Attack On Titan: Wings Of Crystal
Chapter 51: Homecoming
The next day, the Warriors awoke from what must've been a long, well-deserved rest. Their wounds had fully healed. Their stamina was completely restored. And they were fully rested and ready to travel back to their homeland of Marley.
The Omega Unit had no reason to wait around any longer. They immediately began work on gathering their belongings and loading them onto the Cart's back. Reiner, Bertolt, and Lazarus handled all the heavy lifting while Annie was put in charge of checking everything, and everyone was accounted for. Zeke just stood there and watched his unit work.
He gazes over at Michael sitting against the wall beside the door with Erwin. He was no longer wearing his torn-up Scout uniform. He was wearing a plain white shirt, brown trousers, black shoes, and a black coat over his shirt. Michael had found them stashed away in one of the castle's wardrobes. It was the only set of clothes he could find that fit him, least dirty, and not full of holes. Erwin didn't like them, but he understood why he needed to wear them. If the Marleyans saw him in uniform, they wouldn't hesitate to shoot him. As far as they must know, he's just another Eldian citizen.
He notices Zeke watching and just glares back at him. Both individuals held a load of resentment for the other. Erwin hated him for all the Scout lives he's taken as the Beast Titan both before and during the suicide charge. And Zeke despised him for being a constant annoyance and obstacle in his plan to retrieve the Coordinate. As well as the fact that he was the one coming back with them instead of Eren.
He thinks back to the exchange of backlash between him and Erwin after his talk with Lazarus. Both sides were about ready to tear each other apart if it hadn't been for Michael and Lazarus getting in between them.
Lazarus explained their situation and made it clear to the others that Erwin was not going to be a threat to them, nor would he be involved in any more of their unit's operations. He is only Michael's father from this moment on. The other Warriors inevitably agreed to the proposal and would have no problem with their former commander returning home with them.
But all Zeke could think about was how he was gonna explain this to Commander Magath and the Brass. Not only will he have to tell them they failed to recover the Founding Titan, after agreeing to send Pieck and supplies to aid them. But now they were returning with an Eldian prisoner. The Crystal Titan might not be enough to compensate for Lazarus's mistake.
"Everything alright, Dad?" Michael asked, concerned about the look he was giving Zeke.
"I still can't get over that man's actions during the battle of Shiganshina." He quietly responded, making sure the bearded man didn't hear him. "He killed those young soldiers who agreed to follow me to their deaths. He celebrated as their horses came crashing down and their bodies were torn to shreds by flying rocks. Lazarus may've done worse, but at least he didn't laugh in the faces of the dead. Why would anyone ever follow such a man like that?"
"From what Lazarus told me about him, he wasn't always like this." Michael defended the War Chief. "He hasn't exactly been here very long. Unlike Laz and the others, he never got the chance to properly understand us as people. He still saw you as devils."
"I don't trust him," Erwin uttered.
"I don't either. But I trust Lazarus, and he trusts him. He has been there for Lazarus shortly after I disappeared. He filled in the role of an older brother figure to him in my place. Lazarus probably wouldn't have been made a Warrior if it weren't for him and his mentor… We don't have to like the guy. But we will be stuck with him on the flight back home. You're gonna have to hold back your emotions until we get there."
Michael was expecting Erwin to refuse or grunt in response to that idea. But instead, Erwin started to chuckle to himself, causing him to raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"What's so funny?"
"It's just that… you're using my own words against me. In the past, I told you that you shouldn't let your emotions cloud your judgment when out in the field. Now I feel like the roles have been reversed. You're the soldier, and I'm the victim." Erwin explained as his smile slowly faded away.
Michael began to chuckle as well. He wasn't wrong there. Their situation is almost like the opposite of their first encounter in the forest of giant trees. The only difference is that Erwin still has his memories of his past life. A life he's now forced to abandon to be with his son, as well as provide whatever help he can for his and Lazarus's goal. But only Lazarus and Michael. The rest of the Omega Unit and Marley meant nothing to him.
"Hey, Zeke! Everything's loaded up in the cart and Pieck says she's ready to go." Lazarus called out to him from atop the cart.
"Then what are we still doing standing here? Let's finally get off this island."
"Hold on, Laz. We've got a problem." Bertolt points over at the cart itself. "There's not enough room for all of us and the cargo."
"Hmm, you're right." Zeke examined the cart after looking over the number of people in their group. With the five of them, plus Annie and Erwin. That made a total of seven people. The cart would be cramped if they all made room for each other. They'd also be sitting atop the cargo with no safety measures. One or two of them could fall off and into the sea once they take off.
"Good thing you've got me then," Michael spoke up as he approached the Cart Titan. "Pieck, right?"
"That's right." The Cart Titan replied in its raspy voice.
"I'm gonna need you to stand still, got it?"
The Cart Titan nods and lays down to keep itself steady. Once that's done, Michael rubs his hands together, charging up arcs of Titan energy in his hands. He then places them atop the cart. The charged-up energy spreads all over the cart and crystals start to grow out of its side and on the back end. The crystals stretch outwards, forming an extended platform on the left, right and back sides of the cart, while the front was left untouched, so Pieck doesn't accidentally hit her head.
That was only the start of it. He then added a set of railing on the edges of the extended cart to keep the Warriors and cargo secure and ensure they don't fall over the sides. Once it was complete, the Cart Titan slowly started to get back up. She was expecting the crystals to make the load on her back much heavier than before. But surprisingly, there was very little weight difference. It was only slightly heavier, but not enough to slow her pace. However, that could change once the passengers came aboard.
As a finishing touch, Michael creates a couple of steps leading up to the cart, providing easy access for the others.
"Ta-da!" Michael declared proudly as he presented his creation to the others.
"Good job, Michael. Looks great." Lazarus was the first to compliment his work.
"Yeah, way to go," Bertolt added as he clapped his hands.
"Impressive, Michael," Zeke concluded as he climbed up the stairs, being the first one to board the Cart Titan. "Your powers will be a big help to us in the future... Hopefully, the Brass will think so too." He muttered that last part to himself.
With that said and done, the rest of the Warriors followed and took their places atop the extended cart. Zeke was sitting in the middle near the front, resting his arms on the railing behind the Cart Titan's head. Annie and Reiner unexpectedly ended up sitting on the left side of the cart at the same time. This created some tension between the two of them. Annie still hadn't gotten over what he'd done to her with Marcel and Marco's deaths.
Noticing this, Lazarus decided to get in between them and break off what would've led to an awkward moment. Michael and Bertolt sat on the right side together.
Erwin was the last one to climb aboard. He was hesitant at first, but eventually accepted his fate and climbed the steps. He looked back at the open fields in the direction of Wall Maria. Deciding to get one last glimpse of his home before leaving Paradis for what may be the rest of his life.
Once aboard, he decided to sit at the back platform away from the others. He didn't feel comfortable being around any of them. Had Bertolt not been there, he wouldn't have minded sitting next to Michael. It was for the best, he thought. Looking at Bertolt reminded him of the day Shiganshina fell by the single kick of his Colossal Titan.
That reminder suddenly brought something to his attention. Levi must still have the Titan serum he entrusted to him. Since all the Warriors were present and accounted for, he wondered if they might still have it. He also wondered how Levi and the others must be doing right now. Do they truly believe he is dead? By now they must've noticed his body was missing. He began to wonder if Hange might put together a rescue party to get him back and they're heading this way right now.
"No." Erwin denied himself. "Hange would've put Eren, and the remaining Scouts safety first. She would never risk the lives of what's left of our regiment chasing a rumour. They can't know for certain if I'm alive. Even if they did believe it, there's nothing they can do now. It's too late for me to turn back."
Once everyone was safely aboard, Michael dissipated the crystal steps and the Cart Titan began its long trek across the lands, making its way south beyond Wall Maria towards the coastline at the edge of the island.
The Warriors held on tight to the railings behind them as the Cart Titan sprinted across the lands, leaving the outpost they camped at behind. Everyone looked back as they reflected on everything they'd been through on this island.
They'd been living there for so long that they'd almost forgotten that Marley was their true home. It is where all of their friends and families are, awaiting the long-awaited return of the Omega Unit.
Lazarus, Michael, Reiner, and Bertolt were the only ones who were going to miss this place. Despite all the hardships. All the pain. All the suffering. They can't deny that some good came out of their time there. The friendships they've made with the 104th cadets. Seeing the difference in the culture of the people compared to the more advanced civilisation they grew up in. And of course, the times they've spent as soldiers. It was nice while it lasted.
Zeke and Pieck weren't here long enough to get to know these people as they did. Marcel was killed before he even had a chance to fight for his country. And Annie, she wasn't as close to the others as much as they were. Though even she will admit that there were a few people she formed an attachment with. Like Armin and Hitch. They were alright in her eyes. But at the end of it all, her only desire is to finally return home and reunite with her father. And maybe once the war ends and things calm down, she and Lazarus can focus on their relationship.
Which she just realised was probably the only memorable moment of her time on Paradis. The day she and Lazarus declared their love for one another. If it wasn't followed up with her identity being revealed and then getting captured, it would've been perfect, she thought.
The Warriors, and Erwin, all sat in complete silence throughout most of the trip to the shores. They all mostly kept to themselves to pass the time, with an occasional exchange of words between them.
Strange enough, they hadn't encountered many Titans on the way apart from the occasional few. But they were often in the distance, and those that weren't paid them no mind. Even if one or two Titans did feel the urge to chase after them, the Cart Titan was too fast for any of them to catch up, so they didn't worry about being attacked.
Erwin's eyes haven't left the road behind them once since their departure. Michael wondered what must be going through his mind. Was he starting to have second thoughts about going with them? Regrets about leaving the Scouts behind? Does he now view himself as a traitor to the people within the walls for making them believe he's dead and leaving everything he's built as commander behind?
Deep down, Michael knows he's being selfish for forcing Erwin to choose between him and the Scout Regiment. But he can't help but wish for him to be by his side. For things to go back to the way they were before with him. Just as much as he wanted him and Lazarus to go back to how they were before he left to break his family curse. He didn't want to choose between the two lives he's forged. He wanted both. It may make him seem like a bad person in the eyes of some people. But if he can look past Lazarus's actions, Erwin might do the same for him.
"Hey, Michael." Bertolt quietly spoke up as he stared down at the crystal floor he was sitting on.
"What's up, Bertolt?"
"I never thanked you… for saving my life. If it weren't for you, they would've fed me to a soldier, and the Colossal Titan would've been in their hands." He looks over at Zeke who is too focused on the path ahead, rather than looking back like everyone else.
"Reiner told me he was ready to leave me behind. That I wasn't worth the effort." He then glances at Michael next to him. "But you risked a lot to ensure that they couldn't get me. I wouldn't be sitting here if it weren't for you. So, thank you."
"You don't have to thank me. I'd have done the same for any of the others." He assured him.
"Why though?" Annie questioned him, drawing his attention to her. "I know a lot of time has passed since I was captured. But I still can't get over the fact that the last time I saw you, you tried to kill me. The first time you transformed, you tore my Titan body to pieces."
"That wasn't him, Annie," Lazarus spoke up, defending him. "Like Eren, he couldn't control his power. His ancestors were the ones that attacked you so viciously, not him."
"But his intentions were still to kill us." Annie reminded him. "Had this happened a couple of weeks ago, he never would've risked his life to save the one who broke the wall… What changed? And don't say it was because you got your memories back. That alone can't have swayed you to join us."
Annie's accusations piqued Erwin's curiosity. He already knew why Michael decided to join them. It was because of Lazarus. But the others he didn't know from childhood. He'd only met them during the 104th Cadet Corps. But he never got to know who they were until their Titan identities were revealed.
"It's true that I first viewed you guys as the enemy. I still don't agree with your methods, but I understand now that you had no choice. You're not to blame. Marley is… I'd save you because you guys were there for Lazarus when I was not. You became his friend. And that makes you all my friend too." He answered honestly.
Reiner nodded in response, glad to hear that all the toxicity between them was now officially behind them. Bertolt felt the same way. Annie didn't show it, but she too was thankful. Though it was gonna take some getting used to.
The group remained silent for the remainder of the trek until the Cart Titan crossed the desert biome and reached the wall that stood between them and the sea. The Cart Titan came to a sudden halt a few feet away from the wall.
"Ok, Lazarus, this is where you get off. We'll be waiting for you atop the wall." Zeke addressed him.
"On it." Lazarus simply responded before vaulting over the railing and landing hard on his knees in the soft sand.
As soon as he was dropped off, the Cart Titan ran alongside the wall in the direction of a slope that led up to it. It was the safest way to get up without dropping the cargo and the passengers.
Once Pieck was safely atop the wall, Lazarus made some distance between himself and them. He needed to be at a safe enough distance for him to transform, build up enough momentum for take-off, then be ready to collect the others and fly straight for Marley.
The others all watch as Lazarus triggers his Titan transformation and morphs into the Winged Titan yet again.
He takes a couple of big steps back, preparing for the big run-up. But before he could do so, he was suddenly jumped by two fifteen-meter Titans. Their arms were wrapped around his body, preventing him from spreading his wings.
"What the hell?! Where'd those Titans come from?!" Reiner blurted out.
"I didn't see any Titan's following behind us on the way here." Michael pointed out.
"Nor did I," Erwin added, speaking up for the first time since they'd left.
"Everyone stay put. Lazarus can handle them. He's made it out of far worse situations than this." Zeke instructed/reassured them.
"Get off me!" The Winged Titan roared. But the Titans didn't respond to his orders. "Shit. These aren't infected with my spinal fluid. I'm gonna have to improvise."
The Winged Titan uses its super strength to perform an overhead throw with one of the Titans until it was buried neck deep in the sand. Now that his wings are free, he puts them to use and takes out the other Titan's legs with the sharp-tipped ends of them, causing them to fall into the sand alongside the other one.
He quickly gained some more distance away from them before they had the chance to recover. But there was another problem. More Pure Titans were heading straight for him. There were dozens of them. All of them are ready to pounce on Lazarus and pin him down.
"Shit! All those Titans we've passed on the way here have finally caught up to us!" Michael warned the others.
"He won't be able to take on those many Titans on his own," Reiner added.
"…Unless he uses that devastating blast again." Bertolt hesitantly reminded them.
The others all turn to him in shock. Except for Zeke and Annie. Neither of them had seen the Hellfire Force for themselves, so they had difficulty understanding what he meant.
"What blast?" She asked.
"The same one he unleashed during his first transformation that destroyed Odiha," Zeke answered before Bertolt had the chance to. "Don't worry, he won't unleash it while we're here. He'd never put any of us in harm's way."
"On that alone, we can agree," Erwin spoke up as he briefly glanced back at Zeke before returning his attention the the Winged Titan and the horde of Pure Titans heading his way. "I saw firsthand what kind of power he has. Back then he only used it as a last resort. I doubt he'd take that risk again."
The Titans were getting closer. They were too fast for him to try and outrun and take flight. He needed time and momentum to get airborne. Taking them out would also be a waste of time and energy. He needed to conserve as much stamina as he could to fly the others back home. If he were to get worn out from the fight halfway across the ocean, he and the others would plummet into the water and drown. He'd survive, but they wouldn't.
The Winged Titan made another attempt to order them to stop. Some of the Titans obeyed the order and came to a halt. But there were still others left unaffected by his voice. He has no choice but to stop the remaining Titans himself.
Lazarus breathed in as much oxygen as his Titan-sized lungs could hold, whilst building up an intense pressure of heat within his chest. Then he unleashes a huge blast of fire that he spreads across the sands, forming a huge wall of flames, cutting off the Titans from him.
Some of the Titans slow their pace in response to the flames and even straight-up stop. But the last few remaining didn't care about getting burned and walked through them, unfazed by the feeling of their skin burning.
"What is with these Titans? Why are they so desperate to get at me? This is abnormal even for Abnormals." He thought.
"You lot back there! Restrain the other Titans!" He shouted as loud as he could to the Titans way in the back. He had hoped their ears were able to pick up his orders clearly despite the distance.
Luckily for him, they did. The Titans under his command charge through the flames and tackle the others, pinning them down and rubbing their faces in the sand. Lazarus took this opening to finally take off.
His wings started flapping intensely as he ran, building up the right amount of momentum to lift off the ground and soar into the air. Once he was off the ground and well out of reach of the Titans, he performed a loop-de-loop and headed for the Cart Titan.
But Michael had just realised that there was another problem. His cart extension covered up the handles on the sides of the cart that Lazarus needed to grab to lift them. If he didn't do something now, they'd never get off this island.
With the Winged Titan quickly closing in on them, he had little time to use his hardening powers to construct four poles on the corner of the cart that converged over their heads, forming an outline of a box. Atop the roof were two large handles for him to grab onto.
"He's coming! Brace yourselves!" Zeke warned them as he grabbed a tight hold of the railing. The others all copied him and wrapped their arms around the railing just in case grabbing it wasn't enough.
In a matter of moments, the Winged Titan glides over them with its arms stretched downwards and manages to grab the newly constructed handles Michael made and pulls up. Crystals harden over his hands, fusing them to the handles so that he doesn't accidentally drop them mid-flight. Everyone held onto the railings as tightly as they could as the g-force of the wind blew past them the higher they climbed.
Eventually, The Winged Titan levelled itself out and slowed its pace, providing a peaceful flight home for the others. The Cart Titan was just hanging there, looking down at the vast open ocean around her. She needed to keep still for two hours to prevent accidentally knocking anyone over the side.
She sighs. "I still feel awkward being carried in the air by you."
"I know, Pieck. But this will be the last time, at least for a while. We'll be home soon. All of us." The Winged Titan responded without losing focus on the path ahead.
The sky was clear blue with few clouds hovering within it. The sun's rays shined down on the Winged Titan's skin, causing it to glisten and shine like the sea beneath them. The crystal constructs also shined bright in response to the sun's rays, turning the crystals see-through. Bertolt started feeling uneasy as he looked down at the ocean directly under him. Ironic that the tallest member of the Omega unit who possesses the tallest Titan is afraid of heights.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Annie asked.
"If he was able to find his way to Marley and back again before, I'm sure he can do so again," Zeke answered for him. Annie rolls her eyes and turns away from Zeke, accidentally looking over in Reiner's direction to her right.
"Annie." He attempted to open up to her, only to be met with the back of her head. "You don't have to talk, just listen."
"Why should I?"
"Because you don't have a choice. We're stuck in the air together with little space for two hours. Now is probably the only time I'll get to do this." Reiner pointed out.
Annie wasn't interested in anything he had to say. She had plenty of time to herself inside that crystal, and she still hadn't gotten over the things Reiner put her through. Forcing Lazarus to decide to continue the mission instead of going after Ymir and returning to Marley. And for using her desire to see her father again as blackmail to manipulate her into playing a part in Marco's murder. She'd always seen him as a liability to the unit when they first arrived here. It was more evident when Marcel revealed that he cheated Porco out of the unit and made Reiner the Armoured Titan instead, all so he would be safe.
Had he been appointed leader of the Paradis operation instead of Lazarus, things could've gone much worse. She'd still be in that chrysalis, and Bertolt would've been devoured. Surely nothing he can say will change her view of him.
"I know you and Reiner don't see eye to eye, and nothing I say can ever change that. But you're the girl I love, and he's my best friend. Whether you like each other or not, both of you will always be in my life. Just like I'll always be a part of Michaels."
Those words of Lazarus's played through her mind as she gazed out over the ocean. She cannot deny that he was right. Both she and Reiner will always be a part of Laz's life. Eventually, she will have to learn to look past Reiner's flaws and remember that this mission had broken him much more than it did her, Lazarus, or Bertolt. The least she could do was hear what he had to say. Not like she had anything else to do.
"Just say what you wanna say and get it over with." She uttered under her breath.
Reiner gave her a single nod and proceeded. "I've wanted to apologise to you the first moment you came back. Not only for making you take off Marco's ODM gear but for forcing us all to continue the mission. It may have been Laz's call, but I influenced his decision… That day, if we had turned back none of this would've happened. You never would've been forced to imprison yourself. We could've been with our families… It feels presumptuous to even apologise."
"Yeah. I don't know how many times I decided to kill you, only to stop myself. I kept telling myself it was because Lazarus wouldn't approve. Because for some reason he kept giving you second chances." She responded.
Michael, Erwin, and The Winged Titan glance over at the two blonde Warriors trying to reconcile.
"That's just the kind of guy he is. He sees the potential for good in everyone, even when others don't." Reiner replied as he looked up at the majesty of the Winged Titan above them.
"Don't take this the wrong way. But I think choosing to continue the mission was the best decision you've made." Michael spoke up. All eyes fell on him confused and wondering what exactly he meant by that.
"What I mean is, if you guys hadn't come, I wouldn't be here right now. I'd still be living the life of somebody else. I never would've gotten my memories back or discovered my family's Titan. Do I wish you hadn't killed all those people? Obviously. But none of you would've ever discovered the truth about the people of the walls. You would've gone back believing they were nothing but devils. The mission has changed you. You now know that you've been lied to and manipulated your whole life. But now things are different. You have the Winged and Crystal Titans on your side. With our combined powers, the Marleyans will have no choice but to listen to us. Right, Dad?"
Erwin glances back at his son for a moment before directing his eyes back at the island which was now further away from them with each passing moment.
"You have my wisdom. But that's all I can grant you. I won't be fighting for them. I just want to see your world for myself. See if it's worth changing from within."
"Fair enough. Just wait until you see where Laz and I grew up. You can give us your opinion then."
"We'll see." Erwin calmly, and sternly, responded.
The group fell silent again after that topic of discussion ran its course. Everyone spent the rest of their time admiring the view around them, feeling the wind in their hair and smelling the sea air. There wasn't much else they could do to pass the time. Eventually, Michael could no longer stand the silence and decided to do something about it. Something he'd been planning on getting back into once the fighting had stopped and when the moment was right. That moment was now.
Harnessing his hardening power, he constructed a six-string guitar with flexible crystal strings and all the functions of an actual guitar. He strums the strings, testing to see if they function correctly. This forced Zeke to look over his right shoulder and wonder what he was up to.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"If we're all stuck sitting around and doing nothing for two hours, then we all at least should enjoy the sound of music to pass the time." He explained as he was tuning his crystal guitar, making sure it was working properly.
"You play guitar?! Lazarus asked, flabbergasted by this hidden talent he did not know of. "When did you learn to play guitar?!"
"I didn't. I saw it in Grandfather's memories. My uncle, Jacob, was a musician. He played all the time for him. Through my grandfather's eyes, I managed to pick up the basics of how to play and figured the rest out for myself." Michael tested the guitar one last time as he explained and was satisfied with the result. "Now then, I think I have a song that may put everyone's minds at ease. This is a song I've developed that represents all that I've been through getting here. If I don't do so well, try not to go too far with the criticism."
"No promises." Annie teased.
Michael ignored her and cleared his throat. He flexes each finger on each hand before putting them to use. This was his first-ever attempt at playing guitar. He may know how to play one, but that didn't guarantee he'd be good at it. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and breathes out again to calm his nerves, then begins playing.
"I'm standing on the borderline. What should I bring or leave behind? From who I was. For who I'm gonna be?"
"I still haven't packed my bags. It's time to go, and I could not care less. So now, I'll miss the train. A walk's still progress made; I just won't arrive quite as fast.
The Warriors, and Erwin, could not believe what they were hearing right now. Michael was doing very well for someone who claimed was his first time playing guitar. He had a surprisingly good singing voice too.
"… I'm thinking way back. To where I'm from. To the things I had. I feel I've forgotten something. I'm sure that it's probably nothing, but that's based more on fear than on fact."
Everybody sat peacefully in the cart as they listened to Michael's song. Something about it was calming to hear. It allowed them to clear their minds and take a moment to relax and enjoy life. Something neither of them had ever been allowed to do since the day they were brought into military school.
"I'm standing on the borderline. Between two states, I'm petrified. To push ahead or turn back homewardly."
"I'm a shadow of the past. The shadow of a boy. A boy who couldn't last. They said: "Son, don't change". And I keep hoping they won't see how much I have."
Even Zeke was amazed by Michael's song. For some reason, it started drawing out old memories he had of spending time playing catch with his predecessor, Tom Xaver. He was the one who'd been a real father to him, giving him the love and attentiveness his actual parents never did. He'd been so focused on carrying out the Euthanasiation Plan he and Tom had been working on together, that he never took the time to think about the non-Warrior things they'd done.
He turned himself around to properly appreciate the solo. It touched him. Touched him in a way that he couldn't hold back a tear that ran down his right eye. He didn't even care if the others saw it.
"A feeling's not a thing you own. But it can be lost. I just want to be home. 'Cuz home's where the heart is. And when I departed, I might've abandoned them both. Mmm."
Pieck and Lazarus were also enjoying the song. Both of them were resisting the urge to hum and move along with the music. They needed to keep their focus on getting everyone back to Marley as gently and smoothly as possible. They also didn't want to voice their thoughts on it until after it was finished. To interrupt him now would be an unforgivable mistake.
"I'm standing on the borderline. Between two states, I'm petrified. I'm standing on the borderline. What should I bring or leave behind? From who I was. For who I'm gonna be?"
The whole time since they've left, Erwin had his back turned to the others. He did not want to interact with any of them as they acted as a constant reminder of the crimes they'd committed within the walls.
But hearing his son singing and playing guitar was something he could never turn his back on, even if the enemy was also listening to him. He turns around slowly and focuses only on Michael, whilst blocking out the others. It was harsh but necessary.
"I'd like to say: "I'm the same person from yesterday. Nothing's changed". 'Cause yesterday I was eager to see what awaited. I wasn't jaded. But no! … Oh ohhhh, oh ohhhh … I can't go back."
"Youth seemed sweeter, but if I could return, all I've learned would be forfeit. I won't go back… Ohhhh oh ohhhh oh ohhhh … I'm followed by the borderline as I pace forward in my life. Seeking the times, I'll long for once they leave me…"
The song comes to a close as the last sounds of the guitar slowly fade into silence just as Michael sings his final note. The silence lasted only moments until it was broken by the sounds of hands clapping.
Everyone, apart from Lazarus whose hands were full at the moment, applauded Michael's heartfelt and touching song. Even the Cart Titan was clapping for him.
"That was beautiful, Michael." Pieck complimented his talent.
"Damn. Maybe you should've pursued a music career instead of being a soldier." Reiner joked.
"Yeah, that was amazing," Bertolt added as he patted Michael on the back.
"Thanks, you guys. I needed to hear that." Michael smiled. The guitar dissipated in his hands now that its task was done. So far, the majority thought he did good. But he was curious about Annie, Zeke, Erwin, and Lazarus's thoughts on it. "Well, Annie?
"You were… good, I guess." She shyly replied whilst looking away from him.
"Just good? Come on. I know you liked it. I saw you getting into it like everyone else." He teased her.
"She enjoyed it, Michael. She just doesn't wanna admit that she's secretly into singing." The Winged Titan talked down at him.
Annie's cheeks flush red with embarrassment. Her head shot upwards at Lazarus, followed by her standing up in the cart, not caring about the possibility of losing her balance and falling over the railing. "I told you not to tell anyone that, you idiot!"
"S-sorry. It slipped my mind, honestly." Lazarus stuttered, trying his best to defend himself, and failing miserably.
"So what if you like to sing?" Michael butted in before things got out of hand. "I like to sing too. And so does Lazarus. What's the problem?"
Annie struggled to give him an answer and sat back down in her spot. "Fine, you were great. It was entertaining. You happy now?!"
"Very." He then looks to his right where Zeke is. "Zeke?"
"I don't often listen to music. Never had the opportunity to in my youth, outside of the occasional song over the radio. But this. This was something special, I won't deny that. Mister Xaver once told me that music brings the best out in everyone. Now I understand what he meant… You've got spirit, as well as heart." He complimented him before returning to facing forwards like before.
Michael then turns his attention to Erwin. Who, to his surprise, responded by placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Where have you been hiding a talent like that?"
"I don't know. I've never done anything like that before."
"Whatever the case, I'm proud of you, son," Erwin stated with pride for him.
Hearing those words made Zeke feel envious. That was what he desired from his father, Grisha. But he never showed him any love. The only attention he'd give him revolved around shaping him into becoming the greatest Warrior Marley needed, as a part of his and Dina's plan to overthrow it one day.
The only one who understood him was Lazarus. Hearing Michael's song. The way the others talked about how he's always stuck by them in the toughest of times. He unconsciously glares up at the Winged Titan as he thinks to himself.
"Perhaps I have been too hard on you, Lazarus. You say I've changed since you left. And I have. But that doesn't mean I no longer see you as my friend. When we first met, I've been like an older brother to you. But our time apart has changed us. We'll always be comrades, but it'll be the end of the Titans when we finally have the freedom to act like brothers again."
"I hear you, Zeke."
Zeke's eyes widen and he is snapped out of his trance. For a moment he'd completely forgotten that Lazarus could hear his thoughts. He felt like an idiot for being so careless. Had he mentioned the Euthanization Plan just now he would've destroyed all hope of saving the Eldian Race.
"A lot has changed in five years. You're no exception. But I know it's not because you wanted to. It's because you're trying to gain the trust of the Brass. I get it now. But one day we won't be forced to earn their trust. One day, the Marley that stands today will be a distant memory. And a new Marley will be made in its place. One that doesn't treat Eldians, like us, as second-class citizens. It will be difficult, but with you and the others' support, I know we can pull it off." Lazarus concluded their telepathic conversation.
"Yeah. I'm with you." Zeke slowly replied. He didn't want to lie to him, but he could never agree to such a ridiculous and unrealistic plan. His plan was the only logical and effective way to end the Eldian's suffering. But he kept that to himself this time.
The group continued to converse with one another to pass the rest of the travel time. Michael took this time to properly get to know Reiner, Bertolt, Annie, Zeke, and Pieck. How they met Lazarus, and how they all came to be Warriors. Erwin also listened in on this discussion, paying close attention to Zeke's explanation of the Marleyan military and how much things have changed in the past five years.
After some amount of time has passed, the Winged Titan tells the others that he has the motherland in sight, and they will be landing shortly. Everyone shuffled over to the front of the cart to get a good look.
The clouds part and the sun shines through, allowing all of Marley to become visible to them. From their current perspective, not much has changed outside of the expansion of certain towns.
Michael spots his old hometown of Odiha near the shores. He wasn't around when the Hellfire Force destroyed it. But he can tell how much damage it caused from all the construction going on within its centre. The crater that was formed by the blast was still visible from above. Though it looked much smaller than it was when the blast occurred.
"We're finally back, after all these years… we're home," Michael muttered to himself. "This is it, Dad. This is Marley. Despite what we all think of the people who rule it, you cannot deny how beautiful it looks from up here."
Erwin stood up from his spot and grabbed a hold of the bottom right pole, using it as leverage to hold himself steady as he leaned outwards to get a proper look at it. His eyes widened with a mixture of shock and relief. Shock at how massive it is. There was civilisation as far as the eye could see. And beyond that were vast empty lands that appeared to have stretched on forever. He did it. He finally achieved his father's dream. He's proven to himself that he was right. Humans were living beyond the walls.
"Father. You were right. There truly are other people out there. And it's not just Marley. There are many civilisations all over the world. All of them are completely different to our own… You can rest peacefully now that I was able to prove you right.
To Be Continued
Author's Note: The lyrics used in this chapter were from the song "On the Borderline" by Thomas Sannders. I would reccomend playing the song in the background as you're reading this chapter. It'll make the travelling moment a lot more entertaining. I hope you all enjoyed my first attempt of a musical number in my story. Expect more of them in a future chapter and other fics I have planned in the future.