Death: And here is the show down. With some added drama and suspense.
Chapter Eight The Fall of Annie, The Fall of Wall Rose
=3=
It was two weeks of careful planning before the Survey Corp initiated their mission Capture Annie, also known as the Female Titan. Even though Levi took it easy with his leg, Erwin urged he remained in the sidelines. Although he hated watching everything unfold and not be a part of it unless they needed his skills, Levi accepted the orders without a fuss.
This meant he stood on top of Wall Sina, overlooking the inner city below.
He was accompanied with three others, Krysta, Reiner, and Bertolt. He honestly didn't understand Erwin's logic being up here with them, other than babysit the three that had little to no family history.
Oh. That's why. He needs to see if they're in league with Annie. It is the for of them that I narrowed down for him. However, now it's down to three. I seriously doubt Annie is the one we're looking for.
And so the four stood on the wall, gazing down. They arrived here ten minutes before the mission was to begin. They were already cleared to be up here, however there was much confusion with the members of the Wall Garrison. An old man with wrinkly face, peppered blond hair that was fading came up to them.
"I know you were given the clear, but why are you up here? Aren't you guys supposed to take care of titans outside the walls instead of sight seeing?" He inquired, confused and worried. It was never a good sign in his book for a group from the Survey Corp to be on the wall, no matter how small.
"We are here to capture someone we believe to be the Female Titan." Levi glanced at the old man, eyes cold and piercing.
"Are you sure you want to tell him our plans, captain?" Reiner cleared his throat.
I don't trust you one bit. You remind me of a fox.
"Might as well warn them before shit gets out of hand. If he doesn't believe me, look down there. See the Military Police evacuating the citizens closest to the wall?" Levi pointed out the activity below.
The three members of the Garrison looked down. They could just barely see what he was talking about. They stared at the short man, unsure how he could see what was happening so well. They couldn't even make out the uniform insignia, the only trademark they could identify that they weren't Survey Corp were the forest green cloaks.
"Oh, it's started." Levi caught sight of the small group in the route they had planned ahead of time. He saw three hooded figures he knew to be Eren, Armin and Mikasa. He could just make out blond hair the was Annie.
"Wow, I can't even see them from up here. Your eyes must be incredible, captain." Bertolt commented.
"How can you see that far down? I can only see moving dots, like ants." Reiner inquired.
"I always had good eyes. There was a time I couldn't see when I was young. But after I turned ten, my sight came around. My uncle took me to a doctor for an explanation and he said my eyes weren't fully developed until I was ten for some reason." What Levi did leave out was the fact he felt a pinch in his arm before his eyes saw the light for the first time.
But he wasn't going to tell them that. Out of the three he brought with him, the only one he trusted was Krysta. He couldn't find it within himself to trust the boys, however. And he tried really hard for he liked them, their skills were good and they seemed to have a good head on their shoulders.
There was just this nagging feeling that won't go away the more he was around them.
"You, old man. Spread the word to ready the cannons. But don't use them unless the Female Titan is too close to the wall. This only as a precaution if she catches onto the trap we've set up." Levi didn't turn around, he was too focused on watching as the four neared the tunnel entrance.
I hate this part of the plan. It's too risky not being able to see what's going on. She has good instincts, she's not stupid.
He heard the old man order two of his own recruits make the run on opposite sides. When the old man looked back at the short man, there was suddenly a flash of lightning. And there, standing in the inner city, was the Female Titan. The old man stared in disbelief before looking back at the short man.
"…Who are you?"
"I am Corporal Levi Ackerman, Captain of the Special Forces Squad of the Survey Corp."
"I heard of you. You're the one that specializes in protecting Eren. But why are you up here instead of down there? Aren't those your comrades fighting her?" The old man pointed at the Female Titan as she fought off both Survey Corp and Military Police.
"My entire squad was decimated in the 57th Expedition outside the wall. They died bravely as they fought the Female Titan in order to protect Eren Yeager. At the moment I am a captain without a squad. And while fighting the bitch I sustained an injury that puts me out of this mission unless my skills are severely needed."
Where is Eren? Can he not transform? He hasn't come out from the tunnels but the other two are fighting her…
"Why are you acting so cold and distant today? You're not your usual self, captain." Krysta inquired with worry.
"You're trying too hard to be a badass and impress these guys." Reiner pointed out.
"Shut it, all of you! I am not just here babysitting you sad lot! It's bad enough the commander is treating me like glass since my shitty leg injury." Levi snapped, just as he heard feet closing in on them.
"Now that's no way to treat your comrades. They were only showing their concern for you."
He looked over to see a new group of Wall Garrison came up. For the first time he looked away from the battle to meet the eyes of General Pixis. There was no mistaking the uniform and the bald head. His cold eyes met stern ones of the general, which suddenly held amusement.
"Forgive me, it slipped out before I could stop myself." Levi's voice changed to a young boy, nervously smiling and running a hand through his hair. As soon as the weird action and voice appeared, the cold collected captain came back and acted as if nothing happened.
Oh great, a possible mental case as a soldier. Is this why Erwin placed him up here?
"I was told of the plan to capture a rogue Titan within the city. I wasn't sure if Erwin was bluffing, but I guess he wasn't. Now, I understand you are Corporal Levi, correct?"
"Yes, sir. And although we never met, I have heard a lot about you, General Pixis." Levi didn't salute.
"Hmm, I have heard quite a lot about you recently. Apparently you've been in the Survey Corp for five years was it? How is it I have only heard of your talents now?" The old bald headed coot stepped closer.
For an old man he is sharp. Erwin did warn not to underestimate him.
He was saved from answering the question when another lightning shook the city. Then the familiar roar of Eren's Titan form echoed from the city below. Levi stared, seeing the form for the first time.
Impressive for a brat. But can he fight her this time?
"Oh, boy. Two titans fighting in the inner city. The damage is only going to be double now." Pixis commented.
"The question is whether he can take her down. He refuses to let go of the view that she was a friend. However, a friend doesn't turn against friends and kill their comrades." Levi spoke harshly.
He lost to her last time. Is he growing a backbone this time around?
The two clashed, and Eren fought with more ferocity than normal. His movements were fast, as if he finally made up his mind to really fight her without holding back. And for some reason that frightened her. Levi smirked as the bitch attempted to get away from him.
She's losing her confidence to fight him. Good. He just might be able to take her down.
"Oho, there goes the church! We're all going to have an earful with that one. You guys planned this poorly, today is the day of worship from sunrise to sunset. Or was that intentional?" General Pixis laughed.
"I cannot confirm or deny such a thing. You'll have to take it up to Commander Erwin, he made the call."
"Well aren't you a smart one." The general commented.
They watched as Annie started to get the upper hand, but she was no match for his determination. His body suddenly burst into flames. And with increased amount of speed he caught up to her, tackling her into the bit of open space where members of the Survey Corp were forced to watch and not intervene. Levi realized that the bitch has been trying to make a run for it.
She's afraid. Soon she's going to be cornered. This is bad, that's when she manages to escape from us last time.
They all watched as the power struggle continued. Then she sent him into a building, damaging his head with her crystalized fists and the point of her elbow. Levi gripped the gear in his hands, debating whether to get involved or not. Then she sent a kick with her calf covered in crystal as a finishing blow.
He caught her leg in his mouth. And with another guttural roar he raked his teeth across her leg, somehow applying enough pressure to break the crystal armor that put her in advantage over him. She quickly made use of one arm and sent his already injured arm flying. Steam erupted from his shoulder, but he wasn't fazed. He roared again and she knocked him down for a few more seconds as she limped away.
He stumbled as he went after her, his remaining arm dislocated from being thrown into a building. He tried tackling her but she jumped, her fingers sharp crystal claws as she used them like a cat to climb the wall.
"Soldiers! Take aim!" General Pixis ordered, watching as she came closer.
"Hold fire, general." Levi advised, his eyes caught sight of Mikasa.
"You dare give orders to General Pixis? You are not a standing officer of the Wall Garrison!" A female with pale hair and glasses reprimanded him.
"Hold it, young miss. I see what he sees now. Look down." The old man said. She looked down just in time to see Mikasa had effectively sliced the Female Titan's fingers off.
The blond Titan fell with a crash, as she was already halfway up Wall Sina. It was enough for Eren to climb on top her, going absolute ballistic. He roared with anger, hurt, and betrayal. She attempted to get on her belly to crawl away from him.
Bad move. Your neck is vulnerable now.
However, Eren wouldn't let any of his fellow comrades close. Without the use of arms he started ripping at her flesh with his teeth. This behavior was unacceptable, and there was too great a risk of him killing her in the process. Without a second thought Levi sprung into action.
"Excuse me, I have to cut him open now."
This the only warning he said before leaping off the wall. He had several crucial seconds before Eren swallowed her. He was almost upon them when the brat exposed the human body from the Female Titan's neck. Levi swept in and with perfect slice the brat was half out of his own Titan body.
"Hey, don't go eating our witness." He hissed in annoyance.
The brat was already unconscious.
=3=
They all stood, staring at the dissipating bodies. Most of them were staring at the crystal cocoon around Annie. Hange did a few quick tests and proved that this was a lot stronger than the crystal armor Annie used in her Titan form.
The only ones not staring at the crystal cocoon were Mikasa and Levi. She was attending to Eren, who had a slight fever and still unconscious. The former assassin however, was staring at a far off distance. He caught strange movement from the corner of his eye, and now he was trying to focus on whatever it was.
"Hange, get your squad to start working on bringing that to headquarters. Let's see if that can fit in a cargo carriage." The commander was the first to gather his wits.
"Mikasa, gather a few people to keep guard over Eren. Keep an eye on that fever on the way back. Levi, I need you to…" Erwin drifted off when he caught sight of the corporal's eyes.
Why do they look like birds eyes?
They were the same stormy blue grey, but the shape of the pupils and size of the irises were bigger. The pupils changed rapidly from small to large as Levi tried to locate something. Curious as to why the commander paused a few others glanced at the short man. But whatever Erwin saw, it had already disappeared and his eyes returned to normal.
"Commander we should get moving. Quickly." Levi stared at Erwin in the eye, ignoring the curious and confused look on his face.
"What, are your former group nearby?" Erwin dropped to a near whisper.
"They're not making any moves but they're watching. When we get back we need to lay low a few days."
Suddenly some people began freaking out and pointed at the wall. They looked up to see crumbling bits of the wall where Annie's claws had dug into were falling. A hole was formed. And right there was a sleeping eye. It suddenly opened and blinked, looking around rapidly.
"Is that a Titan!?" Some exclaimed.
"Cover it! Quickly! Before it fully awakens!" The pastor screamed. In an instant members of the Military Police took action. They used a large cloth and rope and covered the hole.
"I believe you and I should have a talk, pastor. You seem to know a lot about that Titan inside Wall Sina. Then again, you know a lot about the walls, don't you?" Erwin turned to face the religious leader.
"I will not give away any secrets! But know this, if that Titan had been exposed any longer by the light, everyone will be done for. You should just worry on the titans outside the walls, not inside them. So go back to your fantasies of valor and fight for humanity." The man retorted, as he walked away with two members of Military Police followed him.
That is not a good sign. If we need information out of him we have to get through the unicorns. They're not an easy bunch when they're playing guard duty.
"Commander, with all due respect, we can deal with them later. Right now I'm concerned about certain onlookers." Levi wished not to say it out loud.
Erwin did not need to be told twice. It was unknown whether or not the assassins were in league with the religious figures or not. Levi always had a suspicion that they were when he had been a part of them, but there were certain jobs only for Kenny. And he noticed even the MP didn't bother with the investigations of their targets.
The longer I am away from them, the more I notice all the little things that don't add up.
There was little he could do about it now. Levi watched the shadows frequently as the Survey Corp cleaned up rather quickly before making their way back to headquarters. They had to make stops to rest the horses pulling the heavy crystal cocoon. Although it made traveling slow as they traveled across country, Erwin had them all stick together.
He doesn't want any accidents happen. And at the same token, with all of our numbers like this, even the best group of assassins won't overtake us. This is a good precaution.
What Levi didn't know was that his uncle was watching him. The man grit his teeth as he kept careful pace with the dark mare. Kenny could tell his nephew was keeping an eye out for him and other assassins. This was trouble in his eyes.
If we're going to get even close to Erwin, he has to be dealt with.
Kenny did not like that idea. Levi was no longer an assassin, but that doesn't change the fact that's his nephew. The boy was his pride and joy, even if he didn't bring him into this world he ensured the boy wouldn't die in a pathetic way like Kuchel did.
Then a different idea hit him. It was risky, but if it was pulled off right, then it was a brilliant spur of the moment plan. He reached for his pack and pulled out something leathery and slippery. Kenny made no sound as he kept pace with the mare in the bushes. When her pace slowed to an almost stop, he carefully wiggled the long leather out from the bush to imitate a snake. He made sure it briefly touched just above a hoof. The response was instant.
Levi felt his instincts scream at him. And so he had nearly pulled the mare to a stop when she spooked. She snorted at first, ears flattened against her head in nervousness. Levi gripped the reins and mane tightly right before Stella side stepped away from the bushes, kicking with one back leg before she reared up.
"Whoa! Captain are you okay?" Sasha maneuvered her horse away from the frightened mare.
"Hold on…" Levi grit his teeth as he attempted to call his mount down, but whatever spooked her effected her badly. She resisted the reins as he pulled them taught, trying to limit her head movements. Instead she fought back as she reared up again, this time bellowing as she went up.
"Corporal!" Erwin shouted from up front of the line. He halted the Survey Corp, and he watched helplessly as the dark mare continued to freak out. Those who were closest attempted to help calm her down, but the mare only stressed out more for being crowded and started kicking and biting at other horses.
"Pretty girl, there's no need to act out like this…" Krysta reached for the mares bridle, but the dark horse turned away from her.
"Calm down, you're okay, it's okay girl." Sasha said in a calming voice, reached for the reins but they slipped from her grasp.
If the two best people with horses can't calm her down… Erwin felt his stomach churn at the sight of the mare getting more violent.
"Everyone, keep a good distance from her, but make sure to make a circle so she doesn't-"
The commander didn't get to finish his sentence when the mare reared up, but she turned her head too far to one side and lost her balance. They all watched in horror as both horse and rider fell. She rolled and quickly got back up, Levi dangled from one stirrup.
Thinking fast he used his stomach and back muscles to pull his upper body up, one arm holding the saddle while the other hand tried to get his foot free. But the mare had a different idea and bolted. Her weight was off and her gallop was awkward as she went around horses, cargo carriages and trees.
Erwin urged his horse to meet the mare halfway, the short captain still struggling with the twisted stirrup that had his boot caught. When the grey horse blocked her path she snorted, rolling her head before going up in the air again. She couldn't be up on her hind feet for long without falling, as Levi being stuck on one side messed up her weight. When she came down with all four hooves on the ground Erwin grabbed hold of her bridle.
During the rear up Levi's hands slipped. He was once again dangling upside down from the saddle. The person closest to him from behind drew their horse up next to him and held from under his arm, wrapped around his chest and pulled him partway onto their own horse, his boot still somehow stuck despite the pull.
"Shit!" Levi shouted as the mare continued to resist Erwin, trying to rear up but he wouldn't let her. The mare then kicked the horse next to her, which the poor thing screamed in agony.
However, the force of her kick freed his leg from the twisted stirrup. He and the rider nearly slipped off the screaming horse. He looked up to see it was Hange struggling to keep them both from falling. The corporal reached a hand to grip the pained horse in the mane to ease the weight. Levi looked at his mare closely.
What spooked her so bad…?
"Erwin, I don't understand…" Levi said as he was slowly being let down.
"As far as I know she's only afraid of snakes. But snakes don't move around at nighttime, the temperature is too cold for them." The commander said as he held tightly on the bridle. The mare chewed the bit nervously, her ears flicked this way and that, her eyes wide and wild.
It was decided to tie the mare behind a cargo carriage, as she was too nervous and out of it. Afraid that Levi had sustained unseen injuries, he was to ride in the same cargo carriage with Eren. The fever had gone down, but he was still asleep.
For the rest of the way back to headquarters there weren't any other incidents.
=3=
There wasn't much celebration in the capture of Annie. While there were no deaths in Survey Corp or Military Police, there were plenty of civilian casualties from the fight. The relations between Survey Corp and the government were tense, worse than ever before.
Levi spent his nights in silent comfort for Erwin as the commander read over the many angry letters from officials, religious leaders, and quite a few from high officers of the Military Police. Neither said anything, as the air was too tense for words. He just sat there in the chair, sipping tea. It was his way of showing the commander of his support.
One night Erwin tore up the letter he had been reading. He sighed as he leaned over, his hand pinching the bridge of his nose. Seeing enough of the man being so stressed, Levi got up and made his way over to him. He stood behind Erwin and started massaging the tense muscles there. The man melted under his hands.
"Where did you pick this up from?" Erwin resisted a moan as the fingers worked on deep knots.
"I took up lessons from an assassin who was blind. She massaged her targets, hitting pressure points that released hormones that made them sleepy enough for her to draw her hidden knife or use poisonous oils that she had grown immunity to."
"Well that's one way to go out. That almost sounds heavenly, if it weren't for the poison part." Erwin released a sigh. "By the way, what's with your eyes?"
"What do you mean? Is there something wrong with my eyes?" Levi paused in his work, peering over a broad shoulder to see the man's face better.
"The day we captured Annie. For a second your eyes were like a birds. But as soon as I saw them, they went back to normal. I honestly still question myself if I really saw what I saw." Erwin explained further.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I know for first ten years of my life I was blind. Then Kenny pinches my arm one day and I can suddenly see. For the first few years of my training was with that blind woman, but Kenny wanted to train me personally. But in order to do so, I had to have sight." Levi went over the events of his training.
"Pinches your arm? Do you know if he gave you some sort of drug or something? A pinch in the arm usually signifies a needle." Erwin looked at him, as he spoke the first thought that crossed his mind.
"I don't know. I didn't see what was in his hands, or what he put in his pocket. My eyes were in shock for the first few days of sight." Levi shrugged, not really bothered by the aspect of possible drugs being injected into him without his knowledge.
To be honest it wouldn't surprise me if he did such a thing. But to what extent, and why aren't I addicted to substances? I know he never gave me any of the shit that went around Underground City.
"Levi, is it all right if I have you tested for anything? It's odd that it only took one injection and your eyes are perfect after years of whatever he put in your system. What can your eyes do that's not normal?"
"Well, for the most part I'm night blind. Unless there's a lot of light, then I'm good. Which is why I had difficulty moving around the night you sent me out for the background search. If I allowed my eyes to focus, then I can see. But it's just outlining of shit. And then if I needed to see far away, if I focus hard enough I can see a greater distance than normal people."
"That sounds like birds eyes." Erwin pointed out, and it would further prove what he saw wasn't an illusion.
"I wouldn't know. I just chalked it up to my training."
"I'm having Hange take a sample of your blood and hair for analysis. I'll be discreet about it, and Hange won't spread the word."
Suddenly bells were going off. In an instant the pair looked out the window to see someone riding up to the castle in a hurry. There was a look of horror in his face. The two quickly made their way downstairs as more people woke up from the alarm of bells ringing throughout the entire valley. A few followed them outside to meet the messenger.
"Titans have breached Wall Rose! They're attacking the villages!" The man gasped out, for he was winded.
"Levi, wake everyone up and ready. Don't bother with the uniforms, if you have time to get the gear then do so. Gather a few to follow me to the wall. Meanwhile, disperse everyone else in groups to help evacuate the villages. After assigning everyone, you and your new squad meet up with us at the abandoned fort closest to the wall." Erwin did not hesitate to form a plan.
Levi nodded grimly, as he and Hange went back inside to gather everyone. There was little time to act before the entire territory was overrun by titans. It was a repeat of what happened eight years passed, and the suddenness of it took them by surprise.
He had come to realize that a few have already jumped into action. His squad was missing Connie and Sasha. In fact, there were a few others that weren't in his squad weren't anywhere to be found.
"Where's Connie, Sasha, Reiner, Bertolt, and Ylmir?" Levi asked the group in front of him.
"Sasha said something about her village in the mountains. I guess they're close to the wall." Mikasa answered.
"And the others followed Connie to his village. They're right next to the wall. So they all rode off as soon as the news was spread. I don't think they even had time for their gears." Armin reported, biting his lip.
Shit. This is not the time to act irrationally. We can't afford to lose more of our own.
"Gather your gear. Uniforms don't matter right now. My squad, stay with me. Krysta, Jean, the both of you make up the two missing. Our priority is to protect Eren as we make our way to the abandoned fortress. The rest of you, disperse in pairs of two or three to evacuate the remaining villages. If your horse can carry more than one gear, do so in case you come upon the others without."
Levi watched as Hange's division gathered as many cargo. One held spare gas tanks and another held extra gear as precaution. It was good to see someone thinking clearly in the time of crisis. Levi decided then to act a little selfishly. Informing everyone not to leave just yet, he went back inside the castle. First thing he picked up was the book hidden underneath his pillow. Next he went into Erwin's office, grabbed a map of all the villages and buildings between Walls Rose and Sina, then a pen.
He came back out, putting the book inside his mare's saddle bag.
"Where did you get that map?" Armin pointed.
"Erwin's office. Now help me mark down who went where and where everyone else is going." Levi instructed.
Together they circled where every pair of teams were going. Armin identified the villages where the missing comrades went, and Levi scribbled their names in the circled places. He was disturbed how Sasha went by herself to her hometown. Checking over what pairs were still here and what villages weren't circled, Levi didn't have any extra hands to send Potato Girl help.
"Hange, can you spare two of your own? Sasha went on her own."
"Okay, but then you might have to be our escort guards." Hange warned. "We are going to be slow with all the cargo."
"I'm fine with that. It's easier for Eren, he still hasn't fully recovered from the fight with Annie." Levi nodded, writing down the names of the pair heading after Sasha. With all the villages and towns accounted for, the large group began their journey six crucial hours after the commander's group went ahead to check the wall.
I hate being separated from him like this. Until we reach the abandoned fortress, there's no knowing if he's all right.
The promise Erwin ordered on him rang in his head. Just before the group made it very far, Stella shied away from the bushes, nostrils flaring. Enough of coincidences Levi threw the knife he took from Kenny. He blinked when it didn't make an indication it hit anything. Then someone stepped out of the bushes, twirling the knife in one hand.
"Good of you to give this back, nephew." Kenny smirked underneath his hat.
"Whatever it is you want, make it quick. You're holding up the line." Levi's eyes never strayed from his uncle. Although he wasn't getting that the man was a threat to them, he did not trust him.
"What, can't I have a meaningful talk with my favorite nephew?" Kenny joked, putting the knife back in its hiding spot.
"Captain, why do you even bother with him?" Jean snarled from his horse.
"We have to get going. We're behind on reaching our destination." Hange urged them, having her horse pull up next to the dark mare, as well as putting themselves in between uncle and nephew.
"What is it you truly want, Kenny?"
"A lot of things. But right now, I just wanted to offer my services. Just to see what you see and get out of all of this, parading around killing titans and all of that. Search me if you want to make sure I've got no tricks up my sleeve." Kenny raised both hands as means to offer.
Hange and Levi exchanged a look.
"He's your uncle."
"And you're of a higher rank than me."
At that point Hange stared hard at the man. They were curious to have another insight of an assassin's mind to prick into. However there was the safety concern of everyone else, and what ulterior motive this man had. Hange was unsure for once.
"Corporal, search him. If he is here to help, I don't want any chances of him killing Eren or the commander. I hope you don't mind if we confiscate your hidden knives and anything else but your gear."
"Hange this is insane! We can't trust him!"
Mikasa leaped off of her horse and held a blade to the man's neck. Although Jean had a point, she decided not to leave the man from taking chances to hurt Levi.
"Make one wrong move and you're dead." She said in all seriousness as Levi searched his uncle, taking all the hidden knives.
"I promise you, I don't plan on killing my dear nephew." Kenny smiled briefly.
"Does he carry poisons?" Hange inquired when Levi threw the knives into a cargo carriage.
"No, poisoning is not his thing. He doesn't even have a vial of the serum."
"Then, you can come with us to the abandoned fortress. But, should you act out, you will be chased out. And when this is all over, we can hand you your knives back. However, you cannot come back with us. You'll have to find your own way back to the inner city." Hange made the deal.
"That's perfectly fine with me."
Why do I get the feeling he's trying to talk to me alone? This is too out of the blue for him.
Levi got up his horse and looked behind him, staring at the man as he climbed onto a cargo carriage. As they stared at each other, quite a few noticed a slight change in the captain's eyes. Noticing the stares, Levi looked away, focusing ahead. His shoulders tensed and his back straightened.
He could feel the stares of Eren, Mikasa and Jean at his back.
=3=
Death: So much shit. And I find that once again, this story is taking a different turn than what I had planned. I tried so hard to keep by the notes, but when one idea pops in and if it actually makes the chapter better, then I have no choice but to add it.
Please leave a review~