Chapter Twelve

Ymir and the Middle East Union Casualties

Guys, I didn't want to write this chapter. I was enjoying all my characters breathing Isayama why.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy.

"What the hell, Reiner?!" Bertolt wrung his hands. "Don't do it! You can't lose another friend!"

"He can't help himself," Frieda said glumly, tears creeping down her cheeks. "Historia loves you, Ymir. Stay strong."

For the gangly, freckled girl was chained to a podium, just like Uri had been when she'd eaten him. Just like Eren had been why Historia freed him. Why? Why was the world so cruel?

"Galliard thinks he can avenge me this way." Marcel shook his head. "He won't. I – I'm sorry."

"We should be sorry," said a man grouped to the left. One of the former titans. "We made her into Ymir."

"Pshh. Don't flatter yourself." Carla strode over with a roll of her eyes. "Ymir made herself into the Ymir she wanted to be. She's a brave girl."

The needle slid into Galliard's back, and Marcel covered his eyes as he felt its cold, smooth pain all over again. Sometimes, he thought his death was the best thing that had happened to him.

Ymir would probably disagree, though. She brought a smile to his face, this girl with the queer wisdom so many needed right now.

Her stomach dropped as the titanic claw lifted her into the air. Death again, but this time as a meal.

Ymir's eyes popped open. Oh no. She was no meal, no item, no unfortunate girl.

She'd met Historia Reiss. She'd loved her.

As the titan's teeth closed around her, Ymir forced an image of Historia's smile into her mind. The time they'd reached out to each other – touched hands – promise me you'll live for yourself -

Everything was so warm, and she kept rising.

Years in heaven aren't years at all. In fact, it's almost as if no time has passed, and yet everyone has been there eternal.

But when you watch the earth, you see this thing called time weaving on and on. And so when four years had passed on earth, Ymir still had not stopped watching over her Historia.

"He's a much more impressive titan than I," Ymir said suddenly, watching Galliard's jaws snap up and down, splintering the train tracks.

"Eh," said Frieda. "I'm still irked he ate you. For my sister's sake."

"We would have been good sisters-in-law," Ymir agreed. "Just imagine!"

"It makes me so happy." Frieda squeezed Ymir's hand.

"Galliard's impressive, but so was Bertolt." Marcel settled besides the two women. "Impressive before the fall."

"Gee, thanks," Bertolt joked. "But yeah…I worry for him."

"Like his brainwashing is increased by my death," said Marcel. "He can't be wrong now."

"You shouldn't feel guilty for that," said Marco, patting Marcel on the shoulder.

"Would the stop staring at me?" Ymir said, glaring at the titan cult. "I know they feel sorry, but I have no need to speak with them. I don't want to."

"And you shouldn't have to," said Frieda.

"Ymir!" Ilse Langnar hurried up.

"Oh my walls, do you know what it's like to finally meet you? Should I bow? You're amazing."

"I'm not the real Ymir." Ymir shifted and glanced at Marco. Help.

"But you helped unlock the mystery of our plight. You did not surrender to your fate. I – I admire you so much." The dark haired girl gripped her hands, eyes shining.

And Ymir realized she was admired…for who she was.

"Hey, Ilse."

"I'm putting together a chronicle of the events on Paradis," Ilse said breathlessly. She was always breathless. "Do you thin it's worthwhile?"

Ymir laughed. "Look, Ilse, you're in the afterlife. You do what you want. But I'd read it, since that's what you really mean."

"So would I," said Frieda eagerly.

"Yes!" Ilse clapped her hands together. "Oh, what's happening now?"

"Crazy idealistic child soldier is about to blow up a train in her underwear," Ymir said with entirely too much cheer.

"What?" Ilse gaped at the sight.

"She reminds me of Reiner," Bertolt said sadly. "She should not be the Armored Titan."

"He can see that," Ymir said softly. "Don't worry so much, Bertolt. You're in heaven, for crying out loud."

"I'll stop worrying when Reiner is safe."

"He's dying?"

"Not helpful." Bertolt crossed his arms, a pout on his face.

"You can greet him with a kiss."

"I don't want to! I want him alive! With a chance." Bertolt's voice broke.

Ymir cringed. She'd pushed too far, again.

"Hey, look at it this way. Maybe Hange's titan science will cure him before his tenure runs out," said Marco, leaning over to hug the tall boy.

"Why, Zeke," whispered Grisha.

Dina rested her chin on his chest. "Because he doesn't know better yet. He'll be okay."

"Eren will help," added Carla.

"We should head over to the gate," Grisha said as Titans dropped from the sky and Middle Eastern soldiers piled through the gate.

"Why am I here? Why with them?" A Middle East Union soldier shoved an Eldian back. He recognized his face. The titan who'd severed him in half.

"Because you're dead, and now you can finally understand," said a tall blond man.

The soldier frowned. Rows and rows of green-caped men and women stood beyond the gate, fists over their heart.

"We salute all soldiers," said the blonde. "I am Commander Erwin Smith, of the Survey Corps on Paradis."

"You're Eldian," squealed the Union soldier, stepped back.

"And caring enough to greet us." The former titan stepped forward, eyes alight. "You don't hate who we are?"

"We're proud to be different." Erwin clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You were brave, sir, and you didn't deserve what happened."

"I was turned into a titan years ago via the same Beast powers," said Mr. Springer, stepping forward. "From the invasion on Paradis. If you need to talk – my family and I – minus my wife and son – we understand your experience. We will help you."

"Where's your wife and son?" asked an old Eldian woman.

"My wife…remains a deformed titan in Survey Corps custody. My son fights to free the world." Mr. Springer's eyes sparkled. "His girlfriend is the one who killed me."

"Funny what everyone finds humor in," said Ymir, her eyes traveling back to Paradis.

Historia was in meetings with Commanders Zoe, Pixis, Dok, and Zackly.

She was beautiful.

A lump rose in Ymir's throat.

"Are you okay?" Frieda whispered.

"I miss her. I miss her so much it hurts. Sometimes I imagine touching her fingertips, holding her, whispering encouragement in her ears. Do you – do you think – " Ymir turned to the Person she hadn't had much time for until now. Most of the time she sassed them. "Do you think she can know? How proud I am of her?"

The Person's eyes filled with tears that mirrored Ymir's. "Hold on."

And then, for a moment, Ymir felt herself swept in a whirlwind besides Historia.

"Historia! Historia, I'm so proud of you," Ymir called as the whirlwind drew her away.

Historia Reiss blinked.

"Your majesty?" Hange frowned.

"Let's ready the troops," she declared, courage soaring.