„Attack on Titan: Burdens"
„Titans." – normal speech.
'Titans.' – thoughts.
Chapter 1
It was a starless night, filled with the sound of wind and crickets singing their song. If you could get up high enough, you would see a very beautiful valley with a lake. The lake was glimmering in the light of the moon. A Breathtaking view, one would say. But it wasn't very breathtaking for Finn right now.
Finn was filled with anxiety. He wasn't usually scared of the night, but today was an exception. After all, tonight night was very important. For the past three years, he was preparing for this moment. Training and studying every day with barely any break has led him to this moment. He couldn't turn back. Finn knew it, yet he was scared. Why was he so scared of?
„Are you scared?" -An old, raspy voice asked.
„Huh? N-no, Grandfather…" -Finn replied. The hint of hesitation was as clear as the night sky.
„It's okay. I understand." -Finn's Grandfather said knowingly. His name was Urs Boerd. Urs was a well-known hunter of Shiganshina District."I felt the same way when I was your age. Everything will be alright."
„Um…Are you sure that I'm ready?" -Finn asked, trying to peak and see his Grandfather's expression. They were walking for about two hours now, with Urs leading the way.
„Of course you're." -Urs reassured and glanced at his grandson."You're my grandson. I believe in you."
This was something that Finn was looking for reassurance. Something that he was grateful for.
Suddenly, Urs stopped and looked to his right. Following his grandfather's gaze, Finn saw a large cave. It was big enough for both of them to enter.
„This is the place…" -Urs said calmly. He looked to his grandson."Ready?"
„Yes." -Finn replied with a nod. Using his lamp, they both entered the cave.
Carefully moving through the cavern, Urs and Finn have made their way to a large open space. It was dimly lit thanks to the hole in the ceiling. Finn could see that there was a table, bench, boxes, ladder, and a bed next to the hole in the ground.
„Okay, give me a moment to prepare everything." -Urs said and pointed his finger at the bench."Go, rest while you can."
Nodding, Finn made his way to the bench and sat down. Looking around, he couldn't help but admire his surroundings. Despite its eerie aura, he didn't feel scared at all. „Finn!" -Urs called him, breaking his grandson out of his thoughts."Everything's ready. Come here."
Gulping, Finn made his way to his Grandfather. He looked down the hole and saw a light emitting from a torch. Feeling something poking him, he glanced at his grandfather. Urs was holding a small box in his hand.
„You can't go down there without it." -Urs said and gave him the box."Be careful on your way down. You can't drop the box." -Though his voice resonated calmness, Finn knew his grandfather was serious.
Taking the box carefully, Finn put the box in his bag. With a deep breath, he slowly made his way down the ladder.
„Don't worry, I'll hold the ladder." -Urs assured and grabbed the ladder."Take your time no need to rush it."
Nodding, Finn slowly made his way down. Despite being thirteen meters deep, the hole seemed to be endless. It was even worse for a kid like Finn, whose imagination got better of him. He almost froze halfway through; however, he made it down safely.
„Good…Now, follow my instructions." -Urs said and Finn looked up to meet his gaze."Open up the case." -Finn opened up the box and saw a syringe in it."Now, there is a small vile with translucent liquid. Take the syringe and fill it with the liquid. Just like I told you."
„Grandpa I…."
„It's okay. You won't feel it." -He said calmly. Even up here, Urs saw how much his grandson was scared."Just inject it, and I'll take care of the rest. It will be over soon enough."
With a sigh, Finn jammed the syringe into his arm and pushed the liquid down his veins. He looked up to his grandfather with tears in his eyes. It saddens Urs to see Finn like that, but there was no other choice. It was too late to back down. Urs watched as his Grandson was engulfed with yellow light.
„Waah!" -Boy gasped as he woke up. The first thing he felt was a cold sweat on his forehead. Then, a girl with long black hair came into view. She was standing above him with concern across her face."Huh, Mikasa?"
„Another nightmare?" -A girl named Mikasa asked. The boy nodded."Eren, why are you crying?"
„What?" -He asked with surprise. He touched the corner of his right eye and wipe the tear-off."I don't know…"
„You know that you can talk to me, right?" – Mikasa said as she kneeled next to him.
„I said I'm fine, Mikasa!" -Eren barked, annoyed by Mikasa's overprotectiveness."Don't tell anyone about this."
„I won't." -She promised."But if you don't know why you were crying, maybe you should talk to your dad about it."
„Are you kidding me? I can't tell my dad!" -He snapped, quickly getting back on his feet."Anyway, let's grab the sticks and head back."
Without another word, the kids grabbed the sticks and went back to Shiganshina District. On their way, they met up with Hannes, a member of Garrison and a close family friend. For a while, they bickered about living within the walls and how a soldier should act. It ended up with Eren revealing his desire to join the Survey Corps. Something that Hannes and Mikasa were clearly against.
„Eren, I don't think you should join the Survey Corps." -Mikasa voiced her opinion.
„What? You think they're stupid too?" -Eren asked with disbelief.
„I'm not saying they're stupid or anything." -She answered truthfully. Mikasa then looked ahead."Hey, look…."
Eren followed her gaze and his annoyance was replaced with a big grin. In front of them were standing one of his best friends with his grandfather.
His name was Finn Boerd, and he was one year older than them. He was wearing a plain blue shirt with black pants and shoes. What made him stand amongst other kids were his eyes and burn scar. His burn scar went from the top right corner of his face down to the side of his nose. While the scar was his most notable feature, it was his eyes that really stood out. While his right eye was green, his other one was blue. Eren asked his dad about it once and he explained that it was simply a rare mutation. He also had long black hair that he was using to try and cover his scar.
Due to his appearance, Finn was often treated like a troublemaker. Which was far from true. He was a kind and caring person. Finn was like a big brother to them, someone they could always depend on.
His grandfather on the other hand was a very respectable hunter. It was his job to provide people with the best meat or fur. If the price was right, of course. Unlike his grandson, Urs Boerd wasn't standing out at all. Despite dressing like a hunter, he was easy to miss in the crowd. He had short, white hair and a long beard. His eyes were sharp and his features were rough. A clear mark of a hunter.
„Finn, Mr. Boerd! Good morning!" -Eren greeted them with a big grin.
„Good morning." -Mikasa greeted them, smiling.
„Hey there, kids." -Urs greeted back with a chuckle.
„Hey guys, how's going?" -Finn asked with a smile.
„We were just coming back from picking wood." -Eren explained and re-adjusted his backpack.
„Glad to see you working hard." -Urs said with approval. Eren and Mikasa had faint blushes on the cheeks."Anyway, I have a business to attend to. Mind if my grandson tags along with you?"
„Not at all, Sir." -Mikasa said, and Eren nodded."We would love to hang out with Finn."
„Heard that, Kid? I'm gonna grab you in few hours." -Urs said to Finn, who nodded."I'll be waiting at Yeager's house. Got it?"
„Yeah, good luck." -Finn said, and Urs nodded. He left them and suddenly the kids heard bells."Is that…."
„The Survey Corp is back!" -Eren exclaimed with excitement."The front gate is opening! Guys! The heroes have returned!" -With a tired sigh, Finn followed Eren and Mikasa. He already knew what they're going to see.
Those were not heroes. Just damaged men and women. It was clear that the expedition was a complete failure. Again. That wasn't surprising, at least to Finn and Mikasa.
Despite seeing what these people went through, Eren was still adamant about his choice. Even after seeing a mother cry at the sight of her son's remains, Eren didn't flinch. Sometimes it worried Finn to the point of wanting to beat the idea out of his head. Not that it would have worked. Just moments later, Mikasa dragged Eren into a corner and threw him into a wall, causing all the wood to fall out.
„What was that for?! Look at all the wood!" -Eren cried in anger.
„Eren, have you changed your mind about joining the Survey Corps?" -Mikasa asked seriously, and silence fell upon them.
„What Mikasa was trying to say was that We're worried." -Finn finally broke the silence. Eren glanced at him and then looked at the ground."You saw what happened to that Woman's son. Just an arm. That all she got back. Can you picture your own mother in that situation? Receiving your arm? Or a leg? Or maybe better, your head!"
„Just help me pick this up." -Eren said in a defeated tone. Mikasa wanted to help but was stopped by Finn.
„No, he'll pick it up himself." -He said firmly while placing his hand on Mikasa's shoulder. Reluctantly, Mikasa stepped back and watched as Eren picked the wood by himself.'How come I'm the only one acting like an adult? I'm only one year older than them. Guess I have to thank Grandpa for that.'
Later the kids went to Eren's house to drop off the wood and eat dinner, But it wasn't the peaceful dinner that Finn was hoping for. Instead, Mikasa decided to say that Eren wanted to join Survey Corp. From there, Finn decided to cut himself off. It was a family matter. Though, it was hard not to hear Eren shouting about how living inside of the wall was terrible. Not that he could blame him. He was curious as well, but at the same time, he knew what was out there, death to be exact.
Finally, all the arguing seems to die down a little. He heard Grisha, Eren's father, promising his son that once he's back, he'll show him the basement. They all went outside to bid him farewell.
„I won't allow it." -Carla, Eren's mother, said seriously."You won't be joining something stupid like Survey Corp."
„Stupid?! People who wish to live like livestock are stupid!" -He shouted and then dashed off into an alley.
„Eren!" -Carla called, but her son was out of reach. She turned to Mikasa and Finn and grabbed their shoulders."Mikasa, Finn, he's truly a reckless boy. When trouble comes, be sure to help each other out."
„Of course, Miss Yeager." -Finn promised with a nod. Mikasa nodded as well, making Carla smile with relief.
It wasn't long before they saw Eren running toward a small group of kids. Finn and Mikasa could tell it was Armin, their other friend, who was being bullied again. So, naturally, they picked up speed, just enough to catch up to Eren. When the bullies saw them, they run off in fear.
„Hah! Hey, they ran away after seeing me!" -Eren exclaimed with a grin.
„No, they ran away after seeing Finn and Mikasa." -Armin explained and tried to get up."Ow…."
„Hey, you okay?" -Finn asked, walking up to a blond boy. Armin looked up to him and shook his head.
„I can stand up on my own." -Armin said and got up. Finn gave him a sympathetic smile he knew Armin wanted to show that he can be tough.
After explaining why he was being bullied again, Eren found it hard to contain his anger. Finn felt the same way, while Mikasa felt bad for Armin.
„God damn Bastards!" -Eren snarled, and Finn nodded."We just want to go outside. Is it really that wrong?"
„People are like that because it's been peaceful for the past 100 years." -Finn explained tiredly.
„He's right." -Armin agreed."That's the reason why King's government decided to ban any interest in going outside of these walls."
„It should be our choice." -Eren said while throwing a rock to the river.
„You can't do that." -Mikasa said firmly, sitting down and not looking Eren in the eyes."No way."
„Mikasa, why did you tell my parents about my plans?!" -Eren yelled at his adoptive sister.
„It's not like she agreed to help you." -Finn interjected."Eren, we had this talk before. Your passion will only get you so far."
„So, it didn't end well." -Armin concluded, earning a nod from Mikasa and Finn."I knew it…"
„I can understand your frustration, Eren." -Finn said and Eren glared at him."These walls….They won't protect us forever. Only a crazy person would believe that." -There it was. Another silence.'Why do I getting this bad feeling in my stomach….?'
As if the skies have heard his thoughts, there was an explosion that shook the ground. With it came the sound of thunder strike. Finn froze completely, a cold sweat run down his spine.
'No….No, No, No….This sound….' -He thought until he felt a pull on his arm. He saw Mikasa pulling his arm.
„Finn! We have to go!" -She said with panic in her voice. He nodded, barely registering what was actually going on.
'This isn't happening…Why now?! Of all Times, why now?!' -He thought as fear was caught up to him. Unlike everybody, besides his grandfather, he knew what was going on.
Then they all saw it. A giant skinless head, peeking over the Wall Maria, staring at them with an emotionless face. Nobody was able to move a muscle. Fear completely consumed everybody. When Finn saw Titan's head slightly bowing down, he knew what was about to happen.
„Get down!" – He shouted on top of his lungs. He grabbed Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, then pushed them to the ground.
Before they knew it, there was another explosion. They closed their eyes as the shock wave washed them, almost launched them flying backward. When they opened their eyes, all they could see and hear were screams and people running away. Quickly getting up, Finn said."We have to get out of here!"
„My home…My home is that way!" -Eren shouted and started to dash toward his home. Mikasa was quick to follow him.
„Eren, Mikasa! Wait!" -Finn shouted and wanted to go after them. But he felt a tight grip around his arm. At first, he thought it was Armin."Armin…?"
To his shock, it was no other than his grandfather, who was scared and yet calm at the same time.
„Don't go! Listen, take Armin with you and get out of here!" -Urs ordered with the seriousness that was unknown to Finn.
„But…I can…." -Finn wanted to protest, but Urs was not having it.
„No! You can't!" – He shouted straight into his face."I'll go and help them, but you must go with Armin! NOW!" -Finn was conflicted, but then he saw Armin's expression. It was that of pure terror."What are you waiting for?! GO!"
Without a word of protest, Finn lifted Armin. He dashed towards the inside wall of Wall Maria. With tears streaming down his face, he quickly glanced at his Grandfather running toward the direction that Eren and Mikasa took.
'I'm sorry…I'm so sorry! Eren, Mikasa….Please, forgive me!' -He thought, sprinting as fast as he could. Nothing mattered to him anymore, he had to get Armin away from here. All he could think of was to run.'Why didn't I do anything….? Why I am so scared?!'