Of Epic Proportions

by authorinprogress97

And I thought life was hard enough the first time. OC self-insert (because I'm that shameless)

11. Hope

And I thought life was hard enough the first time.

OC self-insert (because I'm that shameless)

Battle of Trost arc is almost over, man! Just a couple more chapters and Battle of Trost is OVER.

I'm way too excited over this but my heart is beginning to ache, okay.

Nina – Sweetie, sleep is important. Hope you had a good one!

Guest – It's not me, it's my muse. She demands I keep writing and I'm powerless to disobey. I'm glad to see you're enjoying Dani and her adventures -smiley face-

-0-

I couldn't take my eyes off Commander Pixis, my fingers tapping against my thigh nervously.

I tried my best to remember what I had heard about him. His name was Dot Pixis. He was the commander-in-chief of the defence of the southern territories, including Trost.

… That was all I knew.

It wasn't like I was particularly good at obtaining information. Most days, I was about as stealthy as a sleepwalking elephant. Even if I had obtained more information about Commander Pixis, I had dismissed most of it as rumours. I mean, come on. Is it really likely that Commander Pixis has sixteen illegitimate children running around Wall Sina as underground thugs?

I think not.

As I watched, he looked down the wall, probably at the Titans that were attempting to climb up. "Still haven't seen one," he muttered. "I wouldn't mind being eaten, as long as it was by a scorching hot lady Titan."

I blinked, resisting the urge to face palm. Apparently, he was a mad man as well, or at the very least very eccentric.

He didn't turn as he said, "I believe I said I would hear what you have to say."

The four of us exchanged glances before Eren started talking. He told Commander Pixis the same thing he told us; of his father and of his basement.

"I see," Pixis hummed once Eren was done. "So you believe that basement holds all the answers you seek?"

"Yes," Eren answered and I glanced at him worriedly. He had been pale for some time and I had been half-worried he'd pass out on us while we were making our way up here. "Will you believe me, sir?"

Pixis made a tiny motion that could have been a sigh. "Since even you yourself can't say for sure, let's just say I'll keep it in mind for now." He poked his temples with a finger. "However, you can prove your true intentions by your actions right now. I'll guarantee your safety myself."

There was a collective sigh of relief among the four of us, even if the only indication of Mikasa's relief was her shoulders slumping. I hadn't even noticed how tense I was until I heard those words.

Pixis turned to us. "Cadet Arlert, was it?" he asked.

Armin jolted a little before saluting. "Hai!"

"Earlier, you said that by using this Titan power, we might be able to retake this city. Do you really believe that, or were you just desperate to stay alive?"

Armin took his time answering. I couldn't answer for him, but I knew Armin. "No offense, sir," I said in an uncharacteristically timid voice, "but Armin rarely says anything unless he believes it to some degree."

Pixis's eyes darted to me and I hastily saluted. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, a calculative look in his eyes. "Cadet Vale?"

I blinked before answering my affirmative. He stared at me for a little while longer before nodding, murmuring, "I knew your father."

He… knew my father? My dad?

I hadn't even known Dad had been part of the military. Then again, Mom and Dad had had me pretty late. They could have had full careers and retired (especially if Dad was in the military and had joined the Garrison or even the Military Police) before having me. There was a reason I was an only child and it wasn't because my parents didn't love each other.

"Well, Arlert?" he asked, turning back to Armin.

"It was both, sir," Armin replied firmly. "I was trying to say that Eren could take on his Titan form, carry that boulder to the wall and block the gap in the gate." He looked down. "The thought just occurred to me, but couldn't you look Eren's power as a chance to turn this situation to our favour? Of course, I was also desperate to save our lives."

"Desperate to save…" Pixis mused almost to himself. "Those words are worth more than anything."

He took a swig from his canteen. I blinked and the scene played behind my lids. Of Eren, standing at a salute in front of everyone. Vague words of Pixis's speech. I inhaled sharply. Now it was all up to Eren, wasn't it?

He turned and walked towards us, heading somewhere to my left; towards Eren. He squatted down in front of Eren with a somewhat kind look on his face. "What do you say, Cadet Jaeger?" he asked, the tone of his voice not unkind but far from grandfatherly.

"Sir?" Eren replied, obviously not understanding the question.

"Can you close the gap?" Pixis clarified.

"I… I'm not sure," Eren answered truthfully. "I don't understand this anymore than the rest of you. It'd be irresponsible of me to answer as if I knew either way."

I studied Pixis's face carefully. His expression didn't quite change, but there was a shift in his eyes. He respected Eren's assessment… but that wasn't the answer he was looking for. "Oh, right. Sorry," he apologised, his eyes hardening. "I asked the wrong question. Will you do it or not? Which is it?"

He looked behind us and all of us turned to the city behind us, into the inner wall. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to get Eren to keep it into perspective; his choice won't only decide our fate, but the fate of all of humanity. Eren's choice could either save humanity or force us back behind another wall.

I bit my lip, looking out to Wall Sina, one hundred and thirty kilometres away. Fifteen-year-olds shouldn't be carrying such heavy burdens. Damn this world and all it demanded of us. What I wouldn't give to be able to bring Eren, Mikasa and Armin back to where I had come from. I wished they could have gotten normal childhoods, not… this.

"I'll do it," Eren answered. I glanced down at him. I wish he didn't have to do this. "I will do it. I'm not certain I can close the gap, but I'll still do it."

I wondered if Eren really knew what he was agreeing to. I thought I did, but from the flash in Pixis's eyes, I wasn't really sure.

Pixis's eyes closed as he smiled at Eren, patting his shoulders. I couldn't help but wonder if Pixis had grandchildren our age; he certainly could be a grandfather. "Well said," he chuckled. "You're a real man." Pixis turned and waved to the soldiers below. "I'll call my strategists. We'll develop a plan."

"No way," Armin muttered, glancing at me worriedly before looking back at Pixis. "That idea depends on so many assumptions, and he's just going to run with it?"

"I was thinking the same thing, but there's no sense in doubting his decision," Eren murmured.

I glanced at Mikasa. "The path to take is the path with a chance of victory," I quoted. Mikasa jolted as she recognised her own words. "I guess this plan is preferable to being pushed behind another wall or risking the Armoured Titan appearing to break down the inner wall."

But the Armoured Titan didn't – wouldn't – come. I knew that, but I didn't know why. I had a feeling I did know, but that information was buried somewhere deep in my memory. Depp, deep in my memory.

"Commander Pixis might also see potential in something the rest of us can't see," Eren added. I hummed thoughtfully. Potential in the plan or potential in Eren? I didn't doubt that it was something in Eren – maybe his eyes or his voice – that had fully convinced Pixis.

"Something we can't see?" Armin repeated.

"Also, I think there's a bigger issue that must be addressed before the plan can be executed and the commander fully recognises it."

"What do you mean?"

"The Titans aren't our only enemy."

I frowned, chewing on my bottom lip in thought. Who was he referring to? The Garrison? When they attempted to blow us up, they certainly weren't our allies.

"There's no time to waste," Pixis stated. "I will need your help, young soldiers." He locked gazes with each of us, his gaze lingering on Eren's.

At some unheard cue, we saluted. We had sworn to give our bodies and our lives for the continued existence of humanity. We were ready for this.

•●•●•●•

I looked out at the brown clumps assembled at the base of Wall Rose, half an ear on the instructions that were given as Pixis dismissed us.

I wondered what was going on down there. There were probably a lot of scared people down there. About two hundred of them were people I had trained with, joked around with, competed with. I had known them for the past three years and I knew most of them were probably emotionally scarred by everything that had transpired today.

"People are scared," I murmured under my breath as wordless shouts reached us. I could recognise it as Daz's voice, even if what he was shouting wasn't clear. I breathed out a sigh. Daz was hardly a hero. I'd even say he was a coward, but at least he had some measure of courage. Not a lot, but enough to not be a coward.

One of the Garrison officers glanced at me, but didn't comment as he continued laying out the map he had of Trost. Mikasa stood next to me, following my gaze.

"That is to be expected," she murmured.

"I'm scared too," I whispered, feeling a little embarrassed at the admission. I was doing okay with holding it at bay, but there was no denying that the fear was there. Maybe I wasn't quite afraid of the same things they were, but I was still afraid. The future was scary and knowing what was coming was just as scary as not having a clue.

I crossed my arms to stop myself from hugging my waist like a frightened child. I wasn't frightened child anymore.

I could feel Mikasa's gaze on me as I watched the chaos brewing below. If the Greek gods existed, I imagined this was what they felt like as they watched the battle between the Trojans and the Spartans; all-seeing, but unable to do a damned thing to stop their children from fighting.

"We're all scared," she said quietly, "but we learn to overcome it."

I shrugged a shoulder, walking over to the map and studying it over Armin's shoulder.

"Attention!" Commander Pixis bellowed, causing me to jump as his voice echoed through the city. I cast a glance over my shoulder to where Pixis stood at the edge of Wall Rose, overlooking the town below. "I shall now explain the plan to retake Trost."

I turned my attention back to the map, Armin muttering under his breath as he tapped certain areas on the map. I didn't bother him; he was still trying to fine-tune his plan before explaining it to anyone.

"This is insane," he muttered, sighing quietly. I glanced at the two soldiers with us, who were still in deep discussion as in the background, Pixis explained to the soldiers below how we were going to take Trost back.

I nudged him, causing him to look up at me with worried eyes. "We're practically living off insane right now," I pointed out, studying the map once more. From his mutterings, I could already guess what he was planning. "It's not a bad plan, you know. Less casualties that way. It's already been proven multiple times that charging head first into battle with a war cry is hardly the solution."

Armin looked uncertain, glancing down at the map before looking at the two Garrison soldiers. "I don't know," he said, shaking his head slightly. "What if it doesn't work?"

I ruffled his hair, not even attempting a smile, knowing it'd come out as a grimace, but hoping my eyes softened enough. "It will. I trust you and Commander Pixis trusts you too. At the very least, he trusts you enough for this. Have some faith in yourself."

Armin exhaled slowly as the two Garrison soldiers, a male with brown hair combed back and a female with ginger hair a similar colour to mine, walked over.

"Have you figured out something?" the male asked, sounding a little apprehensive.

I stood back as Armin explained his plan, occasionally glancing back to where Pixis and Eren stood.

There was a pause as the Garrison soldiers processed the information. Then, he asked, "We don't have to fight the Titans?"

Armin nodded once before hesitantly saying, "E-excuse me. I don't mean any disrespect by speaking up to a ranking officer…"

"No, continue," the man allowed, crossing his arms and leaning back slightly.

"Y-yes, sir." He looked back down at the map. "Titans are typically drawn to pursue the largest number of people. If we can take advantage of that to lure them along the walls, we can draw most of them away from Eren without engaging them in direct combat. By using the cannons against those lured away, we'll minimise our own losses. However, we can't leave Eren undefended, so a small elite force should protect him. We can't avoid engaging the Titans that come through the wall, either. The skills of the elite force will be critical."

"Alright, understood," the man replied, looking up from the map. "We'll take that into account and revise our plans."

Armin's hands clenched on the map. "This will only work if Eren can carry that boulder and seal the hole," Armin reasoned, eyebrows drawing together. "We are proceeding with the operation without certain proof that he can. I cannot help but feel doubt."

I twisted Dad's ring. I felt more than doubt. I knew the first attempt would fail. There was no way I could do anything to stop it from failing at first. That was all up to Eren. I wrapped part of the chain around my finger, biting my bottom lip at the same time. I couldn't save everyone.

"Indeed, given uncertainty of a crucial element, I do not relish sending many men to their deaths," the man sighed. "But I do understand what Commander Pixis is thinking."

"Yes…" the woman murmured, looking at Armin and me. "The first issue is one of time. Even as we speak, Titans continue to enter the town. The greater their numbers in Trost, the worse our odds of success in retaking it."

"And the higher the chance of Wall Rose falling," the man added.

"And one more thing." We turned to look at the woman. I almost shivered at the ominous look on her face. "There's a limit to how much one can be motivated by terror."

Terror was a very powerful motivator, but time-sensitive, as she had pointed out. It could drive a person insane or it would only last for the duration where they weren't sensible. Once it passed that limit, it couldn't control anything.

"You're lying!" came the cry from below the walls. I cocked my head, sighing inwardly when I recognised Daz's voice (wasn't quite the first time he had gone on a hysterical rant. However, his hysterical rants were usually reserved for the barracks where he could be easily silence with a pillow to the face). "I won't put my life on the line for a plan I can't even understand. What do you think we are? We aren't pawns for you to sacrifice!"

Oh, Daz. If only you didn't make so much sense and yet, still sound like a fool. He might have had a measure of courage, but it wasn't by any means bountiful.

There was a lot of shouting going on down there. If this kept up, there would be a riot in addition to the Titans rampaging in Trost. I was wrong when I said people were scared. No, they had gone far beyond that. They had buried themselves in their terror.

"Here is my decision!" Pixis boomed, effectively shutting everyone up. "I shall pardon everyone who deserts now." My lips turned downwards in a frown, but I didn't doubt he had his reasons for saying that. You didn't get to be commander-in-chief unless you knew how to use every available resource, words included. "Once you succumb to the Titans' fear, you can never fight them again. Those who have learned that fear should leave. And anyone wishing their parents, siblings and loved ones to feel that fear should also leave!"

My eyebrows rose in admiration. Impressive. If you can't threaten them, threaten their loved ones. Low, but effective. You didn't get to be at the top by playing nice.

"He's good," I murmured. Next to me, Armin nodded. He looked mildly disturbed, but I knew he understood it was necessary. I linked his fingers with mine, if only just to remind myself that I wasn't alone in this odd mix of feelings.

I wondered if a threat like that would really work on me. I had no family members and all my loved ones were standing here, with me. If it weren't for Armin, Eren and Mikasa, would I have been one of those lone soldiers to walk out without turning back? Even if humanity would have to suffer?

I didn't like the answer that came to mind.

"Let me tell you what happened four years ago. About our attempt to retake Wall Maria." I glanced curiously at Pixis, his voice taking on a vague lecturing tone. I straightened. I didn't think I'd enjoy listening to this. "As I'm sure you're all aware, that the operation was no more than the government's way of dealing with its inability to feed all of the unemployed. It was a culling." Armin's grip on my hand tightened as I heard him took in a shaky breath. I didn't have to question why; his grandfather had died in that culling. "The reason no one speaks of it is because by sending them outside these cramped walls, we were able to survive within them."

Despicable.

"All of humanity, including myself, bears the weight of that sin!"

I'm sure it made it a little easier to sleep at night, knowing that burden was shared with eighty percent of the population.

"Because so few escaped Wall Maria, there was never any open rebellion, but what about now? If Wall Rose falls, the sacrifice will be more than just twenty percent. The territory within Wall Sina won't support even half of the population. If humanity falls, it won't be because we were devoured by the Titans. It will be because we killed each other. We must not die even deeper within the walls." Pixis opened his arms in an imploring gesture. "I beg of you to die right here!"

I hadn't even realised I was trembling until Armin tugged on my hand. My eyes darted to his, easily reading the concern in his eyes. I exhaled slowly, focusing on stopping the trembling in my limbs.

I just – I couldn't help but feel so outraged at the thought. I knew that botched attempt to retake Wall Maria was to shave down our numbers so the food shortage wouldn't be so bad, but to have it said like that made me so angry.

Can't save humanity without making sacrifices.

•●•●•●•

I tried to straighten out the knots in my hair, but gave it up as a lost cause, simply tying the mess of curls into a bun. Less to chew on and out of my face.

"Eren, I'm sorry," Armin apologised, causing Eren to turn away from Pixis and the elite squad he had chosen to protect Eren. "I ended up making you responsible for everything."

Eren's lips almost curled into a smile as he shook his head slightly. "It's like I said before: you have the ability to find the right answer. I believe in that."

I could see Mikasa was warring with herself as she said, "Eren, I'm going to – "

"Don't tell me you're going to come with me," Eren protested. Mikasa jolted back in surprise. To be honest, even I could have seen that coming a mile away. "You've been assigned to the decoy team."

"But I can't leave you alone… if you're alone, you'll – "

"Enough!" Eren barked. "I'm not your little brother or a child – "

My hands clenched into fists as I landed a kick to Eren's behind, causing him to stumble forward into Mikasa. "She's doing it because she cares about you, dumbass," I growled. I was sick of Eren saying things like that and hurting Mikasa without knowing it because he was thick-headed and unobservant. "You two are family and sometimes you need the extra protection! You might not know it but sometimes you do act like a child."

Eren scowled at me, shaking off Mikasa's arm. "What's your problem?" he demanded.

"My problem?" I repeated. "My problem is you. Mikasa's just trying to show that she cares and you say things like you're not her little brother, when you are – "

"We're the same age!"

"You're siblings, aren't you? It's almost the same thing. Siblings look out for each other. They don't spit hurtful words at each other the way you always do!"

I couldn't really explain why I was so angry at Eren. I just was. Maybe I was more angry than myself at anything. I couldn't help but think if Eren couldn't turn into a Titan, if I had been so horrifically focused on trying to save everyone, Eren would be dead and it would have been my fault.

He hadn't seen the way Mikasa had cried when she found him again. He just didn't know just how much she really cared and it just irritated me.

Eren took a step forward, prompting Mikasa to hold him back. Armin's hand shot out to grab my arm as I made to hit Eren again.

"Let's not fight," Armin pleaded, shaking my arm a little. "Dani, Eren, come on. Not now."

Eren and I glared at each other for a few more moments before I relented with a sigh. I leaned a little into Armin, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Right," I muttered. Tensions were running high enough without me adding to it. I looked to Eren to see he had deflated the way I had. We locked eyes again. Armin nudged me, urging me to apologise, but I couldn't do that just yet. I could tell Eren couldn't apologise either, so we were at a stalemate.

"Ackerman." The four of us turned towards the voice. I noted it was the one Pixis had placed in charge of the whole operation – Ian Dietrich. He eyed me and Eren a little warily. "Join the elite force protecting Jaeger. We need your skill."

I watched as Mikasa's eyes lit up and a small smile touched her lips. It was a little heart-breaking to see how delighted Mikasa was just to be near Eren.

"Let's go," Dietrich said. "It's time!"

Eren and Mikasa nodded. Then, Eren turned to Armin, clasping the shorter boy's shoulder. "Bye, Armin," he said. "Don't die."

Armin glanced at me before nodding. "Yeah, you neither."

I thought that was it, but then Eren's eyes landed on me. There was still a little anger in his eyes, but it was overshadowed by something else. Something softer. "Dani, if you die, I'll be angrier than I already am."

I blinked at him before nodding once. "Don't you dare die, either," I warned. "I'm pissed enough at you already."

So we didn't apologise. It could be saved for later, when we weren't in the danger zone. He had to stay alive, if only so I could apologise to him. Armin and I ran off towards the decoy team, but halfway there, I faltered.

Armin looked back at me, stopping as well. "What's wrong?" he asked.

I glanced back at where the elite team were still running towards the boulder. I clenched and unclenched my fists before shaking my head. "I have a bad feeling," I answered. It wasn't a proper answer. I was itching to follow after them, but I was hardly elite. I doubted I could even catch up with them.

I started running again. "Forget it," I muttered. "There's nothing I can do."

What had I been planning to do, stop Eren from punching Mikasa? I couldn't do that. I wasn't skilled enough and even if I yelled at him, he might not have been able to hear me.

Armin's worried gaze didn't shift from me. "Are you okay?"

I pursed my lips before blowing out a sigh, nodding once. "I'm fine," I replied. "Don't worry about me, okay?"

We were absorbed into the decoy team, but I reached out for Armin's hand so we weren't separated. I had failed once. I didn't want Armin to be like Eren, because if I let that happen, Armin wasn't coming back.

I pushed the thought away. I wouldn't fail. No, I couldn't fail. Eren had Mikasa. Well, now Armin had me. I may not have been as strong as Mikasa, but maybe I didn't need to be. Armin didn't get in as much trouble as Eren did.

"Did you really have to fight with him?" Armin muttered suddenly as me, Armin and a few other cadets were given the instruction to hang from the wall to sort of taunt the Titans.

I sighed, checking the bindings again almost neurotically before standing at the edge of the wall. I snapped on a pair of blades onto my handgrips. "I didn't mean to."

"I know you didn't… you could have held off kicking him, though."

I met Armin's gaze and couldn't help but snort, seeing the dull humour in his eyes. I had a feeling if we couldn't laugh about this, we wouldn't ever be able to laugh about anything anymore. "No, I couldn't. Don't you ever get sick of Eren talking to Mikasa like that?"

He shrugged, stepping off the wall, the whizzing of his wires echoed by mine as I followed him. I waited until I was just out of the Titans' reach before shooting my hooks into the top of the wall. My feet skidded against the surface of the wall as I slid a little.

It was… working. The Titans were beginning to get lured here, desperately trying to get at the large number of soldiers at the top. I wasn't all that surprised of course, but it was still a little jarring to see it almost literally in front of my eyes and clawing at my feet.

"Listen!" our commanding officer yelled, hanging from one of the lifts. "You only need to get them to the edge of town. Avoid unnecessary combat!"

I doubted any of us would want to dive into combat.

Combat or not, there were still people dying. Some of the Titans were getting smarter, one or two jumping to reach the lower hanging soldiers. It was a little scary, knowing they could learn. I guess it was a good thing they weren't smart enough to figure out how 3DMG worked.

I hated their screams. They were always too far away for anyone to do anything.

I glanced down, reeling my lines in a little before turning to look where the elite team were supposed to be. I sighed quietly as I noticed the fading wisp of green smoke – a signal that the operation had begun.

I tried not to worry. I really did. However, I couldn't stop myself from continuously looking up, my eyes riveted to the bolt of lightning that had previously struck fear into my heart, but now served as a comfort because I knew it was Eren this time. A loud roar punctuated the air, prompting me to bite my lip.

It would be any time now, wouldn't it? I kept tapping my feet against the wall, looking between the Titans below and where the smoke signal had come from. I looked up at the wall, where our replacements were getting ready to take our place. Maybe I could break away then and convince Armin to go with me. I probably wouldn't be able to talk Eren out of whatever it was that caused him to go rogue, but Armin could. I knew he could.

"Soldiers, make your way up!" our commanding officer yelled. I exhaled slowly, reeling myself up. It was okay; I could figure everything once I was up on the wall.

Naturally, that was when everything started to go wrong.

To my left, that was the almost subtle sound of a wire snapping, followed by a horrified yell as someone started to fall. My eyes widened as I whipped my head towards the soldier falling to his death. I wasn't even thinking as I released my hooks and shot them where the soldier's hooks had been, swinging forward with an arm outstretched to catch him. Behind me, I heard Armin yell my name.

It was awkward, attempting to hold onto his hand with both of us holding onto our handgrips, blades still snapped onto the edge. I was half-afraid I would unintentionally slit his throat as I tucked my blades in as close to my arm as I could, my hold on his hand shaky at best. He looked up at me, eyes shining with tears as they dripped down his cheek. He mouthed a silent thank you to me, but I wished he wouldn't. We were hardly safe and his hand slipping out of mine was a very real thing.

I gritted my teeth as I tried to reel us up without letting go of his hand. His blade was biting into my forearm, causing thin rivulets of blood to travel down my arm and make it harder to grip onto his hand. "Hold on," I gasped, looking up and wondering how I was going to do this. I couldn't reel us up without letting him go. I looked down past him, seeing a Titan with its knees bent – getting ready to jump. "Ah, fuck."

He looked down as well and I could swear he turned paler than he already was. He looked back up at me and I could see the light go out in his eyes. No. At that moment, his hand slipped out of mine, the blood making it almost impossible to hang on. There was nothing I could do but watch as he dropped into the midst of the rampaging Titans.

I stared in shock as he was ripped apart. I wanted to go down there and kill all of them, but I wasn't that skilled. I wasn't skilled enough at all. I shut my eyes, slowly reeling myself up. I wouldn't go into a solo suicide mission for a dead man I hadn't even known.

I didn't cry this time and I had to wonder if it was because I didn't know the man or because I was already beginning to be desensitised.

It scared me, the thought that I was beginning to become numb.

I couldn't remember the moments where I found myself sat down by the side, Armin sitting in front of me as he wrapped up the shallow cut on my forearm. I stared down at my shredded jacket, my right hand clutched in the fabric as Armin tended to me. He didn't say anything, but I could feel the roiling frustration he was keeping in check.

He finished wrapping my arm, his hand holding the bandage shut unnecessarily.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, looking up at him as he avoided my eyes. "I didn't mean to make you worry."

He sighed harshly, eyes shutting briefly before he looked up at me with dark eyes. "Sometimes," he bit out, "you're so busy worrying about everyone else that you forget we worry too."

"I know you worry," I said. "I just wished you wouldn't."

He rolled his eyes, standing up and holding out a hand for me. "It doesn't matter what you wish. We're always going to worry."

I sighed a little, putting my hand in his and letting him pull me up. He tried to pull his hand away, but I tightened my grip. He raised an eyebrow as I shook my head.

"Thanks," I said finally. There were a lot of things is could have said, but only those words mattered. Even if I didn't want him to worry, he would anyway and I guess I was kind of grateful for that.

He smiled a little. "You're welcome," he replied. "I guess it's a lost cause to tell you not to do stupid things, anyway."

"… I'll take that as a compliment," I snorted, ruffling his hair.

"He, look at that!" someone cried, causing the two of us to look over.

"Look, what's that?"

I frowned, sharing a worried glance with Armin. That didn't sound very good. We walked towards where everyone was gathered, staring at the red smoke signal in the distance.

"Did they… fail?" Marco whispered, eyes fixed on the smoke. I clutched my jacket in my hand, my grip white-knuckled. I couldn't even say I was surprised because this was an eventuality I had been prepared for.

"They can't have," I murmured anyway, eyes tracing the wisp of fading smoke. They wouldn't.

"Why?" Armin asked quietly. I glanced at him, seeing his hands clench. He turned around suddenly, running off. I didn't hesitate to run after him.

"Hey, Armin, Dani! Where are you going?" Marco called after us. I glanced back, raising an arm to tell him we would be fine.

"Do you know what you're doing?" I panted, running alongside him.

Armin's eyebrows furrowed. "Not really." He glanced at me. "You don't have to come along."

"I don't have to, but I will anyway," I replied, our feet thudding below us. "Someone's got to watch your back."

He didn't answer for a while and I thought that was it, but then: "I'm glad it's you."