xvii. NO TIME TO DIE

episode 25: the wall; raid on stohess district, part 3

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

NO TIME TO DIE

•••

An outflow of hot, humid air washed over the atmosphere as the yellow lightning struck the ground with a heavy rumble. The floor shook, buildings rattled, and the sound of heavy furniture breaking from within the rooms was heard. Shards of tiny glass broke out from windows and doors, wood flying off its hinges as everything around seemed to have crumbled from its core. The sky seemed to have turned dark, blue losing its brightness as the sun hid behind brewing shades of grey clouds that loomed over above their heads. A deep rumble bellowed underneath, all so sounding ominous and somber. A sound that Freya didn't appreciate whatsoever as her spine went rigid, eyes widening in the slightest at the odd, yet familiar feeling that filled her.

"You won't be able to get to him."

Hange stared at the capricious woman with envisaging eyes and tone impetuous. Tensed with startling urgency and magnitude. Patience wearing thin for a move. A word. Anything of a reply and an answer as to what Freya's thoughts lingered and circled. She was treading meticulously on parlors water. Her lips pursed together in a straight line. She was perturbed with the fact that the arrange plan hadn't worked out, guard lowered that she didn't consider the Female Titan's quick escape. However, she stayed heedful of their next approach, and the determined glint in Freya's eyes was proving to be difficult to predict.

Freya licked her lips. Gaze distant but attention faced towards where the lightning transformation had come from. "I have to try."

"Then what?" Hange stated. "He's transformed."

"And?" She asked, sounding not that all bothered. Although, she was fully aware of what had happened.

"Nothing can stop him."

A grin adorned her lips. "Who said anything about stopping him?"

A step forward and Freya felt a tight grip around her wrist. She whipped her head to Hange. The woman stared at her with warning in her eyes. "We can't risk it."

Freya had discerned how implicit Hange sounded. So certain. Decisive. It irked her in the slightest, remembering how little her opinion mattered in situations like these as she stifled an eyeroll.  She bit down on her tongue, looking away and past Hange head. Nothing in particular caught her eye but swirling clouds. Clenching her jaw tight, she blew a long breathe, sighing in discontent. "It was better when you weren't so serious you know."

Screams of panic continued to grow within the district. Along with the rest, Freya managed to keep in pace with Hange as the woman seemed to followed the loud thuds of Titans. She was quick to spot them. Not that it was difficult with their towering height and alarming figures. However, their appearances never ceased to alarm her as the Female Titan and Eren whirled past a street. The latter running from behind, determined to catch up. The two in a chase as they came running past Freya, Hange, and the two boys, not even noticing their presence.

"This time, it seems he's retaining control." Hange observed.

"This time?" Freya asked incredulously. Needless to say, it wasn't the first time Freya witnessed Eren in his own Titan form. She could just about reminisce the odd, yet terrifying feeling coursing through just by the mere sight of its huge figure. However, she then recalled the many weeks before. Her first steps in a Tribunal. Regiments out in an argument. And the small statement Mikasa had made about Eren in his Titan form being safe. To her, it all seemed so long ago.

Armin nodded. "Yes, but Eren's never managed to beat the Female Titan."

"How assuring." Freya clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth.

"Now that he's a Titan, he must be prepared to fight..." Jean said. "He won't go down so easily–"

"Willpower alone isn't enough in battle." Armin cut him off with a staid look. "You know that, Jean. Defeating Annie will require far more..."

"An open area!" Somewhere off in the distance, a scout yelled. "The Female Titan's heading for an open area!"

"We can't use Maneuver Gear there!" Another shouted. True to their words, the two Titans came barreling in the middle of the district grounds. Bright greens of grasses occupied the space. Free roads and situated benches of an open park where tall house surrounded the place. To Freya, it almost looked like an arena.

"Split up and work your way around to the other side!" Hange ordered to the group of nearby who landed on the rooftop buildings. She pointed to Freya, Jean, and Armin. "You three, you're with me."

There wasn't anything left to be said as Freya and the rest had followed the two Tians from a distance. Though, the running stopped there as Annie skidded to a halt, swiveling on her heel where the brick road scraped open. She stood in a stance, arms raised. Eren let out a roar, ramming up to the girl with a fist raised. He made the first swing. At the same time, the left of Annie's elbow crystalized, using it to block his punch v=before raising her leg. However, the boy was quick to block, grabbing her leg and swinging the girl to the side. She crashed by a building, rocks tumbling out.

Moblit came landing beside Hange. "Even if we can capture the Female Titan, they might destroy the whole city first!"

"We do it, regardless." Hange reminded calmly. "That was Erwin's decision. Be ready to capture her." Despite this, Moblit nodded. Freya had to agree with the man. It was apparent that with the fight between the two Titans, there was bound to be damage trailing behind.

Eren was determined. That much was clear. Fury swirling in his dark eyes, pinpointed on the girl, rage emitting from him. She was quick to counter his aggressive hits, her guard raised and stance straight. Obviously skilled. Ready for such a fight. It was messy. Chaotic as blood splattered in the air. Freya watched as Eren moved with hurried steps, even taking the time to sink his teeth in the girl's leg, while the Female Titan retaliated with ripping a limb off. It wasn't enough to stagger him as the boy climbed back on the girl, the two falling on the ground with a painful rumble.

Surprised by the move, Hange's eyes glinted. "That's..."

Finally, Mikasa appeared, back on her feet as she joined the group. "Eren!" She called for the boy, heading towards him.

"Don't!" Hange told the girl. Mikasa stopped in her tracks, head whipping at the woman with furrowed brows, and concerned eyes. "Right now, we don't know if Eren can recognize you..."

Freya could only watch in intentness as Annie managed to elbow Eren back and be able to sit up straight. With her hands around to cover her nape, she struggled to fend the male off. However, Eren's large Titan hand came shooting out. His palm devoured the girl's face. A firm squeeze and spurts of blood came erupting. A grimly pop resonated. Freya looked away for a moment. She turned her head to the side, refraining herself from grimacing. All the while she heard a loud female screech from Annie. No longer a battle cry but a sharp shriek of pain.

There was a small rumble when Freya averted her attention back at the two. The two jammed their limbs at the other. Roaring and crying. Eventually, Annie was successful at her attempt to shove Eren a distance away as he crashed back into a building. The Female Titan made a run. It was clear to anyone who watched that there were wasn't a lot of paths to go. With her weary-like figure and mangled face, it was evident that she had no energy left in her to destroy a building and free a path. Numerous scouts surrounded her sides. Behind her Eren had started to recover on his feet. In front was a wall. Apparently, Jean had a thought in his head as he shouted. "The wall!"

"Does she intend to climb over it?!" Hange asked, stunned. Her question was confirmed as Annie jumped from the ground. The Female Titan's crystal formed fingers dug deep into the stone surface. Cracks lined the wall and tiny rubbles came falling out. However, just as she was about to dig her other hand in the wall, Eren made a leap, despite missing a right leg. His teeth sunk in one of Annie's knees, both his arms wrapped around her waist to strap her. However, the girl kicked down on his face. Along with his fall, Annie's right leg came ripping off. Though, that didn't falter the girl's aim of climbing.

"No..." Armin trailed off. His blue eyes were filled with worry. "She's going to get away!"

A tiny figure joined the scene. It was only then that Freya had realized Mikasa left the group, the girl now maneuvering her way promptly ahead Annie. She was quick with cutting off the Titan's fingers off right from the knuckles, followed by the other hand, her blades shattered in the process. Freya held her breath. The drop seemed to have gone forever. That quick moment of falling seemed to haul on longer. But as the noxious plummet happened right in front of her eyes, Eren recovered. He sprung on the Female with a roar, fists breaking off Annie's limbs from total escape that even his own hands tore from his body. Lastly, Annie's head came rolling from her neck. Eren bared his teeth.

"Crap..." Hange said. "He'll eat the girl inside, too!"

"Don't, Eren!" Jean yelled. However, everyone knew that shout was nothing but a whisper to Eren. With his lacerating teeth, the Titan rived the skin from Annie's neck. The sound of skin splitting broke through, exposing daylight on Annie. A second passed. Another. Nothing had happened. A moment of anticipation as everyone waited for the move of Eren to consume the girl. Expectancy hung in the air.

"What happened?" Hange questioned.

Freya squinted, her brows knitting together as she concentrated her gaze, murmuring a response. "I'm not sure."

Blue light came flashing from the Titan's bodies. Freya winced at the sudden brightness of it growing. She held an arm above her face, narrowing her eyes to get a look at the unexpected predicament as the air around them had blew wildly, a tint of navy electricity crackling and sputtering in the breeze. Freya could feel her chest tightening, lungs suffocating that she struggled to breathe for a short second. She was having trouble getting a close look at the two Titans as she gritted her teeth together. However, beside her, Armin gasped, his voice clear in Freya's ear. "They're fusing?"

She stiffened, blinking once. Twice. Before clenching her eyelids shut, shaking her head as she gnawed at the inside of her cheek. Frustration rippled at her chest. A mix of a sigh and a groan escaping her chapped lips as she licked them wet. "That's not gonna happen." She muttered, starting off into a jog as she neared the building ledge.

"Wait–!" She could hear Hange and Armin's voice behind her, yelling out a few protests for her to stay back. But she ignored them, forcing their voices out, and listening to the shuddering roar of a Titan. Her heart dropped to her stomach as she leaped from the rooftop edge. Just before her body could crash on the ground, her wires shot out from behind, digging into the building sides and mellowed her fall. The bottom of her feet ached as she landed. Her knees shook. Bones trembled. Yet, she ignored the brutal feeling.

"It can't." A determined look fell on her features as she pumped her legs to push on further. Immediately, she slipped the sleeves of her brown, leather jacket off her shoulders, down her arms before she flung the material away, exposing her in her black shirt. Sweat clung on to her skin. The hot air quickly engulfed her entire frame as she neared. A few meters away, boots slapping against the pavement, and dodging large debris of cement from her path, she was close to the two merging Titans. With a sharp inhale of breath, she unsheathed her blades, fingers clicking on her handles as her gear hauled her forward, wires embedded on the Titans before she eventually landed behind Eren's shifted form.

"You can't die. Not now." Her hurried words to Eren drowned in the billowing wind as she seized a hold onto his back. His skin felt hot. Scorching her own flesh as she struggled to keep her balance from toppling as he squirmed. She finally understood what Armin had meant by fusing. Looking down, right from his knees and growing to his elbows, Annie's body connected with his, their skin melting together creating an unsightly mess. Panic seeped into her voice as she glanced back at Eren's face. "I need you alive!" He blared out a thunderous roar as she climbed his back to his neck. The task easier said than done.

"You hear me?" She breathed out. Her chest heaved up and down. Her head began to spin as she gripped the handle of her blades hard. She grazed her thumb against the rough material, feeling it weigh in her hand heavily, arms aching in their joints from the heat. Slowly, she raised her weapon above her head, gaze pinpointed on Eren's nape as she readied herself for the cut. Hesitant. She hated the feeling. The quick notion of weakness that consumed her body nauseated her. Clenching her jaw, her brows furrowed, gaze darkening. "You can't die!"

Just as she was about to bring her drag her weapon down, a small gasp escaped her parted lips. Her face fell, eyes catching sight of the unconscious figure laying inside the Female Titan's open nape past from Eren's shoulder. She froze. Bones rigid as her stomach churned. A cold chill ran down her spine, her skin growing numb as she couldn't move. Paralyzed into fear that crept up her body, coiling in her veins as she was struck with an unknown feeling wanting to be known. Something gnawed at the back of her head. A memory she couldn't grasp, like water slowly falling through her fingers, and dripping away in a pool of darkness that she couldn't reach. The only thing that she could feel was her heart racing against her ribcage, pounding in her ears like a deafening drum.

"Annie..." She choked out. Taunted by such a placid face. Dark lines marked underneath the young girl's closed eyes. Blonde hair framing her features. Freya's hand twitched by her side before she slowly reached forward. No words followed after from her parted lips. Enraptured eyes pinned on the young girl. Not even noticing the disperse of blue crystal forming around Annie's body, growing from the waist below, reaching her torso, detaining her arms, then covering up to her neck before face. It consumed her entire figure. Completely enclosed as a barrier of sheer solid. Yet, Freya continued to inch closer, when suddenly, something came zipping from the side and landing in front of her.

Immediately, she snapped out, blinking once. A shadow loomed over her. Slowly, she peered up. A strong back greeted filled her view. Broad shoulders taught like wire, movements quick and slicing through Eren's nape. The young boy collapsed out, landing on his back, eyes closed and unconscious. She knew that stance, somehow familiar with it. Right blade pointed outwards from their hand. Her jaw fell slightly agape. Blue meeting grey as Levi turned his head to look past his shoulder. However, before either one can let a word out, Levi's eyes widened for a fraction, seeming to realize something. Immediately, Freya could feel his arms quickly wrap around her figure as he hauled her away from her spot on his gear.

A loud blast broke through from the merging Titans. Her breath hitched in the back of her throat as all the air seemed to have left her lungs. The virile impact threw Freya away. Startled, she could hear the sound of metal wires snapping. That alone had her heart jolt, fear eating away at her insides. Quickly out of panic, her hands went around Levi's shoulders as the two had been thrusted into the air. They landed a few meters away, still feeling the wind raged on and electricity crackle as their heavy groaning mingled, their pain evident from the unfortunate land.

"Damn it..." Dazed, Freya shook her head, seething a sharp inhale of air. She attempted to stand up, push herself. But her arms collapsed, her fingertips feeling something solid lay underneath that wasn't the ground. She blinked away the blurriness of her blues. Her eyes widened with surprise. Levi mirrored her same look. Stunned as they gazed at each other. However, he was quick to recover, his grey eyes softening and something entirely else swirling in them that Freya couldn't decipher. Just beneath her palm, feeling his toned chest through the material of his grey shirt, she felt a beat skip from his chest.

"What are you doing?" She questioned in a breathy whisper. He could only stare at her face in silence, grey irises switching between her features. However, just as her question came out, another blinding light surged in the air from the Titans' bodies. Levi's arms tightened around her frame, hands on her waist before he pushed her back, rolling on the side as Freya now laid on the ground. A grunt escaped her but as she looked up, she went silent, shock swirling in her eyes as Levi hovered above her. Their heavy breathing mixed, the tip of their noses touched. She flicked her gaze to his mouth, lips parting, and his gruff voice resonating in her ears.

"I–"

The light grew brighter from the side and she clenched her eyes shut from the intensity of it. Immediately, her arms went around his neck, pulling him close, and hiding herself in shoulder to shield herself from the blinding flash. The air went hot and humid. Wind billowing that yelled in her ears. She could feel his firm body pressing against hers. Muscles clenching beneath the material of his shirt. Tentatively, his cold fingers brushed against her cheek, slowly trailing up her cheekbone before he tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. He leaned in close. His tranquil scent filled her senses. A pulse that wasn't hers thrummed loudly in her ears as he murmured. "I can't have you dying either."

A second passed. Another. She couldn't say anything. Her nerves buzzed. She couldn't decipher what corded through her veins as her stomached clenched tight. Her breathing faltered much like the wind that had died down. But his hold that he had on her didn't loosen. Tense that it seemed Levi would never let go. She didn't want him to, breathing in his calming smell with closed eyes but trembling mouth. She bit down on her bottom lip. Hard. Feeling as if she had drawn blood. He whispered again in the air. His breath tickling the shell of ear. His words embedded in her head.

"I can't."

She didn't want to let go.

•••

A once picture perfect division, Stohess District was now a ruble of demolished buildings, a harrowing town filled of calamitous history that painted brick walls. Splatter of crimson rendered on the street road of fatalities, dust and grey smoke coating the thick air, and the town's people chattering and murmurs echoing behind closed doors of their homes, leaving a dent in Wall Sina's barriers. She stood in the middle of the wreckage. Body worn as her bones wanted to melt out, drown into fragmented pieces of fatigue on the floor at the moment. She was tired. Burning. And nothing but shouts of command broke through her hearing, fighting with the constant ring resonating in her head.

She couldn't move.

The past minute or so was black, having no idea how long she stood in the middle of diminishing havoc. She watched with weary eyes. Brows furrowed at such efforts, observing the stifled flow of movement marching on the ground. The Military Police had dealt with the people, false reassurance slipping from their tongue. Survey Cadets hauled heavy debris and scrap out of roads. Off on the side, she could hear Hange's excited glee and encouragement raging on to her peers. Whilst Eren continued to lay unconscious on the ground in Mikasa and Armin's wake with Jean immersed in Annie's crystal shell. The wind continued to blow, time went on, and those around her seemed to be immersed in covering the damage.

She was lost. Confused.

"What is it?" The monotonous voice was the first thing that pulled her out of her trance. But she didn't turn to look at him. Not yet, at least. His gaze bore a hole on the side of her head. Her heart began to pound. It resounded up to a loud rhythm. One that she couldn't control. Something that had her out of focus. Her gaze went distant. Blue vision blurred. She blinked. From the corner of her eyes, she could see him near, taking a step closer before stopping. It was his voice that had her feeling so uneasy. Surprisingly gentle. Sanguine. Deep.

"I don't know." A small murmur to herself.

It was quiet with the exception of all the noise around her. She almost thought that Levi had left. Maybe uninterested with what lingered in her mind However, she didn't hear the soft click of his shoes leaving her alone. Instead, she felt his cold skin touch the left side of her neck, his thumb on her jaw that gently pushed her head to the right and look at him. Her stomach churned. Chest twinged. A soft look laid in his grey eyes. Voice firm. "Tell me."

"I..." She was even lost than before. "I just can't remember..." Her eyebrows furrowed together into confusion. Frustration evident in her features as she dug deep in her mind, "I thought..." It was a soothing tint of steel that twined in his irises. His eyes. She could only look at them. Lost for words. Staring only at something that had capture her attention. A silver arctic chill ran down her spine. It was odd. Something so bitter and piercing could be so lulling. It reminded her of something. She couldn't put a finger on it. Her head almost began to hurt.

"You thought?" He asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I can't remember." Freya looked away for a moment, staring past his head as she took a step back from him. She swallowed. Unsure about the settling qualm that had sunk in her stomach. Returning to asses her surrounding, she still had to get used to it. To the damage left behind. The responsibility sitting in her chest. A memory that lingered in her head. She fought back the voices. For a moment, she fluttered her eyelids closed, releasing a sigh. It wasn't enough. Blinking them open, a tiny surprise hit her. Taken aback, blue met grey. "You... have it."

"It'd be a waste not to use it." Nonchalant. Sounding as if it was nothing. Her green cape laid in his pale hands. Neatly folded to a square. Looking new. Untouched. She wasn't sure why she felt so stunned. So cold. The breeze feeling as if it grew stronger. A stubborn strand of blonde hair flew in front of her face, tickling her brows. His arms went behind her. She stiffened. Her shoulders taught like wire before a warm comfort engulfed her back. He wouldn't look her in the eyes as he finished with the button. Her cape now on her as she gnawed on the insides of her cheek. His hands fumbled with her collar straight. Freya contained a smile.

"Right." She looked down at his work. His hands. Back at pulling one collar straight from a fold. "So where does this leave me?"

"I think you already know the answer to that." Levi dropped his hands by his sides, clenching them tight.

She peered back at him, tilting her head to the right. Confusion settled back on to her features. "I don't understand you."

"I dislike a pointless death." It wasn't enough. He knew that it wasn't. Contrition. It nearly submerged him because of it. He saw the discontent fill her wide eyes because of it. Her eyebrows twitch into dismay and vexation. His stare lingered on her mouth. Teeth sinking down her bottom lip, tugging on the soft flesh. Hard. He flicked his gaze back to her eyes.

"You say these things, and I–" A laugh. Light and airy. Forced out of her lungs as her chest heaved. "I have no idea what they mean and..." Her lips wavered, much like her words. The simple smile she had faltered, curling down.

"I don't know what you want." This had his mind muddled.

"I'm trying." Her frown never seemed to drift away. Stuck on her features. A never ending emotion coursed through her. She gritted her teeth, having no idea why she seemed stuck on the ground. Glued to certain thoughts that she was sure she would never discover an answer to. A pang hit her chest. Her voice swelled in her throat. Her eyes burned. She blinked. "I really am, but you make it so hard to understand."

"Then I'll help you understand." Something laid beneath his words. She couldn't decipher what it was. But he sounded so sure. Genuine and transparent. He took a step forward. Cold fingers held her chin, forcing her to gaze back at him. His eyes glinted. Grey turning into steel. Cold. Tongue sharp. His scent drifted into the hot air. He couldn't breathe. His chest tightened. He leaned in close, an inch or two separating them. He murmured. "All you have to do is ask."

I cant.

His words from moments ago echoed in the back of her head. A whisper that tingled her ears. A promise that she couldn't forget. She could still feel his arms engulf her entire body, clutching her tight that he wouldn't let go. It sounded so simple. Untrue to her ears. She couldn't keep up with her racing heart. Forcing it to a steady beat. A thousand thoughts ran in her head. Whispers dispersed on each word. Uneasiness and fear. A dangerous mix that coursed through. She stared at him for a long moment. A pause. Mind contemplating. The silence between them dragged on.

"Who am I to you?"

•••

— AUTHOR NOTE —

my writing is dying istg. i feel like i'm writing too much for each paragraph LMAO but i'm just so picky with the details. i'm honestly just relieved to reach season 2 and this was the last chapter for act one! thank you guys so much for the support and the 30k reads. honestly so grateful that you guys stayed for the update it means a lot!