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• 3rd Person POV:
"Just wait... you... bitch..!" the soldier screamed, his lower body crushed between the massive jaws of a 5-meter titan. In a final act of defiance, he drove his blade into the titan’s cheek. But the creature only bit down harder, drawing a strangled cry from his throat.
“W-Wait and you’ll be finished! Captain Levi will-”
Before he could finish, a blur of black streaked through the air. In a flash of steel, the titan’s nape was cleaved, and its hulking body crashed to the ground with a deafening thud.
“Petra! Help the soldier below! The rest of you, handle the titans on the right. I’ll take the left.” Levi ordered, his voice as sharp as his blades.
“Yes, Captain!” Petra replied, glancing back at the lone man already darting toward the trio of titans closing in on the left.
Each one of you has interesting facial features... Levi noted absentmindedly as he twirled through the air. Twin blades embedded themselves into the eyes of another titan, drawing a guttural roar.
“Be quiet. I don’t want your blood on my cloak.” he muttered, twisting midair before slicing clean through the nape. He landed softly, glancing down at the crimson staining his gloves with a scowl.
“Captain! We can’t stop the bleeding!” Petra cried out from below. Levi immediately knelt beside the injured man.
“C-Captain...” the soldier gasped.
“What?” Levi asked, his tone unreadable.
“Was I... was I useful to humanity?”
Levi met his eyes without hesitation. “You did a damn good job. You’ll keep doing that. Your soul will stay by my side, giving me strength.”
The soldier’s eyes welled with tears as Levi gripped his hand tighter. “I swear I’ll cut every last titan to the ground.”
“Captain... he’s gone.” Petra whispered.
“Did he hear what I said?”
“I’m sure he did. He’s resting peacefully now,” she murmured, eyes falling to the lifeless body.
“Good.” Levi stood, jaw set.
“Levi! We’re retreating!” came Erwin’s call from atop his horse.
“Retreat? We’re going forward. Or did my men die for nothing?” Levi snapped.
“The titans are nearing the northern suburbs. It’s happening again... just like five years ago.”
—————————————
Meanwhile, in Trost:
“And that’s how we managed to refill our gas and escape Trost.” Connie explained to Krista and Ymir. Nearby, Jean, Y/n, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie sat in silence, still trying to comprehend what had happened with Eren.
“Jean!” Ymir called. “Don’t tell me Mikasa got hurt.”
He looked down, saying nothing.
“Oi... what’s going on?” Connie asked, The concern rising.
Krista opened her mouth to speak, but a sudden boom shook the ground, silencing everyone.
“Artillery? Just one?” someone questioned anxiously.
“There’s smoke coming from inside the wall!” a cadet shouted.
“A titan...?” Jean murmured, his eyes locking with Y/n’s. Suddenly, Reiner launched himself toward the smoke without a word, prompting the rest to follow.
What they found was a haunting sight: a skinless, bone-thin titan evaporating on the ground. Around it, soldiers stood frozen, blades drawn.
“What the hell...?” Y/n breathed.
“Is that Armin?” Jean pointed toward the blonde boy standing with his arms raised.
They watched from afar as Armin tried to reason with the commanding officer, pleading Eren’s case. Still, the officer raised his hand to give the order to fire until Pyxis intervened, grabbing his arm.
“Even with your rank, you’re still as stupid as I remember.” he muttered coolly.
—————————————
Under the wall, all the trainees had gathered. On top stood Pyxis, Eren, Armin, and Mikasa. Confused murmurs filled the air.
“Retake Trost? This is madness! How are we supposed to plug the hole?”
“They never shut up.” Y/n grumbled to Jean, arms crossed.
“Attention!” the garrison officer barked, silencing the crowd. He then explained the plan: Eren would transform into a titan and use a giant boulder to seal the gate. Y/n’s squad was tasked with killing titans to clear the path while others lured them away from Eren.
—————————————
The mission had been going surprisingly well aside from Eren landing a hit on Mikasa.
On a nearby rooftop, Hange Zoë adjusted her glasses, watching the carnage below as titans fell one after another.
“They’re fast.” she commented, noticing a figure expertly maneuvering through the swarm, slicing through napes with ease.
Levi, just landing beside her, narrowed his eyes. “It’s her.”
“Her?” Hange echoed, confused. She followed his gaze to a figure landing on the cliff next to them.
"Who-"
Her question was cut off by the thunk of a blade embedding into a titan’s nape. The girl calmly sheathed her swords and straightened up.
“What are you doing here?” Levi asked coldly, eyes forward.
“Rude. Is that how you react after not seeing me in a while?” the girl replied, brushing her hair back.
“Do you want a kiss or something?” he muttered, finally turning to face her only for her view to be blocked by a pair of circular glasses.
“Ohhh Levi! You didn’t tell me you knew such pretty girls!” Hange squealed, grabbing the girl’s hand and shaking it with enthusiasm.
“Thanks...?” Y/n blinked.
“I’m Hange Zoë! What’s your name!?”
“Y/n. Y/n Ackerman.”
“Ohhh! you’re married already?!” Hange teased.
“Hange. Enough,” Levi interjected, lightly whacking her on the head.
“Oh, sorry! Am I making you uncomfortable?” she asked, stepping back.
“No, it’s just... um-”
Before Y/n could finish, someone landed behind her.
“Y/n! Eren lifted the boulder!” Jean called, breathless.
“What?!”
“We’ve got to protect him. now!”
Without hesitation, Jean zipped off using his ODM gear.
“Sorry, gotta go! Nice meeting you, Hange!” Y/n shouted as she followed.
Hange watched her go, then glanced at Levi—who was still glaring at the spot where Y/n had stood.
“So... are you married?” she asked again with a smirk.
