The Scouts arrived without ceremony.

Horses slowed as they crossed the threshold, hooves crunching over shattered roof tiles and scorched beams. The district was silent in a way that felt deliberate, as though the city itself was holding its breath.

Armin was the first to notice it—not the destruction, but how old it felt.

“Everything’s… still,” he murmured, eyes scanning collapsed homes and blackened walls. “Too still.”

Jean snorted under his breath, though his hand never left his gear. “You expecting a welcome parade?”

Erwin raised his fist.

The formation halted immediately.

“We split here,” Erwin said, voice calm, authoritative, cutting through the quiet. “Standard sweep. No Titans sighted, but assume they’re watching. Report anything—anything—out of place.”

Levi’s eyes narrowed. “That’s vague.”

Erwin met his gaze. “So is Shiganshina.”

A corner of Levi’s mouth twitched.

Erwin led his group toward the center of the district.

Armin, Eren and Mikasa manned the front. Jean followed, muttering complaints though fell silent quick. Sasha and Connie flanked the street, eyes darting. Levi followed- just behind.

_

The fountain came into view slowly.

Once, it must have been beautiful—white stone carved with symbols of abundance and peace, water flowing endlessly at the heart of the city. Now it was cracked down the middle, chunks of stone missing, moss creeping along its edges like a sickness. The basin was half-full of murky water, leaves and ash floating atop it.

And someone was there.

The figure was bent over the fountain, hands braced against the rim, water dripping steadily back into the basin.

The figure stilled.

Water dripped once. Twice.

Then, slowly, they straightened.