-Chapter 8: On That Day-
Somewhere in the Trost District, Wall Rose
News had spread throughout the rest of humanities territories regarding the breach of Shiganshina. As well as reports regarding the one responsible for slaying the invading titan force…
Inside an office, a group of merchants and officials were currently discussing the news regarding the breach. Dimo Reeves, owner of the merchant organization, Reeves Company, finds himself struggling to process the information. "Unbelievable, titans breaching Shiganshina…Why? After a hundred years, why would the walls fail us now?"
An official turned to respond to Dimo's questions. "Whether you believe it or not Mr. Reeves, the district has indeed been breached, we've received reports of civilians fleeing the district by boats. I'm told there are at least five hundred refugees and counting."
Another official chimes in. "The real question is, have we only lost the Shiganshina District alone? What of the rest of Wall Maria?"
Another merchant responds to his query. "Can't say for sure, the situation is still ongoing as we speak." Silence filled the room as they processed the information regarding the crisis.
"A-Anyways, the best we can do right now is contact the central government, the situation is-" The conversation was interrupted as the door to their office suddenly bursts opened to reveal an exhausted Garrison soldier. "E-Excuse me! Apologies for the intrusion, but new developments have just come in! The titans inside the Shiganshina District have been wiped out!"
Everyone's eyes widened at this shocking turn of events. The titans wiped out? How? The reports said that dozens of the monsters got inside, had the Garrison managed to beat them back? Was it the Survey Corps? They had to know!
"H-How….how were they defeated?" The soldier looked nervous as he looked over the report once again, struggling to speak.
"A-A combined force of Garrison and Survey Corps forces fought off the titan horde, alongside a-a-a-" The poor soldier continued to stutter, irritating the gathered officials.
"For God's sake! Spit it out soldier!" Dimo shouted.
"T-The reports s-say that…a larger than average man, m-marked in glowing tattoos…fought alongside the military, d-displaying supern-natural feats, and…s-slaughtered the titans inside the district..."
…
…
…
"What?"
-oOo-
Near the Outer Gate of the Shiganshina District
Silence filled the air as the surviving townsfolk stared in utter shock at the sight before them. The man from beyond the walls, that many had seen arrive before the attack had, for lack of a better word, "summoned " the titans inside the district towards him, and single handedly slaughtered them to the last. No one said a word as the marked man, standing atop the piled-up bodies of headless titans, slowly started to make his way down, titan bones cracking and breaking with every step. As his feet touched the ground, one of the townsfolk approached the glowing warrior.
The man had certainly seen better days, as his face looked hollow and ghoulish, and his clothing was ragged and bloodied. The ragged man stopped a few feet away as he stared into the superhuman's glowing orbs.
"T-The titans…have you slayed them all?"
Maverick looked back at the pile of giant skeletons, then towards the outer gate, seeing no signs of any approaching giants. "Seems like it friend, at least for now…" Maverick turned back to the man, only to feel his naked body collide with something.
He looked down to see that the man had hugged his torso and begin to shake as he struggled to stay standing. Sniffles and sobs could be heard as the man tried to keep himself together.
"*Sniff*A-a piece of the wall, c-claimed my family…I came face to face with one of those smiling bastards. W-When it reached out for me, I believed my life was forfeit….until I heard a shout ring out across the district, and the titan was gone…Was that you?" He raised his tear-stricken face to meet the glowing eyes of the warrior. Maverick nodded, which caused the man to release more tears from his eyes.
"B-Bless you! I would have met my end had it not been for you! You're a godsend, sent by the Almighty himself to finally destroy these monsters! You must be!"
The sobbing man's hold on the marked man tightened, he didn't seem to care that the man he was hugging was completely naked. Suddenly a shock ran through his spine, and he soon released his grip and backed away from the man, a look of awe on his face. Maverick slowly approached the man with a concerned look.
"You alrig-" He didn't get to finish as the man quickly turned towards the gathered crowd.
"CHEERS TO THE TITAN SLAYER! CHEERS TO THE SAVIOR OF SHIGANSHINA! CHEERS TO HUMANITY'S WRATH GIVIN MANFEST!"
Soon the district was filled with the cheers of the remaining surviving denizens of Shiganshina. Families rejoiced, couples kissed and reconciled, and others fell to their knees as tears of either happiness or sorrow streaked down their faces. Some slowly approached the marked man to offer their thanks and praises.
"Oh come now folks, I wasn't alone in this fight…" Maverick attempted to calm down the crowd, but it was to no avail, as the townsfolk continued to rave and cheer for their newest champion. He looked to the green cloaked soldiers that stood atop the rooftops and offered them an apologetic smile, seeing as he had inadvertently taken all the credit for their actions.
-oOo-
Standing up high on the nearby buildings, both members of the Survey Corps and Garrison looked in awe at the spectacle. Keith sat down on the edge of the roof and stared at the skeletal remains of the giant man eaters. Not till a few hours ago were these same monsters invading the district, feasting on the people as they pleased, only to be rounded up and slain by the superhuman stranger in mere minutes, like lambs brought to the slaughter house.
"How many titans lie in that pile?" He wondered aloud.
"Dozens, perhaps more" Came a response from Erwin, as he stood next to the commander. The captains' piercing blue eyes were not on the pile of corpses, but on the large, marked man that was currently being surrounded by the townsfolk that were singing his praises. His eyebrows raised as he saw the warm and understanding expression on his face.
"He seems quite calm in this situation, as if he's been through this song and dance before" Erwin thought. The large man was truly an intriguing individual, Besides his appearance and god like strength what Erwin was truly interested in, was in the knowledge he held. The small amount he revealed earlier was evidence enough to know that they weren't alone in the world. That knowledge would be invaluable to the Survey Corps.
"Already hatching up plans for our friend, Erwin?" The captain looked down to see Keith eyeing him. Erwin glanced to his commander before looking back to the marked man. "The small amount of information he disclosed earlier was quite telling. I believe it will be very useful to the Scouts." Keith chuckled as he knew what the young captain meant. "Of course, and you'll have much more time to question him, once your commander…"
Erwin's eyes widened slightly as he turned to Keith. "Sir?" The 12th commander gave no response as he stood up an unbuttoned his cloak. As he folded it, he spoke.
"For too long, I've done nothing but lead you all to your deaths. With nothing to show for it." A solemn expression was on his face, as memories of the past failed expeditions flooded his mind. "It takes a special kind of individual to be a part of the Survey Corps, and I am not one of them…I never was." He looked down below to see Maverick, as he continued to be surrounded by the cheerful townsfolk. "Humanity has been gifted a boon, and I am certain that you will put it to good use. So with that in mind…" He turned and grasped Erwin's shoulder.
"Erwin Smith…As of this moment, I appoint you, the 13th Commander of the Survey Corps."
Erwin's eyes widened for a few moments, before lowering to a more neutral look as he gave Keith a wholehearted salute. "Thank you, commander." Keith gave a soft chuckle at the word. "*Sigh*, still gonna have to make a report about all this, consider it my last act as acting commander…" Keith turned away from the group and shot his hooks towards a building and flew off, heading back to their headquarters. Erwin offered the man one final look before turning back to the cheering crowd, losing himself in his own thoughts, until a monotone voice brought him back to reality.
"Heard you got promoted, congratulations." Erwin turned to see Levi looking at him with his usual deadpanned expression. He gave the smaller than average scout a small smile in return. "So it would seem." The two scouts turned back to the impromptu celebration happening down below, as they heard the people chanting once more.
"THE TITANS HAVE BEEN SLAIN! SHIGANSHINA IS SAVED!" HAIL THE SLAYER FROM BEYOND THE WALLS! FOR HE HAS COME TO SAVE US ALL!"
As Erwin continued to eye the now dubbed "Titan Slayer" the short scout spoke out to him. "So, you got a plan for him yet?" Levi asked. Erwin turned to him with a questioning look, only to receive a narrowed look from his subordinate. "You and I both know that the moment news reaches the big wigs in Mitras about the demigod from outside the Walls, they're going to flip their shit." Erwin nodded in agreement, indeed those in power would certainly see their newest arrival as a possible threat to the established order, however he was certain that his actions today would prove beneficial in the long run.
"No doubt, but would they truly risk the civil unrest?" Levi looked to his superior with a questioning look. "What our friend has done is nothing less of historic. His actions today will be etched into the minds of everyone inside the walls for years to come, as humanity's first ever victory against the titans. Do you think those in power will be able to be rid of him so easily?"
Levi narrowed his eyes as he tried to think of a response. "If they can't outright kill him, they'll try to find a way to control him at the least." Erwin nodded in agreement. "Which is why we need to start making our case, for when the inevitable happens…"
-oOo-
Inside the Trost District, Wall Rose
Hours after the Battle of Shiganshina, the evacuation boats had made port inside of Wall Roses' southern district Trost, where the evacuated citizens were being disembarked. As a crowd had gathered at the canals, a ramp from one of the boats was lowered to reveal a Garrison medic who shouted at the crowd.
"I need any able-bodied person front and center! We have a wounded that should have been hospitalized hours ago!" Almost immediately, a few citizens amongst the crowd began to move forward and help. The medical officer gestured to one of the gathered men to follow him. The duo reappeared seconds later, carrying the stretcher that Carla Yeager rested upon, her children following close behind.
"Got to get her to medical asap, if we want any hope of saving her legs!" Eren's eyed widened with worry as he picked up his pace. "Y-You'll help her, right?" The medic looked downward with an uncertain expression. "I'm sure the doctors at the hospital will do everything they can son…" This didn't seem to reassure the boy, but before he could question further, he heard a familiar voice.
"Eren, Mikasa, Where are you?!" Eren looked to see his father looking towards the crowd of refugees. The boy ran towards him, followed by Mikasa. "Dad!/Mr. Yeager!" Grisha turned to see his two children running up to him, he sighed in relief as he crouched down to give his children a most needed hug. Their reunion was cut short as Grisha noticed someone missing.
"E-Eren, where is your mother?" Eren pointed at the Garrison medic currently lifting a stretcher onto a cart. Grisha approached the cart and gasped the moment he saw who was on the stretcher.
"C-Carla…"
To say that Carla was in a bad shape would be an understatement. She had passed out during the boat ride but was thankfully still breathing. Her hair was disheveled and covered in dirt, and her clothing was ragged and torn. However, the worst of it all was her legs that were covered in wrappings and held in place by makeshift splints, and judging by the red stains on said wrappings, her legs were far from okay.
"Sir, I need you to keep your distance." The medic spoke as he held his hand out towards Grisha, causing the man to back off.
"Please sir, she's my wife. I need to be with her!" The medic stared for a moment before nodding. "Alright get on, but please keep you distance, she is in no condition to move." Grisha's eyes widened, just what had happened to her while he was away? As he boarded the carriage he motioned for his children to follow suit, and as they seated themselves Grisha turned to his son.
"Eren, what happened?" His son gave him a saddened look as he responded. "A titan broke through the gate…a-and a piece of the wall fell on the house…she was still inside…a-and then-" He struggled to retell the events, luckily for him, Mikasa was there to finish for him.
"A titan grabbed her out of the rubble and almost ate her."
Grisha's mind went blank as he struggled to process what he just heard. His wife was in the hands of a titan, she almost died at its hands…wait…almost?
"W-What do you mean? what happened?!" He spoke in an alarmed tone. The kids sat silently until Eren spoke up once more. "Do you remember what I said earlier today? About the man the scouts found outside the walls?" Grisha nodded as he recalled the talk.
"H-He…He showed up and killed that titan. He saved mom…"
-oOo-
Later, inside a medical center in the Trost District
Eren and Mikasa sat and waited inside a medical facility as doctors treated Carla to the best of their abilities. Their father, after managing to convince the medical staff of his status as a doctor, followed them inside to provide assistance. As they waited, they heard the front doors to the hospital open to reveal the familiar faces of Armin and his grandfather.
"Armin, Mr. Arlert…" Eren muttered as the blonde-haired boy walked up to give him a hug. "We asked some folks about your whereabouts, and they lead us here." Grandpa Arlert said as he took off his hat. Armin meanwhile ended the hug and placed his hand on Eren's shoulder in support. "H-How's your mom?" Both Eren and Mikasa looked to the room where their mother was held in. "I-I...don't know. Dad went inside to help, but it's been hours already…."
No sooner had he said that did the doors to the medical room open. They turned to see their father, alongside another doctor walk out into the hall, the two adults shaking hands and parting ways. Grisha's eyes widened as he saw the small group waiting for him.
"Dad! How's mom? I-I she gonna be okay?!" Grisha sighed as he prepared himself to reveal the news. He approached his son and daughter and crouched down to their level and held them both.
"Eren, Mikasa…." The kids were a bit startled at their fathers tone, while grandpa Arlert sighed and held his grandson close, as he had a feeling of what Grisha was going to say. "D-Dad?" Eren asked as he heard his father breath through his nose.
"Mom is going to be alright,…but." Grisha held his children closer. "B-But what?" Eren asked with bated breath, while Mikasa buried herself further into her scarf. Grisha paused for a bit as he tried to choose his words wisely.
"Mom…is going to need some help…when moving around, from now on."
Both Eren and Mikasa were confused by what their father meant, but before they could ask, a commotion erupted outside the hospital. The group made their way towards the front entrance to see what was going on. As Grisha opened the double doors he was meet with the sight of a crowd of people marching across the road raving and cheering.
Grisha's eyes widened in confusion, he quickly approached a nearby reveler to inquire further. "E-Excuse me, but what has happened?" The man answered the doctor gleefully.
"Don't you hear the cheering friend? The titans that breached Shiganshina have all been slain! Wall Maria is saved!" Grisha did a double take as he tried to process what the man just said. "B-But how? W-When did this happen?"
The man looked more than happy to answer "A Garrison on horseback rode into Trost just a few minutes ago with the news! Said that he saw a man in glowing tattoos literally scream out to the heavens and corralled the titans like cattle, completely slaughtered them to the last!"
Grisha was left utterly speechless, not just at the news that the titans that invaded Shiganshina were gone, but that the one responsible was the same man who had saved the life of his wife, the same man that his son spoke about so enthusiastically.
Eren, Mikasa, and the Arlerts were also left speechless at the news, none more so than the young Yeager boy, who began to tear up once more as the events of the day were catching up to him. "Eren?" Mikasa asked as she hugged her brother in an attempt to comfort him.
"I-I'm fine…I'm j-just…I-I can't…" Eren struggled to find the words as he continued to tear up. He felt a mixture of relief and exhaustion about the entire ordeal. From watching a titan almost eat his mother, to watching the marked man kill said titan and save her, and now hearing the news that his home district was saved, it was all too much for the young boy.
Eren, in his current state of mind, could only hug his sister and let his tears out, as he just wanted today to be over. Armin slowly approached the two and offered his support as he patted Eren's back. Soon after, Grisha turned to comfort his son as the merry crowd continued on their way across the district, chanting and raving about humanities newest hope.
On that day, in the year 845, The titans had breached the outer wall of Shiganshina, only to meet their match and be slain to the last…
On that day, humanity was gifted a new hope, in the form of a man. A man from beyond the walls, gifted with god-like strength and abilities…
On that day, the people of Shiganshina celebrated not only for humanity's newest champion, but for humanity's first victory against their most hated and feared enemy...
-oOo-
Hours after the battle. Somewhere inside Wall Maria
Inside of an abandoned home, two children lied in silence, as they waited for the third member of their group to return. They had begun to grow worried as he had not yet shown up. "Do you think that…" The tallest of the two spoke up as he grew anxious, only to shut his mouth at the cold stare the smaller and still exhausted child expressed on her face. They stood in uncomfortable silence for what seemed like hours until they both heard the sound of the front door creaking, to reveal their friend.
"You made it, thank goddn-" The taller child stopped as he saw his steaming friend stumble and collapse as soon as he entered the room. The two quickly rushed to their friends aid as they slowly picked him up, only to nearly drop him as they saw the state he was in.
"W-What happened?!" The taller one asked, only to receive a slurred and gargled noise in response, as his friend only had half of his upper body and face remotely intact…
-A Brief History of the Walls-
The Encounter with the Titan Slayer: In the year 845, upon an expedition led the 12th commander of the Survey Corps, Keith Shadis, the regiment met with a human outside the walls by the name of Maverick, known to the local populace as the "Titan Slayer". During said expedition the outsider appeared to assist the Survey Corps from a titan ambush. Based on testimonies by many scout veterans, Maverick displayed abilities that could only be classified as "supernatural". After the battle the outsider was brought into the fold by the Survey Corps for questioning regarding his origins. Coincidentally his discovery aligned with another historic event in recorded history.
The Battle of Shiganshina: Also known colloquially as the "Shiganshina Skirmish" by locals and survivors of the event. In the year 845, after a hundred years of peace, the Walls were besieged by the largest recorded titan in human history. Dubbed the "Colossal Titan" this titan breached the outer wall of the Shiganshina District, allowing a horde of titans to invade and wreak havoc upon the district.
The number of casualties caused by this incident is recorded to be in the hundreds including both civilian and military personnel. Despite the great loss of life, the titans were able to be pushed back and slain to the last before they could overrun the entire district. Thus granting humanity it's first victory against the titans. Credit for this achievement is given to the brave members of the Survey Corps and Garrison, as well as the "Titan Slayer".
Said individual was credited for not only gathering and dispatching nearly every single titan inside the district, but for also dispatching an abnormal titan that had attempted to breach Shiganshina's inner gate. Said titan was dubbed the "Armored Titan" in light of reports by local Garrison that claimed its skin was strong enough to deflect cannonball shots. However, it seems that it wasn't strong enough to stand a strike by the Titan Slayer's signature weapon, Skullsmite.
AN: We now have reached the aftermath of the Battle of Shiganshina, with a variety of reactions from the people inside the walls, which will lead up in the next chapter, where Maverick's fate inside the walls will be determined. Just a heads up, I'll be going on a weeklong vacation with my folks so it might take a bit long for me to get the next chapter going. However, I'll try to write a bit each day, hopefully get it ready to upload by next week.