I continued to stare down below the wall. Reiner and Eren were getting up after crash landing on the ground. I heard a roar above me and hot air began blowing in my direction. I was far enough away where the major part of the steam didn't blow me away. Reiner really did make sure I was far enough away from Bertholdt. I looked up to see the large steam cloud now obscuring Bertholdt's Colossal form.
A crashing sound coming from in front of me caught my attention. I watched as Eren's Titan form was sent flying and skidding against the ground. Reiner had his arm extended out from the punch he just delivered. I couldn't take my eyes off of Reiner in his Armored Titan form.
For the first time in years, I couldn't get my body to move. I know I should be down there, helping everyone face off against the Armored Titan but…I can't. I can't get my body to move. My chest ached as more silent tears fell down my chest. I can't bring myself to help kill the man that I fell in love with. All I can do is watch.
Eren got up again and punched Reiner in the face. Reiner shrugged it off like it was nothing and hit Eren back. Eren once again got sent flying into the air. It's his armor. Eren can't get through his armor. My eyes noticed steam coming from Eren's hand. His hand was destroyed when trying to punch Reiner's armored plates. Unlike Annie, the Armored Titan is true to its name and is covered in armored plates. Nothing we have can hope to pierce through those thick plates.
Eren let out another roar and charged at Reiner once again. That idiot, blinding charging in hasn't worked the last two times. What makes you think this time is different? My eyes widened as Eren ducked under Reiner's punch. He snaked one arm under Reiner's and put him in a headlock. Eren kicked one of Reiner's legs out from under and tackled him to the ground.
"That's…Annie's move." I muttered under my breath.
Flashback
"Ouch!" I stood above Bertholdt as he laid on the ground. I had just sent him over during hand to hand combat exercises. We were on day two of combat training. This time Bertholdt was my assigned partner. Guy didn't really have a violent bone in his body though.
"Sorry about that. I threw you a little harder than I meant to. You alright?" I asked and held my hand out.
"Uh yeah. I'm fine. You're crazy strong, Vivien." Bertholdt stated. He took my hand and I helped him stand back up.
"AGH!" I turned around in time to witness Annie bring down Eren.
"I think Eren is having a harder time. Annie doesn't hold back." I commented. Eren started turning blue and purple in the face. Is she seriously choking him right now?
"Ack!" My eyes widened seeing Reiner flying in the air. Annie got out of the way as Reiner crashed into Eren. Reiner laid on the ground twitching while Eren looked at him in shock.
"How'd he get sent flying like that?" Bertholdt questioned in shock.
"Who do you think? The only other person besides Annie and I that are the best at fighting." I commented as Mikasa began to approach Annie. She had that look in her eyes. She witnessed Annie put Eren in that chokehold.
"This'll end badly." I muttered and walked in their direction. I stopped next to Eren and looked down at Reiner.
He seemed to get out of his daze and noticed me, "First Annie, now Mikasa? Is it my turn yet to throw you on your ass?" I teased him. Reiner chuckled and sat up.
"I think I'm done with my fair share of being tossed around like that." He admitted.
"Hold on, are they really going to do this?" Eren questioned. Annie got into a fighting stance. Mikasa stood at the ready as well. A crowd had now formed around everyone. I could hear cadets placing bets on who would win.
"Who do you think will win?" Reiner asked me.
I stared at Mikasa, "Mikasa will. No doubt about it. Annie couldn't hold her own against me. I doubt she'd win against her." I stated honestly.
End of Flashback
The fight didn't even happen. Commandant Shadis showed up and stopped it. We all ended up running laps until sundown for it. Still, in the end Annie didn't stand a chance against Mikasa or myself.
I watched as Reiner pushed Eren off him and went for a punch. Eren wrapped his legs around Reiner's head and grabbed hold of his arm. Eren began pulling on Reiner's arm. Eren's actually using his head while fighting. He's not in a blind rage like he was with Annie. He's using actual martial art techniques to fight Reiner. A fight in brute strength is in Reiner's favor but fast and precise actions are in Eren's. Reiner is bigger and has his armor but it also makes him slower. Eren is much slimmer and nothing weighing him down.
Crack!
A slight gasp left my lips as I stared at cracks now appearing on Reiner's armor. Eren is actually starting to break his armor?! Reiner attempted to stand up but Eren was quick to change his form. Eren once again forced Reiner into the ground. Eren now sat on top of Reiner and pulled on the arm that had cracked armor. I watched in amazement as Eren successfully ripped Reiner's arm off. He did it. He broke through the armor. Eren let out a roar as he tossed Reiner's severed arm to the side.
Eren paused for a moment before I could see Scouts head back to the wall. Eren did something that shocked me. He retreated back to the wall. Keeping his distance from Reiner.
"You're actually in control." I thought out loud. My eyes drifted over to Reiner who was now standing back up. His face plate had shifted and now exposed his mouth. What are you going to do now, Reiner?
My eyes focused back on Eren. I could see Section Commander Hange on Eren's shoulder. A moment later I could see Eren physically nod his head. They're discussing some sort of plan. Hange left a second later and Eren put his fists up ready for another round.
Reiner slowly moved his way towards Eren. Steam erupted from his mouth as he began to charge. I notice some of his armor stripped away on his legs. Reiner was suddenly moving faster than he was before. He can strip away armor in exchange for speed? His sudden speed caught Eren off guard. Reiner picked up Eren and slammed him into the wall. I could feel the vibrations of the wall being hit beneath me.
Eren fell to the ground and Reiner went for punches on his head. Eren managed to dodge and trapped one of Reiner's legs. They wrestled on the ground until Eren managed to kick Reiner away. Reiner once again charged at Eren.
Reiner tackled Eren but Eren was quick to wrap his legs around Reiner which caused Reiner to lose his balance. Eren had Reiner's neck bent and his free arm pinned. Eren let out a roar as he started to bend Reiner. Reiner was still fighting and almost looked like he was about to escape Eren's grip.
Mikasa swooped down and cut the muscles on the back of Reiner's knees. Reiner buckled down and Eren continued to pull. My mouth opened in shock as his armor around his nape began to crack and break off. Eren was aiming to tear off his head. Reiner struggled to move and seemed to be sliding both of them against the ground. It looked like he was trying to get up but couldn't and stopped.
"Reiner…" Images of Reiner flashed through my mind. Everything that we've done together. Our talks, our moments together, the fun we had, and the love that we felt for one another. The memory of Reiner pulling me from the cobblestone wall and into a kiss replayed in my head. Was all of that just part of your act? To try and fit in and hide? It felt like a dagger was piercing my heart.
A sudden roar that didn't belong to Eren reverberated through the air. My eyes slowly drifted to Reiner. He's the one doing it. Is this like Annie's distress call? A moment passed but no Titans appeared. What was that call for then? Was it a signal?
My breath hitched in my throat as I snapped my head to the Colossal still next to me. My eyes widened seeing the Colossal was beginning to evaporate. It was a call to Bertholdt!
Snap!
The bones holding the Colossal upright snapped. It was going to fall on them!
"Everyone! Get out of the way! Look up!" I finally found my voice and yelled out.
The Colossal Titan's corpse fell down the wall and landed right on top of Reiner and Eren. The collision caused debris and dust to fly everywhere. I ducked down low and braced myself as the wind violently blew around me. My Scouts green cloak could be heard flapping in the intense wind.
I heard Reiner's roar come from inside the dust cloud. I couldn't see anything from where I was. Then Reiner came out of the cloud and began running south. I noticed someone use their ODM Gear and climbed on Reiner's shoulder. That must be Bertholdt and he looks like he's carrying someone. Was that Eren? No, the figure was too petite to be Eren. Reiner wouldn't be retreating unless he succeeded in getting Eren. I looked at Reiner's closed jaw but the plates were still down. Unless he's holding Eren in his mouth. He must've bit down on Eren's nape and took him out of his Titan form.
A somber feeling lingered in the air. I sat on the wall just aways from everyone who was injured from the blast. I had one leg propped up and leaned on it as I stared at the horizon. Five hours had passed and any sign of Reiner and Bertholdt were long gone. It was confirmed that Eren and Ymir were both taken by them.
"Vivien!" I heard a very angry sounding Mikasa. Looks like she's awake. Before I knew it, Mikasa grabbed the collar on my Scout cloak and pulled me to her. Her coal black eyes held pure fury in them.
"Where were you when Eren was fighting Reiner?!" Mikasa demanded as she shook me.
"Mikasa, stop it! There would have been nothing that Vivien could have done to stop the same outcome!" Armin argued.
I reached my hand up and gripped Mikasa's wrist, "Let go." I met Mikasa's glare with my own, "Now." I demanded.
"Where were you? You could have helped stop Reiner before he took Eren away. Or is it because it's Reiner he was fighting that you washed your hands clean of it?" I gritted my teeth and balled up Mikasa's collar with my hands.
"Don't you think I tried?! I knew I should have been there and helping! But I couldn't, okay?! I couldn't make my body move! I couldn't bring myself to help you kill the man that I love!" I yelled as I felt my eyes water. Mikasa and Armin looked at me in shock.
"Vivien…"Armin trailed off. A sadness showed in his blue eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mikasa. I couldn't do it." I apologized with my tone now softer.
My hands fell to my sides as my body went limp. Mikasa released my cloak. She fully stood up and backed away. I looked up to see tears forming in Mikasa's eyes. She's hurting too right now. Eren's gone and she doesn't know where he is. She turned and walked away.
"Vivien, are you going to be okay?" Armin asked gently. He knelt down next to me. His blue eyes held sympathy for me.
"I don't know, Armin. This whole situation just sucks. Why did it have to turn out like this?" I muttered as I propped my legs back up. I wrapped my arms around my legs and rested my head on top of my arms.
"I know. I know that this hurts. I saw both Reiner and Bertholdt as friends, but you and Reiner were much closer than that. I can't even begin to imagine how much you're hurting. I know it's a lot to ask for right now, Vivien. But we still have a job to do as soldiers. Reinforcements should be here any minute. When they do, we're heading out to get Eren back. Mikasa is right, Vivien. We need your help to get Eren back. It's going to take all of us to do it." I picked up my head and stared at Armin in surprise.
"Can we count on you?" Armin asked.
I pressed my mouth in a firm line and I looked at my hands. He's right. I can't just sit by and wallow in my own self pity. I don't know how but Eren is somehow the key to so many things. We can't just let him be taken away from us.
I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand. I looked up at Armin with resolve.
"You can count on me." I reassured him.
Armin smiled, "Good. Try to clear your head until it's time to head out." I nodded as Armin stood back up. He walked back over where Mikasa and Captain Hannes were waiting for him.
I looked out to the horizon and narrowed my eyes on it. The wind blew my blonde bangs back as the breeze hit me. The hurt was still there but now anger was bubbling to the surface.
"Reiner…you owe me some answers." I muttered under my breath angrily.
Another hour had come and gone and still no signs of reinforcement. I stood at the edge of the wall and looked out. I wonder where they are right now?
"Vivien." I turned my head to see Mikasa approaching me. I turned to face her.
"I…I'm sorry for earlier. I know this isn't easy for you. I was just angry that I couldn't do anything to stop them from taking Eren. And I took my anger out on you. You didn't deserve that and I'm sorry for it." I said nothing and walked up to Mikasa. She stared at me waiting for me to say something.
I surprised her when I suddenly hugged her, "It's okay. I know how much Eren means to you. I probably would have done the same thing if the situations were reversed." I felt Mikasa put her arms around me in a hug back.
I pulled back and gave a small smile, "Are we good?" I asked. Mikasa returned the smile and nodded.
"We're good." My face then turned serious.
"We'll get him back, Mikasa." Mikasa's face matched mine and she nodded in agreement.
"Hey, it's Commander Erwin!" A Scout shouted. Mikasa and I walked over to the others. I could see in the distance from the wall was Commander Erwin with soldiers behind him.
"Never thought they'd ride on top of the wall." Armin stated.
"Probably the quickest route here." Krista added.
"For the record, you won't but I'd rather you stay behind." My eyes glanced back at Armin and Krista. Something was going on with Krista but nothing was explained yet. It could honestly wait until after we retrieved Eren.
"No, not happening. Nice try though. As long as Ymir's in danger. Nothing will keep me here. Sorry, that's just how it is." Krista exclaimed.
"We're all on this together, Armin." I looked at Connie who stood in front of all of us.
"You're not special, every one of us has a reason for going. Still trying to process mine at least. Why did Bertholdt and Reiner do what they did? I wanna ask why while I look them dead in the eye." Connie stated.
"Get in line then, Connie. Reiner owes me answers." Connie looked at me from over his shoulder.
Erwin stopped his horse just ahead of us. He dismounted as Scouts ran to him.
"We're glad to see you Commander." Erwin stared at all of us.
"Is this situation still the same?" The Scout nodded.
"Ready the lifts!" Erwin ordered.
"Gah!" The Scout suddenly flinched. Hange laid on the ground gripping the back of his ankle.
"Someone get me a map." What is she on about now?
We huddled around Hange as she had a map on the outer area of Wall Rose.
"It's a gamble but the trees in this forest are massive. I say we ride straight for it. See, even if they were able to cover the Armored Titans footprints. This is definitely where we would find them." Hange stated.
"Why's that?" Erwin questioned.
"They need to recoup. They have the power to assume Titan form but the Titans on the other side of the wall still pose a threat. Especially after putting up such a fight. Yes, Eren was the worst for it but they've got to be spent. Remember when Annie went out cold? Let's say they're heading somewhere beyond Wall Maria. That's not a simple hike. They'll need all the rest they can get before covering that kind of distance. They're in no shape to make it in a single push, and if so they'll want to go somewhere they can catch their breath where other Titans can't get them. Odds are, they'll hold out till it gets dark." Hange explained.
I looked up at the distance. The sun was already starting to go down. We had maybe a couple hours left.