"Please, promise me if that day comes…you'll kill me."

Rivaille stood on the rooftop, gazing at the Titan that towered above him. The beast was currently unaware of the Corporal's presence and was satisfied with chomping down upon the poor members of the Scouting Legion that dared to get too close.

Rivaille sighed irritably and spun the hilt of his sword in his grip.

Dispatching a Titan like this…it normally wouldn't be a problem. That was Rivaille's job, after all, and he was good at it. No, he was the best at it. And he didn't regret killing them, either. These beasts didn't feel pain or regret or sadness, after all.

Rivaille chewed the inside of his mouth and swore under his breath.

But this was much, much different.

"If anyone has to do it, I want it to be you…Because I…I…"

The Titan turned his attention to Rivaille at least.

It was a foul creature, with jagged teeth dripping with saliva and soulless eyes. Heat radiated from every pore of its body and it glared down at Rivaille through its long black hair.

It pained Rivaille to see this.

This wasn't…what he really was. He wasn't a Titan. He was a human.

But there was no point in trying to reason with the Titan now. He was beyond all chance of rescuing. Even Mikasa had tried to wake him up, to no avail…

Rivaille raised his blade and brandished it at the Titan.

He had a promise to keep.

"I trust you, Corporeal, I know you'll get it done. Just…you must be the one to do it…"

"Good work, Corporeal."

Rivaille stared blankly up at Hanji, who was studying him intently. Rivaille was covered in blood and he dragged his blade weakly behind him.

"What are you congratulating me for?" Rivaille muttered.

Hanji seemed taken aback by this question. "Why, you just killed one of the strongest Titans," she explained. "Surely that is a feat worth recognizing."

"He wasn't a damn Titan!" Rivaille shouted, his voice cracking.

Hanji watched in amazement; she had never seen Rivaille lose his composure like this before.

"He was…a human," Rivaille whispered. "And I…I…he was…" He trailed off and met Hanji's eyes steadily. "So don't congratulate me for killing a human. Besides, I was only keeping my promise."

He stared down at his bloody blade.

"Isn't that right…Eren?"