A/N: This chapter is depressing and I apologize ahead of time for the sadness I will soon put you through! Let me know what you think about the events that unfold!
Chapter 17
Willow looks down at the mission plan with furrowed brows; their direction has changed and rather than bringing the Armored to the artillery, they will bring the artillery to the Armored. With the death of Derrek and most of his squad, Erwin has fixated on the idea of killing the Armored Titan. In this plan, Malik Squad and Miche Squad are to keep the Armored busy with the same diversion tactics they performed in their last mission. Levi Squad will then come in with the first wave of artillery assault to cripple the Armored. Then Hange Squad will come in with the second round to shed the outer layer of armor. Once the armor has shed, Willow will come in with the killer blow to the nape.
The plan is simple enough, and with their previous encounter with the Armored, they will be more ready for the attack. Willow will not allow another person to die because she failed them.
The night before the mission, Willow watches Levi Squad carefully as they all sit and laugh with one another. They are all in lighthearted spirits and she envies their ability to smile in a time like this. She contemplates going over to Oruo and apologizing for her harsh words towards him, but figures there is no use, knowing that she hurt him for the sake of hurting him because of her own broken self-worth.
Her eyes land on Levi who sits with Hange, seeing the stark contrast of Hange's excitement to Levi's indifference. She wonders if this lidded expression that he wears is a vail to cover the crippling sorrow. He saw firsthand what Derrek did to himself, and unlike Malik and Willow, his expressions do not betray him. She wonders what he is thinking in this moment, and if he is drowning just as much as they are. She contemplates approaching him, and having a conversation about what happened between them, and what happened with Derrek, but the fear of another rejection holds her back.
Willow spends the rest of the night tucked away atop the stables looking down at the Scouts that walk in the courtyard, moving from the mess hall to the barracks. From here, she can see everyone, but they cannot see her unless they look for her. She has decided she wants to spend the night on her own and away from anyone else.
She watches as Oruo and Gunther walk together after a long night of drinking and gambling. She hears Oruo mention that he has gambled away his monthly stipend as he stumbles in the courtyard. Gunther is just as worse for the wear commenting that he too has nothing left, as the two drunken men attempt to hold themselves on their feet and retire in their barracks. Eventually Kira and Petra join them in the courtyard and help the inebriated men to their beds in a fit of laughter that just seems ill-timed with everything that happened.
Her eyes move from them when she notices Malik walking the courtyard. His body language is tense, and he is clearly still in shock at Derrek's actions. She watches as Malik looks around anxiously as though trying to locate any prying eyes. Thinking that he is safe, he turns a corner behind the supply barn that allows for a blind spot between the barracks and mess hall, but still remains within view of Willow atop the stables.
After a moment of waiting, she sees Nanaba appearing from the female barracks. Willow straitens when she sees her, watching as she walks with the same nervous disposition that Malik had. Eventually, after figuring the coast is clear, she turns the corner and meets with Malik.
Willow watches, seeing for a brief moment a strangeness between them as both are unsure how to react to the other. However, this moment is only fleeting as Nanaba runs to Malik and crashes into his arms. He wraps his arms around her, holding her passionately as his hands entangle in her hair while she buries her face in his chest.
Willow frowns, watching them embrace one another, seeing the shaking of Nanaba's back as she undoubtedly sobs in Malik's hold, possibly scared at how close he was to death and losing him. Malik pulls away from her, looking into her eyes with a passionate gaze that Willow has never seen from him. She watches as he takes her in a loving embrace, kissing her wildly as if he would never kiss her again.
Willow turns away from them, thinking about Derrek and his wife, and how she will never be able to embrace the man that she loves again. Willow ponders if that same recognition is driving Malik to reconcile with Nanaba and embrace her again, coming to the realization that at any moment it might be their last.
She sighs as her eyes land on Hal who walks the court, looking over his shoulder with purpose in his stride. He is not anxiously looking around like Nanaba and Malik, but rather looking for someone. She figures he is looking for her, but she cannot speak with him and pretend to be happy in this moment. She needs her space and a moment to take a step back and be in her own mind. She frowns as Hal moves towards the barracks with sunken shoulders conveying his disappointment in not finding her.
Taking in a heavy sigh and lying down, Willow looks up at the stars. She tries to calm her nerves looking onto the bright lights that shine back down at her. She tries to find stillness in the night before another fight in the morning. Derrek's words scratch at her mind as she ponders the thought of if this will ever end. She wonders how many Titans are truly out there, and how many of them are like the Armored, threatening their lives with intelligent decisions. She wonders how many of them she will have to kill before she can finally say that the fight is over.
Willow closes her eyes and lets her body relax for a moment, feeling grounded as she sinks into the roof of the stables. She tells herself it will be quick. Malik and Miche Squad will only have to keep the Titan busy for a brief moment while Levi Squad comes in with the first attack. After that, the Armored will be stunned, and once Hange Squad comes in with the final blow, her attack will be simple.
She replays the plan over and over again in her head so not to forget or deviate from it in any way. She and Hal will work on its arms, Ben and James will move to its legs, and Malik will provide support. Miche will act as bait to distract the Armored from fighting back against those who slash at him. Levi Squad will come from the west and they will back off the Armored. The cannons will be strapped to a cart and they will blow the Armored with the first round. Malik Squad will return in the cloud of chaos, hitting him again and giving Hange Squad time to arrive. Hange Squad will bring in the final round of artillery, blasting the Armored into a soft mess of muscles and tendons that Willow will come in and deliver the final and killing blow, finally bringing an end to the nightmare the Armored started when he broke through the walls of her home.
When Willow opens her eyes, it is daytime, and she begins to panic. She managed to fall asleep atop the stables all night. She moves quickly from the stables and to her barracks. She notices by the positioning of the sun that it is too early for the mission to begin and she has time to prepare herself adequately. She bathes herself and gets dressed in her uniform, trying not to shake so much as she buttons her blue button-down. She brushes her long golden hair and ties it into a ponytail to keep it from obscuring her vision during this mission.
By the time she is finished with her morning routine, the other Cadets begin to settle in the courtyard as they prepare to ride out for the mission. Willow looks around noticing the grim look on many faces. It is the first time she has seen such sadness collectively throughout the Regiment. It is clear the death of Derrek and his Squad has caused a loss of hope within the Cadets, but she hopes that with today's victory, they will regain that power.
Willow looks back at Petra and Kira who speak amongst themselves. She frowns at the sight of them, hating that she pushed herself away from them when they showed her kindness once. She tells herself that after this, she will be a better friend to them, and she will be a better Scout to her team.
Petra looks up, noticing Willow's gaze on her. She watches her for a moment and smiles at her. Willow smiles back at the strawberry blonde, feeling warm in her wide smile. She nods once at her, telling her this will be over soon, and all will be well.
Willow mounts her horse, taking hold of the reins with shaking hands. She takes in a wavering breath, looking up to the sky to see dark looming clouds approaching above them.
Malik walks his horse past her and she notices that he seems to be in better spirits, and despite what Hal or anyone else may think about his relationship with Nanaba, it is clear that in that moment, he needed her, and she was able to give him a sense of peace before this mission, and hopefully clear his mind for today.
Commander Erwin joins and they begin riding out. They ride through the decaying city of Wall Maria, and for the first time since joining the Scouts, Willow allows her eyes to look around, taking in the scene of the decrepit city that she once called her home. She takes in every crumbling structure, every string of overgrown ivy, every loose brick torn from its home. She lets these images penetrate her skull allowing herself to get angry at what the Armored has done to her home and promising herself that she will get revenge on this day.
Her attention turns forward as they depart the walls and enter the open Titan infested field. She rides quickly with Hal at her side as they approach the ominous horizon. She watches as grey clouds loom in the direction they ride to, and Willow feels her heart race, hoping it does not rain on them on this day. Just this day, she prays for nothing to go wrong.
She rides hard as they approach the area the Armored last fought them. If her assessment on the beast is correct, he wants to kill them, and with their presence here, he won't be able to resist an opportunity to come out for the kill.
Willow looks forward in dread at the incoming storm as a wall of torrential downpour awaits them. She swallows hard, never using her ODM gear before in rain, and does not know how the water will affect the mechanisms of her gear. She pushes the worries from her head, knowing that it will only cloud her focus.
They hit the wall of rain and within seconds, they are drenched and trapped in a fog that obscures their vision. Willow's heart races as she can hardly see a yard ahead of her. She glances over at Hal, whom she can barely see his outline through the fog and rain that pours in her eyes. She lifts her arm in hopes to shield her eyes from the rain, but it is useless.
She looks back to see if she can spot Levi Squad, but they are nowhere in view. She begins to panic as she wonders if they will be able to see the Armored and attack effectively. She also wonders if she and Hal will be able to coordinate their attacks together. With the concerns that Hal brought to Erwin regarding the Armored's potential ability to understand them, they are to coordinate an attack with one another without saying a word. Willow trusts Hal more than anyone in the Scouts and knows that they will be able to pull this off, but worries if the lack of visual cues will cause them to desynchronize their attacks.
She shakes the idea out of her head and continues to press forward, trying to keep the idea of how they will even see the Armored in this downpour.
She hears a lightning strike next to her, and the force blows her off of her horse. She quickly scrambles to her feet, watching as the horse runs off into the storm. Willow panics, in the open field with no visibility of where she is. "Hal!" she screams over the sound of whistling wind and downpour.
A large thump responds and Willow steps back, pressing on her gas to fling her back as the Armored reaches out for her. She smiles to herself that they effectively lured this ugly thing to attack. She grapples onto the chest of the Armored and propels herself at him with vicious speed. She lifts her swords and digs them into the crease of the Armored's armpit. The Armored roars at her attack and she laughs to herself that he is drawing Hal straight to him. She looks down to see her blades do not break, and she smiles to herself for finding a tender spot.
As expected, Hal comes quickly after the Armored gives up his location to him. He attaches his hooks to the Titan's chest as Willow does and looks over at her. He sends her a proud smile and she nods once to him. They lift themselves into the air with their gas and without a word, they shoot themselves down, digging their swords into the creases of his deltoid muscles. They repeat this again and the Titan roars loudly at their coordinated attack.
Ben and James come flying in, attacking the back of the knees while Malik comes in with wild force, slashing both heels with a single strike. Miche Squad joins them from the cloud of smoke and Willow smiles to herself; with them here, they might have a chance against this thing. Miche and Nanaba work on slicing the Armored's spinal cord, but with every hit each slice results in a shattering blade.
The rain continues to pour, and Willow has no idea how far away Levi Squad is or how they will know where the Titan is, hoping they are close enough to hear the roaring. She figures she needs to get him crying again so they can pinpoint its location. She moves with Hal to strike once more, seeing they only need a few more strikes to render his arms useless.
Willow looks down when the Armored moves to kick the three who work on his legs. "Watch out!" she calls out, seeing the Armored pull his leg up. He kicks and everyone barely misses his attack. The Armored uses what little strength of his arm he has left and pulls Willow's hooks from its chest. He pulls on the hooks and tosses her into the obscurity of the storm. She latches onto the Titan's arm before she can fall into the nothingness of the storm and flings herself back into the action. Hal sees her launch herself at the arm and coordinates his attack to match hers.
They strike the shoulders with wild strength and the arms go down, falling limp at his sides. "Arms are down!" Hal yells as he and Willow move to the knees to aid James and Ben. They begin slicing the back of the knees and the Armored falls to the ground. It is working. They are taking out the Armored Titan!
Willow moves to coordinate a strike with Ben when he is snatched up by the Armored with wild force. Ben cries out in pain as the Armored grabs him in a tight grip. Willow watches with crazed eyes, realizing the Titan pretended to lose control of his arms so they would move on and he could blindside them. Willow removes her grapples and staggers away as the Armored grabs him with both hands, wringing and pulling Ben apart in two, killing the young boy instantly.
"Hal, his arms!" She shrieks as she grapples back onto his chest and slashes at his arms, shattering her blades.
James pulls back from the legs and so does Malik as Willow and Hal continue on the arms. Beads of sweat begin to form on her forehead as she panics, feeling a wave of helplessness crash against her, wondering where the hell Levi Squad is. James moves to assist Hal as Malik assists Willow with the arms, while Miche and Nanaba attack the heels. They need to take them clean off to ensure he does not have control of his limbs.
"CLEAR!" Willow's heart skips a beat as she hears Levi's voice calling out over the storm. They remove their grapples from the Armored and fling themselves away from the line of sight. The cannons erupt as they penetrate the Armored's hardened skin. She smiles to herself, taking this moment to jump in and attack while he is stunned.
Levi Squad joins in on the fight as they begin attacking. Petra and Oruo work on the arms while Willow and Hal move down to the legs with Malik and James at the heels. Eld, Gunther, and Levi all attack with wild formulated movements that stuns the Armored. They have him overwhelmed and this will be over soon.
They continue to attack when the Titan roars loudly, sending Petra and Oruo flying. Kira comes in to support in an attack but is snatched by the Titan and thrown off into the cloud. Her cries are silenced as she smashes to the ground and Willow gets hot with rage.
The rain pours heavier now, and it is getting harder for any of them to see. Levi calls out to Malik over the storm, but the Captain does not hear him. It is clear their vision is obscured and with the continuing downpour, Levi fears the mission's success. Hange should have been here by now, and he worries that if her squad was knocked off course, they have no chance of winning without the last round of shells.
"Malik!" Levi calls out, coming to the realization that Hange Squad is not coming. "We need to call it! The storm is too dangerous!"
Malik thrusts himself upwards to Levi, "We have him shocked, we will not have a chance like this again!"
"Malik, listen to me," Levi presses, however, before he can say anymore, the Armored moves to punch Levi while he is not looking, but Malik catches this intention and pushes the Captain away, launching Levi into the storm and him into the Titan's path. Levi turns back looking frantically in the storm for Malik, but he cannot see him, he can only hear the impact of the hit, and Nanaba's shrill cry.
"NO!" Nanaba rasps at the sight of Malik obliterated at the Armored's punch.
Willow freezes at the sight of weightless blood splatter hanging in the air before it showers down. She feels another wave crash over her, dragging her down and drowning her in panic as she frantically gasps for air, being pulled down by the weight of terror. Her body shakes and she is unable to move as she watches the droplets of blood and mangled limbs fall to the ground and disappear in the clouds around them. There is nothing left of him. He is gone.
Willow watches frozen as Nanaba flies down the path that Malik's body fell down, grabbing hold of him and embracing what is left of her lover as her wail is heard over the sounds of whistling wind and torrential downpour.
Willow tightens her grip on her swords, gathering her strength and not allowing his death to be meaningless. She cries out as she begins slashing at the Titan's face with vicious unplanned strikes. "Retreat!" Levi calls out, "All squads, retreat!"
Petra and Oruo pull back without hesitation while Gunther, Eld, and James follow behind as Miche Squad takes center point in driving the withdrawal. Section Commander Miche dives down to grab Nanaba, tearing the hysterical woman from the pile of limbs that remain of the man she loves.
"Willow, fall back!" Hal instructs her, following Levi's lead, but she does not. She is fully succumbed to the need to kill this fucking Titan, and will not allow it to live after killing her Squad.
Hal goes to grab for her but she pushes him away, wanting more than anything to kill this thing for destroying her life and taking everyone away from her. The Armored lifts from its knees and begins charging Willow and Hal. They kick off of him and fly to a nearby branch. Levi joins them and watches as the Armored lifts himself to charge.
They jump out of the Armored's range and onto another branch. The Armored continues to charge at them, and they continue to evade him, only pressing him closer to the walls. There is no escape with their current method, and if they continue evading him the way they are, they will only lead him to the others.
Hal looks down at Willow with fear lacing his eyes. He knows there is only one way to get her out of here safely, and it is to distract the Armored long enough for her to retreat as Malik's death worked as a distraction for Levi and Miche Squad.
"You need to get out of here," he begins, eyes fixated on the Armored.
"We can finish him—"
"No, Willow," he pushes sternly. "Get out of here, now!"
"It's pointless! He's just going to continue to charge at us!" She looks up at the wild look in his eyes and that is when she realizes what he is thinking, "Hal, no!" she says, not allowing him to sacrifice himself so she can leave.
"Don't you fucking argue with me!" he growls with desolate eyes that scare Willow. He looks over at Levi, knowing she will not listen to him. "Get her out of here, whatever you have to do."
Levi nods, understanding he needs to move quickly.
Hal looks over at Willow with sad eyes, taking her face between his hands, and examining every feature he has admired since he first saw her. He does not have time, but he needs to tell her. "I love you," he says to her sternly and clearly, so she hears him, "I always have." Her eyes widen and he shoves his lips onto hers, savoring the taste of her for only a second.
He pulls away from her before she can react to his kiss, and without hesitation, Levi takes hold of Willow's arm and she begins struggling in his grip. "HAL!" she shrieks wildly as he springs from the tree and straight for the Armored, blinding the Titan with the same one-hit attack that Willow did before.
Levi grapples onto a nearby branch and begins pulling Willow from the fight. "No!" she cries. "We can't leave him. I won't leave him!"
Levi pulls her away and she struggles in his grip, making it difficult for him to hold her. He grabs onto her tightly but she turns towards him, punching him in the face, startling him and causing him to lose his grip on her. She falls out of his grip and quickly grapples onto a tree, turning away from Levi to return to Hal. She launches herself through the clouds to watch in horror as the Armored charges at him and smashes him into a tree with his shoulder. His blood paints the tree, and as the Armored pulls back, there is nothing left of Hal but a red stain on the trunk.
Fury boils over her and she cries out as she charges at the Armored. She brings her blades upwards and begins stabbing into his eyes viciously, ready to cut him to pieces. She continues to stab wildly at his eyes, crying passionately at the realization that Malik and Hal are dead, and she has no one left.
Her vision blurs as she releases all her strength to kill the bastard. His hand comes up and he grabs her in his tight grip. She loses control of her arms and her hands drop her swords as he begins crushing her. She looks onto the face of the curious Titan that watches her with intelligence.
"I…will…kill…you," she promises weakly.
The Armored smiles at this, flinging her back into a tree. Willow groans, looking up at the sky through the tree line, watching as the clouds begin to clear, and the sun begins shining around her.
Levi watches in horror seeing the way her back wraps around the tree. He knows that she is dead and there is nothing more he can do. He wants to go and help her, take her back to Base and get her to the medic, but he knows it is a lost cause, and she is all but dead. Levi presses a destitute groan as he knows he is helpless to do anything, and with a clenched jaw and hatred constricting his chest, he turns away from her, leaving her there to die with the rest of her fallen squad.
End of Part 2