Note: This will be multi-chaptered. I'm guessing around two c:
The day was as clear as crystal, no visible blood stain that reminds any of the times where those beasts invaded their lives. The bird flew across above the fallen gates of Maria, while there were only two humans in the scene.
"Armin…?" a girl of raven black hair asked softly, as her blond friend climbs up his steed, as if preparing for a long journey that might never end. When he looked at her, his charming blue eyes was as if reflected by the skies, added with a little shine from the sun. He wore a charming smile; one unrecognized years ago. He used to have shoulder length hair, though he had recently cut it shorter in preparation for his new journey.
"Yeah?" he replied politely. The girl wore a red scarf around her neck, and her arm was being supported by a sling; noted, it was broken. Her eyes matched her hair's colour - as dark as night, and with the sun's shine, it was twinkling like the stars that shines at night. She wore a blank expression, though inside, she was confused of the scene before her - where is her friend going now?
Armin smiled, now on his horse. He turned to look at the girl he was about to leave. "He's gone now… but I'll continue our dream. I'll go to the outside world. I'll… I'll see the sea of fire, the land of ice; if possible." he said. A gust of wind blew by, having no response from both parties. Armin tucked the loose part of his fringe to the back of his ear, before trying to speak again.
"And since you're wounded… it wouldn't be wise… so…" he tried to continue, and with each word, his tone grew softer, until nothing came out of his mouth. The girl nodded, understanding. She gave him a half-smile, ensuring him that she will be okay. He nodded in response, returning the warm smile.
"I.. may not be back. What I mean is, I'll return… somewhere around these walls, someday. So… take… take care, Mikasa." he turned back around, unable to face the girl any longer. Mikasa stood there, still expressionless, while mouthing a farewell to her long-time friend, and perhaps the most trusted companion left; who is about to leave her, too.
With a tug of her horse, Armin raced outside the walls, not looking back. Mikasa said nothing - her hands automatically waved goodbye, and she stood still, watching him go - further, and further. For some reason, she wanted to go with him; but he's right. Her condition right now would not allow it.
After what can be compared to eternity, Mikasa turned around to walk home - otherwise a hut near to where the Jaeger family's home was once situated. Wall Maria was still silence, because even after all this while, not many dared to leave the inner wall just yet; they were too comfortable inside. Those who choose to go outside is with their free will, as the rule that once said to not show any interest of the outside world is now abolished.
While walking back slower than a tortoise, Mikasa said something. Something that even her herself wasn't quite sure why she would have said. Something that's so simple, yet so complicated. Something that means nothing, and at the same time means everything:
"I'll miss you, Armin."
And she knows it was different than any other time she had said it; if she had ever said it, even once. She felt heavy recalling the heavenly smile Armin had provided only just before he left, how his eyes mixed well with the sky itself. All this while before, her mind was filled with Eren; and now he's gone. But she had promised him not to grief over it - and she will not. She will live on; she can't remember him if she herself is dead, right?
It was a cold truth at first, but then again, Eren won't be happy seeing her unhappy, right? With her free hand, she hugged herself and kept on moving towards the north, away from Maria's gate. The walk was long, she was taking it slow. The weather was exceptionally cold, as if it changed from warm and friendly, to cold as unwelcoming. The sun still stood bright above her, but it's heat was unable to reach her. She was shivering, she was cold.
Passing empty homes, mostly, abandoned stores and markets - she finally reached 'home', or what can be called home for that time being. She pushed the door with her uninjured hand, having it to creak open. Inside, it was supposing dark, but with the reflected rays of the sun, the little house was quite bright.
There were three rooms; one, the main, which is presumably the living room. A small route leads to the kitchen, and a slightly larger one leads to a small bedroom. In a side of the living room, there was a couch large enough for three; though a bit torn and old. Near it, there was a desk and chair, otherwise a work table. The rest of the place was pretty empty; the floors were made of wood, just as the walls were of concrete.
Mikasa took baby steps inside, feeling a bit weak. Once she reached the couch, she threw herself onto it; without caring if it'll affect her wound. Everyone's practically gone off her world now… First Eren, now Armin's out on his own. Everyone has left her on her own, only with the cold as a companion.
She sighs, the unharmed hand supporting the harmed. She felt drowsy, she felt tired. Now that humanity has achieved what their goal has been for eternity as long, she felt empty. Nothing she could be useful for, now even left alone. She could go around Wall Rose in an attempt to find company of others she could have considered friends; but her heart tells her it'll turn out better the other way around.
Subconsciously, tears leaked off her eyes, as she slowly drifts asleep, though would any dream she enter be peaceful, even if humanity has won?
The answer was simple: No.
(A/N: Just like Journey's End [EreMika], I bring you Realization [AruMika], which was originally just a figment of my imagination of my OCs. Except in this one, Eren dies, while in my original version, the 'Eren' doesn't die owo Still, I hope you guys enjoyed this!
Chapter Two coming either tomorrow or a few days!)
