The setting sun had only just dipped behind the edge of the world, creating deep shadows among the empty streets of the Capitol. Heat from the day still clung to the surface of cobbled streets and the air remained thick and heavy. The citywide curfew was both a gift and a hinderance to Mikasa as it allowed her to move quickly through the darkened alleys without delay but increased the risk of being spotted and pursued greatly.

The inability to use her equipment for fear of being heard made Mikasa uneasy; she didn't like how much it limited her. This limitation sent another strong wave of guilt and anger through her heart as she slid deftly through a low opening into a courtyard and back over the far wall to avoid the sentries marching down the main thoroughfare. Bitterness covered her tongue, and resentment reared its head; a feeling that was foreign to her.

Why did I leave them? How could I let my attachment to someone who is gone put those I was meant to protect in jeopardy?

Flinging herself around a building and down towards the street, she fought with her inner turmoil. Mikasa had known the risks of leaving Historia and Ymira while Paradis was so unstable, and yet despite the risks she hadn't been able to keep herself from Eren. Again. This lapse in judgement could very well cost them everything, and she was frantic to rectify her mistake.

Slinking down low as she came to the edge of the alleyway, Mikasa peered around the corner into what she hoped was a now vacant street. She recoiled with alarm as she nearly caught the eye of one of the patrolmen that was headed down the stone path towards her.

Damn it, they've doubled their patrols.

She leaned her head forward just enough in the darkness to catch sight of the three heavily armored guards making their way down the street. Anger filled her chest as she watched them. Did they know where Ymira was? Had they done something to her and Historia? Pulling her hands away from where they had begun to draw blades, Mikasa took in a few deep breaths to try and calm herself.

Observe and report, that's your assignment, nothing more.

She watched them carefully, noting with concern how thoroughly they scanned the streets, even so much as ducking into passing alleys with their lit torches. She needed to move farther down and tuck herself away into one of the joining side streets or they would find her. Whipping around she made her way back the way she had come, eyes set on the street ahead of her. Mikasa had only made it halfway down the alleyway when the sounds of more soldiers came from the direction she was headed.

I'm surrounded. She thought, pressing herself against a shallow doorframe. Panic swelled as she looked up to the eaves that partially covered the passage. They were too high to reach without ODM, and the moment she used it they would be on her, forcing her to escape and effectively ruining any chance she had to continue. They were drawing closer now; she had to act.

Mikasa has resigned herself to this and was seconds away from pulling the cable trigger when the door she had been leaning against eased open and she stumbled slightly, a set of hands reaching out from the candlelit room behind her and grabbed her cloak, dragging her swiftly into the room as the door shut with a soft click. Whirling around ready for a fight, Mikasa was abruptly met with two familiar faces.

"Easy does it, young'un, no need to be doing anything rash."

"Mr. Braus? Kaya?"

It was the sound of snoring that eventually rose Levi from the depths of darkness he had fallen into. He lifted his head a fraction as he squinted against the morning sunlight that was coming in through the open windows. The breeze that followed it was warm and damp, smelling of salt and industry. As his eyes adjusted, he surveyed his room, and the differences between this one and the last one he found himself in were immense.

He was propped up in a wide bed, thin sheets covering him up to his chest. The room was still sparse, but it was made of wood not stone. Despite the lack of furniture it still felt comfortable, regardless of the aches and pains he could now feel rippling through his skin and deep into his bones. He was hurt, that was obvious. Yet the pain wasn't nearly as bad as it should have been, like he had been numbed to the worst of it.

He turned his gaze to the source of the snoring: Gabi was curled up in a chair next to his bed on the left, head resting on the arm and a low gurgling noise escaping from her cramped windpipe. Even in his sleep she still chose the left side; the eye he saw from.

"Hey, pipsqueak." His voice was hoarse from lack of use but was just loud enough to cause Gabi to wake with a jump, whipping around to find the source of the noise.

"Could you keep it down? I'm trying to sleep, here."

She turned abruptly to look at him, and jumped from the chair, squealing shrilly. "Oh my God, Levi, your awake! How are you feeling?! Obviously not great, but… wow it's so nice to see your eyes open! We thought… well that doesn't matter now!" She was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet, reaching her hand out as if to touch him, but then thinking better of it.

"That's not being quieter." He winced.

"Oh, sorry." She whispered, covering her mouth.

Footsteps could be heard quickly approaching from down the hallway, and soon the door to their room opened revealing Falco and Connie.

"I thought I heard something! Oh man, you sure scared us." Falco cried, rushing over to stand next to Gabi and put his arm around her. Small tears danced in Gabi's eyes as she looked down at him.

"I wasn't scared for a minute." Connie said confidently, though relief was plain on his face. "I told you, that woman is a sorceress. There's no one dying on her watch. Captain," he gave Levi a quick salute then dropped his arm again, "It's good to see you, sir."

Levi studied him. "I'm not your captain anymore, Springer. How long have I been out?"

"Almost five days."

He nodded, that sounded about right given how sore his body was. "Where are we?"

Connie hesitated. "We are back in Veritas now, sir."

Levi grunted. Of course they would bring him back here after his home in Cardend was compromised, but he was still unhappy with being in the city. He was sure their bringing him here had more of a reason than just a better hospital.

"As much as I don't like that, I suppose I am grateful for the rescue of myself and our young friends here. Tell me how you came to find us." He gestured slightly as he said this, but before Connie could explain, Levi caught a glimmer of something on his right hand. Lifting his arm, he examined the source more closely.

Where once was just the stubs of his index and middle finger, there now lay a small silver plate that extended over the bases of his missing appendages and back into the rough skin of his hand. Two small holes bore down exactly where the plate met his knuckles, the insides ridged as if something was meant to fit inside of them. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped. The ache in his knee was gone. Oh, there was still plenty of pain, but it was somehow different, the old pain erased and a new one in its place.

Using his left hand, he pulled the sheet back from his right leg. His knee was bandaged up as if it had been wounded, but his couldn't recall the blast from the building injuring his leg. Levi didn't remember anything that had happened after that blast, but there was something else nagging at his mind, almost begging to be remembered. Before it could make itself known to him, realization set in, and anger followed.

How highly they must regard me if they would go against their promise. I was to be left alone, not another mention of it. I had accepted my fate and the hand I was dealt. What gives them the right to take that choice away from me?

"Who did this?" He asked emotionlessly, unable to take his eyes off the metal now imbedded in his hand.

Gabi and Falco looked suddenly worried as they turned to Connie, who looked downright scared. "Look, it wasn't her choice, okay? The President and his elected officials gave her an order and she fought back, hard. But they threatened to take her citizenship away… she's not to blame for this."

Levi fixed him with a flat look. "Someone in this city performed an experimental surgery on me while I was asleep, against my wishes. I need a name, Springer."

Connie looked between the three of them and then shrugged helplessly, defeated. "Arya."