Chapter 16

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexuality

Enjoy

Trost District, Wall Rose, 850...

Vanessa rubbed her eyes once more. She was running on fumes, and she was fighting her body's demand for sleep. Jean sat next to her, drinking water from his canteen. He snuck a glance at Vanessa. He sighed and offer her his canteen. "Here."

"Thanks," she said softly.

Jean watched her as she took a few gulps of water. "You know, we'll find out the truth soon enough. About Reiner and Bertholdt, I mean. Have faith."

Vanessa nodded halfheartedly. She glanced over at the wagon where Levi was keeping guard over Pastor Nick. Her mind wandered back to her conversation with Erwin some 5 hours ago. What had surprised her the most was that the Commander had allowed her to remain with the Scouts. She had fully expected to be in the wagon alongside Nick. The sound of Jean's question drew her attention. "...really no titans?"

"Looks like it," Marlene said. "No one's seen any. It's quiet out there. Too quiet."

Jean sighed. "I wonder if they're alive..."

He spoke too quietly for Marlene to hear, but Vanessa caught every word. She placed her hand on Jean's arm and held out his canteen. "You should take your own advice sometimes, man."

He snickered as he took his canteen back. Some of the Military Police were complaining, pacing anxiously over the lack of titans. One of them was growing more impatient than the rest. "Hey, Levi!" he called. "Where're you keeping all the titans?"

Levi draped his elbow over the backrest of the wagon, ever so slightly amused by the question. "You seem awfully eager to die, soldier. Sorry I couldn't get you a date with a titan. There are plenty of opportunities outside the Wall, though. Lots of scouting expeditions coming up. I'd be happy for the help. We can all face the titans together."

The MPs all exchanged worried glances. "Well...there's our work in the Interior, so..."

Levi turned away from the MPs, not bothering to hear the rest of their responses. Vanessa leaned in closer to Jean. "I'm really glad you didn't join them. Would've been a waste."

"Waste of what?" he scoffed. "If I'm being honest, I'm actually just selfish."

"It's kept you alive, hasn't it?"

"Selfishness keeps many cowards alive," he noted.

Vanessa shook her head. "Jean, if you were a coward, you'd be an MP right now."

He laughed. Vanessa enjoyed the sound. She couldn't recall the last time she heard Jean laugh. "The advanced squad is back!" shouted a Garrison soldier as he burst into the gathering. "Someone get Commander Pyxis!"

Jean and Vanessa stood up as another Garrison soldier ran off to get Pyxis and Erwin. The advanced party entered the gathering, huffing and puffing. There were only two of them. A Garrison soldier named Klaus and... "Sasha!"

Vanessa pushed through the crowd and wrapped Sasha into a tight hug, nearly knocking her over. It took her a moment, but Sasha accepted the embrace nonetheless. She glanced at Jean and noticed the canteen in his hand. "Oh, my God. Is that water?"

She nearly tossed Vanessa aside as she broke through her friends' grasp and snatched Jean's water. She gulped it down as if it were the very waters of life everlasting. Vanessa and Jean watched her warily. "What happened?" Jean asked. "Where's everyone else?"

Before Sasha could answer, an officer ordered the men to make way for Pyxis and Erwin. Klaus collapsed upon sight of the Commanders, his strength slipping away. A medical officer offered him a full canteen and he drank almost as fast as Sasha had. He finally paused to take a breath and wiped his mouth, still wheezing. "We...we found no holes or any other irregularities along the wall..."

"I see," Pyxis hummed patiently. "No breach...as I thought"

"But the situation has changed!" Klaus suddenly gasped. "On our way to report back, we encountered several Scout squads led by Section Commander Hange! There were also a number of recruits from the Hundred-and-Fourth which none of them had their gear! But among them...three of them turned out to be...they transformed into titans!"

Several gasps and whispers erupted. Vanessa felt the world go quiet like all the sounds had suddenly disappeared. Jean demanded more answers from Klaus and Sasha, but Vanessa couldn't hear his words. Her mind was racing. Titans...three of them were titans...Reiner burst free of Annie at the last second...titans...the Female Titan is Annie...they're from the same region...titans...

A hand clapped onto her shoulder, and Vanessa whirled around. Levi studied her with an unreadable expression, and she felt the noise return. Klaus was still relaying his report. The noise eased the panic rising in her throat. She took a shaky breath. Levi removed his hand. "You good?"

Vanessa inhaled deeply. "Yes, sir."

He nodded for her to pay attention to the situation, and Vanessa obliged. "Once the titans were discovered," Erwin said, "what happened?"

"The Scouts engaged the Colossal and Armored Titans, but..." Klaus' voice trailed off for a moment. "...but by the time we arrived, it was too late! I'm sorry"

Wall Rose...

Phorla grasea dil Istha, qo vyvas.

Raisa slowly opened her eyes. The softness of a woman's voice still echoing in her mind. The sky above her was mostly clear, the last of the rain clouds dissipating. She laid there, thinking of nothing. Her body awoke in stages. She felt the aching in her thigh, in her abdomen...and her head. Raisa groaned and summoned enough strength to sit up. "Section Commander," Moblit said. "You shouldn't get up."

Raisa removed the cloth off her forehead. "I'm...fine. How're the others?"

Moblit sighed glanced at the unconscious Scouts. They were all lined up, covered in superficial burns, and their jackets being used as pillows. His gaze lingered on Hange. "Too many injuries. I sent Braus and Klaus to Trost to report what happened. I'm sure Commander Erwin will gather our remaining forces. Your section and the rest of Commander Miche's."

Raisa nodded and rubbed her forehead. "We have to recover Eren. How long ago was he taken?"

"A little over five hours." Moblit touched his wet, cool cloth to the burns on his face. "There's no telling how far they got."

Raisa felt the tender spot on the back of her head. From where she had slammed into the wall. "How many of us can move?"

"What do you mean, Commander?" he asked.

"You're right. Commander Erwin will be arriving soon with reinforcements. Those of us...that can move and aren't injured should join them." Raisa motioned to get up, but her legs felt like lead. "And I am certainly not one of them."

Damn it. My body's at it's limit. My wounds really won't heal at this rate. Raisa rubbed her forehead again. She glanced over at the others. Hannes and his soldiers were tending to the other injured along with Conny and Historia. Armin sat beside Mikasa, talking as she wrapped her scarf around her neck. Moblit held out a packaged ration bar. "Here, Commander. The Garrison had some to spare."

"Thank you."

She took it and slowly unwrapped it. But she paused before taking a bite. She glanced around at the other conscious soldiers. They were all male. So no one was actually talking to me. Could it have been...? Moblit furred his brows at the strange expression on Raisa's face. "Section Commander? Are you alright?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah...I will be."

She ate her ration silently. Within the hour, Conny and Historia were outfitted with ODM gear and cloaks. Raisa was still unable to stand, but she was delegating with Hannes to prep the soldiers as Commander Erwin and the Scouts became visible. They galloped at full speed along the top of the wall. Moblit finally smiled. "It's Commander Erwin...with MPs."

Raisa blinked. "That's surprising."

Armin joined Conny, Mikasa, and Historia. Watching the Commander grow closer. "I'd never thought they'd run on top of the Wall."

"Probably the quickest route here," Historia noted.

Armin glanced at her. He thought over the events of last night and Vanessa's secret. Christa. Christa Lenz. "For the record," he told her, "I know you won't, but I'd much rather if you'd stay behind."

"No," she said sternly. "Nice try, though. As long as Ymir's in danger, nothing will keep me here. Sorry, that's just how it is."

"We're all in this together, Armin," Conny interjected. He stood by the edge, arms folded, and glaring at the horizon. "You're not special. Everyone one of us has a reason for going. Still trying to process mine, to be honest. I have to know why Bertholdt and Reiner did what they did. I wanna ask while I look them dead in the eye."

Commander Erwin gave the order for the unit to halt, and dismounted his horse. The officers and soldiers followed suit. Moblit got up, hurrying over to greet his superior. "Good to see you, Commander Erwin. Glad you're here."

"Is the situation still the same?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Good." Erwin turned to the officers. "Deploy the lifts!"

Moblit nearly jumped as he felt a hand slap onto his shoulder. He turned and gasped in shock. Raisa was barely standing with Hange leaning on her. "H-Hange?! Raisa?!"

"Don't just stand there," Hange whispered, her voice hoarse. "Get me a map."

As Moblit fussed over the injured Section Commanders, Erwin obliged the request. Historia shifted her gaze over the crowd and blinked in surprise upon seeing Jean, Vanessa, and Sasha approaching. She did a double-take of Vanessa, the memory of Reiner's transformation flashing through her mind. Before Vanessa could say anything, she pulled her into a tight hug. Jean greeted the others. "Man, I'm glad to see you guys."

Historia suddenly released Vanessa. "Reiner. I'm so sorry. He...he turned into...he's the Armored Titan."

"I know," Vanessa said softly. "And I know about Bertholdt, too. They took Eren."

Historia nodded regretfully. "And Ymir."

Vanessa snuck a glance at the others, seeing if they were listening. She stepped closer to Historia. "Did you know? About Ymir?"

Historia shook her head. "I had no idea. All these years, all that time we spent together...I never knew. But! I know she's on our side."

"But Reiner and Bertholdt aren't," Vanessa noted with a heavy sigh. "I know things are complicated, and the priority is to rescue Eren and Ymir...but those guys need to answer for what they've done."

Historia studied Vanessa's demeanor. She wasn't expecting such determination. "I understand, but come on...you were in love with Reiner. It's okay. Whatever it is you're feeling. It's okay."

Vanessa widened her eyes. That was the last thing she was expecting to hear. It's okay. Vanessa almost broke. How is it okay? She swallowed her emotions and resumed her composure. "My duty as a soldier matters more."

Historia sighed, unable to think of a response. She nodded, accepting Vanessa's words. "By the way, you ought to know my real name." She held out her hand. "Historia Reiss."

Vanessa cracked a smile. Two simple words that would've meant death. Yet, she heard no fear in Historia's tone. "Guess we really are related." Vanessa said as she shook Historia's hand. "Nice to meet you, Historia. My name is-"

"I've got the map!"

Peer's declaration drew everyone's attention. The Scouts and the MPs gathered around Hange as she spread the map out in front of her. After a moment, she tapped her finger on a drawn section of trees. "This forest. They're going here."

"What makes you think so?" Raisa asked.

"It's a gamble, but the trees there are massive," Hange explained. "See...even if they have a way to cover the Armored Titan's footprints, this is almost definitely where we would find them."

"Why is that?" Erwin asked.

"They need to recoup," she answered. "The titans on that side of the wall still pose a threat...especially after putting up such a fight. Sure, Eren was the worse for it, but they have to be spent. Let's suppose they're headed somewhere beyond Wall Maria. That's not a simple hike. They'll need all the rest they can get. They're in no shape to make it in a single push. Even if they are, they'll want to catch their breath somewhere other titans can't get to them."

Raisa nodded along with Hange's assumptions. "No doubt they're waiting until dark."

"You have to catch them before sundown," Hange continued. "If we reach the forest before then, we might have a chance to save them."

"Right." Erwin stood up. "There's no time to waste. Hurry with the lifts! We need to move out as soon as possible!"

The Scouts followed his orders with haste. As they began to depart, Hange clung to Raisa, climbing her with what little strength she had. "Take me to a horse."

"Why?" Raisa asked, straining under Hange's dead weight.

"We gotta...go see that titan," she insisted.

"What?" Moblit finally noticed them. "Section Commanders! What're you doing? Where are you going?"

"Hange wants to see that titan that couldn't walk," Raisa informed.

"Not Ragako."

"I need...to see," Hange said. Her arms were shaking, trying to keep hold onto Raisa.

"Have you lost your mind?" Moblit scolded. He stood in their way, trying to keep them from going any further. "Neither one of you is remotely capable of riding horseback right now."

Raisa hesitated. She knew he was right. In fact, with every passing second she felt her strength slipping away. Any moment she would collapse, unable to support Hange any longer. But Hange didn't seem to notice. "There's something important there. I feel it in my bones."

Moblit lowered his hands and sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine. I'll go myself. But both of you stay put and quit trying to move!"

Raisa was taken aback by his tone. "Did...did you just give orders to your superiors?"

"You're both too injured to do anything about it," he retorted.

Moblit turned and waved to Harold. He ordered Harold to look after Raisa and Hange, and Harold was more than willing to oblige once he saw what state Raisa was in. He fussed as he guided them over to lean against some supply crates. Hange had lost consciousness again, but Raisa simply tuned her lieutenant out. The wound in her thigh was no longer throbbing once she began to relax. "Where's Levi?"

"Honestly, I've never before worked for a more reck…" Harold trailed off once he processed her question. "He's back in Trost overseeing a guest. He hasn't quite recovered from his injury."

Raisa sighed, nodding slightly. "He'll be furious with me over my recklessness...I suspect my entire section will feel the same. I can't remember the last time I've been beaten this badly."

Harold calmed a bit. "No one could've anticipated this. The Scouts are fully of veteran, capable soldiers, but...we're only human. And we're still learning about our enemy. There's no way you could've been prepared for Hoover and Braun."

Raisa said nothing. She thought back to the last night's events. The sudden ambush, the Beast Titan, and the strange looks on the traitors' faces. Reiner and Bertholdt...they looked almost in awe. What was that monkey titan? A leader? Our true enemy? A flash of Bertholdt's fearful gaze came to her mind. What in the world made him so afraid of me?

En route to the Forest of Giant Trees...

The right wing of the formation fired red flares, signaling the approach of titans. Vanessa rode alongside Mikasa with Conny to her right and Historia behind. As they rode, Vanessa Mikasa slowly pushing her horse further and further ahead. "Mikasa! Hey!"

Mikasa snapped out of her trance and eased back on her horse, falling back into formation. Vanessa noticed the look of determination on Mikasa's face. Granted, she always looked serious, but this time...it was different. "Mikasa, I know we need to follow the plan and ensure we recover Eren and Ymir no matter the cost, but...when the opportunity presents itself, I need to be the one to kill Reiner."

Mikasa blinked in controlled surprise. Then she frowned. "That's not the objective. Forget about your vengeance. This isn't about you."

"It's not about you, either," she countered. "You think I'm emotionally compromised? Fine, but you never think straight when it comes to Eren."

Mikasa deepened her glare. "Look...they're not gonna kill him," Vanessa continued. "If they were, they wouldn't have gone to such trouble to capture him. Please, I have to be the one who kills Reiner."

Mikasa studied the plea in Vanessa's eyes. There was some desperation, some anger. After a long moment, Mikasa sighed. "Fine. But you shouldn't take any unnecessary risks. You and Christa need to stay alive."

Vanessa nodded with a determined frown. No. I don't intend to die today. For once, she saw clearly. Doubt and despair was far behind. All that mattered was stopping the enemy once and for all. More time seemed to pass. As well as more red smoke. Countless red flares went up on the right, and then on the left. The open fields were beginning to grow crowded with trees. The Forest of Giant Trees was coming into view on the horizon. Hannes was leading his squad and the Scouts recruits on a safer path. Trying to merge with the center as Erwin instructed earlier with his flare.

Suddenly, the sky cracked and lightning zoomed down, slamming into the forest. Historia gasped. "That light."

"It's coming from the forest!" Armin shouted. "I think someone's transforming into a titan!"

"Soldiers!" Erwin could be heard across the whole formation. "Disperse! The enemy has assumed titan form! Find Eren and get him out of there!"

The formation divided, heading around the outskirts of the forest as titans emerged. They reached out and began plucking MPs one by one. Hannes steered the squad into the forest, bypassing most of the titans. He turned to his lieutenant. "Round up the horses!"

"Right away, sir!"

"First thing we do is pinpoint the enemy and tell the others!" Hannes ordered. "They're fleeing through the woods, so stay sharp!"

One-by-one they all flew off into the trees. Every single one was scanning the forest, searching for any sign of movement. For Reiner or Bertholdt. Then, a scream rang out. Historia and Conny shivered at the familiarity of the sound. They pushed further, deeper into the forest. Historia maneuvered through the group, catching up to Vanessa. "I heard what you said to Mikasa. You're going to kill Reiner?"

Vanessa ignored the concerned expression on Historia's face. "Yes."

"Look, I know you want revenge, but...please, I'm begging you. We need to help Ymir." Historia felt a pang of guilt in her chest. "I know it's selfish to say this, but we're family. And I'm not as strong as you. So, please...help me rescue Ymir, and I'll help you fight Reiner."

Vanessa widened her eyes. Playing the family card so soon. When our lives are still at risk...Vanessa sighed. "Alright. But for the record, I think Ymir can handle herself."

Historia turned her attention ahead, noticing the group at stopped. "I know she can, but she was hurt and...Ymir!"

They entered the clearing. Ymir was hanging on a large tree branch like an ape in her titan form. Conny was standing atop her head. Historia pushed ahead. "Thank goodness you're alright!"

Conny yelped in surprise as Ymir suddenly leapt through the air, straight for Historia and her mouth opened wide. The world seemed to slow. Historia barely had a second to process the razor sharp teeth coming for her. As the shadow of Ymir's mouth began to envelop her, Vanessa slammed into her. She threw Historia out of the way with as much strength as she could possibly muster. Historia flew back into the light, watching as Vanessa flew down Ymir's throat helplessly. Ymir snapped her jaws closed. "What?" Historia breathed. "Ymir..."

"Did she just...?" Sasha gasped in disbelief.

Ymir reached out and snatched Historia right out of the air. She stuffed Historia into her mouth and took off further into the woods. Hannes flew after her, wasting no time. "Don't just stand there. Move your asses!"

The recruits snapped out of the daze, and followed after Hannes. Mikasa watched as Ymir began to grow farther and farther away. "Why would she do that?"

"What's wrong with you people?" Jean snapped. "Am I serious the only one who saw this coming?"

Armin tried to swallow his shock and panic. "Well, it's clear where her loyalties are now. She and Reiner are the same side. We were lured into a trap!"

Ymir was gaining ground. As she moved through the trees, she made sure not to swallow the two lumps in her throat. She needed to hurry. No doubt the lack of air would effect them soon. The edge of the forest came into view. Even from several hundred meters away, she could see Reiner, Bertholdt, and the unconscious Eren up ahead. Reiner hopped off the branch and erupted into a brilliant flash of light. His Armored Titan form landed in a crouch as the smoke cleared. He leaned forward and broke out into a full sprint.

Bertholdt grappled onto his shoulder, Eren tied securely to his back. Ymir jumped out from the top the trees and latched onto Reiner's other shoulder. The recruits paused at the edge of forest. Mikasa exhaled in despair upon seeing Reiner run south. "No," Armin exclaimed. "They're getting away with Eren."

Hannes flew past them. "Move it! Get on your damn horses!"

Erwin turned around in his saddle. Behind him, the soldiers were outrunning the titans, trying to avoid getting plucked. But beyond them, Reiner was running southward. Erwin zeroed in on Eren, and he gave the order to change course. Atop Reiner, Ymir readjusted herself and prepared to reach into her mouth. She felt one of the lumps in her throat jerk. And then suddenly, a blade poked out through her neck. Another one poked out and sliced Ymir open from the inside. Her titan scream was cut off. Bertholdt gasped in horror as Vanessa burst through the wound with Historia, carrying her like a rag doll.

They landed in the crook of Reiner's nape and the armor of his back. Both Vanessa and Historia threw up saliva and took deep breaths as air returned to their lungs. Vanessa wiped the steaming titan blood from her eyes. "That's the second time I've been swallowed by a fucking titan. There won't be a third!"

Ymir growled, her wound quickly healing. She screeched and lashed out, snatching up Historia before she had a chance to react. She tried to grab Vanessa as well, but Vanessa jumped out of the way, using her ODM gear to boost her out of Ymir's reach. She grappled onto Reiner's shoulder and met Bertholdt's gaze. And she noticed Eren tied to his back. Vanessa knew what she needed to do. She raised her blades, and prepared to strike. Bertholdt cried out in fear, but before she could get anywhere near him, Reiner caught Vanessa. She felt almost as if she had slammed into a wall. His grip was firm. Her right arm was pinned to her chest while her left arm was free. But, she was utterly trapped. She couldn't move an inch save for her head and her left arm.

Vanessa glared at Reiner. Her heart was beating furiously with pure rage. She thought about this moment for the last 12 hours. She thought about what she would do to him. How she would carve him, hurt him, anything and everything she could think of to make the pain go away. Yet, there was another emotion building her chest. Fear. His eyes were shielded by armor. She couldn't read his expression. He was responsible for destroying the inner gate of Wall Maria. He was a mass murderer. He was a liar. Vanessa tried to wiggle in his grasp. "Let me go! Let me go!"

Bertholdt flinched in fear. "Kill her, Reiner! Do it! Quick!"

"No, don't!" Historia begged. She tried to pry herself out of Ymir's hand to no avail. "Don't kill her!"

"Do it!"

"No, wait!" Historia reached out, like she might be able to stop him. "She's my family!"

Vanessa froze mid-wiggle. Reiner raised his head slightly, and Bertholdt widened his eyes in confusion. Vanessa felt her face go hot with panic. "Historia...shut up."

"Please," she continued. "You can't kill her-"

"Stop!" Vanessa demanded.

"She's my-"

"-shut up-!"

-"only family! Please!"

Bertholdt glanced back and forth between them like he was studying the faces for the first time. Like he had never noticed the nearly identical features they both held. "You're...both from the Reiss family?"

"Historia, don't!" Vanessa warned. "Not another word!"

Historia furred her brows. She recognized the fear in Vanessa's eyes all too well. She sighed, slumping her shoulders. "Yes. We're sisters."

Ymir let out a small grunt of surprise. Bertholdt slowly turned his gaze to Vanessa and smiled in distressed relief. Historia inhaled deeply and frowned. "Now, please...let her go."

"No," Bertholdt said firmly. "We can't let either of you go."

Vanessa screamed in frustration and threw the blade still her hand, letting it detach from the handle. Bertholdt dodged it rather easily with a yelp. "Quit trying to kill me!"

"Fuck you!"

Historia resumed wiggling as Vanessa and Bertholdt shouted at each other. "Ymir, let me go! We have to get out of here!"

Ymir lowered her head, and her nape burst open. Ymir rose partially out of her titan body. "Chris...no, Historia. I-"

"What're you doing? We need to go!" Historia demanded.

"Just give me a second, I-"

"You're a fucking coward!" Vanessa bellowed. "I'll rip your goddamn head off!"

"Just stop!" Bertholdt shouted back. "Yelling isn't going to solve anything!"

"Ymir, help-!"

"-you lying snake-!"

"-just stop-!"

"Historia, I'm trying to-"

"-we're wasting time-!"

"JUST SHUT UP!" Ymir snapped. Bertholdt and Vanessa ceased their shouting match. Ymir took a deep breath to calm herself. "Look, I'm sorry for eating you both. You have every right to be pissed."

"What's going on?" Historia demanded. "We came to rescue you, but you...what happened?"

"I don't need rescuing," she snapped. "Thing's have changed. I'm with Bertholdt and Reiner, now. Like it or not, you're coming with us! There's no future inside the walls!"

"What?" Vanessa felt her whole body tremble with uncontainable rage. "What future is there beyond it?! Huh?!"

"Hear me out," Ymir growled. "Life outside isn't as bad as you think. Believe me. For starters, there's no one to say it would've been better if you had never been born."

"Yeah, I don't think titans would that either way," Historia scoffed. "They'd be too busy trying to devour us!"

"We've all got flaws! They're not so bad if you'd give them a break! It's complicated, all right? Get off your high horse!"

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Vanessa shouted even louder.

"You're not making any sense!" Historia added. "What did Reiner and Bertholdt say? You're doing this against your will. They threatened you!"

"It's the opposite, actually," Bertholdt revealed. "Capturing you was her idea...though, we didn't expect to catch Vanessa, too."

Historia ignored him, still trying to pull herself free. "I'm right, aren't I? Let go! Whatever they got on you, I don't care! We can fight them! Let me go! Help Vanessa! Put the past behind you! What matters is right now! I'm here! I will always be your ally!"

Ymir hesitated. She knew Historia was being sincere. She knew...no matter what, Historia would always trust her. And that made her all the more afraid. Bertholdt began to panic. "Ymir! Look...in case you haven't noticed, the Scouts are closing in."

He pointed to the unit of Scouts chasing after them. "If we had left earlier, there might've been a decent change of out-running them. This is your fault. Remember that. We waited...for what? Damn it, Ymir! What the hell did we do this for? You can't have a change of heart! You want her to rot inside the walls? Does that seem acceptable to you, now? Don't be a fool! Think!"

Historia wiggled again, almost growling as she did. "Let go! Don't listen to him!"

"I can't!" Ymir cried out. She sobbed once and then smiled up at Historia. "I wish I could. I'm sorry...really. I know you think I did this for your own good, but at the end of the day...I did it for me."

Historia furred her brows. "A long time ago," Ymir began, "I stole the power of the titans from one of their comrades. Not much I can do against them. Sooner or later, I'm screwed. But... they said if I cooperate, hand you over, maybe I got a shot at leniency. Maybe my crime gets overlooked. You two are crucial to the church. You know the truth about the walls."

Vanessa widened her eyes. The man in black came to her mind. His questions. Her mother's warnings. Your name is Vanessa Raske! Don't give anyone your real name! "When this world started going to hell, I thought to myself: it couldn't hurt to have a bargaining chip in my back pocket."

Ymir lowered her head in shame. "The castle's as close to death as I ever wanna get. The experience traumatized me. Gave me perspective. If I have to play dirty to stay alive, then I have to play dirty. Pathetic. Yeah. Doesn't make me the ideal friend. Like I said...I didn't do this for you. You deserve better, but there it is. I need you. Please, save me, Historia!"

Historia processed her words, lowering her head. After a moment, she met Ymir's gaze and smiled. "Well...like I said. I'm here. And I will always be your ally."

Ymir gasped in surprise. She felt her heart ache. She didn't deserve Historia's trust or friendship. Historia shifted her gaze to Bertholdt. "Please. I'm begging you once more. Let Vanessa go. She won't be as willing a prisoner as I am."

He shook his head. "We can't. We're leaving this place. One way or another...and you three are coming with us."

Vanessa suddenly stopped shaking. She almost laughed as dark thoughts swirled in her mind. "You may very well think that, but...one way or another, Bertholdt...you're going to die within these walls."

End of Chapter 16