Elliot Jaeger [Sequel ~ Complete]

Chapter 3

Eren's sudden jerking of his head caught Levi's attention immediately. Even though his partner was situated at the opposite end of the room with the other Scout Legion members, the movement didn't go unnoticed by the corporal's sharp awareness. Levi knew something must've happened for Eren to wear his current frown.

The meeting, which had been an hour long thus far, had yet to turn into a nasty internal bicker regarding the human titans. Though there weren't any fingers pointing, the first target tend to be the unusual couple whose relationship was almost considered taboo, along with the offspring they bore. Many of the Scout Legion members foresaw a possible verbal war, but not under such a sudden, unexpected circumstances.

Wooden doors flung open quickly. The sound of the creaking hinges along were enough to grab people's attention, and the doors slamming walls caused several others to jump in surprise. Appalled by the sudden interruption, the head of Wall Rose's western district stood from his seat, and being a short-fused individual, yelled at the man who had just intruded without permission.

The man who had just entered the room took a saluted stance. His face was pale yet beaded with sweat, and his fist shook where it rested on his chest. “Report! A rogue titan has been sighted in the plains!”

It wasn't another second the Levi and Eren stood from their seats. The former near the raised front podium glared at the man.

“That's not possible.” Levi gritted his teeth. They had met rogue titans once in a while, but the last combat with a night-active titan was more than two years back. Which hole did this one crawl out of? “What of the stablekeepers?!”

“They were in midst of returning to Shiganshina, but were attacked. Only half of them managed to get back safely-”

It was a second's slip, but most of everyone in the room saw the change in Levi's eyes. They were wide with shock. The corporal stormed up towards the man who had just walked in, questioning loudly and with urgency: “And the baby?!”

The Stationary Guard returned a confused look. He ended up looking down at shorter male who now stood before him, piercing him with a fiery gaze that made him flinch.

“Charles was injured, Mandy is fine, but none of them were holding any...” The man paused, searching his memory.

Up on the walls, he remembered seeing the couple playing with a child, thinking he was their grandson or something. But the chaos at night could not be witnessed due to the darkness, and when the stablekeepers returned, none of them had the said child. But why would Levi be concerned about a kid? Unless he belong to...

Initially puzzled eyes turned into ones of fear and dread. “Oh god, Corpora-”

Levi clenched his fists by his ears, as if refusing to hear any more. His form hunched over, making already small frame even smaller when he dropped to his knees. Everyone, especially the Scout Legion members, watched on with unease. The atmosphere in the air was suddenly thick and dreadful, one that was often present in times of death. And for the person kneeling, it was hell.

If there was one thing that every person within the walls knew, it was that Levi's voice was never raised past an angry yell. The sudden scream from the male tore through people's hearts even though hadn't lasted long. Hearing people scream or cry upon knowing the death of someone close wasn't new for anyone in the room, but the fact that it was the usually calm and collected corporal had all sick in their stomachs.

Christa buried her face into Ymir's chest, tears already flowing down her cheeks. The latter could only bow her head and hug the blond comfortingly. Jean placed his hand on Armin's shoulder, knowing that the other's lowered head was merely to hide the grief he was experiencing. Mikasa retreated behind her scarf, cluthing it so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. Next to her, Annie had interlocked their fingers tightly, looking ahead at the hunched figure. Reiner and Bertholdt exchanged brief glances of sadness, while Connie and Sasha were trying to swallow the lumps in their throats. Even the commander of the Scout Legion could only close his eyes and hold his breath, and where Hanji sat the woman had removed her glasses as if refusing to see the truth.