"Wait," Samuel said. He repositioned himself from where he was sitting on the large, checkered blanket which had been spread out in the grass near the lake's edge. It was one among many such pops of color littering the lawn on the clear summer day.

The Bodt family liked to gather in Stohess park on a weekly basis with the occasional friend or neighbor lounging in the presence of tea and gossip. Marco hadn't been a part of said gatherings since his enlistment; Celine hadn't been present at all.

Until today.

"You're a Unit Captain?" Samuel said. He was getting older, but not old enough anyone should feel the need to be concerned over his hearing.

"Sort of," Celine said. A tin of cookies was held up in her peripheral. Her eyes roved over the options for a moment before selecting a cookie with a raspberry jam center. Rosie lifted her head to get a better look at Celine from under the brim of her violet sunhat; they exchanged pleasant smiles as Rosie returned the tin to her lap.

"But you're …" Samuel said, sounding all the more lost. He hummed as he ran a hand through Suzy's curls, the baby in his lap ignoring him over fussing with the ruffles of her skirt. "… also temporarily relieved of duty and under detainment."

"Sort of," Celine said.

She glanced over her shoulder. A figure was standing along the tree line, tipping the brim of his wide hat and smiling at the confused groups of picnic-goers passing by.

Kenny noticed Celine watching him. Their meetings every day over the past week had taught Celine many things; one being that Kenny was from the vast city beneath Stohess known as the Underground, and another being how Kenny viewed those who stepped over the residents of his birthplace both literally and figuratively.

Kenny made a hand gesture which would seem like nonsense to anyone who hadn't learned it was a creatively vulgar way for Underground inhabitants to describe the ailments which should befall the 'surface folks' genitals. Celine lifted a hand over her mouth to cover up her laugh with a cough.

"Samuel, be more positive!" Rosie said. "It sounds like everything is going to be cleared up for Celine soon; shouldn't you be glad?"

"Of course, I'm glad," Samuel said. He made himself appear busy by adjusting Suzy's headband as if it were awry. The child only stuffed a fist into her mouth and looked about. She made eye contact with Celine; the now spittle-covered hand reaching out in a grabbing motion.

"Suzy most certainly misses you coming by," Rosie said. Her eyes tracked the baby as she was handed over to Celine. The series of coos and soft remarks Celine made as she held her younger sister warmed Rosie's smile.

"That's certainly true," Samuel said. "Sometimes, when Rebecca comes through the door, Suzy looks up and I think she–"

Samuel pursed his lips. "That man," he said, causing Rosie and Celine to look over their shoulders.

"The … unusual gentleman who's been standing there all this time is coming this way," Samuel said. Unlike his daughter, violence stuck to Samuel like water to a duck. He was more along the type to cause a scene and hope someone else would step in and offer aid. Celine got the feeling that there were enough people around for him to feel confident enough to stand and remove his jacket.

"Papa, stop," Celine said, looking to alleviate potential embarrassment on her father's part. "He's my security escort. Here, take Suzy – I have to go."

Celine got to her feet. She gave the baby a peck on the nose before handing her back to a befuddled Samuel. The confused expression remained when Celine gave him a swift kiss to the cheek.

"Be well, Celine," Rosie said. Her skirts gave her some trouble standing, and her eyebrows rose slightly when Celine offered a helping hand. The offer was accepted as Celine pulled Rosie to her feet. Rosie's nervous smile was exchanged with a small lift to the corner of Celine's mouth, and they leaned in to exchange a polite parting by briefly brushing their cheeks together.

"Be well," Celine said. She let go of Rosie's hand and turned to her father. "Be well, Papa; Suzy. I'll visit again when I can."

Celine returned Rosie's wave before walking away. The smile on her face stretched as she watched Kenny approach.

"Aw, what?" Kenny said as their paths crossed. He turned on his heel and matched Celine's gait. They walked in tandem between parasols and brightly colored blankets as they headed toward the park's north exit. "Had to catch me before I got close enough to talk to your folks? Too soon for me to meet your daddy and have me properly ask for your hand, eh?"

Celine made an exasperated sound. "What about me only makes old men show interest?" The statement was a joke, although with a dash of something more genuine in it than she would've liked.

A chortle from her companion indicated Kenny found this amusing. "S'pose gentlemen of the distinguished variety like myself have less reservations concerning holding back our opinions. But don't get your britches in a knot – I don't mix work with pleasure."

The way Kenny nearly laughed again spoke volumes on how the look on Celine's face expressed the level in which she believed the statement.

"You got me," Kenny said. "The fact that we're here instead of where we're supposed to be counters that, huh? I s'pose the real answer is you remind me too much of someone I know for me to see you in that regard."

Celine hated to admit the statement made her heart sink. It wasn't because she had any romantic interest in Kenny, but because she had a feeling she knew exactly who he meant.

"My mother, right?" Celine said, deflating. "You mentioned before you knew her. Although, people always said she was pretty, so I guess it's a little odd you didn't think so."

"Nah, that ain't it," Kenny said. "Your mama was easy on the eyes, and you're practically the spittin' image of her. What I'm talking about is someone else."

Kenny's expression grew thoughtful as they exited the park onto the adjoining street. Their surroundings buzzed with groups of chatting pedestrians and vendors peddling street food.

"Then who do you mean?" Celine asked.

"Eh, well," Kenny said with a shrug. He reached into his pocket for a cigarette. The item was lit between his lips before continuing. "Some brat I used to know. Both of you got the sorta look that makes it seem like you'll bite if anyone gets too close. You've got a better sense of humor than my sister's boy, though. That's made havin' to hang around you a hell of a lot more tolerable."

Celine flipped her braid over her shoulder as she lifted her chin. "There's much worse you could've been stuck with, old man." She smiled when a cloud of smoke escaped Kenny's lips with an irritated huff.

"Can't say you ain't useful," Kenny said. He turned his head away as he mumbled. "Even if you are too damn chatty."

"You should be grateful you were able to bring on a genius like me," Celine said. "No one else could get you a working prototype of the gear within only a little over a week. That's where you were supposed to take me before the detour, isn't it? To check it out?"

"Sharp as always," Kenny said. He took a drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke slowly rise from his nostrils. "I like how you call it a 'detour' when it was really you flapping your yap and makin' it clear as day you wouldn't get a lick of work done if I didn't take you."

He indicated for Celine to take a right and down a set of stairs leading to Sina's tunnel system.

The tunnels under Stohess were just below street level and generally used by merchants to cart about equipment without overcrowding the streets. A few of these tunnels had heavily guarded passages leading to and from the Underground.

There was no question if Celine had previously known of the Underground; every misbehaving child growing up in Stohess was warned by their parents they'd get sent to the place where violence ran rampant and kids ate nothing but scraps. What came as a surprise was just how large the Underground was; it spanned nearly all of the area of Stohess. There were rumors of some passages into Wall Rose, but Kenny had dismissed those with a shrug since the walls went down further than anyone had yet to discover.

Unfortunately for Celine's curiosity, the Underground wasn't their current destination. It was a bit odd, but Kenny preferred to do most of his travel around Stohess using the tunnels when he could. His weathered boots seemed to touch down on the roofs or the subsystems of Stohess more often than the roads as if his distaste for the people there reached all the way to the soles of his shoes.

"The training zone under HQ should be a good enough spot," Kenny said, referring to the spacious room with a number of tall, thick wooden posts installed for grappling hooks. "I got Caven the prototype and she's gonna demonstrate so you can confirm everything is working as it should."

"Sounds good," Celine said, leaning forward to look down a connecting long, dimly lit tunnel. "I wouldn't object if you wanted to practice in a more urban setting, though."

"You're smart," Kenny said. He smirked at Celine's coy appearance. "But not that smart, little lady. I've said before I ain't gonna take you to the Underground – a place like that would only be trouble."

"I'm not helpless," Celine said.

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Kenny said. "I said there'd be trouble cuz you'd be the one starting it. I don't need to lose the trust of my contacts when they get the shit beat out of 'em 'cause you see 'em doing something you don't agree with."

"The more terrible you make it sound," Celine said. "The more you make me want to go."

"That so, huh?" Kenny said. "You must be gettin' real antsy being locked up in HQ if you want to actually go to the Underground."

The pair took a left turn. This tunnel had groups of Military Police officers every few feet, all of them soldiers assigned to Kenny's squad. They nodded in greeting as Kenny passed. Many didn't bother to stand or stop leaning against the wall. The lax nature of Kenny's squad made the apathetic Military Police in Headquarters seem energetic by comparison.

"As much as I'm sure you enjoy our little work trips," Kenny said. "The best you'll get outta me are tales about the Underground. Although … I've taken a liking to your idea of testing it out there. I'll probably bring down Caven for a spin."

Kenny laughed at Celine's resulting pout.

"You know," Kenny said, the door to their destination growing closer. "A place like the Underground would be perfect for holdin' a Titan." He tilted his head back. Celine watched the light at the tip of his cigarette bob up and down as he spoke.

"A Titan would be handicapped in an enclosed area. That, and the shit-stains on the council wouldn't hesitate to risk the lives of the vermin down there. My money's on 'em sending that captured one underground if they decide not to kill it. Speakin' of that Titan, I came across the name 'Bodt' during a spell of light reading."

Celine came to a sudden halt outside the door to the training hall. The reaction caused Kenny some amusement.

"What are you talking about?" Celine said, the mirth slipping from her voice.

"How 'bout I tell you all about it if you can work out any last kinks to the prototype," Kenny said. It was clear he was dangling a carrot on a stick, but Celine still hung on every word.

Kenny tossed his cigarette to the stone, crushing it with his heel. "Let's get 'er up and running, eh?"

"Where have you been?"

Hange was far from being a child getting reprimanded for staying out too late. This didn't stop her from feeling nearly thirty years had been removed from her age when the first thing she noticed upon entering her living quarters was a scowl paired with crossed arms. The humble room she'd been assigned hadn't been lived in long enough for Hange to fill it with clutter, so the new edition of Celine in her desk chair added a welcome change to the room's sterile nature.

"Ah," Hange said. Her tired expression brightened. "That's why there were a pair of soldiers hanging out down the hall. You wanna grab a bite to eat? Sorry, I–"

"It's nearly midnight," Celine said. "I haven't been able to find you anywhere all day."

"Sorry, Celine," Hange said. She let out a long exhale and sat on the edge of her small bed. "I haven't talked to you at all since your tribunal because things kept coming up. If you want–"

"What the hell are you doing with Marco?"

Celine's eyes narrowed as Hange froze mid-yawn.

"Huh?" Hange said, lowering the hand from her mouth. "How did you know about that?"

"He filed an updated will," Celine said. She got to her feet, the low lamplight in the room casting a shadow over her expression as she approached. "He's been given some assignment under your command. I heard it has something to do with the captured Titan. That thing is dangerous, and I don't want him anywhere near it. You're pulling him from the project immediately."

Hange's brows came together. "That information is classified; you shouldn't have access to any of the documentation concerning Marco's filed paperwork or the nature of my project. Where did you learn about this?"

"That's not the issue," Celine said. "How could you put Marco in a situation like that? I don't care how secure you have it – Marco didn't sign up for the Scouts. There's absolutely no reason for him to be interacting with a dangerous Titan."

Hange hunched, raising a hand to rub her eyes. "He's essential to this project, Celine. Marco may be able to attain information invaluable to humankind. I can assure you I'm always present during his interactions with the prisoner, and we're taking every precaution. Now – I need you to tell me exactly how you found this information. If word leaks about the Female Titan, we'll have to take safeguards in case there are more enemies hiding among us."

"There isn't a leak," Celine said. For a change she was able to tower over Hange as she leaned in. "Don't deflect; find someone else. Marco has no need to be a part of this."

"He does, Celine," Hange said, resigned. "I can't divulge details, but Marco's involvement is vital. He's not getting pulled."

Celine gripped the lapels of Hange's jacket. She bared her teeth. "Perhaps this project won't be able to move forward at all if someone were to spread the word about it, huh? That's what you said, right?"

There was a beat of silence as Hange's eyes widened. She slowly got to her feet, causing Celine to loosen the grip on her jacket. Hange reached up to lift her goggles and nestle them in her hair. There was now no obstruction between Celine and the penetrating stare being thrown her way.

"Watch yourself, Celine," Hange said. "I think your perception of the reality of how things are has been skewed. You're not always going to get your way, especially not on a matter that's much bigger than you are."

"What the hell is your problem?!" Celine said. She took a step back, regarding Hange in a manner she'd never seen once in the years they'd known one another. There was some apprehension as if Hange had suddenly become someone she didn't recognize. It made Hange wonder if this was the first time Celine had ever regarded her as a soldier who commanded respect; as Hange Zoe - Section Commander of the Scout Regiment.

"You haven't told me a goddamn thing!" Celine snapped. "That's how it always is with you! You keep me in the dark like I'm some moron who can't understand what the hell is going on. You didn't even tell me about your plan to capture the Female Titan until it was critical you needed my help. You put Marco on some dangerous project without consulting me first, and you haven't said a single thing about whatever it is they found in the wall. And you didn't even …"

An angry flush broke out over Celine's cheeks. "Your friend died, and you didn't even tell me."

The steadfast nature to Hange's expression wavered. "'Friend?'"

"You know how I found out Miche Zacharies died?!" Celine said, pounding her palm against her chest. "Through the list of names they posted of the soldiers confirmed dead or MIA from the last Titan attack! I didn't even learn in time to attend the memorial!"

Hange frowned. "You didn't even like Miche."

"He was a pervert, why would I?!" Celine said, her voice rising. "But I still knew him! And I knew he was your friend! I would've been there for you! Although … it seems like you don't even give a shit he's dead."

Celine was nearly lifted from her feet by the grip on the front of her shirt. She kept a hardened expression as Hange's stare bore into her.

"Sometimes it shocks me how presumptuous you can be," Hange said. She kept her voice low, afraid she might do something worse than causing damage to Celine's shirt if she allowed her tone to grow in volume. "You act like you know what people are thinking despite being ignorant of everyone around you. The big picture is lost on you because you can't look past yourself."

Hange leaned back to dodge the slap aimed at her cheek. She released Celine, sending her companion stumbling into the wall.

"Not to mention," Hange said. "You possess the temperament of a spoiled toddler."

"Shut up, you asshole!" Celine said. Her voice matched the tremble to her fists. "I'd insult your character in kind, but I don't even know who the hell you are! You have more walls around you than Sina! Maybe there isn't much more to you than an obnoxious crackpot who has an unhealthy obsession with Titans … just like everyone says."

Celine's lip curled as she pointed. "And don't come at me saying I only act in my own benefit when you do the same! The whole time we've known each other, you've only ever used me as a means to create items to help you with your twisted fixation. We would've never become friends if you didn't have any use for me."

"Can't you say the same thing?" Hange said.

Hurt washed over Celine's face. She quickly recovered. "You're right. We both used each other to get what we set out for; I'm a Unit Captain in the Military Police, and you have all the liberties you want to conduct your experiments. It's clear we've exhausted our usefulness for one another."

Hange didn't answer. Her eyes tracked Celine as she crossed the room.

"I can find other ways to get Marco pulled from the project that have nothing to do with you," Celine said, keeping her back to Hange. "I'll do whatever I have to; don't get in my way."

The slam of the door behind Celine gave Hange the impression a cord had been severed.

Hange's energy drained away as she sat on the bed. She buried her head in her hands.

The stars were beautiful. They pissed Celine off.

To the displeasure of her security detail, Celine left Hange's quarters and wandered over nearly every inch of Headquarters she was allowed access to. Hallways, stairwells, and the canteen were passed through as Celine mumbled to herself. One of the guards attempted to convince her to return to her own chambers after an hour passed.

"You want me to go to bed?" Celine said, keeping her expression completely blank. "Why don't you come over here and try to knock me out?"

The distance between Celine and her guards grew significantly.

There wasn't a lot of activity around the building considering the hour. It wasn't until close to two in the morning did Celine come across another person who wasn't on guard duty. Said person was sitting on the short wall lining the path between the southeast and east side of the building. They had a blanket over their shoulders, and closer inspection garnered they were in their sleeping clothes. The figure had been staring at the sky as Celine approached. They turned their head at the sound of her boots over gravel.

"Huh," Celine said. She stopped, placing her hands on her hips as she looked the boy up and down. "I didn't expect to come across someone like me right now."

The boy's face scrunched up in puzzlement. "You mean you can't sleep, either?"

"No," Celine said. She took a seat beside the boy, causing him to lean back in apprehension. "You've also got a fan club."

Celine pointed over the boy's shoulder. He turned to glance at the two soldiers chatting and smoking in the distance. When he looked back, he followed Celine's indication to another pair of soldiers coming around the corner. The soldiers gave them both a wide berth as they met up with the other group and began talking in hushed tones.

"You're also …?" the boy said.

"A prisoner, basically," Celine said. "I kinda blew up part of the wall, but they're fixing it. The rest is just technicalities."

The boy frowned. He opened his mouth, his words drifting away when Celine reached toward him.

"Uh …" the boy said, watching her pick up the corner of the blanket around his shoulders and run the material through her fingers. "What are you doing?"

Celine froze. She stared at the insignia stitched on the corner of the deep green blanket before raising her eyes.

"You're Eren Jaeger," she said.

"Huh?" Eren said, his jaw going slack. "You didn't already know that?"

Celine's eyes widened. She threw back her head as she burst into laughter. "Wow!" she said, gasping for air. "And I thought I was conceited! What kind of response is that?"

A flush grew on Eren's cheeks. "S-sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I just … everyone here seems to already know who I am."

"Yeah, you're the kid who can turn into a Titan," Celine said, still chuckling. "That makes sense. This is the first time I've seen you, though. Well … maybe not. I first saw you when you were about as tall as this building."

Eren's brow furrowed. He tilted his head as he seemed to size her up. "I know you're not a part of the Scouts. That means you must've been in Trost."

"Yeah, unfortunately," Celine said. She tilted her head to scratch her scalp. Her lax nature seemed to put Eren at ease as his shoulders relaxed.

"I almost died, and you saved me," Celine said. "Well, I almost died a few times, and you saved me one of those times. I wanted to say thanks but our paths never really crossed. I stitched together that blanket since it was all I could think of to give you on short notice."

Eren perked up as if he may've misheard. "Wait … You're the one who made this? You're Marco's sister?"

"Yup," Celine said. She leaned forward to offer her hand. "Celine Bodt – it's good to meet you. I can now thank you to your face for saving our lives: Thank you."

"Yeah, uh …"

Eren accepted her offered hand, his demeanor shifting to something more sheepish. "I don't really have memories of what happened back then. Although I guess I'm glad I was able to help you guys. It's good to finally meet you; Marco talks about you a lot."

"I don't even have to ask if what he says are good things," Celine said. A warm feeling grew in her chest. "Marco's the type who always views the best in people."

"Huh, now I see it."

Celine hadn't noticed her gaze drifting away. She looked back at Eren with a start. "What?"

"You guys don't really look alike at first," Eren said. He put his elbow on his knee, leaning his head in his hand. "But you both do this thing like you're seeing something I can't. Like you're looking at something really nice, I guess."

Eren's attention drifted to the distance. A line formed between his brows. "I saw Marco a few hours ago. He seemed really happy over the idea of being able to help someone who can't be helped. Annie is a lost cause; it really pisses me off that he has so much faith in her after everything she did. He still looks at her like she's a person … like she isn't something to be afraid of. I just don't get it."

Celine leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she attempted to get a better read of Eren's expression. "Annie?"

"Who else other than that damn traitor?" Eren said, keeping his eyes forward. "The way Marco is …"

Eren looked up to the sky as if he had to piece together his thoughts like a puzzle. "He wants us to forgive someone who doesn't deserve it. But I can't imagine doing that no matter how hard I try. He's holding out hope for a bitch who did everything she could to hurt us; to slaughter humanity so the Titans could win."

Eren's attention moved to focus on his raised hand. He formed it into a fist. "I want to kill her," he said, a sudden intensity behind his voice. "I want to bash her face in and rip her to pieces for what she's done. How she pretended to be one of us … how she murdered my comrades. She deserves to feel the pain of every life she tore apart."

Fingers slowly unfurled as Eren opened his fist. Uncertainty seeped through his features. "Then … Annie gave up. She turned herself in because Marco asked her to. She … she might not be a monster. I can't say whether she's evil, but Annie didn't throw away the piece of herself that tied her to others like I'd thought. I feel like that means I don't have to, either. But if I don't … Can I actually make a difference? Can I still fight hard enough so we can be free? Damn it ... I thought I had it all figured out."

"Hold on a minute."

Eren flinched. He met Celine's gaze as her expression twisted.

"The abnormal Titan," Celine said in disbelief. "Do you mean Marco's friend, Annie Leonheart?"

Is that why Hange wouldn't pull him from the mission?

Celine had heard Marco talking about the girl Annie often enough after he joined the Military Police. There were few people Marco didn't hold in high regard, but Annie seemed to find herself in a special place alongside his other close friends like Jean and Armin. For her to have been a spy for the enemy all this time …

Marco had gone quiet when Celine had asked about the Female Titan during the time leading up to her tribunal. She'd brought up the subject once more over a brief lunch period she had to spare between ODM design modifications. The pained look in Marco's eyes had only been visible for a flash before turning away. He'd taken a moment to plaster on a false smile while changing the subject. Celine had been busy, so when Marco appeared to fabricate an appointment in an excuse to leave, she'd shrugged the issue away.

I was going to ask him about it later, Celine thought, her heart sinking. And I just … forgot. How could I forget?

"Ah, shit," Eren said, eyes widening in alarm. "I thought Marco may've told you since he said you were involved, but this is something most people aren't supposed to know about. Would you … mind not telling anyone about that?"

Eren's lips pulled back in a grimace as Celine grasped the front of his shirt. She shoved her face inches from his.

"How is Marco?!" Celine said. "Is he alright? Is he … how is he feeling?"

The hands reaching to remove Celine's grip paused. A moment passed of Eren studying her features.

"Uh, yeah! He's doing fine!" Eren said. A weak chuckle accompanied his smile. "You know how Marco is! It takes a lot to get him down."

Celine's shoulders slumped. She became aware of her grip on Eren's shirt and pulled away. "You're sure? You're sure he's okay? And he's not in danger?"

"Y-yeah!" Eren said. His tone sounded less than convincing. "I've been watching out for him. And Marco is–"

A rumble like distant thunder accompanied the ground trembling underfoot.

Celine and Eren turned their heads as they tried to pinpoint the source of the odd sound.

"Was that cannon fire?" Eren asked. He got to his feet, the blanket around his shoulders forgotten as it fluttered to the grass.

"Can't be," Celine said. "There are no cannons this far from the wall." She leaned back in her seat to look around Eren. Their guard detail was whispering among themselves in a frantic fashion.

Celine kept her eyes on the guards for a few minutes to gather whether they knew what was going on. The level of panic laced in their voices indicated they were in the dark in more ways than one. A few lights began to shine in the windows of the building at their back as the sound had appeared to wake up more than a few from their slumber.

Celine hummed. She leaned down to scoop up the wayward blanket before standing. A few blades of grass were brushed off the item then handed back to Eren. "Watch how you treat this material – it's delicate. And we should go investigate that noise."

A line formed between Eren's brows as he accepted the blanket. "Investigate? Would we be allowed to do that?"

This was met with a shrug. "They seem distracted," Celine said, indicating the guards with a tilt to her chin. "We should be fine if we wander away before a captain shows up."

The uncertainty on Eren's features was overruled by curiosity. He put on a hardened expression as he nodded. It was almost too easy talking the kid into throwing protocol out the window. He may've been a little stupid, but at least he wasn't boring.

"Alright, let's do it," Eren said. "But if we–"

The sky lit up in a flash of white when a bolt of lightning came down from the heavens.

An explosion erupted from somewhere just beyond Headquarters; the windows of the building blew out, the walls crumpling from the shockwave as if they were made of clumps of sand. A wave of heat like nothing Celine had experienced washed over her. Celine's resulting scream was swallowed up by the boom which threatened to destroy her eardrums.

Everything went dark in the blink of an eye. And warm. Not the same kind of suffocating warmth that had pushed itself through the air a moment before … but something less painful and more familiar.

Celine lowered her hands from her ears, trying to make sense of her surroundings. Her fingers glided over a soft, smooth surface. There was a heartbeat beating in her ears that wasn't her own. Its low, slow rhythm resonated through her body.

Is this … a womb?

Terror washed over Celine as if she'd jumped into a freezing pond.

Am I dead? Is this was dying is? No … I didn't want to …

Light trickled in from above. Celine looked up in awe at the large objects unfolding like flower petals to reveal the night sky.

They look like fingers.

Celine tracked the fingers to their base. She was sitting in what she could only describe as a pair of cupped hands. It took her a moment to process this fact before her gaze followed the arms the hands were attached to.

Her eyes locked with the Titan staring down at Celine. She froze like an animal caught in the sights of a hunter's rifle.

The Titan tilted its head, dark hair falling over one side of its face. Its taught skin and row of exposed teeth left little room for expression. What gave away a sign of concern were its green eyes roving over her.

I know you.

The rigid nature to Celine's posture relaxed.

"... Eren?"

The Titan nodded. It raised itself from a crouch, turning to look back at the rubble which had once been Military Police headquarters. Fires burned among the debris and the surrounding hillside. Spots in the distance lit up and billowed black smoke as the fire worked its way over red shingled rooftops. In the center of it all stood the largest Titan Celine had seen.

It's … almost as tall as Wall Sina.

Celine got to her feet, grasping one of the Titan's fingers for balance. Her face twisted in horror at the giant red creature in the distance as it took a swing at another, much smaller, Titan standing before it.

"Is that … the Female Titan?" Celine asked. The only answer she got in response was a low grunt.

The Female Titan deflected the blow with its forearm as a crystalline substance grew over its exposed muscles. It turned and dropped to one knee, blonde hair billowing over its face as it clutched something to its chest.

To the Female Titan's side stood another Titan nowhere near as tall as the first, but covered in a gleaming, metallic substance that shifted in the flickering light of the surrounding fires. It took a step forward, gripping the Female Titan by its hair.

What …

Celine's focus shifted between the Titans and how nearly a quarter of the city of Stohess appeared to be in ruin.

… what the hell is happening?