The remaining scouts made a camp on the wall, their battle was over but they still needed to recover. In particular, Sasha and Armin, who were unconscious and making the others worry about their recovery. On the other hand, Kaya was dreading the moment when they were both to arise from their sleep, she knew that they'd want an explanation as to what exactly she was. The ghoul wanted to conceal her eating habits but knew it would be useless in the long run, it was best to tell them everything at once and hope for the best.

"Kaya." Levi's voice broke her out of her analysis.

"Yeah?"

"We need to talk." He said, beckoning the thief to follow him a few metres away from the squad. Once he thought they'd gained enough privacy, Levi enlaced Kaya in a breathtaking hug, quite literally. Kaya was shocked but returned the gesture with the same amount of enthusiasm.

"I thought you were dead out there." Levi spoke into the crook of her neck.

"I thought you were gone too, but worst of all, it would've been my fault." She added. "Come to think of it, this whole operation was messed up because of me. If I had just double checked the cart then-." The ghoul stopped midway through her sentence, both the scouts knew what was about to follow but neither of them wanted to admit it.

"Here." Levi said, offering her the handkerchief she'd once lent him. "You look like hell, I'm surprised the squad didn't say anything sooner." The ghoul quickly cleaned up and went straight into the defence.

"Huh? I've been inside of a titan stomach, I've been boiled alive in stomach acid, I tore through all its flesh and I've been torn to shreds by pebbles. I think I'm allowed to look like hell right now." She shouted, annoyed by the captains pitiful attempt at a joke.

"Other than all that shit, your hair looks." He paused for a moment. "It looks nice."

Kaya sighed, she thought Levi was going to make another remark about her demonic state but instead was happy to receive the small compliment. Changing the subject, the thief decided it was time to bring up the tough situation she was about to face with the squad. At this point, she needed both advice and comfort, her friends will either love or hate her from her confession, but they needed to know.

"Listen, I'm sure the squads gonna need answers as to why I was, y'know, being a ghoul. But, it's just so nerve racking. Telling you and Hange was easier because you're more understanding and I'm closer with the two of you, where as they're just kids. They won't understand." Kaya explained while turning her head to the group.

"This times going to be different, because now you've got support. I'll be by your side the whole time." He reassured. "Are you telling them the whole truth?" Levi asked, referring to her eating habits.

"I have to, if they find out on their own then who knows how they'll react." She answered, already beginning to feel the effects of anxiety. Although she wanted to keep her secret, there was something inside her that couldn't cope with all the lies she'd been telling and all the mistrust her squad held towards her for it.

Just then, they heard Eren yell from their camp. "You're up!" He said, alerting the squad of Armin's safety. Kaya watched as Eren embraced Armin into his arms. She let a smile form onto her face, she was glad Levi chose Armin over Erwin, happy that he'd finally let the commander rest.

The two walked towards the now titan shifters and did their best to look presentable, which was difficult considering they had blood stained over their clothes and Kaya's hair was as abnormal as ever. "About time." Levi spoke.

"Captain." Armin said, looking to the person who stood next to Levi. He almost didn't recognise her, the stoic expression or narcissistic smirk that held its ground on her face was no longer there. It was replaced with none other than a genuine smile. "Kaya." He observed.

"The one and only."

"What happened? I saw Bertholdt transform, but then, everything was kinda blurry." The blonde explained before realisation hit him. "Did we fight them off? Is everyone okay?"

"It sounds as though your recent memory's been just about wiped out." Levi said to the confused boy.

The ghoul only scoffed before enlightening the situation further. "No shit. Everyone in our squad made it out alive." The boy let out the breath he was holding, he wasn't aware that Kaya was about to bring the bad news next. "Unfortunately, other than Hange, everyone else is dead. Our enemies escaped, the battle wasn't lost nor won, but I think it's safe to say that we were worse off."

Levi nodded. "Eren, fill him in on the fine details." He ordered, firing a smoke signal into the air.

Once Eren explained the situation, Armin was left with no life in his eyes. He was either in deep thought or pure shock of the recent events. Kaya couldn't blame him, she'd felt the same way when she realised she'd put everyone in danger. The only thing she could think of that had a chance of comfort was to place a hand on Armin's head, combing her fingers through his blonde strands of hair.

"Okay, are you up to speed now?" Levi asked.

"Yeah. We won, but the scout regiment, there are only 10 of us left alive. Just the 10 of us?" Armin questioned, not believing for one second that it could have all been true.

"That's what it looks like. The fighting ended 4 hours ago, we've been searching for survivors but, no luck." Jean added.

"So, to be clear, we resealed Shiganshina's gate, securing wall Maria and then the beast titan escaped. Along with the quadruped. You managed to capture Bertholdt and then with both me and the commander wounded, you had to chose which of us to give the injection to. And you did, I transformed into a titan and killed Bertholdt. Ate him." Armin stuttered, he needed reassurance, but before he could receive an ounce, his disgust of his act riled itself up. Armin tried to puke, but he just couldn't. Instead, Jean handed him some water.

"Why though? Why'd you chose me? No matter how you look at it, commander Erwin's the one humanity needed the most. Captain, why'd you give me the injection?" Armin asked.

"Tch, hey." The captain kicked Eren's side. "I thought I told you to tell him everything Yeager. There was a short debate. Your friends here argued that you were the one we needed keep alive. And when I disagreed, they staged a little mutiny." Levi answered.

"It's true, punish us as you will." Eren lowered his gaze.

"You'll certainly be disciplined for your insubordination. But getting punished isn't the same as making amends." Hange spoke.

"I know." The shifter groaned.

"Thing is, I was the one who chose to revive you in the end. Or no. It's more like I chose this was the place where Erwin died." The captain added.

"But what are the scouts without him? If he's gone, then how will we go on?" Armin clenched his water container.

"You're right Armin. I believe it should've been used on Erwin too. To be brutally honest, never mind, it's a shame we had to chose in the first place. It's over now. Erwin told Levi to use the syringe as he thought best, and Levi chose to use it on you. What's done is done, Erwin's life and the power of a titan both rest on your shoulders. No matter what anyone says, that's the truth. It's part of who you are now. Accept it." The section commander voiced their opinion.

"Wait, so does this mean that I've become Erwin's replacement? There's no way. I can't." Armin stuttered.

"That's not the case." Kaya reassured.

"There's no chance in hell you'd be able to replace Erwin. That said, your self doubt aside, you have a strength within you that no one else can claim. Don't let any of us regret this. Not me, not either one of our mutineers here, nor anyone else. And especially don't regret it yourself, consider that your new mission." Levi instructed, getting interrupted by the faint noises Sasha was making.

"Shut the hell up." The brunette ordered. Everyone was shocked to hear the girl was awake, let alone telling Levi to shut up, bold move. Hange was the first to begin laughing, followed by a few other squad members.

"Yep, that's our Sasha. She's always been one to speak her mind. You know, since Erwin chose me to succeed him as commander, I'm more or less in the same boat as you. We'll just have to grin and bear it while doing what we can."

"I'll try." The blonde said, before looking up the the ghoul. "Didn't you say you'd explain things after we retook wall Maria?" He questioned.

Kaya's face turned into a panicked expression before she collected herself and nodded her head. "I did, but I don't think anyone in the right state to hear it. I'm sure it can wait." She dismissed, but her squad had waited too long for answers to allow her to turn her back now.

"Just tell us already, asshole." Sasha said, Kaya looked at the girl who now had her eyes slightly open, even in her wounded state, she wanted to know the truth.

"I don't think you understand the entirety of what I'm about to tell you." Kaya said. "You barely managed to take in what Eren told you."

Levi walked behind the ghoul, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. That was all she needed to understand that it had to be done. With that, she took a deep breath and began to unravel her past.

"Ok, truth is, I'm not human."

Authors note : : : sorry this took so long I was busy. I'll try and do a quick update but I've got to make a English presentation so that's gonna take up most of my time.