angry. "We never suspected a damn thing."

"It's possible she didn't know," Conny suggested. "Eren was caught off guard. He had no clue until he transformed."

"If that were true, we wouldn't be having this discussion," Raisa pointed out. "She obviously had some sort of plan. And you two."

Reiner and Bertholdt blinked in surprise at her tone, and the seriousness in her gaze. "I'll admit the sight of her is shocking," Raisa continued. "But you two seem especially terrified."

"Look at her," Bertholdt said, staying firm against her glare. "She's a titan. You said so yourself she knew what she was doing. All this time...even after Eren's discovery, she didn't say a thing."

"Wait a second." Christa furred her brows. "Are you...are you trying to say Ymir might be a threat?"

"It's hell of a power to hide," Reiner noted. "For all we know...she could've been on their side all along."

Ymir screamed as a titan bit a chunk out of her arm. She smacked it away and jumped. A 15-meter titan latched onto her ankle, and Ymir dug her nails into the stone of the tower. She tried to kick the titan off, but another grabbed her other ankle. Ymir flinched as the stones she held onto shifted. She glanced up at the others who were watching her. After a moment, she suddenly let go of the tower, falling. "Whoa!" Conny shouted. "What is she doing?"

Raisa shifted in Bertholdt's arms, trying to see. He grunted in frustration from having to keep her in place. However, he did notice she didn't react when he tightened his grip on her ribs. Ymir resumed fighting as the titans grabbed at her, struggling against their strength and numbers. "Oh, come on!" Conny continued. "You're kidding, right? She's worried about the damn tower?"

Raisa could see the determination on Ymir's face. "Exactly. She didn't have to stay. She's small and fast...could've chosen to escape."

"Why?" Christa whispered. "Why would she? Why is she fighting? Why is she risking her life for us?"

Raisa felt an incredible urge to laugh, but held it in. I see. She knew exactly what Ymir was doing, what she was prepared to do. I decided the very same before she did. She knows...she knows what I am. Christa suddenly hopped up onto the wall. "Don't you die on me! Not in a hovel like this, damn you!"

"Whoa!" Conny latched onto Christa, keeping her from falling.

"Christa, get down!" Raisa ordered.

"You wanna be the fucking hero all of a sudden?" Christa screamed. She pushed against Conny, but he held on tight. "Hoping to go out in a blaze of glory? Don't make me laugh! You're a selfish bitch and you know it! You'll die protecting this stupid tower! Tear it to pieces! Live for yourself!"

Ymir slipped out of the titans' hold. She jumped towards the hole in the tower and smacked the stone. She grabbed the individual pieces, throwing them as hard as she could at the titans. The tower responded instantly, tilting towards the titans. Reiner and Bertholdt fell back against the roof. "Shit!"

"Brace for impact!" Raisa ordered. "Christa! Get off the edge!"

Christa cheered, unable to hear Raisa or Conny. "Yeah! Atta girl!"

Ymir suddenly appeared, looming over them with her teeth bared. Bertholdt instinctively raised his hand to his mouth. Raisa widened her eyes in realization, seeing the clear determination in Bertholdt's eyes. "Wanna live?" Ymir said. Her voice was deep and throaty. "Grab on tight!"

Ymir leaned her head forward and everyone latched onto her hair. Bertholdt helped Raisa hold on, wrapping Ymir's hair around his wrist for a tighter grip. Once everyone was on, she crawled to the other side. Amongst dust, steam rose into the air as they fell. The tower crumbled against the titans, burying them under stone and dirt. Ymir jumped at the last second, landing at the edge of the courtyard. Everyone slipped off of her hair onto the ground. Bertholdt protected Raisa as he fell onto his rear, unable to catch his balance. "Are you okay?"

"I've been better," she admitted.

The ground rumbled. Several dozen yards away a titan popped it's head out. Christa gasped in disbelief. "They're still not dead?"

Ymir turned around and rushed to it. "No, stop!" Raisa shouted. "Ymir!"

"Why? She can finish them off," Conny argued.

"We need to escape!"

Ymir latched onto the titan and ripped out it's nape. However, another titan grabbed her by her hair and slammed her head against a piece of the tower. Ymir seized and fumbled as blood gushed from her head. More titans popped up, rising from the wreckage. Conny blinked. "That's not good."

Raisa pushed against Bertholdt, trying to stand, but her left leg had no strength. "Ymir! Get out of there!"

Ymir didn't move. The titans swarmed her, pulling at her limbs and tearing at her face. Christa gasped as despair and horror took over her, watching Ymir's body being torn apart. "No. No, please!"

Christa hopped off the courtyard, and slid down the stones. Raisa called after her, but she ignored it. Christa ran towards the feeding frenzy. "Ymir! Don't do this to me!"

"Conny, stop her!" Raisa ordered, still trying to stand.

"Right!" He took off after her. "Christa!"

God damn kids! All of them! Raisa watched Conny hurry after Christa, but he was far behind her. As she continued, a random titan poked it's head out from behind the short castle wall. Christa skidded to a halt, meeting the titan's gaze. It reached for her, and she did nothing to escape or dodge. As it prepared to grab hold, someone swooped in and sliced the titan's nape. The titan fell backwards and the savior landed atop the ruined wall. "Christa, all of you, get back," they said. "It's okay. Let us take care of this."

"Mikasa!" Christa exclaimed.

More Scouts appeared. Soaring up and over, attacking the titans, and Mikasa joined them. Hange rode her horse through the wreckage, Keiji and Eren flanking her. "Disperse and canvas the area! The rest of you follow me to where the titans are gathering and cut them down!"

"Got it!" Keiji confirmed.

Bertholdt, Raisa, and Reiner watched in awed surprise. A young Scout flew from his horse and landed beside them. Raisa blinked, recognizing the Scout. "Arden!"

"Section Commander, I'm glad to see you're alive." Arden breathed a sigh of relief. He was barely older than Reiner and Bertholdt, but carried an air of experience. He knelt down in front of Raisa and Bertholdt, and held out his arms. "I can take you."

"She was impaled on her abdomen and left thigh," Bertholdt informed, helping Raisa transition into Arden's arms. "She's lost a lot of blood. And her ribs might be broken."

"Good work, recruit. You guys stay back for now." Arden prepared to stand, but Raisa stopped him.

She gripped Bertholdt's arm. "Thank you, Bee."

A small, faint blush appeared on his cheeks. But he didn't look bashful, he looked ashamed. Raisa let go, and Arden stood up. The Scouts made quick work of the titans, taking care of the ones eating Ymir. Hange and the others managed to pry her from the smaller titans that managed to pull her from her titan's nape. Moblit and Keiji laid her gently on the ground. Ymir was missing her right arm and leg, and she had a chunk bitten out of her stomach. Christa rushed over as everyone gathered. Arden still had Raisa in his arms and he stood beside Hange. Armin watched in shock. "Can't be. She's really...a titan?"

"Ymir?" Christa whispered as she cradled Ymir's head. Ymir's eyes fluttered open. Christa smiled sweetly at her. "Just as promised. My real name is Historia."

End of Chapter 14