Chapter four

The choice you made

Mikasa wasn't sure about their current predicament. A lot of people still were out on the streets, and even though they wore scarfs to hide their faces, she had a feeling that if for some reason they stood out, they would get attacked. ''A lot of people outside for the evening. I think there will be some event, look at how many MP's are here.'' Jean whispered.

Mikasa gave him a look, if most of these people were from the Military Police, then surely they would be recognized. ''Tension is still high, after all the city was destroyed only weeks ago. But I honestly think we should avoid the main square tonight. It will be a good opportunity to move away from this place if everyone is there. Let's hope we can find horses somewhere.'' Jean said, eyeing the crowd.

''Christa mentioned something about the stables she grew up in. Somewhere far from the castle, to escape her life.'' Mikasa whispered. ''Then we'd better find those. I don't think we should stay here for too long.'' Jean said, as they slowly, but steadily moved to the crowd. ''I wonder if Levi and Eren have gotten far.'' Mikasa said, thinking out loud, as they made their way towards the outskirts of the city.

Eren, who had been headed the same way, had found the stables, and though they looked abandoned, it seemed there were still horses there. He headed in, and found them quite quickly, there were even three of them. Plenty for him, Levi, and whoever it was in the cell. One of the horses looked at him, and made a small noise. ''I guess you're right. But he made this decision, it was wrong.'' Eren replied.

If horses, apart from Jean, could give a look, Eren assumed this one would. ''I know he's my captain.'' he defensively replied, then shook his head. What was he doing, talking to a horse. He could be retrieving the books at Armin's house already, and be on his merry way to the new land, or at least the sea.

Armin had told him so much about the ocean, what lifeforms there were, that the water was possibly infinite, no one knew how deep it was. No one even knew what there was to be found if they crossed the ocean. Would there be more land, would it be like theirs? Maybe they had found something to prevent him from becoming a Titan, and science would be more advanced.

All Eren knew was that he was more than willing to take the risk to find out. 'A risk that can't be delayed. Levi knew how important this was to Armin too.' Eren thought. ''Argh!Why is this so complicated!'' he shouted before the horse whinnied. ''I am not Jean, I don't speak horse.'' Eren told him, and the horse almost seemed offended. ''Why not speak to a man?'' a voice behind him asked.

Levi looked up at the girl, as she said: ''Oh man, if they have even caught you... Are the others ok?'' ''We have suffered some losses, but a small part made it.'' Levi whispered back. ''Good. I assume you're not here on a rescue mission.'' she told him. ''Not really.'' Levi replied. ''Not for a person.'' he added.

He had met her before, he was pretty sure she was reliable. But bringing up the books in enemy territory, he was unsure. He really hoped Eren made the decision to get the books himself. The girl nodded in understanding. ''Sorry, I have forgotten your name.'' Levi said. ''Nanaba. I was on Mike's squadron.'' she said.

''Did Mike survive?'' She held a finger before her mouth, and Levi heard footsteps coming their way. She nodded curtly, before the woman from before faced them. Next to her was a familiar face. It was the priest that had taken Ymir, Jean and Armin in captivity after the trial.

''These two are the ones we found. We know he is a Captain, and she is an informant.'' the lady told him. ''Good job.'' the priest told her, before even looking at them. ''Oh, it's you.'' the priest clearly recognized them. ''Some big shot you were. However, it's not too late for either of you yet. We can spare you from getting hung, and instead offer you a lifetime of prison, to think over the terrible deeds you have committed.'' the priest told them, as if he was doing them a favor.

Levi frowned. He didn't remember this loon being one of the higher ranks, yet he clearly considered himself in charge. ''Who has taken over the King's role?'' he asked. ''Our town has no king, and no one to rule. However, I think you are holding his daughter somewhere. We must know where, and if you hand her back, she can rule.'' the priest said.

''You mean, you can rule as she faces the crowds. As if she would let that happen.'' Nanaba sneered. ''I don't know who made it, or who didn't.'' Levi replied. ''Ugh, acting all honorable and everything. My people are already searching the area for that fellow you were here with. Either way we are going to find out where she is. Dead or not.'' the priest told him.

''Good luck with that.'' Levi told him, hoping Eren would have already left the area. There was no telling with that kid. Perhaps he had changed into a Titan again, and left another trail of destruction. The priest gave him a look in disbelief before heading up the stairs. Levi looked at the elderly woman, who still stood there. ''Betrayal is what killed your daughter in the first place.'' he told her.

''Boy am I glad it's you.'' Eren said, as he and Mike sat on the ground. ''I haven't seen you in ages. The others are going to be so happy to see you.'' he added. ''If only under better circumstances.'' Mike replied. ''My friend has been taken captive. I tried to break her out, but the place is heavily guarded.'' ''Oh… well, Levi is currently on his way to save her.'' he told Mike.

''Captain Levi is here too?'' Mike asked. ''We were on a mission. We are to retrieve books from my hometown. They will contain information on the ocean, and possibly a way to get the hell out of here.'' Eren said. ''And why are you not with Levi?'' Mike asked. ''I… ehr...'' Eren seemed ashamed. ''I wanted to focus on the mission. He wanted to save the person that was captured.'' he admitted, feeling a bit embarrased.

Mike snorted. ''That is something the old Levi wouldn't have done. That boy has changed. Apparently the death of Petra made him softer.'' he said. 'Or Armin's.' Eren thought, looking a bit down. Mike gave him a look, ''Armin?'' he asked. ''He was our friend, and at the end, he turned be more to Captain Levi.''

''I am sorry to hear he didn't make it. But it is nice that Levi had finally found someone he cared for. That could be very well the reason to save my friend to. Not being able to save the one person you care for does something to the mind.'' Mike said. Eren thought back to his mother. ''Yeah..'' he said quietly.

''Not saying you're not right. Your mission is important too, if Levi was accompying you, it must have been to save who was left. He may have changed but doesn't go on missions without a purpose to it.'' Mike told him. ''So, what should I do?'' Eren asked. ''Well, what does your instinct tell you?'' Mike said.

Eren pondered it over, but before he could reply they heard a noise. ''Eren?'' a voice asked, and he looked up to see Mikasa and Jean. ''Mikasa!'' he exclaimed, engulfing the girl in a hug. ''And Jean.'' he added, who nodded back in reply. ''He needed hay.'' Mikasa dryly said, making Eren laugh.

''Not the best horse joke I heard so far.'' Jean told her. ''Why are you here?'' Eren asked. ''We requested to accompany with the mission. I thought you should need some help, considering all that happened there, and I think Jean needed closure.'' Mikasa told him. ''Closure?'' Eren asked and Jean nodded. ''To leaving it all. After all, we are about to embark on to new grounds. We all know who wanted that most out of all of us.''

They stared to the ground as they all had their mind on Armin. ''So, where is loverboy?'' Mikasa eventually asked. ''He's been taken as a prisoner. We were fighting so I wasn't there when it happened, but the mission had priority.'' Eren said. Mikasa nodded in agreement.

''So, leaving Levi to go on a solo mission that is impossible is better than to break him out?'' Jean asked. ''You have seen the amount of MP. Eren is right.'' Mikasa said. ''Not really, I mean, the mission is very important, but alone it will be just as dangerous, you could be captured when traveling, or an ambush could have waited in the next town. People have gone rogue, there is no telling what they will do for survival.'' Jean said. ''So, what should we do?'' Eren dared ask.

Levi tapped his foot, as they waited for the evening to arrive. Nanaba had fallen asleep, after shedding some tears. He had no clue what she had endured here, but it couldn't have been easy. The priest was keen on knowing where Christa was. He knew he was on the edge as well. He knew, because he saw Armin seated in front of him, ever so clear.

''Does this mean I get to see you soon?'' he asked, and Armin shook his head. ''I hope not. I assume not, though unsure how you can get out of this. I get it, saving her was good, but the mission is now most likely to fail.'' ''Thinking was your forte, how much chance would you give such a mission?'' Levi told him.

''Not much.'' Armin told him in honesty. ''You did knew what there was in the books. Why not tell me that.'' Levi said. ''You mean, to tell you everything I know of oceans. We might not make that in time.'' Armin said. ''Yeah, you could ramble for hours. I'd give anything for that to happen again.'' Levi told him.

''I really thought it could work, but under the time of warfare and stress as we have experienced. I never thought the lady to be like that.'' Armin replied, changing the subject instead.

''I always knew, a bit. She was loyal to the king, and his cause. What is the other side like?'' Levi asked, unsure how he felt about the ability to speak to a dead Armin. As Armin was about to reply, the priest suddenly showed up, startling Levi and Nanaba, who woke up from her slumber. ''Last chance.'' he told them. ''I still have other prisoners to be hung for those who want a show. Now tell me, where is Christa?''

''Some choice you made.'' Marco said as he sat next Armin. It was hard to descride where they were, as it appeared as some void. ''Dying was the only option out. I know how becoming a titan would have bought me more time, but other than spending that with my friends and Levi, there was no cause to it.''

''And those without cause get consumed. I get it, made the same choice.'' Marco said with a fond smile. ''There was also the fact to you got crashed by a titan's fist, making it very unlikely for you to live.'' Armin said. ''That has to be factored in too, Annie keeps saying sorry.''

''She is really nice when you get to know her.'' Armin said with a smile. ''All of them are. Do you miss Levi?'' Marco asked. ''Like no other. That was for me a reason to want to stay. Our last part we have spend it a fight, me passed out, and of course, the beach. And I didn't care one bit for it.'' Armin said.

''Liar.'' Marco told him, giving a friendly bump. ''Ok, it was amazing. But not as great as everything was. I really hope they are doing well.'' he said. ''There is not really a great outcome. Bertholdt and I have discussed in great detail.'' Marco said. ''Most of excisting land is still under the king's liege, and now the king has gone-'' ''They people will go rogue. It is understandable, and most of us can see the worst taking over the throne.'' Armin said.

''What would you do in their shoes?'' Marco asked. ''With no real knowledge over the seas, or a boat for that matter? Let alone the fact that we don't even know how it is in other countries, if they even excist? Not a clue.'' Armin said. ''Surely, someone must know that.'' Marco replied.

''Not really. All the books my grandad possessed are based on speculations. And I hope for them to be true, but there is not a scientific aspect to it. And I don't think we had all the books, but even if someone got away of it all, and managed to document it, why return at all? If he or she even survived.'' Armin said.

''Do you think it is something all people have to do at the end. When something arises on a national or global scale?'' Marco asked. ''Surviving. Absolutely. But we have seen how easy it is to get divided over the simplest of manners and how to do so. Building a society would be humanity's hope, to co-excisting and survival, if we just knew how Titans work.'' Armin said. ''Or why Titans even excist.'' Marco added.

''I don't really even get how this work. You can return, but only as a titan, or titan shifter. What advantages gives it? Who even decided it, and if you decide to not too, you just wait around for ages?'' Armin asked. ''Well, maybe? I mean, if we wait, everyone eventually shows up. It would feel like living again, I suppose. Personally, I can and can't wait to see Jean again.'' Marco replied.

''So, this is really the plan we are going for?'' Jean asked, and Mikasa nodded. ''Just saying, the last time we did a rescue mission, and I am happy we picked that, it resulted to why we got here.'' Jean told her. ''Worst case scenario?'' Mikasa asked. ''We don't make it, whoever is in charge does, and the others get found.'' Jean said. ''Then better we give it all we have got.'' Mikasa told him, making her way towards the crowds.

Levi felt the rope being tightened around his neck. As the greatest threat, or at least, that is how the priest presented him, he got the honor to get hung first. ''We humbly have asked, requested to know the whereabouts of our beloved king's daughter, but he simply can't have the decency to tell.'' the priest fed the crowd.

'It's called torture. And Christa at least is save.' Levi thought to himself. Ymir would have his head for ratting out Christa. If only he could turn into a titan too. He laughed to himself, unsure why anyone would choose to do so. Sure, it came in handy to be able to switch, as he had watched Eren do so. But for himself, it was the enemy he had. Other than this priest, who still was rambling.

''A choice.'' of all people he saw Ymir. 'Ok, now I am just getting delusional.'he thought to himself. ''Oof, getting hung of all things, not a pretty dead.'' Ymir commented, and Levi only gave her a look. ''Let's just get to business, you can survive the ordeal. We all get a pass on death. In order to do so, you have a choice. Become a titan shifter, and save Christa. Oh and the others I suppose. If not, this is the end. But as a Titan you need a cause to excist. If that cause ceases, so do you.'' she told him.

''Any last words?'' the priest asked him at the same time. He gave a quick nod, to Ymir before looking at the priest, and saying, ''Just get it over with.''