Jason walked slowly towards the explosion. His javelin, assisting his descent deeper into the cave, shone against the crystallized light. The hot air from the explosion reached him, rifling his hair.
Jason took another step.
He didn't understand why he kept walking. Nothing could save him now. The explosion rocking the cave was already bringing down debris around him. Armin and Moblit had taken Hange up to safety. But the tunnel they used had collapsed in on itself. So he followed Levi and the others into the cave.
But, at the rate he was going, he would never reach the others.
Jason's took another step forward.
Bodies and fallen debris lay all around him.
He had done this. Hurt all these people.
He took another step.
A hand gripped his foot. He looked behind him.
The blonde haired woman laid flat on the ground. She showed him her face. It was horribly burned in a lightning-like pattern. She glared at him, "Kenny's… dream… you…" She coughed out blood, "You… ruined…"
Jason took another step, easily slipping from her loosening grip. "Kenny's… dream…" the words lingered in the air.
Jason took another step, refusing to look back.
He recalled Levi's words Don't hesitate. Because they won't.
Jason had followed orders. He was alive because of them.
He took another step.
He gritted his teeth. He didn't hesitate. He was still alive. But how about the others? Those who died so he could stay alive.
He took another step.
His comrades who sacrificed themselves for him. The enemies he destroyed to save himself. What about them?
He took another step.
His cheeks became wet. What was the point of any of this? His thoughts consumed him. Why did anyone have to die? If I end up dying… what will any of this be for?
He took another step.
Maybe that's why he kept walking. To honor his comrades' sacrifice. To prove to his enemies his ideals weren't wrong.
He took another step.
Or maybe it was simply because he didn't want to die.
He took three more steps.
As the debris around him fell to the ground, he looked up. Lightning and flesh and skeleton were growing past the cave's ceiling. He couldn't comprehend what was happening.
Jason was upset. But there were no more tears.
He had fought harder than he ever had in his life. He was proud. Proud to fight by their side. Proud that he kept walking.
Jason saw a part of the ceiling fall on top of him. His last thoughts before the debris hit were, I'm sorry… Nifa… Leo.