Wow. Two hundred hits in only 17 days. I was afraid it wouldn't be read. Thanks to all and please keep reading. Things are about to get freaky. Dark side reveals now. Have fun. Oh and please let me know how you feel about the consistincy of Eric's powers.
Chapter 11 Frost Blades.
The full force of the trost recovery operation was underway. Two immense souls hope to fullfil their dreams on this very day. On one end of this battlefield of a town was a boy capable of a fiery hot transformation into a titan that prepared to carry a rock of victory to close a gate of hell that was Eren Yeager. This faced the tragedy of the boy losing control and in a misguided attempt to attack people ended up subdueing himself. Now leaving the troops overseeing him debate over how to deal with him.
While on the other end of the town. There was another battle going on. As another boy blessed with incredible, godly strength and skill was entrusted to lead the whole operation, this cold instinct was Eric Langford. But the pain of the losses of fellow soldiers were nothing compared to the one felt as the red flare went up. "What?" He said. 'But how? Did something happen?' Unconciously the mental questioning started. But before he could think beyond that. A hellion beast ambushed him. Since he stood on the edge of a building top it was easy to sneak up on him. So before he could twitch he was surrounded by flesh and teeth. The titan bit off the entire ground Eric was on completely off. But the beast opened its mouth again just to spit off the rock. Eric thought it as an opportunity to get out and reached out. Only to have the tip of his blade and three fingers chomped off and he slid back into the titans throat. Again immobalised in pain.
The soldiers saw this in full view. Seeing their commander get eaten shook them to the core. Many began shrieking and screaming. "C-C-COOOMMMAAAAAAANDDERR". Even Pixis was horrified at the splatter of unusually pure bright red blood on the building. "No it can't be!" He said softly. The fear drilled into the soldiers. But then something great yet utterly grotesque and shocking happened.
The titan moved a few steps from the building before it seemed to jam up as if something is stiffening it like cement internally. It slowed and slowed. Its mouth parted slightly and a sickening scream escaped. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH" it definately came from within it. It seemed human yet demonic at the same time and had an echoing effect to it. Two blades smashed out in front of its belly. But instead of the tearing flesh sound it sounded more like the cross between a bone and glass breaking. The blade tips then moved downwards diagonally forming a bright steaming cross on the titans belly. Then two more blades bore out from its lower back but this time with more force. Then two more from each of its sides.
The titan already was screaming in agony. The blades began to move two at a time till they all met in the front center drawing vivid 'line paintings' on it before the blades retracted inside and the whole mid body of it exploded. The soldiers were horrified at the brutality of the kill. The explosion released an intense amount of steam but just as suddenly as the blades came out, the witnesses were graced with an even harder blast of weird cold air followed by maniacal laughter "WAH - HAHAHAHAHAHAHA" as horrifying as it seemed. The soldiers felt ashamed to themselves to think they are actually feeling good at the burst of cold, in this heat. In the steam the source of the laughter jumped and in its signature phantom speed began slicing and dicing the titans scratching the walls. Titan screams as well as the human screams erupted. "HEHEHAHAHAH. YOU FUCKING BASTARDS CAN'T EVEN TOUCH ME, WAHAHAHA" the voice was familiar but it wasn't like how Eric trashtalked. This one was full crazy. The steam slightly parted and the soldiers saw how the slaughtering was happening. The eyes that were deep blue now turned darker almost began reaching black with red glints. He lost any tactic. Flying berserker style and slashing upside down, sideways and also launching his blades with precision perfection that cut of napes like a pro without even getting 30 metres close to it. His speed was accelerated by a high risk move he was doing. As soon as he launches the cable from his waist. He would carelessly grab and pull the moving hot iron wire with his bare hands to reel him in faster, after momentarily letting go of his blade handles and holding them again. Leaving the palms of his hands totally burned. The titans fell like flies. Twenty titans is 15 seconds flat. And he was still enjoying an smiling like a madman.
Steam was gushing in torrents but unusually the air was still cool. But then a person from the wall saw the whole scene and knew the soldiers morality and the frost demon's sanity would go out the window very soon. The man was none other than Pixis himself for once he lost his cool and wide eyed jumped in and smacked him to the roof. If only his blades did not break in the last attack he would have cut Pixis in half. "STOP THIS COMMANDER LANGFORD. YOU ARE GOING INSANE" He yelled at the top of his lungs. "LET GO OF ME YOU OLD FART" Eric replied in his same crazy voice full of venom and ice. As his voice was strong his hands were also strong, Pixis was actually keeping Eric lost fully pinned. Pixis was surprised at holding him down. Eric's body was totally cold. Almost like holding a man sized lump of soft ice. With no heat at all. "I SAID STOP. KEEP THIS UP AND YOU'LL LOSE YOUR SANITY." Half the titans were already wiped out so several members couldnot take the scream off between their two commanders.
Some witnessed Eric on all three stages. After Eren was recovered, how skillfully he held back Woorman and also his speech at the beginning of the operation. The more experienced realised how much Eric helped them and how much they need him. They knew they have to stop him and help him like he did. Around two to three people jumped in and helped restrain him. "Yes, sir please stop this." "This is not worth your sanity, sir please stop this." They tried to stop him. "IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED POWER FOR? FOR DESTRUCTION AND REVENGE? WHAT ABOUT ALL YOU SAID TO ME BEFORE? YOU SAID YOU WANT POWER TO FIND THE ANSWERS YOU SEEK. WHAT ABOUT YOUR FATHER'S WISHES. YOUR AND YOUR FRIENDS DREAMS. LOOK AT YOUR RIGHT WRIST." Pixis was still holding strong. For an old man his leadership is worthy of praise. Both strong in body and mind. And miraculuously those words got to him. He calmed from his squirming. His intense eyes relaxing as he lays them on his mother's bandana. The red glint was gone, his eyes lightened and softened. "What? How? Uh - I. . I. . . I'm sorry sir. I'm sorry sir." Eric finally getting his senses back. His body began to warm up again. "I'm sorry sir. I'm sorry sir. I'm sorry sir." He kept repeating even after standing up. "Good you finally calmed down. Let's get back to the wall. Strike team keep going!" He said calmly then ordering the others. "Yes sir!" They all said in unison.
Back on the wall Eric was on his knees still shaken over how he lost it. "Are you okay Commander?" Pixis asked with no hate or anger in his voice. Quite calm for someone dealing with the guy who almost killed him. "Please sir, don't. I don't want to be called a commander anymore!" Eric said shakily. "A commander is strong and wise, who maintains order. Not a psyco like me who losses control himself an nearly kills his people. I'm not worth it." Eric was genuinly ashamed of himself for letting 'it' happen 'again'. This time right in front of everyone. He was now on all fours before the back turned figure of the actuall commander. "You sure? Take a look around you. Ask them if they want to be rid of you." Pixis replied looking over his shoulder at Eric's tearful yet surprised face. He snapped his head left and right and saw the soldiers. All of them were scared but it didn't seem to draw from him. But what really surprised him was they were actually forcing the look of fear away with a look of reassurance. Meaning they didn't want to be afraid of him. He punched the ground and looked at the commander again "Why? Why? Why aren't you afraid of me? Why are you all so nice to me? How can you accept a monster like me?" He questioned though he didn't want to he was feeling so proud and happy to have these people beside him(he felt like he didn't deserve it). "We've cowerd enough sir. We've feared enough. You made us realise. Our power is right with us. We have to fight for our homes and our families. There is no honour and glory only a life or death battle for survival. So fearing is not an option. If we are crazy enough to accept a titan so far, I'm sure a super poweres human is fine" A soldier with enough guts to say what everyone was thinking." Thank you. Thank you. All of you." He broke into tears. Many others smiled, the olders thought no matter how much you raise his standards he is still just a fifteen year old boy and one of the youngest soldiers in this battle, should he really suffer like this? He then stood up "My dad wrote to me a final note. His true last words. The last line read. Walk with your head held high and victory is assured" he finally said with conviction. "For humanity!" Everyone yelled.
"Good, now commander I'm sure you noticed the red signal. A while back." Pixis said. "Oh crap. How are they doing?" Eric replied. "Not good. They suffered many casualties and I don't see any movements from Eren." Pixis added. "I see, then. . ." He paused wondering on what to do. "Why don't you go help them?" Pixis recommended. "But sir what about. . ?" Eric was about to go on about the situation here but was interrupted. "Oh, please don't worry about it. I'm here right. I may be old but I'm not that senile to not be able to defend one measely little area. Plus you nearly wiped out half the problem." Pixis said with mock disappointment. 'This man has a gift for cheering you up' Eric thought with a smile. "Yes sir, I believe we can hold this place. Please you are more needed in the elite force." Pixis's personal staff officer said. "Thank you all. I hope you can manage it." Eric said one last time before switching all the gas he blasted back in his lunatic frenzy for fresh new one. But before he leaped he noticed something. He saw a belt for carrying a flare gun with fresh barrels. He immediately picked it up, tied it to his waist sash and stocked a few shots of green and yellow. Then stormed off. "Sir, do you think he can do it?" An older soldier asked the commander. "I'm not sure but as he said this is where we make or break mankinds chance for survival. Only he and the vanguard soldiers are allowed to make that decision. Till then we hold our ground till the last man." "Yes sir."
With most of the titans near the corner. The city was almost empty. This gave Eric some time to think. 'Damn to let it happen again. Like one time wasn't enough.' He looked at his hand that lost his fingers. 'My fingers . . . Regenerated. And my arm its almost fully healed.' He began to think back to his first incident.
Flashback:- It was just before noon right after the colossal titan attacked. Eric had his previous rampage then had himself pinned down. His arm crushed, muscles torn and buried under debris. And to make things worse a titan was approaching. He watched in horror as it came with its mouth instead of its hand to eat him on the spot. Eric was begging his body to move. But the pain and the burning sensation was far heavier than the rocks bearing down on him. Until.
.
.
.
A strong cold sensation hit him. Instantly his left arm regenerated to survivable levels and his right fist balled and smiling weirdly he smacked the beast square on the jaw. Smashing its teeth. For a normal person to do that the only thing that would have broke would have been his own hand. But for Eric he sent the titan flying and crashing into the building on the other side of the street. He stood up on the roofless building in a loopy, zombie like manner with limp arms and slumped shoulders. And with his death grin on. He gave his crazy trademark laugh and literally jumped off the building and all the way across the street and onto the titans heart. His landing crushed its innards and made the chest sink down. And still laughing he began to do what Eren was yelling in that titans stomach. (Yep, he ripped its throat region) with his bare hands and reveling in the steam and blood and bones. Thill he found the nape and crushed it hideously. Screaming "WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Luckily that didn't last much long. Thankfully there was no person or titan at the vicinity so nothing to influence him. Finally he recovered warming up from the heat loss his body caused. He realised he was on the body of a titan completely throat crushed. He moved off till he found the medical tools. (End Flashback)
Frustrated he rips off the bandages lining his left arm. It was fully healed and now with total mobility he charged the enemy. 'Just you wait people. A cold phantom is comming.'
In that time the others were talking about what they just witnessed. "Holy crap. Was Eric always this vicious. I mean he screamed louder than I ever heard any titan do and he cleaned out half the place in minutes. I think I'll freak out." Connie said with wide eyes. "Yeah. He may be nuts and a mass murderer but you can see the seniors and the commander trusts him. Oh god." Marco said. "You too Marco. This is pandemonium. I mean look. First we have one of us turning into a titan. Then the top cadet gets one fucking super promotion all the way to commander. Then he snaps for a second and turns to a rampaging titan killing machine." Jean also scowling. "Hey guys do you think today. Today do we really have a chance?" Connie asked. "Don't know. Its always been a losing game so far but today I think its a fifty -fifty chance." Marco said.
"Alright strike team 3. You know Langford's deal. Simply lure these sons of bitches to the corner. If all else fails. We fight and put them down. No casualties. You can't expect help from the backup team all the time. Die and I'll spit on your bucket of bones." The squad leader explained to his group. After Eric left his plan and organization was put into full effect and casualties were kept to a minimum.
"Backup squad 7 go assist strike team 4." Orders were barked.
Meanwhile. The debate over Eren was decided that he would be protected by any means necessary as well. The fight was going on there. As captain Mitabi was about to be eaten like a lollipop Mikasa saved him in the nick of time. "Bastard's behind us" Ian yelled. This turned their attention backwards. "A thirteen metre and judging from it, its about to pounce on Yeager" a soldier shouted details. "Sir four titans approaching from the gate sir! All ten plus height"
"Right. Ackerman you take the rear. The rest of you deal with the front." The action was intense. Mikasa ran towards the back wondering 'elite or not. Two teams can't take on four titans at once' right then she felt a refreshing cool gust of wind move past her really helping to ease the heat from all the titans and steam. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH" everyone was greeted by the sound of happy laughter. It was the same as the one in the frenzy but the insanity and madness was not there. This was more of a humane sign to gather courage. A cloaked figure stained neck deep in blood swung down and wiped out all four titans at once. "What?!" Many soldiers were confused. Then the blood cloaked phantom turned towards them and eliminated the few titans in between their positions. Everytime he passes by someone they feel the temperature drop and refresh themselves.
"Sorry I'm late people. Can anyone give me a sit rep?" Eric lifted his hood showing his old smiling murder face. "Commander? What are you doing here?" Rico asked. "Heh, long story short. Commander Pixis was nice enough to take care of the situation there so I got the perfect opportunity to come here. Anyways, what's happening here? Where is Eren? You should have been done by now." He explained and reprimanded. "Sorry sir, but Eren lost control and immobalised himself while trying to attack us. Currently we're in a defensive stance until he can get up again." Captain Ian explained. "I see then hold this position just a little bit longer. I'll see to Eren." Eric replied. "Yes sir." The said.
Eric rushed back to the focal point of everything and saw Armin latching onto the nape of a titan with its hands and face blown off and all of them steaming. "Armin what the hell are you doing down there?!" He yelled. "Eric, I uh, I . . ." He tried to explain but could not think at the moment. "Fprget it. Can you wake him up?" Eric asked. "Maybe, but I'm not sure. If I can't I'll just cut him out." He shouted a reply. Eric thought over it and decided. "Okay I'll give you ten minutes to wake him up." Eric tossed him a flare gun and two coloured gases, red and green. "If it works fire the green and rendezvous with us. If he doesn't wake up by then fire the red and pull him out. Then we will withdraw." He ordered. Armin nodded his head. Eric went back to the main force. "Listen up people. We hold this line for another ten minutes and then depending on the coloured smoke released we either advance or withdraw." He ordered. "Yes sir." The battallion replied.
'God I wish we had a banjo and some drums. A battle like this is just depressing' Eric cynnically replied
TBC...