The walls weren't supposed to fall. The titans weren't supposed to invade. She wasn't supposed to be a soldier. Yet, all the above happened.
Eliora Smith wasn't set to follow her father's footpath as a soldier, content to being a midwife like her mo...
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"Zackly was killed?" I clarify quietly, away from Zeke but having a feeling he knows already. This is his plan.
The soldier nods. "We believe all the chaos is being caused by Zeke by way of Eren and Yelena."
"And?" Levi mutters.
"The Jeagerists should soon be brought to Zeke like they've been demanding."
Levi scoffs. "Pixis? He'll just roll over?"
"As you point out, the Commander remains steadfast. He's now at work on a plan to create an opportunity while Eren is being led here."
"Most unfortunately," the other soldier begins. "This is the only way to defend Eldia against rule against Jaegarists and Zeke."
"To have someone else eat Eren...by our hand," Levi pieces together, sighing.
"I think that's drastic," I say, Eren still the fifteen-year-old boy in my eyes that Levi beat the crap out of, that my father put all his faith in.
"There's another piece of shit we should be feeding to a Titan," Levi says, holding his hand to his temple in annoyance.
"Who?"
"That one there," I point to Zeke.
"What do you mean?"
"We'll transfer the Beast Titan," Levi says. "Grab one of the Jaegerists or something, turn them into a Titan, and feed Zeke to them. Then if Historia's prepared like she says she is, we'll feed the Titan to her in a few months once she gives birth in a few months."
"But Eldia's done for is there's an all-out attack on us during those few months!"
"Levi, there's another option, that's quicker," I tell him.
He glares at me. "Absolutely not. I'm not going to let him dictate things any longer. In fact, I need you to get back to Furlan."
"Levi—"
"Go!"
"No!" I yell at him, causing Zeke to look our way so I lower my voice. "I'm a target and if I go back, he'll be even more of a target. I need to help you end this monster."
"Tell Pixis. Go!" he shouts at the soldiers who nod, hopping away. Levi and I jump down from the trees using ODM gear.
"Enjoying your book?"
"I am," he replies sarcastically. "For one I've read seven times."
"It must be hard to concentrate on it. I'm sure our conversation was on your mind."
"Concentrate on a book I've read seven times?" Changing the subject, he looks around. "Anyways, is there any wine left?"
"We've been here for a month. There's not a drop left," Levi replies.
"Hmpf. You come up with the worst tortures." There's something off with his comment.
"Keep reading," Levi growls out, walking away. I walk alongside him, worried about his stability. Zeke was a sore point for both of us, but sometimes I think he took my father's death harder than I did.
"I'm going to fulfill the vow I made to Erwin," he mutters, looking up into the trees at the sleeping men. When I look back at Zeke, I spot a retreating figure.
"Levi!" I yell, chasing after the man, although probably not my best course of action. In an instant, all our previous troops stationed to guard him turned into Titans.
"This is goodbye, Captain!" Zeke yells maniacally. "But you, Eliora, are coming with me. You're too valuable." He turns and I run right into him. I slice into his stomach with a blade, struggling in his grasp from the collision.
He tuts. "I do apologize for killing your husband. I will spare your son if that makes you feel any better." My blood runs cold at the mention of Furlan and I stop fighting. "Good girl."
There's a wisp of air past me.
"Not you again!" Zeke mutters, biting into his hand and promptly dropping me from his arms. Using my gear, I catch myself before I'm caught by the hungry mouth of a Titan. Zeke's back in his Beast form and a sense of deja vu washes over me.
"You're desperate, you bearded bastard! All you had to do was sit back and read!" I hear my husband yell, giving me immense relief that he's still alive. "Whatever made you think that you could get away from me! Did you really think I wouldn't kill my men if you turned them into Titans? I guess you wouldn't know just how many friends we've had to kill."
I spot him throw Thunder Spears towards Zeke's nape and I fall towards his Achille's heels, trying to sever it.
When his nape ruptures open, Levi hops down, pulling Zeke up. "Hey beardy, look at you reeking, you filthy piece of shit. But don't worry, I won't kill you yet." With that, we drag him together back to the wagon. Levi inserts a Thunder Spear into the unconscious Zeke, set to go off if he moved.
"Wake up! Don't move! There's a wire connected to the detonator of that spear around your neck. One false move and you're going to be blown into at least two bits from your stomach," Levi says, waking up the prisoner.
"It's what you deserve," I mutter, staring him straight in the face. Even beat up and almost unrecognizable from the explosion, I can see the resemblance between us.
"Being unable to die must be tough at times like this, not that I sympathize," Levi chimes in, standing up and pulling out a sword. "You toyed with the lives of my men. It was all apart of your plan. Tell me, was part of your plan to end up covered in your own shit and vomit sobbing?" In one swift movement, he cuts off Zeke's legs.
"Shut up, I have to do this, or else you'll turn into a Titan, right?"
"My...glasses...where?" He truly sounds broken and something tugs on the last piece of humanity I have.
"You don't need glasses any longer."
"Levi—"
"Walk away Eliora." It wasn't a suggestion. It's an order. One I comply with.
"Yes, Captain."
It starts to rain when Zeke starts to mumble.
"Eldia's...euthanization."
"What was that? Euthanization?" Levi stops the wagon, peering over his shoulder. He looks over at me. "Just to be safe, I want you to stand away from the wagon."
I nod, going a bit away from it, still within earshot.
"Well, you're about to be chewed to bits inside a stinky Titan. I'd say that's a pretty merciful killing for someone like you, don't you think? Compared to all the lives of my comrades you stole from them."
"I stole nothing. I saved them from this cruel world, did I not?"
His question goes unanswered. "Looks like you're growing another leg." He lifts up a blade, ready to slice down.
"I hope you're watching Mister Xaver!!" Zeke screams.
"Levi, get out of there!" I yell, jumping back away from the wagon just as shards of wood hit my body.
