Coming for your soul

Chapter 23

Eren POV

Farlan and Isabel showed them hidden paths through alleys tainted in shadows and the gore of secrets never meant to be revealed. Their steps pounded on the ground and were as quiet as the paws of a mouse if needed.

Even though it was easier to follow them this time, Eren kept stumbling when trying to sneak a glance at the third party's soldiers now and then. Levi always pushed him forward, not letting him fall back.

They hustled through the underground, not yet ready to reveal themselves to their foes.

Isabel took another turn around a small corner, waving at them to quickly follow her. Another turn, another step – and they were face to face with the familiar forms of Zeke and the soldiers. Their soldiers.

Zeke's eyes widened a bit when he saw his brother and Eren couldn't help the jolt of relief when he caught sight of him. Without giving it another thought, he ran over and hugged the older man, cursing under his breath.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"I tried to...I'm sorry, it wasn't of any importance.", Zeke mumbled against his hair and patted his back before letting him go with the hint of a fond smile. Eren exhaled deeply, frankly too busy with their situation to care about anything else. "Maybe I'll tell you later about it."

"When you're done with your shit, we should get going.", Levi grumbled from behind them and after a small nod, Zeke regained his posture as the confident general. Eren got his features under control and turned to address the soldiers, who stood straight as sticks when his gaze flickered over each one of them.

"Our enemy has no regards for the lives of innocents.", he began, his voice thick with disgust and hatred. "We will lead them out of the underground. Until further notice, we'll have to make ourselves their main targets."

The soldiers bowed their upper bodies with one hand behind their back and their obedience on full display. "Yes, Your Highness."

Eren didn't turn around to see Farlan's and Isabel's reactions. He had no time to sort out any emotional complication that might arise. Levi was by his side as if he had never left it to begin with. At first Eren was irritated by his silence.

Then he realized that Levi was waiting.

Waiting for his orders.

Something warm inside him turned his stomach upside down.

He cleared his throat and said: "Isabel will show us the way out of the underground. Try to keep close to her and protect her at all costs. Without her, we'll have no chance to succeed."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Eren exhaled deeply and shared a last, reassuring look with his brother before turning over to send Isabel a small nod. "Let's do this."

- - -

Isabel was quick on her feet. Not once did she look back to assure herself that they could follow her. Now and then Eren heard small gasps from the soldiers who had formed some sort of ring around the girl.

They ran across the roofs, black as shadows and disappeared from anyone's view unless they wanted to get seen. But Eren had yet to give the order for that. He kept his position in the middle of their group with Levi racing all the way beside him, throwing him short glances now and then.

Faster. They had to be faster.

Isabel cut corners and flew through the air as if she was made of nothing else. The dark atmosphere and the sick smell of blood pushed against Eren's nostrils and he concentrated on the red pigtails of the girl instead.