Author's Note: Hey, everyone. It's been nearly seven months since my last update. In that seven months, I've gone through a lot. Writer's block, depression, trying to find my purpose, and much more. But in all that, I left you all behind. I cannot express how sorry I am for letting you down again. I said this wouldn't happen again, and I didn't keep my word. You guys have every right to be upset with me.

I want to give a special shout out CobaltFlame59 for the PM he sent me. It reminded me of the most important thing about being a fanfic writer: I have a responsibility to all of you. You guys have followed me for God knows how long, even going as far back as 2016 with my previous incarnation of Blacksmith's Tale. That cannot be brushed aside. I also want to apologize to everyone who has sent me messages and I ignored them. I have no excuse for doing that.

I won't waste this Author's Note by having a "woe is me" party. That's not important. What is important is that I want to keep this story going more than any story I have ever written. There is so much to be done, so much to share, but I have to get there first. This is why I'm making this Note: I need your help.

I need someone to help me with the massive action sequence that will be happening in the next chapter because there are a LOT of players that will be there. What I'm looking for is someone who knows how to write big action sequences as well as having a knack for storytelling. I have ideas on how I want this battle to go; I just need someone to help me piece them together. If anyone is available or has time to help, please let me know. It would also help if you have a Discord account. GodzillaFollower1998 has contributed quite a bit to this chapter already, but his personal life takes a much higher priority. Please send him love and check out his stories.

Now, in light of all the times I've made you wait for my chapters, here is a sneak peek at what is to come. Special thanks to GodzillaFollower1998 for all the help he's given me towards this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. And thank you all for sticking with me this long. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you. :)


Levi could hear the sounds of his footsteps and those of his comrades bounce around in the otherwise still air of the large and cold chapel. It was like the scattered applause of a bored audience. Moonlight bled in through the windows, coloured shades of blue and purple lighting up the ruined structure. Cobwebs plagued the unused pews and the rancid stench of mold nearly made him gag. Hanji was convinced that there was some kind of secret entrance in this place. Otherwise, they would be back to square one.

Annie left the Female Titan a few miles from the Reiss Chapel. No sense in letting the MPs know the Scouts were coming. He noticed she had been awfully quiet, most likely because her mind was on the Amsdale brat. She was good at compartmentalizing her emotions during battle, so he wasn't too concerned about whether she could focus long enough to shift again.

His biggest concerns were the other cadets. Connie and Jean had yet to kill a human being, and the latter had the most vocal issues regarding the path the Scouts had taken. Despite what they said back in Dauper, it would be this fight in which they would have to prove their resolve. Sasha was still recovering from her injuries, and he couldn't help but wonder if bringing her along was more of a detriment than an asset. Armin, naturally, had the brain of a strategist, but he was still "built like a daffodil" as Shadis described him. He could only hope these four cadets wouldn't get themselves or anyone else killed.

"Over here!" Hanji's voice cut through the silence like a knife. At last.

Adding to his relief, Mike entered the building along with Nanaba, Gelgar, Nifa, Keiji, Goggles, and roughly thirty Scouts. After retaking their old outpost, Hanji contacted her squad and sent them to Mike so they could gather reinforcements. It was a miracle they had found him in the short time they had. Not often did the Scout Regiment face good fortune.

While the 104th quietly intermingled with the other Scouts, the leaders made their way over to Hanji. By the altar, where a stylised rug had been yanked aside, there lay what at first glance looked like a trap door.

"This is it," Hanji said, voice brooking no discussion. "Eren and Rod's forces will be on the other side. I just hope the layout's close to what I predicted…"

"If it isn't," Mike spoke up, "we'll improvise."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.," Levi stated, bringing the discussion to a swift end. The more time they wasted, the less chance Eren had. And after all the pissing around they had done, all the setbacks, all the arguing and heartache, Levi was determined to get this matter done with. He cast a look at the Scouts; specifically, the 104th. "You all ready to get your hands dirty?"

As expected, the older veterans nodded silently. As for the cadets, all of them tried to make brave faces, but their apprehension was clear as day, like a foul stench in the air. Levi chose not to call them out. It was easy for one to say they were ready to take a life; it was a whole different thing to actually go through and do it. Armin's hand, perhaps the hand that had held the gun that had taken his first victim, was shaking. Mikasa, top of her class, had a face that could have been carved from stone, but he didn't doubt that there was some dread behind her grey eyes.

Dread that she would be too late to save Eren.

With what he knew now, about his heritage, he couldn't help but feel… more concerned for her than the others. She wasn't just another cadet anymore; she was family. He wasn't alone anymore. And Kenny, he could be his—

Immediately, he locked the thought away and focused on the kids he was sending into Hell. "…Looks like you are."

No more hesitation, no more waiting.