Chapter Text
It was only a month after the fall of Shiganshina that Cece joined the Scouts.
No soldier in the regiment would ever forget that fateful day. The devastation of Shiganshina and Wall Maria had already posed a dire challenge. The soldiers, immersed in their relentless routines of sleepless nights fueled by mere cups of coffee and the study of titans, hardly believed when Hange, just returned from a mission beyond the Rose Wall, made her announcement. Her face was ashen. "We found someone," she declared.
Indeed, they had found someone.
Amidst the chaos of titans roaming free and devouring every living soul within Wall Maria, finding a single human had seemed nearly impossible during that month. Yet, against all odds, they had discovered a survivor. And as if that revelation were not unsettling enough, this "someone" had been living with a titan in her home for the entire duration.
For one month.
When Cece first appeared, she defied the expectations of those who imagined "a girl living with a titan outside the walls." Most anticipated a frail, disheveled figure, worn down by relentless hardship, but Cece, in stark contrast, appeared as any ordinary civilian might. She was perhaps just twenty, petite in stature, yet her dress was immaculate, her long, wavy ash-blonde hair gleaming, and her hazel eyes sparkled with fierce resolve. "The devil," one soldier murmured. "It must be the devil."
Clutching a red velvet notebook tightly, Cece initially spoke only to Hange during those first few hours.
"Tell me," Hange urged once she had escaped the scrutiny of the curious soldiers, though they were not alone. Erwin Smith observed from a corner, and Levi Ackerman lounged on the couch. Yet, Cece's unwavering gaze remained fixed solely on Hange. "How did this happen?"
Even as Cece gingerly placed the notebook on the table, her fingers hesitated to release it.
"My mother and I lived in a small hut inside Maria," she began. "When the titan attacked, my mother was in the basement, which was accessible from outside as well. The titan... ate her. He attempted to break through the basement door to reach me, but got trapped behind the broken door and couldn't escape."
Cece's calm demeanor was almost eerie, yet it was understandable given the shock she must have felt.
"Why didn't you run away? Or inform our soldiers? After Shiganshina fell, several scout troopers were surveying those villages," Levi inquired.
"My mother raised me in isolation from the world outside. I didn't leave the house once, I was unaware of what was happening outside. Besides..." Cece's hand rested on the notebook once more. "I didn't want anyone to harm the titan."
"What?" Erwin questioned, a frown creasing his brow.
"Are you serious?" Levi interjected, his expression stern as he raised an eyebrow. "That titan killed your mother!"
"True, he did. But... as I lived with the titan, I began to understand his behaviors and actions."
Hange frowned, her focus unwavering as she moved to sit across from Cece. The other men in the room watched her intently. Hange adjusted her glasses, her demeanor more serious than usual.
"Explain."
Cece nodded obediently. "When the titan killed my mother, I was shocked, yet too afraid to leave the house. I accepted my fate of living with him, and it felt like... death. But I noticed changes in the titan's behavior. First he was aggressive, then he eventually calmed down, and when he realized he couldn't kill me, he gave up. Over time, he began to listen to my words. I felt as though I understood him, as if he were... human too."
"Nonsense!" Levi countered, a hint of harshness in his tone, until his gaze met Erwin's. Hange remained silent, her attention fixed solely on Cece.
"Continue."
"The titan seemed to possess a... personality. He reacted to events in the house. Though generally unresponsive, he would growl at strong smells and react negatively to loud noises." Cece's eyes appeared distant as she recounted her experiences. "I did numerous experiments on him- what he would eat besides human flesh, what harmed him, what pleased him, what disturbed him... I documented it all in this notebook."
Hange's gaze shifted from Cece to the notebook on the table. At last, Cece released her grip on it, and Hange gently took hold. A soft sigh escaped her lips as her fingers brushed over the velvet cover. If circumstances allowed, she would have exchanged glances with the other two men in the room, but that seemed improbable. She returned her focus to Cece, who appeared shaken yet resolute, her expression reflecting a determination rarely seen in soldiers.
"I-" she declared with a loud, confident voice. "I've heard much about you from the other soldiers. I wish to join your team, Captain Hange! I want to experiment on titans with you. I believe I could be a valuable asset to your team!"
Levi glanced at Erwin, seeking a response, but the tall commander remained silent. With a sigh, he turned his attention back to the girl.
"Your determination is commendable, but joining the Scouts is not a simple endeavor," he explained. "First, you must endure rigorous training. After that-"
"I am prepared to do anything! I have nothing left to lose... If it means helping us experiment on titans and gain even the slightest bit of information that might be useful to us, I'm ready to do everything!"
Levi found himself at a loss for words, astonished by the girl's fervor. It was as if he had never encountered a soldier who had joined the regiment with such unwavering commitment, especially after having lived with a titan for an entire month.
Then, Commander Erwin, who had remained silent until that moment, approached the table slowly.
"Let's begin your training tomorrow," he ordered, addressing Cece directly. His imposing figure cast a shadow over the table beneath the dim light that hung from the ceiling. "If we expedite the process and you successfully complete your training, proving yourself a worthy soldier for Hange's team, you will soon be able to participate in the experiments."
"But-" Even Hange looked taken aback, while Cece's eyes sparkled with newfound hope. Erwin's words were truly bewildering, Levi thought, turning his gaze away, but the girl was so overjoyed that she seemed on the verge of throwing herself at his feet.
"Thank you so much! Thank you, Commander Erwin! I promise I won't let you down!"
Her excitement should have raised suspicions. Who could survive a month living with a titan? Or, after such a close encounter with the brutal realities of their world, who would still desire to fight with such monsters? Surely, she could be an enemy, perhaps an infiltrator within the Scouts, or a spy... yet Erwin had made his decision.
"Don't you think you'll regret this?" Levi questioned after Cece and Hange exited the room. Erwin shook his head.
"Thissoldier will be of great benefit to humanity."
🧿
Had Erwin ever been wrong about anything in his life?
Levi took a slow sip of his tea, his gaze wandering out the window as he pondered the question. The weather was pleasant, yet to many, it might appear overcast and dreary. A sigh escaped him, irritation bubbling to the surface as Hange slurped her coffee noisily from across the room. It was impossible to resist her antics, especially when she was engaged in something that required little intellect.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
"Captain!" Cece exclaimed, practically charging into the room. Levi had always found her impudence a bit tiresome. She beamed upon spotting Hange. "Finally..."
"What's going on, Cece?" Hange inquired, cup in hand, leaning casually against the counter. "Is the experiment over, or what?"
"Yes."
Levi turned toward them with a touch of interest. Though he held a strong dislike for both women, their experiments were undeniably captivating, especially since Cece had joined Hange's team.
"I noticed Bolt has the 'elite loner' trait."
"...Bolt?" Levi muttered.
"Oh! Levi's here too!" Cece chirped.
With a slight turn of his head, Levi sought to distance himself. Even a small exchange with her could ruin his entire day, and it was his own fault for engaging when he had known better. "When will I teach you to call me Captain Levi?"
"You aren't my Captain. My Captain is right here."
Hange smiled knowingly at Cece's mischievous grin. She was fully aware that she would never allow anyone to disrespect Levi in her presence, yet she also understood that Cece would never dare to if Levi didn't permit it.
"Go ahead, Cece."
"Of course, Captain. As I mentioned, he possesses the elite loner trait. He doesn't roam around with other titans and prefers to roam alone instead."
"Why 'elite' then?" Levi inquired, genuinely curious.
"Because he prefers to eat men over women. Unlike the wild titan species, he makes sure his prey is alive and healthy before eating it as well. Dismemberment isn't his style."
"That's... good," Hange murmured.
"You'd have to sacrifice many soldiers to gain that level of understanding," Levi remarked, taking another sip of his tea while eyeing Cece.
"That's the beauty of my talent: I didn't sacrifice anyone. You're welcome."
"Are you claiming your talent making up nonsense about titans?"
"If you doubt my talent, we can stand in front of Bolt together, and I'll even stand myself a bit closer. Just don't be surprised if I laugh when you're the first to fall."
Levi sighed, shaking his head in exasperation.
Once Cece's talent had been uncovered, she became an unstoppable force. The day after her discovery, Hange had conducted a series of experiments on the titan in her basement, but the results had been elusive- only Cece could elicit any response from it. The titan displayed its personality traits solely in her presence. Even when it reacted around Hange, the responses were too vague for her to understand, making it evident that Cece possessed a rare gift for understanding and predicting titans. Thus, they began to call her Akume, the Devil's Eye.
Yet, even with this extraordinary ability, Levi found it hard to believe. Since Cece had joined the Scouts and Hange's team, their expeditions beyond the walls had yielded significantly more knowledge. They had classified the titans into various groups beyond just normal and abnormal, allowing them to strategize effectively. Still, there was a reason they often left Cece behind on missions: her obsessive tendencies.
"Bolt doesn't respond to me anymore because he's bored," Cece said, shrugging as she settled into a chair. Hange nodded in agreement.
"Alright! I'll go measure it for a bit... perhaps even add some pieces to my nail collection. What do you think it will say about that?"
"It'll call it disgusting," Levi grumbled.
"It's fine. Bolt's an elite guy; he wouldn't mind a little manicure."
"Don't speak of it as if it were human..." Levi growled once more.
"Okay. See you tonight!"
Cece nodded as Hange exited the room, knowing that Levi's nightmare was about to unfold. With only the two of them left, Levi felt a wave of discontent wash over him at the thought of being alone with this clumsy, impudent girl. Yet, Cece wore a mischievous grin as she turned to him.
"Shortling," she called out, her tone teasing. Levi, however, remained unfazed. "What happened? Are you mad at me?"
"I'll kill you right now," he retorted, his voice low and menacing.
"I'd love it," she shot back, undeterred.
"Don't ever call me that again," Levi growled, a scolding tone lacing his words.
"What? Aren't you a shorty?" Cece challenged him.
"I warned you, Cecilia."
"Don't call me Cecilia."
"What? Isn't that your name?"
"Shorty."
"Cecilia."
"Oh, look at that grown man getting into a spat with a lady..." Cece sighed, tossing her head back dramatically. Levi, ignoring her antics, settled into a chair at the edge of the table. "Who's training the recruits?"
"Sadies," he replied.
"Oh..." A shiver ran down Cece's spine at the mention of Sadies. "Then I'll meet them while there's no training."
"Are you really going to meet the recruits?" Levi asked, skepticism evident in his voice.
"Yeah. After all... they'll be graduating soon, and they need a role model to join the Scouts!" she declared, her enthusiasm bubbling over.
"Role model," Levi echoed, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Why? Can't I be their role model?" she insisted.
"You'll scare them even more. We'd be lucky to get two applications this year."
"You're so rude. I'll just end myself right here and now," Cece grumbled, lifting her chin defiantly as she tidied the hair cascading down her neck. Levi watched her with a frown, clearly unimpressed.
"When are you going to cut your hair?"
"Why? Do you prefer me with short hair?" she teased.
"No, but at least then there'd be no chance of it wrapping around your neck and strangling you before you even spot a titan in battle."
"So, long hair suits me," Cece laughed, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "You're so in love with me."
"Shut up," he snapped, trying to maintain his composure.
"Come and do it," she challenged, her eyes sparkling.
"Go and torture the recruits instead of torturing me."
"Makes perfect sense," she replied, rising from her seat and tossing her hair over her shoulder. "They'll be having dinner soon. I'm off to raid the mess hall."
Levi sighed, knowing trouble was brewing.
The recruits had not anticipated Cece's appearance that day, especially after a grueling training session. They had run around the field with weights strapped to their backs, maneuvered through ODM gear while carrying each other, and engaged in sword practice. By the time they reached the mess hall, their muscles ached with exhaustion. Conversations were sparse as they quietly consumed their meals, lost in their own thoughts, until a freckled recruit named Marco burst into the hall, brimming with excitement.
"Akume's coming here!" he exclaimed, casting a glance around the room. The rookies exchanged surprised and suspicious looks at his announcement.
"This isn't the time for jokes, Marco," Annie said, turning her attention back to her food.
"I'm not kidding! One of the soldiers said..."
"What's he doing here? Isn't he on Captain Hange's team?" someone questioned.
"Yeah, but..."
"What even is Akume?" Jean scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he took another hearty bite of his meal. "He's just a fraud. Probably lied his way onto Captain Hange's team, that freak."
"Do not speak of Akume in that manner!" Eren retorted sharply, catching everyone off guard. Just when the others believed the weariness of the two would grant them a peaceful dinner, the tension ignited once more. "He speaks the truth- he lived with a titan in his basement for an entire year! His talent is our only hope for survival!"
"Is that so?" Jean shot back, his voice dripping with skepticism. "We do not need to empathize with titans; our goal is to kill them!"
"If we understood them, killing them would become significantly easier! But expecting someone as dense as you to understand that is ridiculous!"
"What did you just say!?" Jean leaped to his feet, his expression darkening once more. "Are you itching for another beating after today's training!?"
"Do you honestly believe you can take me on again!?"
"Fool!"
"Horseface!"
They both sprang up, clutching each other by the collar, a scene the others had grown all too familiar with. Their inability to coexist was a constant source of amusement, and Mikasa and Connie had long since given up on trying to intervene, recognizing that sometimes a good scuffle was the only way to spark a bit of common sense.
Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the air as someone forcefully brought their heads together, sending them both reeling back in pain.
"Ugh- it's not like I can actually hit minors... but technically, I didn't hit you; your heads just bumped."
As they glared up at their assailant, they were met with the sight of a petite, blonde soldier from the Scouts, her hazel eyes wide but devoid of anger. Instantly, they stood at attention and saluted.
"We're sorry," Eren mumbled, while Jean merely grunted in reply.
Cece, the blonde soldier, nodded slightly at the onlookers and stepped forward to address the group. "Good evening, soldiers. I am Cece Braun from the Scout Regiment."
"...Cece Braun?" a few murmured, confusion evident in their voices. Cece sighed inwardly; it was a reaction she had grown accustomed to.
"Also known as Akume."
Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd as they exchanged bewildered glances. She savored the moment, her grin widening as she noted their astonishment. Typically, Akume conjured images of a towering figure -perhaps an older veteran of the Scouts- but the reality was a youthful girl standing before them, and their reactions were priceless.
"...Akume?" Mikasa asked softly. "Are you truly Akume?"
"How long have you possessed your ability?"
"They say you lived with a titan for a year!"
"No- two years!"
"Can you actually understand titans?"
"Is it true that you can foresee their movements?"
"Thanks to you, deaths on missions have been reduced to almost zero!"
"Oh- just calm down..." Cece interjected, glancing at the rookies who continued to stare at her with intense curiosity. "You don't honestly believe I'm going to spill all this information here, do you? It's far too much for some inexperienced recruits who have yet to step foot in the Scouts..."
"So, must we join the Scout Regiment to learn everything?" Sasha asked, her mouth full of bread. A sly smile crept across Cece's face.
"True. But don't worry; everyone in the Scouts is quite friendly- well, toward humans."
As she spoke, she observed the different expressions on the recruits' faces. Some wore looks of concern, while others appeared downright frightened. It was a natural reaction, really; joining a regiment dedicated to self-sacrifice was no small feat.
"I'm... considering to join the Military Police," Jean muttered, an embarrassed tone creeping into his voice, likely stemming from the earlier altercation with Eren.
"Well... of course, this country requires errand boys too."
A few of the recruits, including Eren, couldn't help but smirk at Jean's expense, while he bowed his head, cheeks flushed. Cece sighed, scrutinizing each of their youthful faces. They were all so young, so weary; it was evident even in their expressions. Yet, her gaze landed on one particular girl in the far corner -a blonde with striking blue eyes- and she froze, an unexplainable shock coursing through her. She quickly turned her head away.
"I understand this may seem difficult, but the Scout Regiment is the savior of our nation," she declared with unwavering conviction. "The purpose of a soldier is to destroy the titans who threaten humanity, not to eat and sleep like rats within these walls! What is a soldier without a purpose? Can anyone truly call themselves a soldier if they've never experienced the freedom that lies beyond these walls!?"
Her voice resonated deeply, filled with determination that belied her youthful appearance. She surveyed her audience, noting the flickers of contemplation on their faces, however slight.
"Cece!" shouted a short, blond boy, his eyes alight with curiosity. "Is it true there are seas beyond the walls?"
"There is far more than just seas outside," Cece replied, a smile brightening her face. "But you must wear our cape to witness it."
The boy beamed, and Cece returned his smile, recognizing the determination and resolve mirrored in his deep blue eyes. It was as if she already knew him.
"Yes, I need to go back to the headquarters now," he said, relief evident in his tone. "It was truly a pleasure meeting all of you. I hope to see you again soon."
Just as Cece prepared to exit the mess hall, Jean sidled up beside her. He was tall, though his cheeks were blushed, and it was clear he would become a pain in the face.
"W-well, Cece... I- I apologize for what I said earlier. I thought you were an older man, but you are truly talented and- quite charming, so-"
"Ah..." Cece let out a bored sigh, then draped her arm around his shoulders, pulling him down to her height. "Look, I will end my life right here and leave you traumatized forever."
"What-"
Connie burst into laughter as Cece made her way out of the mess hall.
She had become the center of attention for the recruits throughout the night, a mystery that stirred whispers and speculation. How had Cece acquired such an ability? Was it truly advantageous? Did she perhaps enjoy some sort of favoritism, or was it all a lie? Though Cece remained oblivious to their chatter, even if she had heard any of it, she would have confidently affirmed their accuracy. After all, even soldiers she had fought alongside could voice such opinions at times. Truth be told, she didn't care much for their thoughts; life couldn't possibly revolve around heeding every word spoken by others. If it had been left to the devotees, she would have faced execution for being a demon countless times over by now.
Upon her arrival at headquarters, her feet instinctively hesitated as Erwin's voice echoed through the closed door she had just passed, allowing her to eavesdrop on the ongoing conversation. Given her relatively unremarkable position within the military, such discussions typically occurred behind closed doors, making this a rare opportunity she couldn't afford to miss.
"We need to resupply our bases inside Maria," Erwin announced. "It won't be a massive operation. I can confidently say that we won't suffer many casualties."
"'We won't suffer many casualties,' you say?" a soldier's voice chimed in, and Cece quickly recognized Oluo's tone. It appeared Levi's squad was present. "We could lose a significant number of our soldiers even on a trivial mission like this."
"I understand your concerns. However, I will assign my best soldiers to this mission, and you, Levi's Squad, will lead it. With the formation I've planned..."
"I don't understand. New recruits will soon be accepted into the regiment, and we'll be taking them outside the walls anyway. Why are we conducting two expeditions one after another?"
"Resupplying with new recruits is extremely risky. In the event of an attack, our focus might have to shift. Moreover, the recruits may not even be able to reach the bases. Thus, we must manage this mission ourselves."
"But..."
"Silence," Levi interrupted, halting Petra, who was about to interject. "Listen to Erwin. We will take on this mission."
"Captain..."
"Are you frightened of a few harmless titans?"
A heavy silence enveloped the room.
As Erwin continued discussing the finer details of the mission, Cece knelt in the shadows at the end of the hallway, listening intently. After a few minutes, Erwin and a handful of soldiers exited the room, oblivious to the girl concealed in the dimness. And now, Cece knew what to do better than anyone.
She slipped silently into the room, where the members of Levi's squad were engaged in conversation.
"Levi," she called out, her voice breaking the tension. Levi's frowned slightly, clearly surprised to see her at that hour. He already appeared tense and irritable, but it was far too late for Cece to reconsider. "You know you're my favorite captain, right?"
"Spill it."
"Take me on the expedition tomorrow."
"What?" Levi frowned. "Are you out of your mind?"
"No. It's been a while since you've allowed me outside the walls- I want to come along."
"Have you ever considered there's a specific reason for not taking you?"
"And what reason is that?"
"Because you act like an obsessed lunatic and continually put yourself in danger."
"That's not true."
"Actually, it is," Eld interjected, and Cece shot him a disgruntled look.
"That's not true! My talent lies in understanding titans- how can I do that if I never see one!?" she retorted, her irritation boiling over. Levi, however, averted his gaze, seemingly indifferent. "You know how much I've helped you on previous missions!"
"We've had to protect you at every single one! You're so selfless that you consistently undermine our mission's purpose!"
"Because I'm not afraid of dying like the others!"
"It's not that you're unafraid of death; it's that you're reckless, you damn brat!" Levi shouted, his frustration evident. "You never consider what might happen to you! You never think about what will happen to the experiment squad if they lose you just because you are suicidal!"
"I'm a soldier! Any knowledge I bring back from outside the walls could benefit humanity- I should have no problem with dying!"
"If you die, who will bring that knowledge back, you idiot!?"
"You have to take me outside! I'm tired of experimenting with the same stupid titans here!"
"You're an obsessive maniac! Just like Hange, you're so consumed by your obsession that you'd sacrifice your entire team just to observe titans! You can beg all you want, but I won't let a reckless brat like you, who doesn't even know how to fight, step outside these walls!"
Cece glared at him, feeling the weight of disdain from his squad, who either pitied her or outright disliked her. Anger surged within her, nearly driving her to strike their captain. But instead, she shouted, "Fine!" and stormed out of the room.
It was ridiculous enough that she was taking orders from a runt, and she wasn't about to listen to him anymore.