Chapter 2
On his was way, he saw the terror and fear as people pushed each other out of the way. Finn was getting closer to Wall Maria. He had to move forward. But the thought of complete helplessness made it almost impossible. Why couldn't he just go and help his friends? His Grandfather gave him the power to fight. Why was he running like a coward?
'All those Innocent people dead. Because I couldn't disobey my Grandfather.' -Finn thought as he reached the walls.
Finn saw how people were trying to push each other out the way. Shouting and panicking was the only language these people knew right now. It didn't even matter if kids like them were trying to make their way out. Finn and Armin were pushed to the side by some adult who was shouting to let him pass.
'Fucking asshole.' -Finn thought and looked at Armin. He was in far better shape than he was ten minutes ago."Are you okay?"
„Yeah, I'm fine." -Armin replied weakly. To be honest, he wasn't really doing well. He had no idea what happening with his friends or his Grandfather.
„Armin!" -Came a familiar voice. Turning around, they saw an older man with a straw hat on his head. It was Armin's Grandfather."Thank the walls, you're okay! Finn, are you alright?"
„Yes, Mr. Arlert." -Finn replied dejectedly. He saw boy Mr. Arlert had embraced his Grandson.
For a brief moment, Armin was able to forget what was actually happening around him. It made him look at the Shiganshina District. One beautiful city was now a smoky ruin filled with echoing screams.
„Come on…We have to get on the ship." -Mr. Arlert said. Nodding, Armin followed his Grandfather.
„Finn?" -Armins called as he looked back. The boy didn't move an inch. He grabbed Finn's arm to snap him out."Hey, We have to move."
Finn was at the loss of words. He turned toward Armin and gave him a blank stare. With a small nod, they made theirs toward the nearest ship. Seeing the complete disbelief and fear in people made Finn feel worse.'I could have done something…'
He waited for any sign of his friends and Grandfather returning. Eventually, he saw them standing before a ramp. Finn let out a sigh of relief, but it was quickly replaced by a gasp. Eren, Mikasa, and his Grandfather were there, but he couldn't see Miss Yeager anywhere. The look on Eren's face said it all.
It only got worse. A different Titan, completely covered in armor, destroyed the inside gate. They saw it from the distance as their ship was moving at a slow pace. Urs and Finn had put up a brave face to conceal their anxiety.
'They finally came. Why now?' -Urs thought, gritting his teeth. He looked down to his Grandson.'I need to prepare him. I don't have that much time left. I'm sorry for putting this on you, Finn….'
In terrified haste, the central government declared Shiganshina lost cause and decreed all mankind to retreat to Wall Rose. At least ten thousand lives were lost in the attack. That day gave humanity a grim reminder of the reality they lived in.
Eventually, they made theirs to the gate of Trost District. But they were not allowed to enter. Instead, they had to stay outside near a warehouse. It's two days since Wall Maria fell. Everyone was struggling to stay alive. There fights amongst civilians for any scrap of food. Finn felt an overwhelming sadness while watching everyone suffering. When he was offered rations, he couldn't eat. Not because they're terrible, but because he didn't deserve them. Which is why he decided to share them with as many as possible. It did earn him grateful smiles, but it didn't really make his grandfather happy.
„Finn, you can't starve yourself." -Urs reprimanded, and Finn stared at the ground."You need to stay strong. Do you understand?"
„Yes, Grandfather." -He said weakly. Urs let out a long sigh and kneeled in front of his Grandson. They were standing behind the warehouse that served as their temporary stay.
„I understand. I can see it in your eyes." -Urs said kindly."That you blame yourself for not doing anything." -He saw tears in his grandson's eyes."But trust me…There wasn't anything you could have done."
„So what was the reason for giving me this power?" -Finn asked, his voice shaking."Wasn't it to protect people?!"
„You've only gained this power yesterday." -Urs explained with a sigh."Even I couldn't control it the first time. I almost killed my father because of it." -Finn's head dropped even lower. Urs placed his hand on his shoulder."It was too risky. Even if you manage to control, then what? Would you be able to seal the hole? Fight Colossal Titan and Armoured Titan at the same time? On top of dealing with Pure Titans…Finn, do you understand?"
„I do*sob*, but it doesn't *sob* make it Me feel better." -His grandson was crying. Too much emotion had overwhelmed the boy. Pulling his grandson closer, he embraced him into a gentle hug."All these people…."
„I know, but there is nothing We can do about it." -Urs said with a sad tone."But what We can do is to prepare for what's coming."
„Huh?" -Finn broke the hug and looked his Grandfather in the eyes."What do you mean?"
„There's a reason why they came." -Urs said seriously."They're after the Founding Titan. That's the only reason why would they attack."
„But why? Why not just invade us?" -Finn asked, not understanding.
„Because they're cowards." -Urs snarled."They're scared that the Founder is going to start the 'Rumbling'." -He explained, and Finn gasped.
„You mean….?!" -Finn stared at the 50-meter wall next to them.
„Yeah…That why they're trying to do this quietly. But what they did was reckless." -Urs explained with a hint of confusion."There different ways to enter the walls. Why destroying them? It's a big risk on their part. Unless…"
„Unless what?" -Finn asked, not hiding his own curiosity.
„Unless they had no idea what they were doing." -Urs said."Only a child would come up with something like that. Which means…."
„The Colossal and Armoured are kids." -Finn finished, and Urs nodded.
„They tend to turn young kids into so-called 'Warriors'." -Urs agreed.'Seriously…Ordering kids to do something like this.'
„Do you think they are here?" – Finn asked while looking around.
„Most likely. It would be easy for them to slip in during the panic." -Urs agreed and looked at his Grandson."Listen, I know this is a lot to ask of, but you're the only one who can do it."
„What?" -Finn was scared to hear what his Grandfather wanted to say.
„You need to find and secure the Founder. If possible, try to learn the identities of the Colossal and Armoured." -He explained, and Finn's eyes widened.
„But, how am I suppose to do that?" -He asked, his voice shaking.
„The same way that they will. By joining the MP." -Urs explained, and Finn gulped."To find the Founder, you must get close to the King. You can only do that by being an MP."
„Grandfather…I don't know if…" -Finn tried to protest, but he stopped when after seeing Urs's expression.
„I know, I understand that that's a lot." -He said with pleading eyes."I should not ask you to do this. But you're the only one who can do this. I know you can. I'll teach you everything you need to know, I promise." -There was still doubt in Finn's eyes."I know this is wrong, but only you can save our people and your friends. Don't do this for me, do it for them."
For a brief moment, Finn thought about his Grandfather's words. His thoughts turned to Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. He remembered his promise to Miss Yeager. To keep each other safe. Now, they had nobody but themself to look after. He didn't want to lose any of them.
„I'll do it…" -Finn declared, wiping the tears off. He looked his Grandfather in the eyes with determination.
„That's my boy…" -Urs said with a proud smile."I'll make sure you're ready. Though, it won't be easy."
„I know…Wouldn't have it any other way." -Finn said with a firm nod.
„Okay. How about you go and see what your friends are doing?" -Urs nodded."After all, you won't be able to hang out with them."
After a while, Finn found his friends sitting on a bench. Judging by Eren's expression, he knew that the boy was going to start shouting again.
„I can't do this anymore! I'm going back to Wall Maria!" -Eren spat out, earning a tired sigh from Mikasa."Titans have to pay for what they have done to us."
„Hey now, you're not serious. That's your stomach talking." -Armin said with a small smile. He really didn't feel like hearing Eren talk about Titan. As the matter of fact, none of them wanted to hear it.
„No, I'm not!" -Eren snapped."Look at us! What We are doing here is a joke! To hell with those Garrison assholes! If you want to stay and be a parasite, then do it! I'm going back!" -At that point, Mikasa had enough. She got up, picked Eren up, and then punched him in the face.
He fell on his back, gritting his teeth. Eren looked at Mikasa with pure anger, but she was unfazed. With a heavy sigh, Finn walked up to Eren and look down at him.
„See? You just took a punch from a girl, and you can't even stand up." -Finn scoffed, causing Eren to quickly get up and charge at him. Eren aimed to punch him straight in the face, but Finn was faster and stronger. Grabbing him by his wrist, twisting it, and dragging behind his back, he slammed Eren into the ground. Making sure that he won't try anything, Finn grabbed his other wrist to restrain him even further. Pressing his own body weight against Eren's assured no way of escaping."So, Eren… Tell something. If I can pin you down just like that, then how are you suppose to kill a Titan?"
„Get off me, fucking asshole!" -Eren shouted. He quickly regretted it.
„Eren, that's not how you call your friend." -Armin spoke quietly. He saw that those words hurt Finn. His eyes have said it all.
„Eren…" -Mikasa whispered with a sad expression.
Eren saw sadness in his best friend's eyes. Finn was just staring at him.
„Finn…I'm…" -Eren tried to apologize, but he felt a power pressure through his arm. He winced in pain.
„Do you know how easy it would be for me to break your arm?" -Finn deadpanned. There was no sign of hatred in his voice. Eren felt a cold sweat run down his head."Listen…I understand that you're angry. You're hurting right now. I get it. But that's no excuse to treat your friends like that."
„I get it…I'm sorry…It's just…" -Eren didn't look him in the eyes.
„We know…Let's just survive, okay?" -Finn offered, and Eren slowly nodded. Finn released his grip and got up from Eren. Offering his hand, Finn helped Eren get up."I made a promise to your mother, and I intend to keep it."
„What are you talking about?" -Eren asked with confusion.
„We're going to look out for each other." -Mikasa explained and walk up to Eren."We're on the same boat from now on."
„You're right. I'm sorry…" -Eren admitted and felt a pat on his shoulder. It was Finn.
„We'll get through this. Together." -Finn said with a small smile.
A few days later, many starved refugees were put to plow the wastelands as the last-ditch effort to raise food. But the cold grounds yielded nothing. Following year, the remaining refugees were tasked with reclaiming Wall Maria. It meant that Mr. Arlert and Urs Broed were forced to leave Finn, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin on their own. But not before saying their goodbyes.
„You're not coming back, are you?" -Finn asked, though he already knew the answer.
„No, probably not." -Urs replied with a shrug."But at the very least our sacrifice will let you live." -At that Finn teared up. With a sigh, Urs kneeled in front of his grandson."We've talked about this…"
„I know…I just wished to spend a little more time with you." -Finn admitted, earning a chuckle from his Grandfather.
„Me too…But this world is just that cruel." -He said wisely."I know you'll make it. You have more reasons than you may think." -He added, referring to Eren, Mikasa, and Armin."They look up to you. You have been strong for them. Keep them safe…"
„Keeping Eren safe sounds impossible…" -Finn said with a small smile."But I'll try…I'll do what I can."
„That's my boy…" -Urs said with a smile as he patted Finn's head."One more thing…If Wall Maria is retaken, go to our old hut. There's something you can find useful in the future."
„I will…" -Finn promised and looked at his Grandfather."I will miss you…"
„Me too, kiddo." -Urs said with a kind smile."Your parents would be proud of you…"
Of the two thousand and fifty men, nearly twenty percent of the surviving population. Not even two hundred made it back. While it did nothing to drive back the Titans, their sacrifice at least decreased the effects of starvation within the survivors of Shiganshina.
They were all standing behind an old warehouse outside of Trost District. It was a calm and cool night. It took a lot for Armin not to cry. He was holding his Grandfather's straw hat, the last thing he gave him before his death. Finn was staring at the star-filled sky with an empty look.
„We can live like this…" -Eren said and sat down next to Armin."We have to get our home back."
„So you want to join the Cadets?" -Finn asked and glanced at his friend.
„Yeah, next year I'm joining the Cadets." -Eren declared with fire in his eyes."I'll become stronger!"
„I'm joining the Cadets too!" -To their surprise, it was Armin who said it.
„Same here…" -Mikasa agreed with a nod.
„Guys, you don't have to follow me to my death." -Eren said with a bit of annoyance in his tone.
„Someone has to watch over your sorry ass." -Finn said with a small smirk."I was already planning on joining the Cadets. We're in this together. To the end…"
„That's it then. Next year, We're joining the Cadets." -Eren stated and looked up. Clenching his fist, he made a vow to avenge his Mother's death.
'I promise to keep you safe…' -Finn thought, as he watched his friends.'I will find and secure the Founder before the enemy gets their hand on it…