Pluviophile | Levi Ackermann × Reader |

| Chapter 9 | Cradle

It had been approximately two weeks since the break in incident, and my feet were now fully heeled with the mark on my cheek leaving a nasty scar.

I had been bedridden for almost half of that time, unable to walk from the pain. The glass shards had gone in a lot deeper than expected, damaging a lot of tissue. Eventually I was able to get back to my daily schedule, and of course that included expeditions.

Fortunately though we hadn't any for the current few weeks, so freedom was mine.

I spent my time in my office, poking and prodding at a pile of papers on my desk as I sat there, huffing with annoyance at the amount. I picked one up, reading it before putting it back where it came from. I got up from the desk and walked over to the window, watching the silver clouds glide over the skies as heavy snowfall stacked onto the surface below. I tapped my fingernail on the ledge.

Then something caught my eye.

A blurred figure passed from behind a tree and took shelter quickly behind an old building unused by the Scout's. I squinted, not sure what it was I had seen.

Was I imagining it?

I pulled away from the window and sat down on a sofa in the corner of my office, folding my arms around my body to keep warm. Winter meant never being comfortable outside of blankets and or fire. I huddled up against the warmth of the cushions, resting my eyes.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I granted, still tucked in the couch. I opened one eye to see who it was.

"Erwin has business with you," It was Hange, and she was looking at me from across the room with intensity. I stiffened, sitting up. "Is this regarding the break in?" I was curious to know.

She nodded. "Yes. He sent me to retrieve you."

I stood, yawning as I tredded behind Hange who led the way down the halls over to Commander Erwin's office. She clicked the door open, both of us walking inside. Both Levi and Erwin were standing there. Everyone who was present on the night of the break in was here, and I was tingling with wonder.

"Y/n," Erwin began from his chair. I could see Levi standing by the bookshelves, greeting me with a nod. "I've just recieved word of a small incident regarding our wagons," Hange and I exchanged a glance.

"Apparently, last night there was an ambush," He didn't take his eyes off of me as he spoke. "Originally, we thought it was most likely just a usual bandit attack- but when the two Scout's who had returned from the incident were questioned about the details of these pursuers, they brought up an amulet."

"Levi, if you will."

The Captain pulled the sparkling jewel from his pocket, its gorgeous glamor blinding me. It was a magenta colored ruby encased in a glimmering metal frame, the chain around it shining ever so brightly.

"When we brought this to them, they confirmed it to be the same one."

Levi remained holding it out for just awhile longer before tucking it away safely.

I felt myself gradually getting more worried. "So what are you implying?"

"I believe that this is the work of a bigger group, a group of people whom intend to strike at the Scout's weak spots until the time comes where we come crashing down."

I furrowed my brows. "How troubling... What do we do?" The question looked to spiral through the Commander's head. But he looked up at me with full confidence.

"We rid ourselves of any weak spots."
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|Chapter 9|
Cradle
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I dismounted my horse, leaving a footprint in the mud below. My hand remained on the saddle as both Levi and Hange tied their steeds to a pole. I did the same.
All three of us neared the town where the first incident had taken place. I kept my eyes peeled for the same officers who had arrested the thief. That was my task. Our mission.