An Unexpected Turn in Fate

Chapter 17 - The Attack on Wall Rose

The next day, the clangs of the big bell in Stohess rings throughout the district. There could only be one reason for this: Wall Rose had been breached by Titans. I join Eren, who is almost recovered from his fight with Annie, along with Mikasa and Armin to help load the carriage with a crate of supplies.

"Great. Somebody, explain to me what this means," Eren grumbles before taking a seat next to Mikasa. I exchange a nervous look with Armin as he furrows his eyebrows in concentration. "I don't know, but they are Titans, right? Did they break a wall with Titans in it?" He questions, approaching the carriage.

"Wouldn't be the first time," Eren states, staring at his clenched fists. "That's how they got into Shiganshina." I gently place a box on the carriage, turning to stare at them. I run a hand through my hair and purse my lips, knowing that he's partially correct. The colossal Titan, or Bertholdt, destroyed the gate that leads into the city. Other than that, the wall itself cannot be broken unless the shifter with the founding Titan uses its full power to start the rumbling, which frees the wall Titans and eradicates the walls.

"That was a gate."

"Armin, what exactly are you getting at?"

"The walls are different," he explains. "There's no sign of stress, cracks, or pressure between the rocks. We can't even really tell how they were constructed. Suppose they're built with the same stuff Annie is trapped in. Must be versatile material, and we know it's virtually indestructible." Eren and Mikasa were taken aback by his words as I furrow my eyebrows in concentration, knowing that Armin is spot on... as always.

Soon, the Survey Corps puts on their vertical maneuvering equipment and mounts their horses, lining up in front of the Stohess inner gate as they prepare for it to open. Armin and I board the carriage, with him sitting next to Eren while I sit across from Mikasa. She advises him to wear his green cloak since it was cold that night.

"Sorry to keep ya waiting!" Hange calls, which causes us to glance over at her and Levi walking towards us. My eyes land on Levi, who wasn't in his Survey Corps uniform since he was taking leave from his duties because of an injury. He wears a black suit, green shirt, ascot, and dress shoes. My cheeks turn bright red as I bite my lip. He looks hot, I think to myself. "Took longer to prepare than I thought," she adds.

Another person trails closely behind them as I eye him carefully. Pastor Nick, one of the many wall cultists and a selfish bastard. As they board the carriage, Levi sits to me, and the priest is on his left. Hange then occupies the space next to him. "He's a... He's a priest from the order of walls...!" Armin gasps in shock.

"I know!" Hange chirps, slinging an arm around him as he flinches at the touch. "Old Nick and me are as thick as thieves! It's fine! Makes as much sense for him to be here like the rest of us, don't you think? We're... random." She chuckles to herself, having a twisted expression on her face. I shift uncomfortably and purse my lips, noticing Levi's scowl.

"No," he states nonchalantly, with both arms crossed over his chest. "On the contrary, Erwin has thrown us together for a reason." I nod lightly, staring at Levi through the corners of my eyes. Why does he look so good in a suit? I ask myself, trying to hide my blush.

The Stohess inner gate was finally open. Erwin gets to the front while on his horse and faces the soldiers. "The status of Wall Rose is unclear," he briefs. "Everything up to Ehrmich is safe. That's the route we'll be taking. Let's move out!" I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, glancing at him once again and feeling my heart beat uncontrollably.

"Yes, sir!"

Levi looks at a soldier. "You heard him."

"Sir!"