DILAN'S P.O.V.
A while later and everyone had calmed down. Dilan reassured them that it was worse than it looked and they set to work quickly. Dilan put Grace and Jamie on Josie duty. She wanted them to get her dry, clean and wrapped up in that blanket before tending to the burn on her hand. While they were busy with that, Dilan enlisted Thomas and Caden to sort her out.
Her wounds were counted and noted. She was bleeding in several areas but the only one that could prove fatal was her leg if left unchecked. The horses were called and Caden gathered the bandages while Thomas cleaned her wound. Dilan had to talk them through stitching her up and she was very disappointed that neither of them had ever thought to take up the military's offer on their free medic courses. They had blushed, grumbling about how it looked boring.
Dilan had glared at them for that, ordering her whole squad to sign up for classes as soon as they got back to HQ. They had shrunk back at her warning tone, agreeing immediately.
When her wound was closed up, the bandages were wrapped around her leg tightly before her other injuries were cleaned and tended to. Dilan was able to clean her face and brush all the dust off her uniform, but she wouldn't be able to do much else in terms of hygine until she got back to base. The squad explained that they left as soon as word got around and the Captain informed them of her direction. Due to their position, it was easier for them to get to the village than it was for her which was likely why they caught her up so quickly. They had managed to find the same group of survivors that Dilan had and were informed of where she was by the cadet in Mikes squad. Apparently, Mrs Birch and the boys were already gone by the time they got there but the soldiers had seen her riding towards the fire.
From there it was just dumb luck that they found her in time.
"So, how'd Levi take my disappearance?" She asked, lifting her messy fringe as Caden bandaged her head.
She expected the worst, surprised, as Grace simply shrugged, patting Josies back. The girl was bundled up in her arms, looking a lot better, with more colour on her face. She had stirred a few minutes ago and they had managed to persuade the disoriented child to take a few sips of water before she passed out again. Dilan had yet to figure out the next step but knew they should move pretty soon before a titan showed up. There really weren't that many here. It was suspicious to Dilan, but her squad hadn't mentioned it yet.
"He seemed okay. Composed." She informed.
"When is he not composed though?" Caden pointed out, tying off the bandage and sitting back on his knees. Dilan supposed that was true. If Levi was freaking out, they wouldn't know the signs.
"So, he wasn't cleaning anything? Or yelling at Hanji?" Dilan asked and they gave her a weird look. "What? Everyone's complicated." She defended him and they sniggered.
"You seem happy with him, Major." Grace smirked. Dilan rolled her eyes, leaning her head back.
"Don't start." She frowned and they laughed.
"So, now that we have a second to talk about it… just how long…" Jamie didn't take the hint and Dilan didn't hesitate to throw a stick at his head. He scrunched up his face at the impact. "Ow. Message received." He grumbled, rubbing his head.
They laughed.
"Good. We should start-" Dilan was cut off by a confused sob and snapped her head around to Josie as she started to wake up.
"Hey Josie, it's okay." Grace comforted but the child was starting to hyperventilate.
"N-no. No! Don't-!" She squirmed, trying to wriggle out of her grip.
"Josie you're safe, it's alright." Caden tried to reassure but Josie screamed, pushing away.
"Shit." Dilan grimaced as she moved her leg to kneel up, taking Josie from the panicking Grace. If Josie didn't calm down, she could alert some very unwanted attention.
"No!" She screamed again and Dilan noticed her eyes were closed. She gave the others a look and they nodded, getting up to go to the horses in order to give them some space.
"Hey, hey, hey, shh. Just me, little one." She soothed and Josie froze but kept her eyes closed.
"N-no." She whimpered. "D-Dilla gone… she gone." Josie cried and Dilan's stomach curdled with guilt as her eyes widened. Josie thought she was dead.
Her eyes watered but she held back the tears, taking a breath.
"I'm not gone. Not gone, Jo-Jo. I'm right here, silly girl. Open your eyes for me, yeah?" She asked Josie sniffed, shaking her head.
"Y-you left!" She cried and Dilan had to swallow down a lump of emotion that welled in her throat.
"I know baby. I left and I'm so sorry, but I came back. I'm here okay, just open your eyes. Please Josie." Dilan begged quietly, her voice wavering slightly. There was hesistaion before Josie opened her eyes and looked up at her. Her lip quivered and Dilan was sure her heart snapped right in half, terrified that Josie hated her or was scared of her. She opened her mouth to talk to her, but Josie stood up on her shaky legs to hug her around the neck before Dilan had the chance.
Dilan sighed in relief, having to blink back more tears as she pulled the trembling child into her embrace. Dilan was frightened for when her and Josie would have to separate again, knowing she, herself, would find it difficult. Let alone this girl who had no idea why she has to leave again. But that was a future problem.
"I t-thought you gone." She sniffed, hugging her tighter and Dilan shushed her gently.
"I know, I'm so sorry Jose. It's alright. We'll get you back to your Granny soon, yeah?" Dilan offered and Josie nodded weakly. Dilan smiled, stroking her damp curly hair. "Good girl. You were so brave in there, kid." She whispered with a smile, tickling her side lightly and Josie cracked a shy smile, wiggling away. Dilan chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead before reaching into her bag and pulling out the toy she'd managed to salvage. "Guess what I have for you." She asked.
Josie blinked up at her, sniffed.
"W-what?" She mumbled. Dilan smiled and pulled the stuffed dog out from behind her back. Her heart warmed as Josie's eyes brightened. "TOBIAS!" She grinned, grabbing onto her and Dilan laughed as she cuddled the strangely named dog to her chest, a content look on her face.
She was pleased to see it.
"Dilan." Thomas said and Dilan looked up as the boy jutted his head towards the titan in the distance, slowly moving towards them.
It was time to go.
Dilan nodded to them and they started packing, securing their horses.
"Alright Jo-Jo. You hang on tight to me and Tobias, okay?" Dilan asked and Josie nodded, snuggling back into her, hugging the dog to her chest. Dilan ruffed her hair fondly, wincing quietly as she tried to stand, the adrenaline once again gone, her injuries pulsed with pain. Caden offered her a hand and she smiled her thanks, holding Josie securely as she allowed the blonde to pull her up.
She looked at her horse and pursed her lips. Josie was hanging onto her in a death grip, but she couldn't stay that way forever and Dilan needed her arms to ride. If someone wasn't holding her, she would fall off the horse. More than that they were in titan territory now. Dilan couldn't be tied down if the moment came where she needed to fight.
The sudden movement of Grace snapped her out of her musings.
"Here." She smiled, picking up the blanket that Josie had squirmed out of, wrapping it around the child securely and moving around Dilan, tying her to her frame so she had her arms free. Dilan was wary.
"Hang on-"
"It'll hold, it's how my sister carry's around her kid." She smiled triumphantly but Dilan sighed.
"That's not the issue here."
"We can handle the titans, Major." Thomas assured seriously.
"Yeah, you trained us well. Besides, it's bright again thanks to the moon. They have no advantages!" Caden grinned, punching his fist into the palm of his hand. Dilan's stomach stirred in panic as flashes of her friends' corpses started springing up in her mind. Would this young group end up like them too? How could she stop that from happening if she couldn't protect them?
"Besides. I doubt Josie is letting go of you any time soon." Grace giggled, stroking Josies hair.
"We'll be okay, Dilan. You said you'd trust us, right?" Jamie smiled and Dilan's eyes softened. She did promise that. At the end of the day if they were going to be a functioning squad, Dilan was going to need to learn to trust their abilities as soldiers. She couldn't do everything herself. To be a good squad leader she would need to learn how to relinquish control and trust her teammates.
Could she do that?
Dilan looked down at the side of her jacket and took a deep breath. Despite what happened with her old squad… she never regretted the trust she put in them. They were a team and they had complete faith in each other. That was the only way this was going to work.
"Alright. I'll trust you." She agreed and their faces brightened like excited puppies. "But I'm still giving the orders, remember that." She added sternly and they smiled.
"Yes Major." They agreed.
They mounted their horses and Dilan got Josie to drink some more water before letting her go back to sleep, completely exhausted. She took a moment to aw at her cute little face before refocusing. Her squad were looking at her, ready for orders.
"Direction, Major?" Jamie asked. Dilan glanced at Wall Rose. Somewhere in the distance was the survey corps. Was Hanji and Eren.
Levi…
But her mission wasn't complete yet.
And it wouldn't be until she got this little girl to safety.
Wait for me, bastard.
"We're headed back to Sina." Dilan replied seriously and they nodded in understanding.
"Roger."
LEVI'S P.O.V.
They had reached Ehrmich an hour ago. It was there that the preparations began. The air was uncertain and tense. Beads of sweat formed on the brow of every soldier packing crates and loading the wagons. Because if Wall Rose had truly fallen, then what hope did they have left? Levi knew from experience, that most of the soldiers that made up the scouts were from Rose. They had decent backgrounds, nice modest livings. Rich assholes born in Sina were less likely to give up that kind of a lifestyle and it was why most of them aspired to be in the Military Police. If they didn't make the cut, those Sina kids would flock to the garrison.
Not many choose the scouts as it is. But most of them were children of Rose.
Still, everyone was keeping their cool for now. Because they had him.
That scrawny little troublemaker that Levi currently had his eyes trained on, observing, making sure he didn't do anything stupid. He was just a dumb kid, and Levi wasn't going to change his mind on that. But he did bring a level of hope they all needed right now.
Because he had the skillset to block the breach.
Theoretically anyway.
Hanji had explained it to them on the cart and once she had, Levi realised this was the gamechanger she was talking about earlier. The surprising news that she had tried to discuss with Dilan before Levi had slammed the door in her face. Trost was eye-opening, but a complete fluke. Its success depended on a multitude of variables that they might not have this time around. Like how big the breach was. Or if there was a massive ass rock in the close proximity that was the perfect size. No, it was more than unlikely that Eren was going to be able to pull of something like that again. But after what Hanji and Armin had laid out during the ride to Ehrmich, it didn't seem like they had to. What the crazy woman had discovered was a rock.
Or what looked like a rock anyway.
What it turned out to be was a shard of crystal that had broken off of Annie when she had formed that thick shell to protect herself with. While most of the time titan form starts decomposing the minute the nape is sliced, or in titan shifters case, when the human is disconnected, that shard of crystal didn't disappear. And for someone who had been attempting to find a way to prolong the decomposition of titan matter, like Hanji had all her career, this was an instant game changer for her.
As it was for everyone.
Because if Eren could find a way to somehow form that fucked up crystal thing, then they wouldn't need another large ass rock. He would be able to seal the breach up instantly. The likelihood to take back wall Maria didn't seem all that slim either. Levi had to admit, when Armin and Hanji started laying out their plan. A plan that could actually work… he felt it. That spark.
Hope.
Hope for a future. Hope for an end to all this shit. Hope for a life with Dilan.
But while all that was well and good, hope for the future meant nothing if Dilan wasn't still breathing. Because there was no future without her. It was as simple as that.
Levi sighed, rubbing his face.
He had been good so far. He had trusted her just like he promised, but that didn't stop the sticky dread that was dripping down his throat. Or the fear clenching and churning in his gut. Or the little voice in the back of his head that told him to run. To find her. To protect her like he always had.
What if…
"Stop." He muttered to himself, trying to quieten his incessant thoughts. Dilan was a wall away, right in the centre of all the action. Questioning whether she was alive or not wasn't going to do him any good because it was already too late to go after her. He had sent the squad for back-up. Dilan would be fine. She was a survivor. She had survived all her life. He needed to give her more credit.
She should have made it to the Birches village a while ago. She might even be on her way back to him-
"You worry for someone." A weary voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and he glanced sideways, locking his narrowed gaze to the newest addition to those he was ordered to babysit. Pastor Nick had been quiet. Annoyingly quiet. Not even the threat of a bullet ripping through his body got him to fess up. His words were carefully chosen and twisted, and Levi wasn't sure much else could be done.
If Dilan was here, maybe she would be able to get something out of him. The girl was terrifying at times. And she had more than a little experience in the act of torture and persuasion.
Still, his brat was absent, and the task was left up to him. Levi was still deciding what he could do to make this egg crack. Well, crack in terms of the wall situation anyway.
"Shut up." Levi ordered plainly, turning his head straight. He wasn't in the mood to talk about his fears with a wretched old fart who held the fate of humanity in his pale, wrinkly palm.
The pastor watched him for a moment. They were still on the cart, while the others prepared and readied themselves to head off into titan territory. Levi wouldn't be one of them, much to his despair. They were all going towards Dilan and he was here. Stuck with this shitty leg of his and the delusional cult leader.
"She must be special to have thawed the heart of Humanities Strongest Soldier." He commented curiously and Levi glared, fully ready to knock him unconscious, when he paused, remembering something the old man was mumbling about earlier.
"How do you know Dilan?" Levi asked bluntly and Nick blinked.
"Dilan?" He asked, as he had before, and Levi frowned in annoyance. Was the old man senile or something?
"Yes, the woman who fought the titan shifter in Stohest. The woman who fought with Eren Yeager. You claimed to know her." He answered irritably. The Pastor nodded thoughtfully.
"I did. We met many years go." He replied softly and Levi furrowed his brows. Years go?
"How many?" He asked, intrigued and the man thought for a moment.
"Well… our last meeting must be over 30 years go now." He chuckled. "I was surprised when I saw her at the trial… even more so in Stohess. Still fighting after all this time. I was under the impression that she settled down… got married." He sighed and Levi was beyond confused.
A moment of deliberation and he sighed, leaning back on the cart and letting it go. The old fuck was clearly getting Dilan confused with someone else. She was only 25. Dilan wasn't alive over 30 years ago yet alone meeting up with old creepy cult leaders. Although Levi supposed Pastor Nick wasn't always this old and creepy looking.
"You've got your people mixed up. The woman you saw is a Major in the Survey corps. Dilan Church. She's a little over 25, you must have confused her with someone else." Levi replied dismissively, bored with this conversation now. But as he looked to his companion, he frowned at the man's confused face.
"Are you… quite certain?" He asked, disbelief evident in his voice. Levi scoffed.
"Given I've known her for 8 years, yeah I'm quite certain." He affirmed and Nick let out a breath, rubbing some stubble on his chin as he stared at the floor of the carriage.
"I suppose she did look rather young… perhaps I was mistaken." He mumbled under his breath. Levi raked a hand through his hair, noticing Hanji leading his new "squad" to be along a corridor. They should really discuss the plans soon. A sharp gasp from Nick made him turn.
"Whats with you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. The cult leader's eyes were wide.
"Kaiya… she had a kid…" He whispered, so quietly Levi almost didn't hear him.
"LEVI! I THINK YOU SHOULD HEAD OFF!" Hanji called from across the way, waving her hand. Levi nodded in acknowledgement before turning back to Nick who seemed to have composed himself.
"What did you say? Who's Kaiya?" Levi asked seriously. The pastor shook his head.
"I'm sorry… I was mistaken. I don't know your friend." He replied quietly and said nothing else. Levi looked at him sceptically, feeling as though the old man was holding another secret that didn't belong to him.
"Levi!" Hanji called again and Levi refocused.
He didn't have time to humour this old fool.
"Get up. We have shit to do."
"W-where are you taking me-" Pastor huffed with effort as Levi pushed him down the step steps towards where all the refugees were flooding in. If the man had a heart, this would change his perspective for sure.
They reached the end of the tunnel and the cult leader froze in disbelief. Levi scoffed at his surprise, feeling a wave of anger at this cryptic bastard, he shoved him in the back with his boot.
"No one told you to stop." He spoke as Nick stumbled forward, taking it all in. They were flocking from the direction of the gates. Shells of human beings as they were led like cattle into their new life. Everything they once knew was gone and nothing was certain anymore.
The pastor let out a shaky breath.
"This is…" He trailed off, eyes wide as he took in all the suffering. Levi watched from behind.
"Maybe you expected to see something quaint?" He asked lowly. "This is what happens when the walls fall." A child cried from somewhere in the crowd. Crying for their mother and father. The man faltered, trying to turn away from the haunting sight but Levi grabbed his shoulder, keeping him steady. "No. Take it in holy man. These are the faces of human beings who have lost everything they ever had. Human beings you and your kind abandoned. If the Church had its way, this would be all of us." Levi emphasised, tightening his grip on the man's shoulder.
There was silence as the man watched.
"What? Nothing to say. No worldly comeback about the omniscience of the walls." He growled, shoving him forward again and Nick tripped, dropping to his knees.
"I-" he cut himself off, looking down. Levi shook his head.
"Pathetic. I should-"
"Mummy look!" A slightly family voice spoke, and Levi paused to look up, searching for it.
A gasp, but he couldn't find them in the crowd.
"Levi." She spoke and Levi locked his gaze on them, his stomach dropping as he did.
The Birches.
Josie senior, Clay and Ash. They were here. Here.
If they were here, then where the hell was Dilan?!
Levi did a quick scan but couldn't see his fiery eyed brat. She always stood out to him in a crowd.
"Don't move if you know what's good for you." Levi warned to the Pastor, who was stumbling onto his feet, before walking into the crowd, weaving his way through the masses to get towards the familiar faces that had pulled away to the side. His eyes widened when he finally got a good look at them. They were pale and looked exhausted. Clay was being carried in his mother's weak arms and Ash was clinging to her leg. They were covered in what looked like…
Smoke smudges?
But that wasn't the most concerning thing he noticed about the family. Their youngest member was missing.
Suddenly Dilan's absence made a little more sense and everything in him felt weak. Because if something had happened to Jo-Jo, then Dilan wouldn't be able to cope. Not on her own. Levi swallowed as he remembered her expression after they battled the female titan in the forest.
"L-Levi… they… they…" Dilan's lip quivered, looking at him in shock. Levi's heart lurched but he remained strong. He had to stay strong for her.
But he wasn't there. He couldn't pick her back up this time. What if-
The tear that slipped down Mrs Birch's face snapped him out of his fears. They had clearly been through a horrible ordeal tonight. Levi had to focus on them for the minute.
"Here." He offered, taking Clay out of his mother's arms to give her a minute to rest. She looked completely wiped out and Levi had the feeling that she'd been carrying the kid for a while. Mrs Birch sniffed and wiped her eyes.
"Thank y-you." She whispered and sighed a shaky breath of relief as Clay stirred slightly but leant his head on Levi's shoulder and got back to sleep. He may be small, but it was still a hefty weight to carry around without break.
"What happened?" He asked in the calmest voice he could conjure up. Inside he was freaking the fuck out, but he couldn't show it. Not to someone who looked on the verge of collapse. Josie wiped her eyes, stroking Ash's hair.
"T-there was a fire in our village. The people panicked, felt it was t-the only way to fight back." She explained in a soft voice, raspy from crying. "The soldiers came and… and Josie got left behind." She choked up, holding a hand over her mouth as Ash sniffed and buried his face into her side. Levi's eyes widened. The little brat? Surely not.
Mrs Birch took a deep shaky breath and steeled herself.
"Dilan went back for her. She'll get her back. She will." She mumbled to herself. Levi felt his heart drop.
She ran into a fire?
What the flying fuck, brat? Are you trying to kill me?
Josie looked up and seemed to read the panic on his face. She took his hand in both of hers and squeezed it reassuringly.
"She's be fine, Levi. I was worried too but she had this look in her eye. Like she knew exactly what she was doing. I-it gave me hope." She reassured and Levi looked at her, conflicted on whether he agreed or not. He could recognise the look she was talking about. His brat was skilled, and she often knew exactly what to do. But she also had an incredible amount of bad luck at times. That's why she needed people to help her out. That's why she needed him to be there. "Trust her." Josie said firmly, meaning in her kind brown eyes and Levi took a breath, feeling himself relax a bit.
He had promised to trust her.
And the squad should have caught her up by now.
He couldn't lose hope now. He had to keep believing she was going to make it back to him. No matter what new, and terrifying information was thrown at him.
"I will. She'll bring her back. I'm sure of it." Levi reassured back and Josie let out a breath, offering a weak smile.
"Thank you. I needed to hear that."
"Come on, let's get you guys out of here. The camps are shit holes; you'll be better off with the scouts. I'll be headed to Trost next, but I've got enough time to find you guys a decent place in the city. Hanji will understand the detour." Levi offered, starting to turn before Josie spoke again.
"I appreciate it Levi, but we can't come with you." She smiled weakly, gently taking Clay back into her arms. Levi was confused but she elaborated before he could ask. "Dilan will come looking for us. We need to be in a place she'll be able to find." Josie explained and his chest tightened at the thought of Dilan coming back and him not being here. It could be the matter of an hour. Maybe 30 minutes. Maybe longer, but Dilan was going to walk down this street and he was going to be gone.
It had been less than 24 hours, but it may have well been a year. Every muscle in his body ached from sticking to the plan.
"We'll be fine, Levi. You should get back to the Survey corps." She suggested kindly and Levi hesitated. It felt wrong to just leave them. They looked so weak and vulnerable. What if they didn't get enough blankets or rations? The MP's were bastards. Levi doubted they would be allowed much in terms of food.
"I should escort you there, ensure you get rations-" He tried but Josie smiled, shaking her head.
"You're very kind but it wouldn't be fair to everyone else. Dilan will be back to get us soon. Please, just… get us our wall back." She asked hopefully. Levi eyes softened and he nodded.
"We will." He said seriously, looking down as Ash hugged him around the legs. He cracked a small smile. "Take care of Dilan when you see her for me, yeah?" He asked and Ash nodded, sniffing, before going back to his mothers side. Levi hesitated, glancing down the long passageway. Dilan could be here any minute… and he would have just missed her.
But he couldn't focus on that. He had to focus on the fact that she was coming. He would see her soon.
"Stay safe." He said as he started walking back.
"You too." Mrs Birch replied and they parted ways. Levi sighed as he walked back over to Nick who had been watching their encounter from a far.
"People you know?" He asked quietly. Levi shoved him forwards as they started moving forward.
"The titans attacked their village. She's missing one of her kids. A three-year-old." Levi informed and Nick's eyes widened.
"I'm sorry…" He replied, a genuine remorse in his tone. Levi glanced at him.
"If you're sorry then you'll do something about it. Otherwise, spare me the condolences. It's not my world that's been crushed. It's theirs." Levi spat as they walked. The man took a final glance of the refugees before they disappeared out of sight and his eyes dropped to the floor, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Levi could only hope the chaos was enough to convince him.
A little while later and things were coming together. The preparations almost complete. They would ride into titan country and locate the breach. More than that, some more shit had been unearthed. Hanji had disclosed to them that they might be dealing with at least 2 more titan shifters from Eren's graduating class. The others were shocked but Eren refused to accept his friend's betrayal just like before. The kid never learned, but Levi could admire his loyalty. He knew if Dilan was here, she would be able to offer the boy some comfort, make him smile, give him some reassurance. But all he got were confirmations of his worst fears.
Armin had proof. Now two of Eren's friends were targets.
The kid didn't like that much, but he clenched his fists and stopped arguing back. Levi could only hope that he wouldn't hesitate like he did with Annie when the time comes. Levi wouldn't be there this time and Dilan being around wasn't an assurance either.
More than that, if the suspicions were true, Eren would be outnumbered.
"Levi." Hanji called him to the side as the others dispersed to ready their horses. Levi walked over to her and she sighed, leaning back on the wall. "How do you think she's doing?" She asked, looking up at the ceiling. Levi averted his eyes as the fear in his gut tightened. He couldn't talk about Dilan. Not now. The feelings he had been battling down would threaten to consume him.
"Aren't you distracted enough not to be worrying about Dilan right now?" He questioned and Hanji chuckled.
"Perhaps I should be. There's enough going on and I'm in charge of it all! Can you believe it?!" She exclaimed and Levi frowned.
"It was Erwin's crackpot idea to hand you the control. Don't ask me why." He grumbled, leaning back on the wall next to her and Hanji laughed.
Silence.
"I miss her." She admitted and something in Levi's chest tightened. He kept up his stony appearance.
"She's been gone less than a day." Levi reminded in an even voice. And it was true. Even if it felt longer than a day. Even if it felt like an eternity. Hanji smiled at him.
"I can still miss her." She pointed out and Levi willed his composure not to crack. "You'll feel better if you say it, Levi. I can't leave you all emotionally constipated. You might rip Nicks head off." She said and Levi glared at her with hatred because he knew she was right. This was something he needed to get out before it consumed him. And Hanji, as bat-shit crazy as she was, was the only person he would share it with willingly.
Levi looked at the wall and took a breath.
"I'm worried… and I miss her." He confessed quietly, having to swallow down a lump of emotion that rose in his throat. Hanji smiled sadly and squeezed his shoulder.
"I know." She comforted, glancing up as someone called for her. It was time for them to leave. "If I find her, I'll send her back to you. You have my word." She promised and Levi rolled his eyes, despite the relief he felt from her words.
"She won't leave the fight willingly. You know how stubborn she is." He pointed out. Even the wound in her side that should have kept her on bedrest for a week, did little to stop her from moving about and racing miles across the walls. If there were people fighting, she was going to help them.
"I'm stubborn too." Hanji grinned.
Another call.
Hanji's eyes flickered towards the waiting soldiers before back at him. Her face turned serious.
"She'll make it, Levi. Have faith." She reassured kindly before jogging towards the soldiers on horses. Levi sighed as the gates were open and the group galloped through. He had already said his goodbyes to the teenagers. Armin was smart, Mikasa was protective and he had given Eren a warning not to behave like his usual dumbass self. The only concern was whether the warning would stick.
Getting back on the cart, Levi glanced at the Pastor before giving a command to the driver. The old fart had been a little more useful. Seeing the refugees surprised him as Levi knew it would. He didn't break but he did crack after seeing the devastation of those who had lost everything, and a little smidge of the truth spilled out. A name.
Krista Linz.
It was a lead the other scouts were headed towards. A lead on the front lines. They were headed to Castle Utgard for the advantage point it gave. Levi was unsure of what they would find, but he had a bad feeling in his gut.
"Where are we going now?" Nick asked. Levi pursed his lips.
"Trost."
DILAN'S P.O.V.
The wind stung their faces, keeping them alert. Awake. Ready for anything.
Dilan cradled Josie to her chest with one arm, providing as much warmth and protection as she could. Her cloak was tucked around the kids shoulders for extra warmth, but she was still shivering. Dilan didn't like it. She didn't like the fear that crept up her spine every time the child's breathing grew hoarse. Even for a few moments.
She needed a warm bed and some rest. But they had to get her back to safety first.
At first, the darkness made the trip hard. The titans had persisted throughout the night, which led Dilan to believe that these were different. Something was wrong with them because titans needed daylight to function. That's how it had always been. That was the rule. If they started breaking the rules now, then Dilan didn't know what the scouts would do.
And yet, she was forced to push it to the back of her mind. Perhaps it was a fluke, perhaps not. She would discuss it with Hanji when she found the time. Her theory didn't have much time to be put to the test, now that she had time to deliberate why the creatures were moving around under the light of the moon, the darkness started to dissipate, and the sun rose in the new day. They were close to the capital now. Dilan would have to search through the refugees to find the Birches before pulling them away. She would get them safe and secure before going after the scouts. They were probably trying to figure out a way to secure the breach by now. It only drove her more to go to them.
"Major 10 o'clock!" Thomas called and Dilan snapped her eyes in that direction, shaking her head of the thoughts swimming around in her brain. She was tired, smoky and sleep deprived. Dilan felt she needed a rest almost as much as her kid did. She was glad not to be fighting. That didn't mean she didn't dread the moment she was forced to give out orders.
That moment being right now.
An abnormal was on their left, a 13 meter, jogging towards them with a big goofy grin on its face. At its side was a smaller, 10 meter, that looked to be normal if it's slow pace was any indication. Dilan swallowed, holding the back of Josie's head, she checked quickly to make sure the child was still asleep. Seeing another beast after what she just went through would be traumatising.
But they would have to deal with this.
"Jamie, take out the heel on the normal. Grace, get around it and go for the kill. Caden and Thomas, deal with the abnormal, do what you do best. No unnecessary risks. And no fucking hesitation, are we clear?" Dilan ordered in a serious tone. This would be there first kills with absolutely no supervision. Dilan would only be able to sit and watch. If things got out of hand, she would be forced to flee with Josie and hope their sacrifice provided enough time for her to get away to save the kid. They knew this. They were ready.
"Yes Major." They replied seriously, sharing looks of determination before pulling away from their riding formation and galloping towards the beasts.
Dilan's heart was pounding in her chest. Every second they got closer.
"YOU KILLED MY FAMILY!" She screeched as she dealt the final deadly blow and steam exploded, the mangled titan body falling limp, surrounded by her dead friends.
Would this be the end?
Tears welled in her eyes as she glanced at Petra and what was left of Oluo and Gunther before back down at Eld. Maybe this was all a bad dream? Or a joke? Were they messing with her? Maybe this was payback for burning their food all those times.
"Eld." She whispered, hesitantly putting a hand on his blood-soaked shoulder. Her lip quivered and she gave him a small shake. "Eld wake up. You promised. You promised you'd be there."
Would she fail another squad?
Her breaths grew quicker, ragged even, as she watched them. Every protective bone in her body told her to scream to them to come back. To order them far away where it was safe. To pass Josie to one of their arms and get them all behind her. She should be the one fighting. She should be the one putting her life on the line. But the words were caught in her throat.
And it was too late to get them back.
She could only watch in sheer terror as they separated and stood up on their saddles, Grace and Jamie going for the slow titan, while Caden and Thomas went for the abnormal. Dilan almost couldn't look, but she didn't turn her head away.
Jamie dove, slicing the titan's ankles in a clean and accurate swipe. Grace hooked into the beast's shoulder, a fierce control in her actions as she pulled back and dragged her blade into the titan's rubbery flesh. They dropped to the ground and called for their horses, causing Dilan's chest to deflate in relief.
But it wasn't over.
The abnormal had moved and they had to adjust their horses before standing up again.
Did she overestimate their skill? Would Caden and Thomas be able to handle an abnormal on their own? Yes, they had this weird ability of synchronisation when they fought but that was during the wall, under her supervision. She hadn't seen them fight a titan together in years.
Shit.
They shared a look and jumped, melting into the air.
Dilan's hands tightened on her reins, feeing her heartbeat in her ears as they started dropping but didn't activate their gears, leaving Dilan's stomach in knots.
What are they doing?!
The titan snarled and lunged for them and only then, did the boys finally react. 4 perfectly timed wires shot out at the same time and Dilan's eyes widened as they dove, crossing each other and zooming under the titan's legs. It tripped over its own feet and dove into the dirt but grabbed towards them, growling. Caden faltered a little but hooked down to snatch its attention while Thomas sliced a blade over the creatures wide unblinking orbs. Blood and steam erupted as they used their gas to get higher, sharing a nod before diving down opposite each other.
Two slices in the neck and the titan fell limp against the earth.
Dilan was left utterly speechless.
Her squad cheered and congratulated each other on their kills before calling their horses and starting to ride back over. As soon as Caden was within the correct proximity, Dilan slapped him up the back of the head.
"OW!" He yelled.
"What the hell was that?" Dilan hissed and Thomas immediately backed off, not eager to get slapped as well.
"What'd you mean?" Caden pouted, looking very much like a kicked puppy, as he rubbed the back of his curly blonde hair. Dilan glared at them.
"You know what." She warned, not in the mood for games. Dilan taught them everything they knew. And she had certainly not taught them that.
The boys averted their eyes.
"A move we've been working on. Today was the first time we tried it out on a real titan." Thomas explained and Dilan's eyes widened.
"You thought the first time to test out a risky play like that was in the middle of titan country on a 13-meter abnormal with no back-up, after I had just told you not to take any risks!?" She demanded, astounded at their recklessness. This was the type of shit that she would have tried out in her youth. She could understand Mikes anger now. How did he put up with her as long as he did!?
Caden looked down, apologetic.
"You're right. We're sorry, Major. It wasn't the right time." Thomas agreed and Dilan sighed, shaking her head.
There was silence for a bit.
"A little slow on the dive and the slices lacked structure, but the syntonisation was flawless as usual." She mused and they looked up at her in surprise. She cracked a smile. "Don't get me wrong, it was reckless. But it was also impressive." She praised, amused as their faces lit up. "You come up with the idea yourselves?" She asked.
They nodded.
Dilan sighed, observing them. It did utilise their synchrony well by distracting the titan. And it was effective. But it could use a lot of improvement.
"We'll try it again, at an appropriate time. Pull something like that again today and I will kick both your asses, understood." She warned and they did little to hide their smiles at her approval.
"Yes Major."
"Good." She replied, continuing on to praise Jamie and Grace for their kill before handing out constructive criticism on everything they could have done better. Her squad lapped the advice up, eager to improve. Eager to be better.
Dilan felt something warm in her chest as she looked them all over.
She supposed she was proud of the people they were becoming.
They got to the gate a few hours later, thankfully with no more run ins with titans. While Dilan was relieved, she was also confused. The breach had been open for hours. There should be more titans around by now. Something seemed wrong to her. She just couldn't figure out what.
"Major." Grace spoke and Dilan looked up as they reached the gates. Refuggees were piling through into Ehrmich. It was the closest walled city located on the south edge wall of Wall Sina. Scanning the desperate crowds trying to hurry inside, Dilan couldn't see the Birches. They must already be in the city.
Children cried in the crowd. The weight of everything lost hanging over every single man and woman. They cluched what little they had left to their bodies, be it their children or luggage. Dilan clenched her jaw at the sight. It was just Like Maria.
Would they send the citizens out again?
Flashes of blood and screaming and praying struck into her brain and Dilan shivered, shaking her head. No, they would close the breach this time. She just had to get Josie back to her family and get them underground where it was safe. The refugee camps were going to be brutal and Dilan didn't intend on letting them go through that. She had a better place in mind.
"Dismount." Dilan ordered and her squad nodded, doing so. They dropped on the ground as Dilan untied the sleeping Josie from her torso and passed her into Jamie's waiting arms before dropping down herself. She winced, her leg tender and sore, but manageable.
"Are you alright?" Caden asked and Dilan offered a small smile of reassurance, nodding. They pulled their horses reins over their head and Dilan went to take back Josie but Jamie assured her that he could hold her for a bit. Grace agreed that she should have a minute to move around and Thomas took Jamie's horse so he could hold the child affectively. Dilan's eyes softened, thanking them before they tugged on their horses reins and started walking closer.
There were around 50 people crowding the gate, each being checked by soldiers and noted before being allowed in to Ehrmich. Dilan's lips pursed at the sight. It may seem like they were being thorough in ensuring everyone got in safely but Dilan knew better. They were only noting down who came in so when push came to shove, they knew who should be thrown out.
It wouldn't get that far, she told herself. It couldn't.
Noticing them, the crowd shifted slightly, falling quiet. Solemn eyes watched them move and Dilan had to force herself not to look back. She didn't know if she'd be able to take the disappointment. The Garrison members at the front saw their uniform and waved them up so they wouldn't have to wait in the crowd. Dilan felt bad but there wasn't much she could do. Only move as fast as she could to ensure she got these people their homes back.
"Please!" Someone grabbed her arm and tugged hard, pulling her towards the crowd. Her squad reacted fast, unsheathing their blades but Dilan held up a hand. They didn't want this to turn messy. Dilan looked at the woman that grabbed her and her heart broke at her teary expression. Dirty and cold, her eyes were puffy from crying as she dug her fingers into the collar of Dilan's jacket and gripped on with all her strength. "Please." She whispered and Dilan's eyes widened.
"Hey! Get back in line!" A garrison started to yell but Dilan sent him a look and he shut up right away, seeming to recognise who she was. Dilan found that happened a lot more lately. She couldn't deny it was useful in situations like this.
The air was tense.
Dilan didn't know what she was asking for or what she wanted. Perhaps she wanted to get to the gate faster. Maybe she wanted money or food. Or maybe she just wanted her home back… or a loved one that didn't make it.
She was smaller than Dilan, but she looked to be in her early 40's. Dilan looked down as she heard a sniff and noticed the little boy clinging to her legs.
"M-my husband- he- please." She begged, more tears streaming down her face. Dilan could see it now. The blood on her clothes. The devastation in her eyes. Dilan knew the look well. She had been this woman only a few short days ago. Funny that. It may as well have been a lifetime. But that pain didn't hurt any less. "A titan- oh god, please you have to get him back!" She cried hysterically and Dilan had to clench her jaw to stop the tears.
"Ma'am, we're sorry for your loss but nothing can be done-" Grace tried empathetically.
"HE'S NOT DEAD! HE CAN'T BE!" The woman's grip tighten on her, shaking her slightly. The boy cried into the fabric of his mother's dress and Dilan's heart ached for them.
"See this?" Dilan whispered and the woman's lip quivered, pausing to look down where Dilan was as she opened her jacket and saw the emblems sewn into the fabric. She sniffed and Dilan smiled sadly. "This is my family. The titans took them too." She admitted and the woman's eyes widened.
"He can't b-be-" She wavered, and Dilan squeezed her hand.
"He'll be avenged. I give you my word in that. But he's never really gone." She comforted. "He'll live on in you. In your boy. As long as there are people alive with memories of him, he's never truly gone from this world." Dilan said strongly and the woman looked at her in shock. She choked out another sob but wiped her eyes and nodded desperately. Dilan pulled her into a gentle hug, knowing she needed it right now. She needed a boost of strength to get through, because she has someone relying on her. "I'll get your home back. I promise." Dilan whispered and the woman sniffed.
"Thank you." She replied in a thick voice, hugging her back tight.
Dilan pulled back and smiled, crouching down to ruffle the hair of the little boy.
"You've got a strong mum, kid. You'll be okay." She said kindly and the boy sniffed, nodding as he wiped his eyes. Dilan thought of something and stood up to riffle through her saddle bag.
"Dilan?" Jamie questioned and Dilan grinned as she found it, pulling the lollipop out of the bag that she had stuffed in there for emergencies and crouching back down to the boy and placing the wrapped sweet in the centre of his small palm.
"F-for me?" He asked hopefully and Dilan glanced at his mother.
"If ya mum says it's okay?" She asked and the mother blinked before her eyes softened and she cracked a small smile of gratifude, smoothing some hair out of her sons eyes. She nodded and Dilan smiled as the boy's eyes lit up.
"Thank you…" She paused as Dilan stood up.
"Dilan." She answered and the woman nodded.
"Mary. And this is my boy Nathan." She introduced, smiling at the little kid, eyes bright as he tasted the sweet treat. Dilan chuckled and nodded.
"Nice to meet you both. Things will be better one day. I won't stop until they are." She said seriously and the woman smiled tearily, nodding.
"May the walls watch over you. All of you." She sniffed and the squad nodded their thanks. Dilan smiled and gave her a goodbye before they walked off and went through the gate. Dilan felt her fingers twitch, leaning down to scoop up the soldiers spare clipboard as her went past. She couldn't do anything about those who were already written down. But if things go to shit, maybe Nathan and his mother would have a fighting chance in escaping selection.
"Why did you-" Caden questioned, managing to catch her steal as she threw the clipboard in the bin. Dilan smiled as she heard the Garrison members start complaining to each other, looking for their spare sign in sheet.
"No reason."
"Dilan that was incredible. How did you calm her down so easily? I thought we were going to have a real problem there." Jamie sighed in relief and Dilan glanced back as they kept walking.
"I know what loss feels like. It's as simple as that." She replied quietly, looking forward again. Grace squeezed her shoulder for support before they turned towards the refugee centre.
The loud thumping of hooves on pavement shattered the silent and Dilan barely turned her head in time to see three Garrison members racing towards the gate in urgency.
"Hurry! We need to meet up with the patrol before they leave." One of them urged.
"Is it really true? Does the enemy have Eren Yeager!?" Another panted. Dilan's stomach dropped as her face paled.
"If what the commander says is true, yes. The scouts are already hours ahead, we need to move." A girl reminded and Dilan couldn't hear the reply as they raced out of the gates and into the open plains.
Towards the wall.
Dilan's hands clenched, blinking again and again.
Someone had the kid. The enemy had the kid.
She looked down at Josie sleeping peacefully in her arms before back up at her squad. Jamie smiled in understanding and walked over to her. He took Josie and passed her the reins.
"Go. It's okay, we'll get her back to her family." He reassured. Dilan swallowed, glancing at the open plains. Everything in her screamed to get back on the road but…
"It's your fight too, I have no right to take you away from it." She said seriously and their eyes softened.
"We know you aren't sideling us, Major. This is more important than us feeling left out." Grace chuckled. The others nodded. "Although, I do suggest you take Caden and Thomas." She added and eyes widened at her. Grace wasn't the type to volunteer others than herself. She rolled her eyes. "Don't look at me like that. It's not like I enjoy admitting this but, while one on one I could beat their asses into the ground, that weird synchronisation going on makes them the better back up." She said logically, professionally.
Dilan cracked a smile. The loudmouth had come a long way.
She looked to Caden and Thomas.
"You boys up for it?" She asked. Caden grinned and Thomas simply nodded, but the determination was in his eyes. She nodded. "Go see if you can snag a map from the guards. If they don't cooperate, remember to give them a pretty please." Dilan ordered and the boys smirked before mounting their horses and riding back to the gate.
She turned back to the other half of her squad, looking at them with serious eyes.
"Now listen carefully. Find the Birches and get them medical attention if need be. Once they're together I need you to go down into the underground." She continued, grabbing a pad out of her saddle back and writing down some directions.
"The underground?" Jamie questioned. Dilan nodded. She didn't trust those refugee camps one bit. People were hurt and hungry and violent right now and Dilan had no intentions of letting the Birches starve or get caught in the middle of an angry mob. Besides if Jamie and Grace stuck around there too long they would eventually get ordered somewhere by other military personell and there would be no one to protect them.
"In the underground theres an orphanage run by a dear friend of mine. Follow these directions and give her this note. Tell her you know me and that the Birches need a place to stay for a while." She explained, passing grace the letter and directions. "Stay the night and rest up. hopefully this will be over by then but I wont stop you from joining the fight once you get them to safety. Just make sure your smart and don't go into titan territory alone. Understand?" She asked. They nodded.
"Yes Major." Jamie replied. Dilan relaxed a bit, looking to Josie. She sighed and stroked her curly hair gently.
"Hopefully you'll get to the Birches before she wakes up, but if not-" Dilan reached into the saddle pack and pulled out Tobias. She handed it to Grace and the girl smiled. "Guard that toy with your life, soldier. She will raise hell if you lose it." Dilan warned teasingly and Grace chuckled, putting the toy in her bag.
"I won't let you down Major." She smiled.
"Dilan, we got it." Caden said from behind her as the clopping of hooves sounded. Dilan turned and he handed her the map she would need to work out where exactly the scouts were and are headed. As well as where Eren was… taken. Dilan swallowed down her fear. The kid was brave and ballsy, there was no way he had let himself be killed.
Still, she needed a lot more information on the situation and how everything had gone so completely shitty. Levi was supposed to look after him, meaning they must have been separated for some reason. Yes, that must be it. They had been separated… otherwise that meant Levi was…
Nope. Don't go down that road, Dil.
"Go now. Be quick and stay safe." She ordered and her cadets nodded.
"Try not to get buried alive again, Dil." The redhead teased as they started walking away.
"Oi." She glared and they chuckled.
"Good luck." Grace smiled and they walked away. Dilan sighed, opening the map, her eyes flicking over it briefly. This would help.
"Nice work." She praised, putting the parchment into her bag and mounting her horse.
"We said pretty please." Thomas replied, a smirk behind his eyes. Dilan glanced towards where the guards were in the distance, pale and tense. She smiled proudly.
"You certainly did." She looked at them with fire in her eyes. "You better keep up." She warned before slapping her reins and her horse drove into a gallop, her companions shortly behind her. It wouldn't be long now. It wouldn't be long until she was reunited with her comrades, with her loved ones.
And then she would put everything she had left into getting back that suicidal maniac.
EREN'S P.O.V.
Hours earlier…
Eren willed his face not to pale as he stood before them. His comrades, his friends.
Was it really possible?
"It's too late now. I don't know what's right anymore." Reiner gritted as he pulled the sling from his arm. Eren struggled to accept the truth, even as the steam rose from his wound in thick wisps. Everyone had accounted the possibility except for him. Why had he been in such denial? "But the only choice for me now… is to face the consequences of my actions…" He lifted his arm and stood straight.
Eren's eyes widened.
"And as a warrior… to fulfil my duty to the bitter end!" He growled, sparks flashing through the air.
An energy Eren knew all too well filled the atmosphere.
His stomach dropped wondering how many more friends he was going to lose to death or betrayal before this war was over.
A.N: yooooooo
Less action packed this time compared to the last chapter but our babies are doing their best with the separation. Levi's learning to trust her again and Dilan is learning to put faith in her subordinates. Letting go of that control she has will be hard for her but she'll do it in order to be a better squad leader.
Does anyone have any theories about Nicks little comment? :0
Hope you liked this one! We go back into battle next time :)
Vain-gl0ry: 90 notifications is mad!!! But I get it, I have a lot of new chapters to catch up on with old stories I was reading lol. Dilan is constantly in the wrong place at the wrong time lmao. Her life is very chaotic at the moment. But don't worry, Levi will be addressing this soon. She will be threatened at knife point to take a break and recover if that's what it takes! Thanks for reading! So great to hear from you, hope you have a good day :))