Mikasa stared at the red scarf before her. Silent tears streamed down her wrinkled cheeks as she recollected all that had happened in her life.
She had experienced and braved more things in her lifetime than most people.
In her lifetime, she had seen people die before her, people such as family, friends, and even mere strangers. Every time she saw the mangled bodies of her fallen comrades, she swore to herself that she would not let these people die in vain.
In her lifetime, she had stared death straight in the eye and managed to live every time.
In her lifetime, she loved and cherished and made a family with the one boy she truly loved, the boy who could change into a titan and helped eliminate the threat on humanity.
In her lifetime, she had gained and lost friends. The cadets of the hundredth-fourth and the soldiers of the Scouting Legion held a special place in her heart. Not a day went by when the images of her friends didn't cross her mind.
In her lifetime, she had done a lot. Her eyes were filled with the wisdom that only the survivors of that bloody war held.
And now, her lifetime was nearing its end. Her weak heart began to beat slower and slower as the minutes passed.
"Mikasa." The former soldier struggled to lift her head towards the direction of the voice. A young Eren stood before her. He was clothed in his uniform and his lips were stretched into a wide smile. "E-Eren." She said weakly. Her eyes began to feel heavy, but she fought to keep them open.
Beside the younger Eren appeared a young Armin. "Nice to see you again, Mikasa!" The blond boy tilted his head to the side and gave the weakening old woman a joyful smile.
One by one, the cadets of the hundredth-fourth appeared behind Eren and Armin, each appearing as young as they were during their training days. A smile played out on each and every one of their lips.
Eren reached his hand out towards Mikasa. "Come on, let's go." Mikasa used all of her remaining strength to smile at the boy and extend her hand to his.
Eren pulled her gently and the strangest feeling coursed through Mikasa. It was as if she was being pulled away from her own body. The feeling finally subsided and Eren dropped her hand. Mikasa was now on her feet. She stared at the bed. There was her old self, lying lifelessly. Mikasa stared down at her own body. She was back into her military uniform, just like the others. She looked back at her friends, a bright light begun to shine behind them. "Time to go." Armin said. He and Eren extended their arms to her. She reached out and hooked hers with theirs, a smile etched on her face.
One by one, the cadets linked their arms together until they stood in one long line. At last, we're together again. Mikasa looked down the line at the others before staring straight at the light.
Finally, after years of evading death, Mikasa Ackerman finally spread her arms wide open and embraced it.