Wound

Wound is the fourth and last chapter in volume three, and the thirteenth chapter overall.

Summary
While on top of the wall, a soldier reports to Dot Pixis what has happened. They managed to lure the titans into one corner of the wall, but not without losing about twenty percent of their men. Pixis clarifies that they died because he gave the order. However, he says that he will gladly be branded a mass murderer from these actions, if it means that humanity will be saved.

Back at the boulder, Eren, in titan form, has seemingly lost his mind and is attacking the soldiers assigned to escort him. Mikasa jumps out of the way, narrowly missing Eren's attack. The rest of the soldier move in and Mikasa runs up Eren's arm and tries to talk some sense into him. With Mikasa directly in front of his face, he tries to attack. However, she dodges and he only succeeds in nearly decapitating himself, falling back on the boulder. Riko, considering the mission a failure, fires off a red flare signalling the complications. As Eren is incapacitated, two titans approach the group. A nearby soldier tells Ian that they should retreat, which causes Mikasa to give a sharp look in disapproval.

Pixis and the others see the flare. A couple of officers suggest pulling out and cutting their losses, but he says no, hoping that the team escorting Eren can sort things out and accomplish the mission. When Armin sees the smoke, he rushes to his friends.

Back on the rooftops, Ian and his team discuss their options. When a couple of soldiers propose fleeing for the wall and leaving Eren, Mikasa draws her sword, but is stopped by Ian. Ian then directs the team to deal with the two approaching titans; they must protect Eren until he is able to get up. Arguing that the potential he represents for humanity is too great to just leave him there and abandon the mission, which causes a conflict with Riko. Angry, Ian asks the soldier how they should handle it, how do they defeat the titans. Now on the spot, the soldier sheepishly admits that they don't know of a way. He then lays out the situation and their duties, even if it means dying because of it. Despondent, Riko agrees and walks away. As Ian walks away to deal with one of the titans, Mikasa thanks him. He tells her that he was scared, as he didn't know what she was going to do before he stopped her. He then states that there is no way they can continue with the initial plan, which will give her a chance to use her skill in killing titans, as she'll be protecting the one she loves. She blushes and tells him that he's family. She looks down at Eren; he still hasn't regenerated. She worries if the damage he'd already taken is putting too much strain on him or if he can return to his normal form. She tries to focus, realizing that she can only do her job at the moment.

Eren, finally showing signs of slowly regenerating, doesn't seem to know what's going on. Suddenly, he imagines that he's sitting in his old house, with his father, mother and Mikasa. Armin shows up and tries to rouse Eren. Meanwhile, the soldiers are dealing with the titans that have wondered close to the area. With more coming, Ian orders Mikasa to take care of the titan closing in on Eren. Making short work of it, she sees even more on their way. She panics as she comes to the conclusion that they must be drawn to Eren. Seeing Armin down near Eren, She tells him to leave as Eren isn't himslef and more titans are on their way. Inquiring about the plan, Mikasa tell him it failed, now they are just protecting Eren and will probably die. Thinking back to how Eren emerged from the titan's weak spot, he gets an idea. Measuring out the area, he tells Mikasa that he's going to get Eren out of there and to keep the titans off of him until then. Nervous but trying keep steady, he drives the blade into the flesh of the titan and hits Erens arm, immediately getting a reaction. Mikasa, worried, tells Armin that the plan is crazy to which he replies that she should leave, he'll take care of Eren. Yelling down at the titan, he attempts to get Eren's attention. He tells him about the situation and says that they need to leave. Eren seems barely conscious. Armin tries to bring him around by reminding him about his mother and the vow to wiping out the titans. It's all to no avail; Eren is stuck in the illusion of his old home with his family.