Chapter Nineteen
Save The Many Over The Few
A/N: Holy moly we're getting closer to the next ARC. I am so excited to be writing what's coming up next - big plans!
Disclaimer: Attack on Titan does not belong to me, I only own Emalina and any other OC's. The new story picture does not belong to me; I hold no Copyright and found the picture through Google Images.
~ oOo ~
Point of View
Jean
Riding off on our horses was the hardest action I had to commit this day, knowing Emalina was to be left behind, although of her own volition. She could take care of herself, there was no doubt she could, except that wasn't what was holding me back. Peering over my shoulder towards the trees vanishing from my line of sight, there was a nagging feeling deep in my gut she wouldn't be alone inside the trees. She stayed behind to search for Mikasa who'd gone after Eren inside the forest, directly disobeying orders to rendezvous with the others.
Who knew what she would find in there. We were given the order to retreat, but what about the Scouts inside? Were they staying behind to take care of loose ends and we would have to wait for them? It was difficult to tell, considering the severe lack of communication between the regiments soldiers. Nevertheless, Armin and I rode off with the others. Sasha had finally calmed down enough to be vigilant as we rode off; knowing her, she was scared for Emalina and Mikasa.
"So…if we're going home, that means the operation was a success, right?"
Glancing over at me, Armin nodded. "Hopefully so. If that is the case, they might have already discovered the Female Titan's identity."
"I wouldn't mind to know that myself. Still, I'm impressed with the Commander. How did he know she'd come after us once we took Eren beyond the wall?"
"Think about it, during the Trost invasion. Didn't it strike you as odd the titans suddenly halted their advancement half-way through?" Ahh, so Emalina and I weren't the only ones to notice the inconsistency with the attack. "They must have intended some purpose when they destroyed the front gate. But they never made a move on the inner gate, nor did they interfere when Eren sealed the breach."
"Ema and I've had the same talk," I shared. It seemed so long when we had this discussion. "When I look back on that day, it didn't seem odd at the time, but now…their plan didn't follow through the same way when Shiganshina was attacked."
"My thoughts exactly." Holding his reigns tightly, Armin seemed conflicted. "Perhaps…something happened that made them reevaluate their plan entirely."
"Eren," I said grimly. Returning to the moment Emalina and I discussed this very topic with the Commander, Hange and her brother, she mentioned how Eren was the strange unknown from the Trost attack, except neither of us considered he was the reason the spies didn't pursue with their plan. "His transformation!"
"It is the most logical conclusion. His transformation was most likely the one variable that caused them to halt the remainder of their attack."
"Hold up…So whoever the spy is…they were there that day, they witnessed everything. Then…it couldn't have been someone from the Scouts, they were still outside the wall!" Teeth grinding, it was too much to hope the secrecy was over; there was still more confusion to uncover, more death to happen. All because there were spies that day. Maybe we knew them? Maybe we fought alongside them, possibly saved them from certain death? The idea caused my stomach to turn, knowing there was even a slight possibility I could've saved the very person who nearly wiped out my hometown, nearly killed my mother.
Maybe killed Marco.
"Yeah…whoever it is, they saw Eren transform. If our speculation is true, then the enemy…is one of us."
"One of us? You're not suggesting…they were a cadet this whole time?!" Armin remained quite; I knew full well his theory was correct. "Then…Emalina was right all along…Armin!" Calling his name, the blonde sharply turned to me, angling his horse closer to mine. "Assuming everything we've stated today is the truth, then something Emalina said earlier is correct as well."
"And what would that be?"
"Besides the one who controls the Female Titan, there's two more spies out there, one who's the Armored, and the other who's the Colossal Titan."
Sighing heavily, Armin nodded. "That is definitely a theory that seems more accurate the longer we're out here. If there are three of them, then we know one; at least, if everything lines up the way we've claimed it to be. Also, don't forget what you mentioned earlier; that whoever is controlling the Female definitely couldn't be a member of the Scouts."
"Shit," my jaw clenched. "Then…that only leaves the new recruits who joined the Garrisons or the Military Police." Grasping my head, the throbbing only grew worse the more we talked. "Seriously…this cannot be happening."
"Unfortunately, is it; that's why we have to face it head on like this. If we can strategize now, the better off we'll be in the future if we are to confront whoever these people are."
Growling, all I could do was sit and continue riding. Taking a deep breath, there was a need to change the subject, with there being only one other topic I would discuss. "Hey Armin, you think Ema will be alright?"
"You're seriously asking me that?" Caught off guard, the blonde seemed shocked by my question. "Emalina can take care of herself, you know that - "
"But she's going after Mikasa who left to find Eren. If she does find him, tell me Mikasa won't be frantic to get him out of there."
"I mean…she does get slightly overprotective of Eren."
"Slightly?! Armin, come on! Mikasa would kill if it meant Eren stayed with her. Now tell me, if Ema tries to intervene, don't you think something might happen to her?"
"Are you trying to insinuate that even if Emalina tries to help her, Mikasa would retaliate? Purposely hurting her?"
"I don't think it would be purposeful, no. Yet you can't deny she's blinded to everything around her except that suicidal maniac."
His head dropped in realization. "…you're right, there's no denying the truth. However, having said that, Emalina can handle anything she'll face. Believe in her, Jean." Holding a hand up as I opened my mouth to fight back, Armin was quick. "I know you believe in her, Jean. There's no use to assume what will or won't happen. All we can do is wait until she returns."
"I…damn, you're right. Today's already been fucked up, what else could happen?"
~ oOo ~
Point of View
Emalina
I'd been flying through the forest for…fuck, I didn't even know how long.
The height of the forest blocked a good portion of sunlight filtering though, the vastness was left to cascade in darkness. Searching high and low, Mikasa could by anywhere. Even if I traversed to the center, she could've already met up with Eren, or maybe she had met one of the higher-ups who informed her he was safe and they were heading home. It was all speculative, but I couldn't give up, I wouldn't give up.
Throwing myself from the branch I'd rested on, I swung through the corridor of branches, tempted to scream for the damn woman. There could still be titans in the area, as the ones we tried to annihilate all entered, but where did they go? We didn't see any leave and I hadn't heard one. There was only the sound of my gear and the occasional bird leaving in fright from my passing. Groaning every so often, I knew this was a fools chase.
"Oh Mikasa, do I have some choice words when I find you…" Moving quickly, everything surrounding me was a blur. My speed was fast, my sight agile to catch any movement around me.
That is, until I was stopped in my tracks; my wires created a 'V', swinging back and forth between two trees as my body began to slow. Hands covering my ears, it was there again. The scream of death, roaring to silence all creatures as it manifested from thin air. Ringing nonstop, the dull ache echoed in my ears, slipping through to mock the strength in my hearing. As it faded, my mind was dazed. The sound was similar to the one from earlier, but this was deeper, hauntingly familiar the sudden realization thrust upon me. Eren!
Moving forward, I zoomed in and out, making my way towards the location of the scream, fearing what I would find. It didn't take long, however, to reach the location. And what was I to find?
Eren's titan form in his weak attempt to smash the Female. All I could do was watch; no way in hell would I try to intervene in that moment. Titan Eren cradled the Female, holding her down with his waist as he smashed his hand again and again into her head, missing every time as she moved at the last second. Grimacing with the last swing, I covered my mouth, watching in horror of the phenomenal power the titans held. His arm had cracked, bone searing through the skin, and when he lifted his hand, nearly all his fingers were gone, blood oozing to the floor like a river with a swift current.
Their screeches combined, Titan Eren being suddenly thrown by the Female into the thick trunk, his body limp from impact. Standing, the Female narrowly missed an uppercut attack, swiftly backing away as Titan Eren moved in for the kill. Hell, all his potential attacks were for the kill, except they were sloppy. Compared to Trost, even when he wasn't aware of what he became, his attacks were planned, precise and on target. Here…he was just throwing his fist.
This isn't the same Eren, I thought, eyes glued to the action before me. He's consumed with nothing but rage; pure, unadulterated rage.
As their fight led them through the forest, I followed, stopping far enough away their attacks couldn't reach me. My eyes widened in shock, however, the moment my feet landed. The Female reached forth with her own fist attack, the entire length of her arm down towards her fingertips transformed into a glowing stone. Headed straight for her opponent, she smack him against the jaw, smashing Titan Eren's face, entirely obliterating his jawline, leaving his tongue to dangle. Retaliating with speed, he socked her right into the stomach, which sent her flying off hundreds of feet away, landing right at the bottom of a tree trunk.
She then moved, and that's when everything turned blurry, my vision clouded with multiple attacks, stabs, kicks, screams and the crunch of bones breaking. Squirming, I shook my head, refocusing my eyes to pay attention; everything I had seen, all that I witnessed was extremely vital information which needed to be reported back to Erwin.
Mouth clamped shut, I covered my lips with my hands, nearly screaming to provide my attention. The Female Titan had turned, stomping her foot securely into the ground as she claimed one last battle stance. Her form was all too familiar, my eyes blinked a hundred times that minutes to see if the situation before me was my reality, or a poor figment of my imagination. I fucking knew that fighting stance.
Nope, this was reality, and it was so fucking cruel.
Having used her unique fighting technique to slice Eren's head off, the Female stood over Titan Eren's deformed body, merely watching until she rolled him onto his front. It was then my instincts kicked in, the next few moments were only flashes of images in my head.
The Female widened her mouth, biting off the section of Titan Eren's nape.
Human Eren appeared from the wound, her mouth clamping tightly over his form, swallowing him whole.
Next was her body retreating from the scene, leaving the evidence that she had possibly killed Eren Jaeger.
It was then I heard the pained whispers of the Scout I sought out to find.
"Eren, no…please…! You can't leave me…!" Gasping, Mikasa had been there the whole fucking time! Her eyes were wide, sadness erupted as she watched her best friend being taken away. "Give him BACK!" Shrieking to no one, she zoomed off, pushing her gear to the limit as she readied her blades, gas trailing behind her as I was left in the dust.
"Fuck! Mikasa!" Flying after her, I screamed her name, needing her to hear me. "MIKASA!" She didn't turn, didn't acknowledge if she'd heard me or not. only swinging herself around to increase her momentum, surging forward to beat the Female Titan at her own game.
I had to think of something fast. Regardless of her power, Mikasa couldn't take on this titan by herself, let alone the way her own rage consumed her focus. She needs to be taken out. If she keeps going like that, she'll only get herself killed. There's no way to know if Eren's alive or not, but she's probably assuming he is.
Gibbing my blades, I edged forward. Twirling the handhelds around so the blades were pointed downward, I waited until Mikasa and I were close in range before attacking. Pushing my feet off from the closest tree, I tackled her, wrapping my arms around her waist as we flew downward. Activating my handheld, we swung around, flinging as she scrambled in my arms. "Calm down!" I screeched.
"Get the hell off me! Let go!"
"No! Mikasa you cannot go after Eren on your own like that! We need to go get my brother and - !" Escaping, Mikasa twirled around, charging at me with her own blade down. She fucking swung her blade at me! Screaming, I barely manage to move, any possible life-threatening injuries were, thankfully, avoided.
I did say life-threatening injuries were avoided, did I not?
Snatching against my skin, her blade managed to snake across down the length of my neck to the top of my chest. And as if that wasn't enough, Mikasa swung around once more. Stunned from the first attack, her blade bit into my thigh, dragging downward, leaving a beautiful gash as blood instantly stained the white pants.
"Son of a bitch!" My voiced carried to the high heavens, hands not sure which wound to stop from bleeding. Grasping my thigh as we dangled there, the thick, red liquid seeped through my fingers as I glared at the woman. "What the hell is wrong with you, Mikasa?! You could've killed me!"
I wasn't sure if the woman knew what she had done or even who she had attacked, for that matter. Her narrowed expression didn't reveal much. "What the hell is wrong with you, Emalina?! I'm trying to save Eren, then out of knowing you tackle me? Don't stop me from bringing him home!"
"That's your excuse for wanting to slice me into pieces?! You can't fight her by yourself! Are you that blind?! You're consumed by anger, you'll only end up getting yourself killed!"
"Tch, leave me alone, Emalina. I can fight her perfectly fine!" Flying away, I was left there, dripping with blood as I shook furiously. Shoving the handhelds into their pouches, I quickly tore off my jacket, tightly folding the material then wound it around my thigh, tying off the arms securely as possible. The makeshift wrap was better than nothing, considering where her blade nicked me. The gashes weren't serious, but if ignored for too long, there was the chance I could bleed enough to lose consciousness.
Following her was my only option, one I acted on immediately. Each time my body swung with the ODM gear, my body burned; as my neck turned, it seemed to stretch the large gash.
You got this Emalina, don't cry - just don't cry.
Nigh impossible, several tears fell, slowly making their way to my chin, my attention to concerned with washing them away. Mikasa's cries were close, as she kept saying the same sentence over and over to the Female Titan: "Give him back! Give him back!"
I completely understand Mikasa wants to retrieve Eren, but what gave her the right to attack me? Fuck! Not only did she go off on her own outside our orders, she willingly attacked a comrade - who is technically her superior - all while in pursuit of the titan we needed most to understand all the secrets in this world.
"AAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!" Screaming was the only action that helped; to relieve the pain I was feeling and the frustration of this situation.
When the last of my shriek diminished its echo was the moment I finally met up with the Female and Mikasa. My comrade was swinging amuck, circling all around the titan, cutting one limb then another. Her rage had taken over, movements sloppy as she was only hitting what she could, not what would be effective. We had to save Eren. Not only because he was a key in assisting the Scouts in reclaiming our home, but because he was a comrade and a friend, if I could call him one.
Calling out her name, even knowing she'd ignore me, my eyes swirled to follow her every movement. Observing how the Female covered her nape with one hand indicated the level of intelligence, if not, a shifter just like Eren, for they knew the spot that would reveal their identity. As Mikasa continued to circle and stab her blades, she became ignorant to the titan's spare hand, who lifted it up, ready to swat the girl like a fly.
Exerting more gas, my limbs grew numb as I flew to her position. "Mikasa!" I cried, raising my own blades. "DUCK!"
Twisting her head to growl, she finally saw the titan's hand. Dropping towards the ground, I came in from behind, blades driving into the titan's wrist, the hand losing strength as it dangled from the bone. Above, Mikasa was still trying to reach her nape. Besides that spot, there was another other which could be attacked, one the Female couldn't guard while running; so I went in for the kill. Angling my blades, I dropped behind her knees, digging my weapon as far as its sharpened edge could slice, flying away one her body hit the ground. It was then Mikasa went for the nape, only to run head first into the same crystal I saw earlier. Blades shattering on impact, she escaped high onto a tree, stopping to acknowledge what had happened.
Station below her, my chest heaved more so than normal. Flying around this beast wasn't the issue. My neck was burning as was my thigh, and I only grew concerned when I realized black spots were growing in and out of my vision. "I told you!" My voice said once more. "You cannot beat her by yourself, nor can you attack the way you have been!"
"What're you talking about?!" Mikasa barked.
"Did you not see her fight Eren? She's fast, and moves like a fucking athlete! Trust me Mikasa, I ran into her earlier this afternoon, you cannot just run in and expect to kill her the moment your blade meets her skin!"
"I don't care! It doesn't matter how long it takes, I will save Eren!"
Below our position, the Female moved while we were distracted, thrusting her fist towards us, Mikasa jumped upward while I simply allowed myself to fall. And then she was gone - again. Both of them left, one tailing behind the other. All I could do was watch their forms leave, my body falling as the black spots returned. Tightening the handhelds, my finger clicked the appropriate mechanism. Waiting for the spring to ignite, there came a swoosh from behind, my eyes momentarily distracted as my body swept from the air, suddenly moving onward at a quickened pace.
"You need to quickly fill me in shorty, we don't have time."
"L-Levi!" I cried. Holding me around the waist, my brother tilted his glare downward, nearly stopping completely mid-air. "What're you doing here?!"
"Erwin had me scout the surrounding area for yours truly," he nodded to the Female. "And you? I'm sure you saw the retreat signal."
"I did! Since Grayson ordered me to keep an eye on the new recruits, I've been searching for her," I pointed to my comrade before us, "this entire time! After the signal, Sasha came to me saying she'd lost sight of Mikasa, thinking she went into the forest after Eren. I couldn't leave her and assume she'd be alright!"
"No, you did good shorty. I saw Eren's Titan; where is he?"
"The Female has her. She bit his nape and sucked him into her mouth."
"So there's no knowing whether he's dead or alive." Releasing me, we sped towards Mikasa together. Thankfully my vision was back to normal, who knows for how long.
"Unfortunately. If this Titan really was after Eren for whatever purpose, she would need him alive, no?" With no reply, I glanced at my brother. "Levi?"
His expression was the same as usual; his eyes, however, were dark, those eyebrows raised so slightly no one else would be able to recognize his concern. It was then I saw it - the blood coating his fingers. "Emalina…what the fuck is this?" Finally lifting his eyes to mine, it was then he noticed the blood on my neck, following down my body to see the makeshift bandage formed from my military jacket around my thigh. "…who did this to you?"
Gaze falling, I looked away. Regardless whether my anger at Mikasa was justified, I felt no thrill in throwing her to my brother. Shaking my head, I said nothing. My silence unacceptable, Levi flung himself around, moving forward as his back faced the direction we were headed. "Emalina Varlen, I need you to tell me exactly who hurt you."
There was no where I could escape from those eyes. It wasn't Levi Ackerman, Humanities Strongest asking how I'd been hurt; no, this was Levi Ackerman, my brother. Breathing in, I knew the truth would reveal itself in due time, so I tossed aside any apprehension and spoke. "It was Mikasa. She…"
"She what?"
"After the Female took Eren, she went into a frenzy and chased after her. I followed knowing she couldn't attempt to beat the Female, let alone save Eren, so I tackled her in hopes we could formulate a plan or find you. She then attacked me with her sword to get me off, then fled after the titan."
He was seething; my brother was beyond pissed. Falling to his position beside me, he remained quiet for a moment, and during those few minutes, I honestly thought it was my fault. Maybe I did deserve for Mikasa to attack me. Despite her better judgement, she was trying to retrieve Eren.
"Emalina, if you're thinking this is your fault, knock that shit off right now."
Blinking, my mouth fell. "H-How'd you know?"
"Because you're my sister." His smirk returned, only for a short moment. "How deep are they?"
"It's…tolerable, nothing I won't die from." There's those black spots again.
"That's…good.," he managed to say. "Listen, head back and rendezvous with the others, I'll take care of the girl and Eren."
"No! No way in hell am I leaving. The more people here, the better!"
"Oh really, coming from the girl who's practically bleeding out?"
"Tch, as if your snarky remarks will get me to return, so we might as well think of something because I'm staying. And don't roll your eyes at me, Levi. If anything I learned some of my stubbornness from you."
"Yeah, yeah," he replied lightheartedly. "Ugh, alright fine, but keep your eyes open. You weren't there when we caught her, this bitch is tricky."
"I know full well, I ran into her earlier before we were ordered to stop."
"…really."
My head bobbed in acknowledgement. "Not a fun experience; Jean, Armin and I thought we lost Reiner, it was…pretty scary."
"Hmm, the thought we could've lost Braun, that is serious. And what of your Jean, have you seen him?"
"Mhm, he was almost attacked by her too, it's a long story."
"You're going to tell me once we're back at Headquarters. For now, we have a titan to catch."
"Which one?" I snickered, as did my brother. Now wasn't the time to make jokes, this I knew. My skin was literally dripping blood, I needed the laugh.
We were right upon Mikasa when Levi exhaled more gas, flying straight towards her as he tackled her just as I had. However, she froze realizing it was Levi who'd tackled her this time, actually listening to my brother as he quickly spoke. "You utter one word or try to attack me like you did my sister and we'll have serious problems. Got that?" She nodded. "Good, we're gonna stay back for now." She still didn't seem happy as she noticed my form cruising alongside the opposite side of my brother. I…didn't exactly want to be near Mikasa at the moment.
Once she had cooled off, Levi released her, the three of us all flying straight towards the Female. "We will maintain this distance for now," he ordered. "She's definitely slowed down a bit, that fight wore her out, too. From what Emalina told me, she ripped the entire nape off of Eren, and you should know: it's unlikely Eren survived."
Mikasa did nothing besides widen her eyes in fury, teeth ground together. "No, he's still alive in there! This titan is different, it has a purpose. If she wanted Eren dead - !"
I interrupted, not caring because Levi and I knew. "She's a shifter, like Eren and has been after him since the moment we left Karanes."
"You don't know everything, Emalina. Where is Eren then, huh?"
Oh good god. "She has him on her tongue. I was there, Mikasa!"
"That's enough! Ugh…it is possible she just wanted to savor her quarry. In which case it's likely he's already been swallowed; if so, he's dead."
"NO!" Mikasa all but screamed. "He is alive!"
"Someone's optimistic." Oh the snarky comebacks. Definitely my brother, no matter the situation or mood.
She wasn't having it though. "If you had just done your damn job and protected him like you were supposed to, we wouldn't be having this conversation!"
Manipulating his gear the same way he had done with me, Levi moved in front, blocking her view as we all continued to advance. My voice remained quiet. This conversation wasn't meant for me to participate, for I only knew what I had speculated with Jean and Armin. Levi on the other hand, had protected Eren all day, meaning who could say whatever he damn well pleased.
"Ohh, I see now. You're a childhood friend, right? Suddenly it's all making sense." Ignoring her accusation, he moved back into place between us. "Right, for the sake of argument, let's narrow our goals. First, we forget about taking her down."
"No way, she's killed too many of our people for that. She's dead!"
"She's got defenses that neither of us have been trained to deal with. I'm telling you, it's a lost cause, which is exactly what my sister was trying to tell you before you decided to attack her." From my peripheral, Mikasa glared me down. "Don't even think about it," my brother stated, venomously. "She only told me it was you because I made her. Trust me, I'll deal with you when we're back behind the walls."
"…I would've already saved Eren if she hadn't tackled me."
"And I'm the one who already told you we cannot kill this titan on our own!" Releasing my voice, I'd had it. My skin was plastered with blood, she now deserved to hear me speak.
"Maybe you can't, but I can!"
"Enough! Mikasa, if anything, Emalina is the only other Scout who has the chance at taking that bitch down. She is a better soldier than you, so get over it! And you!" Glaring at me, my brother was shaking slightly. "I need you to calm down, please. You're already in a bad shape, never mind I allowed you to stay." Taking into account how we both fell silent was only then when he continued with the plan. "Instead, we'll act on your assumption that Eren is alive and focus only on freeing him before she exits the forest. You are to find a way to distract her. Emalina and I will do all the cutting."
"Right," Mikasa answered, suddenly her tone serious, yet laced with happiness that she was getting her way.
"Emalina, stay close to me. You take the left, I've got her right. She'll first swing at us, so don't attack until I go for her leg."
"Gotcha!"
Flying low, Mikasa merged in front of the Female's legs, thinking she had her occupied simply because she was seen. Keeping a fair distance behind Levi, he was calculating his moves, as well as hers. She was still holding her slowed pace, except her arms. Her hands were extended flat, though she clenched her muscles, and I was fairly certain it wasn't because Mikasa was trailing in front trying to gain her sole attention. No, the Female knew we were there. Which is why she suddenly turned, fist on route straight for Levi.
He anticipated her attack of course, knowing that's the move she would use to try and take us down. He swirled around her extended limb, slicing the skin in a circular motion as he traveled up her arm. It was difficult to tell whether the Female was caught off guard by my brother's speed, or how he managed to bounce his way to her face, jamming both blades into one eye, breaking each one in the process. Jumping away, he secured fresh blades, voice echoing towards me as we advanced.
"Now Emalina!"
Didn't need to be told twice, we moved. Levi swiveled around her torso all the way to her feet. I copied the same move in the opposite direction, causing double the damage as I managed to tackle the weak point behind her knee, jamming my blade as deep it would go, destroying her ability to stand. Falling to the ground, she was backed against a thick trunk; she still managed to cover her nape with one hand, accepting the torture we inflicted.
We didn't stop; she hadn't given in, so why would we?
Levi was a blur from my peripheral. All I knew in the moment was to avoid him and he would bypass me. What felt like hours of blood spitting on us, blades carving into titan skin, was probably only a few minutes, maybe even seconds. One by one her limbs caved, falling limp as we tackled her together. Legs gone, we ambushed the arms, needing both to play dead so we could reach her mouth, knowing she couldn't smack as the closer we got. Carving my blade into her neck, I flashed to her arm, the one she was using to block Eren's location. I couldn't say how many times my body was flung up and down, left to right; slashes and thick cuts covered her body, it was surprising we hadn't hit bone.
Her arm then fell.
Mikasa flew from above, hooking her wire into the Female's shoulder as she went in for the kill. I pushed my gas to the full extent it could reach, even knowing it wasn't enough. She was too focused on saving Eren that she didn't even acknowledge the titan slowly raising her arm to smash her into death.
"DON'T DO IT!"
Hearing Levi's voice only grew cause for concern. Only able to watch the scene through my eyes, any anger I didn't want to hold for Mikasa intensified. Falling behind her just in time, Levi pushed the girl away, his foot landing on the titan's hand. From my position, I could see he was trying gain any leverage to bypass her attack; his face then constricted in pain. He still moved. Through whatever injury was inflicted, he jumped straight towards her mouth, slicing through the skin and the titan's jaw fell wide open, revealing Eren, encased in a yellowish gross goo.
Having flung away, Levi called out to me. "Emalina!"
"On it!" Dropping to her tongue, I snatched Eren, face contorted at the texture he was covered in. Having escaped from harm, Mikasa latched herself to a tree, mercifully watching me as Levi and I flew higher. Ignoring her stare, I was more concerned about my brother. "What happened to your ankle?!" I whispered harshly.
"Let's worry about that later." Turning to Mikasa Levi yelled, "We got him! It's time to go!"
Hard glare having finally dropped, Mikasa only mumbled, "…Eren."
"He's alright!" My voice carried over to her. "Unconscious and fucking gross, but he'll live!"
Ignoring my words, Levi looked straight at Mikasa. "What'd I tell you about trying to take her down? Now come on!" He was pissed. "We've got Eren, there's no point in being here any longer. Don't screw this up by making it personal, you understand? We all get that you love him, but try not to act crazy."
He was off and I followed closely. Behind, Mikasa was frozen by Levi's words, so I shouted over my shoulder, "Move it, Mikasa! Get the fuck outa there!" That's when I gasped, calling out for Levi so only he could hear me. Pointing back to the titan, we both held the same face.
She was crying. Merely laying there in defeat, the Female Titan, who so mercifully killed many of my comrades, sat on the forest floor and allowed her tears to fall in silence.
~ oOo ~
By the time we had finally exited the forest, irritation rolled off me in waves; I kept my lips shut until we reached our horses. Levi retrieved his and was looking for those belonging to his squad, but they weren't there; it was then he informed me the Female murdered his entire squad. I was assumed this must've been the trigger for Eren to attack the Female in his titan form. Such news killed me on the inside, more so for my brother. Eld, Petra, Oruo and Gunther were amazing individuals and strong soldiers, and despite not having known them while I lived with the Scouts, as they had joined right before training began, their lives should not have ended in such an unfortunate way.
And they only counted for four members of the Scouts whose lives were sacrificed for this mission. A mission where we were all misinformed regarding the main objective; now that was something I did not agree with whatsoever.
As we reached the forests edge, Mikasa maneuvered her horse near ours, Freyja frantic as I calmly stroked her ears. My poor baby was beyond frightened, seeing as she was the only horse around, the others having left her behind, she probably thought I wouldn't come back for her. What made matters worse was the moment I threw Eren over Freyja, Mikasa was adamant that she be the one to carry him back, if anything, she claimed it was only her who could protect him.
"That's enough, Mikasa!" Mounting my steed, I glared her down from above. In the time Levi and I battled the Female and returning here, I could tell my wounds were worse. Sharp stings and burning wasn't enough, the black spots were worse, more frequent as I grasped my head, waiting for my blurry vision to steady itself. "You've done enough damage; I'll be handling Eren until we meet up with the others."
"No! You can't take care of him like I can!"
Hating to pull the authority card, she left me no choice. "Should I remind you I am still your superior? As Section Leader, you are to ride back and wait until Captain Levi and Commander Erwin have dealt with you."
"You can't just - !"
"Ackerman!" Levi cried, pulling his horse beside mine. "Section Leader Emalina has given you direct orders. Besides your purposeful attempt to cause harm to your superior, should I also inform the Commander how you also blatantly disobey those orders? Get a move on! There's still enough we have to do once where with the other Scouts."
And then we were out.
It didn't take much time before we were met with the large sight of the remaining Scouts. The group was smaller; there was still more than enough Soldiers to fill the regiment, though not enough to fill the hole having entered everyone's hearts. All new recruits and lower Scouts were hard at work preparing the dead, having gone off and searched for any bodies which could be recovered. All set in a straight line, each body was then wrapped in cloth to cover their faces and wounds, rope tied to keep their identity safe.
Mikasa had become a nuisance as Levi instructed me to place Eren in a spare wagon, she all but shoved me aside to care for the male. At that point, I let her be. If the woman was that obsessed over Eren to treat her comrades in such a way, so be it. Who could blame her though? my mind wandered. I mean…wouldn't I be acting the same if this situation was replaced by Jean and I? Fuck…honestly, I hope I didn't.
Out here, the Scout Regiment relied on one notion: you fended for yourself, but at the end of the day, your actions should save the many, rather than the few.
It's a difficult lesson to accept. What if that one person was your bunk mate during training, or the best friend you grew up with as kids? Or in my case…what if it was Jean? Speaking of, it took awhile to find the golden eyed male, and when I did, he was placing the dead into a cart alongside Armin. Faces grim and bare, I knew their hearts were bleeding.
"This is the part I'll never get used to." Standing a good distance away, their conversation easily slipped inside my ears.
"…you're not alone in that," was Armin's meek reply.
"Seems like deaths just…everywhere. All I can think about is how it'll end. Which one of us is next, and whether it'll be me." Hand over my lips, Jeans words couldn't have been louder. He was still so afraid for his fate to wind up like Marco, to become a pile of ash nobody knew was him at his funeral.
"Try…not to obsess over it. Only thing that train of thoughts good for is breaking your nerve, believe me. Push it out of your mind." Armin…poor Armin.
"Hmm, I suppose you're right. No, I know you're right." Lifting the last body meant for their cart, they placed in upon the others, jumping out the wagon, not sure what was next. Taking a step forward, I suddenly needed to be held by those arms, I needed to know Jean was alive and not an illusion.
As if he could hear my thoughts, the man glimpsed upward, eyes bulging from his skull as he ran past Armin to me, engulfing me into his chest. "Emalina!" he cried. Holding the man tightly, my head fell into the crook of his shoulder. Standing there, we didn't say anything until our lips met; that was all the talking to be done. Our kiss was chaste, reminding ourselves where we were, those who surrounded us. Parting, the man moved hair strands out of my face. "How long have you been back? Why haven't you found me sooner?"
Gripping his jacket lapels, I replied quietly, "There was some things to be taken care of."
"I'm just glad you're safe!" Kissing my forehead, he dropped on hand to my cheek, eyes darting over every inch of me, until they landed on the blood. "What…fucking shit Emalina, what in the hell…?!" Arms length away, his mouth fell, fingers trailing down my chin to the first incision cast upon my neck. I hadn't been treated, avoiding the medic we had on hand. Eren needed to be in a safe location, Levi and I quickly spoke with Erwin, and then I had to find Jean.
Mainly…I didn't want to see the medic. I knew these wounds would require stitches, and I for sure did not want to go through the that hell again.
"The fuck…? These look like they were made with…blades? Ema, come on, tell me what happened!" Frantically searching my face, I held a finger to his lips.
"I don't…want to share what happened here. When we're back at Headquarters, I'll explain everything then."
"B-But your neck! There's blood everywhere and…and your fucking leg too?!" Dropping to his knees, Jean slowly reached his hand forward, troubled when the thick material of my jacket-turned-bandage was soaked in some areas. "No, I'm taking you to the medic right now."
"I don't wanna go," I pouted, despite following Jean as he gently pulled me away. He didn't have to say anything, Levi appeared out of no where before we could take a few steps.
Not surprised I was with my boyfriend, Levi nodded to Jean, directing his words at me. "There you are, Emalina. I've been looking for you."
"Captain," Jean acknowledged, ignoring the man's statement. "Were you aware of her injuries, sir?"
"I was, Jean." My brother's face was neutral, and I was certain he was going to provide the culprits name.
"Then what the hell happened?!" Head swiveling between Levi and myself, Jean couldn't wrap his mind around my wounds. Poor thing was clearly frantic with worry. "Ema who did this? You weren't injured when you left to go find Mikasa!"
"That's because she's the one who hurt my sister, Jean."
Voice falling short, Jean's mouth opened and closed several times. "Mikasa…did this? Ema?"
Rolling my eyes, this is exactly what I didn't want to happen. "Medic," was all I said, the two men following behind. I wasn't blind, my wounds were fairly extensive; sooner or later, I'd have to get them cleaned and stitched together. Reaching Angela next to her medical supplies, she frantically hurried over to me, ogling my injuries before taking my hand, pulling me to her cart, forcing me to sit upon the open latch door. Glad there was no one around, I spoke while Angela left to retrieve a few supplies from a different cart, leaving me only a few minutes to explain without additional ears eavesdropping.
"Jean, look…" He and Levi stood before me, as I spoke low. The information I held needed to be kept secret for the time being. "Yes, Mikasa's the one who did this to me. No, I don't know why, so don't ask. I ran into her when we both found Eren fighting the Female in his titan form, and when I went after her, she attacked me when I tackled her for going to fight the Female on her own."
"So, she…she literally attacked you with her blade, for, what? All because you momentarily stopped her from getting Eren?"
"Apparently," Levi stated, arms crossed. Glancing down at his sleeves, I grimaced, noticing how my dried blood had stained the sleeves of his shirt. "She hasn't said one word to Emalina, unless it was to yell that she could've saved Eren on his own if we hadn't intervened; mainly my sister."
"What gives her the right…?!" Fists curled. Seconds later, I was surprised to see Jean instead released his fingers, shaking his arms to relieve any tension. "Levi, what happens now?"
My brother sighed. "We've briefly informed Erwin of the situation and will promptly handle it once we return to Karanes; there's not much to be done while out here."
"Alright," he quickly released his breath. "I guess…that's fine. But she's just gonna get away with what she's done."
"Considering what she did to my sister, she won't."
"Regardless, she still got her way to not help the others, seeing as how she's tending to an unconscious Eren who just needs sleep to recover." Rubbing my eyes, I gripped the side of my head. "Let her be though. I get it, she's happy Eren's alive and safe."
"That doesn't excuse her for almost slicing your leg off - woah, Ema?" Blinking, Jean stepped to me, lips open to speak; except, I couldn't tell. Darkness was gradually filling my vision, switching from clear sight to obscure images of my boyfriend and brother. "Emalina, are you alright?"
"Oi, shorty!" Levi called, his body appearing beside mine. "What's going on, you've gone pale."
Swirls.
Double Jean's and Levi in different heights.
"I don't…k-know," slurred past my lips. Fingers roughly rubbing my eyes, my vision still wasn't back to what it was. Heart racing, blood pumping, a sickening smell of iron. Touching my neck, I lifted the hand, somehow able to see my limb was shaking, the bold red color was wet as it coated over dried blood from earlier. Needing to walk around, I slowly edged from the wagons latch, stepping onto unstable feet. "I need…some air."
"No, Ema I think you need to sit down, you're really not looking to good. Ema. Emalina!"
Their voices echoed, penetrating deep inside my skull. Falling, there were arms to catch me, gently laying me flat onto the ground. A hand placed onto my forehead, more voices close and far were gathered around; still, I could not gain a clear image through my eyes.
"Levi, she's warm."
"Angela! Get your ass back here!"
Hurried footsteps were running, quickly gaining where I lay against the cool grass. Flapping my eyelids, there was Jean and Levi, knelt beside me as I reached upward. Both hands gripped mine. "I don't feel good," I managed to speak.
"She's lost enough blood. I need to stitch these wounds before we leave."
"That's not fair," I croaked. "My side just healed, I don't want more stitches!" Somehow this earned a snicker from the men.
"Angela, will she be alright?" Is that Erwin?
"If I can close these wounds, she will be. Her bodies experiencing more stress than normal, causing the blood to flow more quickly."
"She did partake in an extensive fight earlier," Levi added.
"Was she hurt before or after?"
"Before."
"That probably triggered it. Emalina, can you hear me?"
"Yes," I answered slowly. Now that I kept my eyes shut, the nausea was slipping away; it fucking felt good to just lay there and do nothing.
"Were you experiencing any dizzy spells? Change in your sight after you were hurt?"
"Yes." I couldn't nod, it seemed Jean securely held my head in his lap. "I battled a titan then noticed black spots were coming and going. It wasn't long until I fought the same titan when we were leaving I noticed it was more frequent."
"Alright. Don't worry, you'll be fine. Erwin, how long until we need to head back?"
"We're not leaving until Ema's been taken care of."
It seemed Angela sighed, fingers tracing around my neck first to see what she was working with. "Thank you, Erwin. I believe if I stitch her up here, she'll be feeling better in no time. Emalina, do you need anything?"
"Water, please."
"I'm on it, Ema." Erwin left, only the clinking of Angela's medical tools to fill the silence.
"Angela…do you have any numbing cream?"
Our medic was quiet, which could only mean one thing. "Unfortunately, I do not, you'll just have to - "
"Nope! Fuck this I-I'm out!" Moving to stand, two pairs of hands held me down, and I knew which males they were. "Let me go!"
"Shorty, you're going to sit here and fucking get your wounds stitched."
Knowing there was one other male above me, I called, "Jean?" Pouting my lips, I was hoping he'd remember my last experience while in Trost and how painful it was last time.
"Absolutely not," he said, stroking my hair to calm me down.
"Fine!" I gave in. "Just…just do it already."
Angela seemed to find this amusing. "I am sorry Emalina, truly. Hopefully this won't take that long, but here. Do you think you could open your eyes for a moment?"
Doing so, I noticed she held a small, thick poll covered in leather. "This is for you to bite on if the pain becomes to intense. I am stitching both your neck and thigh before we leave." Taking the stick with no other choice, I placed it in my mouth, preparing to experience more pain than I had last time.
"That is disgusting, Angela." Oh my dear brother…for once just please leave the germs out of this?
"Calm down, Captain. I clean it every time someone has to use it. Emalina, I'm starting with your neck, alright? We're gonna get through this as quickly as we can." I stated I was good to go, when she then asked the two males, "I'm gonna need you both to hold her down if she starts to thrash."
From behind, Jean tenderly stroked my hair and with Levi firmly holding one hand, I was ready to be tortured.
~ oOo ~
Point of View
Jean
Emalina Varlen is a fucking beast.
Painful for me to watch, my girlfriend accepted the tremendous agony that came with her skin being stitched together by a thin piece of thread. Angela was quick with her actions, perfection following her agile fingers as she first began on Emalina's neck. Teeth keeping the stick in place with a deadly vice grip, the woman did not give in to her pain. Several times, Angela offered for her to take a break, the woman in my lap not once accepting.
Rumors were soon being spread amongst the other soldiers of her injuries, Sasha soon appearing by Emalina's side, taking her other hand for comfort before her neck was finished. Connie was next, followed by Reiner, Bertholdt and Armin. They all sat by Sasha's side, all talking to keep her mind off the needle threading her skin as one; Levi and I were the silent ones. His thumb raked over her hand while I continued to stroke her hair. She thrashed and cried out when the procedure first began; by the end when Angela moved to her thigh, Emalina was calmer, breathing even as she accepted the procedure.
Last time in Trost, I remembered singing her song with Marco, how we were able to cover the woman in peace. Wanting to do the same, I opted to not. Such a memory deserved to remain as one; a beautiful memory with our best friend who was no longer by our side.
I assumed Emalina would've wanted to keep such a memory between us.
In no time, Angela wiped the sweat off her brow, exclaiming all she had to do was wrap the incisions then she could stand. Taking hold of the leather stick, I removed it from Emalina's mouth, her jaw tightening and relaxing to massage the tense muscles. "Thank you," she said softly.
"How're you feeling?" Sasha gripped her fingers, worried glances covering all our friends faces. Rolling her head to face them, the beautiful woman smiled. Here she was, over one-hundred stitches having been etched into her body, blood staining her clothing, and she was smiling. I couldn't understand this woman sometimes, but I didn't want to.
"Oh I'm peachy, how 'bout you?" she snickered.
Everyone laughed, all except Levi, who clicked his tongue. "Sometimes you're too much, shorty."
"Better to be too much than not enough." Raising her hand to touch the outline of her neck, Connie smacked her hand away.
"Angela said you can't touch your stitches!"
"I did say that," the medic returned, her comment earning a huff from the woman below.
"Goodness, I'm just curious what it looks like. Be honest, Angela, will it leave a nasty scar?"
Already in the midst of wrapping thick bandage around her thigh, considering her jacket was ruined, she was swift to secure the wound in a tight constraint. "No matter what, it'll leave a scar, but if they heal nicely, it shouldn't protrude as much."
"Well that's something to look forward too."
"C'mon Ema! You've rocked scars since we met! Embrace them, it tells everyone else how much of a badass you are!" commented Reiner.
"What the hell? I thought you guys thought I was a badass because of everything else!"
Eyes fixated on the bulky blonde, Reiner stopped, causing all others to agree with her. "I-I mean, well…"
"Does it hurt?" Even I was left blinking at Bertholdt speaking. Arms wrapped around his legs, the soldier had been quiet the whole time.
Her smile widened as she glanced to her tall friend. "Right now? Not really. But my skin is probably numb to the pain."
"It'll hurt like a bitch later," her bother added.
"Thanks Levi," she was quick to note, sarcasm dripping off her tongue. "You're such a loving brother."
"C'mon on you two," Angela stated, slightly whacking the Captain on the shoulder. "Besides, my work is done. You ready to stand?"
"Please!" Sasha letting go of her hand, Levi and I stood, each taking an arm. Gently pulling her upward, we were slow, not wanting her to become lightheaded or sick again. Once on her feet, she was tender with the leg, tapping her foot into the ground as we released her, Emalina needing to walk on her own.
"Well?" Armin asked as they all stood.
"Until the stitches are taken out, I'll have to refrain from turning my neck." She demonstrated, twisting her body around to speak with the blonde.
"Emalina, please be honest. Are you lightheaded? Dizzy? Any symptoms from earlier?"
Slight movement of her neck halted Emalina on the spot, her hand shooting to the thickly bandaged wound. "Fuck, what did I just say?!" she growled. "I'm fine, just…need to remember to limit my movements, is all. Also, I'm seriously hungry."
"Hah, you're always hungry when you get hurt," I pointed out.
Connie and Reiner burst out laughing. "Crap, he's right!" our bulky friend said.
"Yes, ha ha." Waving them off, Emalina held her lips tightly together, knowing all too well it was true. Catching my eye, her stubbornness faulted, allowing her lips to curve upward.
"Levi," Angela walked past me to the Captain. "I'll inform Erwin we're ready to go when he is."
"Please do so, I'll be there in a minute." Turning to us, he grasped Emalina's shoulder, eyes leering between both bandages. "You sure you're alright Ema?"
I noticed she caught herself the second she was about to nod for an answer. Instead, she replied, "I'm sore, tired and still hungry. Once we're back I'll get some rest, I promise."
Content with her answer, he then turned to all of us. "I assume we'll be leaving shortly. Make sure your gear is all packed and be near your horses."
"Sir!" We all proclaimed, saluting our Captain as he stepped to move towards the Commander.
"Wait, Levi!" Meeting halfway, he rose an eyebrow. "I haven't seen Annamarie, where is she? Wasn't she stationed with the Central Unit?"
Our Captain didn't move, no words were spoken. "Emalina…" Not one to show emotion around anyone other than his sister, as I had learned, Levi stepped forward, taking her into his arms as he then released the truth. "Emalina I'm sorry…Annamarie was…"
"No," her cry interrupted. Shoving herself, she stepped away, my hand finding her back, afraid she would fall. "Annamarie isn't…s-she can't…? She was…isn't she?"
"Annamarie is one of the dead, Emalina. I…didn't want to tell you this way, but…"
Her words were quick. "It's fine." Blinking, she drifted off, Sasha and the others reached out, none sure if they should help or let her be. "Freyja…where's Freyja, I need…we'll be l-leaving soon." Her voice trailed off. Sasha spared me a glance and I knew she was crying. Taking her hand, she led Emalina towards her horse, the others following behind as Levi called my name.
"You are to stay by her side until we reach Karanes." Holding his hand up, I fell silent. "You don't need to be told that, I get it, that's why I'm ordering you too so no one else can place you away from her. Got that? Knowing Ema, she'll try to do something reckless if the situation calls for it. Make sure she doesn't."
"Yeah," was the only word I could answer with. "She's done enough to help the Scouts today."
"Hmph, probably more so than any of us." With that, he left, off to seek the Commander so we could move our asses out of titan territory. I was surprised we hadn't been attacked, considering we were still fairly close to the forest. Trekking towards Emalina, the others left seeing I was now there, as they sought out their own steeds, readying themselves for our departure.
Standing firm, Emalina trailed her fingers through Freyja's mane, whispering words I couldn't understand. By her side, my hand covered hers, guiding our fingers down the horses cheeks until we brushed her snout. "Emalina, listen, I…"
"She's in a better place now, isn't she? Jean?" Craning her neck as far as the wound would allow, her eyelashes seemed crystalized; she was forcing her tears back, and I was left to wonder if she would ever grieve for her mentor.
"Of course she is." Tugging the woman close, I held her head softly. Fingers brushing the edge of her neck, she whimpered. "Annamarie is out there, perfectly happy in her own world surrounded by the steeds she raised. That sounds like something she would want, isn't it?" One, two then several more fell from her eyes. Kissing them away, I didn't give a single fuck if the other soldiers saw. We hadn't heard the call to depart, so I would use this moment to love my woman.
"It sounds like Annamarie's personal heaven. But I…I never got to say goodbye…!"
"Shh, shh, I know…it's alright." Cupping her cheeks, I kissed her forehead. "When we get back, I'll make sure you have the opportune moment to speak with her. Does that sound good?"
"Promise?" Her voice was weak, though there was still strength in there; despite all, Emalina never gave in, never allowed herself to fall.
"I promise." It was then the Commander's voice rang out, declaring we had just a few minutes before we were to leave, our race back to Karanes was about to begin. "Let's get you atop Freyja. Do you need help?"
"I think I got it?" Beside her steed, she edged one foot into the stirrup, pulling herself up high, except, she stayed in that position. "Uhhh, yeah…I need some help."
"Don't worry, I gotcha." Gripping the bottom of her thigh, I eased her straight leg over the back of her horse, her body twisting as I went to sit perfectly in the saddle. Careful with her placement, I guided the stirrup over her boot. "How's the leg?"
"Surprisingly good," she muttered, still whisking away a tear, here and there. "The bandages make it tight so I have to keep my leg straighter than usual. At least the gash doesn't go over my knee."
"Seriously," I muttered. Excusing myself for a moment, I mounted Trigger, walking him over to stand beside Emalina. She remained quiet, and I gave her that peace. Who else had died she was familiar with, or grew close to when she lived with the Scouts? Too many to count, I assumed. The next few days were gonna be rough for her, who knew what the Regiment was in for when we returned to Karanes. We weren't even expected to return for a few days; here we were, walking back with cartloads of our dead comrades, tails shaking between our legs.
Commander Erwin's voice ran through what remained of his soldiers. It was then we were to ride back to Karanes District. Those who weren't already in their saddle, quickly mounted their steeds, urging their horse to reach galloping speed. Dust billowed around us who remained in the back, hooves scratching into the earth while everyone took off, eagerly waiting to return home after…after everything that happened today.
Taking Emalina's hand, she didn't move or register the action, attention all on the others leaving us behind. "You ready to head back?"
"Mhm." Lifting my hand to her lips, only letting go once she kissed the back. "Ride with me?"
Needing to keep her mind off Annamarie, I grinned. "Only if you can keep up." And I think she knew it too.
"Then it's a good thing Freyja's faster than Trigger. Yah!" Slapping the reigns, Freyja reared, slamming into the ground as she took off. Copying her movements, I followed close behind until I reached her speed, our steeds parallel as we quickly drew upon the rear. Matching the speed of our comrades, we fell silent, eyes focused on the path before us. Titans could be lurking anywhere; our vigilance necessary for all our survival.
To my right, Emalina changed her position, abruptly straightening her back, torso moving in different directions to give her sight a full view. I could see her ears perk, capturing a sound I could not hear.
"HEY! WE"VE GOT COMPANY!"
Twisting in my saddle, I couldn't believe what I saw. There were two Scouts racing back towards us who oh-so-coincidentally were chased by two large titans. Just what we fucking needed. One soldier in a cart containing the dead ignited a red flare to warn the Commander. Though based on sending no one back here, I assumed he ordered for all to increase their speed, to make haste to the wall. Squinting my eyes, I still was in disbelief. One of the soldiers was carrying a member of the dead.
Did those idiots really go back for the body?! Their friend I get…but they risked titans following them, and what d'ya know!
"What were they thinking?!" I voiced aloud.
"The ground's too flat for ODM gear! And not only that…!" Beside me, Armin was calculating the area as we both spotted more titans headed this way. "We'll soon be outnumbered!"
Silver flickered across my sight, Emalina having removed her handhelds to engage in battle. "Oh no you don't!" I snapped, Armin realizing what I was seeing. "You cannot fight them Emalina!"
"He's right! We know you can take them on," our friend agreed. "But in you're state, it's suicide!" Angrily shoving the devices into their holder, she refrained from responding.
"Fucking perfect! Then what do you suggest we do, genius?!"
"The only thing we can." Voice grim, I caught Armin's glare at the cart with the bodies. He was out of his damn mind! The cart filled my view; all those people, the ones we grew to know, is this how they were to assist us in their death? One final chance for them to take down a fucking titan?!
"Don't bother!" Levi's voice lulled us all from the dead onto him. He had backtracked from the front to the rear, his idea the same as Armin's. "We've got to get rid of the extra weight. Dump the bodies."
"B-But sir!"
His first answer was to glare at both soldiers. "Do you know how many corpses have already been left behind? These aren't special. Dump them. Considering it their last service to the cause."
We all watched in horror as they opened the latch, one body after another thrown carelessly to a second death. Now, they would never return home.
When the last had been discarded like filth, I gripped my reigns even harder, teeth ground into teeth until my tongue was met with blood. Emalina had somehow managed to twist her upper body to watch, face blank as each member thrown overboard. At first it seemed we had gained the advantage, the wagon putting more distance from the titan as each second passed. Or…so we thought.
"What the hell?! It's gaining speed!"
"Captain Levi!"
Even with less weight, the cart was now in full view of the titan's rampaging feet; any moment and they would be crushed.
"I won't allow their deaths to become meaningless!"
While our attention was cast away, Emalina had drawn blades, sharply angling the reigns away from our position. Freyja's hooves slammed into the dirt as she circled around, galloping away towards the monsters in mere seconds. "EMALINA!" My voice carried far, catching the focus of Levi who turned around so quickly, it was difficult to miss the way his face contorted in sheer exasperation; the man was livid.
Knowing Emalina, however, she moved with grace. Unfortunately, the body the two soldiers had retrieved had been lost, having fallen of his comrades horse, whilst the two who remained alive had met their end. Now, it was just Emalina seeking justice for those who didn't need to decay out here with the remaining titans. Her pain was raw, drawn from the fact Annamarie's body was one of those cast aside; now she truly wouldn't be able to say her goodbyes the way she had wanted.
Blades sharp, I was surprised she hadn't tried to decapitate each titan. Blood rained asunder upon her skin. Soaring over each, the woman made sure her weapons penetrated deep into their thick skin, the malice from which she drew her power was overwhelming. She'd been gone not even three minutes by the time she returned by my side, eyes glossed over as titan blood evaporated from her skin. There was much to be said, much I should have said right then, except, I couldn't. Whether we realized this or not, those in the rear needed the peace she provided. My frustration would lessen if she hadn't opened her fresh stitches, but this was Emalina. The woman would risk her health in a heartbeat to take a titan down; being in the Scouts only made that characteristic a blessing, and more of a curse.
Sometime later, the Commander cast a green flare, notifying all those in the rear we were to stop; be it a break or to confirm directions, I didn't care. All horses slowed, most dismounting to stretch, drink or sit, waiting for the signal we would be moving on. Emalina was perched upon Freyja, neither moving, nor speaking. Stopping Trigger in front so she could face me, I frowned. Irritation, anxiety, outrage - just a few emotions clawing within. Emalina knew she did wrong by engaging in combat, that much I didn't have to say aloud. By now, the woman could face a titan blindfolded and return unharmed. It was her carelessness regarding her health that awoken the beast within me.
"Emalina Varlen!"
On the other hand, Levi would speak his mind for me.
Trotting over on his steed, the Captain stared her down; Emalina didn't flinch, knowing the lecture she would receive. "What the hell were you thinking, Emalina?!"
"I'm not sorry," she angled Freyja to be able to see her brother. "Would you rather it'd been you?"
"Yes! I'm not injured, unlike you. Are you that stupid to sacrifice yourself?"
"Not injured…? Not injured?! Are you that stupid, Levi?! I saw everything when we were fighting her! Your fucking ankle is busted, and you're hear bitching at me about my injuries?!" Heads turning towards our direction, I merely shrugged my shoulders. These two needed to be verbal with each other, and here was where they were going to talk. "And I'm not stupid, either." Cupping her mouth, she forced her neck to turn slightly, casting herself away from Levi. "Our comrades, their…their bodies. We shouldn't've had to throw them away to save ours when we were perfectly capable of killing each titan."
"…Emalina…"
"Someone had to do it." Peering back at him, it seemed she allowed her grief to take over. "That's not how to honor the dead if it means we ensure our safety. Besides, b-between you and me, my injuries will heal faster. This is just s-skin sealing itself; your ankle is probably the muscle, which will t-take longer."
Whisking his hair away, Levi seemed stumped, not sure what should be said next. Jumping in, I dismounted Trigger, walking to Emalina's right side with the bandaged thigh. Gently touching the gauze, I was content there weren't any fresh blood stains. Though the material was thick, blood easily stains once it has a chance to discharge. "Do they hurt worse than before?"
"Not really, it's the same from last time. Well…the same before the stitches broke," she added. Body turning back to Levi, she peered down at his hand over her arm.
"I - we - are grateful for what you've done, Emalina. Don't misunderstand."
"Levi, I get it. But…Annamarie, I never…I'll never…!" And there they were again. Mounting Trigger, this moment belonged to the two of them. Sparing her cheeks from rivers, Levi brushed her sadness away. "…save the many over the few," she muttered, eyes fluttering upward.
"That's the way of the Scouts. You joined for a reason, but Emalina, we can't save everyone from death; it's inevitable."
Covering his hand with hers, she sobbed, . "Just when yo-you think the pain this regiment brings can't hurt you anymore…it only pu-pulls you down farther."
A flare gun fired from the front, green to signify we were once again on the move. Leaning across his steed, Levi did something I hadn't seen before; he kissed Emalina's forehead, whispering into her ear as he pulled back. "Jean, myself and all your friends are right here with you, shorty. Right now, let's get back so you can rest." Nudging his horse forward, our Captain stopped once more, his well known smirk ever present as he peered over a shoulder. "For the record shorty, I'm proud; I couldn't ask for a better sister than you."
~ oOo ~
Hope everyone's staying safe. We're still quarantined and I'm going nuts. It's practically summer and I really wanna go to the beach!
I love ya'll!
Chocobocolina