Chapter 17

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexuality

Enjoy

Outskirts of the Forest of Giant Trees, 850...

The Scouts had finally caught up. Hannes grappled onto Reiner and tried to slice a chunk out of his ankle, but the blades broke upon contact. Another soldier shot his anchor up onto Reiner's neck, and prepared to attack. He raised his blades, aiming to free Eren and slice off Bertholdt's head. Ymir tugged the wire free and tossed the soldier away, who screamed as he fell. She waited for more, ready to defend Reiner and Bertholdt. Suddenly, a blur flew by and slashed Ymir's left eye. Mikasa rose up into the air as Ymir screamed in pain and surprise. Her murderous gaze fell upon Bertholdt.

He gasped and hopped over under Reiner's chin. "Reiner! Protect us!"

As Mikasa went in for the kill, Reiner slapped his hands around his throat. Vanessa was tossed inside with Bertholdt and Eren. Mikasa's blade broke upon contact. Bertholdt shivered in fear, seeing Mikasa glaring at him from the small space between Reiner's fingers. She then disappeared from view and Bertholdt turned his attention to Vanessa. She was rubbing her head, and he noticed she still had blades in her holsters. Without hesitation, he pounced on top of her. Vanessa yelped in surprise as Bertholdt grabbed hold of her wrists and straddled her waist.

Vanessa squirmed and trashed as much as she could in the small space. "Get off me! Get the fuck off me!"

"Just stop!" he begged. "Quit struggling."

Vanessa was powerless. He had nearly his whole weight on top of her. She couldn't move. Eren muffled something through his gag and started kicking at Reiner's fingers. "Eren, stop!" Bertholdt demanded. "Hey!"

Eren planted his feet firmly and pushed. Bertholdt was squished against Vanessa unwillingly. She managed to slip her hands free and started pushing on his face. "Get off me!"

Eren continued to push, yelling through his gag. Bertholdt couldn't do anything. Eren's leg strength was too much, and his back was bending uncomfortably from Vanessa shoving his face away. "Both of you! Stop!"

"Good luck talking sense into that one, Bertholdt." All three of them paused upon the sound of Jean's voice. "Something lights a fire under him, that's it. And Vanessa...she's as stubborn as they come."

Bertholdt pried Vanessa's hands off his face and pinned her wrists down. "Getting them to calm down's a lost cause. Take my word for it," Jean continued. "I've been on the receiving end more than you have. What do you say we teach them patience? Come on. Show yourself."

"Give them back!" Mikasa demanded. "Right now!"

"Guys," came Conny's voice. "Really? This is some kind of joke, right? No way this is you. You've been lying to us this whole time? We're supposed to be comrades!"

"They still are!" Sasha argued. "This is all just a misunderstanding!"

Vanessa glared up at Bertholdt. He was staring back down at her, but his eyes were unfocused, processing the words of those he betrayed. "Where do you think you're going?" Jean asked. "You can't keep running forever. We're not gonna let that happen, rat bastards. Through thick and thin, we slept under the same roof as soldiers for three years."

Eren growled and began pushing against Bertholdt again. But he braced himself, trying not to squish against Vanessa again. "The positions you would sleep in were an art-form, Bertholdt," Jean continued. "I'm not kidding. We all loved waking up to see your contortions in the morning. Used to predict the weather with them."

"Eren, stop," Bertholdt begged.

"How'd you do it, Bertholdt?" Jean asked, his voice heavy with sadness. "Must not have a care in the world. Lying beside your victims...yet you slept like a log."

"Was it all just an act to you?" Conny demanded. "What about the way we used to talk about surviving this together? About growing old and looking back on the worst of it over drinks...remember? Was that all bullshit?"

Bertholdt squeezed his eyes shut, tears welling up. Vanessa glared up at him in confusion and disbelief. "Answer me!" Conny said. "Go on! What was the point? What were you trying to do?"

"It doesn't matter," Mikasa growled. "Shut up and focus on opening the traitor's neck. Hesitate for a moment, and we forfeit Eren. Who cares what they pretended to be? This was their choice."

Bertholdt's eyes suddenly shot open in shock. "No! You're wrong! Who chooses to be this? Tell me!"

His tears fell down his cheeks and landed onto Vanessa's face. In the moment, she was unbothered by his tears rolling down her own face, staining her lips and her neck. "What do you think I am? Huh?! What?! You think this what we aspired to be?!"

Eren stopped pushing. Even in his anger, Bertholdt's tone surprised him. "People loathe us. And why wouldn't they? We're monsters. We deserve to die for the things we've done." His voice cracked as he blinked through his tears. "We're lost. We could live a thousand years and never again know peace. Try to imagine that darkness. The only light was our brief time as soldiers."

He inhaled sharply, adjusting his tone to sound more sincere. "It was never a lie! Do you understand? We're not who we said we were, but it wasn't an act! We genuinely thought of you as our friends. I'm not stupid. I know I have no right to ask for forgiveness. But, please...I beg of you. If we were comrades, someone find us."

Bertholdt tucked his head to his chest, trying to hold back his despair. His shoulders shook. He was so uncomfortably close that Vanessa could feel the ends of his hair on her forehead. Despite her fury, despite her hatred, she couldn't help but wonder...does Reiner feel the same?

"Give them back," Mikasa said finally. "I won't ask again."

Bertholdt ceased his trembling. "I'm sorry. I can't." He slowly raised his head. "One of you has to do it. One of you...has to stain your hands with my blood."

The sound of someone shouting in the distance broke the tension. They couldn't quite make out what the person said, but the sound of the recruits flying away followed. Bertholdt glanced around aimlessly. "Something's happening."

They felt Reiner tighten his grip and increase his pace, the sound of his booming footsteps growing louder and louder. Suddenly, his whole body shook. Vanessa could feel Reiner's muscles contract and stretch as he let out a roar, the sound sending vibrations through all of them. Vanessa unclenched her fists, relaxing her aching fingers. She tried desperately to quell her anger. "Bertholdt," she said as calmly as she could. "You need to let me go."

"I can't," he insisted. "You don't understand. Eren was the ultimate goal, but you and Christa are also important."

"She was right. I won't make a good prisoner."

Bertholdt rolled his eyes. "You don't need to be a good prison-"

"I will never be a good prisoner," she said carefully. "For every second of every moment that I am alive, I will fight you. I will never stop fighting. I will never stop trying to kill you. I will never stop trying to get away from you. I. Will. Never. Stop."

Eren peeked at her over Bertholdt's shoulder. Her words gave him courage. Vanessa took another calming breath. "But...I won't. I'll go quietly-willingly, even. As long as you let Eren and Historia go, you can have me. Whatever it is you want to me to do, I'll do it. I'll obey. I don't care. Just let them go."

Eren began protesting, wiggling against his restraints. Before Bertholdt could answer, Reiner's body shook again. They jumped in his hands, and then...his fingers opened and sunlight washed over them. Bertholdt widen his eyes as Reiner withdrew his hands and began fighting the swarm of titans around him. They tried to bit his legs and arms, breaking their teeth against his armor. Bertholdt anchored himself to Reiner's chin. He still kept Vanessa pinned, not wanting to give her the chance of fighting back or escaping. One titan reached for them, but Reiner elbowed it in the face.

Bertholdt noticed a blur of movement up near Reiner's head. Mikasa circled around Reiner, her eyes focused on Bertholdt and her blades raised. Bertholdt felt the familiar chill of fear crawl up his spine. As she neared, he pushed off Reiner and lifted Vanessa up into Mikasa's path. She gasped and twirled over her shoulder to avoid hacking off Vanessa's head. As she sailed past them, Eren shouted and kicked with his leg. Mikasa glanced over her shoulder and saw she was falling right into the palm of a titan. It latched onto her and squeezed.

Jean flew up and attacked the titan, freeing Mikasa. Two more Scouts rose up into the air, anchoring into Reiner's chest as they let out their battle cries to attack. Reiner tugged their wires free, leaving them to be caught and feasted on by the titans. Reiner raised his right hand for Bertholdt to rest on. He shoved Vanessa onto Reiner's palm, and planted his knee in the middle of her back. "We've come too far to give up, now," he told her. "We are going home. And all three of you are coming with us."

Vanessa tried to push Bertholdt off, but she couldn't even brace herself. His knee was large, keeping her shoulders pinned as well. No! I have to...I have to fight! I won't give in!

"Bertholdt!" Armin fired his anchor onto Reiner's temple, and landed on his head.

Bertholdt drew a blade and hoisted Vanessa up. His hand nearly encompassed her neck, and he held his blade directly under her chin. "Stay back!" he warned. "Don't come any closer!"

Vanessa instinctively tried to claw at Bertholdt's hand, but the sharpness of his blade prevented her from fighting. Memories of the man in black came to her mind. How sharp his blade was against her soft throat. Armin hesitated for a moment then gave Bertholdt a sinister smile that didn't quite match the look in his eyes. "So, you're okay with this? Leaving your friend behind to face the music?"

Bertholdt gasped. His eyes widening in horrific realization. "I guess Annie was weighing you down?" Armin asked. "Do you know where she is? Way up north in the Utopia District...being tortured. The silent treatment only goes so far. Body may heal, but her screams are an object-lesson on the limits of endurance."

Bertholdt's hold of Vanessa slowly tightened in panic. She tried to gasp for air, but found her supply caught off. "Oh, don't worry. They're taking special care she doesn't die," Armin continued softly. "Or get a moment's rest. So many methods. So little time. Mustn't waste a prize specimen like Annie. She's too precious-"

"Shut your mouth, hellspawn!" Bertholdt snapped, squeezing Vanessa's neck with such fury. "I'll kill you!"

Suddenly, a flash of silver sliced across Bertholdt's chest. The slash continued, cutting Bertholdt's arm clean off. He lowered his gaze, seeing Erwin with a bloodied blade in his left hand and missing his right arm. The bonds tying Eren to Bertholdt were broken, and Eren began to fall along with Reiner's severed thumb. Vanessa slipped out of Bertholdt's grasp and her chest throbbed from the sudden rush of air. Her thoughts became clear. I'm free. Now's my chance!

She quickly drew her blades. Bertholdt was dangling helplessly from Reiner's chin, too stunned to move. Armin had flown off after Eren. Vanessa prepared to fire her anchor, to finish Bertholdt once and for all. But for some reason, she glanced down. Erwin was falling, and directly below him was a titan...waiting with it's mouth wide open. No! She glanced back up at Bertholdt. No, no, no! This is my only chance! But, the Commander...what do I do?

Vanessa growled in frustration and pain as she turned towards the Commander. Near the titan's feet, Erwin's horse was waiting. Vanessa fired her anchor, grappling onto Reiner's elbow, and soared around. She struck the waiting titan, killing it in a single blow. Reiner screamed in panic as he continued fighting off the titans trying to eat him. Vanessa released her anchor and tackled Erwin, grabbing in time before he hit the ground. Their landing was rough, but they were alive. Erwin's horse noticed them and galloped towards them.

Vanessa quickly got up and went to Erwin. "Come on, Commander. Get up. We have to go."

Erwin's face was dangerously pale. He groaned as Vanessa lifted him to his feet. She was nowhere near tall enough to properly support him. "I am...not your priority. Eren...rescue him."

"He already has been, sir. We need to go. You're important, too."

They reached the horse and Vanessa helped Erwin mount it. She jumped and slipped onto the saddle in front of Erwin. He didn't protest as she took the reins. Erwin gave the order of retreat. Reiner tried reaching for Eren and Vanessa, but they were beyond his reach. He roared again. Some of the titans were abandoning their attempted feast of Reiner to chase the retreating soldiers. As they rode, Vanessa was silently screaming inside her head. You fucking idiot! That was your one shot! Her throat ached with the ghost tightness of Bertholdt's hand. Damn it. I'm still...

Suddenly, a titan soared through the air and crashed onto a section of trees up ahead. Another flew over the soldiers, landing near where Eren and Mikasa were. The formation halted. Vanessa glanced back. "Oh, no," she breathed. "He's fucking throwing them."

Erwin slowly followed her gaze. Behind them, Reiner was prying titans off of his body and throwing them with all his strength. The titans sailed through the air with their limbs flapping uselessly. Erwin repeated his order of retreat and the soldiers took off. The horses cried out in fear as more and more titans rained down upon them. Vanessa steered the horse in a zig-zag pattern, keeping an eye out to avoid being squashed like a bug. She happened to glance to her left and saw Ymir hurdling straight for them. Panic electrified her and she steered the horse out of the way just as Ymir left. She roared as she slammed into a titan, the force blasting Vanessa and Erwin off the horse.

Erwin groaned as he forced himself onto his knees. His adrenaline was waning. He was losing strength, and he knew he'd lose consciousness soon. Vanessa hurried over to him, pieces of grass sticking out of her braid. "Come on, Commander. We have to go. Come on."

"I'm not your objective," he growled. "Don't waste time on someone who's replaceable. Retrieve Eren and go."

"I can't do that, sir. I..." Vanessa suddenly drew blades and hacked off the fingers of an approaching titan. It paused, mildly surprised by it's wounds. Vanessa rushed down between it's legs and flew up along it's back, killing it. As it fell, she soared around back to Erwin. She took a few steps then collapsed onto her hands and knees in front of him. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm so sorry."

Erwin watched her confusedly. Her shoulders were trembling and she curled her hands into fists. "I failed everyone...I couldn't..." I couldn't kill them. All I did was get caught. I couldn't do a goddamn thing as Bertholdt...he almost... Vanessa heard the sound of another titan approaching. She wiped her face on her sleeve. "Stay here, Commander. I'll fight them off."

He said nothing as she took off into the sky. Erwin studied his surroundings. Peer and some of the other senior Scouts were joining Vanessa in fighting off the titans that were growing too close to him. Several meters to his right, Ymir was battling her own titan squad alongside Historia, Conny, and Sasha. To his left, Armin was huddled under a tree with Jean, trying to keep a 3-meter titan from getting any closer. A little bit farther past them, Eren and Mikasa were watching as Hannes was being eaten by a smiling titan. "Commander!" Peer shouted. "Sir, the Armored! It's coming this way!"

Erwin turned his head. Reiner had shaken off the remaining titans clinging to his legs and headed straight for them. Bertholdt was still hanging on, his chest and arm still healing. Vanessa reappeared, sliding along the grass to stand in-between Erwin and Reiner. She stood protectively. No more hesitations. No second thoughts.

Suddenly, the rage-filled scream of Eren rolled across the field. All the titans paused and turned their heads in unison to look his way. Eren screamed again, throwing his fist. A 15-meter titan leapt over him and tackled the smiling titan. The other titans all got up and ran straight for the smiling titan, swarming it with fierce hunger. The titans ripped it apart, tearing chucks out of it. The smiling titan's smile seemed to fade into a frown as one titan ripped it's head off, digging it's little fingers into the smiling titan's eye. Eren had taken the opportunity to run with Mikasa.

Reiner immediately changed course, increasing his speed to catch up to them. Eren came to halt. "Get away from us!" he bellowed. "Rat bastards, I'll kill you where you stand!"

Reiner seemed to falter a bit. The titans that were feasting on the smiling titan all turned to glare over at Reiner. As one, they abandoned their meal and rushed Reiner. Vanessa gasped as she overcame her shock. Erwin's horse was loitering under a tree, and she hurried over to fetch it. The other soldiers took the opportunity to gather the horses. Vanessa brought Erwin's horse to him, and helped him climb on. "This may be our only window," he noted. "Soldiers! Retreat!"

Vanessa hopped up onto the saddle in front of Erwin. He didn't protest as she once again took control and kicked the horse into full speed. As the remaining Scouts retreated, Vanessa snuck a glance back over her shoulder. Ymir was aiding Reiner and Bertholdt in fighting off the titans. Vanessa gripped the reins tighter. The farther they got away, the farther her memory of Reiner seemed to fade. Her love, her hatred, his smile, his betrayal...it all washed off her like a layer of dirt being scrubbed off. It wasn't all gone. She doubted she would ever find peace again, but...for the first time in her life, she prayed.

She prayed that she would see him again. She prayed that when she did...she would make him pay.

Wall Rose...

"Hurry! Help the injured first!"

Vanessa caught Conny as he lost strength in his legs. Historia, too, nearly fell flat onto the stone, but Armin caught her. "Whoa. Christa? Christa, are you okay?"

The Garrison soldiers were fussing over the other soldiers, wondering where the MPs were. Conny latched onto Vanessa for support. He felt exhaustion and sadness and betrayal overflow. He covered his face with his hand and began sobbing. Jean had regained consciousness and sat on a small crate, resting upon the medical officer's order. "We've really got the worst luck," he said. "I can't believe we escaped."

He glanced over where Eren, Sasha, and Vanessa were helping the medical officer set Mikasa down on a stretcher. The officer was grumbling. "Riding horseback after getting your ribs broken by a titan? Unacceptable. We need to get her to a doctor fast."

Mikasa gently touched Eren's arm. "Eren. It's okay. I'll be okay."

He lowered his gaze in shame. "I'm sorry."

The sound of high-pitched, utterly terrified screaming drew their attention westward. Raisa was tearing her hair out as Erwin laid unconscious at her feet. "Commander?! Erwin?! He's lost too much blood! Hurry! We have to get him back to Trost! Now!"

Eren stood up as he watched the officers help Raisa carry Erwin to a wagon with her still screaming. He glanced at the other wagon full of injured Scouts. Beside him, Vanessa was trying to comfort Conny. "Come on, man," she said tiredly. "You're almost to the wagon. We're almost there. Stand up."

He sniffled and rubbed his eyes. "I can't believe...I'm alive."

Eren glanced farther back where Captain Rico was giving Historia some water. He turned to look at the wagon full of injured again then lowered his gaze once more. "I allowed myself to be kidnapped. It's my fault. The Scouts lost so many all in a single rescue attempt...because of me."

"Still, though...there were no casualties on the way back," Armin noted. "The titans completely ignored us. They were too fixated on Reiner and the others. Suppose they acted that way...because of you."

Eren widened his eyes. "Me? But I...I...I don't have any idea how or what...everything happened so fast-"

"You think Eren controlled those titans?" Jean asked. "If he really can, then-"

"Is it true, Eren?" Conny asked. He wiped the remaining tears off his face and let Vanessa help him up. "Is that why all those titans attacked Reiner? If it weren't for you, we'd all be dead."

Eren studied his right hand, recalling how hit bit himself over and over again. His wounds had healed, of course. He tried to remember what it felt like when he screamed. When he wanted that titan and Reiner dead. "This is all speculation," Jean said. "I don't envy you, Eren. Maybe all those people really did die for nothing...maybe they didn't. That all depends on you. If you're really worth the sacrifice, you'd better prove it."

Eren furred his brows then turned away from Jean. "You sure have gotten preachy since you joined the Scouts. It's weird."

"Huh?" Jean flinched at Eren's tone. "Oh, yeah? What about you? You've turned into a whiny, little shit!"

"No. Jean, he's right," Vanessa interjected. "It's creepy how serious and responsible you've become all of a sudden."

"Both of you still have that murderous look in your eyes," Armin added.

"Hey! I'm the one who saved Mikasa!"

"Thank you," Eren said.

Jean blinked in angry surprise. "What?"

"You're right." Eren clenched his fists. "I have to be decisive. If this is real, if I can control titans...I have to plug up Wall Maria then make Reiner answer for what he's done. People died for me. I have to earn what they gave."

Historia abruptly got to her feet and stumbled over them. She grabbed onto Vanessa's shoulder for support. Armin stepped in to stop her from taking another step. "Christa, wait! It's-"

"No. My name is Historia," she corrected. "Eren. Let's hurry...to the other side of the wall."

Vanessa wrapped her arm around Historia. "Come on, you need to rest."

Historia waved her arms about, shrugging off Vanessa and latching onto Eren. "Don't worry about me!" She pulled him close, forcing him to bend down. "We have to get Ymir back! If we don't, she'll be beyond our help! You can do it! Only you! Use your new powers to do something!"

Her legs buckled beneath her and she collapsed onto the stone, her hold of Eren slipping. Vanessa caught Historia before she fell over. "Calm down. You're exhausted."

Eren studied Historia in her despair. He knelt down in front of her. Historia began to shake as tears welled up in her eyes. "Why? She...she chose them over me. S-She said we'd live for ourselves...together...but now she's left me behind. She's a...a traitor! I'll never forgive her."

Jean frowned. "Christa, this isn't like you..."

Historia erupted into laughter. "Christa? Christa?! I'm not Christa! She's gone now!"

Vanessa wrapped her arms around Historia, trying desperately to comfort her. Historia didn't try to push her off. "She was a role I was forced to play. That's all she was. A lie!"

"I know," Vanessa whispered. Eren furred his brows while Jean and Armin exchanged glances.

"She wasn't real." Historia sobbed. "She wasn't real."

Trost District, Wall Rose, a week later...

Erwin was shocked he had survived the ordeal at all. He had finally woken from his coma. His face was already covered in stubble and he felt like he really had risen from the dead. What physically ached most of all...was the phantom pain of his missing arm. Katya and Commander Pyxis sat to his left while Raisa sat to his right. Levi was leaning against the wall, gazing out the window. The room was silent save for Commander Pyxis' report. "...evacuees are now returning to their homes. Thankfully, that was the only case where we had to use military force during this chaotic situation."

"Sorry, Commander," Raisa said. "I know you've only just woken up, but we'd all understand if you'd rather get some more rest than hear the reports."

"No, I'm tired of sleeping." He turned back to Pyxis. "Please, continue."

Raisa glanced at Katya then at Erwin's wound. Her shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry, sir. You tasked me with determining the infiltrators' identities and detain them...but I failed. And, I...I wasn't there to protect you when you lead the rescue mission. Your arm..."

Erwin smiled sadly. He held out his stump. "How many hundreds of soldiers do you think I've sent to their deaths? How many do you think were sacrificed on my orders? One arm isn't nearly enough to make up for it. I can only settle the debt when I'm in hell."

Katya said nothing, and gave no reaction to his words. Pyxis hummed bemusedly. "Mind if I join you down there when I kick the bucket?"

"What's wrong, old man? Giving up?" Levi asked. He noticed Hange walking across the courtyard. "Maybe you should have another drink."

"Oh, I'd love to, but this one won't let me." Pyxis pointed to Anka who was waiting patiently against the wall.

Erwin chuckled. Katya finally smiled upon hearing her husband's laugh. A knock came from the door. Levi turned away from the window. "It's Hange. Come in."

Hange entered the room with Conny following behind her. "Pardon the intrusion, Erwin..." Hange noticed Pyxis and immediately saluted. "Commander Pyxis, glad we caught you. Um, this is...state your name, soldier."

Conny saluted. "Sir! Conny Spring, sir. Hundred-and-Fourth Cadet Corp."

"Conny here is originally from Ragako," Hange explained.

"Ah, yes. Where the invasion seems to have begun, correct?" Pyxis asked.

"Yes, sir," she answered. "In fact, he's corroborated a valuable piece of evidence in that regard. I think his story will support our hypothesis."

"And what's that?" Erwin asked.

"Moblit conducted a survey and investigation of the town," she began. "The buildings all appeared to have been blown apart from the inside. Yet despite all the destruction...there was no evidence of any carnage. No blood. No bodies. And...we have yet to locate a single resident from Ragako save for Conny here."

Conny remained straight-faced. Hange noticed the fear and shock in his eyes. "Plus...the total number of titans discovered and killed...matches the last reported census of the population of Ragako."

Pyxis blinked in surprise. "Wait...you're saying the titans responsible for this...were the citizens of Ragako?"

"No," Erwin concluded. "You're saying that titans are actually...human beings."

Hange raised her shoulders, tossing her hands in the air. "Well, we don't have any proof yet. But it makes their weak spots much more plausible when you think about where Eren resides in his titan form. One meter by ten centimeters..."

Raisa blinked as a thought came to her. "You've experimented on titans before. I know for a fact that you've carefully opened up the nape of titans to see inside. There was never anything there, though."

"True," Hange agreed. "I've never seen anything that looks like a human being inside the nape of a titan. I've even cut all the way down to the spine."

"But you're sure about this hypothesis?" Erwin asked.

Hange glanced at Conny again. "Yes. The titan we found trapped in the village physically matches a portrait of Conny Springer's mother. He did an in-person verification."

Levi inhaled sharply and grabbed onto the backrest of Raisa's chair. "This is just perfect. I've spent all this time, all this energy...and the things I've been carving through like cake were people."

"As I said...we don't have proof."

Pyxis hummed again and rubbed his chin in thought. "Can't help but wonder if it's true...is there some reason for the difference between regular titans and shifters like Eren?"

Raisa felt like her head was going to explode. She hadn't really had time to process everything that happened after Annie's capture. Nothing but questions were running through her head. Her gaze shifted to Erwin and she froze. He was smiling. A true, genuine, delighted smile. "The hell?"

He hadn't heard her. Katya reached over and placed her hand on his arm. "Erwin, stop."

He dropped his smile upon realizing her meaning. Erwin met Raisa's disgusted gaze. "Oh. I'm sorry. How're your injuries?"

Raisa eased her concerned frown. "Healing."

"Good. Where are Eren and the other recruits?" he asked. "We need to dig deep into Christa and Vanessa's backgrounds. I've only heard Vanessa's story, but considering the gravity of the things we've learned so far...the Scouts have three incredibly valuable assets right now."

Raisa sighed and rested her elbows on her knees. "The moment we got back...I was the only conscious superior officer. You were basically dead and Hange was out cold, so I went ahead and made some decisions. Including...the new members of Squad Levi."

End of Chapter 17