Chapter 22
Calian gulps nervously as Mr Braus scrutinizes the pair, who now stand a good 2 feet away from each other after being caught red handed in such an intimate moment. His expression is impassive and Calian sees no traces of anger in his eyes, though that's little comfort in the still tense air that surrounds the group. Sasha fidgets, her fingers dancing along the sleeve of her right arm, looking anywhere else than her father or Howlett for that matter.
Sasha's father finally decides to break the silence, "We been givin horses o everyone in the area. That girl," He nods towards the small human sitting at the back of his own horse, "told us someone was still back there. Who'da thunk it was you? You fought off a Titan for that girl, didn't ya?"
Sasha gasps and finally looks up to her dad, nodding rapidly. A proud smile grows on her fathers face, pleased with how much his daughter has grown for the better.
"Sasha, yer all I hoped for."
The red head rocks on her feet, giddy with cheerfulness. This is everything she could've hoped for, her last memory of her father before training with the cadets was him voicing his disapproval of her ways which lead to her feeling ashamed and unsure of herself. But this 180 in his attitude towards her relieves her of the weight she had carried. "Thanks dad." She says with a mega watt smile.
The girl sitting behind Braus leaps off the horse, with Sasha scrambling to catch her before she reaches the ground thankfully and the girl surprises all of them by tightly hugging the redhead. "Thank you!" she whispers, her tears flowing freely.
Sasha beams as she pats the child's head affectionately. Artur hops down his horse and walks up to Calian who stands straighter like as if he was being approached by a superior officer. Artur scrutinizes him a little more before he nods ahead, "Walk with me."
The teen doesn't hesitate as he follows the older mans pace, throwing a quick glance behind him to see Sasha happily and animatedly conversing with the hunters of her village. For a moment he forgets his worries as he watches fondly as his girlfriend finally relaxes and enjoys herself in her home. A spark he had only been able to see in glimpses was now shining brightly and uninhibited by her, as if she's finally able to be herself freely. Which in a way she was as he can tell she's using her normal accent.
"She definitely caught yer eye didn't she?"
Calian blushes as he was once again caught by Sasha's father. "Uh well um ya see—"
Artur chuckles as he raises a hand to stop his stammering mess. "Calm down son, I ain't gonna tear yer head off or nothin. Well, unless I find out ya hurt her or took advantage of her."
"Never!" Calian vehemently replies.
Which brings a proud smirk onto the older hunters face, "I trust ya. I can see the honesty in yer eyes. Not many people have that these days."
He slows his pace to a stop once they're in a comfortable distance from before. "So, ya came to rescue my daughter?"
"Officially, I was sent ahead to recon the area and start the process of evacuation from village to village. But unofficially, I requested to go ahead to help Sasha." He admits.
Artur hums in response before saying, "Looks like none of dat was necessary."
He grins proudly, "Ya got that right. It ain't the first time she handled business on her own, she's a badass! She's saved so many of our friends lives, my hide too. She's always the first one into action even if she feels scared. Hell she made it to the top 10 when I didn't. Plus she can cook a mean boar stew!" He shakes his head fondly.
"She's really grown hasn't she? And I nto a fine woman no less. Somethin tells me I might have ya to thank."
Calian refuses to take credit as he retorts, "All the growth she went through was her own doin sir. She's the one who found her own strength and built her own family in the 104th. I just cheered her along from time to time."
Artur watches the sparks in Calians eyes as he speaks about his daughter, his chest puffing in pride with all her accomplishments and actions. He suddenly asks Howlett, "What does my daughter mean to ya?"
Calian doesn't even take a second to think he just says, "Everythin. She means everythin to me. She was there for me when I lost my closest friends, she saved in more ways than she even knows. I don't need to tell ya how beautiful she is, even more than she believes but it ain't just that. Her soul's more gorgeous than a starry night sky." Calian doesn't realize he isn't even looking at Artur anymore, his eyes closed as he's imagining his girlfriend. "Everytime I'm in a bad spot, just the thought of her gives me so much strength. Makes me feel like I can do anythin, keeps me anchored to the world. She's… she's my world."
He opens his eyes and meets the hunters eyes with conviction. "I love her."
He expects some type of hostility from the seasoned hunter but instead he shocked to find nothing but admiration from the old man. "Seems like my daughters made a good choice."
"You're not gonna disapprove?"
"Son, it takes a special type of love to fight titans all alone for just one person. And I can see the devotion ya got my daughter. Ya already had my approval, I just wanted ya to admit this to yerself."
He rubs his neck in embarrassment at his declaration of love. But snaps into attention as Artur then speaks again with a serious tone. "Just keep in mind not ta hurt my daughter alright? Won't end well fer anyone."
"If I ever do I won't fight back, I know I'll deserve that ass whoopin."
Artur grins as he claps Cal's shoulder and gestures for him to return to the group, "Just promise me ya gonna take care of her."
"Till my dyin day Mr Braus."
He grins, "Ya can call me Artur."
Calian offers his hand, "Calian Howlett."
"Nice ta meet ya."
By the time they had arrived, the rest of the North Squad has met with the villagers, already directing them to the path to safety as some scouts return from scouring the rest of the forest of any titans lurking within. Thankfully it's clear. Sasha looks relieved to see the returning duo and quickly gives her father a hug while Calian heads up to the leader of his squad. "Good to see you're not hurt."
"No one was, thankfully there were barely any titans around, and seems like word reached these villages thanks to these guys." He gestures to the hunters.
"Yea they informed us that the next few villages have already been evacuated thankfully."
Sasha comes running up to stand beside Calian and salutes the squad leader who looks at the civilian dressed cadet, "And you are?"
"Oh uh, Sasha Braus sir! 104th cadet! Our commanding officer ordered us to get word out of a possible breach!"
"I see, well good job, especially seeing how you don't have any equipment. I'll get you and that kid to a safe location. You," he points at Calian, "Join the Zacharias Squad, they're doing a sweep of Wall Rose to find the breach."
Calian nods, feeling a little tired but deciding to ignore it for now, there's bigger things to worry about at this time. With that the soldiers salute and part though Sasha keeps Cal by her as she says, "Thanks again for coming. How did you know to come?"
Calian's mind flashes back to the images that flashed in his mind just before he came to Dauper village. He still doesn't understand it and decides it's best to keep it to himself, otherwise he'll be deemed mentally unfit to continue service.
"Just had a feelin."
Satisfied with his answer, she replies, "I really do appreciate it. I-I wanna pay you back somehow…"
"Darlin ya bein safe and sound is more than enough for me." He assures her but she isn't having it.
"No. You- You do SO MUCH for me. I need to pay you back, what kind of girlfriend would I be." She whispers the last part shyly with her cheeks flushing.
Smirking he replies, "Well another kiss wouldn't hurt."
She bites her lip while smiling, which does things to Calian, and he replies, "When my dad isn't around, then yes."
He grins and hugs her tightly, planting a kiss at the top of her head affectionately, something that she absolutely loves when he does. When they let go, Calian sees the little girl run up to him and Sasha, stopping shyly when she's within arms reach. "I'm glad you're safe Kaya!"
"Kaya? That's wonderful name." Calian tells her as he squats down, keeping himself from seeming to imposing for her.
But he doesn't realize that, he doesn't scare, he gives her a sense of security that she thought she lost when she witnessed her mother being eaten.
Still unable to meet his eyes she asks, "Umm Mr, what- what's your name?"
"Names Cal."
She suddenly leaps into his arms and hugs his neck tightly, "Thank you Cal! Thank you so much!"
He returns the embrace carefully so he doesn't hurt her, "Any time Kaya, any time."
They let go but she keeps ahold of his hand and Sasha's afraid to let go of them. He squeezes her tiny hand assuringly, "It's gonna be alright kid. These people are gonna take good care of ya."
She gazes imploringly into both teens eyes, still afraid when Sasha decides to tell her, "When this is over the two of us will visit you ok?"
Her doe eyes water a bit, hope blooming in her once again. "You promise?"
"Absolutely." Calian informs her and he means it.
With that, she gives each soldier one last before returning to Artur who gives them another friendly wave as the Squad leader commands, "Every saddle up! All civilians follow me, we'll rendezvous to Wall Sina the rest join with the Zacharias squad and scour Wall Rose!"
Having joined with Gelgar's squad, Calian spent the next 8 hours tensely riding along Wall Rose, searching for the breach in the wall, but to no success. With each passing hour, as the sun fell, the tension grew. Everyone was expecting at some point to find the massive hole that allowed the mean eating monsters from infesting their sanctuary. And once they did, what would they expect? A horde awaiting to ambush them from the dark? Or possibly an onslaught will pour through the breach, overwhelming them and the remainder of humanity? Or even worse the armored and colossal titan ready to stamp out their lives?
So many questions that's causing the ever-increasing uneasiness and fear gripping the scouts. Calian slowly surveys the dark area around them, expecting one of those horrible creatures to lunge out of the darkness. He then hears something,
"Gelgar! There's something up ahead comin at us!"
Gelgar tightens his already bone crushing grip on the flames and orders them, "Everyone in battle formation now!"
The scouts quickly take out their swords and wait with baited breath… only to find themselves face to face with the Nanaba's squad. There's nothing but silence between the two groups, with Nanaba and Gelgar gaping at each others with mirrored expressions. Calian notices that most of his friends are with Nanaba. Ymir still looks impassive though she does send softer gazes at the young blonde. Christa is looking all around her, most likely sharing the same fear as the rest that they're within the clutches of the titans. Connie, worries Howlett. As he seems pale, even more than when they were in Trost, like as if he saw a ghost. Bertholdt seems the same, sweating profusely while Reiner, it looks like he's in pain and confused. I gotta talk to him. Out of the whole group, Connie and Reiner are worrying Calian the most and promises himself he'll do what he can to help his two friends.
After an uncomfortable amount of time has passed, Gelgar asks Nanaba, "Did you follow the wall here too?"
Nanaba replies, with every ounce of control she has, "Yea… where did you find the hole?"
Calian and Gelgar both look at Nanaba like as if she's crazy. "Huh?"
Just as apprehensively, Nanaba explains, "We didn't find anything to the west. Didn't you find it your way?"
"No… there's no hole this way either?"
The relief of the lack of weak point in their walls does nothing to stop the confusion fueled alarm building inside each soldier. If there's no hole in the wall, how did the titans get in? Trying to think logically, Lynne asks, "Is it possible we missed it?"
Calian shakes his head, "Ain't no way we could miss a hole big enough for a Titan to squeeze through."
"Maybe we should go back and start again?" Gelgar asks, though he doesn't seem all that excited to do so.
He inwardly sighs in relief as Nanaba shakes her head, "The horses and the rest of us are exhausted—"
The scouts tense as the pitter patter of an animal reaches their ears. Exhausted as they may be, the Scouts ready their blades. They watch with baited breath as out of the shadows comes Eld carrying—
"Mike!" Nanaba exclaims.
She leaps off the horse and runs towards her Captain, eyes widening slightly at the blood soaked bandages wrapped around his legs. Her heart beats faster as she sees the blank look in her Captains face, mouth moving but no sound comes out. "What happened?!" She asks, her voice hoarse with despair.
Eld tightens his grip, "He was in bad shape by the time I got to him. There was a titan, but unlike any I've ever seen." He looks haunted as the memory fo the beast comes back to the forefront of his mind.
"We barely escaped alive. He been catatonic since, didn't even flinch when I wrapped up his legs."
Nanaba bites her lip, keeping her eyes from watering at the heartbreaking sight of the man she holds to such high regards. Now isn't the time to cry. They need you to be strong. HE needs you to be strong.
"These wounds need to be redressed, Gelgar, is there any nearby location suitable to camp up?" Her voice professional and devoid of any emotion.
By some miracle, the clouds choose that moment to clear up and cast the light of the moon upon a rundown castle about a mile or two away from their position. "Castle Ruins?"
Nanaba glances once more at Mike before mounting her horse, "It's better than nothing."
The Scouts dismount their horses and have them rest near the courtyard of Utgard Castle, Nanaba quickly has the scouts lay Mike in a comfortable area and sees to redressing his bands herself. The rest of the Scouts scour the castle for any type of refreshments or food that could possibly be used. Most of the day has been spent in nonstop motion, never having a second to even drink water let alone eat. By this point many of the Scouts were ready to drop as the adrenaline that fueled their bodies during their battle with the titans has all but disappeared. The 104th cadets were better off than most and made themselves useful by creating a small fire for to warm themselves during the chilly night. Calian keeps himself standing nearby, unwilling to sit, knowing that if he does, he most likely won't get up. Despite him having an increased amount of stamina as well, he himself is experiencing the beginnings of exhaustion, having battled with Annie in Stohess as well as fighting Titans from one side of Wall Rose to the other. His bones are even screaming at him for just a few minutes of rest but he does his best to ignore it. His eyes start to droop despite his best efforts and slowly he starts to fall into the temptation. Maybe I can rest my eyes for just a few minutes.
"Alright attention everyone!" Gelgar orders.
Goddammit.
"We embark four hours before sunrise. So until then, we'll take turns to keep watch. You cadets get some rest now."
Historia raises her hand, "If the wall hasn't actually been breached, then how are the titans getting in?" She tries to smile optimistically, "Maybe the situation isn't as bas as we first feared."
"Love the optimism Christa, really I do, but with our track record, think it's best we don't get our hopes up." Calian comments, rubbing his eyes.
Ymir raises an eyebrow and smirks, "Since when have you been so pessimistic?"
"Since I was cursed with trainin with ya." He retorts, earning a chuckle. "Sides, ain't ya the one always sayin to keep your expectations low and you'll never be disappointed?"
"Truer words have never been spoken." Ymir agrees. She rolls her eyes as the blonde beauty sulks.
"oh come on, it's true!"
Gelgar shrugs, "She's right. Number one rule of Scout survival is hope for the best but plan for the worst. Either way, we'll figure it out tomorrow."
Reiner nods at Howlett, "How're you holding up by the way? You've been all over the place, right? You must be fit to drop."
But Howlett waves off his concerns, "Don't worry blondie, I'm still good to go."
Christa giggles, "You're amazing! I wish I had your stamina!"
Ymir Smirks slyly, "For what reasons?"
Blushing, the shorter friend smacks Ymir's shoulder lightly, "YMir!"
"How're ya though, Reiner? Ya ain't lookin to good?"
Reiner freezes for a second, his brow scrunching like his head was in pain. And for a split second he wore a horrifying face before snapping back to normal. "I'm alright, a little worried but alright."
"… Uh huh."
Cal whispers to Bertholdt, "Seriously, how is he?"
The slim solider shifts uncomfortably as he glances between the two nervously. "I-I don't know. And that worries me."
"How're ya holdin up? Ya know ya can rely on me." He tells him sincerely.
Bertholdt looks shocked before grimacing, unable to meet Calians eyes. "I'll manage. Tha-Thanks though."
Now Calian is very worried about his friends. He knows something's going on with the two but for some reason they just keep pushing everyone away. And he truly wonders why. All the years they spent together, building a bond of trust and brotherhood and yet it feels like they're trying to fight it now. He's a little hurt if he were honest but tells himself he can't judge. Everyone has their own ways of coping so when they're ready he'll help them with open arms.
Calian then asks Connie, "Hey, Any word on your village?"
His dead eyes meet Calians, "Totally destroyed. It was crushed to tinder and bits of rubble."
Calian's heart goes out to his friend, knowing full well what that pain is like. "I'm so sor—"
"nobody got devoured though."
Calian checks the other scouts to confirm that he heard right, "Looks like they all got out so there's a silver lining at least."
Ymir asks, "I thought that you said it was destroyed?"
Connie shifts into a more comfortable sitting position as he explains, "Well the houses and stuff were. But the people themselves must've all escaped. I mean they had to have… The thing is, we didn't see any blood anywhere. No body parts or rotting corpses. Not so much as one drop. It's the only possible explanation."
It is… But why do I get that feelin that we don't even know what the fuck is or isn't possible anymore?
"Still though, something I can't get out of my head. There was a titan laying on top of our house. It was just laying there, staring at me. It couldn't move on its own, thank god. But I just- I have no idea why, but it reminded me of my mom. Am I crazy?" he asks himself.
Reiner adopts his serious expression again, "Connie, what did I tell you? It was your imaginati—"
"ARE YOU FOR REAL!? HAHAHAHAHA! YOU ACTUALLY THINK YOUR MOM MIGHT BE A TITAN? Wow, how come you're such a shrimp then, huh?!"
"Ymir please." Connie tries to tell her but she doesn't stop.
"We all knew you were dumb as rocks but whoa man! This takes it to whole other level!"
He rolls his eyes, feeling like himself again, "Haha yea have your fun. Guess I was kinda asking for it." He grumbles, but Ymir wasn't finished.
"Say if your mom was a Titan, then was your dad a Titan too? Otherwise they couldn't… Well you know!"
Ok that's too far! Calian has to grab ahold of Connie to stop him from lunging at the brunette as he raves, "I said shut up already! Argh!"
He rips himself out of Howletts grip and stomps away to a place to be alone. Calian glares at Ymir, "Maybe all of us could do with some peace and quiet."
Ymir just shrugs, "Whatever."
Christa decides to back Calian up, "He got a good idea, like Gelgar said, this might be our only chance to rest."
GElgar finally chimes in, "She's right, hey Howlett, you rest up first, you've already been through a lot already."
"Not as much as everyone else!" He tries to deny.
"You fought the female titan and survived. That's earns you the first round of rest, that's an order!"
Grumbling Calian walks away, "Fine."
As he does so he decides first o check up on Connie whos standing on the balcony overlooking the forest. Connie hears his friend approaching but groans, "look just forget what I said ok?! You'll probably think I'm crazyt too." He whispers the last part.
"Not at all."
A flash of hope comes and goes before the bald scout deflates as he accuses Calian, "Liar."
"Not lyin, look we've seen Eren turn and from a Titan and we saw a female one that can make part of her body turn into crystals. At this point, I'm just about ready to believe anythin. So if ya say that that Titan might be your mom, then I believe ya."
Connie gapes at his friend, before stifling a sob as he's happy that someone finally believes him. "Thank you Cal. Really."
"No problem. Question though, ya sure ya want to be right?"
"…No…. but I guess what I want doesn't really matter at this point."
Calian tries to say something but Connie cuts him off, "Can you just, please leave me alone for now? I need a moment."
"Sure."
Calian walks away , heading up the tower that, Stopping to glance in the room where Nanaba is holding Mikes hand, softly stroking it as she pleads for him to say something. Knowing he should leave them to their privacy, Calian finds a separate room where he's able to find a small stack of hey to lay his head on. He mumbles, "Been a damn long day." Finally comfortable, he closes his eyes, allowing his exhaustion to finally take over him and bring him into the sweet embrace of slumber.
"EVERYONE WAKE UP! COME TO THE ROOF QUICKLY!"
Calian wakes with a start and quickly runs to the source of the voice. He quickly finds Reiner who yells, "What's going on!?"
"Hell if I know!"
The pair quickly rush to the roof to see the horrifying sight of a the largest horde of Titans Calian has ever seen running towards the Castle.
The scout who made the announcement shakily tells Gelgar, "I just noticed once the moon broke through the cloud."
Gelgar's hands begin to shake, "Why? Why are they still active!? It's way past sundown!"
"Hey!" Connie screams, "Look at that!"
Calian's eyes land on a massive titan, completely covered in what looks like fur, walking lazily with its arms swinging in an unsynchronized fashion from its legs. He sees Eld tense at the sight and deduces. This is the one that attacked them!
"What the hell is it?! It's like some giant beast!" Connie gasps.
Howlett does a double take as he notices that Bertholdt and Reiner both sport a pale and haunted look, with recognition in their eyes. They recognize it? How? Did this one attack their village?
His thoughts are interrupted as an abnormal titan hugging itself runs and smashes into the tower, causing the whole castle to rock under their feet. Gelgar rushes forward to see that the swarm are now purposely rushing the tower, "Wait!? No! no no no no no no frickin way! They're trying to take down the tower!"
Eld grimaces but then decides to take command, "Alright listen, everyone who has it, get your gears on, we cannot let them take the tower! I know their numbers are scary but we can't let them get passed us or else the rest of humanity will fall! We're the only line of defense left for humanity!"
"YES Sir!"
The scouts quickly get into gear, Calian included. Nanaba had never taken hers off and is already ready as she approaches the 104th cadets, "You rookies fortify the doors and windows with anything you can find, don't let any in and keep yourself away from danger!"
"Got it!" Christa speaks on behalf of everyone.
Calian already straps his ODM gear to his waist and stands beside Eld, "You ready kid?"
"Right behind ya old man!"
"Tch, old man my ass!"
They let out a battle cry together as both members of the Levi squad leap off the roof and hurl themselves downwards into the jaws of death.
