#refcrm

◖ -‘๑’- ◗ 

                                   DON’T GIVE THE GHOST UP; JUST CLENCH YOUR FIST.

   Black boots grip the bark of the tree. Vigilant eyes watch from the shadows; by a soul fueled with absolute rage does a steaming rain fall from the sky. Titan blood. Rapidly evaporating as it gleans from a wild blade, razor-sharp and slicing with a speed hardly comprehensible to the human eye. He waits, knuckles digging into the sharpened texture of the tree-branch; can he even blame himself any longer ? This reckless behavior. This is Levi’s volition. This is not what he’s incited.

   Bitter rejection is cast aside --------- an opening. The final titan. Expert Corpsman sails into the sky for the final cut --------

   Erwin propels himself rapidly through the air; he dives down from the tree, wire anchoring into the body of the titan as he dances beneath the swing of an arm. Shoulders skim through blades of grass, pleading his descent by the will of gravity; a law defied by the maneuver gear. Momentum throws him upwards with sudden and intense acceleration; unto his target. Body braced, his shoulder buries into the chest of his Corporal with an audible and violent slam. The rush of air from lungs, the clatter of swords as they clash ( defending himself from an incidental hit ).The full force of a body twice as large, unyielding ( grounding him with a full body slam ).

   The Commander feels the ripple of a pain through his shoulder; ignored to twist his body towards the exposed neck of the titan he saved, the final prey, to give him the element of surprise to engage on his Squad Leader. With a swift dart --------- an anchor into spine --------- do his swords sail through the flesh, a thickened slab of the nape falling to the ground. Landing beside Levi with a horrifically audible, blunt landing.

   A steam rises through the air as he lands, kicking off the back of the deceased titan. All around them rest carcasses, the sky misting. He stands his ground, heels dug into the dirt, awaiting retaliation; at the ready, braced for a rapid attack. Blue eyes scrutinize the other, brow furrowed heavily with the cold promise of self defense / edged with disappointment.

   ‘ Put your arms around my neck. ’ His voice was quiet, gentle so as not to disrupt the other’s rest. He found the Corporal asleep in his desk chair; most likely awaiting the conclusion of Erwin’s meeting with some of the command. After a hectic series of weeks, days were improving. His wounds ( beatings from the central military police ) were almost entirely healed, save bruised ribs he clenched his teeth through. The return was a long carriage journey, leaving the wounded soldier with an aching back and a dull pressure pressing against his eyes.

   The light of the crescent moon was dim, only enough to partially highlight the features of the room. His counterpart was shrouded by the form of the chair; Erwin hadn’t even noticed until he grew nearer. Arms folded and a form favoring the arm of the chair, his Corporal soundly awaited his return. Obediently. How sentimental.

   His office is dark. Vague candle-light. The moon is dim, only partially highlighting drapes which prevent most of its cast into the room. He sits, alone, at his desk. The orange glow illuminates the bolo tie in his fingertips, playing at the smooth gem set within it. The door clicks, and he doesn’t look up.

   A failure. He faced those words throughout the day. A plan gone wrong --------- wasted lives, crying families. He looked in the face of them with an icy gaze ; how could they not see how far they’ve come ? Did they not appreciate the sacrifice their children have made for this world ? The people call failure when the Survey Corps urged a titan out from under her cover. A breakthrough ! Proof of more of Eren’s type ! A change in the tide of their war --------- and so close were they to her capture. So many questions had been answered, arising so many more.