Anka's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Shep!? He's been on this squad longer than I have! He'd never betray us!"

I grabbed Anka's collar, pulling her face to mine.

"He knew that I used to work with the Garrison's horses. There's only a handful of people who know that. He was either bribed or threatened something fierce. That's why I had Rico send him off earlier. I knew if he came back, my hunch was right."

I saw pain cross Anka's face, as her heart dropped. With a sorrowful nod, she looked back up at me and said,

"What now...?"

"Stay behind me, and follow my lead," I said quietly, as I stood back up slowly.

I walked out from behind the rubble with my hands up, Anka close behind.

"Alright, you've got us. Now let Shep go," I growled.

The soldier threw Shep to the ground and aimed his gun at me, marching toward us. I felt Anka shift her gaze toward me hesitantly. I stayed calm as he closed in on us. Right as he grabbed my arm to pull it around my back, I slipped my blade out of my sleeve and into my hand. With one swift movement, I sliced off the soldier's hand and threw him to the ground. He screamed out in agony clutching his wrist. I confiscated his gun and shoved the barrel into his chest.

"You touch me again, and I'll blow a hole right through you."

I could see Shep slowly standing back up out of my peripheral vision. I whispered Anka's name, and she tightened her grip on the pistol I had given her. Shep walked over to the other soldier's corpse, picking up his rifle. He wiped blood from his lip and slowly made his way over to us.

"Thank you, (F/N), Anka... I thought I was a goner there for a second."

Right then, Shep and I both turned toward each other, rifles aimed and ready. I could hear my heart beating out of my chest, the soldier still crying out in agony, Anka pleading with Shep, and Shep ordering me to lower my gun. The tension was rising quickly, as everything got louder and louder. Just as I was about to pull the trigger, a shot rang out, but not from my gun... We all ducked instinctively, our ears ringing in response.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Rico staring at us from behind her smoking gun. Shep had collapsed to the ground, a bullet to the brain. Anka dropped her fists and forehead onto his body, angrily screaming at him for his treachery. I heaved a sigh, turning my attention back to the stunned soldier lying next to us. I ripped off a piece of Shep's pant leg and proceeded to tourniquet his arm and bandage up his severed wrist. He watched me, confused yet relieved.

"Wha- what are you doing? You're not going to kill me?"

"Anka, can you bring me this man's horse, please?" I said, proceeding to wrap his arm.

Anka guided his horse to me, waiting to see what my intentions were. I stood up, wiping my hands on my already bloodstained pants. I shifted my gaze onto Shep's corpse, then back up to Anka and Rico.

"Can you unbuckle all of Shep's harnesses? We'll need to use something to strap this guy down to his horse..."

Rico rested her rifle on the ground beside her and began to unfasten Shep's gear. Anka just stood next to the horse, gripping the reins tightly. She was visibly torn over the death of her friend and comrade. Yet, watching their Team Leader strip him of the last of his dignity was too difficult.

"Rico, how did you know about Shep?"

"When I was waiting inside one of the houses, I saw him ride back into town and meet this guy over here. I heard them talking about how they would trick us into lowering our weapons by threatening to kill Shep... I knew I had to follow them and stop them at just the right moment," she answered, pulling off Shep's belts.

Anka lowered her head and grimaced, sickened by her friend's betrayal.

I began searching the ground for the soldier's severed hand, when I spotted it lying in a crimson red puddle. Just before rigor mortis could set in, I picked it up and began manipulating the fingers into a rather crude gesture.

After we had lifted the soldier onto the saddle and securely fastened him to his horse, I stood firmly before him and said,

"You are to ride straight back to the Capitol from here. And once you get there, you be sure to deliver this to Viktor..."

I opened the satchel attached to the horse, placing the soldier's hand inside, which I had molded into a fist, middle finger to the sky. The soldier's eyes widened, realizing it was his. I patted his leg and leaned in, whispering,

"Tell him it's a gift from Kimiyo. He never owned me and never will."

With a gentle swat to the horse's flank, she reared powerfully, before galloping off toward Sina.  It had been years since I had spoken my real name. I had come to associate it with such pain, that when I joined the military, I created a fresh identity, never looking back.

Rico, Anka and I stood in silence for a moment, before I finally spoke again.

"Thank you, both of you, for trusting me... I'm sorry you had to get involved in this, but for now, let's just get the hell out of here."

------------------------------------------------------------------

I heaved a heavy sigh of relief as we passed through the Karanes Gate. I received a few strange looks from the citizens, as we were still bloodied up from our fight. We rode straight to Karanes HQ to meet up with Pixis. He had been called to Karanes, from his normal post in Trost, for official business. The moment we met, he took one look at me and busted out laughing.

"My god Erwin, what have you gotten me into this time!?"

He pulled a flask out from inside his jacket and began to unscrew the cap. Before he could steal a swing, Anka swiped it from his grasp.

"Commander, I can see you've had enough already. Give it a rest."

The remainder of the evening was spent debriefing Commander Pixis on our unexpected encounter and unfortunate loss. I gave everyone a general idea of the situation we were in, without divulging too much information. Pixis shook his head and sighed.

"I swear, this place gets more and more corrupt by the day. For now, just lay low until the Survey Corps arrives next week. They'll be leaving for their expedition from Karanes since the Trost Gate is permanently closed off. Erwin and I will be having a little chat about where to go from there."

I nodded in gratitude, stood to salute Commander Pixis, and exited the room alongside Rico and Anka. We were shown to our rooms so we could get cleaned up and retire for the evening. I was more than happy to shed my stained uniform and wash the dirt and dried blood from my body.

I flopped onto my bed and instinctively turned to the side to whisper good night to Levi. But it was cold and empty, and my heart sank, remembering I was alone. I rested my hand on the mattress, as if to touch his warm chest, yearning to hear the sound of his heartbeat. I knew I had to leave his side to keep he and my comrades safe, doing my part to ensure the success of the mission, yet the overwhelming pain and guilt I felt was still unavoidable.

The only thing that got me through the next week was knowing I would see Levi when the Survey Corps would pass through on their way outside the wall. I was fortunate enough to avoid any attacks, although the lack of made me nervous. I knew they wouldn't try anything once the Survey Corps arrived, since the military presence would double, and the city would be too crowded.

I was surprised by how anxious I was the day of the Survey Corps' arrival. I tried to keep myself busy, but continued to get distracted by my thoughts. Everytime I pictured myself seeing Levi again, my heart fluttered and my stomach filled with butterflies. It was such a strange sensation, almost enough to make one go insane.

I gasped at the sound of the town bells tolling, announcing the arrival of the Survey Corps. I jumped onto my horse and urged her forward with excitement; trying to keep my composure at the same time. I rode through town as fast as my horse could carry me. I knew Pixis would be requesting a quick word with Commander Erwin before he led everyone outside the wall, so there would be enough time for a brief reunion with Levi.

I could see the outlines of the Scouts as they slowly rode through town. My eyes darted quickly through the troops, searching to find the face I had longed to see.

When I finally spotted him, my heart skipped a beat. His eyes were already locked onto me, watching my desperate attempt to find him. I gasped, suddenly overwhelmed with relief, joy and urgency. I didn't know whether to casually approach him, or burst forward and tackle him to the ground. So, I just sat there on my horse, frozen.

I watched him turn to face forward, saying something to Erwin. As he spoke, I saw Hange pop her head out from behind Levi, a giant grin spreading across her face at the sight of me. Erwin dropped his chin and smiled, as Levi pulled the reins to the side, guiding his horse in my direction. I could feel my face begin to flush as he approached. I was still completely baffled by how childish my reactions were.

I lowered my gaze, as I mumbled a bashful greeting. Levi aligned his horse with mine, each facing opposite directions. He calmly reached for my hands, allowing me to release the death grip I held on my reins. I looked up to witness a tiny smile emerging from Levi's lips.

"I'm glad to see you're still alive."

I busted out laughing, unable to hold back a few happy tears. Levi turned his horse back around, rejoining Erwin, with me by his side. I gave everyone a quick greeting, but was really just yearning to speak to Levi alone.

When we arrived at HQ, Pixis greeted Erwin, requesting a word with him before the expedition commenced. I carefully dismounted my horse, tying her reins up loosely next to the water trough. Levi did the same, patting his horse's muzzle gently, before we silently walked through a large archway into a grand hall.

All of a sudden, Levi nudged me into an empty room, shutting the door behind us. I opened my mouth to speak, but was immediately silenced by a pair of soft lips.

This. This is what my soul had ached for. To return to his arms.