Chapter 22

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexuality

Enjoy

En route to Reiss Estate, 850...

"You need to understand something. This is Kenny the Ripper," Levi pointed out. "If he's there, he's our biggest obstacle. In terms of his threat level, it's like you'll be fighting me."

"And those weapons of his won't help," Raisa noted.

"Then he's unbeatable," Sasha said, her voice shaking. "At least, for us."

"Maybe we should wait for reinforcements?" Conny asked.

"No chance in hell," Mikasa snapped.

"R-Right. Of course not," Conny said quickly. "If we wait, Eren might get eaten."

Armin turned in his seat to look back at the others. "You know, based on what the Captain just told us, the odds won't be entirely in Kenny's favor."

"You really think so?" Jean asked.

"Yeah. His squad is well trained, but we have way more combat experience."

Raisa leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Have to ask, is Kenny a relative of yours? Either of you? I know he raised you, Levi, but I never realized you didn't know his last name. You told me he was a friend of your mom's."

"We never talked," he said with shrug. He shifted his gaze to Mikasa. "You know anything?"

Mikasa pulled her legs close and hugged her knees. "I remember my parents saying that my dad's side, the Ackermans...were persecuted when they lived in the cities. My mom said her ancestors were eastern. Her family's appearance made it difficult for them to fit in. Both groups were chased deep in the mountains near the edge of the walls. That's how they met. My father never really told me why his family was persecuted. He mentioned once that his sister went into the Interior to gain the King's favor then she disappeared."

A thought occurred to Levi. "Tell me this, have you ever felt a certain...power awaken inside you?"

Mikasa gasped softly. "I have."

"It happened to Kenny. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he felt an absurd amount of strength surging through him. And in that moment, he knew just what he needed to do. This has happened to me, too." Levi met Raisa's gaze. "Makes me wonder."

Underground Chapel...

Historia grabbed her head, feeling as if a veil had been lifted. Rod noticed her strange expression. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

Cassandra motioned to head up the stairs, growing concerned. But, Historia's voice stopped her. "How could I...how could I forget?" Historia wondered. "In all that time, I was never alone. I had her. She was always there for me. She gave me books, taught me to read and write. She was so kind to me. So how could I forget about her?"

"I take it you're talking about Frieda."

"Frieda?"

"If it was a kind-hearted, young woman with long, black hair...then I would imagine that it was Frieda Reiss. She was...your half-sister. My eldest," he explained. "She must've been worried and gone to check up on you from time to time. If she was erasing your memories, know that she did it to protect you."

"So…that's why I forgot her?"

Rod glanced down at Eren. "That's right. But touching him seems to have brought those memories back to you. An unexpected side-effect."

Cassandra was still staring up at them. Eren was staring back at her, but his gaze was unfocused. Like something was replaying in his head over and over again. Historia wiped the tears from her eyes. "Father, where is she? Do you think we could visit her sometime? I'd like to tell her thank you. If she hadn't been there for me, I…I wouldn't have had anyone. I need to thank her."

Rod slumped his shoulders, feeling a throb in his chest. "I'm sorry, but that won't be possible."

"What?"

Rod stepped towards her, and wrapped his daughter into his arms. "At one time, I had five children. but five years ago, my wife and our children were murdered…by a man named Grisha Jaeger. Your sister was killed by Eren's father."

Historia gasped. Cassandra widened her eyes in shock. "Grisha had the ability to transform into a titan. I still don't know where he obtained it," Rod continued, "But his goal was to steal the power of the Reiss family...power that resided within Frieda."

Historia looked up at Rod. "Wait...she could...she could turn into a titan?"

"Yes." Rod stepped back, but kept an arm around Historia. "Frieda's titan was by far superior to all the others. In theory, she had unsurpassable power. However, at her young age, she lacked the experience to wield it. And because she couldn't unleash her true potential, Grisha ate her and in doing so, stole her power."

Historia covered her mouth to silence her gasp. Rod closed his eyes, shuddering at the memory. "But then he turned his gaze to the children. He started by crushing Dirk and Abel, who were fourteen and twelve. He trampled my wife as she held our ten-year-old Florian and squeezed the life from my eldest son, Ulklin. Through some accursed miracle, I alone managed to escape."

Cassandra continued to study Eren, seeing the realization and guilt building on his face. Historia shook her head. "It's not fair. She didn't deserve that. Why would he do such a terrible thing?"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Kenny called as he entered the clearing. Cassandra tensed, gripping her sword tightly. "What's the hold up? Whatever you're talking about, we don't have time for it. Things are going straight to hell outside."

"Do explain," Rod ordered, composing himself. "What's been going on?"

"Well the Scouts started a coup and all the other regiments have taken their side. Everyone found out ol' King Fritz was a fake. And now his whole council has been arrested," Kenny revealed. "Yup. It's been a royal shit-show. Matter of time before they show up here. So you best get a move on."

Cassandra blinked in surprise. The Scouts are coming? Then...maybe it's not too late. She glanced up at Historia. Rod motioned to descend along the left-side staircase. "Alright, then I will. Now take the anti-personnel control squad and defend the entrance at all costs."

Kenny didn't move. Rod paused mid-step. "I already told you that the ceremony can't be done in the presence of you or your crew."

"Aw! Where's the trust, your majesty? Did I make you mad?" Rod blinked. "Fine. Sorry. I'm just so worried about you."

"I trust you. It's because of that trust that you're here. Now, go."

"I feel the same, your grace." Kenny gave a deep bow, throwing his arms out wide before turning on his heels and walking away.

Above ground...

Hange pulled on the rug behind the alter. "Found it. A hidden door. Reiss and Eren should be inside. Hopefully the layout's close to what I predicted."

"These presents better pay off." Levi knelt down beside Hange. "Considering the time we spent prepping them."

"Okay. We're ready," Raisa announced as Armin finished checking the last present.

"Alright then." Levi turned to address his squad. "Is everyone here ready? Cause you're all about to dirty your hands."

The kids said nothing. But Raisa studied the looks of determination on their faces. "Guess that's a yes."

They were careful in carrying down the large presents. The passage wasn't entirely narrow, and at the bottom was a single door. Levi took the lead. He kicked the door wide open. Hange and Raisa shoved one barrel down, then Mikasa and Sasha shoved theirs after it. Lastly, Conny and Jean threw theirs. The barrels rolled down the stone steps until they reached the floor below. As one, the Scouts surged out of the passageway. Sasha ran to the edge and fired a flaming arrow at one of the barrels.

Before the Interior MPs had any time to react, it exploded. Black smoke filled the cavern, blinding them. Levi and Raisa took off through the smoke, their blades drawn. One of the MPs raised his guns. "Here they come! Shoot 'em down!"

Green flares soared through the air. The flares shielded Levi and Raisa as they circled the MPs, counting their numbers. She went left while Levi went right. They met up somewhere in the middle. "I count twenty-one," she told him.

"I count fifteen."

"There's thirty-five total!" Raisa suddenly shouted. "Continue the plan! We'll take them all out right here!"

"Everyone scatter!" Caven ordered, jumping off her perch. "Let them spread out and surround them!"

Hange, Mikasa, Jean, and Conny took off into the black smoke. Sasha fired another flaming arrow, hitting the second barrel as Armin and Moblit provided cover. Jean stayed low, using the smoke to circle around behind the MPs. He slashed at their heads, cleaving them fairly easily. Armin fired a well-aimed flare, shielding Conny from an MP's bullets. Conny had vanished from the MP's line of sight. He flew up then bounced off the ceiling to slice the man's nape. A female MP raised her gun. "Die!"

Before she could shoot, an arrow found it's mark in her chest. Directly above the chest-plate armor. The woman let go of her other gun and plummeted to the ground. "Conny!" Armin called. "Get back into the smoke before they shoot you!"

"Take this!" shouted a young MP as he fired blindly at Hange.

She dove out of sight then soared straight at him as he tried to reload. She drove her blade deep into chest, under his armor. Blood splattered onto the right side of her face, but she ignored it. The MPs were forced to flee, unable to withstand the Scouts' fighting abilities. Caven watched in fear as Levi, Raisa, and Mikasa tore through MP after MP.

One of them tried to keep up with Mikasa, shooting after her. Mikasa drew him in close, and then Raisa dove down. Shoving her foot into the MP's face before cutting his throat. Caven gasped as Levi took down the three MPs behind her. He was getting close. Too close. Shit! At this rate...there'll be none of us left! Levi aimed his blade and then flinched.

"Woo-hoo!" Kenny shouted as he fired at Levi. The bullet hit a pillar, and Levi latched on, hiding. "Hey, Levi. I don't really have time to waste on you, but I can't just have you getting any further."

He reloaded his gun. "So be it. I'll just have to play. Catch me if you can, boy!"

Kenny flew off towards the pillar Levi was hiding behind. But he found Levi gone. Kenny gasped and ducked his head back at the last second as Raisa's blade flew over him. She twirled in the air and brought her other blade down, but Kenny blocked it with his gun. "Damn, girl! Ain't you Levi's old lady?"

"Joke's on you, motherfucker! I'm nine years younger than him!"

Kenny snickered as he flew away, creating distance. Raisa dodged his next two shots as Levi crept along out of sight, watching Kenny like a hawk. Caven was hastily making her way to Kenny, but then Mikasa appeared. The girl roared as she sliced towards Caven who managed to duck just in time. Kenny, meanwhile, let Raisa and Levi chase him. "Aren't you two adorable?"

He swerved in the air behind a pillar and disappeared from sight. Kenny reappeared above and shot at one of the wooden perches. Levi and Raisa veered out of the way of the falling debris. Raisa latched onto a pillar, but the moment she looked up, Kenny was lunging with a curved knife. Raisa released her anchor, falling out of his way as his knife scraped against the stone. Kenny bounced off the pillar and turned to shoot. Levi covered Raisa and tossed a bag of oil just as Kenny fired. The space between the three of them burst into flames.

Kenny shielded his face from the heat as Levi flew straight through the red flames. Kenny managed to block Levi's blade, but Levi had too much strength and momentum and he slashed through Kenny's hold. Kenny cried out as Levi's blade carved right along his side. "You...little bastard. That really hurt!"

Kenny took the chance to fly away. Caven felt a sliver of relief at seeing him escape. She motioned to follow after him, but she noticed Hange lurking down below. Caven changed course and fired blindly. Hange dodged fairly easily. "Huh? Those weren't even close. It looks like I found another reckless spirit!"

Caven latched onto her pillar, letting the barrel fall off her gun. As Hange drew close, Caven suddenly fired her anchor, nailing Hange's right shoulder. Caven tossed Hange like a rag doll through the air. Hange cried out as she slammed into a pillar and slid down onto the ground. Levi and Raisa stopped, seeing Hange's motionless body on the stone floor. "Hange!" Jean screamed.

"Now, we'll reform our defense to the fall-back point!" Caven announced to the remaining MPs. "Move it! Quick-?!"

All of a sudden, Raisa appeared directly in front of Caven. She had no time to react as Raisa slashed upwards, cutting through Caven's underarms. She lost all control in her arms as Raisa shoved her against the stone pillar. Before she could scream, Raisa had both her blades pressed against Caven's throat. She could do nothing but meet Raisa's rage-fueled glare. Her purple eyes burning with fury and hatred. Raisa dug the blades in slowly and firmly. Caven choked and gargled as blood flowed from her neck. Tears fell from her eyes as Raisa severed her head from her body in one, long, agonizing cut.

The rest of the MPs didn't linger. Kenny flew through a tunnel, ordering his remaining men to let down a next, blocking the tunnel exit. He pressed his arm against his wound. Damn it! At this rate...I'm gonna die before I get to realize my dream.

Ceremony Platform...

Rod returned with his satchel. "Alright. We're finally alone."

"Father," Historia greeted.

"I'm sorry for making you both wait."

"I don't mind," Cassandra said.

"Good." Rod turned to his daughter, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Listen, Historia, I imagine this will sound strange to you, but...Frieda isn't entirely dead. Your sister's memories are still alive. Would you like the chance to see her again?"

"Yes," she whispered happily.

"But how is that possible?" Cassandra asked. Faint gunshots and booms drew their attention. "What is that?"

"The enemy's drawing near. We need to hurry," Rod said as he set his satchel down. He opened it and pulled out a small box. Inside the box, was a vial of some purplish liquid and a syringe. Eren started screaming through his gag and yanking on his chains. Cassandra frowned at his sudden erratic behavior. "What's your deal? Just calm down."

"He knows what must be done," Rod explained. "The power his father stole...must be returned to it's rightful place. With you, Historia."

"Why not you, Father?"

"Because you are young and strong. And you're my daughter. You were born for this."

Eren continued screaming, struggling harder against his chains. But, Rod ignored him. "The cavern we're in now was built around a century ago by King Fritz, our ancestor. The very same power was employed to built the three walls, and it's thanks to those enormous walls that humanity has survived. The voice of the founding titan touched the hearts of the people and altered their memories forever."

Historia and Cassandra exchanged surprised glances. "Although some bloodlines were immune, even their knowledge was lost over time," he continued. "Today, humanity knows nothing of the world before the walls. The only exception is the one who carries the power of the Founding Titan. Frieda had memories of the old world. She knew the truth."

"So then...she had the memories of our ancestor?" Historia asked.

"Yes. She was your age when she accepted the burden. Eight years ago...in this very chamber, she ate my brother, Uri."

Cassandra froze. "Huh?"

Rod closed his eyes, realizing what he had just said. Cassandra blinked through her confusion. "Frieda...ate my father? But...you said he died because he was sick."

"I never said that his illness was what killed him. I only said he grew sick and that he died," Rod corrected. "You must understand. This ritual was how the power of the Founding Titan was passed down through the generations. My brother had to eat our father. Frieda had to eat her uncle. It's how the memories of the old world have carried on."

Cassandra didn't know what to say. His new truth unnerved her. Historia furred her brows, a thought nagging at the back of her mind. "Does that mean Frieda had the power to fight the titans?"

Rod nodded. "Yes. Given time, she could've wiped the titan scourge from the face of the Earth." He glanced up at Eren. "But then his father came, and now the power resides in this boy."

"Why can't Eren just use the power?" Historia asked. "He hates the titans. He'd be more than willing to try."

"The power is wasted on him," he countered. "The true power of the Founding Titan can only be wielded by a member of our bloodline. Eren cannot use it nor anyone else."

"Hey, hey, hey!" came a familiar voice, interrupting them. "Just a damn minute!"

Everyone glanced up, seeing Kenny descend from above. He was holding his arm over his side, pressuring his wound. He landed softly onto the floor. "Sounds like you just said that if someone who isn't a Reiss eats Eren, they won't get the powers of the king."

"Yes, that's right," Rod confirmed.

Kenny's glare shifted into something that looked like despair. "So...what? Even if I eat Eren, it ain't gonna do me any good?"

Rod frowned. "What're you saying?"

Kenny surged forward. Cassandra stepped in front of Historia protectively, but Kenny grabbed Rod, lifting him up by his shirt and pressing the end of his gun into Rod's face. Historia tried to step around Cassandra, but she wouldn't let her. "Let him go!"

"What the hell's gotten into you?" Rod demanded. "Do you think I'm lying?"

"No, I don't," Kenny growled. "I waited a long time for this day because if there was one thing I knew you weren't lying about, it was the succession ritual. You damn prick! You knew what I was after this whole time-knew I didn't have a chance in hell, and you used me anyway."

Rod furred his brows, and calmed his tone. "I'm very grateful. When my brother first brought you into his service, I thought it was just one of his foolish whims, but I-"

"You keep on talking shit about Uri, and you can kiss this half of your head goodbye!" Kenny pressed his gun harder against Rod's face.

"Stop it!" Historia demanded, still being held back by Cassandra. "I said let him go!"

Kenny shifted his glare to the girls, lowering Rod slightly. "Come on. This is pitiful. Your daddy doesn't give a damn about you. He never did. He wants you to turn into a monster and eat your buddy up there while your twin here watches like some whipped dog. What has this piece of shit ever done for you?"

"He saved us from you!" Cassandra snapped. "Who was it that killed Historia's mom? Who was it that almost slit her throat? Who was it that chained me up in some dark cell like an animal? Who was it that did this to my face?!"

She angrily pointed to her scar. Kenny only scoffed. "And that makes up for everything? He sent both of you to the military with the hope you'd die in service. He only cares now because he has Eren. And he's too chicken-shit to turn into a titan himself. Both of you played right into his hands."

Kenny had lowered Rod, but still kept a firm grip on Rod's shirt. He suddenly aimed his gun right at Historia. Cassandra reacted quickly, using the sword to knock it out of his hand. Kenny chuckled as he smirked. "My point taken. Every king needs a dog."

"Fuck you," she spat. "I'll gladly accept whatever title I must. I'm going to protect Historia no matter what."

"Is that so?" Kenny tossed Rod down and holstered his gun. "And if her decision is to turn into a titan and eat Eren?"

Cassandra furred her eyebrows. She turned to Historia who frowned in confusion. "I said I'd protect you...no matter what," she told Historia. "Even if that means stopping you from making the worst mistake of your life."

"What?" Rod gasped.

Kenny chuckled again and then pulled out his knife. Before anyone could react, he threw it up at Eren. The blade sliced across his cheek and up near his eye. The gag came loose and it slipped out of Eren's mouth. "I'd say the boy ought have a fair shot, if she's sure about turning into a titan. Let's see how far she's willing to go."

Rod scrambled to his feet, grabbing the syringe that had fallen onto the floor. He shoved Cassandra aside, causing her to fall over in surprise. "Historia! Quick! Take this injection and you'll become a powerful titan."

"No, don't do it! His-hey!"

Kenny grabbed onto Cassandra's arms, preventing her from getting up. His hands were large, and she instantly felt powerless in his grip. Memories of the dark cell flooded her mind. "We'd better stand back. Don't wanna get in the way when they duke it out right here."

"Remember to consume his spinal fluid," Rod instructed. He placed the syringe in Historia's hand and took a few steps back. "Go on. You have to hurry!"

Cassandra focused through her internal fear and threw her elbow back, jabbing against his wound. Kenny cried out, letting go of her instinctively. Cassandra quickly got to her feet and rushed over to Historia. Rod tried to step in-between them. He grabbed her wrists, but Cassandra slipped out of his hold quite easily. She sucker-punched him, dropping her sword in the process. Historia gasped. "Cassandra, what're you-?"

Cassandra grabbed Historia by her shoulders. "Please, don't do this. This isn't Eren's fault. It's not even ours." She gently cupped Historia's face. "Please, you know this isn't right. You-!"

She gasped as she was suddenly hit from behind. As she fell, Historia's gaze fell on her father who held the discard sword in his hand. "Father! Why'd you do that?!"

"She'll be fine," he insisted, dropping the sword. "Everything will be just as it was supposed to be, but you must take the injection. It's your birthright. Cassandra cannot do it because of her Ackerman blood. She's tainted. But you...this is your destiny, Historia."

Cassandra groaned as she rolled onto her back. She touched her back, feeling warm blood. I can still move my legs...fucking sword was blunt. "Do it, Historia," Rod insisted before stepping back again. "This is your chance."

Historia held out her arm, touching the end of the needle to her skin. But, before she pushed it any further, she realized something. She glanced up. "Eren, why...why aren't you transforming? You're gonna fight back, aren't you? Defend yourself."

Eren slowly shook his head. Tears were streaming down his face, mixing with the blood oozing out of the cut on his cheek. "It didn't have to be like this. All that death would've been avoided. Five years ago, if dad hadn't done what he did, you sister...she would've been able to do something to stop all this. But because my dad chose to steal your family's power from it's rightful owner, countless people ended up getting killed."

Historia lowered her hands. She had never seen Eren like this. His woe, his tears...it reminded her of...Vanessa. Historia flicked her gaze to Cassandra. "I can never atone," Eren continued. "Those days I spent in training? A stupid dream that I could save the world? And me...I shouldn't have happened. If nothing else, then at least...let it end at your hand. Take your power back and use it to save humanity. It's all up to you."

Now, you're just a normal girl...feeling nothing is something, you shouldn't have to feel a certain way...take your power back...don't do this...so, wanna be friends? Historia felt her head begin to ache from the memories. They were flashing through her head so fast, they were beginning to blur together. I see. Is this your idea of being nice?

"What's wrong, Historia?" Rod asked. "Are you scared? All you have to do is inject the liquid into your body. There won't be any pain. It'll be over quickly."

"You aren't...fooling anyone," Cassandra said, sitting up. "I know how...how important this is for you. But...this isn't worth your life. You're a selfish bitch, and you know it."

"Silence!" Rod snapped. "Historia, don't listen to her."

Historia's frowned deepened. "For...a hundred years, we had the power, but we didn't use it. Why didn't our family do something? If we could control the titans, why didn't we liberate humanity?"

"That's because the same king who built this world within the walls of humanity, wanted us to live in fear of the titans for all time. The first king believed this to be the only path to lasting peace. But I can't tell you why because only those who've seen the world's memories can know," he explained. "When someone completes the ritual, they become something else. Something greater. An omniscient being exempt from death who rules over the world we live in. Do you know what such a being is called? God."

"You're insane," Cassandra breathed.

"There is no other word for it," Rod continued, ignoring her. "So now it's my sacred duty to bring god back to this world, and then to offer up my prayers. I'm praying right now, Historia. For god to return and lead mankind once again."

He grabbed Historia's hands, guiding her fingers onto the syringe. He gripped her left arm, holding it out to plunge the needle into her flesh. So, I guess when you break it down, this is really just more of a hope. Christa, live a life you can be proud of. Historia suddenly jerked her hand free and tossed the syringe. It shattered on the ground, releasing the purple liquid. It took a second for Rod to process what had just happened. Then, he erupted into panic and grabbed Historia by her shoulders. "What've you done?!"

Historia shifted her stance, and grabbed Rod by his shirt. She threw him over her shoulder, surprising everyone. He cried out as his back made a sickening snap. "God, my ass! If it was such an honor to become him, why didn't you do it yourself?!"

Rod thrashed on the ground, too distracted by his pain to hear her. "I'm done with your shit, and I'm not gonna let you murder me!"

Kenny hooted in delight. Historia snatched up Rod's satchel and grabbed Cassandra's wrist, hoisting her to her feet. "Come on!"

"What're you doing?" Cassandra asked, as Historia dragged her up the stairs.

"I'm gonna set Eren free and then we're getting the hell out of here," she replied firmly. "You don't have to be my sword, Cassandra. I want you to live for yourself. I may be a selfish bitch, but so are you!"

Cassandra smiled. She would've let tears of joy flow if she wasn't in pain from the cut on her back. Historia led her right up the platform to Eren. "Help me find the keys."

"No, stop! You can't!" Eren begged as they searched the satchel. "If you don't kill me, then everyone else will keep suffering. Just eat me, goddamn it! I can't live like this-"

"Shut up, dumbass!" Historia scolded, smacking him upside the head. "Stop your crying! I don't care about killing all the titans and I don't care about freeing mankind either!"

Cassandra found the keys and Historia snatched them up, quickly unlocking the chains around Eren's waist. "I'm starting to get sick of humanity," she continued. "I say let them get wiped up by titans. And if that makes me an enemy of humanity, so be it."

"Historia," Cassandra gasped in surprise.

"I don't care," she insisted. "Even if I'm the worst girl who's ever lived. We're going to get Eren out of here."

Down below, Rod crawled along the floor. His back erupted into piercing needle-like pain with every movement. He made it to the evaporating pool of titan liquid. Uri...and Frieda...wait for me. He licked up the liquid. And the moment he swallowed, his eyes glowed and lightning struck as he exploded into flashes of light. Historia and Cassandra wrapped their arms around Eren, holding on as powerful winds blasted against them. As some of the light died down, they find themselves staring at a massive skull as it's spine curved around the cavern.

Above, Kenny held onto his anchor, trying not to get blown away. "Stupid bastard! What the hell are you doing?"

The wind blasted harder as muscles began forming around Rod's massive skeleton. Cassandra kept one arm wrapped around Eren's waist and the other around Historia as she continued working on the freeing Eren. "Just leave me!" he begged. "Let him eat me and everything will be alright. Get outta here!"

"Not a chance!" they shouted in unison.

"Goddamn it! Why won't you two listen?!"

"Because you're our friend, Eren," Historia said. "I'm selfish, but I don't want to be a god. When someone says they unwanted or that they should've never been born, I have to go and show them that it isn't true."

"Besides, we've been through too much together," Cassandra added. "You may not believe it right now, but we need you, Eren."

Another powerful wave of hot air rushed over them as Rod finished his transformation. Cassandra held on as tight as she could, but Historia slipped through her grasp. "Historia!"

Before she slammed into the wall, Mikasa appeared and caught her. Shielding her head from hitting the wall. Historia gasped in surprise. "Mikasa?"

Jean and Conny flew down, latching onto Eren. Levi landed beside Cassandra. "Give me the keys!"

Cassandra blinked, unable to believe he was standing right here in front of her. "What're you...you're all here?"

Raisa swooped down and wrapped her arms around Cassandra. "It's okay. Let him go. I've got you."

Cassandra nodded and obeyed. Raisa took the keys from her and handed them to Levi. He unlocked Eren's left wrist and handed the keys down to Conny as Raisa brought Cassandra back by the wall with Mikasa, Historia, and Sasha. "Hurry!"

"Just leave me here!" Eren begged again. "Hurry up and escape!"

"Stop whining, you half-naked weirdo!" Jean snapped. "We've got gunmen and a titan coming to kill us all!"

"Feet're loose," Conny declared and handed the keys off to Jean.

Sasha eyed the giant titan as it's body moved into a kneeling position, pressing it's giant back against the ceiling. "Whoa, it's even bigger than the Colossal Titan. Crazy."

Raisa glanced up, seeing the ceiling beginning to crack. "Guys! Look out!"

Jean finally freed Eren's right wrist and Levi shouted for them to get back. They made it to the wall just in time as a chunk of the ceiling landed on the platform where Eren was chained. More chunks of stone were falling as the massive titan began to rise. "Damn it!" Jean cursed. "We'll be buried alive!"

Eren felt despair fill his chest. It's hopeless. Even if I transform... He slid down to the ground, feeling the strength in his legs disappear. "I can't...I've been dead weight every damn step of the way. This power never should've been given to me. I can't be humanity's hope. I'm just too weak."

Something hit his hand and glanced down at a small vial labeled "Armor." What is that?

"Stop playing the tragic hero," Jean scolded. "Of course you're too weak to accomplish jack by yourself, but no one expects you to."

"Yeah, calm it down," Conny interjected, forcing a smile. "We've been through a whole lot worse than this, man."

"Not that I really wanna get used to it!" Sasha added.

"It's gonna be rough, but we'll make it through!" Raisa said, addressing all of them. "Mikasa can take Eren. Jean, carry Cassandra. Levi's got Historia."

Jean nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"It's useless," Eren argued. "You know we won't make it."

Cassandra reached over and smacked Eren across the face, startling Mikasa. "Get it together, man! We can't just sit here waiting to die!"

"But-"

"She's right!" Historia snapped. "You know dying here won't make anything better!"

Eren rubbed his cheek, still shielding himself from their words. "Listen," Levi said, catching Eren's attention, "I really hate that i do this to you all the time, but...you've gotta make a choice here."

Trust us! Eren squeezed his eyes shut at the memory. He snatched up the bottle by his hand and charged forward. He roared defiantly...against his despair, against the pain. He tossed the bottle into his mouth and crushed it with his teeth. As the liquid poured down his throat, he unleashed his power. His titan form emerged from the flash of light, and he roared as veins of hardened titan skin sprouted from his limbs. The veins intersected and criss-crossed over them as the ceiling started collapsing and earth began raining down. "Get under Eren!" Raisa ordered. "Now!"

Above ground...

Erwin gave the order to halt. The Scouts watched as a massive titan hand shot out of the ground, demolishing the small chapel. The titan pulled itself up out of the massive hole, and began crawling. Unable to support it's full weight to stand, it dragged it's torso across the land. Harold shook his head in disbelief. "What the hell...it's twice the size of the Colossal. Sir, what do we do?"

Erwin shook off his shock. "We advance!"

End of Chapter 22