Saph's PoV
Stretching my arms above my head, I felt my shoulders being comfortably pulled upwards. As I rolled my neck back and forth, I couldn't help but try to release the giddiness from my body. Utterly failing at maintaining any sense of composure, a huge grin threatened to make my cheeks sore from the uncommon facial expression. I'd expected Levi to throw me off when I'd climbed on top of him, not take me up on my offer. Savoring his smell, the warmth of his skin, and the sound of his soft breaths, I tried to memorize each moment to the last detail. Trying to absorb the entire experience also took my mind off of how I so wanted to tell him my feelings when entangled together.
Pushing my blanket to the bottom of the bed with my feet, I felt the cool air tickle my bare legs. A nice reprieve from the warmth still reverberating within my body. He seemed more present last night than last time. Not drifting towards the past when another person laid in the same position I had. 3 months since Annie wiped out everyone in our squad but Levi, Auruo, and I. Hard to believe so little time went by, when I've felt as though it'd been a year, at least. So many things have happened in such a short period of time.
At least answers would soon be coming our way. Having the Reeves Company on our side meant that we'd just need to follow them and then the Military Police after they make the exchange. I'll finally come face to face with Rod Reiss again. Not only should we get the answers about the walls we've been fighting to uncover for all this time, but I'll finally know why they turned me into a Titan Shifter.
"We need to get ready since the carriage will be coming this afternoon," Levi said as he got out of his own bed. "If all goes well, Historia will be on the throne by the end of the day."
Staring at him, I saw no emotion in his eyes. "Are we going to talk?"
"Is it necessary?" he asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I thought it might be."
"It's just as you said, a method of release."
The corner of my lip tugged upwards. "Glad I can give you that," I said sincerely. I didn't need it to be anymore for him even if it meant everything to me. The chance to hold him as I've craved to do so for so many years, left me content. I could ask for nothing more. "Sorry I can't provide the bedtime service of sweets and luxurious gifts." Running my fingers over the blankets, I grinned. "Satin sheets and fluffy pillows adorning the bed while the room is lit by an arrangement of large windows on the wall. Letting in the breeze of wind and generous amounts of sunlight." I'd love to give him a space to indulge in the finer things of life. Taking a deep breath, I thought of the day I could treat him. When nothing needed our immediate attention, and we could relax for a moment. I'd use the money I've scrimped together to make a day of it.
Levi began to get dressed. "Sounds like paradise."
"It's not, but I can see why they live in bubbles of ignorance. Why they grip every fancy item in their possession so hard their knuckles turn white. They have nothing but their power and fear. Terrified because they have so much more than everyone and don't want to share, and influential because the main motivation for them is to get more." I yanked my shirt over my ribs. "Take Bells for example. She doesn't even like men, but she's getting married to a wealthy merchant's son to maintain their wealth and prestige."
"She can't be with a woman?"
I shook my head. "I mean she's most likely going to take a lover, but the upper class freaks out at the thought of their bloodlines becoming muddled like us peasants. Make sure all families can produce their own children, so no one starts adopting." I paused, a question suddenly entering my mind. "Do you want kids?"
"We don't live a life that allows for that."
"I didn't mean right now! Maybe sometime in the future. Besides, that doesn't answer my question."
"...people in the Survey Corps don't exactly retire."
He thought he'd be here until he died. My question about children couldn't even be answered because he didn't imagine a future outside of the military. A weight pressed onto my chest and my heart dropped at the notion. I'd seen a life of happy normalcy with Suzu once I'd rescued him in the beginning of my time on the surface. After his death, I couldn't look past the moment I murdered Kenny. Now, I wanted to make Levi happy. It felt like my purpose to make sure Humanity's Strongest Soldier felt cared for and appreciated, not just used. All they did was point him in different directions to perform miracles. Fight battles no one else could win.
"Keith did."
Levi snorted. "That's one example, and he did so in order to have Erwin become our commander."
"A day could come when you don't need to fight anymore. Leave it to the next generation. Pass over your title of Humanity's Strongest Soldier to Mikasa."
"Leave everything up to them?"
Straightening my attire, I sighed, "They won't be new recruits forever."
"Lets see if they survive first," he mumbled underneath his breath, tone dark.
A knock at the door paused our conversation.
"We need to go." I nodded and began to follow him out, but he paused. Curiosity carried in his voice, "do you want kids?"
Funny that he'd asked me that. I guess I gave the same question, but I didn't think he'd want to know my answer. Could I ever imagine having them with anyone but him? "Maybe someday." A member of Hanji's crew waited in the hallway, and I quickly decided to move towards them to end the conversation. "Where is Hanji?" I inquired, peeking over the group. I saw everyone but our residential mad scientist, Historia, and Eren. The Reeves company already took them away this morning to play pretend captive. I'd expected our fellow vetran soldier to be nearby, however.
"She rushed off to discuss something with Erwin."
"Sir!" Nifa ran towards us, a newspaper in her hand, panic lacing her voice. "They are accusing us of killing the president of the Reeves company! They are talking about disbanding the Survey Corps!" Her brows furrowed in concern. A similar demeanor quickly spreading throughout the rest of the crowd as people began to whisper to one another.
Antsy, I swiveled towards Levi, awaiting my command. Some direction would be nice. Standing around while wondering what's next only makes me fret. Putting my mind to the next task is the best way to avoid overthinking.
"The Military Corps must have figured out our plan with the Reeves company and executed him. They have Eren and Historia, so we need to intercept them now or they could be lost forever."
Mikasa and Levi took the lead as they both mounted their horses and began to sprint towards the Stohess District. Swinging my leg over Lucifer, I quickly caught up to them. His legs eating up the ground to catch those in the lead. He never liked to follow. Seeing the grim but determined expressions on the two strongest people I'd ever met, I held hope that with them, we'd make it out of this mess okay.
Positioned on the rooftops of houses in the Stohess district, the Survey Corps lied in wait. Nifa and Levi stationed themselves on top of a church not too far away. When I'd tried to place myself with him, he'd shooed me away. Saying that it'd be better if the veterans partnered with the younger recruits, especially if we'd need to dispatch people. Now all I could see were their dark figures, propped up against the shingles. At first I thought he just needed some space away from me, but after hearing the grumblings of Jean and Connie, I understood why he thought I might be more necessary elsewhere.
"If we're going to have to kill other human beings… you can still count me out. If the captain did order me to kill, I still doubt I could do it," Jean huffed.
Connie glanced up to speak to the two of us, "Me too. Captain Levi thinks he can use violence to make people do as he says. Just like what he did to Historia!"
"...In any case… I didn't join the Survey Corps to become part of a violent gang. What I did… was dedicate my heart to saving humanity."
Eyes narrowing, I stared at them in confusion. "And what did you think that meant? Even if we freed ourselves from the domination of the Titans, we'd still be living under the rules of these selfish and greedy nobles. They'd let humanity waste away to make a buck even if Titans didn't hunt outside these walls." Seeing Levi signal that the carriage could be seen, I crouched down. "Besides, you need to decide now. Any hesitation will either lead to yours or a comrade's death. It's us or them."
"Easy for you to say! You grew up in the Underground, we've only ever fought Titans."
I pointed my sword at them. "Fine. Hold them still and I'll slit their throats. Teamwork."
White faces met my proposal, any enthusiasm drained out of both of them. "That's horrible!" the two of them exclaimed together. Neither Jean or Connie had a chance to squeak out anything else as a series of thumps jolted me into action. It sounded like footsteps stealthily approaching us.
I shoved them both to the side with one hand as I snaked my knife out of my boot with the other. Swinging the handle through my fingers, I slipped the weapon towards the sound of footsteps behind us. Ripping through the air, it ended up solidly thwacking into the center of a boy's forehead. Shots rang out all around us as his body dropped to the ground, completely dead weight.
The Military Police! Gripping my two blades, I turned to peer at the two young soldiers who peeked over the edge to see our would be assailant. They looked sick to their stomachs. "Stay out of my way if you're not going to help." With that said, I headed out towards where Levi originally positioned himself. Out of the corner of my vision, I could see a bunch of people donned in the gear to kill us. It seemed as if the entire organization came to exterminate us with the large numbers closing in on our location. Air smelled of gunpowder and a multitude of shadows loomed over as they moved in for the kill. Moving through the thick smoke, I heard a name that made my blood boil and teeth clench in anticipation. Fire licked at the core of my soul, and I found myself brimming with bloodlust.
"Kenny!" Levi roared, erratically hurling both of his blades at the man. I'd never seen him so frantic, even against the Female Titan.
It missed Kenny on both sides by inches. He responded by firing two shots. Thankfully, Levi had ripped his cape off and used it to fall backwards as small holes ripped through the fabric, right where he'd been seconds ago. An icy panic coated my spine sending shivers alongside it. To think this man might once again take away what's most precious to me, I couldn't stand the thought.
He shall be removed.
Hungry for Kenny's flesh, I didn't realize a pack of cronies adorned with the same badge and uniform flew up behind me to begin letting loose a wave of shots. Stumbling forward, I felt a searing pain in my upper left arm. The bullet penetrated my skin, brutally ripping aside muscle and bone. Dangling, my limb hung on only by a few meek tendons. Tugging the useless appendage away from me, I watched it soar in the sky before gravity took it down on top of the crowds of people hurriedly rushing away from the battle. Blood continued to squirt out of the gaping hole in my shoulder.
In a flash I turned around to propel myself forward with the 3DMG to the cluster of people following Levi. Sprinting along the coastline of our man-made landscape, I felt friction straining each stride on the tiles. Heat began to build within my thighs, a warning sign for anyone human to slow down. Wind whistling in my ears, my gait felt both confident and half-hazard without both biceps to pump along in time with each step. It didn't lessen my speed, however, as I quickly reached the assailants. Their mouths turned into little o's with surprise as they glanced over their shoulders to see me.
Jumping up, I swung my one arm, aiming for the neck of the closest individual. I decapitated the soldier with my blade. His head rolled right off his shoulders with the force of my swipe. Landing hard on the ground, I bent my knees to help me balance the impact. Changing my course of direction, I reached the end of the street, and I leaped high into the air. Using a little extra boost to help land me on a tall building, I began running towards the few still flying after Levi. Their ammunation rained down around me, but I quickly dodged and darted around. My experience in the Underground coming in handy as I strategized my movements.
An ambush by Kenny! Only he could possibly injure or murder the love of my life. I wouldn't let him take away my most important person again. I'd need to get rid of these subordinates first. Throwing my one blade, it cut deep into a soldier as it knocked her out of the sky. Not missing a beat in my step, I launched myself at the rest of their crowd, piercing one with the claw of my 3DMG and wrapping my remaining arm around another. Ripping at her neck with my teeth, I heard a scream and then a wheeze. Blood gushed freely into my mouth coating the back of my throat and tongue. Nasty burnt copper filled my senses. I tasted it, smelled it, felt it, heard it, and saw nothing but crimson red. Her body fixated on getting me off, she didn't pay attention to where she needed to move next. We dropped into the avenue together, a tangle of sweaty bodies. Gurgling, she didn't move as I stood up. Seeing Levi enter the building next to me I attempted to run inside. I only took a few steps before I received a swift kick to my ribs as Kenny swung in from above.
"Hello again, Saph." The barrel of a gun now in my path. A scowl etched onto his mouth, he appeared much more wrinkled and older than I remembered. "You've been causing me quite some trouble for a long time now."
"I'm going to rip you apart, Kenny," I snarled, scrambling to my knees.
I will eradicate him.
He pressed a boot onto my back, shoving my stomach onto the road. Air whooshed out of my lungs. "Seems unlikely given your position at the moment." He turned to peek at the bar Levi flew into. "What do you say, Levi? How are you going to be the hero this time?" He yelled, spittle flying from his lips.
I considered going full Titan, but I didn't know if I could before Kenny put a bullet in my brain. My chances seemed slim with him standing right over me, the weapon inches away. Focused on the piece holding me trapped, I startled at the sound of a gunshot, sure that my vision would go black. Head blown clear off. I didn't move for the next few seconds, unsure that anyone would be real when I opened my eyes. Realizing that I felt exactly the same, I peeked slightly. Blinking, I realized that Kenny's gun now lay obliterated into pieces a few feet away while he seemed to have disappeared.
"I forgot bars possessed guns," I croaked out toLevi as he darted out to help me up.
His eyes glued on to the space of my absent appendage and bloody neckline. Sticky red liquid still coated my chin and collarbones. "I'm glad-"
His body jolted out of my arms, a look of astonishment painted on his face. Just as my mind registered the loud bang. A pool of dark red began to spill out from his side, and I caught him as he began to fall.
Shaking, I turned to see the perpetrator... Kenny. Not a visible wound on him. How'd he survive Levi shooting him? I felt a pulsing in the back of my brain. A deep dark corner of rage and hurt.
Must kill.
Pressing the palm of my hands to his ribs, I felt desperation began to take over my senses. Applying pressure to the wound was of utmost importance, but I also needed to protect him from further harm from Kenny. He needed to die so I could sew up Levi. Give him the medical treatment I knew he needed.
"That knocked the damn wind out of me," Kenny groaned as he began loading his singular gun. The sound of clicking echoed in the streets as hordes of Military Police around him did the same. "At least that got the rat to come out of his hiding place."
Skin crawling at the thought of them unloading all their firepower on an injured and stunned Levi, I began to sprint towards the man adorned in the big black hat. It'd be so satisfying to take him out first. Light enveloped me and I felt the stretch of becoming bigger, taller. My desire to rip his being into pieces rearranged itself into an obsession as my inner monster took over. Its form latching onto the dancing humans in front of me as I strived to squish each and every one. No hesitation clouded my teeth and claws as I shredded them mid-stroke, easier than a knife moving in butter. Their bullets uselessly bounced off of me; they could only continue swinging out of my reach to survive. Their skills laughably basic compared to the sheer power and will of the Survey Corps. Each body only a slight moment of resistance, a mere object in my way before it's crumpled underneath my weight.
Wood and other materials of construction began to be ripped out of the seams of their foundation as I smashed into various town began to collapse around me as I carelessly continued to stumble into homes and businesses. Stohess district began to fall around me as swiped at the Military Police's crisscrossing wires, hoping to pull one down to the ground. They yelled and they screamed. Looks of horror contorted their faces into masks of fear and despair. Only Kenny remained vicious, set into a permanent snarl with all his teeth on display.
"Fucking bitch," he screamed out as he darted and dodged by attempts to snag him from the sky.
Snapping my jaws, I leaned my head closer to his nimble form. So close I could almost smell him, an object suddenly pierced my eye. Pain began to spread from my socket to the back of my head. Whining, I tripped over my own legs. Even when I realized that Kenny shot me with the claw of his gear, I couldn't do anything but scramble to remove it, so hideous the pain. Occupied with pulling the wire out, the remaining Military Police flew off. The carriage not too far behind.
"Saph!" My head jerked up at the sound of my name. A wounded Levi hobbled towards me, his footsteps unsteady on the roof. "Stop this instant!"
Heart swelling at the sight of him up and moving around, I felt a wave of relief wash over. Toes tingling and nerves fuzzy, I exited out of my Titan carcass before I realized my actions. "Oh Levi!" I rushed up to meet him, sprinting with all my might despite how I could feel weariness creeping in. Seeing him made me explode with joy no matter the circumstances. I could help him now that the threat is gone. Knowing that he would survive, I felt tears threatening to fall down my cheeks. Cupping the back of his head, I pressed my lips to his. Lost in my happiness.
Thanks for all the follows and reviews guys! I truly appreciate it, and it really does help me get inspired to write. I'm aiming to do 2 chapters a month for the foreseeable future. All my love.