Day 8 - Something sad

It was ironic, as the great Female Titan fell its pilot had never felt weaker. All the muscle, crystal and strength it gave her eventually meant nothing as Mikasa sent her tumbling to the ground and Eren's waiting rage.

She was told that encasing her body in crystal would freeze her body, but not her mind.

It's okay. She thought to herself as the soldiers dragged her prison deep underground. They'll come for me. Bertholdt will come for me.

It was difficult to keep track of time underground, the only light on her crystal came from the torches that illuminated her tomb.

They can do it. The two of them together are unstoppable. Annie told herself as the days turned into weeks. This is my own fault though. I shouldn't have taught Eren how to fight like that. He was just a freakishly quick learner.

As the weeks slowly turned to months Annie found herself going over the events of her mission, critiquing every decision she made. If only I had… killed Armin then I wouldn't be here, that kid is too clever for his own good.

Eventually, Annie ran out of things to critique, ran out of regrets and all she was left with were memories and hopes. When we get home I'll have to tell Dad about me and Bertholdt. I wonder how he'll take it. I thought Reiner was going to pass out when he found out.

It had been so long since Annie locked herself away, months, years there was no telling them apart. All Annie knew was that with each year Bertholdt's time grew shorter. If I ever get out… How much longer will he have? Will we have?

Voices from the soldiers that guarded her shell told her that there were plans to retake Wall Maria. Be safe you two, She wished. Be safe and come find me, there's a lot I need to tell you.

When the cheers rang through her chamber, telling her that the enemy of humanity had been finally slain Annie didn't want to believe it. There was no way Bertholdt could have fallen, he still hadn't fulfilled his promise from the choosing ceremony. Someone tell me it isn't true. Someone… Bertholdt. From inside her crystal, Annie thought to the last time she saw him, the last time she felt the warmth of his arms and lips.

As they dragged Bertholdt's body from his Titan guilt coursed through his veins. He wanted to resist, he wanted to break free from Eren's hateful grasp, he wanted to find a way to Annie. Wherever they had her he would find her and save her, take her home keeps her safe.

But he couldn't his arms and legs had been torn from his body. The Titan power that resided in his heart was too exhausted to save him now, all he could do now was wait as he fate was decided around him.

"Annie…" He whispered as the voices around him argued who would be the one to kill him. "When we get home I'm worried I'll make a fool out of myself in front of your father."

"NO!" One of the voices yelled. "The who will be saved is Erwin!"

Thoughts of Annie quickly drowned out the anger that burned in the voices. "I wonder what he'll think of me… even if we don't have much time I'd like to make it official." Bertholdt's voice was weak, so quiet no one could hear him his words were simply lost.

"Of course…" He whispered. "I'll have to find you. I'll find you, Annie, I promised I would didn't I?"

You will come for me right… Annie thought to herself time and time again.

"I will come for you." Bertholdt whispered as he was picked up like a rag doll in the grotesque hands of the Titan that would take his life only moments later.