Love in a Time of War

Chapter Nineteen

Emiko sits on her horse next to Levi as Hange talks to Eren in the well "Ready to start, Eren? Once we're ready, we'll fire a smoke signal. What you do after that is up to you." Hange tells him. "Understood!" Eren responds. "Nice. This dry well will be able to restrain a Titan even if it's out of control. Probably." Hange explains, walking over to where the siblings are. "That sounded optimistic." Emiko tells them. Hange smiles at them before firing the signal into the air, the three of them waiting for something to happen. When nothing happens, the three of them look at each other "Hm? I wonder if he didn't see the signal." Hange comments. "No. We weren't even particularly certain of this in the first place." Levi tells them, riding over to the well. Hange and Emiko look at each other before riding over too "Hey, Eren! The experiment's on hold!" Levi calls down as the three of them look into the well. "Is something wrong? Ah...!" Hange exclaims, seeing Eren's hands and mouth bloodied. "Hange... I can't turn into a Titan." Eren tells them. "Let's just get you out and patched up." Emiko tells him. Eren nods, being helped out of the well by Emiko "Hop on." she smiles, letting Eren jump onto the back of her horse. "Thanks." Eren tells her as she begins to ride back to where everyone set up the tables. "No problem, what are friends for?" Emiko responds with a slight smile.

The siblings talk to Eren as he sits with the squad "The wounds you got from biting yourself aren't healing?" Levi asks. "Yes." he responds. "If you can't turn into a Titan, sealing Wall Maria and all is nothing but a dream. This is an order. Do something about it." Levi tells him, leading Emiko away. The two of them sit at a table together, Levi making them both a cup of tea "So... Erwin gave you the talk about... everything?" he asks. "We are not doing this here, but yes." Emiko tells him. Levi nods in response, passing her her cup of tea. Emiko smiles and hums in appreciation as she drinks some "You think Eren will work out how his powers work?" Levi asks her. "He's a determined guy, you should have seen him in training. He's probably the person who made the most progress between the first and last day." Emiko responds, drinking some of her tea. Just then an explosion happens behind the two of them, Emiko sighing as she gets up with Levi. The two siblings run over "Hey! What happened?! What's with that explosion?" someone asks as the two of them stand in from of Eren and his partially formed Titan. "Why now?!" Eren asks, trying to pull his arm out. "Calm down." Levi tells his squad. "Lance Corporal Levi! This is... Ah!" Eren stops when realises that Levi is talking to Petra, Oluo, Eld and Gunther, the four of them having their blade drawn.

"I'm telling you to calm down. All of you." Levi tells them. "Eren... What is the meaning of this?!" Eld asks. "Sir?" Eren asks in confusion. "Why'd you transform without permission? Answer me!" Eld exclaims. "Eld, hold on." Levi tells him. "Answer him, Eren! What are you thinking?!" Oluo asks. "No, save that for later! Prove to us that you're not our enemy... mankind's enemy!" Gunther says, marching closer. "Huh?" Eren asks. "Hurry up and prove it to us! It's your responsibility to do so!" Gunther tells him. "Don't you so much as dare twitch that arm! The moment you do, your head will roll! I'll do it! I'm serious! Want to try me?!" Oluo adds. "Oluo! I'm telling you to calm down." Levi tells him. "Lance Corporal! Emiko! Please step away from Eren! You're too close!" Petra tells the siblings. Emiko rolls her eyes and climbs up the partially formed Titan "No, you're the ones who should step away. Stand down." Levi tells his squad. "Why?!" Petra asks. "My instincts tell me so." Levi responds. Emiko reaches Eren and sits next to him "You alright?" she asks. "Uh, y-yeah. I think so." Eren nods. "Well, Eren?! Say something!" Eld tells the teen. "I'm-" Eren starts. "Don't make any funny moves!" Oluo interrupts him. "Prove it already!" Gunther exclaims. "Eren!" Oluo shouts. "I'm not sure what's-" Eren tries. "Answer me!" Eld tells him. "You think we can't kill you?!" Gunther asks. "I'm serious!" Oluo tells him.

"Hurry up!" Eld exclaims. "You hear me?!" Gunther asks. "Look, I'll do it!" Oluo threatens. "To mankind you're-" Gunther starts. "Please shut up for a minute! Can't you see he's stuck?!" Emiko cuts them all off, glaring at them. The squad falls silent looking at her in shock, having never heard her shout "Eren!! Can I touch that arm?! Hey, is it okay? It's okay, right? I'm just gonna touch it!" Hange asks, running over and pushing Gunther out the way. "H-Hange! Wait a second!" Eren tries to warn them. Hange touches Eren's Titan arm "Wahh... Huh? H-Hot!! It's damn how when there's no skin! It's super hot! Hahaha!" they grin. Emiko shakes her head, looking at how Eren's arm is stuck "Squad Leader! You're being too reckless!" Moblit tells Hange. "Say, isn't it hot, Eren?! How exactly are you connected to that arm?! I really want to see!" Hange grins. "Damn it!" Eren exclaims, not being able to pull his arm out. Emiko pulls out one of her blades "You trust me?" she asks Eren, making him nod. "H-Hey, Eren! No funny business!" Oluo tells him. Emiko slices away the area that Eren's arm is stuck in, Eren pulling his arm out and falling to the ground. The body begins to steam as Emiko jumps back down so she's next to Levi "What?! Wait, Eren, Emiko, that's too soon! There's so much more I... Ahh..." Hange exclaims. "Lance Corporal..." Eren trails off. "How do you feel?" Levi asks. "Not... too good..." Eren admits.