Chapter 15
Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan
Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexuality
Enjoy
Wall Rose, 850...
Eren watched as the Scouts hoisted Ymir slowly up the wall. She was strapped on a stretcher with a Scouts' cowl over her, protecting her wounds from the rain. He glanced over at Arden who was prepping his anchors with a makeshift lift to bring the other recruits up the wall. "What the verdict? How bad a shape is Ymir in?"
Arden paused to look over at Moblit instructing the others in bring Ymir safely up. "She's missing an arm and a leg...and most of her insides. She'd be a goner if she was normal."
"Normal, huh?"
Eren shifted his gaze to the stack of supply crates. Hange was standing beside Raisa who was sitting on the crates and being tended to by Nifa. Raisa seemed to be unbothered by Nifa cleaning up the gash on her forehead. Her leg and abdomen were now properly bandaged. Hange and Raisa listened patiently and intently to Historia. "...telling the truth!" Historia begged. "Ymir could've run away any time she wanted. She chose to fight the titans to save our lives! She had nothing to gain putting herself on the line like that. Doesn't that speak volumes about where her loyalties are?"
"I know how significant it is that Ymir risked her life for us," Raisa said. "However, it's disconcerting that she chose to hide her abilities when she had plenty of chances to come clean. I think the Survey Corps has presented it's view on potential titan allies...and how far it's willing to go to ensure their safety."
"You're right," Historia said, calmly. "She should've told us. It's hard to look past how much humankind might've gained from knowing what she's been keeping to herself, but…I think…I think she was just worried about what people might do to her. Clearly her priorities have changed now."
Hange and Raisa exchanged glances which frustrated Historia. "This isn't nearly as complicated as it looks," she insisted. "No one is closer to Ymir than me, and there's no question in my mind whose side she's on!"
"Well, under the circumstances it certainly behooves us to be friendly," Hange noted, glancing at the Scouts setting Ymir down gently on the Wall. "Her priorities aside, I'll wager what she can teach us about the enemy is beyond measure. Our best course of action is to get her back to Trost for proper medical care."
Historia blinked, feeling faintly hopeful. "So, then...?"
"Ymir will be treated fairly as any Scout would be," Raisa informed as Nifa wrapped her head with clean bandages. "What happens after...well, that depends on her. Be patient and have faith."
Historia swallowed her urge to argue. She nodded and exhaled slowly. Hange hummed as she remembered something. "Oh, uh...Historia Reiss you said your name was?"
"I did," Historia confirmed, tensing.
"Any blood relation to Vanessa Raske by chance?"
Historia studied Hange's friendly, professional expression. "Yes, actually. We are related."
Hange hummed in response, and Raisa raised a curious eyebrow at her. "I'm all done, Commanders," Nifa announced, stepping back. "Your wounds look fine and you should recover in no time."
"Thanks, Nifa."
Historia widened her eyes in bewilderment. "H-How? I mean, that's wonderful to hear, Commander. You were hurt pretty badly."
Hange placed her hand on Historia's shoulder. "Nifa, take this one and check on Ymir. She's in your hands."
"Consider it done." Nifa gestured for Historia to follow.
Raisa felt a familiar feeling and turned to look left. Bertholdt was staring again, but this time, he didn't immediately turn away. His gaze lingered for a moment before he helped Reiner sit down. Bertholdt pulled at his shirt as it was clinging to his skin uncomfortably. Arden noticed Bertholdt's state. "Are you hurt, Hoover?"
"No. This isn't...my blood." Bertholdt pressed his chin to his chest as he studied his shirt. His shoulder and abdomen were stained dark red with Raisa's blood. "Honestly, I'm surprised she's still awake. She lost so much...she should be dead."
"Section Commander Raisa?" Arden raised an eyebrow. "Well...it's true I've never seen her hurt this severely, but...it's gonna take a lot more than that to put her six feet under."
Bertholdt remembered the dark, dim room of the tower and her questions. "She's not like us, is she?"
Arden studied Bertholdt's fearful, suspicious gaze. "I'm not sure how to answer that...to be honest with you," he said carefully. "She's different. We've all come to accept that. She's dedicated her life to the cause. So the 'how' and 'why' doesn't really matter all that much."
With that, Arden walked off. Bertholdt still felt a mixture of suspicion, fear, guilt, and many other things. Reiner seemed too lost in the pain of his arm to notice anything. Bertholdt glanced back over, and caught Raisa staring at him. She looked less intimidating with her head wrapped up. Yet, he wondered if she even really needed the bandages. Raisa watched as Bertholdt turned away. So predictable. She harrumphed and turned her attention back to Hange. "So, did you get the results of my investigation into the Hundred-and-Fourth?"
"Yes. And it's safe to say your suspicions were pretty spot on considering the evidence you've managed to gather." Hange titled her head a little, causing a glare on her goggles. "I gotta admit I'm baffled at how easy it was to put everything together. Makes me wish we had done all this five years ago."
Raisa messed with the bandage around her head, feeling itchy. "So what's the plan?"
Hange raised an eyebrow. "You were supposed to question and detain the suspects, remember?"
Raisa gestured to her wounds. "Bite me."
Hange snorted as she chuckled. "Fine. We can deal with the suspects later. First, our mission: finding the hole and patching it up."
"It can't hurt to take precautions." Raisa continued to eye Hange in annoyance. "Mikasa!"
Mikasa whipped her head around, seeing Raisa wavering her arm. She finished pulling Conny up, and jogged over. "Yes, Section Commander?"
Hange said nothing as Raisa waved Mikasa closer. Mikasa stepped forward, and Raisa grabbed her arm, pulling her down and almost pressing her lips against Mikasa's ear. "Don't leave Eren alone with Hoover and Braun. Got it?"
She let go and Mikasa stood up straight slowly, remaining calm and collected. "Yes, ma'am."
She jogged back over to where Armin and Eren were talking to Reiner and Bertholdt. Hange glanced around at the quiet, empty countryside. "It's troubling. You would expect this area to be teeming with titans."
"Exactly," Raisa agreed. "Between the initial sighting and the swarm we faced...it's almost as if everything was planned and coordinated."
"The questions seem to be piling up faster than we can answer them," Hange noted.
Raisa's frown deepened as she thought. "Speaking of questions...why did you ask Chris...Historia if she was related to Vanessa? And why isn't she here? You brought the rest of the cleared recruits...what's going on?"
Hange tapped her finger on her hip as she thought. That's everything I know. I swear.
Ehrmich District, Wall Sina, 12 hours ago...
Hange hummed as she processed Vanessa's story. She felt like her head might explode from the numerous question building in her head. Hange noticed Moblit entering the meeting room with rest of Hange's section and the recruits. "We'll have to notify Erwin. He needs to decide how proceed with this information."
"I'll take her to him," Levi said, grabbing onto Vanessa's arm.
"But I want to help-"
"Stop whining," he ordered. "You're a soldier. Act like it."
Vanessa slumped her shoulders. Her cheeks still burned with embarrassment. "Yes, sir."
Moblit approached Hange. "Section Commander, the background reports Section Commander Raisa requested. Commander Erwin wanted you to look at them."
Armin's ears perked up and he listened intently. Hange took the files to review them. She glanced at Vanessa and pulled two of the files, setting them down on the table as she continued looking at the rest. Armin walked over, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Section Commander, is that the background report on Annie?"
"On everyone in the Southern Hundred-and-Fourth," Hange answered. "Raisa was the one originally investigating, but had to turn over the information upon receiving new orders. I'm quite amazed at what she was able to dig up considering the bureaucracy we've been facing lately."
"Does that mean you're looking for Annie's accomplices?" Armin asked.
"Yes." Hange rubbed her chin in thought. "And two stand out above the rest. Granted, Annie Leonhart's records are clearly forged which is not unheard of...thanks to the chaos five years ago. But the cadets who hailed from the same region as Annie are a one Reiner Braun, and Bertholdt Hoover."
The recruits widened their eyes in surprise. For some strange reason, Vanessa didn't feel as shocked. Her mind raced over her memories, every interaction, every conversation. "This isn't much to go on," Hange continued. "However, we do know that during the long-range scouting formation, their unit was given false intel. They were among those intentionally misled into thinking Eren was in the right wing."
"Which was the section Annie attacked," Armin reminded.
"What?" Eren snapped. "What does that mean?"
"Well, it's entirely possible they told Annie where they thought Eren was-"
"Where are you going with this, Armin?" Eren's voice grew louder with each word. "You can't just accuse-"
"I totally agree," Hange interjected. "Coincidence doesn't establish relationship. Bearing that in mind, I'm curious to know how the three interacted while training. What can you tell me?"
"I knew Bertholdt and Reiner were from the same region as Annie, but I never saw them act friendly," Armin confessed.
"Same with me," Eren added. "Plus, it's not like Annie was very social to begin with."
"Yeah, at meals she always seemed to prefer eating by herself," Sasha quipped. "Oh! I, uh, heard she likes-"
"Are you guys serious?" Vanessa snapped, almost yanking her arm free from Levi. "Section Commander, Bertholdt and Reiner are from the same village as Annie. They told me they never got along with her, though. They said they escaped because people from the river village nearby warned them."
"Did they confide anything else?" Hange asked. "Anything that seemed suspicious?"
She remembered the last time she saw Marco. "During the Trost incident...I saw Reiner and Bertholdt standing away from the battle. Marco did, too. He went to go get them. And we already know Annie had something to do with his death since she had his gear."
"Vanessa, just stop," Eren insisted. "These are our comrades we're talking about. Yeah, sure. Bertholdt never has a lot to say. But Reiner's like everyone's big brother. And after everything, I don't know that we can really trust what comes out of your mouth!"
"I'm not lying," she argued, still yanking against Levi's grip. "You don't know Reiner like I do. Like I did!"
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Levi asked, frowning in suspicion. Vanessa pressed her lips closed and tried to turn away. "No, you don't get to shut up, now. We're running out of time, and you need to lay everything out on the table."
"I thought I was saving it for Commander Erwin-"
"She and Reiner are together," Mikasa blurted nonchalantly.
The room grew quiet. Vanessa's cheeks burned hotter. "Were together! Damn it, Mikasa! This isn't me being petty or vindictive. I know how serious this situation is."
"I don't think you do," Hange said. "Eren's right. However, like Levi said, you need to lay everything out on the table. Whatever information you might've learned while you were with Reiner could be imperative."
"But...she's definitely on to something," Armin said. "Jean, Reiner, and I fought Annie were she tore through the right flank. It seemed like Reiner was fighting like any normal soldier would, but...Annie grabbed him. She didn't kill him. In fact, he burst free of her grip at the last minute. Afterwards, though, Annie changed her course. I-I had mentioned that Eren might be rear of the center rank, but there's no way she could've heard me."
"Do you recall if he seemed unusually interested in Eren's location?" Hange asked.
Armin met Vanessa's gaze as realization and fear struck him. "I...only brought his position up in the first place because Reiner asked me where I thought Eren might be. And...once he broke free, the female titan stood there staring at her palm, possibly transfixed by something he'd carved onto it with his blades."
"See?" Vanessa finally yanked her arm free. "I'm not crazy. Even Section Commander Raisa said that we have to act on circumstan-"
"What is wrong with you people?" Eren demanded. "You don't just-"
"Enough!" Hange's voice silenced everything. "Listen up. If we cross paths with the pair in question, don't give them any indication of what we've discussed. And under no circumstances are you to broach the topic of Annie Leonhart in their company. Before we can ascertain whether they were co-conspirators, we must find, lure, and contain them underground. That's the plan, are we clear?"
"Yes, ma'am!" the soldiers saluted.
"Levi, take Vanessa to Erwin."
Vanessa dodged Levi's grasp, and hurried over to Hange. "Section Commander, I know you don't have any reason to trust me or my intentions, but let me come with you. Please!"
"No. Not only do we need to investigate your story as well as Christa's, but you are too emotionally compromised." Hange rolled up the map tightly as she spoke. "I get why you want to go. Believe me, I do. But you are a soldier. A Scout. Your duty should come first over your personal vendettas."
Vanessa felt her strength slip away. "Yes, ma'am."
This time Levi simply steered her away, towards the door. "Anything you want me to pass along to Erwin?"
"Not at the moment," Hange huffed. "I'll be taking my section to the abandoned fortification in the southwest. Utgard Castle, I think it's called."
Wall Rose, present...
"Well?" Raisa asked. "You gonna tell me what's going on or what?"
Hange shrugged. "Vanessa got sick, so she's with Erwin and Levi in Trost."
Raisa frowned dubiously, but she decided not to push the issue further. Moblit whistled to get both of their attentions. "Section Commanders! The Garrison advance squad is here!"
"Oh, thank god," Hange breathed. "Maybe they've found the breach."
Arden helped Raisa join the group as Hannes climbed to the top of the wall. Eren helped him up. "Wall's perfectly fine."
"What?" Hange gasped. "How is that possible?"
"Spent all night trying to find out where they're getting in. But between Trost and Krolva District, there's nothing. No hole anywhere," he explained. "We ran into a search party from Krolva and retraced our steps. Not a single titan on the way here either."
"But we know for a fact that there were titans on this side of Wall Rose," Armin pointed out.
"Oh, c'mon. How much have you had to drink, seriously?" Eren asked.
"Why, you little-hold on," Hannes paused before he could tackle Eren, "wait a second. What the hell you kids even doing here?"
The recruits exchanged glances. "Hannes, are you absolutely sure?" Raisa asked, covering the rising tension. "No titans? No hole?"
"Yes. We've found nothing."
Hange hummed and scratched her chin. "If there's no breach, then I guess we have to change tactics. We head back to Trost immediately."
"We'll go on ahead of you," Hannes said.
He hopped over the edge, and flew back down to his squad. Arden followed Hange at Raisa's order and brought her back to the supply crates to rest on. She noticed Reiner pulling Eren aside to talk, but Mikasa was still close by. Hange continued humming as she thought, almost pacing. "Oh, shit. What if there's a species of titan we haven't seen yet that knows how to dig?"
"That's a little far-fetched," Raisa countered. "I told you...I think the monkey titan has something to do with it. He wasn't an abnormal, and I'm pretty sure he was controlling the titans that attacked us last night."
The corner of Hange's mouth twitched. "Oh, so a titan that can dig is far-fetched, but a monkey titan making titans suddenly appear and controlling said titans isn't?"
"I'm just saying we should focus on the facts," Raisa said with a calm tone. "Six people saw a monkey titan. No one's seen a digging titan."
"And I'm just saying you need to shut the fuck up." Hange took a deep breath, trying to suppress a smile. "I'm glad you're okay."
"It takes more than three dozen titans to bring me down." Raisa sighed in disappointment as she glanced over where Reiner and Eren were standing. "I'm just kicking myself for failing to anticipate our enemy's capabilities. Levi's gonna kill me for being...so..."
Raisa froze as her eyes widened. Hange followed her gaze, confused at first, and then she gasped. Reiner held his injured arm out in front of Eren, and his wound steamed as it healed. "As a warrior! No road left but the one that leads to the end!"
"Reiner!" Bertholdt gasped, unaware of Mikasa rushing towards them. "Right now? Here? We're doing this?"
"Yes!" Reiner said as he stomped towards Eren. "Right here, right now! We settle this once and for all!"
Before Reiner could grab Eren, Mikasa pushed past him and spun. Her blade sliced off Reiner's right hand and embedded into his left wrist. She continued spinning, slashing at Bertholdt's throat. She kicked Bertholdt down and prepared to move in for the kill. "Eren! Get out of here!"
Reiner slammed into Mikasa, shoving her off the top of the wall. Raisa grabbed two blades from Hange's holder and threw them like spears. Reiner cried out as the first blade pierced him through the left side of his chest. Bertholdt tried to dodge as he struggled to stop the bleeding of his throat. The blade sliced against his shoulder. Hange and everyone ran towards them while Eren watched, too stunned to move. "Eren!" Armin shouted. "Run away!"
Reiner and Bertholdt erupted in a flash of lightning, thunder cracking above. Searing hot wind swept over the top of the wall, blowing everyone back. Raisa dove as the crate she sat on lifted into the air. Arden leapt on top of Raisa, keeping her in place. Some of the light subsided, and the Colossal Titan roared as it's ribs latched onto the wall. Raisa felt like her skin and face were on fire, but she forced her eyes open. Bearing witness to the monsters. Damn it! I should've...! She recalled throwing Hange's blades. If I had aimed better, then...
The Armored Titan reached out and snatched Eren out of the air. He swung his legs over the edge, scrapping his heels against the wall as he fell. Eren felt his memories of Reiner and Bertholdt flash before his eyes. Every moment, every conversation...he swallowed back his sorrow and harnessed his anger. He bit his hand, the force of his transformation blowing apart Reiner's hand. Eren roared in pure rage as he slammed his fist against Reiner's armored face before they both slammed into the ground. Mikasa gasped from where she hung off the wall. "Eren!"
Above on the wall, the Colossal Titan raised his hand high into the air and brought it down. Raisa gasped in realization. "Move!"
Hange snapped out of her shock as well. "E-Everyone, get off the wall!"
The Scouts flew out of the way as the titan slapped the wall, sending debris and supplies flying everywhere. Arden, Nifa, and a few others grabbed Raisa, Conny, and Historia. Holding onto them as they flew down a safe distance from the Colossal Titan. Historia widened her eyes upon seeing what was in the titan's hand. "Ymir! He got Ymir!"
"Oh, hell! She's not the only one," Keiji pointed out.
In his other hand, the Colossal Titan held another Scout. He opened his massive jaw and tossed Ymir and the other Scout into his mouth. Everyone watched in a mixture of increased shock and terror. Historia could barely breathe. No, Ymir...not again...
"No, this isn't happening," Sasha begged.
"How can Bertholdt..." Armin's voice trailed off.
Hange gritted her teeth, her fury rising, and then her mind became clear. "Soldiers, prepare to attack!" she bellowed as she sailed up towards the top of the wall. "The Colossal Titan doesn't walk away from this! It's a threat to all mankind! Swarm and terminate!"
Hange's soldiers followed after her, flying up around the titan's torso. The Colossal Titan raised his fists. His movements were slow, much slower than regular-sized titans. He threw his left fist and the Scouts dodged it easily, sailing around his arm. He jabbed with his right fist, but again, they avoided the hit. Hange led the soldiers around, gathering momentum as they moved to his back. His nape was wide-open. All of them readied their blades. "Now!" Hange screamed. "Slice the nape!"
As they came within ten meters of his nape, the Colossal Titan suddenly roared and unleashed a wave of boiling hot steam. The force was strong enough to blow the Scouts back the entire length of their rope. "Fall back!" Hange ordered.
The Scouts flew out of the clouds of steam, joining Raisa and the others from where they watched. She ordered Nifa and Arden to help the wounded, noticing the burns. "Someone get us some water!" Rashad shouted. "Water!"
Raisa got to her feet and limped over to Hange. "Are you alright?"
"Forget me." Hange shook off her concern. "He's trying to escape!"
"I don't think so," Armin spoke up. "Something's different. The last time he disappeared...it was more or less instantaneous. He's maintaining his form to emit heat."
"For what...protection?" Raisa asked. A thought came to her. "Armin, try to anchor onto him."
He obeyed. But, as soon as the anchor neared the clouds of steam, it immediately flew off away from the titan. Armin withdrew his anchor and turned to face the Section Commanders. "As long as he generates steam, our rigs are useless! Wha...what do we do?"
Hange thought over their options for a moment. Raisa could read Hange's thoughts on her face, and she huffed in acceptance. "Now? Nothing...except wait. How long he can act like a blast furnace? Who knows, but he has to come out eventually."
Hange humphed in agreement and turned towards the soldiers. "Squads three and four, take position behind the target. Rashad has command."
"Got it!"
"Squad two, stay put," she continued. "Lauda has command."
"Understood!"
Hange turned back to Raisa and Armin. "We'll wait him out. When he does...we'll rush the big bastard."
"Aim to kill," Raisa added. "Capturing him alive is impossible, now."
"What?" Armin breathed. "But, I thought-"
"Destroy him. Both of them," Hange ordered. "No second thoughts. You're with me. Squad one! Look alive! We've got a date with the Armored Titan!"
Hange ran to the edge of the wall and jumped, Squad 1 and Armin following her lead. Raisa watched them fly down to assist Eren in his fight with the Armored Titan. She also noticed Mikasa flying around the Armored Titan uselessly. It was obvious the girl was trying to slow the impenetrable titan down. Raisa turned on her heels and limped over to Nifa and the injured soldiers. She still had her belts on, but her gear and tanks were destroyed in her fall. "Nifa!"
"Yes, ma'am?" Nifa paused in the middle of bandaging Pavel's hand.
"Keep charge of the injured and the kids. Conny, take Isaak's gear off!"
Conny blinked. "What? Why?"
"Commander, you're in no condition to fight," Nifa argued. She quickly finished wrapping Pavel's hand, and hurried over to where Raisa was removing the unconscious Isaak's ODM engine and tank. "Commander. Commander, stop!"
"Stand down," Raisa ordered. She quickly began attaching the gear to herself. "I know I'm not at my best, but I'll be damned if I just sit here and do nothing."
"Your injuries aren't full healed," Nifa continued. "I understand you want to help, but-"
"Enough," Raisa growled. "Trust me, soldier. I know what I'm doing."
With that, she turned and jogged to the edge. She flew down, ignoring the protests of her wounds. Hange, Armin, and Squad 1 were watching as Eren was getting beaten down by the Armored Titan. Mikasa was on the ground at the base of the wall. Raisa decided to join her. "Ackerman!"
Mikasa gasped upon seeing Raisa. She held up her blunted blades. "Commander, my blades aren't working! He's not like Annie! I can't stop him! I've got no more blades!"
"Calm down," Raisa ordered. "He can't be completely invulnerable. He must-"
The sound of Eren crashing into the ground drew their attention. He bounced twice, rolling away as steam rose from his face. The Armored Titan lowered his fist and approached leisurely. Eren got up, hunching over as his face and right arm steamed from healing. He growled then roared again as the Armored Titan drew near. Mikasa gasped. "Eren!"
Raisa grabbed Mikasa's arm before the girl could run off. "Stop. He's too lost in rage."
Eren roared and lunged as the Armored Titan threw his fist, aiming for another sucker punch. Eren suddenly ducked, swooping down and up as he wrapped his arms around the Armored Titan in a headlock and swept his feet out from under him. They both fell back, slamming into the ground as Eren quickly moved to pin the Armored Titan down. Raisa blinked in surprise. "Where do that come from?"
"It's...it's one of Annie's moves," Mikasa noted.
Raisa glanced at Mikasa, noticing the look of conflicted emotions on her face. The Armored Titan dodged Eren's strike, and moved to throw him off. Eren fell with the momentum, and latched onto the titan's right arm. He locked his legs around the Armored Titan's neck and shoulder. As he squeezed, the armor around the titan's face cracked. He grabbed Eren's thigh, trying to pry his legs off. Eren was too quick. He shifted his position and slammed the Armored Titan into the ground. Eren sat up, still holding onto his enemy's arm. With a defiant roar, he ripped the Armored Titan's arm clean off.
Mikasa exhaled in surprise. "He did it."
Raisa glanced up at the flying severed arm. "We need to move!"
She grabbed Mikasa's arm and sprinted along the base of the wall. They just barely managed to avoid being crushed by the titan's arm. Eren had gotten up off the Armored Titan, ready to continue the fight. Armin flew down near Mikasa and Raisa, trying to get as close as he could. "Eren! Can you hear me?!" Eren turned his head towards his friend. "Run away! They're trying to abduct you! Trust me, escape is our best option!"
"Armin," Mikasa said. "You say that, but come on...they're not just gonna let us leave."
"Both of you with me," Raisa ordered. "We need to fall back. Now!"
Armin obeyed, but Mikasa gritted her teeth. She didn't want to abandon Eren. Not with the Armored Titan continuing with the fight. But, she obeyed as well. They flew back to the wall, and just as they joined Hange and the others, they were hit with a rush of wind. Armin opened his eyes once the wind died down, and gasped in surprise upon seeing Eren up against the wall below him. "Nice one, Eren," Keiji praised. "Good call!"
"Looks like he's in control again," Mikasa noted.
"For now." Hange turned to glare at Raisa. "You shouldn't be here. You're gonna make yourself worse."
"I'm fine," Raisa insisted. "The priority is Eren. The big bastard is stuck atop the wall. He couldn't pursue us, and wouldn't unless he wants to risk Mikasa slicing his head off. The problem is this bastard. He's gonna be harder to shake."
Hange hummed in thought, still concerned about Raisa. "Maybe if Eren can incapacitate him again...break off a leg? He's not as strong, but Eren might be able to outsmart him."
"Right. Mikasa and I can go in for the kill after, if need be."
Mikasa's ears perked up. "But how? Our blades are useless."
"Not necessarily," Raisa pointed out. "In old days, warriors used to sheath themselves in armor, but left certain vital spots unprotected like the inner elbows, the back of the knees, the armpits, the groin...it was about movement."
"But I'm out of blades..."
"Take mine," Armin said. He held out his extra blades. "Commander Raisa's right."
Mikasa nodded and took them. Hange flew down to Eren's shoulder to relay the plan. Raisa took a deep breath. She felt a throb in her leg, and glanced down at her thigh. Blood was seeping through the bandage. Damn it. A thud drew her attention forward. The Armored Titan suddenly broke into a sprint. He moved fast. Too fast. Eren was too shocked to avoid the tackle. The Armored Titan wasted no time, rearing his elbow back. Eren dodged the punch in time and motioned to latch onto the Armored's leg. Raisa and Mikasa flew around to the Armored's back, looking for a spot to strike.
Eren continued to avoid the Armored's punches, and then kicked him off. As the Armored recovered, Eren backed up against the wall again. The titan charged again, aiming for a tackle. Eren welcomed it, and wrapped the Armored into another headlock. Raisa and Mikasa took the opportunity and rushed down the wall. Together, they soared down, each slicing through the back of the Armored's knees. His legs dropped, useless as Eren continued to squeeze, pulling the Armored's head slowly off his shoulders. Eren squeezed hard and some of the titan's armor shattered, exposing the muscle under neath.
Raisa wasted no time. She had a clear shot of his upper back. She dug her blades in deep, carving out against the exposed area of his nape. Did I get him? She flew back up against the wall. While she did manage to dig out a chunk, it wasn't Reiner's body that was exposed...it was only some of his foot. Shit! "Mikasa! Finish him!"
Mikasa heeded the order. She adjusted her grip and prepared to take off. However, the Armored Titan jerked in Eren's hold and let out a wail. It was a high-pitched sound, like he was calling out. Mikasa hesitated, stunned by the strange roar. "He's calling for back-up!" Hange shouted. "Be on the lookout!"
Everyone glanced around. They were on the titan-side of Wall Rose. Eren ignored the sound and continued yanking on the Armored's head. One way or another, he would be victorious. Raisa watched, extremely concerned. That...didn't sound like the Female Titan's. No, he's not calling for titans. The sound of breaking echoed over the land. "Above you!" Lauda screamed.
The Colossal Titan tipped over the side as his ribs broke free. He fell, head first, directly on top of Eren and the Armored Titan. And then they exploded. Mikasa screamed as the force blew her out of the tree she was hanging on. Raisa flew up and caught her, but the force of the blast caused them to slam into the wall. Raisa cried out as she felt her head bounce off the stone. With Mikasa in her arms, they plopped onto the ground. Pain welled up in her head combined with the throbbing of her wounds. Mikasa was already unconscious, and Raisa was fighting to stay awake.
She watched helplessly as the Armored Titan pinned Eren down and bit a chunk out of his nape. Bertholdt climbed out off his titan body, dressed in ODM gear, and holding Ymir in his arms. The Armored Titan got to his feet and turned to run as Bertholdt latched onto his shoulder. Raisa couldn't see anything else. Her vision was turning black and she felt a wave of numbness wash over her. The last thing she heard was someone screaming Eren's name.
End of Chapter 15