Chapter 15: Desperate
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I honestly love this arc. I've watched it and read it so many times. The first season really was absolutely so well done. Though, I anticipate writing it is going to be difficult haha
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Also, I have really cool news! I've been nominated for the 2nd Quarterly Inuyasha Fandom Awards for Best Crossover! I'm super excited and happy that I'm getting so much support for this fic. I'll put more information about it in my bio so you can all check out how to vote for your favorite fics (hopefully this one!)
So, let's dive in!
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Everyone just watched the Female Titan. Eyes were practically glued onto it as if it would disappear if anyone glanced away for even just a second. And maybe it would. This power it had -this Titan shifting power- was still such a mystery to them. No one knew what move it would make next or what move it could make next. So they watched like a hawk stalking prey and studied it hard. Every twitch it made was noted. Every time it shifted its gaze, soldiers gripped their blades just a little bit tighter. Anticipating something. Anything was a possibility at this point. And in these peak moments of suspense, the wind whistled a lilting tune that drowned out the sound of heavy breathing.
Captain Levi made a move to jump from the large branch over onto the golden tresses of the beast, using the gas mechanism from his ODM gear to propel him. Mouth formed into a straight line on his pale face as he pulled out his blades, flipping the right one around, backhanded, as he held its length against his forearm. His feet were planted firmly on its head, as firm as his own resolve.
"Let's get this over with." He grumbled as he eyed the Titan's two hands as it covered the nape. With one swift movement, he pulled the blades back, leaned forward and swiped at the knuckles.
But it didn't work.
To his surprise, the blades broke on impact, shattering as shards dropped down to the ground. The captain briefly eyed his damaged weapons, thin brow twitching in aggravation at this new development. The area he targeted was now surrounded with this crystal covering that he couldn't manage to cut through; it was an ability no one had predicted though it explained well the issues the other soldiers had in defeating this Titan. Still, his irritation grew as he wordlessly replaced the blades.
"So, it seems this one has a similarity to the Armored Titan." Erwin noted, pinching his chin between his thumb and index finger, "But I wonder if it can maintain it just as well, though I have my doubts..." The commander had a deathly calm surrounding him. His gaze met the Titan's, a colliding of ice and layers of cruelty hidden. But Erwin lacked the fearful anticipation of what was to come, and he sensed the beast was cornered like a little mouse. And yet, it intrigued him.
"What will you do...?" He whispered to himself before his voice boomed once more, "Soldiers! Prepare enough explosions to take its hands off its wrists! It's time to reveal this traitor to humanity."
Levi watched as everyone sprung into action, though he remained standing on its head, digging his heel into the scalp. He briefly pondered if he could draw some blood, but shrugged off the thought with disgust as he imagined the blood dripping from his shoes.
"Tch, such an inconvenience, acting as though there's anything to get from stalling. I bet you like wasting our time like this; it's not like you have any chance at escaping." He spoke, his tone eerie and grim, "And I bet you liked slaughtering our men, too. Dozens you killed in all sorts of different ways. Was it fun, like some sort of shitty game of yours?" He clicked his tongue and leaned forward, head tilted and a sort of insanity swirling in his orbs, "Well, now it's my turn to have some fun. We're alike in that sort of way. You like killing humans; I like killing Titans... But before I get to the real fun stuff, I have to ask this. Would you be alright if I slice off your limbs at the joints? Your real limbs, I mean. It'll just grow back, right? I can't have you dying, after all..."
His voice trailed off as he felt its head twitch beneath him, a grunt escaping its dry lips. He wavered for a moment, drawing in a shaky breath.
And, in the quick moment before he could exhale, the Female Titan released a high pitched, textured scream. It vibrated through its body and outwards, even shaking the leaves off of the trees and knocking many off their balance. And when it stopped to take a breath, it didn't give so much as a single moment for anyone to recover before it dropped its fleshy jaw once more and let out the same, piercing sound.
Levi covered his ears, lips pulled back into a snarl as he felt a sharp pain in his head. What could the goal possibly be right now? The answer seemed uncertain. Aside from being loud and painful to hear, there didn't seem to be any other effects of its howl. Even as the ground trembled beneath the beast, it was still trapped by all of the spikes that pierced its body.
So, this is the last ditch effort? Levi wondered in aggravation, Damn this annoying creature... But it's going to take more than a goddamn yelp to save its ass. He peered over at the other soldiers, watching as they quickly gathered themselves together once more to continue preparing the explosives. Everything seemed to be alright, as though they just recovered from some unsuccessful distraction.
And then, it suddenly wasn't alright.
"Erwin..." Miche Zacharius flew over to Erwin's spot on the branch, inhaling through his nose so sharply that the captain could hear it from his place on the Titan's head. He peered over and watched Miche sniff once more, then narrow his eyes as his features hardened, "I smell them."
"Which direction?" The commander questioned.
"All directions, all at once." The squad leader huffed in response, "Lots of them."
And as if on cue, the crashing of heavy footsteps to the ground ripped through the air to a beat so quick, it was impossible to determine how many feet there were. And, in turn, it was impossible to determine how many Titans were on their way over. Levi gritted his teeth, as he glanced once more at the explosives and realized that they weren't ready. They wouldn't be ready in time, either. As the thuds grew louder, like little earthquakes, it became apparent that they were going to be at the scene soon.
"The first wave is from the East. After that, they'll be coming from all directions." Miche declared as he took another deep breath in to take in the scents, a talent everyone was thankful for at the moment.
"Wagon Defense Squad!" Erwin's deep and demanding voice bellowed over the rest of the noise, "Intercept them!" And at that, those soldiers flew into action, hooked latched onto targets and wires tugging their bodies through the air.
It was three Titans at first, all running into the scene with mouths hung open and eyes bulging with a creepy eagerness. The soldiers all prepared to dodge hungry hands to get to the nape, soaring as they pulled out their blades. But as they got close, their focus reaching an adrenaline-powered peak, nothing happened. No giant fingers tried to wrap around the scouts' bodies, and no teeth coming forth to bite at them. The Titans just ran passed as if they weren't even there, uncharacteristically ignoring their existence.
"Three Titans have broken through!" One of the scouts yelled out, eyes still wide from the shock, "Captain Levi! They're coming your way! Be careful!"
But the captain was unconcerned. In fact, he was aggravated once more as he stomped on the Female Titan's head a few times, "Tch. You did something, didn't you?" It was grumbled as he rolled his eyes and looked towards the unintelligent monsters making their way over to him. Tightening his grip on his blades, he hopped into action, effortlessly using his gear to maneuver through the air and slice through the back of their necks. Not even a drop of swear formed on his hardened face.
But it wasn't over yet.
A short little beast managed to make its way through, running over to the Female Titan. As it did, it opened its mouth and sunk its teeth into the flesh, chewing on the Female Titan's leg while continuing to ignore the rest of the soldiers around it. Levi watched this, swallowing harshly.
So, this is what that bastard inside wants? He pondered, Whoever it is, they want to get eaten instead of being held in our captivity? A ballsy move. He scanned the area as countless more Titans rushed in, all headed to the same place, With so many coming, I can't tell if we'll be able to eradicate them before they can finish making a meal out of that bastard.
And, even as dozens of soldiers fixed their attentions on killing the Titans, it didn't seem to be enough. When one was cut down, two more would take its place until there was a crowd of them surrounding the Female, taking chunks of its flesh into its mouths. Blood poured out, as well as smoke from every injury its body endured until it was nearly impossible to see through it. It was like a forest fire, except with a much more gruesome sight underneath the steaming cloud that formed.
Levi, after taking out as many as he could, hopped onto the nearest branch and wiped the scarlet drops off of his face. "Erwin." He called to the blonde, who stood merely a few feet away.
"We've been bested." The commander huffed, lips twitching downwards as he stared at the scene with wide eyes.
"Oi, what's with that pathetic look on your face?" Levi hissed as he watched his hopeless superior.
"It just goes to show that the enemy was prepared to throw away everything, including its life." His icy, blue eyes glimmered with awe, "...But I never thought our target would resort to Titan cannibalization. And all just to dispose of information. I wonder what this means, what we're really up against." The wind whistled once more.
"After all that blustering we did at the tribunal, this is how it turns out..." The captain pinched the bridge of his nose, "If we just waltz back there now, who knows what will happen to Eren or the Scout Regiment... That damn bastard really screwed us all with this little stunt... I'm going to get my squad."
"Levi, replenish your gas before you go." Erwin instructed, his gaze never leaving the spectacle.
"We don't have all day." The short man responded, "I have enough for now."
"That's an order. Do as you're told." As those words spilled out of Erwin's mouth, Levi found himself feeling tense.
Alright Erwin, I'll trust your judgement on this. He pursed his lips, There's clearly something going on here... Something you're not telling us just yet. Could it be that he noticed something I didn't? Tsk, I guess we'll all find out soon enough. I just hope that damned Erwin has something up his sleeves when it all goes down...
"Kagome, you made it!" Eren shouted excitedly as the dark haired woman caught up to them. The rest of the Special Operations Squad had settled on a branch high up in the trees. Leaves had concealed them well like a green shield, but the minute the emerald-eyed boy caught a glimpse of Kagome flying through the air, he made sure to wave his arms to catch her attention like an eager child. They met each other's gaze and and a grin played out on her face as she raised herself, hooks shooting up as she reeled her body towards them.
"This isn't a bad spot. It's much too high for the Female Titan, not that we should have to worry about that anymore since it was successfully captured. You heard its scream, right? Levi was probably slicing into its nape to pull the culprit out." Kagome's feet planted down beside the squad and she took a seat next to Eren, "How are you all fairing?"
Petra opened her mouth to respond, sucking in a quick puff of air as her eyes glittered, but she was interrupted before she could even get a word out.
"Are you really gonna act like you didn't just abandon us out there!?" Oluo scoffed, "I can't believe you have the nerve to come back here after you blatantly disregarded the captain's orders, you stupid little -" Of course, before he could finish his insult, eyes bulging out of their sockets, his tongue was caught between his teeth and he bit down harshly. The metallic taste of blood spilled out and he let out a quick yelp before dropping his head in defeat. Kagome blinked, watching the display unfold before she peered over at the others. No one else seemed to share his sentiments, fortunately, with the ginger practically devouring him with her glare.
"Idiot! Kagome saved people's lives out there and didn't compromise the mission in the slightest!" Petra pouted, "When are you gonna bite that stupid tongue off, anyways?"
"Tuh, well she should have trusted us." He grumbled.
Kagome shook her head, "I did trust you all. I trusted that you could take care of this mission without me for a little bit while I did what I had to."
Everyone paused, watching the woman as she licked her dry lips and sighed, her exhale heavy through her nostrils. She could already feel the strain on her muscles the day's events as she stood there. But it was a small price to pay for her comrades' lives. Still, there was a pain deep below her chest, like quiet, throbbing ache for those she didn't get to in time. And she wondered if every mission would be so bittersweet or if she'd be able to harden herself enough to bear it as if it wasn't even real.
Oluo raised his head to say something else, probably some retort to save face from his outburst, but was silenced as a green signal flare was launched up into the sky from a distance. Everyone's attention was pulled to it as the color dissipated.
"That must be the captain sending us a message." Eld asserted, "Let's head over in his direction." He pulled out his own signal flare and shot up to the clouds.
Without another word, the group hopped off of the branch and, using their gear, soared in their usual formation. It was calm without any Titans disturbing the peace as the wind rushed through their hair and peeks of sunlight glowed on their skin. There was no fatal urgency; there was only time to breathe even as they went.
"Hey. Oluo, Petra..." Eld started, looking back at them with a smile on his face, "For a couple of kids who cried and pissed their pants on their first mission, you both have sure come a long way."
Petra's jaw dropped as her wide eyes filled with betrayal, "Oh! Why would you say that! Are you trying to make Eren and Kagome lose respect for me?"
"Wait, did that really happen?" Eren mumbled while Kagome stifled her laughter.
"Eld! I have the highest kill count besides the captain's own! Show some damn respect!" Oluo huffed with annoyance, brow twitching as he gave his best death glare to the blonde who just chuckled.
"There's more to a soldier's merit than a kill count. Though, Kagome may give you a run for your money soon enough." The blonde chuckled.
"Hey! This isn't a picnic where we can get lost in idle chit chat; we're still deep in Titan territory. A mission isn't over until we get back home." Gunther looked back with a harsh gaze before his features softened momentarily, "And by the way, I never pissed my pants... Not that it matters, but just so you all know..." He quickly regained his stern composure and faced forward once more, leaving the two new recruits still giggling at the entire ordeal.
At least I still have my friends to keep me smiling for now. Maybe that's all I can really ask for in a world like this... Kagome's lips were spread across her face as she pulled herself ahead, fastening her hooks onto tree after tree. These people... I can do it with them. And for the lives that are lost... I can do it for them.
The squad was mostly silence in the minutes following, taking occasional peaks at each other as if to make sure everyone was still doing alright. A silent camaraderie. As if laced beneath the explicit scene of scouts flying about effortlessly was a stitched bond, a deep seeded affection that no bad words could make falter.
But in the quiet of their journey, the whooshing of their hair entangling behind them like little vines, something invaded the bubble. It was kind of like the way a spider crawls in between the cracks, unbeknownst to anyone until it manages to creep onto the skin. And then, as its discovered, it takes a bite.
"Over there... But that's not Levi..." It was Kagome who spoke up first as she caught the view of a green cape soaring close by. On the cape rested the familiar Wings of Freedom emblem, but instead of seeing the face of the captain or even another proud soldier, this mysterious person kept their hood up. And while that act wasn't technically against any rules, something about it felt wrong. Their captain would have made himself known, given them orders. But this person weaved through the forest, face hidden almost purposely.
The next moments were blurred. Gunther noticed the stranger not even a second after her, shouting out demands that they show themselves. But as his bellows echoed around, they were disrupted by the sound of scratching metal as the unknown person whipped out their blades and shot themselves towards the man, effectively slitting his nape. A high-pitched shriek pierced the air, and Kagome couldn't tell if it came from her throat or not. Not that it mattered anyways, it was quickly overshadowed by her heart thudding in her ears at the gruesome sight of Gunther's body hanging limp, still held up by his wires. Eyes were still wide open, jaw slack as he spilled out crimson.
W-What? Gunther's dead? But who would... Her thoughts halted as a fear crept through her bones.
"Everyone! We need to make it back to the Commander with Eren!" She shouted, turning to see the looks of horror scarring the rest of the squad, "Cmon!"
Oluo grabbed Eren and shot forward, leaving behind Gunther's corpse with one final peek. And everyone began creating their distance, getting as far away as they could. But even as they frantically looked around, seeing no sign of the perpetrator among the trees, they couldn't understand what had just transpired. It wouldn't make sense for this to be just some revenge plot taken out on a single elite soldier, and yet no one wanted to think about what else it could mean. The earlier threat was supposed to have been taken care of.
But the explosion, followed by heavy thuds coming from behind gave everyone a bad feeling about what was to come.
"It's back..." Eren whispered, emerald eyes glazing over as he peeked behind them. No one needed a further explanation, either. The Female Titan's pink, fleshy face was burned into their minds as if it was branded there. Permanent. The stomps quickened. It was getting close.
Kagome bit her lip harshly, not even registering when little drops of blood poured out. But... But Levi said he was going to rip her out. Was he not able to? What if he and everyone else... are dead?
"Eren, you can't transform! You have to get to Commander Erwin!" Oluo's voice grabbed Kagome's attention as she peered over to see the brown-haired boy staring down at his hand, waiting to take a bite.
"Oluo's right. We're gonna take care of this bastard here and now." Eld maintained, "Oluo, Petra, come with me. Kagome, you make sure Eren gets there safely."
"What?" Both Kagome and Eren gasped in unison.
"Both of you need to trust us. This has always been the last resort plan." Petra confirmed, nodding her head, "This mission will be an ultimate failure if Eren dies. Kagome, you need to keep him safe. I'm sure there are other Titans in this forest... So please, believe in us!"
There wasn't any more time to get another word in. The three elite soldiers burst backwards, all heading towards it at an extreme speed. The Female Titan, with an open hand, swatted at each of them. But the scouts each dodged the attacks with ease, their skill on full display as they swiftly moved to the side and then back, up and then down. It was almost as if they could see what the Titan was going to do next, making all the right choices to stay alive.
Petra and Oluo rose up until they were both eye-level with it, ripping their blades out. They looked at each other briefly, as a conversation was brewing in their stares. And then, they both launched their weapons into its icy blue eyes. The Female Titan shrieked in pain as it lowered its head, smoke now dispersing. But instead of raising its hands to cradle its injuries, it went to cover its nape while it healed.
"Wow... They're amazing." Eren murmured. He and Kagome were soaring in the opposite direction, though much slower than usual as they both watched the others with both worry and fascination. She nodded in agreement, lips parted slightly while her heart leaped for joy for her comrades.
Eld seemed to give a signal, and they all quickly shot back into action, shooting towards the monster's rotator muscles in its shoulders, whipping by and cutting through its skin over and over until they successfully broke through the muscles all the way, its arms going limp and falling to its side. Fumes exited from these new injuries as well, and it seemed absolutely defenseless as it stood, unable to protect its vulnerable area. The sight looked like victory, Kagome's lips twitching upwards.
The blonde made a move towards the now vulnerable nape, gripping his blades hard as the anticipation rose. Everyone needed to know who was inside, who had caused so much trouble.
But as he got close, taking in a deep breath, the Female Titan popped its head up, revealing one very healed, open eye. And it was too late to move back. That cold stare caught him, imprisoned him where he was. And then, without even giving anyone time to process the turn of events, the Titan moved its head and caught him in between its teeth. His shouts echoed and his arms waved about before he was bit in half and spit out like a stale piece of bread. Like garbage. Wasted on the floor without so much as his legs with him, and without a real explanation. Titans were not known to regenerate so quickly, especially not when it had multiple injuries to heal. It hadn't even been so much as a couple minutes since it was blinded.
"What the..." Oluo gasped, his bones beginning to tremble beneath his skin, "This can't be happening." His disbelief was apparent on his face, but it was overshadowed by the fear. He was still suspended above its shoulders, unsure of where to move as if he felt pulled in several different possible directions, but couldn't focus enough on just one.
And that was the fatal mistake. Kagome watched as the Female Titan whipped its head towards him with a scary speed, taking a bite of his legs and pulling him downward. His body fell to the ground with a yelp, his name being called out in a panic by all of his comrades. Urgency filled the air. And yet there wasn't anything that could be done at this point. As he became more and more aware of his injuries, blinking a few times, he saw a shadow cover his body, dark blanket, and suddenly the world seemed devoid of any air.
Kagome screamed his name one last time before his body was crushed under its giant foot.
"Eren..." She suddenly huffed out in a deep, strained voice, "Keep moving. Get out of here, now. I'm gonna get Petra and meet you."
"But Kagome-" He gasped out, with that look that displayed his ultimate desire to fight, too.
"But nothing. Get out, now. You're the only one who can make their deaths mean something." With that, Kagome focused all of her energy on Petra. She could hear Eren zipping away, but all she could do right now was hope that he would be okay. He was on his own for now. And she couldn't promise that she would be back. She could promise, though, that she wouldn't abandon Petra here to die alone.
Unfortunately, as soon as the Female Titan saw her closing the distance, something seemed to click within it, like a spark of some sort. Its stare flashed, the pale blue electrified by what seemed to be its own resolve. And, without warning, it turned back to Petra, who had begun trying to raise herself up, and lifted its right arm.
There's no way... it healed one of its shoulder injuries already? The dark haired woman thought with horror. She expelled a puff of gas from her gear to speed herself up, then another.
The beast lifted its large, fleshy hand towards Petra, its palm closing in on her body and she looked back at it with nothing but absolute panic painted over her features. And there was that shadow, the one that completely enveloped her body in a layer of darkness. Closer and closer it came.
"Petra!" Kagome yelled out, desperate now. Expelling more and more gas. Her breathing was heavy, eyes watering.
And then, she was so close to Petra. Just another moment, just one more push, and she would be able to save her friend. That's all it would take. After everything that happened, Kagome was so damn close. Petra glanced over with those honey eyes, blinked once, and opened her mouth, the beginning of Kagome's name starting to slip out just as frantically.
But, after one syllable, there was no more. Petra's body was smacked downwards, her hooks detaching as she began to plummet down with full force.
"No! Petra, please!" The former priestess stuck her hand out, reaching for the ginger in some last-ditch and hopeless effort. It was as if she was trying to will her friend's body to stop falling, somehow save her with her mind only because she was just too far away to grab onto. And gods, with everything in her soul, everything she was, she wanted to do this. So much had already been lost in such a short period of time, the only thought going on in Kagome's mind was stopping another senseless death.
It was somewhere in this moment that she felt muscles tighten and release, head beginning to feel airy. Her fingers twitched as they extended out, and then there was a spark. No way... She watched her own extremity burst out with a familiar, pinkish light and gasped. She knew this light, and the feeling that came along with it. But it felt unreal. The spiritual glow was growing around her the same way it had all those years ago. Her jaw dropped and brows raised with considerable confusion as she watched the display unfold, then focused back on her falling friend. And with all that she had, Kagome reached further towards Petra, willing her powers to reach her.
But the last thing Kagome saw was the back of the Female Titan's hand closing in on her, followed by an excruciating pain. And then, there was nothing.
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Not going to lie, this was insane to write. I switched up Oluo and Petra's deaths on purpose.
I love reading action scenes, but I hate hate hate writing them. They're super hard, so I hope it's easy enough to read. For anyone who didn't get the gist in the second half, Gunther's nape was cut, Eld was bitten in half, Oluo was stepped on. Everything else is going to be revealed!
Also, three cheers for Kagome's powers coming through! I imagine it happening similarly to how it did with Mistress Centipede.
But I can't wait to get into more romance stuff. I miss Kagome/Levi interactions. Though, I hope you all enjoyed this one.
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Any ideas on what's gonna happen next?
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And don't forget to review! They make my day :)