Chapter 38

Author's Note: sorry I've been gone so long. I had to process the ending of AoT as well as some stuff going down in my personal life.

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexual content

Enjoy

Hospital, Liberio Internment Zone, Marley, 854, a month ago...

Cassandra knelt over the bowl of water and squeezed the rag in her hands. Eren sat at the edge of the bed, shirtless with his head hovering over another bowl full of soapy water. His hair was wet and his right eye stung, but he ignored the pain. Cassandra moved the bowls and grabbed a fresh towel to dry his hair with. He welcomed her touch. He hadn't taken a bath in so long, he almost forget what it felt like to be clean. Cassandra stopped. "Why don't you heal yourself?"

"Gives me a reason to stay here...that and the 'amnesia'."

She moved the towel down to his shoulders and ran her fingers through his damp hair, clearing it off his face. "Why're you here at all? You still haven't told me."

Eren raised his head to look up at her. He put his hands on her waist, and pulled her closer to him. "We're running out of time. He's running out of time."

Cassandra rolled her eyes, looking away in annoyance. "Why is he even...? I don't understand. Skye didn't tell me he was involved in the plan."

"Because he doesn't know about the plan to get you and your son out of Marley." Eren slid his hands down to her hips. "He's been kept out of that loop. We don't trust him either. Though, I suspect he knows something's up. I haven't told him anything about it."

Cassandra pushed his hands off then folded her arms under chest. "Could've fooled me. You came here for him."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

Eren tilted his head as he studied her disappointed frown. It had been so long since they had a moment like this. Her caring for him. But those thoughts only saddened him. There was so much he wanted to tell her, but he couldn't. Not yet. Perhaps...I can tell her a little. "You aren't the only one being forced to bear children."

"What?"

"Historia's pregnant."

Cassandra blinked in surprise, unfolding her arms. "Wha...? Did she...?" She paused for a moment. "Wait, she was forced? Who's the father? Is she okay?"

"She's fine," he assured her. "'Forced' was the wrong word. Actually, she was...convinced."

"What the fuck does that mean?"

Eren lowered his gaze to her middle. "It means she chose to buy herself some time. The Paradis leaders won't risk a succession while she's pregnant. But the issue wouldn't have come up if it weren't for his demands. Historia thinks she's doing the right thing."

He grabbed her hips again, pulling her even closer, and Cassandra did not resist. "You're the other option."

"To succeed him? Yeah, I'll pass."

"You think they'll give you a choice?" He gripped her hips tight, shaking her slightly to make her look at him. "I know you want to see your son grow up. But they'll take that away from you. Your life will be cut short after thirteen years unless..."

"Unless?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you pregnant?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

She gave him a look. "I'm very sure."

He suddenly wrapped his arms around her and tossed her onto the bed. She yelped in surprise. Eren leaned on top of her, the ends of his hair falling around her face. He slipped an arm under her while his other hand held onto her side, pinning her down. Cassandra stared up at him in annoyed surprise. "Hey, what're you-"

She was silenced with a kiss. All resistance left her body. Cassandra breathed him in. Gripping his sides as he pressed his chest against hers. Eren pulled up her skirt, running his hand up the length of her leg. But he stopped at her mid-thigh and broke their passionate kissing. "Do you trust me?"

Cassandra gazed up at him. Her heart racing with anticipation. She moved to kiss him again, to taste him once more. But Eren leaned back out of her reach. "Do you trust me?"

His tone was harsher. Demanding. Cassandra was firm against his intimidating gaze. "Yes."

Outside the ghetto, present...

The entire building shook from the explosion and deafening roar of the Attack Titan. Cassandra dropped the rifle and turned towards Sebastian. She glanced at Skye as she grabbed her crying son, bringing him into her arms. "Are you okay? Skye?!"

"I'll be fine." Skye groaned, wiping the blood of her nose and mouth. As far as she could tell, she still had all her teeth. But her head now ached from the hits she took.

Sebastian squirmed in his mother's arms. Trying to keep his ears covered. "No! No! Lemme go!"

"Sebastian! Sebastian, it's me!" Cassandra held onto him, turning him to face her. "It's okay! It's okay! It's just me!"

"Why'd you do that?! Why?! Why?!"

Another thundering roar interrupted them. A lot of the chaos wasn't visible. But she could see Eren's titan free-diving onto the audience, roaring over and over as his fists pounded onto the ground. Cassandra grabbed Sebastian's face, forcing him to look at her. "Listen to me! I'm so sorry you had to see that. I'm so, so sorry. But you have to calm down."

"No! No!" he screamed back at her.

"I know! I know you're scared and you're angry, but please. You have to calm down." She searched his eyes, seeing his terror subside as his screaming stopped. "I'm sorry. Believe me, I never wanted you to see that."

Sebastian sniffled, unable to stop his tears. He latched onto his mother's arms. His confusion was maddening. The love in her eyes was evident. He had seen it in every moment since he could remember. But he had never seen her do something so violent. "Mama," he wept.

He threw himself onto her, wrapping his arms around her neck as he buried his face in her chest. Cassandra held him tight, seeking her own comfort from him. Skye stumbled over, now wearing a chest plate that displayed the familiar Wings of Freedom insignia. Cassandra gasped upon it's sight and then she froze as she heard a familiar sound. A shrill of air as something latched onto the edge of the roof. Cassandra turned and looked up at the sky as dozens of figures soared down.

Internment zone...

Lara held onto her side as she crawled to her feet. A wound on her forehead steamed as she held onto a broken piece of the stage. Her legs threatened to buckle. She gazed up at the Attack Titan who was busy pounding his fists into the bleachers that once held the Marleyan military leaders. The image of Willy's body in the air flashed through her mind. "You fulfilled your duty as a Tybur, brother," she whispered. "I'm so proud of you."

Eren stopped and turned as the ground shook from the explosion of lightning. The War Hammer Titan formed, building from the feet up. Hardened skin covering it's skeleton and tissue. But Eren struck before it could finish transforming, slamming his hardened fist into it's face. The War Hammer fell into a building, and Eren pounced on top. Giving his enemy no time to react as he hardened both fists and pounded away.

The War Hammer roared and Eren was thrown into the air. His middle pierced by a powerful spiral of hardened titan power. It took him a second to realize what happened. He grabbed onto the spike and gazed down at the War Hammer who had finished it's healing.

His legs flailed in the air as he tried to push himself up the spike. Lara raised her hand and formed a huge hammer of pure hardening. The hammer swung through the air as Lara gripped it with both hands. Eren punched through the hardened spike, freeing himself just as Lara swung her hammer. The mallet narrowly missed Eren's head as he jumped to safety. He slid along the ground, whirling around to face the War Hammer, but found his feet stuck. Dozens of tiny spikes protruded from the ground, several impaled through his feet.

Cannon booms drew his attention from behind. Eren quickly covered his nape as he was riddled with anti-titan shells. A few of them bouncing off his hardened fingers. Lara lifted her mighty hammer once more while he was distracted. Eren tried to run, but the spikes held him firm. He hardened his hands and wrists further to shield his head as the hammer came down on him. Tearing his head and hands clean off.

Eren's titan body slumped to it's knees as blood spilled from the fresh wounds. What was left of the nape burst with steam and Eren emerged from his fallen titan form. He glared at Lara defiantly. The War Hammer raised her weapon once more. "Usurper, Eren Jaeger," she said. "Before you die...you may utter your final words."

"It's time, Mikasa."

Zooming up behind the War Hammer, Mikasa appeared out of the smoke. She fired all of her thunderspears at Lara's nape. Flipping over the titan's head as she pulled the pins. Lara's neck exploded spectacularly as Mikasa flew away. The soldiers atop the roofs could only watch in horror as numerous thunderspears appeared beside their cannons. Exploding simultaneously while gunfire rained down upon them.

Eren watched as the Scouts attacked the screaming Marleyan soldiers. Mikasa's anchor latched onto his titan's shoulder, and she landed beside him. He gazed up at her. "Glad to see all of you made it."

"Please, Eren," she said sadly. "Come home."

Outside the ghetto..

Cassandra backed away as dozens of unfamiliar faces landed on the roof. She held onto Sebastian as he wrapped his legs around her waist. The strangers were dressed like Skye, but they were fully outfitted. ODM gear on their backs, slimmer holsters secured to their waists and thunderspears attached to their arms. They all bowed their heads. "Princess."

Cassandra backed further away and looked to Skye who was being helped by a couple Scouts. She gestured for Cassandra to remain calm. "It's okay. They're here to help."

"Hey, give her some space," came a familiar voice.

Cassandra gasped in relief at the face she hadn't seen in four years. "Sasha...is that you?"

Sasha smiled brightly, shouldering the rifle in her hand. She pulled Cassandra into a hug. "Don't worry," she said, stepping back. "You're safe, now. We're gonna get you both out of here."

"Preferably before Eren destroys everything," Cassandra said, wrapping her arms tighter around Sebastian.

"We will. I promise." Sasha gestured to her fellow Scouts, making a circle pattern in the air. "Let's move out!"

Internment zone...

"Hey, Eren...you understand what you've done, don't you?" Mikasa asked. The unreadable expression on Eren's face only plunged her heart further into despair. "You've killed...so many civilians. Innocent people. Kids. There's no taking this back."

Eren furred his brows as she stared down at him. But the sound of the War Hammer stirring drew his attention. "It's not over, Mikasa."

She gasped in shock. "That's impossible! I blew up the nape of its neck!"

"And I crushed it with all my strength. And it's still alive."

The War Hammer held up it's head as it's nape healed. She raised her right hand, forming a crossbow and pointed it at them. Mikasa grabbed Eren and zipped away to avoid the arrow. It struck exactly where Eren was, knocking the disintegrating body down. Eren studied the War Hammer as Mikasa carried him over to a light tower. "Huh. I think I get it now," he told her. "The War Hammer Titan uses hardening to make whatever it needs. And it won't die no matter how much damage we deal to its neck."

The War Hammer got to her knees, her nape nearly healed. Mikasa let Eren go. He knelt down, holding onto the metal bars holding the giant spotlight up. "Mikasa, keep it occupied for me. If we keep this up...I'll be able to eat the War Hammer."

Rooftop...

Jean watched the battle unfold. His eyes on Mikasa as she zoomed around the War Hammer. The sound of approaching Scouts pulled his attention to them. Conny, Sasha, Skye, and several other Scouts landed. "We've stalled their reinforcements."

"What about the lights?" Jean asked.

"All of them are in place now," Sasha reported.

Jean raised his eyebrow. "Skye...you look like shit. You good?"

"Never better. Ready to fight," she said, wiping at her swollen lip. "Things going alright?"

"They are for now, at least." He turned back to the battle. "If we can take that thing out soon, we'll be fine. Looks like anything can happen at this point. Is the Princess and her son secured?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good," he said just as Mikasa fired two more thunderspears. "The only way to find out what will come next is to make it out alive. So focus."

Sitting on the light tower, Eren watched as Mikasa fought the War Hammer Titan. Destroying her right knee and blasting out her right eye. The War Hammer raised her left hand, creating a cat o' nine tails and lashing it at her. I knew something was off. The way the War Hammer materialized...its the first time I've seen a titan form from the feet up.

His gaze shifted to the War Hammer's feet. Noting what looked like a string protruding from it's left foot. Not from it's neck. He followed the string to the broken stage. But from below where she's safe. The string disappeared down a hole at the center of the debris. There!

He jumped from the tower and bit his hand, transforming once more. Eren's titan form appeared from the smoke and he thrusted his hand into the hole. He pulled the real Lara Tybur, cocooned in a titan crystal, out and released the War Hammer body. With it's string severed, the titan dropped. Immediately bursting into steam. Eren held Lara up, opening his mouth wide in order to eat her.

Before he could, the Jaw Titan appeared. His claws dug into Eren's skin and his powerful jaws latched onto his nape. Mikasa gasped and flew towards them. "Eren!"

I'm taking the founder right now! Porco prepared to rip Eren right out of his titan, but found he couldn't. Darkness enveloped him. Everything turning black and then the side of his head exploded. Huh?! What the hell happened?! I can't...I can't move my mouth!

His vision returned just as Eren backed up and slammed Porco into the building. Eren grabbed at the Jaw's hair. Porco noticed a woman flying around in front of them. A cloak of darkness flowing around her shoulders. Dark hair and copper skin. An Anscarid?!

Raisa flew up higher, intending to arch up behind them. Porco realized her intent and clawed at Eren's wrist, freeing himself to run away. His path was blocked by several thunderspears. He changed course and headed up the building, reaching for the roof. Raisa threw a thunderspear, nailing Porco's right hand. It blew off his fingers. Porco lost his grip and plopped onto the ground as numerous Scouts surrounded him. Are you devils really about to kill me? I'm a titan!

As soon as they swarmed him, gunfire rained down on them. Raisa easily dodged the bullets, circling back towards a destroyed building. "Fall back!" she ordered. "Take cover!"

A couple Scouts were knocked out of the air. Across the main square, the Cart Titan appeared with it's outfitted gear. The numerous machine guns firing in every direction. Porco took the opportunity to run like hell towards the Cart Titan, the sides of his mouth healing. Eren watched them indifferently, shifting his gaze to Lara Tybur who glared up at him. The ground erupted with light. The War Hammer titan appeared, roaring as it formed a tree. Sharp branches piercing Eren as he was lifted into the sky. Mikasa zoomed closer. "Eren!"

Lara's glare softened a bit in surprise. One spike was fixed against his hardened wrist, unable to pierce further. Mikasa breathed a momentary sigh of relief and hopped onto a nearby roof. Raisa flew over to join her. "Commander," Mikasa called, "do we...?"

Her words were cut short by the sound of thunderous footsteps. The Beast Titan strolled onto the battlefield, flanked by his comrades. Raisa frowned in disgust upon the sight of him. "There's the motherfucker."

"Kill all of them," the Beast Titan said, reaching for fistfuls of rubble. "Let none escape."

The Scouts launched their attack. Zeke unleashed a barrage of rocks, aimed low towards the buildings. The unit on the Cart Titan fired at every Scout that dared get close while the Jaw swiped at various wires, sending many Scouts tumbling to the ground. As they fought, Raisa readied the rest of her thunderspears. "Come on, sweetheart. We don't have much time."

"Yes, ma'am."

They both jumped off the roof. Eren waited as the women swooped up and fired thunderspears at Lara's cocoon. But the powerful blasts did nothing. Not even a scratch on her perfect shield. Eren growled and opened his mouth. Blood exploded all around the crystal as he bit down. Eren lowered Lara. Her cocoon still intact while his titan mouth was broken. A crystal shell just like Annie's...but much harder.

He wiggled his pinned wrist, finding the spike embedded within breaking against his titan bones. You've spent the last of your strength. If you had any left, you would've killed me. The nape of his titan neck burst, surprising everyone. Eren quickly freed himself from his titan and hopped off the side, biting his hand to transform once more.

Raisa and Mikasa watched from their safe spot. The Commander readjusted her cloak, flickers of darkness falling off the hem and disappearing into the shadows. "Stay by Eren. I'll keep hostiles off of you guys."

"Yes, ma'am." Mikasa took a step but stopped. Her gaze flicked to the enemy titans situated across the battlefield, seemingly waiting. "What're they doing?"

"Strategizing, most likely." Raisa knelt down as she approached the edge of their hiding spot. "They assume we have no means of escape. Stupid, isolated little devil islanders launching a full-force attack with no plan...is probably what they're talking about."

Mikasa blinked as she processed her words. "Then what about the perimeter? Marley would've called back their battalions training outside the province."

Raisa smirked up at her. "Our way out is clear. Trust me."

The sound of an anchor drew their attention to Levi who landed behind them as quietly as he could. He sheathed a sword in order to check his pocket watch. "It's time."

Without missing a beat, Raisa whirled around to face Mikasa. "Tell Eren to brace himself."

"Yes, ma'am!"

As she took off, Raisa raised her arms into the air. Her eyes turning to shadow. From the darkness of her cloak, dozens of purplish butterflies fluttered into the air, spilling out into the sky for all the Scouts to see. The Beast Titan, Zeke, harrumphed at the sight. "Neat trick," he rumbled. "It it won't help."

He unleashed another volley of rocks. Only a few hitting the shadow-butterflies. "Let's have our re-match, Levi! Come on! Show yourself!"

Levi deepened his frown at Zeke's taunts. He tucked his watch away and cast a glance at Raisa. "Excuse me while I rip him to shreds."

She gave him a side smile as he took off, sticking to the shadows. With no one watching her, Raisa grabbed onto the wall to support herself. She let out the heavy breaths she had been holding in. Damn. How'd I get so out of shape so fast? The distant boom of an explosion drew her attention towards the coast. Right on time.

Raisa flicked her attention to the enemy. The Jaw Titan hopped off to confront the Scouts while Levi skillfully snuck up behind Zeke. The Beast Titan gave no resistance as Levi sliced through his nape. Raisa drew her swords and re-entered the battlefield. The Jaw Titan was fast, easily keeping Mikasa on the defense. It was all she could do to avoid his deadly claws. The Jaw hopped around, avoiding Mikasa's aim for his legs.

He took the opportunity and lunged at Eren. But he was ready. He slammed a hardened fist into the Jaw's face. But the Jaw avoided the punch, latching onto Eren's arm and biting his hand clean off. Giving Eren no time to react, he slashed savagely at Eren's face. Tearing through anything he could touch. The Jaw Titan latched onto the top of Eren's head and motioned to cut him out at the nape. Eren raised his other hand, using Lara as a shield. The titan's claws scratching through the outer layers of crystal.

Mikasa appeared once more, aiming to cut off the Jaw's hand, but he slipped away. She landed on Eren's shoulder, grabbing onto his hair. "Damn it. He's so fast. Nothing like Ymir."

Raisa landed beside her. "Eren," she said, earning a soft growl from him. "Enough playing around. Our ride is here."

Several hundred feet in the air, outskirts of Liberio...

"Commander! I just spotted the signal lights!"

"That's a relief," Hange said. "At least we know that some of the mission went according to plan."

Cassandra stood silently behind her former Commander. Sebastian was wrapped around her body, his face buried in her neck. He had refused to move. His grip on her sweater tight and unrelenting. She didn't mind. For now, he was calm. She peeked out the window, noticing the lights strategically placed on the rooftops. Lining their way to the battlefield. Hange clapped her hands onto the pilot's shoulders. "We're counting on you, Onyakapon."

"Got this, Hange," he said proudly. "Don't worry."

The door of the cockpit opened. Cassandra's heart soared at the sight of Armin. So many emotions ran through her body. Happiness at seeing him after so long, and dread from the familiar markings on his face. He had grown. Not much, but he was nearly a head taller than her now. Beyond the titan markings, she noticed his boyish looks were fading. His jaw now shaped more like a man's. Armin gave her a soft, familiar smile. "Princess Cassandra...it's good to see you again."

Cassandra marched over to him and pulled him into a hug, careful not to disturb Sebastian. Armin flinched at the sudden affection, but returned the hug nonetheless. "All this time...I thought you had died."

"I almost did," he said, stepping back. "Thanks to Captain Levi...I get to bring you home. And your son, too."

He glanced at Sebastian curiously. Sebastian had peeked to look at Armin, but now that they had locked eyes, he hid his face once more. Cassandra rubbed his back lovingly. "This is a lot for him. He needs some time."

The sound of Hange's footsteps and voice pulled their attention. "...cross the internment zone at low speed and altitude. Secure the princess and her son. Gather our troops in one fell swoop, and any stranglers who miss are out of luck...you came up with one hell of a reckless plan. Are you sure you're not possessed by Erwin's ghost?"

Armin blinked. "Honestly, I wish I had. At a time like this...I could use his strength. We're dancing on a knife's edge yet again. This has to work." He glanced at Cassandra. "Or else we lose everything."

"I sincerely apologize," Hange addressed Cassandra with a respectful bow. "Putting you and your son in harm's way was never our intention. We had a sound plan. One that didn't require drastic measures to get you two out."

Cassandra leaned her head against Sebastian's as she considered the Commander's words. "I know and I understand." She kissed Sebastian's head, his hair tickling her nose. "I just want to go home."

Ghetto...

Porco stared at the strange blimp in a mixture of shock and awe. The Scouts were withdrawing, heading for their escape. The blimp was Marleyan design, but it held features unlike any he had ever seen. The cabin was unusually long with logs secured to the bottom of it. He watched as a few Scouts secured their anchors on the logs, leaving the battlefield. Don't tell me they're going to try to escape on that thing. Growling deep, he launched himself towards it. Not happening!

He lept over a broken section the a building. Raisa appeared, jumping out of the darkness with her blades held high. Porco could do nothing but twist away as her blades sliced through his legs - missing his neck. He collapsed onto the next building over. Right in front of a waiting Eren. The Jaw Titan had no time to react as Eren grabbed him by his hair and slammed him down onto the ground. Eren stomped on the smaller titan's shoulder and promptly ripped off both arms. Porco screamed in shock. Eren shoved Lara into Porco's mouth. Huh? What's he...?!

Eren grabbed Porco's face, forcing his jaws to press against the crystal, and lifted him up high in the air. He opened his own mouth wide. Hey...stop. Porco flailed his bleeding limbs. Stop it! Stop!

Eren squeezed Porco's head, forcing his teeth to squeeze against the protective cocoon. Lara's eyes widened as the crystal cracked. Porco's teeth were forced to crush further. Eren clutched the Jaw's head and with a mighty flex, forced the titan to crush Lara. The crystal shattered like glass, and blood and gore poured out of the side of Porco's mouth. Eren opened his mouth wider, gulping every bit of Lara down his throat. The Scouts watched indifferently as the War Hammer Titan, the very essence of the Tybur family, was devoured. Even the Marleyan soldiers were stunned. For a moment, Eren let Porco go. Seemingly letting him slip from his grip. But then Eren grabbed Porco by his face and slammed him into the ground. Repeatedly.

Raisa leaned against a broken wall as she watched, absent-mindedly messing with the protective plating over her chest. Levi noticed and he motioned towards her, his instincts on high alert. "Are you hurt?"

"No," she said, withdrawing her hand. "My boobs are killing me, though."

Eren had finished beating the Jaw Titan then raised him up. Levi studied his wife. "The sooner we finish here, the sooner you can nurse. I'm sure Leo's missing you."

"Misses my milk, you mean," she grumbled. Sighing, she looked over to see Eren preparing to devour the Jaw Titan. "You're right. The sooner we leave this shithole, the better."

Before Eren could sink his teeth into Porco's nape, rubble behind exploded. Chunks of stone and wood blew away as the Armored Titan rose from the ground. But his massive body wasn't fully formed. The sensitive muscle was exposed. Bits and pieces of his armor were hanging off him like knives embedded in his body. Eren immediately hardened his fist and attacked. Leaping forward at the same time Reiner does. Eren slammed his fist into the Armored's face, shattering his jaw with one punch. The Armored flew back, tumbling into another building. Eren took a step towards him then stopped. In Reiner's left hand...was the Jaw Titan.

Eren growled low in his throat then yielded. Raisa nodded as she sighed. "This fight is over. Let's go home."

Levi gave a small nod in agreement then signaled for Mikasa to grab Eren. Shadows danced over Raisa's face once more, her pupils expanding to fill up the entirety of her eyes. Raising a hand, the lights around the blimp flickered, changing to a pulsing purple. The final signal to retreat. Three scouts arrived to guard Raisa as she made her way onboard. They entered the smaller compartment while the rest of the scouts made their way to the main hull. Raisa's eyes fell on their "guests" sitting against the wall near the far corner, guarded by Levi and a couple other elite scouts. The burning stink of mending flesh filling her nose.

Armin slid open the door across the compartment. He knelt down and held out his hand, helping Eren climb inside. Levi stepped away, his nose wrinkling as he approached Eren. "Well aren't you a filthy sight? It's like you fell in a pile of shit."

Eren pushed himself to his knees, meeting his mentor's gaze. "Captain Levi."

Without warning, Levi kicked Eren. He moved so fast that Eren could do nothing as his back slammed into the wall. Armin stopped Mikasa before she could step in, her eyes blazing. Raisa looked to their "guests" and held up her index finger to silence them before they could speak. "Quiet."

She didn't wait to see if they acknowledged her command. Raisa moved to Levi's side as two of Levi's guards pointed their guns at Eren. "This takes me back," Levi mused. "You have a real kickable face, you know that?"

"Secure him," Raisa ordered. "We're gonna have a long discussion that he's not going to enjoy."

Eren wiped the blood off his chin. "That's alright by me. I explained everything in the letters I wrote. Did you not understand them?"

Levi frowned. "I know that face. Used to see it on the rotten shits I met in the underground. Never thought I'd see it on you."

"Did you secure Cassandra and her son?"

Raisa flicked her gaze to the door opening, seeing the princess and her son being escorted out of the command room. "See for yourself," she told Eren. "Everything went just like you wanted. The princess and her son are safe...and you get your tearful reunion with your brother."

Eren said nothing as he turned to look over at the "guests". Zeke remained quiet. All four of his limbs slowly healing. A tall woman sat beside him. Her blond hair in a sharp bowl cut. The elite scouts hoisted Eren up and he didn't resist. They shoved him onto a bench and tied him to the railing. Cassandra only watched in silence, softly swaying in place as Sebastian slept. His cheek pressed against her shoulder, a bit of drool oozing out of his mouth. The sound of the other scouts shouting and celebrating made him flinch, but not enough to wake him.

"Hey, how long are you gonna make me look at that thing?" Levi asked the blond woman.

She rubbed the dark brown beard on her face. "What's your problem?" She promptly peeled the beard off. "Everyone else likes it."

Two loud thuds caught everyone's attention. Cassandra flinched at the sounds, taking a step back. Raisa only sighed as she fidgeted with her chest plate, her beasts aching. "Guess they're still celebrating our 'victory'."

The blond woman stepped around the guard hovering over Zeke and approached Cassandra. She didn't shrink back or shy away as the giant woman towered over her. The blond pressed a hand to her chest and bowed to Cassandra. "Princess, it's an honor to finally meet you. I apologize it has to be under such dire circumstances. My name is Yelena."

A scout stepped in between them. "Back off."

Yelena smiled softly. "Forgive me. Meeting another royal rather excited me. I overstepped."

Cassandra glanced at Raisa and Levi who seemed obviously suspicious of the blond woman dressed like a common Marleyan soldier. But both Zeke and Eren were unbothered. Cassandra wasn't sure what to do with all the tension. But she at least acknowledged the newcomer. "It's alright. Nice to meet you, Yelena."

This earned her a genuine smile. But Cassandra caught that strange glimmer in the woman's bug eyes.

The rough sliding of the door drew everyone's attention. Jean shoved two tied up children into the room, his hands firmly curled around their shoulders. Both of them were covered in blood and their faces were red and swollen. Zeke gasped in surprise, finally speaking. "Gabi? Falco? How did you get here?"

"What about you?" Falco asked, voice wavering. "We thought...you were dead."

"They took you alive?!" Gabi nearly screamed. "But how is that possible?! Why would you let them?!"

Raisa approached Jean, giving him a incredulous look as she blocked Gabi and Falco's view of Zeke. "Who the fuck are they?"

"They killed Lobov," Jean reported. His tone dark and stiff. "And then used his gear to climb aboard." He nodded to Gabi. "This one shot Sasha before we could catch her. I...I don't think she's going to make it."

Mikasa gasped in horror. She ran out of the room, Armin right on her heels. Cassandra lost the strength in her legs. The scout to her left caught her before she fell, and helped her to sit on the bench. Setting her down as far as possible from Eren. Sebastian was so deep in his sleep that he didn't notice when Cassandra adjusted his legs around her waist. No one said a thing. The silence becoming dense and dark.

The door to the command deck opened and Hange stepped out. "I'll leave the rest to you," she called over her shoulder.

"I'm on it, Hange!" Onyakapon's voice carried into the room.

She closed the door and her eye immediately found Zeke. "Well," she paused to approach him, "it seems everything's played out just like you wanted. Wouldn't you say?"

"Aside from the few miscalculations...I would."

A whimper drew Hange's attention towards where Jean stood with Gabi and Falco. She blinked in surprise, shaking her head. "What the...who are these kids?"

"Miscalculations."

"None of this would've happened if Yelena hadn't locked down the Cart and Jaw Titans like she said she would," Jean snapped. "We lost good people because of her."

"I'm sorry," Yelena said, rather coolly. "I can assure you that they both fell in the put, but I take full responsibility for not checking that they were secure."

"Guess that's why you threw more rocks at us than planned," Levi said. His icy glare fixed on Zeke. "You had to put on a show for your comrades, didn't ya? Quite the performance coming from a mangy furball. Well done."

"Aw, please don't glare at my like that. You'll make me piss my pants."

Raisa let out a frustrated growl as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay, enough. What's done is done. Now is the time to focus on our next move."

"I killed Marley's brass and Armin took out their primary fleet. And their port," Eren said, all eyes turning to him. "That oughta buy us some time."

"Before the whole world comes crashing down on us with a coordinated attack...you mean," Hange countered. Her gaze was dark with controlled anger and her tone was full of disappointment. "Every single time you get yourself caught, we give up lives to get you back. No matter how high the cost, we pay it. Time and time again. Without question."

Eren lowered his gaze, but gave no indication of any emotion. "You took advantage. Held yourself hostage to force our hand. Put a two-year long plan to rescue Princess Cassandra and her son at risk. We had no choice except to follow your demands. You put your utter trust in us...and we've lost ours in you, Eren."

"You gain from this, too," Zeke interjected. "You know possess the founding titan as well as a titan with royal blood. Your princess is returning home. Marley no longer has any of it's trump cards. All of your sacrifices are not in van. Eldia will be free-"

"Oh, shut up," Raisa snapped. "Save whatever bullshit speech you have for the Prime Minister."

Cassandra's ears perked at the Raisa's words. Prime Minister? So then...? I wonder who it is.

Footsteps cut the tense silence. Conny stepped inside, tears streaming down his face. His eyes wide with shock. "It's Sasha. She just died."

Hange gasped and looked to Raisa, her eye burning with sorrow and one question. Raisa stepped closer to the Commander of the Scouts to whisper what Jean had reported. Hange's gaze briefly flicked to the beat up kids, making Falco flinch. "Conny," Eren said. "Did Sasha...leave you any last words?"

"She asked...for some meat."

Eren's shoulders shook as he gritted his teeth, laughing through his nose. He ignored the incredulous looks, ignored the glares as he mind reeled with memories of Sasha and the information of her final words. Cassandra stared at Eren in a mix of disbelief and...disgust. "Eren," she scolded.

He ignored her. Quieting himself but unable to stop the shaking of his shoulders. He leaned forward, letting his hair fall over his face. "Sasha only died...because you dragged the Scouts into this," Jean told him.

He lowered his head further. Raisa crossed her arms under her chest. "Be prepared, Eren. You'll never be free again."

End of Chapter 38