"What the fuck is Father thinking," Ragnar cursed as he and his guard trotted down the king's road towards Yggadrasil. They were only a few miles away from the outskirts of the city, nearing the end of their three day journey. "Why would he recall us home? We're the only part of the Army that has shown any sort of results against the Surtr."
"Oh, quit belly aching, Ragnar," Suttungr said, "What's done is done."
Ragnar stuck out his tongue at his brother, but relaxed back into his saddle a little more.
"And at least, Ragnar," Luigi deadpanned from behind him, "You'll get to see Annie. Doesn't that fill you with youthful lust?"
"Of course it does, but…" Ragnar tightened his grip on the reins, "I still haven't learned to control the beast."
Damn, right you haven't. It called to him.
"Well, then we'll just have to keep an eye on you two, won't we?" Suttungr said.
"Yeah… that'll sure be fun."
Ragnar's muttering was brought to a halt by… a noise. He pitched his ear upwards, attempting to assess what it was…
"Ragnar, get down!"
Luigi's shout brought his head around, right before he vaulted off of his own horse and dragged Ragnar down.
"What the fuck, Luigi-"
A wave of force picked him up and tossed him through the air, Luigi holding on tightly the whole way. His skin was burning, but he reoriented himself while he was in the air, trying to look back towards where his men had been.
"Hold on, Ragnar." Luigi gasped at him, before sinking his teeth into his hand.
Ragnar squeezed his eyes shut as Luigi's Jotunn burst into life, with its hand wrapped tightly around him. It slammed down on its feet, rolling up and turning, back towards the destruction that lay behind them.
"No!"
His eyes shot wide as his eyes took in the carnage behind him. He saw Suttungr's Jotunn form, standing, along with Alex' and Annar's, along with three others, but… all he saw other than that was… death.
How could this happen, what did that!
His question was answered as more explosions blossomed, and he snapped his head towards the sky. A swarm of small black spheres slammed down out of the sky, exploding with tremendous force. One of them caught Alex, shredding the entire left side of his Jotunn. Ragnar watched Master Tobias Jotunn dodge through the explosions, coming out unscathed on the other side.
Bombs? But where are they coming from? Do they have catapults?
His thoughts were cut off as he noted the next group of irregularly shaped dots…
Oh for fucks sake! People?
A dozen men and women, soared through the air towards Luigi and Ragnar. Ragnar focused in on one of them, and saw the fluttering brown cloak of a Surtr. Then a dozen Jotunn exploded into being, just before they slammed into the ground.
"Luigi," He screamed up at the Jotunn, "Let me go! I need to fight?"
He saw the black eyes turn down towards him, saw the recognition of what he said, but didn't feel the hand loosen.
"Now!" He yelled.
Luigi let him loose, before jumping backwards out of the way.
Beast! Now is your time! Give me your strength! He called towards the pit in his heart.
All he heard in return was silence.
His teeth sunk into his hand, and he felt his Jotunn wrap its behemoth form around him.
The Surtr charged, and Luigi and Ragnar went to meet them.
"So what does it feel like to be a monster?"
Eren looked up at one of the Military Police officers sitting across from him in the carriage. He had been separated from the Commander and Levi, and forced to sit in an underground cell for most of a day, while they prepared his restraints.
Fucking assholes, I can't move any part of my body…
Shackles held his arms and legs tightly, while a horses bit was stuck in his mouth, so that he couldn't even close it. It was incredibly uncomfortable, and he periodically tried to stretch his arms and legs a little.
There were only two members of the Military Police in the cabin with him, they both wore 3DM gear, and had rifles pointed vaguely in the direction of his head.
"Hey fuckface, did you hear me," One of them reached out and shoved the barrel of his rifle into his right eye, "Oh wait, you have that bit in my mouth, like a common fucking horse."
Take this thing out and I swear I'll fucking bite you to death, at a minimum, he thought darkly. These two clowns better be glad Mikasa isn't here…
The carriage hit a bump, and Eren nearly bit his tongue, while the two incompetents sitting across from him nearly dropped their rifles. One of them turned and pounded on the wall, where the driver sat.
"Try to avoid the bumps, Jackson, you turd!"
They were treated to another series of bumps, and then the carriage slammed to a stop.
"What the hell? Lundson, let's check it out."
The two guards opened the doors, and stepped out…
A pair of rifles cracked, followed by the sound of a pair of bodies hitting the ground limply.
What's going on?
A familiar face leaned into the compartment.
Ah, shit, its horse-face.
Ragnar killed another Surtr, feeling the steam trickle from all of his hands. One of his arms lay somewhere on the battlefield, after a Surtr had gotten a hold of it. Sixteen Surtr now lay dead on the field behind him, but his strength was flagging.
Suttungr's form appeared beside him, as did Luigi, Tobias and Annar. They were all that was left.
Twenty of us left Niflheim… and now it's just us five. How could this happen?
As he had killed the Surtr, his mind had wandered back and forth from those thoughts. The Surtr couldn't have known about his Father's recalling himself and Suttungr unless someone had…
And there his mind always faltered, because, the only one who could have divulged that information was Freyr, his own brother.
Why would he do such a thing? Power? Greed?
He felt the ground thundering beneath his feet, and turned to find a huge number of Surtr storming towards him. This group was larger than the others, at least sixty.
His eyes drifted in the direction of Yggadrasil, which lay just over the horizon.
I'm sorry Annie, but… I won't be seeing you again.
Roaring, he dug his feet into the ground, and, steam billowing from the spikes on his back, charged toward the Surtr. Suttungr, Tobias and Luigi leapt forward with him, while Annar, growing tired, fell behind almost immediately.
Ragnar's intense training with Suttungr and Tobias had been fortuitous, because he used it to wreak havoc upon the Surtr, even with one of his arms still regenerating. Even without manifested blades like Suttungr's, he reaped a terrible toll upon the Surtr. A slashed neck here, a head torn off their, he was a whirling dervish, tolling out death.
But then it came to an end. Their numbers were simply too great, and Ragnar watched as Annar was brutally killed, the last of his Guards.
This is… just too much. He thought tiredly, his mind growing weak. I… I can't do it. Not by myself.
Suttungr went down under a pile of Jotunn flesh, but Ragnar still saw him struggling. Master Tobias and Luigi were holding their own, the Way guiding them through the melee. But their strength too seemed to be flagging. Ragnar sighted another fifty Surtr. This was most likely part of the Surtr's main force.
Why, why must this happen! Why must my own brother betray me? Why, why, why!
A flood of rage hit him, and he shuddered as the Beast finally made its appearance, taking advantage of his weakened state. Its tendrils snaked through him, and he felt himself being dragged down.
Death. Destruction. I shall destroy this world! Cleanse it! Reshape it!
The Beast's words slammed into him. He felt his being fracturing under its force. Ragnar's very soul was being destroyed, with each strike that the Beast landed.
A dozen Surtr grabbed him, and began to tear his form to shreds. He didn't resist.
As the Beast began to take hold, his thoughts coalesced one last time. He suddenly knew what he had to do…
Annie… Annie… ANNIE!
"I can't have a baby! It's just not possible!"
Arnora and Eleanor walked with Annie, with Tyr and Nick following, towards the King's Road. They'd convinced her to wait for Ragnar at the edge of the city, which was why she held a single flower. A red rose that she'd found at a shop along the way.
Her hair, much longer now , was now tied back into a loose ponytail, while she wore a pair of pants and a loose shirt.
"Well, you best get used to the idea," Eleanor said, smiling, "Because there isn't a whole lot that can stop it!"
She's right… Damn.
Annie scowled at the older woman, but then couldn't help but smile. She'd been around these people, who were so unlike her own, honest and true…
I could call this place home.
ANNIE!
A hammer blow struck her. She stumbled but didn't fall, while Eleanor and Arnora rushed to her side.
That… That was Ragnar! She thought to herself.
"Annie, what's wrong?" Arnora asked. She and Eleanor gripped her shoulders.
They must think it's something with the baby…
She tore herself out of their arms, and began running towards the edge of town, her four keepers in close pursuit. Men and woman going about their business watched as she sprinted past them, jostling some of them.
"Ragnar is in trouble!"
She was so intent on running, that she didn't notice the intense beam of golden light streaking straight up into the heavens, ripping through clouds and causing them to dissipate.
What…?
The entire sky lit up, like a second rising sun, a sphere of light becoming visible just over the horizon, and growing larger and larger… It seemed to overpower the sun, and all eyes turned to it.
Annie hit the edge of the town, and wrapped her Titan form around herself, not caring as she damaged several homes behind her. She ran, shouldering through the shockwave that smashed into her.
Ragnar. She called with her thoughts, hoping he could hear her voice. The beam of golden light suddenly cut out, and the sphere dissipated quickly after that. Annie accelerated, running top out, and finally came upon…
She skid to a stop, as her eyes caught sight of…
Life can never be simple.
Krista lay in her bed, wincing in pain anytime the bruises on her face and body touched the bed.
Joining the Military was just about the best thing I could have done, she thought, And at least I met Ymir. I just wish she could be here, and not out in the wilds of Wall Maria… Why did she have to go back and help Bertoldt and Reiner?
As she lay there, half sleeping, she heard a tapping. Sitting up, she searched for the source of the noise, but couldn't find anything.
Must be one of the servants…
She lay down again, and almost immediately the taps began again.
Is that coming from the window?
Throwing the sheets off of herself, she walked over to the large bookcase across the room and grabbed a large hard covered book, then walked to the window. When she peered out of it, she couldn't see anything. Flipping the latch, she pushed the windows outwards…
A pair of figures swooped through the window, nearly flattening her. She cocked her arm back and threw the book into the face of the closest, and smaller, of the two.
"Ow, what the fuck, Krista, err, I mean Historia!"
I know that voice!
"Connie?"
"Yeah, it's us, we were sent to rescue you," Connie Springer said, rubbing the bruise on his temple. "Now comeon, Sasha and I need to get you out of here. The other team is causing a… um… distraction."
Her face lit up as she threw her arms around the both of them. Sasha held up another pair of 3D maneuver gear and a uniform.
"So, ready to get out of here? I'm starving…"
"So far, it seems the plans working out pretty well," Jean Kirstein said, as he, Eren, and several other members of the Scouting Legion rode down the road leading towards the rendezvous point he'd been given. "At least it looks like it."
Eren looked towards the smoke that was rising steadily into the air and the flames that were starting to lick the early morning air. Jean told him that several teams of Scouts had been tasked to simply harass and destroy, to sow panic and confusion within the Walls while the Scouting Legion prepared to go into hiding.
Is this really what we should be doing…? Couldn't we have just escaped? Why all the death and destruction?
He felt something pulse within him. It felt familiar…
This is just like before I had that vision…
The pulse hit him again, and again, growing stronger each time, until…
Jean looked over, seeing Eren slump lifelessly forward onto his horse.
"Ah, shit, wakeup fuckface!"
You have doomed us both, fool! Love has no power, it cannot overcome the Prophecy!
Ragnar was in that darkest void, the hole in his heart that the Beast resided in.
"I don't care, Beast," He said, totally unaware of his physical surroundings, "I shall have what I want, Prophecy or no. Join me, or be forever gone."
He held a tiny thread, which ran to where the Beast dwelled. Frayed connections lay all about, where Ragnar had cut them.
You cannot handle our full power! It is too great, even sharing it with the Other!
Ragnar had felt the other presence for some time, standing off to the side. Emerald eyes glaring out of the darkness.
"I don't care, Beast!" He pulled the final thread taut, straining it to its limit, "Become one with me, or die! I shall protect the woman I love!"
The Beast slunk back, as Ragnar's words slammed into it.
I love her too, fool! How could I be a part of you and not love her! But the Prophecy… the prophecy must be fulfilled! And there shall be consequences!
"No it doesn't," Ragnar said quietly, bowing his head, "Damn the Prophecy. Let's protect her, Beast. Let's protect Annie."
It crawled out of the pit, a writing mass of black, winding its way towards him.
You believe you can break the Prophecy and save Annie?
"If you join me."
Then let two become one! The parts shall become whole!
Ragnar shuddered as the Beast slammed into his chest, dumping its power into him.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Sweet power flowed through him, more power than he had ever felt, he felt doors opening within himself, unlocking pathways and thoughts he had never even imagined were held within him.
He saw… A man wearing a great feathered headdress, slapping his horse and letting out a great yell, as he swept down upon his enemies. Men, slashing at each other with blades, wearing great suits of armor. Rifles that spat many bullets, great moving things that spat fire and move forward like caterpillars, he saw men and women fighting wild Jotunn, their guns emptying themselves to no avail. He saw… bombs that fell from the sky, exploding with the power of the sun…
He saw waves of Jotunn sweep forward, a black mass that swept away humanity into a sea of despair. He felt what he was, he knew it, finally.
"We are a Harbinger, here to bring to an end the sorrow of the past!"
His thoughts shifted to Annie, as he felt her presence grow nearer.
"We shall save her. Damn the King, damn the Prophecy! We fight for Annie!"
Ragnar's Jotunn shouted as Annie watched, looking down into the massive crater that it was standing. Golden flames shimmered, covering his entire body. In each hand it held a long, curved blade. All of his arms were in movement, as a dozen Titan's attacked.
He's… he's become like a god. Does Eren hold this power within him also?
None of the Surtr made it within an arm's length of him, dying as his blades sliced effortlessly through them. But another dozen Surtr appeared and attacked him.
Before they reached him, he squatted down, and jumped upwards, clearing the top of the crater. He landed across the crater from Annie, and gazed across at her. He smiled.
The flames intensified, growing brighter and brighter. But still he smiled at her.
He broke eye contact and threw his head back, letting out a deafening roar.
What the hell…
All of the Surtr, even those who were still fighting her grandfather, Luigi and Suttungr, suddenly dropped, their hands going to their heads. Then they burst into steam, their Jotunn disappearing without a trace. Ragnar's three guards took their chance and began to slaughter the helpless Surtr.
They are a merciless bunch, aren't they?
Her eyes drifted back to Ragnar, who was walking towards her. The air grew hot as he neared, she unconsciously shifted into a defensive stance. He noted it, and held up a hand, before the golden flames dissipated, and she watched as Ragnar tore himself from his Jotunn.
She did the same, and as both of their Jotunn dissipated behind them, she ran to him.
"Ann-" Was all he could get out, before she slammed into him. Her arms wrapped around him, and she buried her head in his chest, but he pushed her away. "Look at me."
"Ragnar…"
"I want to see you, my love." She looked up into those eyes, that seemed so different from the last time she had seen them, "I've missed you so much."
They stood like that for a while, staring into each other's eyes, Ragnar's hands on her shoulder. Then Annie's hand reached up and touched the side of his face.
"You need to get rid of the beard," She said, roughly grabbing hold of a hair on his chin and yanking out, "I'm not kissing you until you do."
Looking disappointed, Ragnar took a step back. Her eyes roamed along the rest of his body, noting that he'd lost a large amount of weight, and though he was still barrel chested, his already large muscles stood out even more.
Interesting…
"Fine," He said, "So, um, how have you bee-"
Oh, hell, I can't help myself.
She jumped onto him, her arms and legs went around him again, and her lips met his. People had begun to gather, and when they broke their embrace, they turned to find a small crowd gathered around them.
"Well, this is awkward," She heard Ragnar mutter. Nick and Tyr walked up, greeting their young prince.
"Ragnar, where's the rest of the guard? I thought the King-"
"They're all dead."
Annie's head whipped around, hearing the agony in his voice, as he turned and pointed past the crater.
"The Surtr knew we were coming, knew exactly which path we would take. They're first attack killed most of the men, when they took us unawares."
And then he broke down, in front of everyone. He sank to the ground, leaning backwards on his knees, as tears boiled down his face.
"They all died… They all died for me." Then his voice dropped to a whisper, so that only Annie could hear, and his eyes shifted to look at her, "They died because of a traitor. Freyr betrayed us."
Freyr? His brother betrayed them?
Luigi and Suttungr appeared, nodding a greeting to Annie and the others, and helped Ragnar to his feet.
"I… I need a quiet moment with Annie, please."
They both looked at him.
"The King must know of this immediately, Brother." Suttungr said, looked with great concern at his brother. Annie noted the shifted dynamic between them.
He respects Ragnar now, what happened on their campaign?
"I know, you can tell the tale better than I can," Ragnar said, not looking anywhere but at Annie, "Nick, ride with Suttungr to see the King."
Nick bowed, and the two set off, the crowd parting to allow them passage.
Ragnar reached out and took Annie's hand in his own. He dropped his voice to a whisper again.
"Listen, Annie. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for what happened before I left."
"I forgive you, Ragnar. I shouldn't have said what I said afterwards."
"No, what I did was wrong," He reached out and touched her cheek gently, running his thumb under her eye, "But the Beast and I have come to an agreement. We will do everything in our power to protect you."
Her eyes widened slightly, surprise coursing through her, but she had a surprise or two for Ragnar also.
"Well, you'll have to protect us, now."
She giggled, giggled damn it, at Ragnar's confused expression. She touched his belly.
"Arnora thinks I'm pregnant…"
The last thing she expected from Ragnar, a man who had killed an untold number of people, many times in combat, who had seen death and experienced it, was for him to faint. His eyes widened, and then his expression froze, as he teetered backwards, before slamming flat on his back.
Well, that was… unexpected.
Tyr strode up, looking down at the Prince.
"He's out cold," He glanced at Annie, a half grin etched upon his face, "That was cruel!"
"He had to find out sometime!"
She couldn't help but grin back at the giant man who had become her friend.
For all their strangeness, these are some good people. And the best is lying on the ground right there. Weird, but good.
Well, another chapter is done. I need to go back and edit a few things and check for continuity errors (if you find any, please, PLEASE tell me). Some of you may have noticed, but I've been trying to widen the story by adding non OC characters. Let me know if I get their characterization wrong.
Now, this chapter has it's ups and downs. That's mainly cause I have such an eclectic taste in music. So, my song choices for this chapter are.
1. Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
2. Careless Whisper by WHAM!
3. I Guess That's Why they Call it the Blue's by Elton John
4. Majestic by Wax Fang
5. A Tout Le Monde by Megadeth
6. All Nightmare Long by Metallica
Now listen to those, while your reading, and you'll kind of see my tribulation. Hope you all enjoy!