"You're not drinking?" she asked, not seeming interested in the party.
"No Annie-san."
"Then you're just going to be here staring at me all night?"
"Does that make you uncomfortable?"
"You treat everyone like that?"
"Sorry, is that a bad thing?"
"You're weird."
Annie walked to the balcony without wanting to hear another answer.
The din of the party below could be heard faintly , between the balcony pillars the dignitaries were seen standing with their glasses raised, mingling in their respective interest groups.
On the edge, her head was actually looking up.
Annie may not seem to care about the event, but Violet recognizes her gaze.
She knew Annie wasn't looking at the sky. The same gaze as the people she had met in the days after the war ended.
Feeling like she had something to talk about, Violet wanted to follow.
But after only a few steps, Annie suddenly turned her head slowly, as if she knew someone was watching her secretly.
Violet stopped.
The look in her eyes drew her back.
Faint voice was heard from a distance, little by little the voice became clearer.
Violet.
Violet!
"VIOLET!!!" someone shouted at the top of their lungs.
Violet blinked. When she regained consciousness, she found herself floating in the air. Her breath was ragged.
Reflexively she was about to pull the trigger, but a sudden pain shot through her chest.
She coughed lightly and coughed up blood.
Her gaze dropped down, her uniform looked fine but she felt like she had been hit by something very hard, she was still trying to breathe properly.
Violet wasn't fast enough to grasp the space until she finally hit a tree trunk very hard and fell without keeping her balance.
Her body spun around, her gaze uncertain, but luckily she had already made the last-second calculation to pull the lever.
The hook stuck in the horizontal tree trunk, she hung gasping for breath.
Turning to the side, she saw the silhouette of the Female Titan. It was then that Violet finally remembered what had happened.
The Female Titan's fingertips reached for it just before her palm struck with almost unimaginable force.
Violet, whose focus was disturbed by the Female Titan's gaze, was too late to dodge at the last second.
"Sorry, it shouldn't have been like this... if you saw it, I would probably get scolded like hell, Krause-san." she muttered between breaths.
Just one blink the ground suddenly shook.
Her body swayed slowly following the swing of the rope and then suddenly the shadow of a giant foot was right above her.
Violet flinched but her natural reflexes had returned, just a split second before she met her death.
The Female Titan was truly merciless, her fighting style had changed drastically compared to before she first fell.
Violet shot into the air and then spun backwards. Her hand was ready to draw her sword. When she was finally in the perfect position to strike, the skin on the Female Titan's nape slowly crept and hardened, forming a protective layer.
Violet is late. The Female Titan had already read his movements.
The Female Titan started to turn and run.
Without fear, Violet attacked from the front.
The Female Titan suddenly stopped in her tracks until her feet dragged on the ground.
At that moment she made an unexpected move.
In an instant, both of her arms hardened like crystal . A moment later, she slammed her palms together hard.
The surrounding air is compressed, creating a terrifying shock wave.
The giant tree trunks swayed violently. Nearby branches broke instantly and flew in all directions.
Violet, who was traveling at high speed, was immediately sent flying as soon as she hit the wave. Even when she flattened her body to lessen the impact, it still wasn't enough to penetrate the force of the shockwave.
The Female Titan gathered strength in both her legs, then immediately lunged forward.
Her giant hand swung, about to slap Violet.
The Female Titan paid no attention to the trees in front of her. She simply tore through the smaller tree trunks, sending splinters flying in all directions.
The sound of shattering wood rang out like a series of explosions along the path of her sweep.
Even though her body wasn't completely balanced, Violet managed to dig her hook into the ground and avoid the deadly attack at the last second.
She dashed low under the Female Titan before slashing the side of the giant's leg.
However, the wound had no effect . The slash looked more like a desperate attack.
Violet darted away, keeping her distance. She suspected the Female Titan would come after her again. From that position, she still had enough space to read her movements and find an opening to counterattack.
But there is something odd.
The Female Titan did not turn around. Didn't even glance at her.
Violet narrowed her eyes. An almost invisible steam slowly rose from the Female Titan's entire body.
As she looked closer, the protective layer on the giant's nape seemed to be getting thinner.
So she can't maintain that hardening for too long... Violet thought. Or maybe her energy was already drained after fighting against Eren Titan.
But the Female Titan's steps were not towards her at all.
Violet's eyes widened.
"No!"
She immediately understood what the Female Titan was really after.
While continuing to run, the Female Titan grabbed Eren's body in one move, then carried him away.
Violet immediately gave chase.
Suddenly, the sound of gas hissing pierced the air. Mikasa shot across her vision at incredible speed, performing a nearly impossible maneuver.
"Give Eren back!"
Behind them, Jean and Armin spurred their horses as hard as they could following the direction of the chase.
"Thank God... we managed to move the gas cylinder in time," said Jean.
Armin shook his head. "No, Jean. Look at that flare. We were ordered to retreat. We don't have much time."
Jean just smiled faintly even though his face was pale.
"No. With the two of them... that's enough."
Armin gripped the reins tighter.
"Are you sure? My gas is even less than half."
The Female Titan turned her head halfway, only glancing at Mikasa from the corner of her eye.
Without reducing her speed, she turned her body and swung a single punch.
Mikasa dropped her body down, letting the giant fist pass right over her head. In the same trajectory , both of her swords cut deeply into the Female Titan's thighs.
The Female Titan didn't fall, but her steps were unsteady. Both of her legs dragged a few meters, trying to hold back her running momentum.
The Female Titan was about to launch a second attack. However, her eyes suddenly widened.
She immediately looked at her hands.
The giant palm had been cut off.
Just as the Female Titan's attention was drawn to Mikasa, Violet took advantage of the trees and the blind spot on her side. In one swift move, she slashed at Eren's gripping palm.
Eren's body fell.
Mikasa immediately slid down.
Realizing her prey was about to escape, the Female Titan stomped her foot on the ground.
The shock sent Eren's body flying into the air.
Despite narrowly missing, Mikasa managed to catch Eren with just one hand. However, Eren's weight caused her arm to sway violently as she tried to lift it higher while still floating, and unfortunately, a moment later Mikasa's maneuvering gas ran out.
Without any propulsion, they both lost control before finally hitting the ground.
The Female Titan's jaw clenched.
She glanced at her severed arm. The wound showed no signs of regenerating. She realized, she was also running out of time.
After a moment of silence, the Female Titan took a step back, then turned around and started to leave them.
.
.
.
Levi arrived at the Logistics Division to assess the situation and keep an eye on Violet, but she wasn't there.
. . .
"What are you saying? you let her act on her own?"
Levi pulled one of the soldiers' collars up to his face.
"S-sorry, I'm really sorry," he said, raising his hands, "B-but without her we might all be... dead."
"That means you failed twice."
The soldier looked down for a moment, "Excuse my stupid question, captain, but with such abilities, wouldn't it be more helpful?"
Levi was silent for a moment.
"So how great is she?"
The soldier raised his head slowly, his face first giving a question.
"From my point of view, maybe, she is on par with that talented new girl."
Levi slowly released his fist, the look in his eyes unchanged but no longer looking at her.
"Oh, I see."
Shortly after, a flare shot out from the middle of the forest.
"The mission has been withdrawn, get ready immediately," he said coldly.
"Yes Captain!"
Just as he was about to take a step, Levi's voice stopped him again.
"Take all the bodies in sight, leave none behind."
Levi immediately shot off.
The soldiers were silent until he was completely gone.
One of the soldiers patted the side of the cart, "It will take some time to rearrange the cart, sir ."
"Just do it, you want to add to the problem?"
"Yeah, you're right," he said, letting out a dry laugh, "There won't be a problem , right ? So come here and at least help me."
"Do your part, I'll write a report later."
"Yes, also write down the part where you forgot to tell us to double check."
"You want me dead?"
"WE'RE GOING TO DIE!" he shouted then took two deep breaths, "Me and those two useless new kids too."
He swallowed hard then glanced at the other two, they both gave him a cynical look,
"Y-yeah... I'm sorry."
"You understand now," he answered immediately, almost cutting me off.
.
.
.
Eren sits on the cart, while Mikasa accompanies him beside him. Up ahead , Jean and Armin spur the horses pulling the cart through the forest.
"Eren."
No answer.
"Eren," Mikasa called again, a little louder this time.
Eren finally turned around, but didn't say anything .
"You are okay?"
"Yes."
The answer was short and flat. A moment later, his gaze returned straight through the trees.
Mikasa continued to watch him. Her hands slowly clenched.
"You're not okay."
Eren exhaled slowly. His gaze fell to the floor of the cart.
"You never change, huh, Mikasa."
"W-what?"
"I think things have changed a little bit."
He was silent for a moment.
"Apparently not."
"...I don't understand what you're talking about, Eren."
This time Eren turned his head again.
Their gazes met.
Nobody spoke.
All that could be heard was the creaking of the cart wheels and the occasional jolt as it passed over the uneven road.
The wind blew past them.
Mikasa just realized that they had been staring at each other for quite a while. She immediately looked away.
Her hands slowly rose, grasping the red scarf around her neck.
"That girl..."
"Violet."
Eren immediately answered before Mikasa could finish her sentence.
Mikasa flinched slightly.
She didn't look back.
"You... know each other?"
"Just a coincidence. I'm a little surprised we met so soon."
"Just that?"
"Yeah." Eren turned his gaze back to the front. "I guess the others don't matter."
Mikasa was silent.
"Why?" Eren ask.
"...No."
Their conversation ended just like that.
All that remained was the creaking of wheels and the footsteps of horses continuing to cut through the forest path.
At the front, Armin looked back, making sure they were both okay, before returning his gaze to the front.
"We really left it," said Jean.
Armin turned his head without immediately answering,
"Yes. Besides, Captain Levi is already there."
"I imagined it again."
"What?"
"You didn't see her face?"
With blushing cheeks, Jean muttered to himself inaudibly, but Armin ignored him, he was thinking about something, it was clearly visible on his face.
So her name is Violet. Is she the girl Eren was talking about? But why isn't she with the rookie squad?
***A few moments ago
"Stop, Violet! We're ordered to retreat!"
Violet didn't slow down.
"Sorry... I refuse."
For a moment his voice sounded calm, almost emotionless.
"The Titan has lost a lot of power. This might be the last chance."
Without waiting for an answer, she again accelerated her maneuvering gear and shot further through the trees.
Eren just remained silent.
So did Mikasa, Armin, and Jean. They could only stare at Violet's retreating back.
A moment later, Jean took a deep breath.
"Armin, you stay here. Let me go after her."
"Wait, Jean—"
Armin's hand rose, but his words died in his throat.
He knew Jean had made a decision.
"...Okay," he muttered softly.
Jean immediately spurred his horse as fast as possible.
However, after a while, Violet's figure was still nowhere to be seen.
What was heard instead was the roar of the Titans from a distance, but it was not in the direction where Violet had gone.
Jean gripped the reins tighter.
Suddenly, the sound of gas hissing was heard.
Jean spontaneously turned his head.
Someone passed beside him at high speed.
"C-Captain?"
Levi slowed down a bit to keep pace with Jean, but he didn't stop at all.
"I already know the situation, you go back to the others."
Jean gasped.
The horse slowly slowed down.
Before he could say anything , Levi had already dashed back through the trees until he was out of sight.
Levi swept his gaze around the forest, but there was no sign of Violet.
"She went too far," he muttered.
Just a moment later, the corner of his eye caught something, he immediately turned his head and landed on a tree trunk.
His steps stopped.
For a moment, Levi's eyes widened slightly.
There lay four gruesome bodies below , all members of his squad. They had been assigned to guard Eren.
His gaze slowly shifted.
In front of a tree untouched by sunlight, Violet stood with her back to it.
She didn't move but the red spots that covered the tree trunk in front of her were enough to tell Levi what Violet was seeing.
The girl's body remained upright, but her eyes trembled faintly . Her gaze never left the scene before her.
Levi didn't say anything .
It was only when her footsteps broke a dry twig that Violet reacted.
He only shifted his head slightly, not quite turning his head.
Levi stopped a few steps behind him.
Silence enveloped the forest again.
"Sorry... Levi-san."
Levi remained silent.
His gaze fell on Violet's hands which were clenched so tightly that her fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.
"What about the Female Titan?"
Violet didn't answer right away.
Two gusts of wind passed between them.
"...I'm really sorry."
Her voice sounded softer than usual.
"She managed to escape."
Levi stared at Violet's back for a moment.
"Come on."
He turned and started walking.
But Violet remained standing where she was.
"Levi-san."
Levi stopped in his tracks, but didn't look back.
"Why... didn't you say anything?"
A moment of silence.
"I just met them last night." Violet's breath sounded a little shaky. "But you don't."
Levi kept his back to her.
"I'll have someone transport them later."
The tone is flat.
He stepped back.
Violet's fingers clenched even tighter.
"Levi-san."
This time his voice rose slightly.
Levi stopped.
"Shut up."
He turned his head halfway.
His sharp gaze made Violet fall silent instantly.
"Today was bad enough."
There was a brief pause.
"Don't make it worse."
Levi's eyes never left him.
"Do you realize what you just did?"
Violet lowered her head.
"..."
"You disobeyed orders."
Levi said it without raising his voice.
"On your first day."
He turned back to face forward.
"Your punishment will be decided later."
His steps moved again.
"If this happens again..."
Levi paused for a moment.
"...I will personally remove you from the Scout Regiment."
After two steps, Violet's voice was heard again from behind.
"I understand..."
She took a deep breath.
"Captain."
.
.
.
Violet continued to chase until she found the Female Titan's body lying in an open space surrounded by giant trees.
Hot steam filled the entire area.
Violet landed a few steps away from him, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
Slowly, the white mist began to thin.
And that's when her body froze.
Levi's squad was wiped out.
Less than a second later, a flash of metal suddenly filled the edge of her vision.
The clang of iron was deafening.
The deadly attack came from behind the fog.
The blade of the sword almost touched his face.
Violet didn't even have time to draw her sword.
Reflexively, she raised both hands to block the blade. Her muscles tensed, and her face trembled as she resisted the pressure that continued to push her back.
Slowly, Violet turned her head to the side.
Beside her stood a soldier in the robes of the Scout Regiment.
Her hood slowly fell back.
But before his face was fully visible, her voice was heard between equally heavy breaths.
"How could it be..."
She gasped for a moment.
"Even this attack..."
Her lips hardened into a thin, almost imperceptible smile.
"I already suspected it."
Her gaze pierced straight into Violet's eyes.
"You are not an ordinary person. Violet."
Violet's eyes widened. She had only recently considered a friend.
"A-Annie??"
Annie's gaze slowly fell to Violet's arm.
The tear in her sleeve revealed a black glint reflecting the sunlight.
That's not skin.
Annie's eyes narrowed slightly.
"...So this is your true form."
Without warning Annie raised her leg and hit Violet in the stomach.
Violet's body was immediately thrown several meters before hitting the ground.
Her breath hitched. She tried to get up while holding back the tightness in her chest.
Annie walked over unhurriedly.
"I've seen something like that before."
Her gaze never left Violet.
"Why did they send you?"
Violet was still trying to catch her breath.
"Wait... Annie-san."
She raised her gaze slowly.
"I don't understand."
Annie's jaw clenched.
"Stop pretending."
There was a faint note of disgust in her voice.
"How could they send someone so unworthy, you are a pathetic liar."
Annie stopped just a few steps in front of Violet.
"If that's your act..."
Heer gaze became sharper.
"...you are the biggest insult I have ever received."
Violet finally stood up completely.
However, her expression remained unchanged.
That blank stare just made Annie even more disgusted.
"Now I'm not even sure..."
Annie stared at her sharply.
"Are you really that good at pretending..."
She paused for a moment.
"...or just a fool they sent on purpose to ruin everything."
Annie threw something at Violet.
A Scout Regiment uniform fell in front of him.
"Up to you."
Annie started to step back.
"Obviously, if you're stupid enough to reveal my identity..."
Her eyes never left Violet.
"...everything will end."
There was a brief pause.
"The same goes for you, right?"
Annie turned around.
"You owe me. Just consider it an offer."
Her body was slowly swallowed by hot steam until it disappeared from sight.
Violet remained silent.
Slowly she lowered her head.
Her blonde hair hung down covering part of her face, but she didn't try to move it away.
Her gaze fell on the tear in her sleeve.
A moment later, her gaze shifted.
Petra's body was still pinned to the tree trunk in such a gruesome manner that Violet couldn't look away.
Her eyes started to tremble.
"...Annie-san."
Her voice was barely audible.
"Is it true... you did all this?"
Her lips trembled slightly.
"But why?"
Violet knelt down and picked up the uniform that Annie had thrown.
On her back were dried blood stains, the uniform clearly belonged to a fallen soldier.
Her fingers slowly gripped the cloth tighter.
For the first time, her eyes filled with tears that almost fell.
"Please..."
Her breath hitched.
"...Forgive me."