Chapter Text
One by one, each member present descend from the wagon and grab their gear, making sure to make as little noise as possible. With a bit of hesitation, you take a hold of your rifle and slowly put the strap of it on your non-injured shoulder. Stepping off the wagon, your eyes wonder around you, looking at the surrounding forest. It was dark, but there was some beauty to it. You glanced over your shoulder at the chapel and shrugged, thinking to yourself; "Maybe this isn't such a bad place to live after all." It was so isolated, you doubted they ever had any Titan or government trouble over here. Then again, it's not like the Reiss really had any trouble with that to begin with.
Captain Levi motioned to everyone to come over for a short plan meeting. Walking wasn't necessarily easy at the moment, but you listened to your orders and "used your acting skills" to pretend you were in no pain at all. Although, judging by Sasha's look, you still needed a lot of practice.
"If we trust what our sources say, this chapel is the only place where Rod Reiss could safely hide with Historia as well as Eren. Judging by how much time has passed since they first kidnapped them, my guess is we don't have much time, so we have to act quick and effectively.", Hange whispered.
"Unfortunately, though, some of you are injured.", Levi glanced over at you as soon as those words left his mouth, "So, any who can't fight are on guard duty. After all, we're gonna need people to keep an eye out just in case Kenny decided to call in reinforcements. No matter what, you are not to engage combat whatsoever. It'd be suicide to even try to go up against any of his men and I'd like to keep the few soldiers I have left. Have I made myself clear?"
You nodded, raising your eyebrow slightly at the captain, you asked; "Captain, if he did call in reinforcements, what are we to do?"
"Well, Erwin has his forces coming towards here. I want one of you to alert us and the others to scatter around the woods to meet back with his forces. Make sure to stay clear of Kenny's goons, you won't stand a chance in the state your in."
"Right.", Hange butted in, "So with that out of the way, here's what we're going to do. We'll need to scout the area first to make sure it's clear and to find wherever they may be. My guess is, there's a doortrap somewhere in that chapel that leads to an underground room. Once we're in, I'll need you to stay outside to make sure nothing gets in and only we get out. If all goes according to plan, we'll be out before dawn with Historia and Eren. If it doesn't, as soon as the sun rises or you hear any voices that aren't ours coming up, leave immediately. Chances are, we'll be dead and beyond help by then and Historia will have eaten Eren."
With the important discussion out of the way, you took your rifle into your hands and took a step forward to begin scouting. You felt a hand grab your arm and quickly turned around to face whoever took a hold of you. The Captain looked at you, concerned, his worried eyes meeting yours which send both of you in some sort of trance and slowly opened his mouth.
"Are you sure you can be here? I know you're not exactly in the greatest of shapes, but-"
"I'm fine, Captain. I'm just on guard duty, it's nothing too straining."
"[Y/N], the last thing I need is more dead men on my conscience. If you can't fight, do yourself a favor and go group up with Erwin."
"Wouldn't I be more in danger by leaving by myself to go regroup with the Commander's troops? I know which fights are worth picking and I'm well aware now's not the moment for one."
A slight smirk came over Captain Levi's face before he let go of your arm. "Alright then, smartass, grin and bear it."
He stepped forward, making his way towards Hange and Moblit, before turning around, his eyes peircing through yours, the words "Don't die on me." leaving his lips softly.
You stood there for a few moments, completely taken back by his last words to you before he regrouped with the others and made their way to the chapel. A slight shade of red appeared on your cheeks, as your mouth opened to try to answer back to him, but to no avail. You had seen the Captain express how he cares for others before, but for whatever reason, this changed something within you. You looked down at the arm he gripped firmly with his hands, almost as if you still felt it there. For an instance, you wished it were still there.
You shook your head and came back to your senses, marching quickly to rejoin with the others on guard duty. From the right side, you slowly inched your way around the old building, looking everywhere around you. The surrounding area looking empty, but for all you knew, there could be a spy hiding somewhere or even the entire Kenny squad themselves waiting to ambush you. You tiptoed your way until you met back with the small fraction that searched from the left side, but nothing came up. Making your way back to the front to guard the door, you overheard two scouts talking.
"Hey, what if I go on that roof to survey the area? They could be hiding somewhere we can't see on ground."
"Huh? No way, the Captain will be furious if he learns that."
"Why though? Isn't it a good initiative to cover more ground?"
"Y'know," you interrupted them, "that's not a bad idea. I mean, surely they know we're here one way or another, right?"
The two soldiers looked at each other and shrugged. One of them hooked on to the rood and launched themselves up there, making a quick lookaround to spot anything that could be hiding. You and the other scout stayed down, looking up at him, kind of amused. A few minutes went by and he came back down.
"Nope, nothing at all. Guess that's good news for us, eh?"
"I can't believe you did that!"
"Oh, c'mon, it's not like anything bad happened."
You rolled your eyes with a slight smile on your face and walked away from them, taking your position at the front of the door. Though you were quite a bit away from them, you could hear their little argument, without making out what was said.
"Will you two shut up and take your posts?!", another scout exclaimed.
After that, all went quiet and you could only hear the noise of the night piercing through the ambiance every passing second. The pitch black sky accompanied with the hundreds of stars was breathtaking. You couldn't help but look up at them, getting distracted from your mission every other minute. Your train of thought started to derail as your mind was overcame with the Captain. More specifically, the way he looked at your earlier. It gave you chills, feeling something throughout your body, but it was somewhat warm and pleasant. Like a soft embrace. You closed your eyes and saw again his penetrating gray eyes look at you, your face gradually feeling warmer. Right now, at this instance, you felt at ease despite everything that was happening.
Suddenly, you heard a loud explosion coming from underneath the chapel and you immediately snapped back to reality, rushing inside. You kneeled down, your face crisping from the pain, putting your rifle down and reaching for the handle of the trapdoor. You took it in your hand and stopped, as the Captain's words resonated through your thoughts. You let go of the handle and grabbed your weapon, walking back outside.
"What was that?!", one of the scouts came running towards you.
"I'm not sure, but it's best if we don't investigate."
Another loud explosion could be heard from the same place and more of the scouts came running towards your position. Their faces were ridden by fear and anxiety. One of them ran towards the inside of the chapel, but you pulled them back sternly.
"We can't go in there no matter what, remember what Captain Levi said. Let's just keep our posts and let them handle it. We can't help them anyway, even if we wanted to."
A few moments went by before they all understood and decided to head back to their stations, looking not any less scared than they were when they came to where you were. In reality, you were just as alarmed as they are. The friends you've made for the past years and months of your life are all fighting what's probably their most dangerous fight yet down there and you can't even lift a finger to help. For all you knew, tonight could possibly the last time you got to see them.
You looked down at the ground and remembered your brother walking out of the door the last time you saw him. You remembered the smile on his face and he left and never came back. The hope and optimism he had. The memory of his face slowly started to fade, as his figure was getting replaced by the friends you made in the Scouts. Tears started to form in your eyes, biting down on your lip, you whispered to yourself; "Not them as well, please."
You stood there for a few more minutes, before a loud familiar sound was heard underneath the chapel. The ground around the chapel starts to shatter as a bright light emerges from the cracks. You take a few steps back, in utter shock, recognizing all of this as a Titan transformation. Before you could even think of whether or not this was Eren or Historia, you hear a voice shout to move away. You quickly put your rifle back over your shoulder and grab your get in position to latch onto a tree with your ODM gear.
Launching yourself across the plains and hooking unto a tree, your body jolts forward as your scream out of agony and your shoulder began to bleed again. You had miscalculated how to distribute your weight for this maneuver and you could certainly feel it. You shifted yourself at an angle to stay leaned against the tree and the ground started to collapse and a giant Titan came out of it. You look around and spot Armin, Hange and Moblit on the ground as the Titan emerges.
Once it seems to have started moving elsewhere and the ground stopped destroying itself, you and the other scouts rushed on over to Hange's side to learn more of what has just happened. Everything around you was moving, but you felt stuck in time. Your eyes couldn't stop following whatever that giant titan was and you were horrified. You jumped down from the tree, eyes still latched on that thing and stood completely still, watching it slowly move. You could feel the hair on your skin rise, the cold sweat from your forehead flow to your chin.
You don't know how much time had passed, but the constant sharp pain of your shoulder made you lose focus on the Titan and you regrounded yourself back into reality. Looking around you, you could see the rest of the Scouts coming out of whatever that underground room was, Armin and Moblit were carrying an injured Hange over their shoulders. Realizing you've been standing there lost in space for far too long, you rushed to aid them.
Jumping down, you run while grasping your shoulder tightly, trying to spare it from any more pain. As the trio collapse on the ground, you hear a loud explostion noise behind you and turn around to face it. There emerged something you couldn't believe. It was a giant Titan. Much, MUCH bigger than any you've ever seen until now.
As you watched it slowly crawl it's way out of where it emerged, you slowly stepped backwards towards Sector Commander Hange. You tripped over something on the ground and fell flat on your ass, hurting your shoulder even more in the process. You let out a subtle but hearable "Owww", all while still observing whatever that Titan form was
"[Y/N], are you alright?!"
You turn your body slowly, realizing where you are as you're processing what you just witnessed. Your eyes wonder as the voice in question barrades you with more and more questions. Each word sounded more familiar and-
"[Y/N], are you still with us? Please just give me a sign."
Armin's leaning his body right up to your face with the most distraught face you have seen in about.. give or take a few minutes. He grips your good shoulder and shakes you a bit before turning to Moblit and Hange.
"I.. Yeah, I'm alright...", blinking a few times afterwards, your vision now focuses on your friend worrying for your safety, "Just what the hell was that, though?"
"It's.. not exactly easy to explain. I'll give you and the others a recap once we get Eren and the others out of that hole."
Armin and Moblit stand up and leave to go assist the Scouts stuck down there. You try to pick yourself back up, but immediately fall right back down. Letting out a sigh of annoyance, you turn to Hange.
"I wouldn't force it too hard if I were you, y'know. Armin and Moblit got this covered. Besides, neither of us are in any shape to help at all. We'll just get in their way. Let's just regain our breath here while we wait for the others." You nod along to Hange's words.
Half an hour passed by before everyone regrouped and gathered their horses to take their leave. Armin and Moblit carried Hange and laid them down in a supply wagon, while Levi and Eren helped you up. They lay you down next to Hange and Captain Levi looks at you with a mix of sadness but relief as he walks away.
The Scouts take their leave and you turn your head to Hange. You open your mouth, but a bump in the road makes you squeal out some strange noise instead of pronouncing any words. Hange's head jolts towards you, with a concerned look.
"Sorry, hit my head on that one."
A slight smile of relief came across Hange's face before they cleared their throat. "The short story is, Rod Reiss transformed himself into a Titan with a drop's worth of spinal fluid. Or so I've heard. The logistics of it aren't something I can testify and yet... he was right infront of us."
"That's.. a bit worrisome."
"You can say that again.", they exclaimed, with an attempt at a smirk.
A few moments go by and you hear the subtle, but ever growing sound of more and more horses coming towards you. Levi's deep voice cuts through the noises as they come to a halt, with a "Erwin!", that soon followed.
"Anyone hurt?", commander Erwin asks, as he comes closer to where you and Hange are laying down.
"Yeah, Hange took a hit and [Y/N]'s injury seems to be getting worse.", Hange and you both raise your hand and wave at him slowly.
"Doesn't look like anything too serious.", Erwin exclaims, trying to mask the worry on his face with his words, "You've done excellent work. All of you."
"I've got a whole slew of things to report, but.. first.."
"Anything on that Titan?"
"It's Rod Reiss. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this, Commander."
Everyone went silent for a few instances, before Commander Erwin cut back in, "Time's short. We can't afford to stand here and chat. Head back to the wall."
"You gonna let that thing drag it's fat ass all the way to Sienna?"
"Well, more specifically, I'm letting it continue until Orvud District."
The Scouts depart once again and start heading towards the Wall, as Commander Erwin ordered. There's a silence breaking through for a few minutes, before Hange cuts it short.
"Alright, time to think. First off, Lord Reiss was after The Founding Titan's power and that power currently resides within Eren. Thing is, The Founding Titan can only be used at full potential by someone of royal blood. But then, when a royal does obtain The Founding Titan's power, they suddenly take on the first king's ideology. Which means, they refuse to do anything about the Titans. ...Well, this certainly is a conundrum. So the first king thinks this is true peace, huh? I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with him there."
"You know,", Eren takes a moment to think to himself, "we still have the option to go back.We just need that titan to eat me and Reiss will become human again. We could still have a true Founding Titan... it's possible."
"Wait, you don't mean-", Mikasa butts in, in a panic.
"...It's worth considering.", the Captain adds, "Once Reiss turns back into a human, we could capture him and undo the first king's brainwashing. Assuming that it can be done, it may well open a path to save humanity. Tell me, Eren, if that turns out to be our best bet, are you really willing to do it?"
"Yes, I am." There were no hesitation, no doubt in Eren's words. You felt a chill run down your spine. You couldn't believe what you had just heard. He didn't even think for a second about it before giving his answer. In shock, you look around you, to see that everyone's face seems to reflect your thoughts as well.
"Eren, I can't let you."
"Let's not forget the other option", the young Reiss exclaims before Eren could even pronounce a word, "First off, the plan you're discussing is full of flaws. For one thing, it might not be possible to free my father from the first king's will and no matter how you restrain him, if he alters everyone's memories, we're finished. And consider how there is so much we still don't know about The Founding Titan. This isn't worth the risk."
"She's right, you know..", Armin turns to face Historia, "it's not even guaranteed Rod would even turn back to normal even if he did eat Eren, that's just a hypothesis. No one's actually seen it happen before."
Historia nods, "So far, we've only been led by destructive pacifists. And if they kept The Founding Titan's powers, that's how it would stay. This is humanity's first chance to escape from them. Eren, your father wasn't evil. He was trying to save humanity from the first king. He stole my sister's father and then he murdered my father's wife and children.. because he had no other choice. "
"You mean..."
"Yeah, that's right. The doctor Yeager I knew would only have done something like that if he felt like he had to."
"Agreed. He must have known another way. A way to save humanity without Reiss' blood. And that must have been why he left you the key to the cellar.", Armin and Mikasa confirm, siding with Historia.
"What? A cellar?" Oh yeah, I had completely forgotten about that."
You hear Sasha's voice fade out as your vision gets blurrier, noises are fading out and you can barely recognize anyone's voice. They're all just words attached together, you can't make anything out of it. You feel your head turning on some lukewarm liquid, with a strong metal scent, but you can barely see or smell it. As you begin to blackout, you try to look up, but your vision fades and all becomes quiet.