Part 23
Departure

(Gonna be time skipping for this Part as we'll be leading into the Female Titan arc of the Season 1 events of the anime. Spoilers ahead for those who haven't seen the anime itself or haven't read the Manga.

All praise Isayama for his incredible piece of work that he's given us so far!

And by the way, 5 gold stars to anyone who read the Dark Souls Easter egg XD Did you see it? If not, its somewhere from Chapt 20-22, good luck! And hail to Solaire. )

Four years have passed now. For four years, Fury has been under the watchful eye of the people who still held belief that Bloodborn's were their saviour's. Throughout the long years, Fury has not only somewhat mastered what has been given to her but has also grown as a person.

She remained to be cynical and somewhat negative over what humanity deserved in her eyes, but it was clear that she was no longer the conflicted woman she was when she left the safety of the walls behind. Fury's mind often wavered back to the people she also left in the past. The likes of Erwin and Levi. Were they even still alive? Humans as strong as them were still vulnerable to death, even she was herself.

Through the passing years, each day Fury was learning how to control her possible manipulation over the Titans. One specific incident also proved that a Bloodborn was more than capable of also controlling people, but it inflicted damaging pain to the victims. This caused Fury to somewhat understand why people were so easily fearful of those who once protected them. It also made sense as to why Bloodborn's were purged and she swore never to use her abilities upon a person again, after seeing the writhing of their bodies and pain they received from having their own blood shift around their being.

Hexis taught Fury to not rely on her anger towards the world when it came to falling into complete subjugation of concentration for controlling Titans. That's what it required for her to be able to just control one, let alone a possible handful. Fury had to fall into a deep and unbroken line of concentration; her eyes would become bloodshot and focused, as she manipulated the biological essence of blood within a body of living tissue. And that's all Titans were to her; walking targets. Each day, she ventured further away from the village settlement, testing herself and pushing further to succeed, leading to the overlap of four years for Fury to somewhat feel like she had mastered what she's been shown to use.

"I feel it's time for me to go back to wall." Fury addressed an aged Hexis, who lay within the comfort of his bed from falling ill as of late. "I only hope that Erwin is still alive for them to allow me back. I mean, I did somewhat go AWOL in the first place…"

Hexis emitted a choking cough as he clasped the female's hand, noticing for himself that she was released of much pent up anger and conflict. "Humanity… Cannot repeat their past mistakes. They need to be reminded… that protection is not given without its consequences."

Fury shifted her gaze to her feet. "Hexis, I…" She sighed, diverting her gaze back towards the old man. "Thank you… Thank you for helping me lift my conflicts… Thank you for everything you've given me…"

"Child… I've waited all these years for you." He breathed, causing Fury to go inwards on herself for perhaps not finding this place sooner. "Your mother, when she carried you in her womb, and explained to us of who she was, sparked hope in us again and we waited patiently for you… If we want to atone for our wrong doings, I wanted it to start with sharing all I knew with you." Hexis released another painful cough, gripping the female's hand even tighter. Fury wasn't oblivious. She knew he wasn't long for this world and yet Hexis seemed to embrace that fact. "I've treated you like you were my own flesh and blood."

"If you can hang on, I could bring people back here. People who can help you!" Fury almost pleaded and yet the stare from the man's eyes told her otherwise.

"No, Aya..." Hexis whispered, a small graze of a smile growing on his wrinkled face. "No, I don't want my life prolonging. A human knows when the time is right for them to let go. I want to leave this world in comfort. I want to leave in the place I've dedicated my life to. I… only hope that I have atoned for my Sins."

What sins were they, Fury wondered? The old man had only ever tried to atone for what other people caused. It wasn't his job to do so and yet he made it his job. Was this the reason Fury needed to perhaps fight for humanity? If other selfless people existed like those who lived in this settlement, Fury pondered if that was enough to drive her forward and give people a chance. "Go through… the Woods of Giant Trees…" Hexis then instructed as a glassy shine covered his tired eyes. "It's the quickest way back to those walls of yours."

Fury slipped her hand out of the man's clasp, placing it over his stomach so it wasn't left dangling beside the bed he laid within. She knew once she left the village, she'd not come back. And even if she did, when would that be? It genuinely inflicted an emotional response upon Fury's face at the thought of saying goodbye to the old man who helped her in the space of four years. Saying goodbye to the people who kept her fed and sheltered. "You're a good man, Hexis. Still in your prime. You're only 87 after all!" Fury joked with him, which became a common thing for him to hear when he revealed his current age four years ago.

"What would you have me do in this prime state of mine?" Hexis joked back, recognising that Fury was only trying to ease his passing. "Have me swing from tree to tree using those ridiculous mechanisms you own?"

"No, of course not! I'd have you doing something truly important. Something humanity would need!" She mocked with a smirk, only to be met with Hexis's own.

"Go on then… What would that be?"

"…Making sure we all had clean uniforms…" They both offered a laugh towards each other. Fury wanted this man's final moments to be that of merriment and not self-doubt over his actions.

"Go on, now." Hexis then ushered for Fury to depart. "Do me one favour, Aya… Give humanity a second chance. Humans can be selfish by nature but there is good in this world… It… just needs finding."

Fury's frown returned. Could she offer a dying man such a promise as it would conflict with her own opinions? Hexis was more than aware that Fury had been through enough without having her even tell him and yet, making it clear now, he wasn't just teaching her how to use her Bloodborn abilities correctly but he was making sure the thought of fighting for humanity crept into Fury's subconscious. She soon found herself smirking again, however. The old fool got her with that one.

"I'll… do the best I can." She whispered to him, standing from her chair to turn on her heels and head towards the exit. Before closing the door behind her for one last time, she took one last look over at Hexis, causing him to widen his smile as he then watched her leave.

"I know now… that you will." He muttered, keeping the smile etched on his face as his eyes soon closed in a peaceful manner.