The Universe In Her Eyes • Levi Ackerman

15 • scared soldiers

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Eva and Mikasa were standing defensively in front of Armin and Eren, who seemed to be finally waking up. The group of Shiganshina was comletely surrounded by other troops, blocked and cornered just outside the gates of Trost.

"I'll kill you..." muttered Eren while still supporting himself on Armin's arm, making the two girls turn around to look at him.

"Eren?!" Armin called his name.

"You idiot!" Eva cried, "you gave us a good scare, huh!? What happened to 'don't die'?"

"Eren!" Mikasa's voice exuded utter happiness and relief.

"Eren, can you move? Are you yourself again?" Armin questioned, "tell them everything you know! I'm sure they'll understand!"

I am not so sure, Armin Eva kept it to herself.

"Did you hear that? He said 'I'll kill you'!" some random soldiers were commenting on Eren's words, not very fortunate considering the situation they were in. "Yeah, I heard it, too. He wants to devour us all!"

Eren's face was that of pure and simple confusion. He did not understand the scene that was unfolding before him, with hundreds of Garrison soldiers raising their swords against the group of four.

Eva was sure she could take at least half of the soldiers surrounding them, making way for Mikasa to take the two boys with her. But there was still the problem of the cannon batteries pointing directly at them. There was little to no chance that she could defend that.

"Cadets Jaeger, Jaeger, Ackerman, and Arlert!" the man that had been giving them instructions before the battle began spoke; the same man that Eva reported to after engaging with the Colossal. "Your present behavior is high treason! What do you have to say in your defence?"

"If you try anything deceitful or attempt to make a move, the artillery will open fire on you immediately! We won't hesitate!" the guy was panicking.

"Huh!?" Eren's confusion increased by the minute.

"I ask of you — What are you? A human or a Titan?"

Yeah, that question is not going to help him.

"I... I don't understand the question!" Eren pleaded, as Eva predicted, more confused by the new question.

"You're feigning ignorance?" now the man was extremely irritated. "Damn monster! Try playing dumb with me again! We'll blow you to bits in an instant! We won't give you time to show your true face!"

"My true face?" Eren frowned.

"Everybody saw it!" he announced, starting to explain the situation. "You emerged from the carcass of a Titan! Mankind has allowed creatures like you to infiltrate Wall Rose! Even though you're cadets sworn to the King himself, it's appropriate to preemptively eliminate this risk!"

"Would you shut your filthy mouth!?" an angry Eva shouted.

"I'm not wrong!" the man defended, "You said it yourself, Jaeger, the Armored Titan that broke through Wall Maria could appear at any moment! Mankind is once again on the brink of extinction! Do you get it? We can't afford to waste our troops and time on you! I'll blow you to pieces with the artillery!"

Eva's grip on her blades tightened; her senses spiked due to the sudden threat.

"Bring it on, then" she challenged. "You will be blowing up two of your best soldiers."

"She is right, Commander" a woman next to him reasoned, "that girl alone killed about 20 titans and lead the supply operation for the cadets to be able to retreat, sir."