xxi. WARRIORS IN DISGUISE

episode 31 : warrior

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

WARRIORS IN DISGUISE

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Gritting thunder belled in her ears as the sound surged in her trembling nerves, vibrating her bones to a threatening shudder. A spree of yellow lightning struck the ground in front of her, charging from the sky and impinging the surface. It was bright, blinding as it limned her vision unvarnished white. Eyes clenched shut, she raised an arm over her face. The harrowing wind was virile, drifting like a hurricane that impended to push her back. The sole of her boots scraped the ground, sliding an inch back, then another as she dug her heel down. Imminently, it wasn't enough to stop the swirling gust from heaving her body in the air.

It forced her back, balance toppling the moment her shoes lost contact with the ground. A gasp escaped her parted mouth from the weightless feeling, heart rattling, with her breath knocked out of her chest, body a few inches off the floor. Broken wooden crates and pebbles flitted rashly past and behind her, nearly colliding into her figure in the process as cadets tumbled on their feet, individuals knocking into one another and rolling back. Freya was rammed a few feet behind before eventually finding her footing on the surface, knees slightly bent and stance firm. Squinting her gaze, bright and yellow eyes met her blues.

She craned her head up, even taking the risk to bring a single step back to peer at its large and towering size. Her body stiffened. Mouth suddenly dry. It was difficult to swallow the large lump lodged in her throat as her jaw fell agape.

The Colossal Titan was huge, scaling over her like a monument tower, shadow casting from above. Her posture staggered, legs faltering to heave her body up as shock coursed through her veins. It paralyzed her. Still and passive as the Titan's body continued to configure complete. Electricity convulsed across her skin at the sight. Bones, large and bleak as it sprouted from its lower waist, almost like a cage that dug into either sides of the wall as it transformed, holding their form stable. It's tendons and muscles were exposed, having no skin. A skeleton that loomed above. Its beady and yellow irises glinted before the smoke cleared, revealing Bertolt's sunken and brown eyes.

She was stuck in a trance, stricken with fear that it rattled her insides, sick to her stomach as it clawed her heart to pound against her ears. She couldn't believe it, mind running to even process the transformation. However, there wasn't much time to think, thoughts fleeting in a dark corner in her head. Pitch black and hollow, dimmed that she didn't realize what she was doing until something caught her gaze from the corner of her eyes, witnessing a familiar stretcher coarse with the blaring wind, dragging an unconscious Ymir along.

She didn't hear the sound of metal digging in concrete as she sheathed her handle grips, only a whirring howl that nipped her skin when her grappling hooks connected with the ground. She wasn't sure where the sudden intrepidness had come from when she lightly pushed herself off her toes, letting the wind take action and haul her up a few spaces above with her wires holding her in place. Her eyes never left Ymir's figure, licking her lips in steady anticipation as it came to a near. Seeing the wooden stretcher come to a close, her hand reached above her head and her fingers curled around the stretcher's frame. However, the impact and pace of it rapidly moving broke free from her feeble grip, brutally ramming against her fingertips and flying behind her.

She gasped. "No!"

Freya could've sworn she heard the quick snap of bones crack in her left hand and fingers, knuckles feeling split and cut open in between. Splinters of wood grubbed in her skin and palm, crimson dotting from the wound as she clutched her hand to her chest, seething at the sharp sting. Fresh and wet tears formed at the rim of her eyes. With the cold and slapping wind, it disappeared just as it came. Eyes widening, her grappling hooks broke free from the concrete, clashing together before barreling straight in her gear that it slammed her back. She tumbled on the surface, rolling on her sides that her head spun, vision blurry when a hand gripped her wrist, catching her.

Ignoring the ache that shot at her shoulder from it almost being pulled out of its socket, Freya glanced up. Blue met blue. Historia released a shaky breath as her left arm struggled to hold her and Freya together, fingers curled around a crevice in the ground as her right hand went cold around Freya's wrists. She blinked. She peered up at the sky as the Colossal Titan's hand hovered above them. For a second, Freya had gone worried. Prepared for it to crush her and Historia gone when it reached for Ymir's stretcher.

"Ymir!" Historia called.

With gritted teeth, Freya forced herself to a stand. She hauled Historia up beside her, a hand around the girl's waist before the two could be flung. However, Historia took a step, almost a second away from running. Her hands reached forward as the Colossal Titan enclosed his fingers around his palm, Ymir no longer in sight. "Ymir!"

Freya slithered an arm around the girl's stomach and held her back. "You can't!"

"But she–!"

"Eren!"

It was Armin who shouted the name. Attention turned to the green-eyed boy who dangled off the side of the wall. A leg raised on the surface, and an arm held him up for support. It was only then that Freya witnessed another Titan emerge behind Bertolt's Colossal frame. It was tall, nothing compared to its companion, but intimidating nonetheless. Plates of skin covered its body. Casted like a shield over its inured muscles as it reached for Eren. Fingers wrapped around the boy's lower body, holding him tight before heaving itself off the wall. Together, the two fell. Until an all too familiar roar erupted from below.

Freya couldn't see it. But she heard it. The loud crash and rumble of the grass below was loud. Soil pattered and granites of rocks tumbled as leaves of tall trees rustled. She couldn't bring herself to look, stunned at the battle cry that Eren's Titan form released that it reached her bones. A shiver dragged out from her spine that she didn't notice it at first. The Colossal Titan raised an arm, recoiling it back, ready to wipe whatever was set out for him to see. In front of her, Hange warned loudly. "Everyone, jump away from the wall!"

Almost immediately, Freya gripped the handle of her blades as Historia wrapped an arm behind Freya's neck. Frail fingers clung tight on her shoulders. Blonde hair brushed against her cheek. She impelled herself to fall from the side of the wall, holding her breath at the leap. At the same time, the Colossal Titan's hand advanced down, batting and flinging soldiers like flies in plodding motions. It was enough for Freya to maneuver away, her wires coming out to catch her against the wall in time just where the other scouts had retreated.

Historia's voice was blaring against Freya's ear. She pointed to the Colossal Titan. "It got Ymir!"

"And somebody else, too!" Keiji observed. No one could see who the unfortunate soldier that was being held under the Colossal Titan's grip. Upper body hidden beneath its large thumb. Legs thrashing wildly. The Titan's jaw clambered open. Teeth bared. Without hesitance, it threw Ymir and the cadet inside its mouth before clamping shut, heavy like a creaking gate.

Landing just above Freya, Sasha swallowed uneasily. "Th-This can't be..."

"Bertolt..." Devastation radiated from Armin.

"O-Oh, okay–" Freya found herself to be distracted. Mind elsewhere other than the 60 meters Titan that just perched idly a few feet away. Frays of her blonde hair tickled her brows. Boots planted firmly against the wall as she readjusted her fingers around her controller grips. Palms clammy, the leather handle smooth against her touch. She swallowed. Gaze going down. She attempted to control her breathing, stifling the urge to let out a series of curses erupt from her throat. "Okay..."

"Freya?" Historia quietly gained her attention, brows pulled tight in confusion.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." What she thought would pass for a plausible assurance didn't sound as persuading as she first accounted it to be. Voice strained and rattled. Wavering in her ears. The distance between her and the ground seemed to go on forever. The sight was nauseating. Taunting her. Gravity itching to tow her down. She could feel her heart plummet in the pits of her stomach. The growing wind caused her to shift her footing. A short yelp escaped her, boots slipping on the surface before she regained her composure. She ignored Historia's inquisitive stare, already despising the moment that the girl's life was in fact in her hands. "We're fine, I-I'm fine."

Freya wasn't sure who she was trying to convince.

Acrimony snared on Hange's features, just a few meters away from Freya. Her blades rasped against the insides of her metal gear box. Metal against metal, shrill as an animal's screech. "All soldiers, prepare to attack! We're taking down the Colossal Titan, it's a threat to all humanity!"

Barreling towards the sky in rapid motions, cadets maneuvered like a bullet that raced against the wind. Within a second, they were off the wall. Objectives clear. A single mark in mind. Not a single indication within their movements that showed reluctance or dread. Eager for a kill and a break as they soared in an upwards direction.

Freya took the opening. Craning her head to glance at the ground then back up at the sky, she hauled herself back to the surface. Historia's grip was agonizing on her shoulder. Blunt nails dug through her clothing, tapping on skin. She ignored the dull prick of it. It was nothing compared to the burn of her left hand. Tiny bones dislocated, bent, curling around the handle of her blades. She wouldn't even look at it. The pain that shot though her arm established it enough. Boots landing on the top of the wall, she quickly unwrapped Historia's arm from her neck. All the while she heard a quick order. Clear as day, voice soaring above her head, loud and intent from Hange.

"Freya, you take right of the Titan!"

"What?!"

Blue eyes nearly popped out of her skull at the command. She flicked her gaze at the Colossal Titan's stare. It glowered, brown eyes dark at the zooming cadets that whipped around its head. She could feel her knees weakly buckle beneath her. There were more than enough scouts capable in the squad that would do a far better job than her. Undoubtedly experienced. Skilled and proficient with years of training. Liable from boundless expeditions. And determined. She couldn't even curve her left hand to a tight fist if she wanted to.

Yet, Hange was insistent. "You heard me!"

A roll of her shoulders, she grinded her teeth together. Jaw clenched that the brute heap of pressure and liability was difficult to ignore. It settled in her chest. Charring her heart to pump, beat in her ears dangerously with a thrum. Palms clammy and fingers twitching. Obligations and devoir somehow a burden. It weighed on her back. Remorse inching on the surface. Running her thumbs against the smooth texture of her controller grips, a heavy sigh dragged from her parted mouth, breath lulling to a shallow hale.

The Colossal Titan was slow. Incredibly so that its movements were quickly analyzed. Calculated within the eye that it wasn't hard to keep track of its strolling attack. Her grappling hooks connected with tendons and muscles, grubbed in a space on the side of its body as she eyed Hange's swift movement from the left of her vision. Mind working as to mirror her turns and angles, running for a head start. The Titan raised a left fist, swinging towards Hange and the two cadets that trailed behind that swarmed from the left side. But Hange took a keen pivot, maneuvering and encircling its arm.

Puffs of air emitted from gas cylinders. It wheezed in her ears as she hauled herself in the air. All the while the Titan followed with a right fist that streaked towards her direction, cadets following by her sides. She held her breath. Large hand bolting in her vision, knuckles massive and perturbing. She turned, body spiraling to dodge its hit. Twisting that her stomach churned at the motion. She whirred past its wrist and to its elbows. Slatternly struggling to keep up with the scouts around her. They were fast, cutting the atmosphere with delicacy and rigor as she trudged on with a tarrying push.

Reeling underneath its arm, she made it towards the Titan's back. Coming from the left, Hange's brown stare locked with her blue eyes. Hange nodded, brows turned down. "Now's our chance, slice up its neck!"

It was gaping. A free attack and a straight shot to its exposed nape. Blades bared and ready. Suddenly, its clenched teeth gnashed wide and open. There wasn't a sound that escaped it. Not a single clamor or roar. When immediately, hot and billowing steam flared dangerously from its body.

"What the–!" Her blue eyes flashed. The steam pushed her back like a hale tornado. Engulfed her in a raging howl of winds that the air was heaved out of her lungs. It was hot. Radiating like a fire that threatened to scorch her. Melt her skin and reach her bones. It was unbearable. Painful that she gritted her teeth together. Lines of gear wire whipped wildly and uncontrollably, composure slipping.

"Everyone, fall back!" Hange yelled.

The wind took course of her direction, suddenly bringing her upwards. Vision blurry and whirling. She couldn't focus on a single thing as her head spun, brain rattling against her skull as she was hurled away from the Titan. She navigated blindly in a haze. Wires shooting in a direction she didn't know. Anywhere to secure her balance. However, before she knew it, her body had reached the ground, rolling and tumbling on her side. Her hands caught her as she forced herself to a stop. Palms on the concrete and elbows scraped as she tried to push herself off to a stand. She groaned, a chafed murmur escaping her. "Damn it."

"You okay?" Hange was by her side almost immediately, both her hands on Freya's shoulders to pull her up.

The pain was excruciating. Skin scalding hot as a single touch stung. Almost as if needles pricked every inch of her body. Face and neck red and pink from the scorching steam that she was exposed to. The wind that blew had her shuddering, air nipping at the burns unwittingly. Visible droplets of sweat formed on her temples. She stifled a cry as she stood up with Hange's help. Eyes squeezed shut at the sudden dryness that evaded her mouth. Ignoring the question, Freya glanced around. "What just happened?"

Cadets scrambled back on their feet, yelling or pleading for a drop of water to drink. Burns and blisters on their cheeks and body. Hange didn't let go of Freya as her hand rested idly around the blonde's waist. Freya was silently grateful, knowing that her aching legs would crumble beneath her within a second. Lips pursed into a tight line, Hange's goggles glinted as she stared back at the Colossal Titan. "I think he's trying to disappear again."

"No, something is different." Armin piped up from their right. The two adults turned their heads at him. "The last time he vanished instantly, but now, he's maintaining his form and emitting heat like a furnace. If he keeps protecting himself with steam..." Attempting to hook his wires in Bertolt's direction, his grappling hooks only lugged down and backed away from the boiling heat and blast that flared from the Titan. Untouchable. "We're unable to attack him with ODM gear." Worriedly, Armin concluded. Anxiety leaked from him. "Wh-What do we do?"

Tender silence passed. A second ticked. Another. Hange finally spoke. "We can't do anything. We wait."

"Wait?" Dirty blonde hair whipped as Freya turned her head to Hange. She repeated questioningly with incredulous eyes. "Wait?"

"We wait." Hange nodded. Releasing her hold on Freya, she turned around, facing the group of cadets that lingered for an order. "Squads three and four, take position behind the target. Rashad has command."

From the left side, a soldier replied in the crowd. "Got it!"

"Squad two will wait here. Lauda is in command."

Another soldier to the right answered. "Understood!"

"It's yet to be seen how long he can keep his body burning, but eventually he has to come out. We wait for that moment to attack." Hange explained. "Listen up. Forget about capturing them. Kill them and don't hesitate."

"Don't need to tell me twice." Freya mumbled before raising a hand towards her neck. Tips of her fingers grazed the flesh underneath her jaw. Biting down hard on her tongue, she inhaled a deep breath, chest puffing as she slightly winced at the sore spot.

Hange faced Freya and Armin. "You two... and squad one follow me! We've got a date with the Armored Titan!" She ran to the side, soldiers trailing behind before their figures disappeared below the wall once more. Armin stiffly followed next, gears whirring. Just as Freya was about to pursue the group, she heard a call that gained her attention.

"Freya!"

Swiveling around on her heel, Historia came to a surprising halt in front of her. Out of breath and panting. Eyes wide and startled. With furrowed brows, Freya asked. "What is it?"

"Ymir can't possibly be dead yet." Historia started. Irises darting left and right. Gaze set past Freya's shoulder. She wouldn't look her in the eye. The frown on her lips grew deep and grim. "I know you're only here for Eren, that you're here to protect him, but please, Ymir..." Blue met blue. "Please, rescue her."

Shifting on one foot to the other, a shaky hand weaved between her hair. She winced, fingers tangled and caught in a rough knot. Dropping her hand back to her sides, she sighed. "All of you are just..." She bit down on her bottom lip. Just behind Historia, Freya caught sight of Connie emerging from the steaming smoke, remnants from the Titan transformation, coughing and heaving a breath. Lost in thought, she nodded to herself, speaking before she could comprehend what her words were. "I'll protect all of you."

Historia's blue eyes lightened. "You promise?"

Freya's jaw went slack. She blinked. "I'll try."

"Freya..."

"Okay, fine. Fine, alright, I promise." Turning around to move, she paused when a hand reached out and gripped the material of her shirt. She faced Historia once more. The girl didn't let go. Knuckles white, seeming to hide the slight tremor in her hand. Freya stared at her with staid eyes, running her tongue on the side of her cheek before speaking. "I promise, Historia."

Immediately, Connie approached them. "Where are Reiner and Berolt?! They don't have their ODM gear either." He whipped his head around. Frantically looking. Searching. Until his dark eyes settled on Freya. "Please, go find and help those two."

Her lips parted at the statement. A crease formed between her brows, confusion quickly falling on her stare. She didn't question it. Concluding that he must've been far back from the chaos that he must've only noticed the blaring wind that erupted. Her chest twinged at his obliviousness. But forced a nod of her head. Jaw twitching and clenching as she pulled her blades. "Oh, I'll help them alright."

Quickly, she stepped away, ran before any sort of interruptions can distract her as she curtly joined Hange and the scouts by the side of the wall. She ignored the distance of the ground. Focused her stare straight to the Armored Titan that loomed meters far.

It's heavy steps rumbled the surface. Stomps loud and heavy, leaving marks on the green grass as the Armored Titan took slow and grieving strides towards Eren. The latter seemed to recover from the ground. Though, his shoulders slumped and hung limply by its sides. Face covered from strands of dark hair. A curtain that concealed the smoke and mending of what looked like a mangled face. Jaw hanging wide before snapping back up. Fixed and set from growing ligaments that pulled his fractured features back together. Freya noted that the fighting must've dragged on for some time now.

"Eren!" Armin yelled just from above Freya. "Don't do it, you can't win in a slugfest. Run this way! Don't try to fight him!"

Unsure whether or not the warning was heard, a battling roar only erupted from Eren.

Hange leaned in forward. "Did he lose control?"

Fists raised, elbows firm and up. The two Titans stood to an engaged stance. Both their movements mirrored one another. Right hook rearing back for a pace. Knuckles protruding and aimed towards each other's faces. Apprehension filled in the air. Gaze tensed at the hit that was about to collide when a blur of green eyes flashed from Eren. The boy immediately ducked down. Falling beneath Reiner's swinging fist as his arms reached up. One hand underneath Reiner's arm. The other over his shoulder. Both hands locked behind its neck before falling forward, slamming the Armored Titan on the ground.

"He threw the Armored Titan." Moblit's brown eyes widened.

Armin squinted in scrutiny and observation. "Wait, isn't that..."

Freya could only blink. Appalled at the brash move that she witnessed from the two Titans. Even stunned from the strike Eren made. But curiosity fought its way to her head, attentive to Armin's words. "The what?"

"The technique Annie used."

Teeth down hard on her tongue at the name. She didn't respond, straining her attention back to the conflict laid in front of her.

She could see the strife between the two Titans. Movements relentless and perverse. Both stubborn to surrender, battling for control on who could trounce on the other. Reiner seemed to have recovered from the fall. Chest lifted and ready to range on Eren. When the latter readily shifted. Legs veering over the Armored Titan's arm, encased around his neck in a cinch. With a plangent roar, his hands worked on ripping Reiner's right arm. Skin tearing and breaking from his shoulder, muscles shredding before Eren unwittingly lurched the steaming limb away.

"Eren!" Armin called in concern.

"Where you going?" Freya couldn't help but question the boy as he zoomed away from the wall. Though, he didn't answer, propelling himself forward and between trees to land on the ground beside a scout figure. It was only then she noticed Mikasa below, a few distances close to Eren who stood up from Reiner's form. Taking a step back. Another. The three conversed, Armin and Mikasa speaking as Eren stood still.

"Abel." Hange craned her neck to a soldier to her right. "Get those two back."

A blonde man, glasses thick and rim dense that perched around his eyes nodded. He followed the two youngsters, landing behind them. She couldn't hear the exchange. However, soon enough, the three were running back to return, maneuvering up the wall to regroup. Charging behind them stood Eren, following and coming to a halt. Arm resting idly against the wall. A few inches below that the impact had dusts of concrete fall, flitter above their heads.

"Nice, Eren! Good call." Keiji commended.

"He's back in control again." Mikasa noted.

"Or maybe he never lost it in the first place." Freya's gaze flicked to the Titan, side eyeing its figure as his chest puffed up and down. Heavy breaths heaving from his nose. Evidently tired. Nonetheless, avid and eager.

"Regardless, it'll be almost impossible to escape Reiner." Armin pointed out.

"Go." The order had Freya turn to Hange. Brown hair slipped between her brows. Jaw taught as she nudged her head towards Eren. Without questioning her stare, Freya simply gave a nod. Boots leaving the wall as she traced after Hange. The two landed on either sides of Eren's shoulders.

"O-Okay..." Legs staggered and shuddered as she forced herself to a land on Eren's left shoulder. Stomach lurched disparagingly. She silently questioned herself for even approaching him. It seemed that standing on his Titan form was unsettling. His form lightly swaying from side to side. Shoulders shifting up and down as he breathed. Teeth gnawing on the insides of her cheeks, she swallowed her agitation, focusing her attention on Hange's words as she spoke from the right side of Eren.

"Listen up, Eren." Hange began. "If you're gonna escape, we've got to find a way to halt Reiner and buy you some time. Can you break his leg with another one of those joint locks? Our blades don't seem to work on him, so use your head and figure out the best course of action." His head stirred. A nod of his head in understanding. Freya could've sworn she heard a high and active squeal from the other side before Hange's voice followed. "I'm counting on you."

From the corner of her eyes, she witnessed Hange leave, returning back to the wall. Eren shifted, head moving to turn to left. Green stare wide and set on her. Brows knitted and downturned. Clicking her tongue, she found herself nodding, gears veering in her head. "I don't want to be the one saying this, but you can't lose."

His nostrils visibly flared at the comment.

Her lips quirked up at the action. Amusement painted on her features. But unease filled her chest. "If you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly an expert on this whole Titan thing."

His eyes observed her intently.

A heavy sigh dragged from her, half tempted to run a hand over her face. Yet, the burn presently pained her flesh. "I don't know what to do, Eren."

The concession had her grimace. It was indisputable. She couldn't ignore how suspended she was. Left but to peer at a fight that had her stagnant off to the side. By no means was she eager to contend in a battle that she couldn't win. But the thought of idly sating with nothing irked her. She left before he could move. Not evening waiting for the tilt of his head in response as she returned to the solidity of the wall. Almost as soon as she retreated, a sharp snap and clatter resonated in her ears. She turned to the Armored Titan.

An arm back in place, stance firm and hunched, Reiner quickly recovered. Promptly, their dispute continued. Plates of hardened skin shattered from his calves as he came for a running start. Head charged forward and body ghastly colliding with Eren. Flocks of birds sailed past them, trees rattled from their trunk, and leaves flitted in the air as they scuffled on the ground. Fists raised as they toppled on the other. Their hits echoed through the atmosphere like a boulder rolling on a steep hill. Blaring and booming. The brash impact had them hitting the wall.

Without a second thought, Freya had followed Hange and the rest. Sprucely moved on their gas cylinders and glided sturdily in the air. Distance far enough for them to observe the battle. Mikasa was the first to comment. "He's fast."

"Since when could he move so quick?" Keiji asked.

"Are we completely useless here?" Abel grunted in dismay.

"No..." Hange said. "If his entire body was hard like stone, there's no way he could move like that. In the armor they used in wars in the past, it had sections at the joints not covered in metal to allow for movement. There's a spot behind the knee."

"Freya."

It was a simple murmur of her name. Small that she wouldn't have noticed it at first. But she turned her head to the side. Towards the voice. Stare cold and, yet blank. There was something familiar about her grey eyes. A tint of silver and clipped as metal steel. Something flashed in them. Though, she couldn't decipher what it was. It was the same gaze from a few days ago. Steady and unfaltering. Impetuous and wild. A look that had her heart racing. Mikasa's gaze darkened.

"It's now or never."

"Now."

Alacrity found Freya's voice. Filled her tone with sudden firmness. Not a single once of hesitation dripped in her words. A sigh fell from her parted mouth. Beaten and weary. Teeth deep in her bottom lip as she nodded. Sure of her statement. She practically saw the gears turn in Mikasa's head. Whirl in comprehension, grasp what she meant. Her grey eyes gleamed bright after a second. Grow a tint light and slate. Startled at the answer, but satisfied and contented nevertheless.

It was a wrestle between the two Titans as Eren had wrapped both his legs around Reiner's waist. The latter sealed underneath a barred entanglement of Eren's arms. Limbs unmoving as he could only force a ram forward. Both their bodies scraped the soil, leaving a print of grated grass before they stopped. Visibly shuddering and shaking from a struggle of strength.

Her nerves buzzed underneath her skin. Heart thawed as her gear whirred in her ears. She couldn't keep up with Mikasa's hurried and swift movement, evidently itching to attack as they neared the Titans. But she was surprisingly lenient, waiting for an indication from Freya. Heaving a breath, a single nod broke through. Blue meeting grey. Eyes flashing dangerously at one another as they maneuvered through still Titan limbs. Freya's blades ran deep across the muscle. A single sweep had the metal chipped by its edges. Her point on Reiner's right knee went bent. Lulled down unmovable as Mikasa took the left.

The cut was difficult to cross through as her arms ached at the amount of force she had to put into. She stifled a turn of her lips. A grin that wanted to form her face as electricity hummed in her bones. She gnawed the insides of her cheek. Immediately, she sheathed her blades back to her sides, retreating to the side of the wall where Hange and the rest waited. Mikasa nowhere to be found.

"You've got this!" Armin cheered. His comment was followed by the rest of the scouts. Their yells were loud. Encouraging as threw their fists highly in the air. Proud and confident as fragments of Reiner's skin shattered. Cracks lined his armor. Fell in heaps of steaming pieces on the ground from Eren's hold. But their short lived celebration ended as soon a high roar blared from Reiner. It sounded mangled. Desperate from his position under Eren. Earsplitting enough that it silenced everyone.

"Be on your guard!" Hange cautioned. "He's calling Titans!"

However, Abel returned just as Hange finished the warning. Freya didn't notice him leaving in the first place as he reported. "No other Titans spotted in the area!"

Brows furrowed. A crease between them as a strand of blonde hair hung in front of Freya's eyes. "Then what was the scream for?"

An excruciating minute passed. Another. Connie's rasping shouts echoed from their heads. "Above you! Look out!"

Gaze peering up, creaks of bones snapped in the air. She didn't notice that the flaring steam had stopped. Wind flowing and even. The cold returning as she gazed at nothing but a skeleton. Face empty but fragmented bones of features, steaming and fading away the Colossal Titan sat uneasily still, swaying from side to side, drifting in the breeze. Bleak bones that held its form on either sides of the wall went bent and splintered. The sound had her flinching at the acridity of it. Sharp and taught as it tilted. Leaned further to the side. Ready to topple. Seconds away from colliding.

Blue eyes widened. Manic and struck. Heart ramming against her ribcage. The sudden realization of its crash point had her skin paling. Features washed in dread as her face fell. Her hands were back to clutching her blades as her foot shifted in preparation. A second from heaving herself off the wall and towards Eren when a pair of arms came from behind her, coming underneath her shoulders and locking her in a hold, her back coming against someone's chest.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

She craned her neck at the voice, wide blues peering at brown eyes. "Hange!"

"I can't let you do that!"

"Let me go!"

"There's no time!"

A second. Another. Body writhing in struggle, stirring against the strong grip that she was trapped in, Freya's breathing came to a harsh. Ragged puffs escaping her breath. She didn't listen. Couldn't focus. Palms clammy as the rush of her heart filled her ears. Hange's warnings gone from her head. Mind filled in dark blankness. Hand grasping. Reaching forward and clawing Hange's arm from her shoulders. Another tick. The Colossal Titan's body passed her vision. Voice rasping against her throat. Strained and as her eyes widened in double, falling to the two Titans on the ground. Green eyes met blue.

"I said let me go!"

Wake up.

•••

— AUTHOR NOTE —

u guys are just honestly the best and so damn funny in the comments i cant aghhhh i love u im sorry if there's not a lot of levi in these chapters but i promise in the next one he'll be there. i just wanted to focus on freya's relationship with the scouts and make it feel like she was part of the squad if u know what i mean. i'm kinda excited and worried