Demons Haunts Us
The fires burned as the ashes rose, the pain, the anger spread amongst those that stood as the fallen were burnt, Eren on his knees, unable to stand, his best friends killed in cold blood, for what reason, he will never know.
The fires flickers and devoured, the dream of seeing the ocean together, fluffed out in a single moment, Erwin told him, anger felt for not stopping him, but what can he do, against someone they should have never trust, Eren howled at the memory, the tears of rage flowing, Mikasa nearby holding onto a leather book, as her eyes flickers upon it, a brief moment of sadness left her eyes, before tossing it into the flames.
"I swear, no matter what, he will pay, I will make him watch everything he cares about die like the flames that took my best friend" Eren seethed, his eyes fixed, he should have never left him alone, they should have killed him to begin with, when they have the chance, Erwin and Levi can go fuck themselves if they talk about not knowing the outcome, but thankfully they do not.
Mikasa, watched as the diary burned to crisp, Eren is all she has now, she was naïve to think he can be redeemed, Armin saw the price to that.
Historia watched as her eyes sullen, yet no words of comfort came, Alan planned for her to get out the way, but at the same time encouraged her to do what is right by her, just as Ymir made her decision. In the end she felt nothing about it, she does not hate or love him at the same time, right now her friends needs her the most, but she will do it what felt right with her.
Bruno, Garrus, Connie, Jean stood there with their salute as they watch, not a single word have been spoken, no joke have been said, all silent for their fallen friend.
Erwin stood as Levi stood nearby, listening to the cries, to the sound of silence, the flickers of the flames, never a moment they could catch their breath, it has taken all day to clean the mess from their victory, but soon cut short by a simple flash of light as the Immortal titan ran.
Erwin chose not to give chase, leaving the populace to the destruction would make their coup irresponsible and tyranny, yet the moment he saw the knife plunged into the young mans throat, Erwin remembers how Eren blamed him for his inaction, thankfully Levi was there to remind Eren that what can one man do with one arm against a titan shifter that is always one step ahead, It wasn't till the next morning that they can lay the dead to rest, a moment of silence but the anger and hatred stewed within the hearts of the living.
Can the day get any worse.
A rush of footsteps ran through, as a scout heavily breathing, fear and the sense of urgency as he called for Commander Erwin, disturbing the mourning the scouts relieved themselves to, agitated.
The scout breathed as if he ran a thousand miles by himself.
"Breath soldier" Erwin calmed as the man nodded standing to attention "What is the urgency here?"
"District Katrina have been breached!" The scout shouted, for all to hear, shock silence have stilled the atmosphere.
"The colossal titan?" Erwin asked, how did they get past wall Rose? They have the garrison patrolling those walls twenty-four seven.
"No sir" The scout breathed again "A titan came from underneath within the district killing many soldiers and civilians and crushed the gate"
Erwin opened his eyes in surprise, looking to the pyre, that was his plan all along, Armin must have found out and he paid the price for it.
"Wait?" Connie murmured "Isn't that within wall Sina?"
Garrus looked at him dumbfounded "No shit, but why would that bastard attack it all of a sudden"
Bruno simply looked at the fire, Armin died because Alan chose to, Armin, the man who thwarted his plans, figuring out about Annie…. Annie.
"He has retrieved Annie" Bruno realised, gapes from a few of his friends "It is obvious we did not know she was relocated, in case we revealed the location by accident"
"But how does he know where she is?" Sasha asked "It's not like he was sitting on a wealth of information"
Saying that, ironically, he was, as Bruno thought, the shadow unit, the MP's source of information, it is plausible he found out from that, yet why would he help them with rescuing Eren and not go straight to her?
Bruno thought, Armin figured out in seconds, Katrina is closer to the capital, Alan killed Armin so they would not rush to stop him.
"Did any scouts or garrison soldiers give chase?" Erwin asked, if so, it is possible to catch up to him if he is occupied.
"Yes sir! A small group mobilized to give chase, some headed to nearby Wall rose villages and districts to warn them"
Erwin nodded turning to the group "SOLDIERS! We must set out immediately, we must protect wall Rose gates"
As the order was commissioned they ran to the stables, no time to equip their ODM, they will acquire them at wall rose, Erwin wanted to head out while they have chance, hopefully cannon fire and soldiers would delay the titan retreat with the greatest prize, how catastrophic it would be if Alan would escape with the female titan they fought hard to capture.
"Mikasa" Eren warned "Do not hesitate no more, he will die, if I can't you will have to be the one to do it" as he saddled his horse, his gaze hardened on Mikasa.
Resisting the urge to bring her scarf up, Mikasa can only nod, she would have to, to rid of herself of him, even if it would pain her, Armin's death have sealed his fate.
Erwin leading the charge out of the capital as Historia watched them leave, sealed to her fate as queen.
Alan was mildly annoyed to say the least, the horses of the scouts are very well bred for the purpose of outrunning titans, even shredding the armour plating they still catch up, at least he got as far away from the capital, no doubt they be charging immediately knowing Erwin, still it was long enough until they figure it out.
Some scouts flung themselves to which Alan can feel the hooks, easy to predict as he reached his one arm grasping one tight, red mist just happened to replace that soldier, one went to slice the arm holding Annie, only to meet armoured plating, Alan purposely did not shred the armour there, he rather not lose Annie when he held her close to his chest, still Alan thrusted forward using the soldiers speed to plant himself into paste of blood against his armoured arm, his momentum gaining.
Many rounds of red flares shot behind him, either it is another group incoming or Erwin had horses on steroids to catch up easily, no matter he just need to press on, if he could break through one of the districts gates and the other, he could cause mass panic amongst the populace with pure titans moving in.
Still the distance between wall Sina and Rose appears small in titan form running at full speed, that or he must have turned back on himself and seeing walls, no, no he did go south and east? These scouts are making him move all over the place, the garrison soldiers not doing them any favours due bolstering the scout force, they are uncoordinated and not very good titan killers, the scouts though, they now revert to go for his unarmoured legs, wishing he could armour them up but that would take time and energy, but the mobility is keeping him ahead of the garrison horses, only the bloody scouts can catch up.
Looking down to Annie's sleeping form imbedded in the titan crystal, if he were to get her out now, they would be very vulnerable and she would be weak, but then again he doesn't know how to get her out, bringing her home would have the answers for that, not really eager for the experiments, since his home town doesn't have a lot of titan knowledge, maybe the Tybur's or Zeke would know.
Alan thought casually as he crushed a scout sweeping under his titan foot, fancy moves will get you killed, unless you got the skill to do so. Yet the lack of scouts after him after his little surprise attack, concerns him, the destruction the innocents… no the devils, should have them all come into a frenzy, which means a few scouts must have rode ahead while this group distracted him, the cannons would be waiting, he have no choice but to head to the walls far away from the districts, meaning he has to climb them.
Alan halted his movements into a skid before bounding right, regaining his momentum, the three remaining scouts confused swerved in chase, popping a red flare into the air, he needs to get rid of them soon before reaching the walls, the flares shoot high enough for anyone to see and follow the direction.
Looking at Annie, Alan huffed in amusement, Forgive me Annie, before turning around before throwing the Titan crystal at the three scouts, without time to react they were crushed to paste, Alan ran to pick Annie in one swift movement before bounding to his preferred direction, the walls can be seen over the horizon.
Alan lifted the crystal to his face, bloody yet not damaged, not even a scratch, this titan crystal is something for sure, yet as if it's like the war hammers crystal, Alan internally groaned, how could he not have seen it to begin with, he has to deal with the titan that chomped down on his father, his mood sour at the thought, but he still close, now he has to get over the wall.
Seeing it further away from any district hoping, that the patrols are not coming across, the ruckus of his trek would have alert signals all over, hoping they only think he goes for the district to cause a hole.
Alan got closer as the walls get higher, Alan smirked at the thought 'Here's your first flying lesson Annie', with all his might launched her over the wall, fully confident that the titans wouldn't be able to eat her, he be surprised and distraught if they can.
Coming to the base, Alan hardened his fingers and feet, digging them into the wall, as he climb ever so carefully, not wanting to show the light to the danger that dwells within, cries and shouts from below, the garrison finally caught up with him as they launched their ODM, slicing at his legs, Alan grunted as he kept his titan under control, climbing slowly, ever so painfully slowly, healing his wounds as they were sliced, maintaining the hardening around his nape and his fingers, the top in sight, these soldiers are like gnats that need to be swatted.
If Alan could make his titan laugh, he could as a soldier landed on the wall in front of him, only for his hand to crush on top, ah, satisfying to hear the crunch between your finger tips.
"Why can't we take this bastard down" hearing one soldier.
"Look the armour around the nape has collapsed!"
Alan raised his eyebrow in amusement, when did that happen? Doesn't matter, feeling the hooks imbedded in his nape, Alan did the next unexpected attack, breathing Alan launched himself out of his nape, his knife in hand to the unexpected soldier, slicing his neck, the titan no longer a shifter inside fell backwards, taking out the last of the garrison who were unable to move as they watched what was suppose to be the end of the immortal titan, the shock of the eyes the soldier gave as Alan grinned, as they fell to the ground, using the soldier as the cushion needed.
The force was strong with the impact as the head exploded in front of Alan's eyes, the ground hard, picking himself up, wiping the blood that have smeared his face, sheathing his knife, clear for the time being, the marking on his face vented steam as it healed.
Inspecting the gear, barely enough gas to get him up the wall, it will have to do, fastening the belt and the canisters and gear to himself, Alan doesn't need blades for he will transform again when he gets to the top.
Zipping in the air, Alan missed the feeling of just flying as moved upwards, he enjoys it, the feeling of being free, but the moment lasted before it can truly begin as he reached the top, peering over the other side, using the height to see where Annie have landed, covering his eyes to stave of the sun, he could see a shine of the blue crystal.
There she is, looking back, the moment is clear but for how long, he must keep going as noon is rising, before heading out, he felt an eery feeling, as he looked across the wall of wall Rose, looking back again, the rubble and ruin of Utgard castle, fate have brought him back to the same spot to where the illusion of freedom have ended, the scorch marks of where Bertholdt have been, now that he is aware he can see it all before him, as if ghosts of the past played out before him.
"If only I never knew that there were people like this"
"I… Wouldn't have become… SUCH a half-assed piece of shit!"
"It's too late now, I don't know what's right anymore."
"… And as a Warrior…"
"Fulfil my DUTY to the bitter end!"
Alan watched the memory fly by, it felt like it have been years since he stood in this spot, the moment he made a choice. How he watched Mikasa rush past him, that moment was the moment where he could have betrayed either party, but Reiner, Bertholdt they are his family. He would rather die then betray them, like he was forced to watch Annie make the most difficult choice, she forced him back so he didn't have to suffer, but he did, he failed her and nearly broke his promise to her.
"You were right Reiner" Alan whispered as the winds flew hard, his hand sliced "If only we never knew there were good people, this would have been so much easier"
Leaping off to transform once again, landing on his knee, the immortal warrior stands again.
Didn't take too long to find Annie, if she could make movements it be to flip Alan off, a small pure titan trying to bite down on her crystal, the steam emerging, for the looks of it broken it's teeth and some more, Alan strolled casually before grapping the nape of the titan before crushing, that is not polite to try and eat the lady out.
Alan picking up Annie once again, heading to the titan forest, planning to rest there for a moment, it has been a while he had some sleep, he could go straight to wall Maria, but he wouldn't be able to hold off a lot of titans again like last time. He would set out at dark, as they originally planned.
Like from memory Alan ran the same steps he took, sooner finding himself in the titan forest, reaching above to find the strongest branch, placing Annie down, before letting his titan fall as Alan came out the nape, checking himself over, twice he transformed consecutively, his body haven't changed at all, he was right, he is different from Eren.
The crystal now snugged on the two large branches, good they holding her weight, Alan chuckled to his joke, Annie gained some weight.
"We just rest here for a moment Annie" Alan stretched as he leant against the tree branch "Then come night-time we just head out again, while the sods down there become still"
The closed eyes did not help Alan as he gazed at her "Yeah good conversation Annie, you know" Alan paused for a moment "This was the titan forest me, Reiner and Bertholdt got stuck in when we captured Eren"
Imagining the surprise look on her, as Alan talked.
"Yes Annie, we actually managed to get hold of Eren for a short time, yes, it is just lucky, but we did it" Alan chimed imagining the words that Annie would say in his head "Yes we did lose him, but look on the bright side, I got you back like I promised"
Smiling to the crystal, Alan frowned at the silence for a moment.
"I know you're the quiet type but at least say something" Alan spoke, as his mind forced him to see Annie not in a crystal but just sitting there as if nothing happened "Ah fine, I talk, you listen, deal? Deal"
"Well, I wouldn't have got you out if I didn't do one of the worst things" Alan spoke as he looked down, before snapping himself up with a smile "A good family got me through the gates, you should have seen me, before I met them I looked like shit even you would laugh at the state, but the man his name was Peter, that man had years of experience, he already knew that I did crimes in the past yet he accepted me, saying I was a good man, he had a wife named Denise, you would have loved her cooking, she even gave me the clothes on my back now, you would have laughed how she whistled when she saw me in them, but they have a daughter named Marie, jeez you would have found her annoying, she just come up to you out of nowhere, she had the most innocent smile and the teddy bear she carried with her, you know it was hand made by her grandmother? I didn't know there was some craftsmanship"
Alan smile grew as he remember her "She even tried to come in the tent as I gone to change, she had no idea what she was getting herself into, she even made me breakfast, to a stranger, she treated me like I was some older brother, they were very good people, we should go back and see them, you would have liked them"
Alan chuckled, finding it odd that he would suggest going back after dragging Annie out all this way.
"But when I left to get you, she was very grumpy, I said to her when I said goodbye, I said I see you again" Alan laughed "She gotten all excited and looked forward to seeing me and you again, she actually thought you was my girlfriend, funny imagination that girl"
The crystal can only stare and listen as Alan gone on about the family he recently met, yet something in Alan felt off again, as if something bad happened
"After that I…." as the memory came rushing back as he transformed, crashing through the ceiling, from darkness to daylight, climbing out of the hole he made, staring down to the hand clutching onto the teddy bear "I… killed her"
Alan stared to the branch at his feet, he killed her, the good he had met, the innocent child, she had nothing to do with the world outside, and he just killed her, snuffed the light out of her body, because of his need to save Annie, did that family deserve to die?
The hands moved to his head as he hid the face from the world, what just happened then? Did he just forget what he had done, did he just force his mind away from his actions.
In the darkness, he finally knew how Reiner felt with his guilt, why he pretended what he done did not happen, how Alan chastise him for forgetting his role, is he going crazy? Wait…
The child with the diary, he took on the role and pretended to be him, he convince himself it was the perfect alibi, a reason not to have suspicion on him, yet he pretended to be him, Marco, he saw it as the titan killing him, but he broke his leg so Marco wouldn't get away, he would have revealed them all. Marcus…. Well Marcus deserved what he got, fuck Marcus.
Armin… did he had to kill him? Knowing it would stoke the fires high, was it right to kill him, looking to Annie, now seen in crystal, if he let Armin live, he would not have gotten her out, he would have the whole of the survey corps on top of him, but the family, that family done him no wrong, they show kindness, they helped him, fed him, gave him a peaceful nights rest, and he killed them.
"You have a choice now, stay true to who you are and know who you are"
Historia's voice ringing through, his mind, Alan does not even know who he is anymore, if only this land of devils, had only devils in it.
Sun setting as Alan sat there, how long will it take to get to the wall? Have Reiner and Bertholdt got there safely? He hopes so, or everything he have done, the blood he stained his hands with would be for nothing. How he wishes non of this have happened, it all started with that blasted expedition, the plan was never to make progress to wall Maria but to reveal and capture them, he should have seen it coming, but he was too blinded with love for Mikasa, he lost his way, Bertholdt, Annie and Reiner warned him not to pursue that little bit of freedom, but he did and they let him have it.
He wishes Reiner is here now, he would know what to do when Alan is like this, alone to his thoughts for too long.
"What was it you always said even in moments of being unsure?" Reiner voice echoed in his head.
"We keep moving forward"
"Exactly, you keep moving forward"
Alan breathed as the memory of Reiner reminding him at Alan's moment of uncertainty, it is how he coped from these moments, he has to keep moving forward, Annie is nearly home.
Alan leapt down transforming once more, only to climb to grab Annie, creeping his titan out of the forest, his sense alert, not a sound, no horses or the sounds of titans, the sun disappearing on the horizon, Alan ran to where the sun leaves the open sky.
An hour, maybe longer as the night sky, revealed it's stars, as if they look down, no moon was out tonight, as Alan ran, the silhouettes of wall Maria coming close, yet a sound came by, that halted Alan's steps, it sounded like thuds on the ground… it sounded like a moving titan, not a pure titan, he ran past a few immobile, sleeping as he would call it, perhaps Reiner and Bertholdt with Ymir made it back after all, was it Ymir? Could not be Bertholdt, he would have seen him a mile away with the steam he would create, no, Reiner would be a lot heavier in his steps, come to think about it, Zeke wouldn't allow Ymir to move freely, since she is the jaw titan holder.
Catching his eye a titan stared at him, Alan had a second mind to swat it away, maybe give Annie a chance to show her skills, but looking down the titan was on it's fours, with a platform on its back, crates and barrels.
Alan relaxed as the both titans stared at each other, for a brief moment, before the cart titan chuckled.
"Welcome back, Alan" it spoke, its heavy voice escaped the titans mouth.
"Same as well Pieck" the dark voice emerged from Alan's titan voice, the voice that haunted his dreams as a soldier, the dreams reminding him of he is.
Pieck looked to the hand where Alan held Annie, questions evolved in its eyes, knowing Alan would give them.
"The war chief is expecting you" Pieck spoke again, sensing Alan's curiosity, Pieck enjoyed musing the Immortal titan. "The war chief have saw you while he was atop the wall, best not keep him waiting"
"As expected from Pieck" Alan mused, the cart titan rolling its eyes "But yes let us not keep him waiting"
Heading to the wall, the familiar feeling as the beast titan sat atop the wall, its smile creepy as Zeke eyes followed his footsteps, frowning at the sight in his hand but returned his smile to Alan's titan form.
"So the great subject of Rufus returned, I hope you bring us good news" Zeke's beast titan smiled, Alan narrowing his eyes in return.
A/N: Sorry if it's shorter, planning the chapters out, as much as I want to write a bit of the next chapter in it, I feel it would ruin the impact I have in the chapter now, but yeah, hope you guys enjoy the chapter so far, next chapter would definitely have the warriors reunited ish, Can you have a group hug with Crystal Annie lol xD
Myzor: Sorry to hear that man, i'm not stopping you but the story has to go as I vision it, and sometimes it changes here and there, originally Armin wasn't suppose to die, but plans changed and it created more freedom for me, Hope you could read it for the story itself, if not, hope you find a story to your liking :)
Seniorpoundtown: Oh for sure, but Annie be stuck in that crystal for the Shinganshia battle, Alan maybe op with his titan but he doesn't really know the full extent, only that his power is mixed in through birth because of his father, hate to break it to you his dad is not a Tybur, the subject of Rufus is used far worse by marley, all be explained much, much later. Thanks for reviewing and hope your enjoying the story :)
FREEYMIR: It has it's moments, I know after the betrayal, it slowed down, but the momentum is picking back up, I'm planning to have the battle two or three chapters, depends how well I written it, maybe put into perspectives like I did in crucial moments, drop a yay or nay if you like that stuff guys :) thanks for reviewing :)
EBREUSAUSAR: Yeah, I try not to set the bar too high, because sometimes I fear the quality of each chapter does not reach those expectations, but if it keeps you guys reading and your enjoying it, I'm doing well :) thank you