xx. AMIDST COMITY AND LIES

episode 30: southwestward

CHAPTER TWENTY

AMIDST COMITY AND LIES

•••

"What the hell happened here?"

The morning sun had just stirred between impending mountains off from the stretching grass field the moment that they had turned up to Utgard Castle. It had been an abandoned tower located to the southwest near a wall perimeter from what Hange stated as she led the squad through the evening night till daybreak. Though from what Freya could observe with narrowed eyes and her mouth going dry, she couldn't help but ask the question underneath her breath. Her hands clenched tight around her horse's reins as their pace didn't slow, following head on to the drumming chaos that now transpired in front of her.

Titans. She couldn't count how many there were. They surrounded the area, searching for their next meal. A few had already fallen and evaporated. Much like the stone building that now lay a rubble and wreckage on the ground, particles of dust coating the air that it was hard to tell if it were even a castle anymore. Boulders littered their path. Though, she wasn't certain where it had come from. She could see how it took most horses down, the weight of it crushing them dead and even parts of scout bodies, their limbs hanging out with splintered bones. It almost looked like as if a war had occurred.

"Have the others disperse and cover the area!" Hange trotted her horse to look at the cadets behind her. "The rest of us will attack where the Titans are gathering!" Freya nodded at the plan, turning her head to the right where Eren rode beside her, wanting to let him know that they wouldn't split. However, a blur of green whirred past her vision. The sound of wires hummed as Eren disappeared from sight. His frame responsive to move, frenzied and hurried as he soared in the air. Hange yelled at the boy. "Hey! We don't need you to be a part of the attack!"

Freya sat straight, both her eyebrows shot up in amusement. "I'm sure he can handle it, Hange."

It had only been a few feet away. The distance extensive enough for her to watch and observe. Eren was quick. Evident to be buzzing with anticipation as he droned in front of a Titan without hesitancy. The Titan wasn't hostile. Wasn't that much responsive as it continued to walk in nowhere particular. His wire sunk right into it's neck as he circled it before advancing. Sight set on it's back. Then came the kill. Blades through the neck. Hot blood poured. A beaming smile broke out on his face as he looked back at the Titan.

"I did it! My first–!" Metal grappling hooks came colliding as his attention was diverted from focusing on his land. A yelp escaped him as his wires became a tangled mess. Ironically enough, Freya watched as he and the Titan both rolled on the ground with a heavy thud.

Pulling on the reins of her horse at a stop, the blonde woman clicked her tongue. "Nevermind."

"You moron! I told you to stay back, Eren!" An officer from Hange's squad, Keiji, a man who sported a buzzcut and a glare that seemed to have never left his face, yelled at the boy as he whirred past him.

"Right, I'm sorry!" Sitting up from the fall, Eren loudly apologized after him with wide eyes before turning his head to his left shoulder, rubbing at the sore spot with a frown. "Ouch..." After everything that he had been through in Stohess, Freya would have thought that a little bruise wouldn't have affect him so much. It was ridiculous, all the while humoring as he sat there small on the grass. However, a few meters away from his back stood a shadow. With its large and barred teeth, it's plans were plain and evident as it began to jog.

Hopping off her horse in brisk motions, Freya started towards a run. Her hands went to her sides, palms enclosing around the handle of her blades as her fingers clicked on the controller. Her wires shot out and the grappling dug itself to the Titan's side, right where its ribcage would have been if it had one. Leaping from the grass, she hauled her body towards the air, gaining momentum and angling the ends of her blades on its nape. The cut of flesh sounded familiar to her ears, ripping and tearing yet precise as her boots came in contact back on the ground, the Titan following after behind her.

It felt different. Different than a leather nape on wooden cutouts in training. Better than a story that she would hear from a stranger. It was somehow rectifying to be able to defeat a Titan after running from one for so long. Although, she knew that she was in no state to even take on two or three at the same time, she reveled in the buzz of it, the thrill and improbable spur from the take. Her fingers twitched by her sides as she sheathed back her blades, hands rattling against the smooth handle before she clenched them tight.

Sighing a breath at the brief rush of adrenaline that shot through her, she turned to Eren. Wide and green eyes met her blue gaze, his mouth hanging open as she walked towards him. Ignoring is stare that bore a hole on her cheek, she wrapped a hand around his bicep, urging him to stand. "Come on, get up before any more of them spots us."

He seethed out sharply, wincing. "Other arm–!"

"Right, right... Of course." Freya mumbled, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at his somewhat dramatic fuss. She was aware of him and his healing abilities as a Titan, but she didn't bother mentioning it as he gradually stood up. She sighed, patting off the green leaves that stuck to the back of his hood.

"Freya!"

"Eren." His abrupt call to her had her eyes widen, alarmed that there would be another Titan ready to charge behind her and attack as she gripped the handle of her blades once more. "Wha–"

Before she could complete her question, he exclaimed with an excited grin. "Our first kill!"

He seemed practically joyous, pleased with the fact and cheery with his words. It almost looked like his arms would envelope her any seconds into a tight and crushing hug, but he didn't. His eyes only seemed to gleam brighter, a laugh escaping him that it surprised Freya. It sounded genuine to her ears, no longer uneasy and nervous, but mellow. Her jaw went agape, features softening. "Yeah, I guess it was." She cleared her throat as she witnessed the turn of his lips, a smile on his face as he peered at her. "What you did was stupid. Don't leave me, alright? I don't need you running around and into dang–"

"Eren!" A voice suddenly called from the distance. Turning her head to the right, she surprisingly spotted Connie emerging from the rubble smoke as the young boy waved his hand in the air, gaining their attention. It seemed that he had been able to survive the wreckage. Though, behind him followed two other cadets. Their figures coming into view as Bertolt and Reiner joined Connie, two girls missing from the sight from what Freya noticed.

"You guys!" Eren stumbled his way towards them.

Resisting the urge to groan, Freya yelled after him. "What did I just say?"

The raw stench of evaporating skin and Titan blood was hard to ignore by the time Hange's squad and Mikasa had eliminated most of the threats around the area. They were keen on the task, not a single casualty taken and their gas had been sustained. As for Freya and the rest, as soon as they heard that they were clear from the ceased chaos, it didn't take long to find two girls hidden within the center of the fallen castle grounds, a report that they were finally spotted. Everyone had been heedful. Quiet and alone with their thoughts as they watched.

"It can't be." Armin had been the first to speak, seeming to say what lingered on everyone's mind. "Ymir is..."

Body torn and bones peaking from the cut, it was a sight all too familiar to her. She could visible see spurts of intestines crawl out from an open stomach, an arm gone, and leg seeming to be pulled out right from its knee. Yet, Ymir blinked once, conscious despite the damage that lay on her figure. Eyes fluttered open, slow and serene, her gaze coming to lock on Krista. The girl held onto Ymir. Soft strokes of her hand brushed a strand of brown hair from Ymir's red-lined cheek. A mark that didn't go unnoticed from the group that surrounded them.

"You're telling me after all that she's still alive?" Freya muttered incredulously. She felt a soft nudge on to her side, a jab to her ribs that she turned her head towards the source. Mikasa shook her head.

"Ymir..." Softly, Krista began. "My real name is Historia."

•••

It wasn't long before there was an order to clamber the nearest wall for a moment to decide the next move by Hange. It had still been morning. Although, grey clouds loomed the sky, the wind had often come and go. She didn't expect that there would be much to see as Freya reached the top of the wall. However, an endless path of train tracks marked the surface. Fragmented and deficient, wood broken and metal rusting. Red flags were placed on the side, holding up by metal sticks but the clothe were nothing but torn and ragged. She didn't bother asking where it had came from or what it operated for as cadets around her began on their work.

The only known survivors from Utgard Castle had been Connie, Bertolt, Reiner, Historia, and Ymir. The latter somehow a Titan from what Freya gathered. Metal gears creaked in her ears from the wooden lifts implemented off to the side, cadets hauling the five teenagers up considering that they didn't have their gear. Connie had been the first to climb, rambling with Sasha as Historia had been the next. As of right now, Freya watched as Moblit yelled a command, Ymir being pulled up on a stretcher, two scouts behind lugging the rope.

In front of her, Eren kneeled on the edge of the wall, eager eyes observing. "How's Ymir? What sort of shape is she in?"

"Her right arm and leg were bitten off, and her insides are beaten like scrambled eggs. If she was normal, she'd be dead for sure." Keiji commented as he sauntered past the boy.

"If she was normal, huh?" Eren murmured.

"So there's more of you?" Freya voiced out, something hostile and uncertain in her tone. Despite the odm gear that was strapped to her waist, frankly, she refused to inch herself near the side of the wall, choosing to stand in the center after regarding the distance between her and the ground, her nerves pulling her to stand stringent. "That's just... great."

Slowly, Eren walked back to her side. "Freya..."

She squinted at him, arms crossing over her chest before looking away, gaze set on the view. "Eren."

"Back in Stohess District..." He cleared his throat, bringing a hand behind his neck and rubbing anxiously. "I never did say thank you. You know... about–"

"I didn't save you." Immediately, she cut him off. "I wouldn't have even gotten out of there if it wasn't for–" It was hot. Skin suddenly searing and warm despite the drifting breeze as her cheeks reddened, flushed and suddenly reminded of taught and rigid muscles and arms around her waist, a sculpted chest beneath her hand, and heart beating against her chest. She bit down hard on the insides of her cheek. "I didn't save you."

"But in the forest with the Female Titan, you–"

"Not even close."

"They said you carried me when everyone regrouped–"

"Doesn't mean I saved you."

"Then–"

"Humanity's Strongest Soldier saved you, got that? Not me." There was a mocking hint in her voice as she said the title, a slight roll of her eyes as it came out her mouth. It was obvious to see the annoyance raising in her features at the slight mention of their Captain.

Eren swallowed. "He did break his leg for me."

"He deserved it."

"Why?" Eren tilted his head to the side, hearing the dark tone of her words.

She inhaled a deep breath. A forced and tight smile on her lips as sarcasm dripped in her words, opting for a different answer. "He made us clean the stables."

"I cleaned the stables."

She waved a hand. "It was a group effort."

From the corner of her eyes, she could see a smile threaten to form on his face. "Still, not a lot of people would try and–"

"Yeah, well, not a lot of people would sign up for this job."

"You saved me awhile ago." He pointed out.

"I have to." She said softly. "And you were an idiot for even leaving me."

"But we had our first kill together."

A breathy chuckle escaped her. "You're not going to let that go, are you?"

He shook his head, firm and eyes closed before silence took over them. He straightened his back, standing tall and face serious as a second passed. Another. With a minute of quietness settling between them, Eren spoke once more. "I never asked..."

"Then don't?"

"What happened to your parents?"

She found herself lodged between a battle in her head, warring and perpending over the question. For the last few years, she never did think about it. Didn't want to. Had no need to. It might as well have been a memory that she could 've easily neglected. Yet, it was there, prevailing and lingering in the back of her mind. "My old man killed himself. I guess he couldn't handle having a kid like me in the house." She licked her lips, the lie slipping past her mouth with ease. "And my mother, she..." Hand-written letters. Words. It circled her thoughts. She answered honestly this time. "She was just gone."

Eren didn't push the details, nerved with guilt. But he couldn't stop himself. "Do you have any siblings?"

"One." She sighed. Eren opened his mouth, although Freya had already guessed his thoughts. "Don't bother asking what happened. Trying to find the answers was what got me landing here in the first place."

He took in the new information, before humming at a spare thought as if pondering a life different from this. "I never had any siblings."

"What about Armin?" She asked. For some reason, she couldn't find it in herself to say Mikasa. She didn't think of it further.

"He's my best friend." Eren clarified.

"And?" She fought off a smile. "What's the difference?"

Slowly, he nodded, continuing. "My father is still out there. I think."

"You think?"

"My mother..." It was then she could hear the faint falter in his voice. He swallowed heavily. "The day the Walls fell, she, uh, she didn't– the house, it came... and I-I couldn't–"

She clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. Freya didn't need to see how difficult it was for him to tell her this. Albeit she never asked, she didn't exactly stop him. A part of her had been curious, wanting to have an idea of the boy she was tasked on shielding. However, she cut him off, understanding as she guessed. "Titan?"

He nodded once more. "She was kind and caring... and scary, she would've liked you."

"I don't think she would appreciate a person like me being around her son."

"She died protecting me." He suddenly told her. Freya stayed quiet for a moment, lips pursed at the statement. Brows furrowed in thought. She was hit with something uneasy, nauseating her body that she gnawed the insides of her cheek. She blew a long breath.

"Are you telling me that I'm gonna die, too?"

"N-No!" His green eyes widened, face twisted in realization as he frantically shook his head. He was a stuttering mess, words jumbled as he struggled to form a coherent sentence. "No! I didn't mean–It just... T-That's not what I'm trying to say!" Red crept up from his neck, cheeks suddenly flushed as he stared at her with honest eyes. "I just want you to be safe!"

She couldn't contain it. Her laugh was light. The corner of her eyes crinkled in amusement as she slightly threw her head back in humor, shoulders shaking before she stifled her sound to a snicker. Shaking her head with a grin, she turned to face him. "I'm not going anywhere, Eren."

"But you want to. I know you want to leave." He mumbled weakly. Dismay and disappointment filled his green eyes as he flicked his gaze away from hers. Taught shoulders went rigid and down, posture falling in a heavy slump as he pressed his lips together into a thin line, seeming to brush off the frown that settled on his face.

Freya couldn't deny him as he was right. She did want to leave, more than anything. It wasn't often that the two would get to talk so candidly. She didn't mind it, however. It was short and curt. Somewhat honest and fair on his part, telling her things she didn't know. It was easy. Simple. Her thoughts drifted to a pair of grey eyes before pushing them away as Eren's words rounded back to her. A mother who died protecting her son. It sounded like a story biding to be replicated in her ears. Freya's stomach churned. "Why are you telling me this?"

He froze. "I..."

A part of her didn't want to hear it. Admittedly, it terrified her to know. She didn't give him a second to answer as she leaned down to his level, ducking her head low and hands on his shoulders, blue meeting green. "Listen here, Eren. As long as you're alive and breathing, I'm still going to be here whether I like it or not. How many siblings I have doesnt matter. Whether or not I have a family isn't important. I don't care how many limbs you lose as long as that keeps beating." The tip of her pointer finger settled directly right by his heart. "As far as I'm aware, the second you die, my life is over. So, again, I'm not going anywhere."

He was stubborn. Hands curled by his sides. Head turned away from her as his frown deepened, grumbling. "But you do have a family."

She shook her head. "My family died a long time ago."

"You have one." There was a look in his eye that she couldn't decipher. His tone was insisting. Persistent. Somehow convinced.

"Do me a favor, Eren." Her voice went low, gaze went past his shoulder, peering at the two individuals that lingered a few feet away. Bertolt had only finished climbing over the wall, his tall frame moving to assist Reiner that followed next. She glanced back at Eren. "Keep yourself out of trouble, got that?" The green eyed boy's silent but firm nod was enough for her to accept as she reached over his head, hand ruffling his brown hair as she stood straight. "Good."

Almost as if her words hadn't registered completely in his head, Eren turned around, heading towards the edge of the wall where Reiner struggled to climb over with an injured right arm, even with the help of Bertolt. He leaned over, figure hunched as he offered a hand. "Reiner. Grab on."

Reiner accepted, reaching for Eren's extended hand. "Right."

Freya scoffed.

With the few disapproving stares and contentious scowls that Freya had made at the sight of Eren making conversation with Bertolt and Reiner, she credibly failed to take notice of the two figures making their way towards her.

"Please, believe me. I'm telling the truth! Ymir transformed into a Titan to fight off the other Titans and save us. She did so with no regard for her own life, which proves her loyalty to us, her comrades." Historia had been frantic the moment they settled at the top of the wall, not once stopping to explain the situation they found themselves in the prior night with Titans evading the stationed cabin when the rest had been in Stohess, proceeded by passing through an Connie's empty village, before settling down in the castle where Titans had evaded, all ending to her defending an unconscious Ymir.

"I see." Hange replied beside the girl. They stopped their short walk just beside Freya who continued to shake her head lightly in disappointment, unaware. "Obviously, I hope we can build a trusting relationship with her, right, Freya?"

The sudden call of her name had Freya averting her attention to Hange, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "What?"

The two stood in front of her. Their stares were direct, blinking and quiet before Historia continued. Blue met blue. "Ymir is an ally of humanity. I know her better than anybody. She's a much simpler person than she looks."

It was silent as Freya shifted on one foot the other, unsure on how to respond and confused as to why she was suddenly a part of their conversation. Quickly, she glanced at Hange. The woman only smiled brightly, nodding at her. Freya sighed. "Simple isn't the word I'd use."

"Okay, it's true that her judgement until now is unforgivable. After all, she may know things useful to humanity and yet she kept quiet about it!" Historia explained, rambling as if she was shackled in court. "I imagine she didn't say anything in order to protect herself. But... now she's a changed person."

"Her judgement aside, the information she holds might be useful for us to help humanity, right?" Once again, Hange directed the question to Freya.

The blonde shot her an incredulous stare. "Do I look like I'm doing this for humanity?"

Hange nodded positively. "You know..." She took a step forward, swiveling on her heel before resting her left elbow on Freya's shoulder, leaning against the woman, with her hips jutted out and a thumb resting under her chin. "Simple person or not, this world becomes more of a confusing mess with every passing day. You said your real name was Historia Reiss?"

"Yes, that's right." Hesitantly, Historia answered.

Stifling the urge to shift to the side and have Hange drop, Freya only quirked an eyebrow. "Reiss, as in that noble family?"

"Yes."

The two adults shared a look.

There was an enigmatic missive that relayed between the two, thoughts vague, unclear as a fogged up mirror, knowing that the name had only held weight and significance. In Freya's mind, the only notion that came to her was a price. Numbers etched in her brain, a reward for a find. Regardless of her position in the Survey Corps, she wasn't going to forget any time soon that she was bounty hunter. Though thoughts similar to that was something she had to hold off for the time being. A smirk formed on her face.

"I see. Nice to meet you, Historia." Pushing herself off Freya, Hange began to stalk away after giving an acknowledging nod to the girl. Freya didn't question her leave, now faced with the quiet girl standing in front of her.

"So what made you run away? Coming from a noble family, you must've gotten everything you wanted." Freya began, eyes glinting something hidden beneath them.

"I didn't– I... I didn't want to." Historia mumbled, tone unsure and confused.

She squinted. "But joining the Survey Corps was your choice?"

A single nod.

She was intrigued. Curious. "Out of all the names, why hide behind Krista?"

"I'm still figuring it out."

Freya grinned. "Me, too."

Ignoring the perplexed look Historia made, the wind had picked up. Torn flags set around her reared in the air before falling low. A shiver dragged down on her spine from the unsteady and changing temperature. She flickered her eyes to Historia. A thought passed through her head. Pursing her lips tight, Freya began to unbutton her cape, unveiling it from her shoulders before settling it down on her arm. Her scouts jacket followed soon after, pulling down on the sleeves. "Here."

"No!" Historia released a shaky breath, shaking her head. "I don't need it."

Dragging her gaze down on the girl's attire, Freya couldn't help but notice the white polo blouse that clung on her frame. It was thin, sheer and fitted that was cinched around her waist, tucked into a pale pink skirt that fell above her knees, the seams jagged and torn that it wasn't hard to guess where the rest of it was used judging from the makeshift sling on Reiner's injured arm. The girl visibly shuddered from the cold. Freya had no use for the extra layer. That and she didn't want to dwell on the dawdling stare Reiner sent to Historia's back from time to time. Freya clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. "For both our sake, just wear it."

Wordlessly with a recessive hand, Historia took the jacket, arms slipping through each sleeve and the cuffs ending just by her knuckles before she eventually took the cape. The green material settled seamlessly on her shoulders, hands fumbling to clasp the tiny button close. Pulling her hair back from the collar, Historia peered back at the woman with wide and blue eyes, meekly murmuring. "Thank you."

Slowly, Freya nodded, blinking impassively as she folded the cuffs of her black shirt just below her elbows, all the while Hange spoke a few feet away with her squad members, announcing. "Is everyone clear? We'll deal with Ymir later. And Connie..." Hse turned to the boy that stood behind her. "I'll arrange for a Scout squad to investigate your village later. For the time being, I want you to focus on the mission to fix the wall. Understood?"

"Got it." Connie said just as he stood beside Ymir's unconscious figure.

"Still..." Hange placed both her hands on her hips. Historia had sauntered back to Ymir, kneeling beside the girl as Hange returned back to Freya's side. "I expected this place to be swarming with Titans."

"Don't tell me your actually sad about it?" Freya questioned.

"Maybe."

Hearing galloping horses below, Freya peered past Hange's shoulder to take a peak on the sound. Three uniformed scouts were set off towards their direction on their horses, riding on the grass field, seeming to be in a rush. Squinting, she promptly distinguished the two large and red roses embedded on their scouts jacket, vines intertwining between and leaves adorning around it. The Garrison Regiment. There was a tall man who led the two scouts behind him. Short hair and blonde with a thin mustache. His brown eyes peered up. Mikasa spoke, recognition flashing in her eyes. "Hannes?"

"You know him?" Freya asked as she turned her head to the once silentl girl.

"His unit was stationed in Shiganshina to protect the Walls back then." Armin answered.

"Well, he didn't do a very good job." Freya muttered. She then felt a familiar nudge to her side as Mikasa had elbowed her once again. Facing the girl in curiosity, Mikasa shot the blonde woman a stern stare, eyes narrowed in caution that Freya had only shrugged, brows furrowing as she questioned the look, somewhat unaware and insolent. "What?"

"It's the Garrison's advance squad. They came to tell us where the hole is." Hange announced as everyone huddled close to the edge of the wall, ready to wait for the man to climb.

As soon as Hannes' head had surfaced the top, an arm held him by the edge as he grunted a heavy exhale. The tip of everyone's boots filled his view. "There's no hole anywhere." He started. "We spent all night looking for it but at least between Trost and Krolva District, there's nothing wrong with the wall."

Hange frowned. "What'd you say?"

"We bumped into soldiers from Krolva and retraced our steps." He continued as Eren had lent a hand, hauling him up and forward before he properly stood straight. "We haven't seen any Titans the whole way here."

"But we know for sure there's Titans on this side of the wall." Armin stated.

"Did you actually look?" Eren asked. "Are you sure you're not drunk?"

"I didn't drink." Hannes said, offended before taking a step back. His eyes regarded the three youngsters in front of him. "Wait, why are all of you here anyways?" No one answered his question, not a single individual in the group keen on the idea of sharing their true intentions.

"If there's no hole in the wall, so be it. For now, we're falling back to Trost district!" Hange announced.

Freya inhaled a breath. "Finally."

"Aren't you...?" Hearing the question, Freya turned to Hannes. The man stared at her with confused eyes, eyebrows scrunched as the few wrinkles and lines on his face deepened. The blonde woman waved a hand dismissively. Without asking further, Hannes returned his attention to the three teenagers. "Whatever you do, don't let your guard down. We're going back ahead of you." Dropping back down from the wall, he stooped low with his gear, joining back to his unit on the ground as he left.

"There's nothing wrong with the wall?" Eren hummed.

"What could this mean?" Armin raised a finger under his chin, thinking. "There's been nothing like this in five years. Why is it all happening now?"

"The world is getting more and more out of hand." Sasha commented as Freya stalked past her and Armin, nodding in a silent agreement.

Falling in line with Hange to her right, Freya could hear the dejected sigh fall from the woman's lips. "Oh no... What if there's a Titan that dug a hole underneath the wall?"

"The hole will be hard to find in that case." Moblit added from the other side of Hange.

Freya snapped her head to the pair. "Do you two hear yourselves right now? A hole digging Titan?"

"It's not impossible!" Hange flailed her hands in the air, nearly knocking into Moblit.

"You and your mind..." She shook her head, somewhat in disbelief.

"You say it like that's a bad thing." The lens of Hange's goggles glinted.

"It's not." The thought had Freya pondering for a second. She shrugged. "Maybe. I'm not sure yet."

"You'll figure it out soon." A grin tugged on Hange's lips as her arm went around the blonde's shoulder. Grip tight to pull Freya into her side. Hange tilted her chin up, gaze facing the sky as her posture slackened, at ease as however had gone Freya tensed, a crease forming between her brows. "Right now, we need to focus on getting Ymir back safely.

"Even with our horses, we still have to worry about Titans." Moblit reminded.

Shrugging off Hange's arm with a roll of her shoulders, Freya cleared her throat, ignoring the bright gleam in Hange's eyes. "I guess it's a good thing we've got our own then, right, Er–" A pause. Immediately, she noticed the apparent absence of a boy that was supposed to be trailing behind her. "Eren?" Looking behind her, Sasha, Armin, and Mikasa met her gaze. The three youngsters stopped, confused with the stare before they eventually realized who the blonde woman had been looking for. Her gaze went past their heads, eyes narrowing in scrutiny as she felt Hange and Moblit stop beside her.

Eren remained to stay still on his spot, only this time his attention had been diverted to Reiner and Bertolt. Their mouths moved. Words inaudible with the distance between them. Expressions unreadable for Freya to determine.

Armin waved an arm. "Hey! We're leaving!"

Between them, no one had moved. Carefully, Freya took a step towards them. Another. Slowly dragging her steps with ease and caution, head tilted as a dark look casted on her features. She strained her ears to listen, fingers twitching by her sides, itching for a blade.

"It's too late now. I don't know what's right anymore. But the only choice for me now is to face the consequences of my actions..." Reiner declared lowly. "And as a warrior to fulfill my duty to the bitter end."

"Reiner." Bertolt said. "Are we doing it? Now? Right here?"

"We settle this... right here, right now." With large strides, Reiner began to approach Eren.

Mikasa was swift on her feet. A blur of green and black. Cape whirling in the air. Her weapon glinted, raised and truculent high up before it came barring down, suddenly behind Reiner in a surprise. Her blades ran deep against his raised arm, sliding down against his side as red sputtered out in the open. She was light on her toes. Quick to move and retreat as she said. "Eren, move!" The green eyed boy was frozen.

She took a step back before storming to Bertolt who wasn't prepared as anticipated. Reaction slow as a sharp cut appeared on his neck. He stumbled back, falling and seeming to hold the blood that spilled from his throat, strangled sounds coming from his open mouth. Bringing a foot down on Bertolt's chest to hold him down, Mikasa was set on piercing her weapon in him. However, Reiner charged forward, his body slamming against the girl as she toppled off to the side and edge of the wall. The impact was strong. Their bodies colliding as Mikasa disappeared from view. The sound of her gears turning resonated as her wires caught her before she could fall far.

It wasn't the scent of copper that unsettled Freya to the very bone, or the drop of crimson that trickled on grey cement. It was the abrupt reminder that circled her head knowing that the people in front of her were were nothing more than young teenagers in a war amidst comity and lies, one that she knew she couldn't stop.

Her eyes widened. Chest tightening as bile rose in her throat. Freya couldn't understand it. The red that seeped from open wounds would have them staggering, falling in pain, yelling. The two boys were only determined. Back on their feet. Somehow resolved and unfaltering, cuts from their body gone within a second as they recovered. A whisper in the back of her head told her she knew what it meant. There was only one plausible reason. She couldn't comprehend why it was so difficult to even accept it. Yet, it was there. In front of her gaze. Through the rearing wind, a spark of yellow wreathed around the two boys' figures. Swallowing heavily, Freya blinked once. Twice. She shook her head.

And then she was running.

Her heavy gear hauled her to a slow. She was half tempted to discard it on the ground, but the clear danger that reflected from a pair of green eyes caught her off guard. A crease formed between Eren's brows as his gaze connected with Freya's. They were wide and filled with uncertainty. Startled with what was happening as a sleek shine of gloss settled in them, tears threatening to spill. Lost and hurt. She could see it no matter how hard he poorly fought to conceal them. The flash of betrayal coming on his features, staring at her as if she knew what to do in a situation like this, silently asking her to tell him. Her heart constricted in her chest. She didn't know.

Running beside her, Armin shouted. "Eren, get out of there!"

It was as if something had compelled her to still continue. Her legs pushing on the ground. Yet, the distance between them seemed to stretch, her vision growing farther and endless as time clicked. But the growing light had her pace slip for a second. It grew brighter. More lambent. She would've mistaken it for the sun if it weren't for the grey haze looming above their heads. She could almost feel it on her skin. Sparking on her flesh, needles stinging on the surface as she watched. A bright and all familiar yellow light glinting against the tint of her blues irises. The sound of brazen crackling thunders grew in her ears. Eyes widening, her breathing faltered.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

•••

— AUTHOR NOTE —

ngl i kinda had fun writing eren and freya here also i got so confused writing bertolt's names and wrote it bertholdt a few times. ik any would work but don't forget to vote for our burrito