The darkening sky bellowed overhead. There was a little wind coming from the east, flowing silently through the forest below. Jason took a deep breath.
He heard someone sitting next to him, but he didn't look. He knew who it was.
"Yo!" Hange said enthusiastically next to him. Jason kept his eyes on the sky, and on the forest below it.
"Levi said you've been having a hard time?" Her tone indicated concern.
Jason closed his eyes. Hanging his head between his knees, he finally spoke.
"Nifa died saving my life." He said quietly.
Silence filled the night. Then, "I know."
Jason's hands grabbed the back of his neck. "How… How do you and Levi deal with it? The loss? I can't seem to…" His hands clenched into fists.
Hange sighed next to him. "I think about what they dedicated their hearts to."
Jason slowly raised his head, properly looking at Hange.
Her goggles were on her forehead. She had fresh scars on her face, and her knuckles were bruised. It looks like she went through a brawl. Jason thought to himself. It would explain why she looked so tired. Despite the exhaustion on her face, it held a smile. Glancing at him, she continued, "We have a sort of motto in the Scouts. 'Dedicate your hearts!'" She mocked Erwin's voice and hit her right fist to her chest.
Chuckling at her impersonation, she said, "Our comrades' deaths won't be in vain. Because they dedicated their hearts to a cause that we, who are still here, will fulfill."
Jason thought about the sentiment. "But… isn't the cost too much? What if you all end up dying? What if it was all for nothing?"
Hange gave him a serious look, "So? We died fighting for our comrades' dying wishes. I'd die for that any day."
Jason didn't know what to say, so he returned his eyeline to the distance. The forest leaves and branches swayed slowly in the wind. Jason took in a slow deep breath.
Nifa had dedicated her heart to her comrades. She saw them as family. She saw him as… family.
Suddenly, a question entered him mind. What did Leo dedicate his heart to? He never thought about why Leo did what he did. The trio had planned for Jason to deliver the final blow to Gaia, but Leo had tricked him and Piper. Why did Leo do that?
"Besides," Hange's voice took him out of his thoughts, "Even if we all end up dying, I know Levi will be the one to fulfill our wish. He's too stubborn to die." She snorted at her joke.
Jason gave a small smile.
Hange's hand landed on Jason's head. "Thanks though, for trying to save her."
Pursing his lips, Jason held in the tears and nodded.
Jason heard Hange raise to her feet. "Come on soldier, it's time to go." Jason looked up to her, her hand held out, "It's time to save Historia and Eren!"