i. DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

episode 14: can't look into his eyes yet; eve of the counterattack, part 1

CHAPTER ONE

DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

•••

Rumors.

"A Titan on our side has appeared!"

"Is there really a Titan that sided with humanity?"

"You can even say he's our savior!"

They were supposed to be nothing but rumors. A whisper in the crowd, murmuring nonsense to one another. Full of faux blabbers and gossip. She couldn't ignore them. They were loud. Engaged as they discussed further. Perhaps her curious side leaned further into the story from the people around her. She couldn't help but listen to them. It was interesting really. Not a lot of things had caught her attention. She rarely paid attention to her surroundings, rarely cared. However, hearing rumors of a Titan siding with humanity had any stranger be curious, especially Freya Nightwalker.

"Nearly there."

The announcement had her look down at her hands that rested calmly on her lap. Her gaze intently stared at them as if they were foreign. A strange sight for her to look at. It felt wrong to look at them free. No restrain. No metal cuffs wrapped tightly around her wrists. Hands that were unbound to do anything. Each finger from her left hand decorated with silver rings glinted from the sun. She started to twist the thin jewelry on her left pinky, turning it again and again until there was that familiar burn enclosed around her soft skin. This was a test, maybe. She was at a free state of doing whatever she wanted. They were just waiting to see if she would risk it all for that small price of liberty.

The carriage she sat in lessened its pace. Waiting for the ride to end seemed like an eternity for her. How long has she been enclosed in a wooden case, she forgot. She didn't bother with time anymore. It was futile anyway. But looking out the window, fingers peaking out the curtain, it was midday. With a long, heavy sigh, she leaned back with a slump. At least for her, the seat was comfortable enough. She merely forgot the circulating rumors of the people in Wall Rose.

"We've arrived."

Then it came to a halt. Her back straightened when she heard the coachman call to hop off. She didn't have the time to open the door as someone else did it for her. Her lips immediately pursed into a thin line when a Military Police officer stood in front of her, waiting for her to climb out. The sight of their green stallion logo made her want to scoff. However, she didn't want a reaction coming from herself to be seen so soon. An aisle waited for her, a straight line leading towards an entrance door with Military Police cadets lined left and right.

She smiled faintly at the position they were in. To go through cautionary measures for her to not escape. Even someone who wasn't as skilled as her could just about runaway. But she didn't intend for that, yet.

Her black boots clicked as they touched the stone pavement. It was only a few feet away from the large mahogany entrance. From what she could tell, they were no longer in the middle of the city. Deep within and standing in front of some court building. Was this her trial? It couldn't be. The choice was clear enough. Anyone would want judgement upon her. Straight to execution. She narrowed her eyes, struggling to understand the point of all this.

She began to walk. The rattling of metal caught her attention when she heard them. It was then she noticed guns firmly planted to each cadets' side, their finger resting on the trigger, only to be raised if necessary, pulled without hesitation. She silently scoffed under her breath. Their guns shook, rattling from pressure, fear. This was one of the reasons why the Military Police had no effect to someone unfazed as her. Cowards.

She stopped her movement in front of one cadet, however. They all tensed. But him, he went frigidly still. She chuckled lightly at the appearance. The uniform was normal. Face scared and unsure. But it was his hair that made her laugh. Jet black hair trimmed into a bowl cut. Ignoring the muscular feature he had on his face, he reminded her of a child. That being thought of, he did look new. The corner of her lips raised up slightly, "How does it feel?" She asked out of the blue in a light and thoughtful tone.

"H-Huh?" The man looked as if he regretted squeaking a single sound. He flinched when she brought her hand up, causing others to lightly bring the barrel of their guns an inch high. But her movements were flawlessly graceful that no one could imagine this interaction to be deadly. After all, they were the Military Police. They never thought ahead.

"How does it feel to be one of them?"

A subtle nudge of her head towards the lined cadets in green clad uniform. Softly, she brushed her fingers on his shoulders, dusting away a piece of hair that lay. It wasn't his. A strand of short curly blonde locks. She wondered. And so did he.

"Keep moving." A Scout Regiment cadet cut them off. Two of them followed her from behind.

"Buzzkill." She muttered with a roll of her eyes as she felt a harsh nudge behind her shoulder to start walking.

Automatically, the two grand doors were open for her, the two Scout cadets still lingering behind. The entrance way was a back pathway for her to come in, almost as if she didn't want to be seen by the public. Expensive carpets lay before her. Large hallways and corridors. She was slightly convinced that she might find herself lost as if she was entering a maze. An empty maze.

"Don't tell me this is a Tribunal." Freya guessed as her soft steps pattered on the ground, eyes roaming as she didn't want to miss a single detail from her first time coming into a large officiating place. Military Tribunals, she never experienced watching one happen in front of her and from all the cadets lined outside, probably more within, it was the only conclusion she could come up with for the time being. A court trial full of soldiers, she wondered what was the issue having them all gather today, with a bounty hunter in the crowd no less.

"It's not for you." One of the cadets huffed behind her. He was an old man, old enough to be a commander, but he wasn't.

"That's something. I'm flattered." She chuckled softly. It must be important for them to suddenly be far less concerned of her presence. A part of her didn't like that notion.

"Quiet." The other was relatively young. Dark red hair and freckles dotting across the bridge of his nose and cheeks.

A set of stairs led her to another level. A turn from a corner, door after door, it was confusing really that after awhile, the two cadets took the lead as she was left without a choice but to follow them with a reluctant sigh of boredom. With their slow pace and movements, it seemed like time wasn't much of a problem.

Immediately, they stopped in front of another door. The same interior and design as the rest. Staring at their backs, Freya noticed the sudden shake of one of the cadet's hand as it hovered over the brass handle of the entrance. The other, silent without a peep from his mouth. It seemed as if it was fear taking course of their actions as they hesitated with what was on the other side of the surface. Unbothered by that detail, she rolled her eyes and shoved the two apart, pinching the material of their uniforms and pulling them back for her to step forward. Without a thought, she pulled open the handle and nonchalantly stepped in. She didn't like wasting moments.

From where she stood, she was in one of the high balconies, overseeing what was the ground floor. There were about a large balcony on each side as well, filled with cadets. With the exception of the two guards by standing outside, she was alone. A sea of brown jackets, furrowed brows, and convicting faces. The west side was filled with Scout and Garrison cadets. The east, Military Police. South, just right below her, merchants murmuring to themselves. And in front, where judges usually sat, was empty. How she was able to distinguish which Regiment grouped was how she trained her sight on the symbol adorning the back side of their jackets. Eyebrows scrunched into confusion, her facing morphing into a perplexing feature as she gnawed the inside of her cheek.

There was a lot of missing pieces to this puzzle, but the big question she wanted to find the answer for was why a bounty hunter such as herself was needed to be present for a Military Trial. A Trial that she wasn't honestly aware of.

She stopped for a moment, peering behind her shoulder, asking, "How does this matter to me?"

"It doesn't." The young cadet answered her quietly, avoiding any form of eye contact.

"Not yet, at least." The other muttered before scoffing. He looked angry, almost in disbelief at something that she didn't know.

She looked back down at the crowd below her, taking a few steps forward and resting her elbows on the concrete railing. She sighed. "This is a waste of time." The door was slammed shut behind her, both cadets hovering a few meters away.

The door opening behind the judge's counter opened, out coming a man who folded the ends of his white dress shirt sleeves. Everyone grew silent, the heavy weight of quietness falling over like a blanket. The man who suddenly entered had receding grey hair, slicked back with circular spectacles resting on the crook of his nose, neatly folding his coat and laying it on the mahogany table, back going straight as he took a seat.

The old man cleared his throat, voice gruff as he asked the audience. "Shall we begin?"

Freya clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth, familiarity wafting as she narrowed her eyes on the man. "Dhalis Zachary, how convenient."

He was no stranger to the people and everyone. The only reason why most respected him was due to the fact that he controls three of the Regiments. All that power and command within a man who had shown and tired eyes. While Freya took notice of his existence the day he ordered to hang up posters of her face in each district, each wall, and everyday, fining up for a bounty; dead or alive. Seeing as she was standing here today, watching, she was slightly smug of her half filled victory. Half cause of her current predicament she got herself stuck in.

"You are Eren Jaeger, a soldier who has sworn to give his life for the people. Is that correct?" Zachary read aloud, eyes scanning an unrolled piece of parchment.

"Yes." A voice replied. The name had Freya stare in interest.

"Given the extraordinary circumstance, this deliberation will be held as a court martial. Hence, regular law will not apply, so to speak. I have full decision-making authority on this matter, which includes determining whether you should live or die. Any objections?"

"No, sir." Eren Jaeger. She leaned in closer, squinting her eyes down towards the boy that kneeled on the floor. Both his wrists were bound in metal cuffs, restrained by a large pole behind him, with hundreds of scrutinizing eyes focused on his movements. With his back turned towards her, it was difficult for Freya to fully take in his appearance. Dark hair that reached the back of his neck, a lean body, and ragged long sleeve shirt. Yet, judging by the nervous stutter and high tune of his voice, he seemed relatively young. What could he have done to be in a Military hearing?

Her eyes widened by the slightest. Rumors. Nothing but the word Titan bouncing back and forth in her head like an echo. She rested her chin on the palm of her hand, elbows on the railing, lips tilting into an invested smile.

"Your astuteness is appreciated. I'll get right to the point." Zachary stated. "As expected, concealing your existence has proved impossible. Unless we publicly disclose your existence in one fashion or another, we risk the outbreak of a new, non-Titan threat. It falls on me to decide which regiment should take charge of you; The Military Police Regiment or the Scout Regiment. Now, let's hear what the Military Police Regiment Proposes."

"I, Nile Dawk, Commander of the Military Police, offer the following proposal. We believe that, after a thorough examination of Eren's body, he should be disposed of immediately." A man from the west side of the court started, a script in hand. "It's true that his Titan ability helped thwart this latest incursion. However, his existence is now stirring up rebellious ideas as well. As such, after he has provided us with as much information as possible, he will be made a fallen warrior of humanity."

News of the battle in Trost Disctrict went spreading almost immediately the day it happened. Freya didn't hear much of it, occupied with business that left her running. But she remembered details, a few that she didn't believe until hearing this proposal confirmed her thoughts; a Titan did aid in concealing a blast from the Walls. A quarter of the Garrison soldiers gone. And a weapon that nobody was sure of how to use was just in their grasp.

"There's no need!" A cry of reluctance yelled by a black robed Pastor. "He's vermin that had defiled and infiltrated the walls built by God's great wisdom! He should be killed at once!"

"Pastor Nick." Zachary calmly paused the intrusion. "Please remain quiet."

"Him again?" Freya questioned in disdain. If she had the chance, she would've taken his life away without another thought. Though, she was never given the opportunity. They're existence wasn't known to many back then. No one saw the importance of a Pastor with the Church of the Walls. She didn't really understand their purpose, leaving her to not really question it. Much like her, she silently questioned why they were here. "I thought he died."

"Unfortunately, no." She heard the cadet behind her say.

"Next, let us hear the Scout Regiment's idea." Zachary proceeded.

"Yes, sir." A commander stepped in from the west side of the court. Meticulously blonde hair brushed to the side, doe like eyes, a stoic face, his hands was firmly set by his sides as he spoke, "I, Erwin Smith, 13th Commander of the Scout Regiment, offer the following proposal. We intend to accept Eren as an official member of the Scout Regiment and utilize his Titan ability to retake Wall Maria." A pause. "That is all."

Freya blew a breath, face falling with a small frown as she silently rolled her eyes. "How inspiring."

Zachary raised a grey eyebrow. "That's all?"

"With his help, we can reclaim Wall Maria. I believe our utmost priority should be clear." Erwin Smith stepped back into the stands, confident with the answer.

"I see." Zachary hummed. "Tell me, from where would you launch this operation?" He turned to another man. "Pyxis. The wall has been completely sealed in Trost district, correct?"

"Yes." An old man answered from the Garrison audience. Feeble and old, but a fight left within him. A red rose patched behind his brown jacket. "I doubt its gate will ever open again."

"We hope to depart from Calaneth District and head to the east. From there, we would approach Shiganshina.. by establishing a new route." Erwin added.

"Wait a damn minute!" Someone in the crowd protested. Freya darted her eyes to the south side of the court. Below her, a round man yelled, a merchant who disagrees. "Shouldn't we be sealing all the gates now? The gates are the only part the Colossal Titan can break! If we can just reinforce them, we'll never get attacked again."

"Shut up, you merchant dog!" Someone unknown pegged him down. At that, Freya had to contain a snicker within. The one who cut him off continued, "With a Titan's help, we can return to Wall Maria."

The merchant responded, temper rising. "We can't put up with any more of your childish heroics!"

"You have a big mouth on you, pig." Dark, deep, someone forced the argument to a halt from the Scout Regiment audience. Brooding, uninterested, familiarity ran in Freya at the sound of a man's voice as he continued. Her eyes searched the crowd, scanning where it came from, suddenly intrigued at the comment. "How can you be sure that the Titans will wait while we seal the gates? The 'we' you speak of are only those you wish to protect, your 'friends' who help line your pockets. The people who starve because there isn't enough land to sow don't even figure into the thoughts of you pigs."

Timidly, the merchant defended, "We just thought that we could survive by sealing all the wall gates—"

"Silence. Impious traitor!" Pastor Nick shushed him. "Mere humans altering Wall Rose, walls that were a gift from God? Can you truly see those walls, God's work far beyond human capabilities, and not understand? Humanity is not fit to lay a single finger on those walls. Heresy!"

A stifled yawn escaped Freya's mouth, tired with their antics as she has still yet to find the voice.

"I'll have you be quiet, priest!"

Embarrassed, Pastor Nick questioned the audacity. "What?"

"Silence." With multiple booming taps on the mahogany desk, Zachary overpowered their banter. "You may discuss your personal philosophies and opinions elsewhere." He returned his attention to the kneeled boy. "Jaeger, I wish to confirm something. Can you continue to serve as a soldier, using your Titan powers to benefit humanity?"

A simple nod of his head, Eren confirmed. "I can."

"But the report on Trost's defense says this..." The man returned his attention to the unrolled parchment in his hand, "'Immediately after turning into a Titan, he swung his fist at Mikasa Ackerman.'" He pushed back his circular spectacles up the bridge of his nose, facing the crowd in question, "Is Mikasa Ackerman present?"

"That's me." Black hair chopped into uneven lengths that fell above her shoulders, and lips pursed, Mikasa Ackerman called attention to herself within the west side of the court, standing within the front row.

"Is it true that, as a Titan, Jaeger attacked you?"

The girl hesitated, turning her eyes towards her right and left, mouths moving into a quiet discussion between a blonde boy and platinum haired woman. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, a reluctant answer coming, "It's true."

A murmur within the crowd. "I knew it... He's just another Titan."

"But on two previous occasions, Eren saved my life in Titan form. The first time, mere seconds before a Titan would've had me in his grasp, he stood between us, protecting me. The second time, he saved Armin and me from an HE shell." Mikasa added, quick to defend. "I would like these facts to be considered, as well."

"I object." Commander Nile from the Military Police cut in. He raised a documented file in hand, reading. "I believe these comments are greatly colored by her personal feelings. At an early age, Mikasa Ackerman lost her parents, and was taken in by the Jaeger household. Our investigation has also revealed a surprising fact about the underlying events."

Freya hummed at the small information. Colored by personal feelings. She was amused by the fact of someone capable enough to harbor feelings. She did find it silly, though, they were young, she assumed. "Surprise me." She mumbled to herself. Her restlessness was getting to her and she didn't have the ability to be concerned over such matter. She sighed out of boredom.

Commander Nile cleared his throat. "At age nine, Eren Jaeger and Mikasa Ackerman killed three robbers who tried to kidnap her. Even if it was self-defense, I must question their fundamental humanity. Is it right to entrust humanity's fate, resources, and lives to him?"

"Well... I am surprised." Freya told, both her eyebrows raised in amusement and satisfaction. She then asked the two cadets with her. "Aren't you?"

The young man was caught off guard. "I– uh.."

The other only grunted. "Ignore the criminal."

She hummed, absentmindedly starting to twirl a strand of her hair that framed her face, a blank smile on her lips. "I'll take that as a yes."

"So is she!" The same merchant from moment prior yelled, pointing a menacing finger to Mikasa from the opposite end. "Do we know that she's human? Just to be safe, we should dissect her!"

"Wait!" Wide eyed, Eren shot straight up, head whipping to turn at the merchant. "I may be a monster, but she has nothing to do with it. Nothing at all!"

"We can't trust that."

"It's true!"

"If you're covering for her, it means she's one of you."

A riot between the two. A back and forth match full of protests and despair. Freya admitted that she didn't listen, finding that there wasn't a point to choose a side. Her political or military view didn't matter. Much like the people of the public, she was just another witness, someone who had to keep an opinion to themselves.

"No!" A bang of metal rippling against metal. Eren forcing his wrists free, but bound in cuffs. Anyone could tell how much he wanted to be released. But his current state forced him to stay. The sudden rile of anger had silence fall once again. Fear taking over, and the worst thoughts forming into heads of strangers. The boy inhaled a breath. "I mean... you're wrong." Teeth grind together. "You're coming up with theories that fit whatever it suits you to think."

"What did you say?" A stranger questioned.

"Besides, all of you people... you've never even seen a Titan. What are you so afraid of? What's the point if those with the means and power don't fight? If you're afraid to fight for survival, then help me. You..." Jaw clenched, eyes wild. "Cowards!"

"What?"

Frustration towered, before it collapsed on him. "Just shut up! And bet everything you have on me." A second passed. Another. The crowed was filled with shock. Eren's confidence was unexpected. Others viewing him to be brave, the rest as naive. Through the color stained windows, the day was falling quick.

Commander Nile staggered in surprise, without a second thought, he ordered, "Weapons ready."

Freya held in a laugh. Her mouth forcing to stay shut from bursting as she bit her bottom lip. The small speech was inspiring, she had to give the boy that. But even a few simple words weren't enough to sway an entire crowd, what more if an army.

"Yes, sir." The cadet responded to Commander Nile's order, pulling out a sphere like weapon, point directed to Eren.

Then out came nowhere, a man. Leg raised, poise direct. He was a blur of dark color, suddenly appearing in the center of the room. The end of his boots came in contact with skin. Bones cracking. Freya swore she heard them, the all too familiar snap of skin tearing open and breaking. She could hear the gasps of people from the quick attack. The force from the kick had something flying out. It was small, clicking on the ground as it flew a few feet away on the floor. Squinting, Freya's mouth parted slightly as she realized a blood soaked tooth landed still.

Her gaze zeroed in on the man who caused the scene.

A sly smirk grew on her face, eyes darkening as she leaned in further on the railing, hands fumbling with rings in anticipation. Not once was she going to let the man out of her sight as she stated. "Now, this... is getting interesting."

A second later, another kick. Leg shooting straight to the boy's stomach. Eren yelped in pain and in shock. A move that no one had anticipated happening. From the ache in his torso, he coughed, blood spewing out. The man gripped a handful of the boy's hair in his grasp, roughly tugging their face forward, nose coming to collide with their raised knee. Another grunt from the Eren. Another and another. With each hit, it had Freya leaning forward from the railing. She might as well topple over it, but the scene in front of her had her intrigued, her fingers now tapping a rhythmic beat on the surface, her smirk not once faltering.

The last hit had Eren falling face first. Nose crushed on the floor, mouth and eyes wide as the man's foot held his head down from behind. It seemed like an eternity. Everyone too caught up to comprehended the violent action. Gasps and breaths catching. The man finally spoke, voice low and clear. "This is a personal opinion. But I believe pain to be the best way to train someone. What you need is to be trained like a dog, not a man. It's easier to kick you while you're kneeling, too."

Freya tilted her head to the side, observing.

"Wait, Levi..." Commander Nile called out faintly, still in shock.

"Levi..." She tested his name, rolling off her tongue, a perplexed look on her face.

"What is it?" Levi questioned, unbothered.

"It's dangerous... What if he gets angry and turns into a Titan?"

"What are you saying?" He challenged. With enough energy, Eren tilted his face up, peering through his fallen hair with angry eyes directed at the man who gazed down at him. He was given another kick to the face. "Aren't you going to dissect him?" With a fistful of hair, the man forced Eren's head to stare at the crowd. Droplets of blood ran down his nose and mouth. Freya lightly chuckled at the beating. "When he turned into a Titan last time, he killed twenty other Titans before collapsing. If he's an enemy, his intelligence makes him a more formidable foe. Still no match for me, of course. But what will you do? Anyone persecuting him should also consider that fact. Do you really think you can kill him?"

"Levi." She murmured his name once again. Her eyebrows furrowed as she got lost in her thoughts. The name did sound close to her. His way with words, nonchalant and brooding character, he gave her a sense of familiarity. A dark and heavy weight settled in her chest the longer she gazed at him. Dark hair, grey eyes. It was difficult to determine the color of his irises. The color a shade near black that she wasn't sure if they had any tint all. Lips pursed into a line, often a frown, and eyebrows knitted together, almost as if the gears in his head was always turning. Her stomach churned at the face and name.

Commander Erwin raised a hand. "I have a proposal."

Intrigued, Zachary asked, "What is it?"

"The details of Eren's Titan power remain uncertain. Making it dangerous. Thus, I propose to have Squad Leader Levi take responsibility for Eren's control, and embark on an expedition outside the walls."

"With Eren in tow?"

"Yes, sir." Erwin confirmed but there was a glint in his blue eyes that told he was holding information back. Based on the look, Freya had an idea about what it was about. She clenched her fists. "Based on the expedition's results, I'd like you to judge whether Eren can control his Titan power and whether he's a boon or bane to humanity."

"Control Eren Jaeger..." Zachary pondered. "Can you do it, Levi?"

Confidence radiated from the man, but no arrogance. "I'm certain I can kill him. The only problem is I doubt I can do any less."

Zachary held a gravel, banging it on the table in finality. "Then my decision is made." The crowd conversed in conversation.

"Levi..." Freya trailed off. Her smirk only grew as her thoughts clicked, memory resurfacing, a thrill in her igniting. "Humanity's Strongest Soldier."

"One day," The old man cadet leaned in close, whispering as he pointed to the beaten down figure of Eren, the boy still being held down by a foot behind his head. "That's gonna be you."

Stray strands of hair fell over her eyes as a dark look settled on her face, eyes flashing. She leaned in even further. Then came their eyes meeting. His grey stare peered up, almost as if he knew someone had their gaze on him this whole time. Face nonchalant, furrowed brows, lips straight, he blinked at her. The stare was undeniably cold that words wasn't needed to even describe the look he gave. Disdain and petulant. She could only give him a sinister smirk that was filled with mischief.

She replied to the old cadet, not even breaking eye contact with the man. "A girl can only hope."

The old cadet scoffed and backed away. "A lunatic, I say."

•••

"That was quite a show. When's the next one?" The hallways were quiet considering that the audience dispersed the moment the trial ended. It was a win on the Scout's side, landing property of the Titan ability. Not a single individual in sight. Although, she realized that it wasn't entirely something to celebrate about, neither knowing if it was a benefit or a price of ineffectuality. The door was slammed shut behind her the moment she entered a room, and seeing who she was facing, she couldn't help but grin.

The two cadets that had been following her around the moment she arrived were gone, finally departing from her the second she was led to a private room in the court building. The room was empty, except for a small bench, desk and chair. She now faced three Scout individuals.

"This is her?" One of them asked. He leaned against the wall opposite from her, arms and legs crossed, sniffing the air in all seriousness. Tall with facial hair, his nose seemed to be stuck up and inhaling deeply.

Freya tilted her head, unamused when she noticed him holding his breath as if he caught scent of something foul. "I wouldn't talk like that if I were you."

The woman beside him was preoccupied, mesmerized by something wrapped around a white cloth that she didn't notice Freya's presence of entering. She had brown hair tied in an unkept ponytail, rectangular rimmed glasses sitting atop her nose, and a carefree smile unlike her companion who did nothing but frown.

"I better deliver this to him." The woman blurted out excitedly. Without even glancing up, still caught up with the white cloth, the woman brushed her way past Freya along with the man who glanced down at her. Although, Freya did get sight of what had the woman in a gleeful mood. A single tooth, red stains from blood. She gave them both an odd look as they left, softly closing the door.

"I'm pleased you can make it." Erwin Smith stood up from the bench from the far corner of the room, walking before halting in front of her. The two were alone, a private discussion that Freya loathed.

Looking away and stepping up by the small window that oversaw nothing but buildings, she mumbled, "It's not like I had a choice."

"Certain circumstances forced me to." Erwin told, folding his hands behind his back. "Have you thought about it?"

She scoffed. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"And?"

"Eren Jaeger." She hummed in thought. "He's definitely something."

"Is that a yes?"

She glanced at him with a sudden glare. His posture didn't falter, back still straight, calm as always. There was no way she could refuse. Her options were running thin whether she would admit it or not. It was the only offer out there on the table. At some point, her luck did run out, leaving her with a single choice. Declining would be irrational, her life might as well depend on how she would play it out. Painfully, she gnawed the inside of her cheeks, biting down hard from stating something rudimentary. Losing the upper hand, she hated that. Being controlled, she despised it even more. Though, the moment she stepped in, she knew what she was walking herself into. Besides, what else could she lose?

"I'll do it."

"Welcome to Squad Levi."

•••

— AUTHOR NOTE —

first chapter! sorry for the short dialogue of our main character, but this was a quick introduction of her part in the series anjxhajfha anyway vote, share, comment. i really want to hear your thoughts and this is my first time writing anime so i'm kinda nervous... the ending was kinda short but yeah as long as you read act one you'