*

After a while heading in the direction where we've been given the location, the cool night air brushes against my face gently. Though I hated to sit and wait til we reach the Church, we had to stay patient and composed. Hearing the fresh news still registering in my mind, I still felt uneasy and troubled by it all. Especially with two other clans, beside my own.

The Ackermans and the Eastern.......

Yet, with Levi might have this same kind of blood running through his veins, that might connect him to both Mikasa and Kenny, there's no telling in the true history yet. Everything must be a blur, generations filled with covered lies. Especially if the bloodline continues, I wondered how it will look like in the future.

Stepping off the wagon finding ourselves set beside the church, I felt knees almost wobble from a few hours of sitting for too long.

The church itself looked abandoned of course, because no one hardly uses the damn place. Old vines trailed along the cobbled stone, that firmly and strongly plastered across. I knew there was some secret, far beyond what we can assume that's going on. Preparing ourselves physically and mentally, I took deep breaths in to calm my nerves.

After a while scouting around the entire surroundings of the Church, in and out, Hanji managed to find something. A hidden door, with a rug hastily placed barely covering up the evidence.

"A secret passage," I utter out, wondering if the enemy could be down there already.

"Found it, a hidden door," Hanji breathes out, lowering the candlelit torch to the cement floor. "Reiss and Eren should be inside......" as Levi kneels down beside me, and Hanji. "..Hopefully the layout's close to what I predicted."

"These presents better pay off," Levi says. "Considering the time we spent prepping them."

Glancing back to Armin adjusting the barrels I nod, "It will, it has too," I sternly assure him, and Hanji. He meets my eyes, searching for my honest answer, but all i could do was place my faith in our short plan of attack. Although time was wasting away, we needed to make sure we come out with Eren and Historia alive.

"kay, we should be ready to go now," Armin gives us a nod.

"All right then," Levi's eyes draw from mine, to the rest of our squad. "Is everyone here ready? 'Cause you're all about to dirty your hands."

Being met with silence in response, I could see that their determination in their eyes said enough volume. They were mentally prepared, but I knew they didn't like what this has become of us. It was new to them, but it's gone for too long to worry about it now.

Levi's eyes narrow, "Guess that's a yes,"

A heavy heart beats rapidly in my chest, forming into an electric jolt causing me to quietly grimace. Guess I should've known. He's here too, but this time it seems more painful than before. It was as if a warning again, but my jaw grew stiff trying to not let it get to my head.

"Akira....."

Lifting my gaze I met with his own, "Hmm?"

His hands steadily took my hand and gave it a small squeeze, "Please......stay safe," though his words were short and simple, they meant more. His eyes match my own, before softening.

This man makes me feel something, that I feel wanted. Needed.

Finally we all turn to the secret tunnel beneath us, before climbing down one by one along with the barrel we've managed to whip up. Carefully lowering the barrel trap, we all soon begin to head down the dark, crammed tunnel. The air grew colder every step we took, as we walk lower down beneath the ground. Finally reaching the end, there stood two doors.

Levi turns to me, as we both nod.

With a firm kick Levi bursts the doors wide open with a heavy, abruptive slam. I drew my blades, unsheathing them slowly. Soon we send the three barrels down first, catching the anti-Personnel Squad off guard. All weapons drawn, we all began charging head down rapidly.

My eyes flicker up for a moment, seeing that blonde woman from afar.

"Sasha!"

"Right!"

Sasha runs ahead and draws her bow that was lit with fire, lining her shot on one of our presents down below. Taking the shot, a large explosion erupts down below causing a dark, thick smoke to fill their visions with gunpowder. Disgruntled sounds were made by the Anti-Personnel, knowing we've got them good with our attack.

Judging by a quick glance around, it was quite openly large beneath the church. It was entirely huge, with large ice like pillars helping it stand. The glowing pillars seemed to have that same material to Annie's titan form, which the stone has reached around, coaxing the entire underground. 

Focusing on our main course of attack, I knew our gear will be clearly different to theirs. They had the upper hand with their gear, being specifically made for killing people. Weapons so far we still needed to give ourselves the advantage, but blinding them with any thick smoke. In time Hanji and a few others shot a few green flare guns, before Levi and Mikasa burst through.

Levi began to count how many we're dealing with, but I could see that man's presence just from afar.

Knowing if they can't take aim in this thick heavy amount of smoke, we could plan our attack and push forward. Taking action I activate my ODM, and took flight towards the enemy. Shielding my face from the thick black powdered smoke, I tried to anticipate my whereabouts.

"Thirty-six total!" Levi calls out. "In the upper parts of the pillars!!!!! Continue the plan! We'll take them all out right here!"

Taking that as my chance, I soon faintly see three perched soldiers perched upon the pillar ahead of me. Quietly I lower my body, and directed myself upwards in a beeline. Digging both grappling hooks into the crystalised stone above, I gathered the momentum and directed myself towards the three. Dropping my blades upside down, I grip them firmly before appear before the two. 

Eyes widening in response to my stealthy approach, no words were uttered when my blades ran right through two of them. Blood sprays from my attack, before seeing the third one aiming the wrong end of the gun at my face. My hand steadily flicks my blade, as I sharply sliced the soldier in half. Pulling the trigger already, I moved on time anticipating the attack leaving three motionless bodies to fall down below.

Another heavy explosion erupted, causing another heavy amount of black powdered smoke to fill the air.

"Shit, she's over here!!!!!!!"

My head snaps in the direction where that person was, before I run up the pillar doing a backflip before redirecting my body in their direction. Finding about their gear, how it works, their main weakness was from behind. It may sound like a common answer, but for reasons. Their grappling hook and gun and pointed in one direction, so they can react again.

Charging forward building up speed, the soldier cries out shooting at me by aimlessly firing. 

Slicing my blade right through them with one swift motion, it left my adrenaline pumping faster than before. Suddenly I see Connie at a disadvantage at the corner of my eyes, making me burst into action. However before I could reach them, Sasha beat me to it landing a clear shot, right through the heart of the woman that almost threatened him.

Disappearing back into the smoke I dove down deeper, knowing if I flew high enough they would see me.

Several shots began firing in my direction, as I sink further into the cloud of green and black smoke. Holes burst through, but I dodged them quickly enough to save anymore bullet shots. Yet, their greatest weakness is that they can only fire twice, which makes their reload again for a few seconds. We needed to take that split second opportunity in killing the son of a bitches.

Finally sharply turn vertically upwards, I surprised two more soldiers bursting through the clouds, slicing their throats horizontally.

Their gurgled cries faded as I resumed flying through, seeing a large group tailing behind me. Rolling my eyes for a moment, I sharply turn around two large pillars to falter their movements. One by one a few soldiers came towards me at full speed, as my blades sink into them. Grabbing hold of them, I shielded myself with their body heading towards the one firing at me. 

Eyes widen in horror shooting a comrade, he soon was killed by my hand again with one fell wipe of my right blade. 

Dropping their bodies from the hilt of my blade, I hear a cheerful cry coming from someone not far from where I stood. My eyes slices over to see Kenny, in the flesh, chasing towards Levi. Missing him by a pillar, the stone shatters from the heavy bullet shot. The two paused for a moment, but many were still hot on my tail currently.

"Shit!"

Sharply diving down below into the smoke again, someone slams into me causing me to instinctively react. My blades chime against the cool steel, seeing the blonde woman grunting beneath my strength. Her eyes were lit with anger, boiling and surfacing to face. 

"Corporal!" Mikasa calls out, with concern.

Grunting against the woman, her upper lip raises seething through her teeth.

The blonde woman pushes off aggressively aiming her gun at me, when my concern lies with Levi. I could see Kenny going all out on him, as if his life depended on it. Still, I've got this bitch to deal with. Hearing blades clanging against each other between Kenny and Levi, a heavy howl of pain echoes realising he's sliced a heavy attack to his torso.

Kenny grimaces, before flying away knowing he's at a disadvantage.

A shot rings out as I dodge that attack, when I notice Hanji bursting from the black smoke to aid me. The blonde woman shot two gunshots at Hanji, before whipping her head in my direction. I dove down growling under my breath, raising my arms to gather my strength into my next blow.

"Hey! It looks like I've found another reckless spirit!" Hanji retorts loudly, meeting my eyes. Recollecting myself missing my attack, as she dodged it I turn back to her sharply. However when my eyes met with Hanji's again, a look of horror spreads across Hanji's face. 

A gunshot rang, missing me by a few inches as it flew past me as I quickly dodged it. Shocked as I was, I hear a painful cry follow with agonising pain.

Whipping my head around I saw the grappling hook dug deeply within Hanji's shoulder, blood splattering from the wound. Sooner her body was being swung around, before being released thrown into a pillar with a heavy force. Hanji cries out, before her body begins falling to the ground. 

"Hanji!!!!!" I cry out, before flying towards her at full speed. 

My body surged forward, flying towards at rapid speed. Without hesitation I quickly catch her, only for the weight of two to knock me off course. My eyes squeeze tightly while holding Hanji close, finding it difficult to move away fast enough.

My body jolts forward causing both ourselves to collide into the icy ground, tumbling a few times with a trail of blood from our landing. Taking the full bruntal force, my chest hits heavily against the ground losing the air in my lungs. Pushing myself up slowly I groan, pressing my palm against my temple.

Eyes snap open in realisation, before turn to her.

"H-Hanji....." my breath grew shaky, only to see Hanji's lifeless body in a pool of her blood. "H-hey! Hey, wake up!"

"Now! We'll re-form our defense at the fallback point!" I heard the woman order, assuming she has some authority beside Kenny. "Time to regroup!"

At her order, Kenny's Anti-personnel squad all started to retreat, but I stood up drawing fresh blades. My anger was slowly boiling the more I saw hanji's blood, that slowly puddled beneath my boots. Eyes snapped up with rage, my jaw locked tightly trying to not let anger cloud.

"Moblit, Lena!" I call, my eyes not leaving the treating soldiers. Within moments, the two appeared either side of me. "Aid Hanji for me, please?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

My left arm was throbbing painfully as I must've torn the stitching, but what good will that do finding ourselves short on time. Heading towards Levi quickly, a large next was blocking the entrance. If only we had more gunpowder, we might be able to make it through. I glance in Levi's direction, but he was also trying to focus on finding a way through.

All thoughts were cut off, when a bright blinding light fills the darkened cavern.

I shield my eyes for a moment as it blared through, as the earth trembled beneath us. The wind blew heavily in our direction, as we all crouched down to prevent ourselves stumbling forward. The transformation was larger, and more aggressively stronger. 

I wonder who transformed? Please let it be Eren?

"Eren!!!!" Mikasa cries out.

"H-hey guys, this place is about to collapse," Sasha warningly wavers, while trying to endure a little longer with this transformation. My hair flew behind me, as I shielding my face.

"Captain!" Armin calls out, loud enough to hear over the trembling walls around. "It opened up!"

He points up to a hole in the ceiling, that I noticed was covered by netting as well which was excellent. Levi nods standing up, "Okay, Armin! Moblit and Lena!!!!" Levi shouts, facing the three. "You three take Hanji and find a way out of here!"

"Yes, sir!!!!"

Allowing the children to go up through the hole first, my eyes snap over to see the light still growing brighter, reflecting against the icy pillars and floor. My heart was beating heavily, while looking out for my squad. However, some large figure collides into me causing myself to collide into the ground. Grunting from the heavy bruntal force, my eyes met with those eyes.

He grins aiming both guns, towering over me with a menacing grin. 

"No way in hell am I letting you go this time," He sneers, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. Picking myself up I lift my blades, while keeping my balance steady from the intense winds.

"Akira!!!!!" Levi's voice calls, causing my eyes to snap up. For a moment he seemed alarmed, but I narrow my eyes. I'm in a corner now, and we're all in at a disadvantage right now.

"Go! I'll be okay!" I yell, when a gunshot rang. Dodging the shot, my eyes meet Levi's eyes to see he hasn't moved. "Go!!!!!!!"

Returning back to the man before me, while he stalks towards me. 

Glancing at the giant netting and back to him, I knew I must keeping moving forward to meet with Levi. However with this man, everyone's lives would be in danger. My skin crawls while he spins both guns, clamping shut around them aimed at my head.

"So selfless, and brave," He grins, when something cracks deeply beside us. My attention snaps to the wall beside us, seeing a large cracking terribly trailing up, before parting to several cracks to the top. This place was gonna collapse any moment, and dealing him at the wrong time brough my time short.

"Come on........let's play, huh?!" He yells, his voice rising with the piercing sound of the transformation. My eyes widen with horror, as I thought I saw my mother within his eyes. Blinking a few times, all I saw was his psychotic grin.

Thinking of my next move, I securely grip my blades and activated the grappling hooks. 

Pulling myself towards the next I gather the impulsion of my body, and pushed off and began to spiral at a rapid speed. Charging head on towards the netting, I closed my eyes and prayed that i could slice it. Curling my body more closely, my body went spiralling forward feeling my blades slice through.

Yet my blades disheveled the ropes messily, before bursting through.

"Hey, it's her!!!!!!"

My head glimpses back to the only threat could make my skin crawl, as he roars with a foreboding expression across his face. He refreshens his guns while charging towards me, before locking his eyes on me as if I was his prey. Dark his aura changes, his larger body lifts flying towards me with his gear. 

Can I easily take him down from behind?

"Pin her down!!!!!" The woman shouts, making me side glance all around me. "She must be the one he wants!"

I deadpan at the amount of soldiers that surrounded me, "Oh shit......."

Before anyone could make a move, one of the pillars begins to crack deepl through before creaking slowly towards us. Digging my grappling hooks away from the pillar, I slide across the icy floor while I skate across. I felt a presence behind me, only to hear a thundering crash occur from behind me. 

Glancing back the man was hot on my tail, while I tried to at least give us some distance.

"Come on! Why are you running away!" He laughs out loud, making me absolute speechless with our current situation. We are literally about to buried beneath the ground, and he wants to have fun? This man is insane! 

"Captain Ackerman!!!!!!!" The woman's voice calls out, echoing through the underground hearing the desperation and concern for her captain.

"No get back!!!!!!" 

The ceiling was collapsing, rocks falling from every direction, I tried to steer myself away. I catch a glimpse of Levi and the squad ahead, but only faintly from the bright yellow glow. They all were tucked in a corner, while a larger titan was transforming. I could only assume it was Rod Reiss, if Eren and Historia was with them.

"Oi, Ronin! Let her go, dammit!!!!!" I hear a familiar voice, leading to see Kenny flying towards him. "She isn't worth it--!!!!!!"

"You shut up, old man!" the man snaps, assuming his name was now Ronin. "Once I've killed her, I've annihilated the entire Yamasaki clan! My family! Don't you see, Ackerman?! She's the very reason why I've become this, why I must end her before she becomes a bigger threat!!!!!"

Annihilated the Yamasaki clan? Family? I-I don't understand......

"We're all gonna be crushed, just stop this yer jackass!!!!!" Kenny snaps bitterly, while gripping his wound. Blood seeps heavily through his wound, that Levi inflicted upon him earlier. 

A gunshot rings as I swiftly dodge to the side, only for a burst of forceful air to knock me off course again. Colliding into the ground, my grappling hooks lost the strength to dig straight into the pillar. With a heavy grunt, my body tumbles over a few times feeling small cuts freshly paint my skin. The air grew stronger, before I see Eren's titan form fully transforms metres away from me.

"Eren......." my breath grew quieter, when multiple pillars begin to break one by one all around causing my ears to ring continuously.

 My anxiety overwhelmingly takes over me, when something sharp digs into my arm out of nowhere. Seething through my teeth, a silvery small blade dug through my flesh, while seeing Ronin storming towards me with confidence in his strides.

His eyes darken, as a shadows cast over his face lowering his tone.

"You don't understand, what I had to do go through since your mother fled our home!" he snaps angrily, eyes lit ablaze with bloodlust consuming him. "You don't understand the pain that was inflicted upon me, when your mother left us defenseless!!!! My own damn sister!!! You even let her die! It's your fault that she's isn't here!!!! Your whole existence is meaningless, so rot in hell after I kill you!"

Staring at him in horror by his outburst, a sickening and dreading groan creaks above us. Snapping up to see the pillar slowly collapsing, I soon found myself left with not many options to go by.

My eyes flashes back to him and then to the pillar, as I push myself up activating my ODM again to flee. Seeing Levi and the squad