The pain before happiness (Levi Ackerman x Reader)

Six [Punishment]

It was that night when Eren heard the rest of the squads were back from the field but, not news from either the captain or general. Armin had told him that the General had commanded that everyone should retreat and Eren thought she meant everyone but, no. The two of them were not back. He waited by the window in hope to see two figures galloping back into the Survey Corps building but, no he did not. What if they got hurt? What if they were killed? He tried desperately to shake off the thoughts but, he could not. Not after what he had heard from the elderly back in the village.

"What did you mean that I am the one?"

The elderly chuckled, "She did not tell you, did she?"

"No but, I was hoping you would. Things are getting very much confusing."

"Well, the general lost her parents to the titans too. Just like you did." The elderly started, "A lot of kids did lose their parents to the titans but, she chose you. I believe you have the ability to change, don't you?"

"I... I am not sure about that but, maybe I do."

"Well, I will leave that part for you to find out for yourself. As I was saying, you might have the ability to change which means you are disowned, disrespected, bullied and people harm you because they thought you would harm them. The general is the same, she has her own ability, and I will leave that part for you to find out."

"I still do not understand her motives."

"She adopted you. She made you live with her, be with her because you are very precious my dear. She wants to teach you on how you can control yourself. She was just like you, wanting to avenge for her parents but, it did not turn out well for her. She lost control of herself and that cause the entire village to turn their back on her. Let us say, it caused the entire world to turn their back on her. She does not want that to happen to you."

"but I still do not understand."

"Pull up your sleeves."

Eren did as told and pulled up her sleeves. The elderly gave a smack to his wrist causing Eren to flinch in pain and a symbol appeared on that spot, a Ying-Yang symbol.

"This is the indication that you are bonded to her. She feels your pain, your emotions and she is your blood. Believe it or not, she is related to you. Your parents are not who they really are. I swear from the bottom of my heart."

There were so many questions that he wanted to ask. Who was she exactly? How were they related by blood? What had happened in the past? Who were his parents? Why are they not his parents? What is her name, even?

"Eren Yeag--,"

"He goes by the name of Kim Eren now."

"Kim Eren had been spotted to have hurt a fellow soldier."

"Were there any proofs that he did it?" Captain Levi voiced out.

General Kim glared at him, "stay out of this."

"I am the proof. He is such a monster. He injured my arm." Petra, a fellow squad member, showed the two her bandaged arm.

"Ok. Give me the punishment."

"but General."

"I told you that I will be responsible for his action, didn't I? So, I am taking responsibility of what he did. Give me the punishment." General Kim uttered.

"Then, you will be receiving 20 strokes from the demon cane."

"Ok." General Kim took a step forward and kneel in front of everyone that stands in the Military Tribunal. Everyone gasped in shock.

The captain felt uneasy. He grabbed her arm, "something does not seem right, and you barely recovered from earlier."

"Captain Levi, please exit the Tribunal right now." The general commanded.

He let go of the general's arm and marched out of the Tribunal.

"Please proceed." The general spoke.

There were no screams or even a grunt coming from the general as the disciplinary act was given to her. To say the least, a human could get paralysed from 5 strokes of demon cane and yet, she still did not move an inch as they kept coming to her back. A demon cane was a 5-foot whip that was coiled with barb wires and the material was made from metals. Her back was covered in blood and her cape tore apart.

"There, I have taken the punishment. We shall now oversee the situation that had happened" The general did not even flinch by the slightest as she stood. "And Petra, if I were to find out that you lied about Eren hurting you, please hope you will see the broad daylight the next day."

Petra shivered in fear.

"Wall Maria had been altered therefore villagers are evacuated in Wall Rose. Reconstruction is in the process as we are speaking. 7 squads were deployed in a case of the invasion of 10 titans. My disappointment was that recruits were sent out. 67 soldiers were injured, and we lost a life over two titans. May I know what the reason behind it was?"

"Our focus was to defeat the titans."

"Our focus?"

"There were so many titans out there."

"And what did I say about dealing with a large number of titans?"

"W... we send out one squad to check on the ability."

"Which squad was that supposed to be?"

"S... special operations squad."

"While waiting for the Special Operations Squad, what was supposed to happen?" With her intimidation clouding around her, she took slow steps around the tribunal leaving trails of blood that oozed from her wound.

"The Garrison Regiment. We are to evacuate the villagers."

"And why did that not happen?" The general finally looked up, glaring with her demonic silver eyes. "Answer me!"

"W... we panicked."

"Are you implying that we save ourselves?"

"No General!"

"THEN WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED EARLIER ON?"

A thunder bellowed after her. Despite the anger that was heard from her voice, her expressions were still calm. Everyone shook in fear. They barely seen the General out of her office moreover seen her so frustrated.

The general took a deep breath, "I know that is terrifying in such situation but, you uphold a duty. You took up a vow. Think about it and remind yourself how many lived we have lost. Dismissed." She commanded and left the Military Tribunal. Levi was waiting outside, leaning against the wall as his hands were stuffed in his pockets.

"You are dismissed, Captain."

"As a captain but, not as your fiancé." Levi said. "It's okay now. You did well, Raven." Her knees buckled just in time as Levi caught her in his arms.

"It actually hurts," a sad smile was plastered on her face.

"I know. Let us get you back and cleaned up ok?"

"Ok."