"Hey look, we can't go back to the Wall now." I look up from Eren's Titan to see what Jean refers to. Titans begin to swarm the road in front of us, blocking our immediate route to the Wall. Now with Mikasa in her state plus an unconscious Eren, we're in a pinch.

"We have to make a path," Reiner directs. "Armin, take care of Eren and Mikasa! I'm going!" Reiner leaps off, followed by Jean, Annie, and Bertholdt. I draw my blades but turn my head to Armin.

"Hey, Armin."

He looks up. "Huh?"

"As soon as we clear the path, you need to go. Given the nature of these Titans and our numbers, we can't stay here for long." He nods and I leap down, joining the others in the fight. We maneuver our way through the Titans, taking them down one by one. Yet the thought of Eren still dominates my mind. When I last saw him, he was down, bleeding, nearly dead. How in the hell did he become a Titan? How is it possible for a human to even become a Titan?

All these years I've known him, this isn't possible. Armin said he'd been eaten, right? Lost his arm too? How do you even begin to explain becoming a Titan because you were swallowed? No one and I mean literally no one, has done this before, or else we would've fought fire with fire. So...is there even an explanation for all of this? But there is one thing I know for sure. Eren doesn't know this himself.

"Elijah! Look out!" I stand on top of a building, clearly letting my thoughts get in the way of the mission as I turn to see one of those large, dark-colored, orange-marked, very hyper Titans charges towards my way, demolishing any structure in its path. I barely escape its lunge, letting it bodyslam the building I stood upon before taking flight. As I distance myself away from the Titan, the others swoop in, taking out their arms together. From my position, I lift my telescope to accurately pinpoint the Abnormal's nape and fire my hooks and gas. Seconds later, the Abnormal laid on the ground, me standing on its head.

I catch up with the others, in time to hear Reiner say "I just can't believe...that Titan was really Eren."

"Reiner…" I look to Bertholdt, seeing a wayward look on his face. I wonder what it is for, but ignore it for Jean's usual shouting.

"Dammit! When is Eren going to wake up?"

"Eren's gonna live, right?" Annie asks this of me, though I don't give her an answer. I'm still trying to process how he lived in the first place.

We encounter another one of those Hyper Titans by Armin and company's location at headquarters. He's quite the stubborn Titan, so the few of us and some lingering cadets we saved along the way swarmed the Titan and reduced it to its trunk and head before I ended its life.

With the area clear, we are now ready to get moving. Jean lands beside me, looking up to the tower from the ground. "We should be able to carry Eren to the Wall now. But what happened to him anyway?"

"There you are!" Christa, Connie, and Ymir look up towards me as I walk up to them. They situated themselves around a table. I find a spot nearby, sitting beside Jean. The wannabe MP silently sips on a canteen of water, "Thank goodness you're okay!"

I wave to the members of my squadron. "Hey, guys."

Christa looks around us. "Where are Eren and Mikasa? Don't tell me they..." I frown. Why would Christa worry about Mikasa… Oh. Ymir and Christa must have returned to the Wall when the signal was given, though now that I realize it, why didn't Connie head up with them? I don't remember seeing them when Mikasa and I got to the others from the rear guard. Then it registers she also asked about Eren, who we knew was most likely dead when we met with Armin. So...does she mean… I look to Jean, who gravely looks away from the others. They knew he came in with our group, so they must have asked him before I arrived.

Connie tries me. "Hey man, talk to us."

I sigh. "We can't"

"Huh? Why?"

Jean takes a sip of his water. "I'd tell you if I could. They slapped us with a gag order." Jean says. "I can't."

"A gag order?"

"What the… That's nuts."

"They're nuts if they think people aren't going to talk. Word will get out and it's for everyone to know… Well, that is, if we survive. You got to hand it to the Engineering Corps for putting the heap of rancid Titan corps to good use. Still just a barricade, though. We can't get too comfortable."

I think of the Engineering Corps. As Jean said, they're using the rotting corpses to lure the Titans close to the Wall and barrage them with cannons. I think of Hannes, one of the Garrison troops that survived Shiganshina and actually saved Eren and Mikasa. While I don't consider myself close to him, in the encounter I had with him this morning before I went to cannon duty, he seemed like a good man. "'Look after these three,'" he told me, "'especially Eren. Whatever trouble he gets into, Armin and Mikasa will easily be roped in.'"

"Yeah." I sigh, turning away from the group. While it seemed as if I was just walking away, in reality, I was searching for Mikasa and Eren. I hadn't seen them since we arrived at the Wall and now that Christa brings it up, I am getting worried about them. There is no telling what will happen to Eren now that it is known he can turn into a Titan.

"It's over!" I look up to see Marco and Sasha standing with a third cadet. Hold up, is that...

As I come close, I hear a cry from behind. "I can't take it!" Daz...he's running away. Fuck 'em, I'll deal with it later.

I say to myself as I begin to grip my fist. "Son of a bitch..."

"We can't keep fighting and fighting until we're all eaten! We've got to get out of here!"

"Quit it, Daz! Pull yourself together!" Marco shoves the other male off of him. "We're all scared, okay? It's not just you! Look at Sasha! She's still holding her head high even after being ambushed by a Titan!"

The puke Sasha emits a second later says otherwise. She holds her stomach in agony. "My stomach… It hurts so bad! I… I don't think I can fight anymore."

I'd tend to Sasha, but I'm too pissed off to show any concern right now. So I continue to walk to Marco and that Nose-wiping coward.

"My friends we're eaten right in front of me! And I didn't even feel sad or angry... All I could think was, 'I'm so glad that it wasn't me!' But... Next time it'll be me. I realized something. Essentially our job is to fight the Titans until they eat us, isn't it? I'D RATHER DIE RIGHT NOW THAN BE EATE-" My fist meets Daz's face before he could even unsheathe his sword.

Daz now lies on the ground, holding his face in pain, whimpering like a helpless child. Marco and Sasha look at me in shock. "E-Elijah..."

I ignore Marco as I kneel down to Daz and grab his shirt collar. "How fucking dare you? You think you're the only one who's lost people today?!"

Daz just shakes in fear, like he always has. Blood dripping out his nose. "Our job is fighting for a better future for humanity, but a spineless and pathetic coward like you couldn't even begin to understand that! I saw who you really are today. You ran away when your comrades needed you! And here you are screaming that you're glad it wasn't you. You have no Goddamn right!" I bring Daz's ugly mug closer to my face, and every word spoken by me is drenched with venom. "A coward like you has no place in a cruel world like this. It should've been you who died out there, not...them."

I drop Daz from my grip, and he lets out another whimper as his head meets the ground. He sits back up, only to find that he's pissed himself.

"Pathetic."

I begin to storm off to continue to search for the other residents of the Shiganshina District, but I'm stopped by a familiar voice. "Elijah, wait!"

I turn back and I see Sasha trying to catch up with me. I don't really want to speak to anyone else right now because I feel like I'll just bite their head off. At least it's only Sasha. "What?"

"Don't you think you...I don't know, went a little too far?"

"Sasha, he's lucky I only hit him once."

I began to storm off once more, but I felt Sasha grab my arm. "Elijah..."

"What?!"

My sudden shout caused her to jump a little, and she even backed up from me, but her hand is still firmly grasping my arm. Damn it. "I'm sorry...I just..."

"...did Daz...really run away?"

"Yes, Sasha. He abandoned us to save his own skin."

Sasha's concerned look turns to a look of disgust. "He really is a coward. What kind of soldier abandons his comrades?!"

"A weak, spineless, pathetic, and worthless one. As far as I'm concerned, if you abandon your fellow soldiers, you might as well have just stabbed them in the back."

"I mean I get scared too, but I would never abandon my friends!"

"I know you wouldn't Sasha, don't go comparing yourself to a coward like him. You're honestly one of the strongest people I know."

Sasha smiles at me, but only for a second before she looks away. Soon she speaks again, but she still doesn't look at me. "How...how do you do it, Elijah?"

"Do what?"

"Keep fighting after...everything that's happened. I know a lot of us have seen what happened out there, but you just keep going like it's nothing, especially after see-" Sasha stops herself from finishing that sentence, even though I know exactly what she was going to say. She's aware of how close I was to them, she was even close with Mina, not as much as I was, but they were still close. "Sorry."

"...I keep fighting...because we don't have a choice, Sasha. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. Either we fight, or we die."

"I know...but..."

"Remember what you found today?" I'm referring to the meat Sasha stole, the same meat we all were supposed to share together before...all of this.

"Y-Yeah?"

"Think of how much better it'll be when you... No, when we come out of this alive."

That seemed to lift up her spirits, even if it was only for just a moment. Sasha laughs a little before she scratches the back of her head. "Haha...yeah. You did say that you would grill it for us."

I laugh with her. "Yeah, I did didn't I?"

Even after all the hell we went through, we can still find the light in the darkest of times. I smile at Sasha once more, and I take my leave. "You get some rest Sasha, I'll see you soon."

"Stay safe."

"You too."

Now, where the hell are those three?

This search leads me to the roofs of the buildings outside of the inner gate, where for now the Garrison remains. From my perch, I easily spot the gathering of soldiers in one area. They stand on the steps of a theater-like setting, with the lower ground "stage" occupied by Mikasa standing guard over Armin and Eren. Mikasa has her swords drawn, ready to defend Eren if possible, but I can see her worry for him in her face. She's still emotional.

Waiting to see what happens, I settle myself on the roof closest to the gathering, deciding to intervene when needed. I can barely see Eren's face from here, but I can tell he's barely registering where he is. I don't think he's fully conscious yet. Armin hunches over him, either just holding our friend up or actually trying to wake him. Mikasa just stands there, gazing at the multitude of blades drawn against them. Oh, she just caught my presence. She stares for a moment but breaks the stare as Armin calls out Eren's name. Apparently, the boy finally came to his senses. Mikasa speaks to Eren for a moment, then it looks as if he speaks back to them, only to be interrupted by the Garrison Regiment captain Kitz.

"Cadets Eren Jaeger, as well as Mikasa Ackermann and Armin Arlelt! The three of you have jointly committed an act of treason!" Treason? Treason?! No, that's impossible! I find my hands on my swords unconsciously. What is treason is killing our one weapon against the Titans! Even if Eren is a threat, the survival of the 104th Cadet Corps is due to Eren defeating many of the Titans when we were helpless. "Whether or not a swift execution is the result depends on you! Any attempt to move from where you stand, anything I deem the least bit suspicious will be met with cannon fire. Do not test me. Answer carefully, Eren Jaeger. What exactly are you? Human? Or Titan?"

The confusion on Eren's face confirms it. He doesn't even know what happened, at least not consciously. One moment he's being eaten, the next he's going to be shot at. He finds an answer anyway. "I d-don't understand the question!"

"Monster! Try that again and I'll blow you to pieces. It just takes an instant! You won't have time to reveal your true form!"

"True form?"

"Plenty of people saw you, as you emerged from within a Titan! Humanity has permitted an unknown creature like you to infiltrate Wall Rose! Even if you are trainees given to us by the King, the safest course is to eliminate the risk immediately! My thinking is correct! The Armored Titan that destroyed Wall Maria could appear at any minute. Right now, humanity is at risk of annihilation! Do you understand? We can't waste more time or troops on you! My conscience will not falter to watch you die!"

As the Garrison troops begin to vocalize their opinion of ending Eren while he's vulnerable, Mikasa steps up. I've never seen such darkness on a woman's face in my life, but given the circumstances, Mikasa is well within her right to be angry. But her anger usually gets her in trouble...I prepare myself to jump in. "My specialty...is tearing through flesh. If necessary, I'm willing to demonstrate at any time. If anyone would like to experience it firsthand, I invite them to be the first to approach."

I land right in front of Mikasa, much to the surprise of the Garrison troops. I hold both her blades away from me and the others. "Mikasa! What in the hell are you thinking that this will help Eren?!" I look to Eren, nodding to him. "Look what shit you got us in now."

"Hey... Mikasa... Elijah... Armin! What's going on here?"

I ignore Eren for the struggling Mikasa, who adamantly wants out of my grip. "Let me go, Elijah."

"Mikasa," Armin calls, "you can't fight against humans! Inside the Walls, there's nowhere left for you to run!"

Mikasa stops fighting me, and I let her go. However, I do not step aside, letting her anger focus on me. "It doesn't matter who I must fight. I won't let anyone kill Eren. I don't need any other reason."

"Let's talk this through! No one knows what's going on, so they're ruled by fear!"

"Armin is right. We have to talk this out. There's already been enough bloodshed, the last thing we need right now is to spill each other's." I turn around, facing the captain. I knew there wasn't a chance he would change his mind, but his soldiers, the masses, that's where I need to aim my argument. "It's true captain, many of us saw Eren rise from out of a Titan's body. But this boy is also the one who saved many of our comrades. Many others who saw him can make the same claim as me! They were saved by a Titan who didn't target humans, but other Titans! He's right here behind me! If you kill him now, do you realize what you have done? He's a Titan we can use to our advantage!"

No one speaks for a solid minute. Maybe I convinced them? My tension lowers but doesn't subside fully. I turn to Mikasa, swords drawn but her aggression not as apparent. If my speech doesn't stop the Garrison, we're dead.

"One more time! Are you a human, or a Titan?" Damn, Woermann is a bastard, a scared bastard at that. I turn to Eren, knowing that his answer is now our saving grace. Say human, Eren! You are a human!

Eren faces the captain, proudly shouting "A human!" The four of us look to Woermann, hoping that he'll believe Eren. The wind stills, and given my previous encounters with the wind suddenly ceasing, I know the worst is yet to come.

"I see... Then don't hate me for this." He begins to lift his right hand, and we now know our fate. "There's no avoiding it. No one can prove that they are not the devil."

"Eren! Armin! Elijah! Head for the Wall!" I follow Mikasa and the others as we scramble to the Wall. Eren fights out of Mikasa's hold, then grabs the four of us as Woermann's arm comes down, and the cannon fires. In a flash of golden light, three things become apparent to me.

One, we're fucking alive.

Two, Eren is gone.

Three, there is half a Titan above us.

"I...remember hearing the cannon fire" I hear Armin's shuddering voice beside me. "There was a tremendous noise, crushing impact, an immense noise after that, and now we're inside a massive skeleton."

"Eren protected us." Mikasa quickly adds. "That's all we need to know for now."

I sigh, looking up at our "protector" of a husk. "As if there's anything else more to understand." What more can be said? Woermann ordered our deaths...we lived. Fuck him and the entire Garrison.

"Hey!" We turn to a running Eren, appearing out of the smoke. "Are you guys okay?!"

Armin speaks as if he's still unsure of what is going on. "Eren? What is this..?"

Eren shrugs. "No idea... But this thing will soon dissipate like any other Titan corpse... Let's get out of here!" We get up, but Eren doesn't go too far out of the smoky walls around us. "Are they in shock, or just waiting to see what we'll do? The Garrison isn't doing anything right now, but... They'll attack again before long."

I dust myself off. "So no chances of negotiating?"

Eren looks up to the remains of his Titan. "I don't have the confidence to negotiate with them after showing them this. But I started to remember one thing." He holds the key around his neck to us. "The cellar. The cellar of my home. My dad said I'd understand everything if I went back there. He's also the one responsible for what I've become. If I get to the cellar, I might just find out the truth behind the Titans as well… Dammit!" Eren slams his hand on one of the ribs of his Titan form. "Why'd he hide it, then? Wasn't that the information the legion was looking for, even if it cost them thousands of lives? Wasn't that mankind's hope? And it was locked away in our cellar all along? What the hell was he thinking?"

"Mikasa." I notice the smoke around us clearing, dense to hide us still but enough to filter more light inside. Soon, we'll be exposed.

"He's left us on our own for five years now."

"Eren." Mikasa grabs his shoulder, interrupting his monologue. "We've got other matters to deal with right now."

"Right." We make our move, but not far. We get out from under the Titan just as the skull falls, giving us more time under the blanket of debris. Eren gathers us together, possibly with a plan in mind. "I'm going to get out of here."

That's a terrible plan. "What?"

"Where are going to go? And how?"

"To begin with, anywhere but here. Then I'll get over the Wall and head for the cellar. After I transform into a Titan again, that is."

"Can you do such a thing?" Armin questions.

Eren sighs. "I'm not exactly sure how I'm doing this myself. But I think I can. It's very hard to explain with a word how I move my arm. At that moment, all I thought about was protecting us from that cannonball. That explains the skeleton's decay, losing durability and other functions." Eren makes a fist, determinedly stating, "I'll become a more powerful one this time. One that fifteen meters tall, like when I beat the shit out of those Titans."

"Eren." He looks up to Mikasa, who with concern points out "Your nose is bleeding." Eren wipes it, but his diagnosis is not over.

"You're really pale and breathing heavily. That's going to be something abnormal with your body."

"Armin's right. You need to rest."

"How I feel doesn't matter. I've come up with two options. First, if you guys don't try to protect me, Al least they won't kill you. Although I've already caused you trouble. I'm thinking of leaving here alone."

Armin gasps. "No kidding… I-"

"Eren." Mikasa calmly gazes at Eren and it reflects in her words. "I'm coming with you."

"No!"

"If I can't keep up, you don't need to worry about me. But I don't have to do what you say."

"I've told you to stop all that! I'm not your little brother, and I'm not a child!" As they argue, I stand up. We're wasting time to make a sound escape. Any moment now, Woermann will order another attack. Why can't we talk about this once we escape on our way back home?

Home? Wait, when did I decide I would tag along with Eren? There's no way we could make it from Wall Maria to Wall Rose alone! Even with Mikasa, Armin, and Eren's Titan ability, it is suicide. If, if, we make it back to Shiganshina, if we make it to Eren's home...then we'll have Grisha Jaeger's discovery. Whatever he was hiding...whatever the key shall reveal… I tighten my fist, knowing that in my mind, no matter how much I fight it, I am just like Mikasa. For the last five years, no, my whole life, I've known them, grown up with them, trained with them, nearly died many times today just for them. There's no way I would let Eren off on his own...but logically there's no way we'll make it back home.

"Eren, I.."

"Wait, Mikasa. I said I've come up with two options." Eren now turns his attention to Armin. "Armin, I'll let you decide."

"Huh?" Seems our blonde friend is within his own head as I was.

"I know what I just said isn't that realistic. The smartest thing to do would be able to stay with the troops and use this ability strategically. I know it's crazy... But if you think you can convince the Garrison I'm not a threat right now, I will trust your judgment and follow your lead. That's my second option. If you say you can't, I'll do what I described before."

"But Elijah already tried."

I nod. "You're right, I tried reasoning with them, but you, Armin, are far better with words than I am."

Eren focuses his stare. "You have fifteen seconds to decide. Whether or not you can, I'll respect your decision."

Armin, overwhelmed with the idea he decides Eren's course of action, takes a moment to breathe and comprehend what Eren is asking of him. "Eren, why would you entrust me with this choice?"

Eren, despite the situation, smirks. "Whenever things get really bad, you always know the right thing to do. And I want to rely on you."

"There have been plenty of times. Five years ago, If you hadn't called Hannes for help, Mikasa and I would've been eaten by the Titans."

"Take today as well." I smile to Armin, pointing at the Wall. "You, not me, not Mikasa, are the reason we got out of the HQ building alive, that we're not still in there now. You got Eren to get over there. You made a risky plan that paid off. If there's anyone who can make a major decision right now, it is you, Armin."

Armin gasps as if Eren and I broke his mind by revealing how important he is to us. At the same time, the upper part of the Titan's backbone falls apart. "That's how you see me? You don't think I'm a poor excuse for a friend? I had convinced myself that I was just a burden to all of you. But you never… You never thought of me that way at all!"

"Armin! We're out of time!"

I am proud to say he made the right decision. We gasp as Armin stands up with determination. "I will persuade them. The three of you, avoid doing anything that'd make them think you're a threat.

Eren and I will try, though I can't speak for Mikasa. The three of us nod in the assurance we'll be as non-aggressive as we can. Armin steps away. He discards his ODM gear in a surprising fashion before he vanishes behind the smoke. I stare at the gear lying on the ground, my smile fading. I bow my head, letting my thoughts unintentionally become words. "What could Armin say that I didn't?"

"Stop! ...You've finally shown your true self, monster! I'll do it! I'll give the signal!"

"He is not an enemy of humanity! We are prepared to share all the information we have!"

"I'm not interested in hearing you plead for your lives! How can I believe you, when he's shown us all what he really is? If you say he's not an enemy, then prove it! If you can't, I'll be forced to eliminate the threat!"

"There is no need for proof!" What? What are you trying to say, Armin? "The question isn't what we think of him!"

"What did you say?"

"Just as Elijah says, many of you saw him! You saw him fighting the Titans! And you saw the Titans swarm him! That means the Titans recognize him the same way they see each and every human being, as their prey! It doesn't matter how else you may look at it! That is the truth, no matter what we may think or believe!"

"Armin..." I say to myself. I focused so much on Eren attacking the Titans that I forgot that the Titans attacked Eren. How did I forget such a crucial detail? If Armin's argument is anything, it should be convincing. The Titans don't consider Eren one of them, but one of us. Because he is one of us.

"Prepare to attack!" We gasped as Woermann's words cut through the silence. Did Armin not convince the Garrison? "Don't let yourself be swayed by his cunning lies! The Titans' behavior has always been beyond our comprehension. I wouldn't put it past them to assume human form. He's speaking our language in an attempt to deceive us! I refuse to let them continue this behavior unchecked!"

"So much for persuasion." I look to Eren, trying my best to stay cool. "When you run, I'm coming with you."

"Huh?" Eren's confused look is almost comical, yet I'm in no mood to laugh. "Why would you come?"

"Eren, we share the same goal, the extermination of the Titans, vengeance for our parents' deaths five years ago. Is that not what bonded us?" I look away, to the flowers Armin called out earlier. "I owe everything to you."

On the boat, I let the tears stream down my face as I face the reality of what's happening. The Titans are attacking, we are losing our home, and my parents..."Mom...Dad..."

"Those Titans...I'm going to kill them all." I turned to the right, seeing three other kids my age. I recognize them from school. The short-haired blonde of the group, wearing a blue jacket, brown suspenders, and a white shirt is the shy but smart Armin Arlelt. The girl beside him wearing a white dress, a tan sweater, and a red scarf around her neck is Mikasa Ackermann, the toughest girl I have ever met. She scared most boys, but I never felt it myself. The last of the trio stands on the side of the boat, his words being the reason I looked over to them. He is black-haired, wearing dark pants, a green shirt, and a red jacket is the hot-headed leader of the trio, Eren Jaeger. He stared at the water as his friends joined him, screaming out to the land, "Every single one."

I look away, and I pull out what remains of my family besides myself, my mother's beloved necklace. A single tear dropped right on top of it, and I clutched it tightly and held it close to my heart. I silently allow Eren's words to dwell in my mind. For my parents...my friends...my neighbors...my hometown...I must fight back and join the military, and the front lines of action too. Not the Military Police who rather stay safe in the capital, or the Garrison who became lax in their protective efforts. I will wear the green cloak of the Scouts, and risk my life to destroy the Titans.

If I ever meet that titan again, the one who will be known as the Armored Titan, I will kill it myself, I'll make it pay for destroying not only our home but my family. As long as there's breath in my body and a beat in my heart...

"I...will...kill it."

"That day, your words gave me purpose. That purpose...will make me follow you to the end, wherever that may be." With the smoke now gone, I see Armin's fearful expression. We stare back, silently encouraging him.

He turns back around, hitting the salute of the military. "I am a soldier! I swore long ago to dedicate my life to the revival of humanity! If that pursuit were to cost me my life, I would be glad! If we use his Titan powers and the forces we still have, we could take back this town! With my final breath before my death, I shall wish for humanity's glory, and try to persuade you of his strategic value!"

"Captain Woermann," one of the two people standing with Woermann, Ian if I remember, says. "His words are worth considering, sir. Maybe we should-"

"Shut up!" Woermann looks back at us, hysteria etched on his face. He begins to raise his hand again. Eren prepares to bite his hand again, Mikasa and I reach for our blades, and Woermann...doesn't bring his hand down.

"Enough. As big as you are, you've always been as delicate as a newborn fawn."

The commander turns to a shorter, older, bald-headed man. "Commander Pyxis!"

"Do you not see his splendid salute? I've just arrived, but messengers have kept me abreast of the situation. You go command the reinforcements. I think we should listen to them..."

I have never felt such relief before in my entire life.

"No luck, huh? I wouldn't mind being eaten by a really beautiful Titan woman." I look to Eren, both of us wondering what would Commander Pyxis consider a "beautiful" Titan. He seemed to be quite an eccentric fellow from what I can gather. He listened to the four of us recount the previous battle and Eren's plan to return home. He straightens up, folding his hands behind him. "I see. And if we reach this basement, we'll understand everything?"

"Yes... Will you believe me?"

"As long as you, yourself, lack absolute conviction, I can't promise more than I'll keep that in mind. But I do take pride in being able to recognize the truth of what I see. I'll guarantee your safety." We all gasp in relief, happy to know we'll live another...hour guaranteed, Pyxis looks to my right, to Armin. "Trainee Arlelt, was it?"

Armin salutes. "Yes, sir!"

"Back there, you said we could use the Titan's power to reclaim this city. Did you really think so? Or was it just a plea to save your life?"

Armin's stance slacks a but. "Well... Both. What I meant was to have Eren become a Titan, then move that boulder to seal the destroyed gate. But that was just an idea... I thought I could get them to at least consider using Eren's power to find a way out of our predicament."

"Hmm." Pyxis turns back to the city.

"Of course, I wanted to survive!"

"You wanted to survive. I can trust those words more than any others." The commander takes a drink, walks up, and kneels to Eren. "Well, Trainee Jaeger?"

"Yes?"

"Can you seal that hole?"

"Well... Well... I don't know. I don't know much more than everyone else does. So... whether I can do it or not, I can't answer you for sure when I don't know."

"That's true. I'm sorry. I asked the wrong question. Will you do it? Or won't you?"

The four of us share see same look of confusion and shock when the Commander asks Eren that second question. From my perspective, it sounded more like a threat, that if Eren won't do it, something far worse would happen to him. Pyxis then looks off into the distance, and Eren, myself, and the other two look along with him. Then I finally understood. If Eren can't seal the hole, then Trost won't be the only place that falls, soon it will be other villages, more cities, and more innocent people will die if we fail here today. I for one will not stand idly by and let these monsters take anything else away from us, away from me.

Eren looks back to the commander. "I'll do it. I'll do it! I don't know whether I can seal the hole... But I'll do it!"