"All soldiers, disperse! Get far away from the Titans!" He didn't have to tell us twice, half of us were already ahead of him. It was an easy decision to make between the Titans already chasing us and those the commander was leading. As we move out of the way, I turn back to see if everyone is okay. All non-Titan cadets of the 104th- Wait, where the hell is Christa?! I look back to the Titan gathering around Reiner and Ymir, not missing the sight of the blonde hanging onto her friend's hair. If Ymir can protect Christa for a moment longer...
We settle on a hill, watching the carnage unfold. The Titans attack Ymir and Reiner, one able to fight, the other with his hands tied protecting the shifters. I look over to the commander a few horse steps away from me, wondering how he came up with this plan. However he did it, it's working to slow Reiner down, the only question now is what's next.
"What's going on?" Jean says. "Is this...hell?"
"No..." Erwin says as he rides past Jean. "...but it will be!"
I frown. "What is he doing?"
Erwin draws a blade in his right hand. "All soldiers, charge!" You can imagine the shock around the Scouts and whatever Military Police and Garrison remained as Erwin tells us to advance. It's suicide, a deathwish, it will be a damn massacre. There's no way he's really ordering this. "The fate of humanity will be determined at this very moment! There is no future where humanity can inhabit these lands without Eren! We recover Eren and immediately retreat!" He hits his heart and then points forward. "Give your heart!"
Mikasa is the first to gallop after Erwin, of course. "...You heard the man!" I follow after her, and the others soon after me. This is crazy! This is crazy! This is crazy! This is crazy! This is crazy! As we come closer, I look up to Reiner, seeing him unfold his arms to fight off the Titans, therefore exposing Eren and Bertholdt. "There they are!"
"It worked!" Jean shouts. "His hand's gone!"
"Now's our chance!"
"Hey, Mikasa? Can't you see all those Titans? How do you plan on getting through that mess? You'd have to slip through a horde of them."
"I'll be right behind her, Jean." Mikasa looks back at me while I smile and nod to her. "I'll cover you. Jean, you follow closely. Whatever we do, we have to get Betholdt to release Eren."
"Advance!"
"Yes, si-" Before I can even finish that, blood floats in the space where Commander Erwin sat. I gasp in shock as we see a Titan hold him by his arm in his mouth, halting our advance. "Commander!" I half turn my horse around, wanting to help him, I have to. I owe the entirety of last month to him. Letting me go on missions with the Scouts as an honorary member, trusting me with the identity of the Female Titan, Telling Section Commander Miche about Stohess, and knowing my father. There's so much he could tell me about him that even I wouldn't know. "I'll help him! You guys-"
"ADVANCE!" Erwin still commands us even in his perilous position. Doesn't he realize that he could die here, leaving us without leadership? "Eren is just ahead! Advance!" Even at the cost of his own life...he's commanding us to go forward. Towards our freedom. Towards our destiny. Towards our victory.
"You heard him! Move out!" We continue forth towards hell, and hell it is. I follow Mikasa via ODM gear, only severing the fingers and arms of the Titans who try to reach her or other cadets. Not everyone in our collective group is as lucky, for I hear the cries of death from many soldiers behind us. "Don't stop, Mikasa! Keep going!" I say to my friend. She nods as we come out of the attacking horde, closing in on Reiner. Immediately she takes off for Bertholdt and Eren, missing the former's head by a hair as he ducks underneath her blades. Distracted, she is too late to notice the Titan that reaches for her, resulting in her capture. She cries out as that ugly, smiling Titan lowers its hand down. I could reach her, but I'm heading for Bertholdt and someone else is closer.
"Mikasa! You piece of shit! Let her go!" Jean comes to Mikasa's rescue, cutting the Titan's eyes and forcing the Titan to release her. Thank you, Jean. I sigh in relief as I swing around to Reiner's back, allowing two Scouts to distract the enemy as I come in close.
"We've come this far already," Bertholdt says as he steps into Reiner's hand. "We're taking Eren home with us. We're going back to our hometown."
"That's right..." I say venomously, catching Bertholdt's attention as I land on Reiner's neck. "You're both going home. I'll help you guys. Give my regards to Satan when you get there." Bertholdt raises his sword against me, preparing to fight for himself. There it is... There's the confidence I helped instill in him. "Bertholdt. This is your last chance. Give Eren back...and I might let you live."
"No."
"Bertholdt!" Armin swoops in right above me, settling on Reiner's ear. I turn upwards, looking at the young tactician. I don't know why he's here now, but the glint in his eye... I've never seen it before. The smile that comes with it...scares me...more than Mikasa has ever had. Is this really Armin, the one who came to me to help him train? The same Armin I gave bread to? Where's...the humanity? "Are you two okay with this? Leaving behind your comrade and returning home?" Bertholdt reacts, losing his confidence at that moment. "You're abandoning Annie? you know where she's at? Far north, deep underground in the Utopia District...and being tortured. It was her screams that taught us something. That even with her body's healing, you can never get rid of the pain. They're taking special care to ensure she doesn't die. And as we speak...they're not giving her body any rest. They're torturing her every way they know how."
Armin... What...the...fuck?
"You spawn of the devil!" Bertholdt shouts. "I'll pulverize you!" Bertholdt leaps up to Armin, but before any of us can do anything, a shout and a slash on Bertholdt catches our attention. I look down, seeing that crazy Commander of ours growl with murderous intent. Eren now freed falls down Reiner's arm to be caught by Mikasa. Erin, Armin, and I fall down alongside Reiner's severed thumb, heading back to our horses in a hurry.
"All soldiers, retreat!"
I split up from Erwin and Armin in our hassle, somehow coming up to Sasha, Connie, and Christa who'd been grabbed by Connie. "Christa, you okay?"
"Elijah, tell them to let me go with Ymir!"
I turn around, looking to the small Titan shifter chasing us. I know her situation, but... "Christa, convince Ymir to come with us!"
"It's a lie! Of course that's a lie! She's lying to you!"
"Sasha is right," Connie agrees. "You think the one who fought like a maniac to save you would do something like that? The only time Ymir ever shows any effort is when you're in trouble. I don't know about getting her killed, but for now, just calm down!"
"That's right," Sasha says. "If you two stay here any longer, there's a huge chance that you'll die and it'll only get worse!"
"You know, even an idiot could figure that out."
"Connie has a point, Christa." I look forward, trying to lead the others out of here. "If he figured it out, you should have too. I should have. I was willing to trust her. Now let's get- WHAT THE FUCK?!" A Titan temporarily blocks the setting sun as flies over the four of us, landing nearly a mile away in front of other retreating Scouts. The smoke and debris from it cloud the area, but that is the least of my concerns.
"What was that?"
"Reiner!"
"Ymir!" Christa calls to our pursuer direct me to my left, where I See Ymir tackle a Titan that was thrown and started chasing the Commander. "Connie, that way!"
"I know!"
"Sasha! Connie! Don't stop! Keep going!" More Titans appear our way, with Ymit taking them down. She follows us, more so now to protect Christa.
"Christa!" I look to Connie, not seeing the girl behind him. I turn to my right, seeing her on Ymir's forehead.
"That's not right, Connie. My name is Historia. Hey, Ymir... Why was it you were trying to take me away? You said it was to save yourself, but was that a lie? No, it has to be. Why? Why did you do it?" Ymir answers, but knowing her, the answer is obvious. "For me? To protect me again?"
"It's a Titan!" Connie alerts us, so I rise up to prepare to take it down.
"Ymir, you're the one who said it, so listen to yourself! Stop living for other people! From now on, let's live for nobody but ourselves!"
"Connie! Sasha! I got this one!"
"We're right behind you, Elijah!" I turn to Sasha, nodding to her. I take off, darting for the closest Titan to us.
"It's strange... When I'm with you, no matter how screwed up it gets, I'm not afraid." I hear gas beside me, seeing Christa and the others alongside me. We managed to take out the Titan together, but others began to head our way. We land by our horses, watching the incoming horde. Farther away, I can see Reiner's mobility increasing as he discards the last of the surrounding Titans. People are dying. I'm separated from my friends. Where's Jean, Armin, Eren, Mikasa? Are they caught out there in this mess?
All I know is that the five of us, even Ymir, are in danger. I grip my necklace around my chest, hard enough for the crystal and carving to dig into my palm. I can't ask them to join me... I can't ask them to fight with me for their lives... They have to get away, they have to live. Connie must get the truth about his hometown. Sasha must return to her father. Christa and Ymir...they need each other. So...if they are to get away... "...Damn it all."
"Elijah!" I turn to Sasha, sitting on her horse. Connie is on his while Christa rides on Ymir. "Come on! We have to go!"
"...Sasha." I get on Spirit, but instead of turning in the direction away from the Titans, I face them. "...I'm sorry."
"...What?"
"Sasha..." I reach into my pocket, taking out the journal Thomas gave me, I also take my necklace and hand them both to Sasha. "Take care of these for me, please..."
Unlike me, she doesn't fight back the tears. "W-What are you doing?"
"There's too many, Sasha. Too many for us to run away from, and...even though she can handle it, I don't want Ymir to fight for me. I...don't want any of you to die. Connie!" I look to the bald-headed boy, allowing only one eye to cry. I made this decision...it's stupid, so fucking stupid, I really am a fool. "Keep them safe, no matter what, you hear?"
"Elijah..."
"Promise me! Promise me you won't let Sasha and Christa die!"
Connie looks to me to protest more, but he sees my resolve. "O-Of course, I promise."
I nod. "Thank you."
"NO!" Sasha grabs onto me, trying her best to convince me to retreat. "If you do this, you'll... Please, Elijah... I don't want you to die."
"Sasha..." I grab her, holding her for what may be the very last time. "You remember my promise? Even against a horde of Titans, I will prevail. You've believed in me since day one. I promise...I will find you." I pull back, unable to contain my tears.
"But...Elijah- Mmph!"
I pull back once more, my eyes stinging from my tears and my cheeks burning from...something else. "Go. I know... Me too, Sasha." I smack her horse, sending it galloping away. She calls out to me, but Connie drives her forward. I turn away from them, looking forward to the coming Titans. I glance at Christa and Ymir, nodding to them. "Go. I got this. Ymir, just for a moment longer, Protect Christa. And Christa...protect Ymir for as long as you can."
"Elijah..." I look to the golden-haired goddess, watching her salute me. "Please, come back to us."
I salute back. "I promise, Historia. You live a good life now, you hear?" Ymir chases after the others with Christa hanging on. I pat Spirit's neck. "What do you say, boy? You ready for one last ride?" He snorts in response. I'm not sure if he said yes or that I'm crazy, but he's with me regardless. With one deep breath, and determination running through my body, I snap Spirit's reins, charging solo to the horde of Titans that chases us.
Connie, Christa, Jean, Ymir... The last three years have been fun. The last month, not so much, but through it all, we stuck together. I hope you guys can get away and finish this fight.
As I approach, I load my flare gun and fire it toward the horde, blinding the bastards with red smoke as I prepare my ascent.
Eren, Armin, Mikasa... You guys kept me alive, but I'm sorry that I can't continue our journey together. Eren, Armin, you guys are my brothers. Mikasa, my sister...and in God's name, do not let Eren get away. Take back our home. Make it to the sea. That's where your freedom lies.
Four down, I dash around to a fifth, but it grabs my line and snaps in two. Another nearly grabs me, but I push the hand back, breaking a blade in the process, leaving two left in my scabbard. Landing on my back, I try my best to stand as that Titan reaches down and grabs me. So...this is the end?
As it raises me up, I wriggle my arms for my scabbard. While I do that, I look to the distance, seeing Reiner's Titan free itself. The Scouts and our allies are being killed one by one. A familiar Titan in the distance, one described to me by Eren, is feasting on someone. Eren? Mikasa? It's near them... I turn away. No, I can't cry. Not like this. "Reiner...this isn't over, but if it is, I'll be waiting for you in hell. Mom, Dad, Mina, Thomas, Marco...I'll be home soon. And you damn Titan, swallow me whole!"
Sasha... I never got to think of Mina like this, I never got the chance. But as my final thought... Everything I said yesterday to you is how I feel. You've been my best friend since day one, my shoulder to cry on, even though I hardly ever cried in front of you. You kept me...happy...after Trost. You hunted with me, spoke to me in your accent that I actually liked, loved it whenever I sang my mother's lullaby around you, and you've been the best person to have a meal with. I leave what I cherish most to you...because outside of my family...you are who I cherish most. And that's because... "I love you, Sasha." Closing up my right hand, I cut the Titan's fingers with my left-hand blade...and time seemingly slows down as I free-fall into the Titan's mouth.
First...there was darkness...then...there was red...followed by a blinding light...
Eren
"hahaha...AHAHAHAHAHA...AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Eren..."
"Nothing's changed! You haven't changed one bit, dammit! You're still as useless as you ever were! Nothing's changed!" Eren screams his heart out as he folds himself on the ground, angry at himself for failing to save someone dear to him again to the same Titan that haunted him for years. First, his mother, now Hannes. "Mom... I can't... I can't do anything at all."
"Eren." Eren raises up, looking to Mikasa who sits beside him. Crossing an arm across her chest, she leans closer to Eren with a sad smile. "That's not true."
"What?"
Tears swell in Mikasa's eyes as she continues. "Eren, listen... I need to tell you something. You've always...been at my side. Thank you. You showed me...how to live with purpose. Thank you. And you..." She tugs at the red scarf around her neck, her cheeks turning red as well. "You wrapped this scarf around me. Thank you."
Eren looks at Mikasa with wide eyes, not knowing what to say. However, seeing Mikasa like this, bearing her heart out to him...it snaps a switch inside him, one he knows that's been there but kept shut all this time. He stands up and takes a step in front of her, facing his mother's killer as it finishes its meal which is Hannes. His fingers are all but gone for now, he doesn't know what to do, but he knows one thing: He must protect Mikasa. He looks down to her, a frown on his face as he prepares to sacrifice himself for her. "I'll wrap that around you...as many times as you want." He looks away as the Titan reaches for him and stands his ground, quickly regenerating his fingers. "Now and forever... As much as you want!" Eren turns around with a mighty cry, punching the hand of the Titan.
A weird sensation courses through him, but what happens next is just as weird. As Eren swings a second time, a Titan leaps over Eren and Mikasa, lunging itself at the Titan Eren struck. Soon afterward, more Titans come, ignoring the humans across the plains for Eren's target. Not hesitating, he grabs Mikasa, puts her on his back, and begins to run.
"Why...are they...? They're eating it?" Eren and Mikasa look to the sudden attack of the Titans on the one that killed his mother and ate Hannes. All he did was punch his hand, and hell broke loose on that Titan.
To his left, he sees Reiner approaching. "Get away from me! You bastards! I'll kill you all!" Suddenly, the Titans eating his mother's killer turn tail and run for Reiner and Bertholdt without attacking anyone else. "What? The Titans?"
"Eren!" Armin rides up on his horse to the pair, an unconscious Jean on his back. Jean's horse is held by Armin until he throws the reins to Eren. "Get on!"
"Armin! Where's Elijah?"
"We got separated! He'll be fine! We need to hurry!"
Historia
"Ymir!" The Titan stops and turns around in place, throwing their retreat off. Historia believes she knows what Ymir is thinking, but...
"Hey, ugly! What are you doing?! We're heading back!" Ymir turns her head to Historia, then reaches over and softly caresses her head.
"I sorry..."
Historia's face falls. "Huh?" Ymir says nothing else, turning away and heading for the Titans. "Ymir! Where are you going?!"
"Leave her!"
"But Ymir is-"
"She's giving us a chance to run...like Elijah. I don't like it any more than you do...but that's how it is! We must go!"
Armin
In that moment, I couldn't understand the motivation behind Ymir's actions, but the Armored Titan didn't pursue us any further. But knowing we lost Hannes, someone who has always watched out for us...and Elijah, our best friend who inspired us in our rough times, it hits hard on me, on Mikasa, and on Eren. His sacrifice, I couldn't understand...
"Eren?" Mikasa finds Eren alone in a room, flipping through the pages of a small book. He looks to Mikasa. As he looks back down, she steps beside him, recognizing the book as Elijah's. "Is that..."
"Yeah. He gave it to Sasha, she gave it to me...saying that the three of us should have it." He places it in his pocket. "We can read it later... Where's Armin?"
We weren't the only ones to take Elijah's death hard. I heard that Section Commander Hange shot out of her bed to beg Erwin to let her search for him. Petra wanted to assist in finding him alongside Hange, saying she owed it to Elijah for saving her life, but that request was denied. Historia didn't say much about it, but with her missing Ymir as well, I know it must've taken a toll on her. As for Jean, Connie...and Sasha... We waited a full day to see if anything would change.
"He...never came back," Connie says as he walks behind Sasha and beside Jean, his head down. With the news that the residents of his town were indeed the Titans thought breached the Walls, he has a lot on his mind. "Do you think...maybe..."
"Honestly...I'm not holding out much hope."
"Elijah will come back!" Sasha pauses in front of them, keeping her tear-filled face from the boys. "I know he will... He has to."
Honestly... I believe that Sasha is right, that he's out there, waiting for us. Something about having a goal keeps a person alive. Eren was eaten, yet his goal kept him alive. But...no. Elijah is out there, his goal lives in us. For him, we'll bring Reiner to his knees and take back our home. We'll make it to freedom. We'll make it to the sea.
Two days have passed since we rescued Eren. "Armin." I look up, seeing Eren and Mikasa walk along the Wall to me. I stand as they pause right beside me, looking out to the horizon. We stand silent for a moment before Eren speaks again. "It isn't gone. Our hope didn't fall with Elijah. We'll bring back our home...for him."
Mikasa nods. "For Elijah."
I nod as well, then look down to the land. "For Elij-"
