Attack On Titan: Wings Of Crystal
Chapter 39: Return to Marley
While Michael was being held prisoner at the crystal chapel by the Reiss family, Lazarus and Ymir were travelling back to Marley. His current objective was to deliver Ymir to the military and have her transfer the Jaw Titan to another Warrior. Afterwards, he is to collect the Cart Titan and bring it back to Paradis to take part in Zeke's plan to recover the Coordinate.
The Winged Titan was still flying overseas, using the sun as a compass to point him in the direction of the Marleyan motherland. Ymir was resting within the palms of his hands, bored out of her mind. Her only source of entertainment was seeing the open ocean from up above and watching the clouds fly by them.
Neither of them had said a word since they departed. This awkward silence lasted only for an hour until Ymir finally decided to break it up by speaking her mind. She didn't have anything planned for the topic of discussion, but anything was better than nothing.
"Hey, Lazarus." She waits until the Winged Titan slowly tilts its head down, temporarily looking at her, as he needed to keep his eyes on the path ahead.
"Be honest with me. Part of you is gonna be pleased to see me get eaten by one of your Warrior pals, ain't you? I know you said you've forgiven me for killing your friend, but-
"You're wrong." The Winged Titan interrupted her before she could continue. "The thought may've crossed my mind before, but things are different now. I no longer hate you for what you did. Though I can't say the same for the Brass. Especially Marcel's brother."
"Your friend had a brother? … Shit." Ymir muttered under her breath, realising that she may have messed things up for her when they arrive. "What was your friend like? The one I… ate?"
"He was… smart. Marcel was always the brightest among us. The exact opposite of his brother, Porco. He was arrogant and thought he was the best of us. Marcel, however, never looked down on us. When I first joined the Warrior Program, he encouraged the other candidates to look past my history and focus on who I am now. He was probably the second friend I made in the military. The first is my former roommate, Zeke." He thoroughly explains while keeping his focus on flying smoothly.
"When we became Warriors, Marcel acted as my second in command/strategist. I still wasn't confident enough to lead the mission to Paradis. Marcel helped take some of that pressure off by planning the missions. Though that all changed the day you ate him and stole his power."
Ymir looks away from Lazarus in shame.
"As I said, I don't hold that against you anymore. And once we arrive, I'll be sure to keep Porco off your back until the ceremony is done… I'm sorry."
"It's ok. I've already accepted my fate… My only regret is that I'll never see Historia again."
The Winged Titan glances down at her for a brief moment. Underneath its emotionless, masked face, Lazarus started feeling bad for her. He knew exactly what she was going through. Being separated from Annie for so long has left a hole in his chest that kept on growing the longer they were apart. Weirdly, he and Ymir are kind of the same. Had their lives been switched around they probably would've become each other.
The thought of Ymir becoming a Winged Titan forced a small chuckle out of the Winged Titan's mouth, causing Ymir to look up at him with curiosity.
"You find my pain funny?" She asked venomously.
"No, it's not what you said. I was just thinking that maybe you and I are not so different." He quickly dismissed her claims.
"Well, we've both fallen for a short, blue-eyed blonde, I'll give you that." Now it was her turn to let out a small chuckle alongside Lazarus.
"It's ironic really. Until Utgard Castle, you and I have never once had a proper interaction since we met at the Cadet Corps. Most of the time you were hanging around Historia, and I was with Reiner, Bertolt, and Annie. Why didn't we talk sooner?" He wondered.
"Probably because we couldn't stand each other at the time." Ymir pointed out. She then starts to think back on all the times Lazarus was viewed as the inspiring hero of their corp and how everyone wanted to follow him.
"I always thought of you as a show-off. Graduating top of our class. Inspiring the weakest among us to follow your lead. Building your own ODM gear. You were portraying yourself as this perfect guy. Too perfect for my liking. Nobody is perfect. Even Mikasa has a weakness, which you exploited during the Capture the Flag training… Back then, I couldn't stand you. But then I got to know the real you hiding behind the persona you created. Now when I look at you, I don't see the Lazarus I knew from training anymore."
The Winged Titan lets out a deep sigh in response to her words. She was right about him. Back in his training days, he was beloved by everyone. But it was never his intention to make himself look good in front of others. It's all because of his Titan powers. He remembered the outburst he had with his Warrior allies about the pheromone he releases that makes people trust in him, whether he wanted them to or not.
If not for the Hellfire Force, he would've considered that the worst of his many abilities as a Titan Shifter. He hates deceiving others and pretending to be what he's not. Even though he had been doing just that ever since they first arrived on Paradis, he never took joy out of it. For a time, he even began to question if his friendships with the Scouts were real or another result of his pheromone power. He'll never know now since they've seen his true self. Though he told them that he still viewed them as his friends, they may not have the same thought.
"It was never my intention to one-up anyone. Honestly, I feel like this world we live in would've turned out the same if I wasn't in it. The same could be said for Michael and the Crystal Titan too. I thought that coming here would make saving the world much easier, but not even my Titan is powerful enough to make a difference… Maybe this world would've been better off without me." He quietly muttered to himself.
Ymir had nothing to respond with. No snarky remark. Usually, when someone appears down, she tries to take their minds off of it by stirring them up. But Lazarus already called her out on that when she did that to Connie at Utgard Castle.
"Once you finish your mission here, you're gonna try and capture Eren again, right?" Ymir asked, changing the subject.
"We have to. We need to take back the Founding Titan if we are to save the world." He replied without looking down at his hands. "If what Zeke told me is true, then only I have the power to freely wield the Founder's full power without succumbing to the Vow Renouncing War. My Titan was created for a purpose, and now I finally know what it is."
"It also means you'll have to eat Eren. Mikasa and Armin aren't gonna like that." Ymir pointed out.
The Winged Titan said nothing in response. Eating Eren is indeed the most efficient way to obtain the Founding Titan's power for himself. But it wasn't the only way.
"If only I could tell Ymir that I have an alternative way to obtain another Titan power. Lucia, Tom, and Leonardo managed to discover it during their research on me. But the Marleyans wanted me to keep it hidden from the other Warriors. Probably because they'd rather let them die than live full lives!"
The Winged Titan let out a low-volume growl as his mind started to flood with negative emotions towards Marley. The moment he learned the truth behind Paradis and that it wasn't populated by devils, but by genuine people like him and his friends, he grew to hate them. They forced him and his comrades to invade their homes, slaughter them, and make their lives a living hell all because they were too prideful to see what they were like for themselves.
As soon as he obtains the Founding Titan's power, he vows to use it to make the world a better place. It was the wish of his parents to rise to the top and change the nation from within. He owes it to them to finish what they started.
Silence overtook both parties once again for about thirty minutes. Until Ymir decided to ask Lazarus for a personal favour. If she was truly going to die once they reach Marley, then she needed to ensure he delivers a message to Historia the next time he happens to cross paths with her.
"Lazarus. Before I give back the power I stole from you, can I ask you to do me a personal favour?"
"I can. But you'll have to tell me later. The motherland is in sight. Won't be long until we land." He quickly gave her the heads up. "Hold on tight."
Ymir does as she's told and wraps her arms tightly around the Winged Titan's left thumb as he was beginning his descent for Marley's port.
It had been years since he'd been back to the motherland. He noticed that there were a lot of changes made to the city. The port they originally departed from has extended far out into the sea. It looked like they built a runway just for him.
As he got closer to the runway, he noticed there was already a huge gathering of Marleyan soldiers awaiting his arrival, like they knew he was coming.
The Winged Titan flaps its wings hard, slowing his approach so that he doesn't accidentally come in too hard and end up crushing the soldiers in the process. He landed so carefully that he didn't even cause a single tremor. Some of the soldiers couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and wipe the sweat off their brows.
Thought they were still intimidated by the sight of the fifteen-foot Winged Titan standing before them walking down the runway towards the port. He still had his hands held up against his chest, keeping Ymir safely secure.
His wings tuck themselves into his back as he reaches the port building. Standing outside the entrance was Commander Magath and his men.
The Winged Titan gets down on one knee and leans down at his superior.
"Welcome back, Averbach. It's been a long time, hasn't it? You must've been on that island so long that you've forgotten how to address your commanding officer." Magath sternly addressed him after five years of being away.
The Winged Titan quickly performs the Marleyan military salute with his right hand whilst still cradling Ymir in his left.
"My apologies, Commander. I've gotten used to how the people of Paradis act that it's become instinctive… Did you know I was coming, sir?"
"No, but I had the men stationed here to inform me of your, or one of your units, arrival ever since you left. I take it you ran into Zeke?"
"I have. I'm sorry we haven't recovered the Founding Titan yet. Reiner and Bertolt are filling him in on our report."
"I see… What about Marcel and Leonhart?"
"Annie's been… captured, by the enemy military. I plan to rescue her once I return." He lowers his left hand and stretches out his fingers, revealing Ymir to him and the rest of the Marleyans. "This woman is the reason I came back alone. There's been a complication when we first arrived."
Magath and the other two soldiers look over at Ymir who just coldly glares back at them. It had been sixty-five years since she'd been back here. But she still remembered what they did to her. Though their civilisation had changed dramatically over that time, the people were still the same. Even now a Marleyan man was looking down on her like she was an ant that was on the verge of being crushed.
"Abandon your Titan body and report everything you know at once. As for the devil girl, she will be taken to a holding cell. Dismissed!" Magath ordered.
The Winged Titan nodded and allowed its head to go limp, allowing Lazarus to burst his way out of the nape and exit his Titan form. He slides down his Titan's wing and approaches Ymir. He offers her his hand which she accepts. One of the soldiers then approaches her and places handcuffs on her wrists as well as covers her mouth with a metal rod and ties the elastic bonds behind her head.
He whispers into Ymir's ear. "Don't worry, I'll talk to the Brass and convince them to give you a lighter sentence. All you have to do is cooperate. Understand?"
Ymir nods before she was violently pushed by the soldier. Lazarus quickly intervenes and gets in between them.
"Hey, there's no need for that. She's not a threat to anyone!"
"Mind your own business, Averbach! No Eldian tells me how to do my job!" The soldier snaps back at him and he starts pushing Ymir again. When she attempted to resist, the soldier decided to grab her hair.
Lazarus would not tolerate that. He quickly gets in between them and pushes him back.
"I said leave her alone!"
The soldier didn't hesitate to pull out his rifle and point it at Lazarus's head. "And I said to mind your own business, devil!"
"Go ahead! Shoot me! We both know I can't die. You'd just be wasting a bullet." He beckoned him.
The angry Marleyan was willing to follow through on that and shoot him in the head. Even though he knew it wouldn't kill him, he also knew he could still feel it.
He stops upon feeling another barrel of a rifle pressed against the side of his head. To Lazarus's surprise, it was Commander Magath who was holding the rifle at his soldier.
"That's enough!" That was all he said. But he says it with such authority that the soldier would not dare challenge him.
The soldier immediately backs down, and away, from Lazarus and Ymir. The albino Warrior checks to see if Ymir was ok first before making a request to his superior.
"Commander, with your permission, I request that I take responsibility for the prisoner. She's been through a lot recently. She trusts me… As I trust her."
"Very well. Permission granted. Escort her to the prison and assign her to a cell she can't break out of. Once you've done that, come back to my office and tell me everything you know."
Lazarus responded with an obedient "Yes, sir" before escorting Ymir to her temporary holding cell until they begin the ceremony.
After dropping Ymir off at the military detention centre and under the 24-hour watch of the military, he reports back to Commander Magath and explains to him the events that started with the death of Marcel to the present.
The commander was both astounded and disappointed by his report. On one hand, he couldn't tolerate his failure of not only capturing the Founding Titan but blowing his cover with the Island Devils, letting them know of the Nine Titan's existence. In his view, it only made Paradis more dangerous than ever.
On the other hand, however, he was shocked to learn that the myth behind the Crystal Titan was true. And its current host was none other than the lost friend Lucia told him about. He was pleased to hear that now that he has his memories back, he was willing to use the Crystal Titan's power for Marley. Giving them yet another powerful Titan to fight on their side.
He was at first disappointed to learn of Marcel's death and Annie's capture. But he did acknowledge that the woman who stole the Jaw Titan's power was willing to return it to its rightful owners. The operation wasn't a complete loss, but also not a victory. Not until they try again.
"… And that's why I returned. Ymir wishes to return the Jaw Titan to us, and Zeke requests that I bring Pieck back with me to assist in his plan to recover the Coordinate." He finished explaining to him.
"I understand." The commander uttered. He then gets up from his desk and stares out his office window, gazing at the view outside. "The general is not gonna be pleased with this. He was convinced that nothing would be a match for your Winged Titan. When we first saw you and the Omega Unit in action, we believed this mission would be a sure thing."
"I'm sorry we let you down, sir."
"But I had a feeling this mission was a risky plan. Sending children to attack an island. I thought that plan was insane, even with what you all accomplished in Courland. In the end, you were all just kids… It's a miracle you all didn't die the moment you arrived. The fact that you got everyone this far shows that it wasn't all risk and no reward. On top of that, you managed to claim the legendary Crystal Titan." He turns to face Lazarus directly. "Which reminds me. Where is it?"
"Still on the island, sir… My friend, Michael, had lost his memories of his life as a citizen of Marley. He grew up on that island believing he was one of them. Though we were able to restore his lost memories, we couldn't erase the attachments he's made there. I agreed to let him tie up some loose ends while I am here. The next time we return to the motherland, it will be with him and the Founding Titan."
Magath lets loose a brief smile in response to Lazarus's determination to finish this mission once and for all. Though he still possessed doubts about his success this time. Surely if he had the power to defeat the Founder and take the power for himself he would've done so already. Why would their next attempt be any different? Even with the Beast and Crystal Titans' aid, he can't help but think it'll be another failure.
After wrapping up his report, Lazarus decided to head over to the detention centre and check up on Ymir and see how the guards have been treating her.
On the way there he passed by the training academy he and his friends used to go to. A whiff of nostalgia passed over Lazarus as he subconsciously glares at the building.
He hears the sounds of children training in the courtyard a few feet away from him. They were all sparring with each other in hand-to-hand, blade, and gun combat. Seeing them train together forced him to start envisioning himself, Zeke, Reiner, and the others at their age training. It felt like yesterday to him when he first trained alongside them. The nostalgia almost proved to be too overwhelming, forcing a single tear to trickle down his right cheek.
His little daydream was thankfully interrupted by the sounds of a familiar voice instructing the kids to train harder than they currently were. He looks over in the direction of where the voice originated from and recognised who their instructor was.
It was none other than Marcel's twin brother, Porco Galliard. All grown up around the same age as he and the other Warriors. He was dressed up in a proper Marleyan military uniform and had a red armband attached to his right shoulder. He was now an honorary Marleyan thanks to his brother becoming a Warrior, even if he didn't.
"Lazarus? Is that you?"
Another familiar voice had just called out to him. This one sounded more feminine and gentler compared to Galliards. Lazarus smiles knowing who it was.
He turns around and was greeted by the friendly smile of the last of his Warrior unit, Pieck Finger. The host for the Cart Titan, and the reason he'd come back other than delivering Ymir.
"It IS you!" Excited to see her white-haired friend again, Pieck rushes over towards Lazarus and practically leaps into his arms, holding him in a tight embrace.
"Hahaha, Pieck! It's been too long." He returns the gesture, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around a few times.
Their heartwarming reunion was picked up by Galliard who glances over towards their location. His eyes widen with shock over seeing Lazarus again after five whole years. Though his clothing was unlike anything he'd ever seen, the white hair and stetson gave him away.
"Uh, Cadets! We're gonna take a small break now." He announced to the kids, stopping them from what they were all currently doing.
"But Mister Galliard. We don't take breaks during training." One of the cadets pointed out.
"I know. So, you better not get used to it. This is a one-off thing." He roughly commented. "Give me five minutes. I've gotta say hello to an old friend."
He then leaves the courtyard without another word. The kids all watch as he approaches Pieck and Lazarus, still embracing their touching reunion.
"Who's that guy with Miss Finger?" One of the little girls asked.
The boy next to her immediately turns to look at her in shock. His mouth hung wide open as if he was insulted that she didn't know who he was.
"Gabi! That "guy" is Lazarus Averbach! The Winged Titan! He's the greatest Warrior of them all!"
"Lazarus? Yes, I've heard of him." Another slightly taller boy with black hair and glasses speaks up. "He was the one who caused that explosion in Odiha. I heard it was because he was the only survivor of a secret Titan experiment or something like that."
The other kids begin to gather around, trying to get a good look at Lazarus as he breaks off his hug with Pieck and greets Porco who just finished approaching him. They all admire him from afar. Some were fame-struck at seeing the strongest of Marley's Warriors in the flesh. Whilst others didn't see what the big deal was. Particularly the young brown-haired girl, Gabi. She decided to get back into training instead of taking a break like all the others.
"Hmph, strongest Warrior my ass! My cousin, Reiner, is clearly the best… Though even I can't deny how cool it must be to fly. Honestly, Falco admires him too much." She thought to herself whilst practising her punches and kicks.
After breaking off the hug with Pieck, the two friends took a moment to properly look over the other, admiring how much they've grown since they last met.
"Wow, Pieck, look at you. You let your hair down. It looks good on you." Lazarus complimented her.
"Me? Look at you! You've gotten taller." She then feels his Scout Regiment jacket. "What on earth are you dressed as? Is that supposed to be a soldier's uniform? Haha." She teased.
"Oh, this? Yeah, it is. This is the uniform the islanders wear in their military. But that's a story for another day. I'm just so happy to see you again. You're looking well."
"You as well. Glad to see you've finally grown into your father's hat." She giggles.
"That's the same thing Zeke said to me when I saw him. He's actually the reason I'm back."
"Well well well. If it ain't the Winged Titan." Porco addresses him as he approaches. "Long time no see, Lazarus."
Lazarus smiles and grabs a hold of Galliard's hand, shaking it. Once the reunion was over, Porco notices that the others weren't with him.
"The others aren't with you? And here I thought you finally completed the mission. But then again, I assumed you guys were dead. Except for you of course… So, where is everyone?"
"Reiner and Bertolt are with Zeke on the island. They're planning our next move to capture the Founding Titan. And Annie… She's alive, but she's been captured by the enemy."
"And my brother?" He asked.
Lazarus exhales a breath of sorrow. He ended up looking down at the ground beneath his feet, unable to find the courage to tell him that his brother had died upon arrival. He didn't even get a chance to wield the Jaw Titan against Paradis.
Porco could see the despair and guilt in his eyes. He can easily deduct what must've happened to his brother. His eyes narrowed at Lazarus. He was mustering as much strength as he had to keep his cool. He didn't want to cause a scene in front of the cadets he was training. He could feel all of their eyes on him as they spoke.
"He's dead, isn't he?" He assumed. Lazarus continued to remain silent. Pieck's smile faded away upon hearing that Marcel is dead.
"How did he die? Was he eaten by a Titan? Killed by an Island Devil?"
Lazarus takes a deep breath as he lifts his head and looks Galliard in the eyes. "It was a Titan. It snuck up on us when our guard was down and grabbed him. He died protecting Reiner. There was nothing I could've done for him."
The news of Marcel's death proved to be too much for Porco to handle. He thought he could handle it, but he thought wrong. He clenches his fists, fighting the urge to lash out at his comrade who only just came home. He knew he wasn't responsible for Marcel's death, but he couldn't help but blame somebody for it. If not Lazarus, or Reiner, then it had to be the Titan who stole his power.
"I… I don't feel too good." He painfully uttered. Pieck attempted to comfort him, but he gently pushes her away. Pieck respected his wish for personal space and went back to her original spot by Lazarus's side.
"This… person… who ate my brother. Are they a good person? Or are they just like everyone else on that damn island?! Nothing but a blasted devil who doesn't give a shit about anyone but themselves?!" He raised his voice slightly, struggling to hold back his emotions.
"No. Ymir is a good person. She just did what any Pure Titan would've done to regain their humanity." Lazarus attempted to calm him down.
"Ymir? That's her name?!" He snarled at him.
"It's the only name she's ever known. She was never given a real name." He calmly explained, defending his former Scout ally. "She offered to give your brother's Jaws back. The commander has arranged for a ceremony to take place tomorrow morning to transfer it over to you… You are to become the new Jaw Titan."
That last part of the explanation helped calm Porco down somewhat. Becoming a Warrior was what he had always wanted. But he was robbed of his chance to become the Armoured Titan by Reiner. Even now to this day he still believed he was more worthy of its power than him.
"I should've known something like this would happen. I tried to tell him things could go wrong without me, but he wouldn't listen. No, Marcel always knew best." He thought to himself as he calmed his nerves.
"I'm so sorry, Porco. None of us ever meant for this to happen. But holding a grudge over what Ymir did won't bring him back. Believe me, I know. When I first learned of this, I wanted her dead. I wanted her to suffer. But that was because I was blinded by hatred. Once I got past that, I was able to step into her shoes and understand things from her situation… That poor girl had sacrificed so much to be here. She could've just used your brother's Jaws to fight us and be with the one she loves. But she chose to come back and face what she'd done, knowing she'll die and never see her again… She wants to redeem herself. Let her do that."
Galliard annoyingly grunts in response to Lazarus's speech. He hadn't changed at all since they were kids. Little Lazarus. Always the optimist. Always defending those who didn't deserve it. Always twisting people's minds with his wisdom. It was the one thing he still hated about him. But what made him hate it, even more, was the fact that he somehow managed to convince him to agree. It was such a pain in the ass.
"Once I eat that girl and see into her memories, I'll be the one to decide if she's as good a person as you claim she is."
Galliard turns around and makes his way back to the courtyard where the cadets were still watching over them. Thankfully they were too far away to be able to overhear their conversation.
"Alright, brats! Break times over! Get back into fighting positions!" He ordered them, finally channelling that built-up anger into motivation for the cadets.
Lazarus turns back to Pieck and apologises for how the reunion ended. He should've known Porco would still be the same asshole he was when they were kids. But Pieck assures him that he has actually grown up some since they left, and he's only acting the way he is because he was grieving his brother in his own way.
The two of them agree to cut the reunion short for today and return to their duties. Pieck went over to the courtyard to look over the cadets, trying to determine which of them would be fit to become the next generation of Warrior Candidates. While Lazarus continued onwards to the detention centre.
Ymir was sitting all alone in her lowly prison cell. It wasn't too bad as far as cells go. At least she had a decent bed, a sink to wash up in, and even a towel. Even though it hadn't been washed. She even had a desk and chair next to the cell door.
The moment she was locked up, the soldier standing outside had been keeping a constant watch over her, making sure she doesn't try anything. Every sharp object had been removed to prevent her from cutting herself and turning Titan. But that alone wouldn't stop her. If she wanted to, she could bite her hand and transform right now. Hence why she was under surveillance. The moment she tries anything, the guard is authorised to shoot her.
Ymir hated being watched by the creepy-looking Marleyan. She wasn't allowed any kind of privacy. Not even when she needed to bathe or use the metal bucket in the corner to go to the bathroom. It was downright disgusting.
Though she couldn't decide what was worse. The soldier constantly watching her, or Lazarus who took over the moment he arrived. Although she was more comfortable with him around, he was still invading her personal space. But that was the price for killing one of their own, she thought.
It wasn't until nightfall when Ymir finally decided to bring up that favour she wanted Lazarus to carry out. It's best to get it over with now before her imminent execution in the morning.
Lazarus unlocks her cell door and lets himself in, locking it behind him. He then lights up the candles on Ymir's desk. Giving her cell a somewhat cosy atmosphere.
"Did you get what I asked for?" Ymir addresses him after making sure they were all alone.
Lazarus reaches into his right breast pocket and pulls out a metal case, a piece of paper, and a pencil. He hands them over to Ymir who smiles up at him, thankful he pulled through with his end of the bargain.
"You gonna write a letter to Historia?" He asked.
"It's clear I'm never gonna have a happy ending with her. She deserves to know my final thoughts before I die tomorrow."
"I understand that this letter is for her eyes only. But I'm under orders to watch your every move, including writing notes. So don't hold it against me when I watch you write, ok?"
"Yeah, I get it. Still, better you than that creepy blonde perv with the thin beard."
The two of them share what may be their last laugh together before Ymir begins writing her final farewell letter to the girl she loves. At first, she froze, unsure of what her last words should be. There was so much she wished to say to her, but she only had limited space on the paper.
She closes her eyes and takes a couple of deep breaths, letting the words come to her before imprinting them on the note. As soon as they came to her, she wasted no time writing them down with her right hand whilst resting her head on her left on the desk.
Lazarus was leaning up against the cell door watching her write. His head blocked out the small, barred window in the door, preventing any soldiers from peering in on them. Nobody else needed to know about the letter.
"To my dear Historia. As I write this, Lazarus is standing at my side. He's forced to sneak a peek every now and then under the orders of his superiors. Honestly, it's not as bad as being watched by some pervy soldier. That said, I'm glad it's him. He gave me his word that he would deliver this letter to you. He says he owes me for the time I double-backed to save him and his friends… I'm sorry about them. I never would've imagined myself choosing them over you… I'm going to die soon. But I'll die without regrets. Or that's what I'd like to say. Truth is, I do have one. It's that I never got to marry you… With love. Ymir."
Lazarus was deeply moved by what Ymir wrote. It saddens him to know what was going to happen tomorrow. He wanted to tell her something that he hadn't even told Zeke and the other Warriors yet. Something that would allow him to transfer the Jaw Titan without needing to sacrifice Ymir.
Though it was probably far too late for any alternatives, it couldn't hurt to at least let her know there was a second option.
"Ymir. If there was any other way to repay your debt to us and be with Historia, would you take it?"
Ymir looks up from her letter slightly shocked by what she'd just been asked. She turns her head to the left and looks directly at Lazarus, demanding clarification.
"During the flight here, I was thinking over this whole ordeal. Originally, I had no problem with you giving back the Jaw Titan the usual way."
"Usual way? What are you gawking about?" She asked.
"… This is something Marley's ordered me to keep secret, even from the other Warriors." He clears his throat and rearranges his hat before continuing. "The Hellfire Force was not the only power I possess that Marley has forbidden me to use in their presence. I have the power to take a Titan power within myself and distribute it in whoever I please, as long as they're a Subject of Ymir."
"What?!" Ymir's eyes widen in shock.
"How it works is, if I make physical contact with an Eldian who possesses one of the Ten, and an Eldian who doesn't. Then I can remove that power and transfer it to the Subject of Ymir who doesn't have it. But it's not just the power I strip from them, I can also remove the Curse of Ymir. In other words, they'll be returned to the person they used to be before inheriting one of the Ten."
"How- How can that be?" she asked.
"The Winged Titan was created by combining the spinal fluids of all the Titans, except the Crystal. Pieces of them exist within me. That's why I possess their unique traits, such as your powerful claws and teeth. Reiner's armour. The Warhammer's constructs, etc. The Titan power I connect with links up to the piece of it within me and uses it as a guide to travel through my body into its new host. Essentially, it's like how sound would travel through a microphone and exits out of a radio."
"However, there is a downside to it. The process only has a 50% chance of being successfully pulled off. If done incorrectly, it would result in the loss of the Titan power I'm trying to transfer. And I don't mean that as in it would randomly be transferred to some Eldian. I mean it would be straight up gone forever… As Zeke mentioned, I am no longer connected to the paths. Therefore, any Titan power that goes through me loses its connection as well. Unless I manage to give it to someone else. That's why Marley ordered me to never use this technique. Any chance of losing one of the Ten, no matter how slim, is too great a risk for them."
Ymir listens carefully to Lazarus's lecture on yet another Titan power he happened to possess. She pretty much speaks for everyone when she says Lazarus's Winged Titan is way too overpowered. Almost as powerful as the Founding Titan itself. She understood that was the point behind its creation. It was meant to be a second Founding Titan, despite the errors in its creation. This would explain why the transfer only has a 50% chance of actually working. But there was one thing about this power that still left her curious.
"… What happens to the current holder of the Titan power if it ends up going wrong?" She hesitantly asks.
"…I've only ever tested this power out once. The first time was with Reiner and the predecessor for the Armoured Titan. It did work the first time. Reiner was able to inherit the power, and his predecessor had been freed from his thirteen-year curse… at first. The next day he died. I didn't see what happened, but Lucia described that he combusted into flames and burned to death. It was as if my flames had somehow found their way into his body and slowly built up within him until they grew large enough to incinerate him from the inside out. Once it was revealed I was the cause, the Brass had forbidden me from ever using this technique. Not even on my enemies.
"Oh shit." Ymir thought to herself, stunned by his explanation.
She ended up sighing in defeat. At first, she would've accepted Lazarus's offer to give back the Jaw Titan his way. But she wasn't willing to risk getting burned alive or loose the power forever. Between being eaten by a Pure Titan and getting burned alive, she favoured the former more. At least when she's getting eaten it'll be quick. Sometimes.
"Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm truly flattered that I'm the first one you've shared this with. But I can't accept your proposal. I'd rather go out on my own terms than take a gamble for my life back. I think there have been enough risks taken for one day. Don't you?"
"I understand. I just didn't want you to die without knowing there was another way. I respect your decision."
Ymir smiles and pats Lazarus on the back. "You're very sweet. I can see why Annie likes you… Too bad she might be the Scouts' prisoner forever."
"I won't let that happen. I plan to rescue her the moment I return to Paradis. She's been locked in that crystal for too long. I will break her outta there and bring her home. And after that, I will deliver your letter to Historia." He places his hand on his heart in the form of the Scout's salute. "You have my word on that."
Ymir continues to smile at him. Remembering her letter was still on the desk, she folds it up, places it inside the metal case, and hands it over to Lazarus, who places it in his left breast pocket.
Ymir stands up from her chair and properly faces Lazarus. "Go get your girl, Laz. Do what you gotta do."
"Heh, you're starting to sound like me now?" He teased.
"It's because of you. You're infecting me with your cheesiness!" She teased back at him.
"Lights out!" One of the prison guards called out, ordering all prisoners to get to bed at once.
Lazarus's smile fades in response to the realisation that this will be the last time he'll ever see and talk to Ymir. He didn't want her to die anymore, but there was nothing he can do to stop it.
He raises his arms, preparing to hug Ymir goodbye. But she responds by grossly pushing him back.
"Ugh! You already gave me your cheesy speeches, now you wanna infect me with Annie's scent still clung to your body?!" She responded in a grossed-out, but joking manner.
Lazarus blushes in response and backs away from her awkwardly. Just when he thought she had changed in her final moments, the old Ymir reemerges and finds a way to make things weird.
Noticing the look of cringe on his face, Ymir decided to ease his burden with a handshake. Lazarus took a moment to regain his composure before accepting it.
"It's been interesting knowing you, Ymir."
"Same here. Even though it's only been two days since we've properly gotten to know each other."
"You'd be surprised how close you can be with someone in such little time." He replied with a smile.
With their final goodbyes said, Lazarus unlocks her cell door and leaves, locking the door again behind him. He will be present where the ceremony to transfer the Jaw Titan takes place, but only to be a witness.
The next morning, Ymir was escorted out of her cell and taken down to the underground chamber where all current Warriors would be sacrificed to their chosen successors.
Lazarus was standing beside Commander Magath and Pieck from the safety of the visual room. Ymir was already chained to the altar high above their current position, awaiting her inevitable fate. She was dressed up in the same sacrificial robes all who came before she wore.
And Porco Galliard was being escorted out into the centre of the chamber by two soldiers. One of the soldiers was preparing the Titan transformation serum, while the other was removing his jacket and shirt, exposing his chest.
Ymir, who was just sitting blankly atop the altar, decided to glance over at Lazarus whose eyes hadn't left her since she'd been locked up there.
He lightly taps his hand on the metal case still hidden inside his left breast pocket, reassuring her that her memoir to Historia is still safe and he will deliver it as promised. Had Ymir consumed his spinal fluid like Michael and the Warriors did, he would've been able to telepathically reassure her. But Ymir didn't need to hear him mentally say it. She knows he will keep his word and do everything in his power to ensure Historia gets that letter.
The whole chamber lights up with the sudden burst of Titan energy. It has begun. Galliard's Pure Titan fully manifests in only a matter of seconds, letting out a roar. Lazarus wasn't surprised that his Pure Titan form looked almost identical to Marcel's, with the obvious difference being the hair colour and style.
It didn't take long for Porco's Pure Titan to notice the helpless Ymir kneeling right in front of him. It lunges its head forwards and manages to swallow her body in one bite. Lazarus looks away as the Titan devours Ymir. Everyone else just gives Galliard a round of applause once he emerges from the Titan's nape, reborn as the new Jaw Titan.
Lazarus is proud to have the Jaw Titan among the Omega Unit again but also pitied what had to be lost to get it.
"Farewell, Ymir. I'll honour your sacrifice not only by keeping our promise. But also to ensure the Jaw Titan plays a major role in ending this cursed war."
To Be Continued