Love in a Time of War

Chapter Twenty-Four

Emiko continues taking note of the amount of injured "Did they get the Female Titan?" Armin asks. "She was trapped when I was there, hopefully they get whoever it is inside." Emiko responds. Jean looks at Emiko "It's one of us, isn't it? You think so, too, right? It has to be one of us." he asks. "Yeah. I think so." Armin says, Emiko not responding as she looks down. "It has to be one of us, most likely the same person who killed Sawney and Bean." Emiko sighs. Armin nods "It would make sense for it to be the same person." he agrees. "I need to get back to the others, report back to Erwin. Both of you be careful, I'll see you both in a bit." Emiko tells them. "You be careful too." Jean tells her. Emiko smiles and nods, swinging off with her ODM gear in the direction that the Female Titan is. Swinging up, she lands next to Erwin "How many injured?" Erwin asks. "Maybe a hundred, more people were being brought in when I left. More dead than injured though." she responds. Erwin nods "Your friends?" he asks. "I saw Armin and Jean, they're both alright. The others are too, as far as I'm aware." Emiko tells him, watching as Levi tries to get into the Female Titan's nape.

Just then the Female Titan lets out a scream, Emiko having to cover her ears. Miche lands the other side of Erwin, Emiko looking over to him "Erwin, it stinks." Miche tells him. "What direction?" Erwin asks. "Multiple sources, from all directions at once!" Miche responds. "Ngh! Ready the explosives, now!" Erwin orders the soldiers. "Erwin! The first wave will come from the east! They're almost here!" Miche warns. "Cart guard team, intercept!" Erwin shouts down. The cart guard team swing towards the Titans, being ignored by them "Three are breaking through! Lance Corporal Levi!" someone shouts. "You just did something, didn't you, bitch?" Levi asks the Female Titan, swinging down and killing two of the Titans. Emiko swings down and gets the third one, swinging back up to Erwin straight after as a small Titan begins to eat the Female Titan's leg. "Titans from all directions!" Someone exclaims. "All men, engage! Defend the Female Titan, even if it means your lives!" Erwin orders. Emiko immediately swings down, taking out multiple Titans alongside her brother "Ahh! It's no use!" Hange exclaims as more Titans appear. "Retreat, men! Back into formation! Return to Karanes!" Erwin orders.

Emiko and Levi swing up and land next to Erwin "We've been had." Erwin tells them. "Just look at you. Don't tell me..." Levi starts. "The enemy... was willing to sacrifice everything. I didn't expect the enemy to destroy itself along with the evidence by making Titans devour itself." Erwin tells the siblings. "All our talk at the court martial, and this is what happens. If we return empty-handed, who knows what will happen to Eren or us." Levi says. "We can think about that after we return. Our priority now is getting home without additional casualties. For now..." Erwin trails off. "I'll call my team." Levi says. "I'll come with you." Emiko tells him. "No, go help with the injured." Levi tells her. Emiko hesitates but nods "Wait, Levi. Refill your gas and blades." Erwin tells him. "There isn't time. I think I have plenty. Why?" Levi asks. "That's an order. Follow it." Erwin responds. "Roger, Erwin. I trust your decision." Levi tells him, putting his forehead against Emiko's before going to refill. Erwin pulls out a flare gun and shoots a blue flare into the air "Emiko, call your horse, you're riding up front with Hange and I." he tells her. Emiko nods and whistles, her horse appearing after a few minutes "There you are." she mumbles to herself, swinging down an landing on his back.

Riding alongside Erwin and Hange, Emiko listens to their conversation "When the Colossal Titan vanished, whoever was inside had been wearing ODM Gear so that they could escape in the steam. Don't you think the same possibility applies here?" Erwin asks. "But at the time, based on what we saw when Eren emerged from the Titan, we concluded it would be impossible. His equipment was destroyed, and his uniform was gone. Above all, Eren was so weak, he couldn't even stand unassisted." Hange tells him. "The Female Titan was able to attract other Titans with its cry. We failed to predict this, and the operation failed. If Titan abilities vary depending on skill, it was a mistake to use Eren, a total novice, as the basis for our assumptions. If we are to outwit our enemy, we'll need to think outside the box." Erwin responds. Emiko frowns, a bad feeling running through her as she runs a hand through her horse's mane. They soon come to a stop outside the forest, Emiko jumping off her horse and handing it to the solider who is looking after them. Looking round, Emiko goes over and helps get the injured into a cart "Emiko." Reiner greets, helping someone into the cart. "Reiner." Emiko nods. "You alright?" Reiner asks. "Yeah, just thinking about everything." Emiko nods.

After a while, Levi returns with Mikasa and a passed out Eren "Levi!" Emiko exclaims. Levi gives her a look making her face drop as she looks round for the rest of the squad "No..." she trails off, her heart dropping. Levi nods making her look down and close her eyes as she tries to hide her tears "Come on." Levi tells her gently, leading her over to the horses. Reaching them, Levi pulls her into his chest when he sees no one is around "All four of them?" Emiko asks in a broken voice. "Yes." he responds. Emiko lets out a small broken noise as she lets a few tears fall, Levi kissing her head "Come on, let's go get their badges." he tells her. Emiko wipes her tears away and nods, following her brother to where everyone's bodies are being gathered. Finding Petra, Gunther, Oruo and Eld, the two of them remove their badges, Levi putting them in his jacket to keep them safe til they can get them to their families. Emiko walks over to the side, Jean walking over "Emiko?" he asks gently. "Hey, Jean." Emiko smiles weakly. "What's wrong?" Jean asks her. "Petra, Gunter, Oruo and Eld were killed by the Female Titan." Emiko responds in a broken voice. "I'm sorry." Jean tells her. Emiko nods "I'm alright, just needed a minute away from everything. Levi and I got their badges to take home to their families, just in case." she explains. Jean takes her hand, gently squeezing "Ride alongside me on the way back?" he asks her. Emiko nods "Yeah, alright." she nods, giving him a small smile.