"Eren come on! We have to go," Mikasa cried as she pulled Eren towards her horse. "Let's go home."

Digging his heels into the grass Eren shook his head. "I can't Mikasa. We can't leave."

"W-why not? We've got a spare horse for you. We have to leave before more Titans show up." As Mikasa pleaded Armin approached the two of them with weary eyes.

Upon seeing his best friend Eren's eyes began to water, he launched himself towards him, Armin's knees buckled instantly causing them both to fall to the ground. "Armin! I was beginning to think I'd never see you again."

"You left some pretty big prints, it would've been difficult to not find you." Armin groaned as he slowly stood up.

Eren looked past his friend to the perilously few soldiers that were slowly gathering around them. "Is this all of you?" He asked.

Immediately Mikasa and Armin's eyes fell to the ground. "Take a guess where the rest of us are?" Eren looked up to see Levi sitting upon his horse. "We left with an army, now there are barely twenty of us left."

"Sir!" Eren brought his fist across his chest and saluted his captain.

Levi rolled his eyes and sighed. "Have you been away so long you've forgotten how to salute?" Eren looked down and realised his left fist was resting on his chest, blushing he quickly slammed his right fist down across his heart. "Tsk. It doesn't matter. What matters is you getting on a horse and getting the hell out of here."

"I can't," Eren stressed. "I just risked everything to get you a place to stay."

"A place to stay? Are you crazy?" Levi growled. "We lost so many to come and get you and now you want us to set up camp?"

Eren turned his head back to look up at Annie, Bertolt and the now standing Beast Titan who stood with the Armoured Titan at his side. Eren could almost feel their stares locked upon him. Taking a deep breath Eren turned back to face his allies. "You won't have to camp," Levi raised an eyebrow. "You won't believe me if I tell you. Just come with me." Walking away Mikasa quickly fell into pace alongside Eren and took immediate notice of just how pale he looked.

As they walked Mikasa rested a hand on his shoulder and gasped at how easily she could feel the bones protruding from him. "Eren what's happened to you?"

"That's why I need you to come with me. I can't explain it." He explained.

Cogs in Mikasa's mind quickly fell into place. "Who can?" She hissed.

Eren stopped in his tracks knowing that this was going to be difficult. "Mikasa you have to let me and them explain."

"You mean those monsters?" Mikasa spat. "I promised to kill them when I saw them."

Eren sighed and rubbed his temples. "You can't. These people are not what we thought. They had a reason for what they did."

Hearing Eren defend the people that ruined her life Mikasa's blood began to boil. "They killed our mother. They destroyed our home! They-"

"I KNOW!" Eren yelled. Mikasa recoiled slightly at the outburst. "I know, it's just… complicated. Just follow me and you'll get your answers and more." With an open hand Eren took hold of Mikasa and slowly lead her to the base of the caldera. Mikasa would usually relish in the feeling of Eren's hand in her's, she would always feel comfort in the strength with which he held her. Now, she was shocked with the weakness of his grip.

When they finally reached the base of the dead volcano Mikasa tilted her head back to take in the sheer scale of the structure. "How do we climb this?"

"We ask for a ride." Eren smirked as he threw his hands up in the air, waving them in wide arches. Moments later the golden plated Titan began climbing down the great, black rock face. Upon seeing the beast coming towards them Mikasa and several others drew their blades, ready to attack. Mikasa began running up the steep rocks ready to cleave the Titan limb from limb, she was about to fire off her cables when Eren reached up to her and grabbed her hand, turning on him she saw Eren shaking his head. "Let him come down."

As Reiner approached he began to slow down, his glowing eyes shifting from one soldier to another. He knew that inside his armoured cocoon there was no threat of being attacked, their blades could only scratch at his protection yet despite the certainty of his safety seeing the burning hate in the eyes of the people he once called friends sent icy daggers up his spine.

"Are you telling us to just stand here as that thing gets closer?" Levi growled, his grip on his swords tightening with every step Reiner took.

Eren looked back to his captain with steel in his eyes. "If you attack him now then we'll all die," Levi didn't lower his blades but neither did ready them to fight, he instead let them rest at his hips. Confident that Levi wouldn't try to kill Reiner he turned back to the approaching Titan. "Reiner!" He yelled. "I need a ride."

Reluctantly the Armoured Titan fell to one knee and offered Eren an open hand. Without waiting Eren pulled himself up and into the waiting palm, turning back he saw shock in Mikasa's famously calm eyes.

"H-how can you do that?" She stuttered. "After everything they've done how can you do it?"

A sharp pain shot through Eren's head as he replayed Mikasa's question over and over again, eventually as the ache subsided he faced his sister. "I… I try not to think about it. Things are more complicated than I ever thought and… I need you to help me with this."

As if on cue Reiner moved his hand a couple of feet closer to Mikasa, trying his hardest not to make eye contact with her. Taking a deep breath Mikasa edged closer to the giant hand and only when Eren offered her his hand did she finally climb on board.

With Mikasa holding his hand with a sightly concerning amount of strength Eren turned to Levi who scoffed at the offer. "If you think I'm even touching that filthy thing you stupider than I thought," Sheathing his blades, much to the relief of Reiner, he rested his hands on the gas tanks at his sides. "I'll make my own way up."

As Reiner curled his fingers around his passengers Levi made his way back over to the waiting soldiers and even from his height Eren could see that out of the faces of his friends, his crazy, childish friends. But as he looked closer he could see the dark rings around their eyes and judging from the way they held themselves as they dismounted their steeds the friends Eren had made and known during training had gone.

Using his free hand to help him climb Reiner slowly began making his way back up the rock face and against his better judgment Reiner lifted his passengers up high enough for him to hear what they were talking about.

"We were beginning to think you were… gone," Mikasa sobbed as Eren held her in his arms. "Levi, he told us to… he told us to give up on you, but I couldn't do it."

Eren smirked as Mikasa curled her fingers into his shirt. "I wasn't going to be gone forever. Wait," He snapped, pulling away from her momentarily. "If Levi gave up why are you here?"

Mikasa wiped her eyes and looked up to her carrier. "We had no choice. Once Reiner and Bertolt kidnapped Ch-Historia and Ymir things changed. We were all summoned to the capital and told that we needed to get her and you back."

"Were you told why?"

Shaking her head Mikasa balled her fists. "No. We were told to go find you and Historia and bring you back. We couldn't return unless we found you."

"What!?" The suddenness of Eren's outburst caused Reiner to nearly lose his grip, after tightening his hold against the wall he continued to climb. "How could they do that?"

"They sent the everyone except commander Erwin, we had no idea what to do so we just followed your footprints," Mikasa explained. "Because of all the Titans we had to ride through the nights, everyone is exhausted."

Eren clasped his hands against his head and screwed his eyes shut. "This is my fault… I could have escaped and made it back to you."

"I doubt they would have let you," She spat just loud enough from Reiner to hear her through his armour and flesh. Turning her attention back to Eren Mikasa asked the question that had been plaguing her and the minds of her friends for the past few weeks. "Why did they send us after you?"

"Like I said. I can't explain it. I barely understand it myself," He shrugged. "The king and the others can tell you what you need to know."

Mikasa raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "King?" Eren pointed to the great beast that stood waiting for Reiner at the lip of the caldera.

"He's in charge around here and he wants to help me. As soon as I'm better we can go see the ocean. Think about it," Eren beamed. "Just a few days and we can be free."

Even as Eren rambled about seeing the ocean and everything beyond Mikasa could only focus on one thing. "What do you mean 'get better'? What's wrong with you?"

Rubbing the back of his head Eren sighed. "I'm not even sure. I've been told it has to do with dad and this thing called the Coordinate but that's all I understand."

"Coordinate?" Mikasa echoed.

"Yeah I have no idea what it is but apparently it's stuck inside me and that's what's caused…" Eren gestured to his frail form. "This."

Resting the back of hand against his forehead Mikasa immediately set about trying to help Eren. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Eren shook his head. "It's okay though, Annie knows this technique that can take the edge off it."

Upon hearing her name Mikasa's eyes narrowed. "Why would she help you?" She hissed.

"Mikasa," Eren sighed. "She opened my eyes, I used to see it as black and white. Humans and titans and then I turned into a titan."

"Things can't go back to the way they were can they?" Mikasa mumbled.

"No." Was all Eren said as Reiner delivered them to the rim of the rock face. Now that they had arrived Reiner lowered them to the ground, not wanting to be in contact with him any longer Mikasa jumped from Reiner's hand and offered Eren her own hand to help him down.

Eren took her hand with a smile as she helped him down. Looking around Mikasa's eyes were immediately drawn to the Beast Titan who was watching her with such intensity she felt a cold shiver pass up her spine.

"And who is this?" He growled.

Mikasa's jaw fell open as the Titan spoke but Eren took a step forward and shielded her with an extended arm. "Someone important to me. All of them are."

The Titan leaned in until his face was only a few feet away from Mikasa's. After what felt like hours he shifted his coal black eyes on to Eren. "I'm letting them on one condition. No more waiting Eren."

Clenching his fists Eren held the Titan's stare. "I get it." Eren barked.

Satisfied with his response the Beast Titan stood to his dizzying height and turned to Reiner. "Lead them inside and take them to the Leonhardt's."

Not wanting to test his leader's patients further the Armoured Titan silently obeyed leaving Annie with wide eyes.

"Why are they staying on my land?" She called out to her King.

"I warned you that you would take responsibility for Eren's actions. If I recall you have a barn where you can… store them," As he spoke a thin, sharp grin grew across his lips. "If however you can't put up with them I can turn them away and you can explain to Eren why his people were killed in front of him."

Annie met the gaze of her king with all the ice she could muster. "I'll make room."

"Good. Now I think you have some difficult conversations to have." The Titan chuckled as Mikasa approached her.

Never thought we'd be having this talk. Greif cooed. I'm leaving this one to you. With the snake's last words the serpent coiled itself in the recesses of Annie's mind. Turning to face her Annie balled her fists.

"Did you help Eren?" Mikasa hissed. Annie sharply nodded, she wanted to answer her but Annie found her words stuck in her throat. "I should kill you for what you've done," Eren wanted to intervene but he knew that this was something Mikasa had to do if she was going to stay without killing Annie or getting killed by her.

"We did what we needed to do." Annie replied, it was taking all her composure to retain the strength in her voice.

Mikasa's fists balled even tighter as Annie tried to justify her actions. "Attacking my family was what you needed to do?" She spat.

"Yes. We needed to find the Coordinate, attacking the Walls was the best way to find it." Annie explained, only once did her voice show the slightest signs of worry.

Mikasa didn't give Annie the chance to catch her breath as she fired off question after question. "What is it?What could be worth killing all those people for?"

Annie looked over to the Beast Titan who was watching the conversation as he walked away. His supernatural hearing easily picked up on Mikasa's question, he stared at Annie and gave her a slight nod.

"It allows us to protect ourselves from the Titans since, if you haven't noticed, we don't have walls."

Narrowing her eyes Mikasa took a step towards Annie. "You couldn't ask for help? You had to attack us?"

Stepping forward to meet her Annie prepared herself to fight. "We did ask! Our people begged as Titans ate us one by one. You think we wanted to attack you? We had no choice!"

Eren could see where their conversation would lead, knowing that they would likely kill each other if they were to fight Eren decided to step between them. "Ann," His voice was low and soft as he tried to bring Annie back from where her anger was taking her. "She'll understand. Like me."

"You're defending her when she helped kill our mother?" Mikasa asked in horror.

Eren turned to look at his sister. "I am because I've listened to her. And now I'm asking you to do the same. Please Mika, just let her explain."

Mikasa studied the weary expression with which Eren faced and saw that the fire that had for so long burned in his glares and raged in his voice was gone. Replaced by a weakness and exhaustion that sapped more of his energy with each word. "Okay. I'll listen."

Sighing a heavy sigh of relief Eren rested a hand on Mikasa's shoulder. "Thank you," With Mikasa anger temporally put to rest Eren could face Annie. "Can you take us down? If I shift again I'm not sure I'll be able to get out." He chuckled.

Annie rubbed her temples, without saying a word she walked several meters away from the two of them and raised her hand to her open mouth when Mikasa stopped her. "I'll carry Eren down."

"Doesn't make a difference to me," Annie shrugged. "Eren can take you back to mine."

After carrying Eren down the rockface Eren began leading Mikasa back to Annie's home. As they walked Mikasa bombarded Eren with questions about her surroundings.

"Like I said, most of the people here are shifters."

"Why can't they look after themselves?"

"They're not strong enough." Eren said in a low tone.

As they walked through the markets and farms they both turned back to see the Armoured Titan leading a line of troops and horses. Upon seeing these strangers and the strange equipment hanging from their waists people would gasp and whisper at the sight of the enemy.

"Eren I don't like it here." Mikasa mumbled to him.

Taking her hand and squeezing it firmly Eren did his best to comfort Mikasa. "I know but it's only for a few days, when the wa- King takes the Coordinate out of me we can leave."

"And go home?"

"Yeah, we can all go home."

The rest of the walk consisted of Eren answering Mikasa's great number of questions with his limited knowledge, as they approached the door Eren raised his hands to her. "Look I don't really know. You'd find more answers talking to Annie. It'd give you something to talk about." He chuckled.

Mikasa bit her tongue at Eren's jab. "That's not funny you know." She mumbled.

"Sorry," Eren groaned as he rubbed the back of his head. "It just helps to joke sometimes."

Eventually Eren lead Mikasa back to Annie's home, sitting outside was an exhausted looking Ymir and a worried looking Historia.

"M-Mikasa!?" Historia blurted out, Ymir groaned in in pain as she lifted her head from Historia's lap.

Her brown eyes focused on the approaches and after realising who they were she smiled. "Long time no see Mikasa."

"Are you two okay?" Mikasa asked as she ran towards them.

Historia looked towards her partner and smirked. "Yeah, we're okay."

"What are you doing here?" Ymir asked.

"We're here for Eren and you," Mikasa said as she pointed towards Historia. "We needed to get them and take them home."

Ymir chuckled to herself. "Let me guess, our gracious host isn't going to let that happen?"

"Yeah," Mikasa sighed. "We're allowed to stay for three days." Hearing the countdown Eren unknowing balled his fists. Then like it or not we're taking you both home."

"Hey," Ymir waved. "Feel free to take me with you. I want to get as far away from this place as possible."

Historia promptly jabbed Ymir in the side before facing Mikasa. "We can all go home."

Ymir scoffed to herself. "Yeah like you're gonna be able to take Eren's girlfriend back with you."

Eren sighed as Mikasa's jaw locked at Ymir's comment. "You know it's not like that. You're just trying to start something."

"Yeah, yeah. Tell that to Annie." Ymir smirked.

"Tell what to me?" Everyone turned to see Annie walking towards them.

Eren smiled upon seeing her. "Nothing, just Ymir sticking her nose where it doesn't belong." The last part of his sentence was a loud hiss.

"Right," Annie deadpanned clearly not paying attention to Eren or the glares Mikasa was shooting her. "Reiner will be here with the others soon, I need you to help me get the barn ready."

Just as Eren stepped forward to agree Mikasa stopped him. "I thought Eren wasn't well."

"He's well enough to help me," Annie returned the ice in Mikasa's stares. "That is if you want a place to sleep."

Mikasa didn't waver under the pressure Annie was exerting. "I'm more than well enough to help."

Knowing that if allowed to continue fists would fly Eren stepped forward. "It's okay, I can help. Just because I'm not in top condition doesn't mean I should start being lazy."

"Well spoken." Annie said as she made her way towards the barn behind her home. After giving his sister a pleading look Eren followed her.

"I had almost forgotten how much we hated each other." Annie groaned as she threw another hay bale towards Eren.

Eren had just finished spreading the contents of the last bale onto the ground when Annie launched another to him. "She didn't hate you… She just didn't trust you."

Annie rolled her eyes as she went to pick up another bale. "We both know that isn't true. Anyway I needed to ask you something."

Eren stretched his arms over his head, groaning as his joints clicked. "Sure, what is it?"

"How are you feeling?" Eren opened his mouth to reply when Annie cut him off. "And don't lie."

"Not too great if you're gonna interrogate me," Annie raised an eyebrow. "My headache is pretty much constant and I feel like I'm burning up. Just like when I was by the river."

Annie wiped the sweat from her brow and walked up to Eren. Without waiting for permission she pressed the back of her hand against his forehead. She quickly pulled her hand away and hummed.

"You definitely have a fever," Her voice was filled with concern as she looked into Eren's eyes. "And you look a mess."

"Still think I have three days in me?" Eren chuckled dryly.

"No I don't," Annie didn't bother sugar coating the truth, she knew there would be no point. "We've got to buy you more time."

Eren closed his eyes and massaged his temples as he tried to recall the previous attempt to give him more time. "Unraveling."

"Looks like you need it," Annie sighed. "It works better if your relaxed so we'll do it tonight."

Annie turned to spread out the hay on the floor, doing so meant she couldn't see the furious red blush that had grown across Eren's cheeks. "R-right."

"Come to my room tonight and I'll see what I can do," Annie deadpanned as she looked at her work. "That should do it. Go back and explain what's going on to all your friends."

Eren nodded and quickly left the barn. Outside Eren found that Reiner had lead the remainder of the Survey Corps back to Annie's home. Upon seeing his friends Eren broke out into a sprint that he immediately regretted. He came to a stop at the Armoured Titan's feet and took a moment to examine the uncomfortable expressions on the faces of his friends.

"Eren!" Armin gasped. "This place is unbelievable. I had no idea a place like this existed."

Eren chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "Neither did I."

"So, what's happening here?" Armin asked, his eyes occasionally flickering up towards the Armoured Titan.

"That's the thing," Eren sighed. "Come on, follow me. I'll explain all I can."

"You do realise what you're saying sounds insane." Jean pouted.

Levi hummed his agreement. "If this is all true then the royal family has been using the Survey Corps to keep people from finding this place."

"What do you mean?" Eren asked.

"Ugh," Levi moaned. "Everytime, everytime the Corps we come back from an expedition it sends a message," Eren shook his head. Levi rubbed his temples before continuing. "It tells people that the only thing out there are Titans. And that makes staying inside the Walls seem like a better, safer idea."

"In other words," Everyone turned to Hanji who was sitting cross legged on a pile of hay. "The Survey Corps were just sacrifices."

Instantly the surviving members of the Survey Corps gritted the teeth and balled their fists. "Is that all they thought of us?" Jean growled.

"That would also explain why they are so obsessed with getting Historia back," Hanji hummed. "They need someone to carry the, what did you call it?"

"The Coordinate."

Hanji smiled. "Yes, the Coordinate. What exactly is it?"

Eren sighed. "I don't know. Not even Annie knows. They just told me it was a power, a power that my father stole from the royal family."

"So what does this 'King' get from saving you?" Levi asked.

Eren's eyes dropped to the floor. "In return… he wants the Coordinate."

"You want to give this power to the people that attacked us?" Jean scoffed.

Many of the soldiers voiced their agreement. "I find myself agreeing with Jean," Hanji said. "You said he wants to save his people with it. But you haven't told us how."

"This, this is where it gets really crazy," Eren sighed. "The Walls, all of them are made of Titans," Giving his comrades a moment to let the revelation sink Eren took note of the looks of disbelief on their faces. "The King wants to use the Coordinate to build Walls for his people."

Hanji exchanged a lengthy stare with Levi, while no words were spoken she seemed to get the message across. "Eren. I'm sorry but you can't allow him to do that."

Eren's eyes widened with shock. "If I don't I'll die."

"Yes," Hanji sighed. "But we can't let the enemy gain such a power. From what you've told us the King has every reason to wipe us out."

"And we'd be giving him the perfect weapon do so." Levi added.

Eren stood up and made his way to leave, just before he did he turned back to Levi. "So what am I then? A sacrifice?" With that he left. Mikasa went to follow him when Armin reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Mikasa," She looked down at her friend who slowly shook his head. "Let him get his head around this."

Outside the sun had long since set leaving Eren standing alone in the darkness. Stuffing his hands in his pockets he slowly made his way back to Annie's home when he was stopped by the sound of running water.

"Done with your little catch up then?" Eren turned around to see Annie holding a bucket of water. "It's not polite to keep a girl waiting," Seeing the look of despair on his face Annie took a step towards him. "Come on, you look awful."

As Annie lead him inside Eren couldn't help but smirk to himself in the candle light.