"What surviving historical documents we do have tell us nothing of the Titan's origins."
The teacher paused momentarily, pushing her wire-rimmed glasses further up her narrow nose. Sunlight drifted in through the windows of the classroom. The cadets before her were focused, eyes wide with horror as they discussed the monsters that plagued their world.
"Almost everything about them is obscure," she continued, brushing her hand through her silver hair before turning a page. "Now that isn't to suggest we're completely ignorant."
"Thanks to the efforts of the Scout regiment, we know a decent amount about their ecology. Whether Titans possess human-like intelligence is up for debate, of course, and to date, there have been no reports of high-level communication between them."
"What we do know is that Titan physiology is inherently different from all other organic life. As they lack reproductive organs, it's unclear how they reproduce."
Instructor Muller walked over to the chalkboard, taping the drawing of the Titan to it.
"Apart from this, to all appearances, their physique resembles the average human male. Titans of the female variety have been seen but are rare, and given they do not need to reproduce, it's peculiar that they are gendered at all. We also know their body temperatures run quite high, and baffling though it is, their appetites seemed geared exclusively toward human beings."
Victoria glanced at Jean. His expression was serious, narrow eyes glaring at the board but he seemed to feel her eyes on him; a faint smile graced his face when he glanced at her. Marco and Thomas sat beside them, sweating anxiously.
"In fact," Muller continued, "the Titan's driving principle seems to be this appetite. But, with the construction of the Walls, and given they've subsisted for over a century now without access to their only source of nourishment, we've surmised that these creatures do not, in fact, consume us to live."
A shiver shot down Victoria's spine as the instructor turned her gaze back to the cadets.
"Let that sink in," she spoke sharply, a deathly calm stare piercing through each of the young teens. "Titans aren't motivated by hunger. They're simply in it for the kill."
Lifting her book back up, she continued, "The terrifying vitality of these creatures is beyond scientific dispute. We have only to consider events of the recent past to see this. Mankind has long possessed cannon technology, as you're aware, but that alone proved tragically insufficient. Even with their heads blown to bits, the Titans persist. Though there is some variability on this score, as Titan's head usually regenerates within two minutes."
Two minutes. What a horrifying prospect.
"Is that true?" Thomas leaned over and whispered to Victoria, who shrugged, her eyes wide.
"Excuse me, ma'am!" Marco shot up, his hand in the air, and continued without waiting for permission. "Are you basically saying the Titans... are immortal!?"
"No."
The silver-haired teacher turned back to the chalkboard and began to draw something as she continued, "No, they're not. There is, in fact, one way to ensure death."
She stepped back, a surprisingly decent illustration of the back of a human's head on the chalkboard.
"Strike here." She circled the nape of the neck. "If the back of their neck takes adequate damage, a Titan will not regenerate.This is the chink in the proverbial armor."
"That, I'm sure you've surmised, is where the flesh-paring blades you see here come in." Lifting the fabric off the table before her, the teacher revealed two ultrahard swords. Their silver shine reflected in Victoria's eyes. Each segment was sharp, and designed to break off to ensure optimal slicing ability.
"A good, deep strike with one of these to a Titan's weak spot, and the monster is left with no time to regenerate. They die and stay dead. We believe it has something to do with how quickly the spinal cord is severed."
Victoria glanced around the classroom, wonder sparkling in her eyes. She was curious if any of her fellow cadets felt hopeful about their chances.
But... the classroom was suddenly...
Darker...
The instructor had frozen mid sentence, pointing to something on the whiteboard that was now just a hastily erased mess. The words blurred together in incoherent nonsense; they almost looked like they were a different language all together. As she glanced around some more, she realized everyone had frozen still. Looking out the window, the sky was an deep shade of purple and shifting blue, numerous stars suddenly sparkling where the sun should have been.
And there... in the shadowy back corner of the classroom, stood someone.
Victoria squinted, struggling to make out who it was, and a chill ran down her spine when she realized. The man from her dreams had returned once more; he was just...standing there.
Wait... was this a dream?
He appeared just like before, dressed in tattered clothes that seemed to tell stories of their own, frayed at the edges and stained with the remnants of a life lived on the fringes. His messy black hair fell past his shoulders in wild strands, obscuring much of his features.
Despite the disarray, there was an undeniable magnetism about him, a raw energy that drew Victoria in.
But it was his eyes that truly captivated her. Striking green, like emeralds glinting in the sunlight, they pierced through the darkness of his face, watching her intently with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. They held a depth that seemed to reach into her very soul, as if he could see her innermost thoughts and fears laid bare before him.
In those moments, the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them suspended in a dreamlike haze.
The classroom was now empty.
She could feel the heat that radiated from him, a stark contrast to the cool air that rushed in to surround them. The distance that had always separated them in her previous encounters had vanished, and she could almost reach out and touch him.
Her heart raced as she fought to step forward, to close the gap that had always felt insurmountable. But something was holding her in place.
"Victoria," he whispered, his voice low and gravelly, sending a thrill through her. Her own name felt foreign in his mouth.
And yet.
The way he spoke was laced with an urgency that made her pulse quicken, as if he had something important to share, something that had been waiting for the right moment to be revealed.
She searched his face for answers, for the meaning behind his sudden appearance.
What did he want from her?
Why did he keep coming back?
Each dream had left her with more questions than answers, and now, standing so close, she felt the weight of those unanswered questions pressing down on her. The air crackled with tension as a sudden thought danced through her mind.
He seemed... familiar.
"GET UP!" He wordlessly screamed at her as the memory faded to black.
"You need to save Mikasa! VICTORIA..."
~o~
"...Marla Friedrich!"
With a sharp intake of breath, she burrowed deeper under her blankets as her mother's laughter filled the air, a sweet melody that accompanied Emma Freidrich as she quietly entered Victoria's dimly lit room, her long nightgown flowing behind her. Her long brown hair was long and a bit messy and her tummy was large with Victoria's little brother.
"Why are you still awake?" Emma asked playfully, but little Victoria squeezed her eyes shut, trying to feign sleep, though it was a lost cause; her mother had already spotted her.
Emma's fingers danced along Victoria's sides, easily finding her under the covers and unleashing a wave of tickles that sent both of them into fits of giggles. "You should have been dreaming an hour ago, my precious gem," Emma teased softly. "What's going on in here?"
"I had a nightmare," Victoria replied with a pout, her large brown eyes shimmering like two glowing embers in the flickering light of the candle her mother had brought. "There was a scary man with green eyes yelling at me."
Concern and a flicker of recognition so faint that the young girl didn't notice it etched on Emma's face as she gazed at her daughter. "A n-nightmare?" Emma replied, trying to sound confident. "We can't let that happen. How about I tell you a bedtime story instead?"
"Yes!" Victoria exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she nearly toppled out of bed, only to be caught in her mother's warm embrace. "The one about the green knight! Please, please, please!"
Emma chuckled softly, wrapping her arms tightly around her daughter, "Of course, my dear," she replied, though a shadow flickered across her face for a moment as she settled back against the pillows and began the tale.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway land surrounded by vast, shimmering waters, there existed a flourishing kingdom. This enchanting realm was alive with vibrant hues, where lush green forests met golden beaches, and the air was perfumed with the fragrance of blooming flowers. The towering buildings of the city seemed to reach for the heavens."
"In this kingdom lived a girl, the pride of her dwindling family; with flowing chestnut hair and sparkling brown eyes that looked like jewels," Emma squeezed Victoria's cheek softly now, making the small girl smile wide. "The girl was a dreamer, often found wandering the castle gardens, lost in her own thoughts or immersed in the books of the giant manor."
"This girl was innocent, and young, and didn't quite understand how things worked in her kingdom. She had grown up in the sheltered embrace of this castle, where the walls were adorned with tapestries depicting heroic tales of bravery and love. Where her family was protected and honored for their precious bloodline."
"Blud... line?" Victoria still struggled with the words' meaning.
Emma nodded gently, "Yes, my jewel, she was special. Her family was special. You see, the women of the bloodline belonged as ladies-in-waiting to one of the nine royal families that ruled the Kingdom. They had come together to battle a wicked King, and create everlasting peace."
"Did they win?" V asked, eyes wide.
Emma's eyes darkened, but she nodded. "The King was defeated, pushed back to an island where he would hide to this day. Unfortunately, as the years passed, tensions began to rise among the families. Disagreements over land, resources, and power started to fester, and the once harmonious gatherings turned into heated debates. Without a common enemy, they began to turn on each other," Emma's jaw tightened. "Not to mention, even with the King gone, there were some who blamed the families for the destruction."
"And even though this was long before the girl wandered the halls of the castle, the hatred still remained. It festered in ways she, and her family, could never imagine. As the arguments, and fights escalated, the girl felt completely lost."
"She watched from the sidelines, her heart heavy with confusion and sadness. Her own mother didn't even seem to be able to comfort her. The laughter that once filled the grand halls of the castle was replaced by whispers of discontent and clashing egos. The elders, who had once been her mentors and guides, now seemed consumed by their own ambitions, leaving her feeling isolated in a world that was rapidly changing."
"C-can we skip to the part with the green kniiiiiii-," Victoria trailed off into a yawn, reaching up to rub her eye as she snuggled into her mother's side. "This part... -yawn-.. is making me sad."
"Sure," Emma's smile was almost non-existent. "This part makes me sad, too."
"Knock, knock?"
Emma glanced up at the masculine voice, as Victoria grumbled softly, practically asleep already. Standing in the doorframe, was Dr. Grisha Yeager. Dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, he wore his white doctor's coat, glasses reflecting the light of the candle on the nightstand beside her. He lifted his hand in an awkward wave.
"Johan said you were having contractions?" He asked softly, hesitantly taking a step into the room. "He said it was urgent enough to have me visit for a late night house call, I hope everything is alright?"
Emma sighed, leaning her head back against the headboard. "Yes, but..." Emma paused, unsure how to continue. "Where's Carla and Eren?"
"At home in bed." Grisha frowned, pushing his glasses farther up his face. He was trying very hard to hide the anxiety on his face. "W-what... What is this about, Emma?"
"We need to talk, Grisha."
~o~
The soft sounds of crying pulled Victoria from the depths of darkness that loomed over her as her dreams quickly slipped away. Despite the shadows' attempts to drag her back down, she bravely fought to reclaim her senses. Each sob echoed in her mind, a haunting melody that tugged at her heartstrings, urging her to awaken fully.
As her eyes slowly opened, she was met with a wave of pain coursing through her body, each ache throbbing. The world around her was a blur, a hazy amalgamation of muted colors and indistinct shapes. She attempted to sit up, but a sharp jolt of agony pierced her side, causing her to gasp in surprise.
The sound escaped her lips like a wounded animal, raw and instinctual.
The realization settled over her like a heavy blanket, suffocating yet grounding. She could feel the throbbing pain radiating from her side. Panic threatened to rise within her, but she forced herself to breathe, to focus on the present moment rather than the chaos that had led her here.
It felt like she had broken a rib, but as she shifted from side to side, it seemed it was merely fractured. Possibly not even that, just a deep bruise. Painful, but manageable.
ARMIN!
She gasped, overwhelmed as memories surged within her like a relentless tide.
Was Armin swallowed alive? Was Eren still lying alone on the rooftop?
Where was Mikasa?
The vivid images played in her mind like a haunting film reel: Eren's infectious smile, the way he always knew how to make her laugh even on her darkest days, and Armin's gentle touch, his unwavering support that had always made her feel safe.
Each recollection crashed against her heart, pulling her deeper into a whirlpool of regret and sorrow.
Tears threatened to spill, blurring her vision as she recalled the last moments of Thomas and Mina—their laughter, their warmth, the way they had filled her life with light.
But now, those memories were tainted by the weight of loss, each one a reminder of what she could not protect.
"I'm so sorry...," she cried softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile remnants of their presence. The words felt inadequate, a feeble attempt to bridge the chasm of grief that had opened up inside her. "I wish I had been strong enough to save you..."
The admission hung in the air, heavy with the burden of guilt.
She could still hear their voices, echoing in her mind, urging her to let go of the blame, to forgive herself. But the ache in her chest was relentless, a constant reminder of her perceived failures. She wrapped her arms around herself, seeking comfort in the embrace of her own aching body, but it did little to quell the storm raging within her.
As the tears finally spilled over, tracing warm paths down her cheeks, she felt a mixture of grief and longing. She wished for just one more moment with them, to tell them how much they meant to her, to hold them close and never let go.
But the reality was stark and cruel; they were gone, and all she had left were the memories that both comforted and tormented her.
In that moment of vulnerability, she allowed herself to grieve fully, to acknowledge the depth of her pain. It was a necessary step, she reminded herself, a way to honor Thomas, Mina, Eren, and Armin; to keep their spirits alive within her.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and whispered into the silence, "I will carry you with me, always."
Finally, she looked up.
"Where am I?"
Victoria's surroundings began to sharpen into focus. She was in a dimly lit basement, the walls a dusty old plaster. A small window allowed a sliver of light to filter in, illuminating the dust motes that danced lazily in the air.
The crying persisted, a soft, heart-wrenching sound that seemed to come from somewhere nearby.
With great effort, she turned her head, searching for the source of the sorrow. Her gaze landed on a small figure huddled in the corner, a child with tear-streaked cheeks and wide, frightened eyes.
The sight tugged at Victoria's heart, igniting a flicker of determination within her.
She couldn't let this child suffer alone; she had to find a way to comfort them, to reassure them that everything would be alright. Victoria might not have been able to save her friends, but maybe, just maybe, she could save this child.
"Hey," she croaked, her voice barely above a whisper, rough and strained. The child looked up, startled, their cries momentarily stilled as they met her gaze. "It's okay. I'm here."
Victoria's words felt weak, but she hoped they carried the warmth of sincerity. She struggled to shift her body, wincing as pain shot through her side again, but she needed to reach out.
She needed to connect.
The child blinked, uncertainty flickering in their eyes, but slowly, they began to focus on the military patch on her jacket, recognition growing in his desperate expression as they met V's eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, lips trembling.
"Daddy-hck!-H-he," the child started crying again, covering his face with his tiny hands.
"H-he... saw you... crash," he pointed up the staircase, where the door was firmly shut. "Brought-hck!-us down here but... b..but.. he went back for Mommy! And I heard them-hck!- screaming! Mommy! Daddy! Hck!"
The little one pressed their hands against their ears, swaying gently in a state of distress, with tears cascading down their flushed cheeks as they desperately sought to drown out the haunting memories as he cried for his parents.
Fuck,Victoria thought.It really is Shiganshina all over again.
With each deep breath she took, movement became easier. She crawled over to the boy, which was made easier given her ODM gear was missing. Well, not missing, just removed. She noticed it in a pile beside the boy.
And what looked like an emergency kit! With bandages!
Victoria really hoped this kid's parents were alive. She needed to thank them for saving her life.
Chisaki! Her breath hitched in her throat. No, he would be in the inner ring by now. Relief washed over her like a cool wave. Thank god.
"What's your name?" V asked softly, trying to gauge the child for injuries now that she was beside him. Besides a scrape on his cheek, and a bright red snotty nose, he seemed to be physically okay.
The boy, who seemed to be about 9, looked up at her. He had big bright green eyes and an unruly mop of curly blond hair. He was a small kid, even smaller when he was curled up in a ball like he was now.
He didn't have any shoes.
"Oliver...hck!" he finally managed, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "Oliver Krause."
"Hi Oliver," Victoria forced her face to smile, even though it was painful. "I'm Victoria, you can call me V if you want."
"Hi V," Oliver replied. "Mommy-hck!- liked to call me-hck!-Oli..."
"Well, Oli," V sat up. "Do you know how long we've been down here?"
Oli shrugged, frowning but his sobs were mostly under control. "Hck! I dunno know.
"What do you like to do for fun, Oli?" Victoria suddenly asked, her voice trying to fake confidence. "I like to read in my free time."
Oliver sniffled, wiping his nose again while reaching behind him. He pulled out a brown teddy bear. "Mr. Bear and I like to go exploring. Mommy-hck-and Daddy don't like it, but we've found some really cool places, right Mr. Bear?"
He grinned at the toy as he made it nod in response, glancing back at Victoria.
"Yeah?" Victoria smiled back at him, relieved as she watched his face light up in response. "That's awesome! I bet you know all the secret little paths through town then, huh?"
Oliver nodded, his mop of blond curls bouncing. "Yeah!"
"Good," V replied. "We're gonna need that." With a groan, she pushed herself onto her knees. "Now, I'm not gonna lie, Mr. Bear, we're not in a great situation."
Oli's face dropped, but his eyes remained focused on Victoria as she took her jacket and shirt off. The little hand clutching the bear was starting to turn white. She saw his face grimace as she exposed her ribcage. A vibrant kaleidoscope of purple and red.
She forced another smile at him. "I've had worse."
Oliver observed her in silence, his eyes wide with concern as she started to cover her torso with the bandage, swiftly concealing the injury from the young boy. The tension in the air was palpable, and she could feel her heart racing as he watched her delicate fingers fumble with the fabric, trying to mask the pain that was evident in her expression.
After some struggle, she managed to put her shirt back on, the fabric brushing against her skin with a gentle tug that reminded her of the wound beneath. She stood up, albeit unsteadily, her legs trembling slightly as if they were unsure of their strength.
She didn't even try to put her jacket back on.
Victoria swayed slightly as she regained her footing, her body still adjusting to the sudden shift from sitting to standing. She took a moment to steady herself, closing her eyes briefly to focus on her breathing, feeling the cool air fill her lungs and press against the bruise.
The world around her seemed to spin for a moment, but she fought against the dizziness, determined to regain her composure.
Pain means you're alive, as Chisaki would say.
After a few deep breaths, she felt secure enough to stand tall again, her posture straightening as she opened her eyes to face the room. The flickering light from the small window cast shadows across her features, but she held her head high, masking the uncertainty that lingered just beneath the surface.
With a newfound resolve, she took a step forward, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Okay, Oli," V began to reattach her ODM gear to her hips. "We can't stay here, you know that, right?"
He nodded.
"Good," she grinned at him, trying to be reassuring. "We need to get to HQ, do you know where that is?"
Oliver nodded again, pulling his bear tightly against his chest.
"Okay, once we get there, we can evacuate back over Wall Rose. I just need some adjustments..." Victoria trailed off as she ran over hands over her gear. Everything seemed to be okay with the casings and motor, but the attachment for the blade was bent on her left hilt.
She could fly, but if V had to fight, it would be much more of a challenge with only one sword.
Plus, her gas tanks were only about half full.
"We have ta stay here, though," Oliver whined, eyes wide with fear. "Mommy and Daddy have to come back. They have.. to..-hck-." He started crying again.
"Your mommy and daddy would want me to get you to safety, Oli," V knelt down beside him, sliding her arms through his as she lifted him up. "No matter what happens to them, they only care about you, I promise."
Oliver allowed her to carry him up the staircase without resistance, his small frame surprisingly light in her arms. She felt a surge of protectiveness as she navigated the narrow steps, each creak of the wood beneath her feet echoing.
At the top, the door was obstructed by a dresser, its heavy frame a stubborn barrier to the world beyond. But with determination etched on her face, she summoned all her strength and managed to push it open, the door groaning in protest as it swung wide.
Upstairs, the house was enveloped in a comforting yet eerie silence, radiating warmth and echoes of the past. The air was thick with nostalgia, each breath filled with the scent of aged wood and faint traces of lavender.
As Victoria moved through the living room, she felt a wave of emotions wash over her, as she found where she had crashed through a window.
It was on the first floor, directly in front of the fireplace, where the flickering flames had once danced. The hearth, now cold and empty, seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for the warmth of laughter and family gatherings to return.
There, she had accidentally shattered a cherished family drawing, the glass splintering into a thousand tiny shards that had scattered across the floor like fallen stars.
The portrait had captured a moment frozen in time: Oli's parents, arms wrapped around each other, their smiles radiant and full of life, with a small baby nestled between them, a bright-eyed child full of dreams.
Victoria knelt, her fingers brushing against the remnants of the glass, each piece glinting in the soft light that filtered through the dusty curtains.
She could almost hear the echoes of her own mother's laughter, the way it would fill the room and wrap around her like a warm blanket. The weight of regret settled heavily on her shoulders as she recalled how, in her youthful exuberance, she had been careless, shattering not just the glass but a piece of their family.
As she sat there, lost in thought, she felt Oliver shift in her arms, his small hand reaching out to touch her cheek. His innocent gaze brought her back to reality.
She forced another smile for him. "Let's get going."
Outside, it was raining now, the once sunny day had turned gloomy. The acrid smell of smoke filled her nose as soon as she set foot on the cobblestone. Oliver clung to her, his little hands clutching tightly at her shirt.
The street lay desolate, devoid of any signs of life.
The cracked pavement, littered with remnants of a once-bustling city, echoed the silence that enveloped the area. There were no pedestrians, no Titans in sight, just the faint rustle of wind through the abandoned buildings that loomed like silent sentinels.
"That's a relief," V whispered softly to herself, her voice barely breaking the heavy stillness. She took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, her ribs protesting in pain from the extra weight.
No way she could fly and carry him. Guess it would have to be on foot.
"Alright, Oli, which way to HQ?"
Oli pulled back from her chest, scanning the surroundings with a mix of caution and innocent determination. His brow furrowed as he considered their options, the tension in the air palpable.
The stillness was short-lived, a fragile peace that hung by a thread that was so easily cut.
Just as he began to gesture towards a route, an unexpected, piercing scream erupted from his mouth, shattering the silence, and V's eardrums, like glass.
Her heart raced as she spun around, eyes wide with shock. "What—what was that?" she stammered, her pulse quickening.
The earth had begun to shake.
Oli's face paled, "DADDY!"
Victoria found herself staring at a towering Titan, a grotesque figure that loomed over her at an astonishing 10 meters tall. The creature ambled around the corner of a building with an unsettling grace, its massive limbs moving with a slow, deliberate rhythm that sent shivers down her spine.
The air around it felt charged with ominous energy, as if the very atmosphere was aware of the horror that was unfolding.
In its enormous grip, the Titan held a man, a pitiful sight that made Victoria's stomach churn. The man's curly blond hair, tousled, wild, and stained red, bore an uncanny resemblance to Oli's, a detail that struck her like a punch to the gut.
The unfortunate figure was half devoured, his body marred by deep, jagged wounds that oozed a crimson, viscous fluid. The Titan clutched him in a manner that was disturbingly reminiscent of a child.
The contrast was jarring; where Oli would cradle his toy bear with affection and care, the Titan's grip was merciless. The man dangled limply, his dead eyes wide with terror, a silent scream etched across his face as he was held aloft like a plaything, a mere morsel for the Titan's insatiable hunger.
Victoria's breath caught in her throat as she took in the scene, her mind racing with a mix of fear and disbelief. She felt a surge of adrenaline, a primal instinct urging her to flee, to escape the nightmare that had suddenly materialized before her.
But her feet felt rooted to the ground, her gaze locked onto the horrifying tableau. The Titan's grotesque features twisted into a semblance of a grin, a chilling expression that sent a wave of nausea through her.
It was as if the creature reveled in the terror it instilled, a predator savoring the moment before the kill.
"Titans aren't motivated by hunger. They're simply in it for the kill."
Victoria's mind raced with chaotic thoughts, a whirlwind of memories and fears colliding in a cacophony that drowned out the world around her.
She recalled her own brother, Lazlo, the joy of his laughter ringing in her ears like a sweet melody, the warmth and safety of his arms wrapped around her, a sanctuary from the chaos of life. The vision of him, so vibrant and untroubled, stood in stark contrast to the dire situation unfolding before her, a cruel reminder of what was at stake.
Because Oli had slipped away from her, now sprinting towards the Titan with all his might, his small silhouette growing smaller against the towering behemoth that loomed ominously in the distance.
Each step he took felt like a dagger to her heart, a painful reminder of her own helplessness.
Is this how Lazslo died too...? she wondered. How... dad and mom died...?
Victoria was paralyzed, her body frozen in place as if the ground beneath her had turned to stone. Her hands grew icy, the chill creeping up her arms, while her heart raced uncontrollably, pounding against her ribcage like a frantic drum. Breathing became increasingly difficult, each inhale a struggle, as if the very air around her had thickened into a suffocating fog.
Is this... what shock... feels like...? she pondered, her thoughts spiraling as she watched Oli draw nearer to the Titan, a small figure of determination against the monstrous threat.
A dim light among despair. One that was about to be snuffed out.
The world around her blurred, the sounds of chaos fading into a distant hum, overshadowed by the thundering of her own heartbeat. She felt as if she were trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up, unable to move, unable to breathe.
The Titan loomed larger, its shadow swallowing the light, and with it, the hope that had once filled her heart.
Desperation clawed at her insides, urging her to act, to move, to do something—anything—but her limbs felt heavy, as if weighed down by the gravity of her own grief. She wanted to scream, to call out to Oli, to tell him to turn back, but she was silent.
It was too late; the Titan's gaze fell upon Oliver, his curly blond hair drenched with a mix of sweat and rain, as it released his father's lifeless form to focus on the young boy. The corpse crumpled to the ground.
The Titan took a step forward, the earth trembling beneath its feet as it stepped on the corpse of Oliver's father. The sound it made would be added to Victoria's neverending list of nightmare fuel, and she instinctively took a step back as nausea overwhelmed her.
It reached down to grab Oli.
"Move your ass, Freidrich!" a woman's sharp voice echoed through the street.
Suddenly a burst of crimson erupted from the Titan's malformed hand, the behemoth reeling back with an enraged roar as its fingers fell to the ground. They had been expertly sliced off at the second knuckle.
The flurry of green surged upward, aiming for the Titan's neck.
The massive creature attempted to pivot and seize the soldier, but its efforts were in vain, resulting in a painful slice to its Achilles tendon that sent it reeling backward. In that fleeting moment of vulnerability, the whirlwind of green struck the nape, severing a significant chunk of flesh that fell to the ground near Oli just as the Titan succumbed to its injuries, crashing heavily against the adjacent building.
It was all over in a few seconds, with their savior landing beside Oliver, gray bun immaculate.
It was Instructor Francesca Muller.
She had switched out her silver wireframe glasses for a pair of goggles that were secured to her head with three different straps. Any hint of ease the woman had had in the classroom was gone; she was wound up tighter than a metal coil, and her wrinkles emphasized the glare that was directed at Victoria.
"What are you doing, Freidrich?" she barked, effortlessly scooping Oliver into her arms as she jogged over to V. She was surprisingly agile for an old woman. "Where's the rest of your squad?"
The look on Victoria's face was enough of an answer.
"Shit," Muller cursed, and glanced at Oliver with a grimace. "Details later, we need to get this one back over the Wall. We have to move, can you fly?"
Her tone shifted as her gaze took in Victoria. It was softer, calmer. V's thoughts were overwhelming but she was struggling to articulate. Words turned to mush on her tongue and her hands had started to shake.
What was I thinking? Victoria lamented. Reiner was right.
"Victoria?"
"I have to throw up," she replied matter of factly, before spilling her guts all over Muller's boots.
By all rights, Muller should have been furious. But she wasn't. Her stormy eyes softened, and a look of recognition flickered in her gaze before hardening again. She glanced around the road before suddenly setting Oliver, who hadn't said a word, back down.
He had started to weep silently, eyes hollow.
With a soft sigh, Muller stepped over to Victoria, hands quickly doing a once over of V's body, stopping when Victoria hissed as her hands patted her rib cage. Muller didn't say a word, just narrowed her gaze, as her fingers pressed deeper into Victoria's side.
"OW!" Victoria cried, yanking herself backward. "Why did you do that!?"
"Your ribs are bruised but not broken or fractured," the silver-haired woman replied as she began to take off her jacket. Victoria suddenly shivered in the absence of her own. "I need you to hold it together long enough to get back over Wall Rose. I know you can do it."
Victoria opened her mouth to protest, but Muller raised a hand. Silently, she draped her jacket over V's shoulders.
"Emma, Johan, and Laszlo Friedrich died 5 years ago, because of the Titans. Are you going to freeze up now? Now,at this moment, the moment to prove yourself a soldier, you decide to panic, and let another child die, just like your brother?"
Victoria's heart went ice cold.
"I know you are better than that, Friedrich!" Muller had begun to raise her voice. "I've read your file, seen your grades; I listened to Shadis praise you day after day behind closed doors! Why he didn't rank you in the top 10 is beyond me, but are you really just going to stand by? Just lay down and die then. Be dinner for these beasts. Or are you gonna stand tall, and fight?! ARE YOU GOING TO BITE BACK?!"
Something about her tone ignited a fire in V. She gritted her teeth, snapping into a salute as she yelled, "I'm going to bite back, ma'am!"
"Good!" Muller's lips curled up into a faint smile as she picked Oliver back up. "Now, I ask again, can you fly, soldier?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Okay!" Muller slung Oliver onto her back. "Let's go!"
~o~
Somewhere in the city, a shiver ran up Mikasa Ackerman's spine.
~o~
They had covered a good distance, moving through several blocks, yet Victoria was surprised by just how far the Titan's blow had sent her.
She should have been dead.
The tumultuous aftermath of the assault had transformed the streets of Trost into a scene of utter chaos, where the skeletal remains of buildings sagged under the burden of devastation. Once bustling with life, the city now resembled a graveyard of memories, each corner echoing the horrors that had unfolded.
Cracked pavement and debris littered the ground, remnants of what had once been homes, shops, and places of gathering. The air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and burning flesh, a haunting reminder of the flames that had consumed so much. The city was painted in the burning corpses of Titans and humans alike.
In the distance, the sound of distant cries and the clatter of falling rubble punctuated the eerie silence that had settled over the area. Shadows danced in the flickering light of fires that still burned, casting grotesque shapes against the walls of the crumbling structures.
The once-familiar streets were now unrecognizable, twisted, and warped by the violence that had erupted, leaving behind a landscape of despair.
Survivors wandered through the wreckage, their faces etched with shock and disbelief. Some searched desperately for loved ones, calling out names that echoed unanswered in the desolation. Others stood frozen, their eyes glazed over as they took in the destruction, grappling with the reality of their shattered lives.
The community that had once thrived in Trost was now fractured, its spirit broken by the brutality of the assault.
Amidst the ruins, the remnants of everyday life lay abandoned—children's toys, journals, drawings, and personal belongings scattered like fallen leaves, each item telling a story of what had been lost. The streets, once filled with laughter and joy, now resonated with a profound silence, broken only by the occasional sound of a collapsing wall or the distant roar of monsters.
As the sun briefly peaked out from the clouds, casting a dim light over the devastation, a sense of hopelessness hung heavy in the air. The people of Trost faced an uncertain future, their lives irrevocably altered by the violence that had swept through their homes.
As they navigated through the wreckage, Victoria's heart raced, not just from the exertion but from the sheer terror of their situation. They found themselves on the southern edge of Trost. From her vantage point, she could see the broken gate in the distance, a gaping maw that had once stood as a barrier between safety and the horrors beyond.
Oliver was tightly clinging to Instructor Muller's back, his small hands clutching her tightly as if she were a lifeline. His face was pressed into her collar, muffling his whimpers as he sought refuge from his fear. The warmth of her body provided a small comfort, but the reality of their perilous situation loomed large.
They had concealed themselves behind a belltower, its once-grand structure now a mere shadow of its former self, hoping to remain unnoticed by the looming Titan that stalked the street below, its massive form casting an ominous shadow over the ruins.
As they crouched in silence, the Titan seemed to linger, moving at a pace that felt agonizingly slow, each step reverberating through the ground like a distant thunderclap. The air was thick with tension, and every creak of the bell tower felt amplified in the stillness, each rumble threatening to collapse it.
Victoria's breath came in shallow gasps as she strained to keep her eyes on the Titan, its grotesque features twisted in a perpetual grimace. Time stretched, each second feeling like an eternity as they waited, hearts pounding in unison. The Titan's movements were deliberate, as if it were savoring the fear it instilled in its prey. Victoria could see Oliver's small body trembling against Muller, his grip tightening as he fought to suppress his terror.
She wanted to reassure him, to tell him that they would be okay, but the words caught in her throat, drowned out by the overwhelming sense of dread that enveloped them. The world outside their hiding place felt surreal, a nightmarish landscape.
"We need to move," Muller murmured, eyes trained on the Titan as it turned it back to them. "When I say, go, you go, understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," V replied softly, legs tensing.
Muller nodded, and looked back out towards the Titan. Silently, she raised a fist. Victoria had it trained in her vision like a hawk, ready to spring.
A moment passed... then another.
Then Muller's hand opened, palm out, and a second later, she was gone, feet pounding on the rooftop as she built momentum for her jump. Oliver clung to her back, excitement in his eyes despite the fear.
Victoria was hot on their heels. Muller's jacket flapped behind her, its slightly larger size catching the air as the propulsion system kicked in and sent her flying across the street.
Below, the street was stained red. Victoria ripped her gaze away before she threw up again.
"Friedrich, look out!"
Muller's warning came at the perfect moment, prompting Victoria to instinctively surge higher, the metal wires groaning under the abrupt shift. A sharp pain flared in her ribs, making her gasp as her eyes locked onto the Titan lurking beneath her.
This fat creature, a mere four meters tall, had been concealed among the debris of a collapsed structure and was now leaping in a desperate bid to reach her. Each of its attempts left distinct marks on the cobblestone, a testament to its relentless pursuit.
Victoria's heart raced.
The Titan's massive limbs propelled it upward with surprising agility, its powerful legs pushing off the ground with a force that sent shards of stone flying in all directions. Each leap was a calculated effort, a primal instinct driving it to capture its prey.
The air was thick with the stench of its maw, and she could almost feel the creature's breath, hot and heavy, as it strained against the weight of its own desperation.
She could see the muscles in its arms coiling and uncoiling, ready to strike, and the jagged teeth bared in a snarl that echoed through the desolate landscape. Victoria's mind raced, calculating her next move.
With a quick glance at the surrounding ruins, she spotted a narrow ledge jutting out from the crumbling wall of a nearby building. It was a risky maneuver, but the only option if she wanted to escape the Titan's grasp. Gritting her teeth against the pain in her ribs, she shifted midair and prepared to leap.
As she launched herself toward the ledge, time seemed to slow. The Titan, sensing her movement, let out a guttural roar that reverberated through the air, a sound filled with rage and hunger. Victoria's heart pounded in her chest as she soared through the air, the world blurring around her.
No,she watched its hand get closer.I'm not going to make it...
Just before it closed in around her, Muller was there. The gray-haired teacher had shoved Victoria out of the way. She landed hard on the ledge, the impact jarring her bones, V swore she felt something pop in her chest, but she didn't have time to ponder it.
The Titan, thwarted for the moment, crashed down onto the cobblestones below, sending a tremor through the ground. Victoria's breath came in ragged gasps as she turned to face her pursuer, adrenaline coursing through her as a laugh of victory echoed from her lips.
That feeling of victory was cut short when she look back down at the Titan. Dread fell on her like a falling ceiling.
In the Titan's hand was Instructor Muller. Her stormy eyes bulged and her mouth opened in a silent scream as the Titan squeezed tighter.
Victoria flinched, unable to bear the sight. She looked away just as a squelching sound echoed through the street.How many more were going to die?
How... many...?
Oli!
"Oliver!" Victoria called out, her voice laced with urgency as she scanned the area, desperately searching for a glimpse of his golden locks. The task felt futile; the location where Muller had left him was shrouded in uncertainty. A wave of panic washed over her once more when she noticed another Titan looming nearby, its towering form just high enough to peer over the building's edge, locking eyes with her.
She had to act quickly. The Titan's gaze was a chilling reminder of the danger that surrounded her, its grotesque features twisted into a semblance of curiosity.
Victoria's heart raced as she took a step back, her mind racing.
Where could he be? Was he safe?
With the Titan so close, she feared the worst.
With a deep breath, she steeled herself and darted toward the nearest building, leaping to another rooftop, her eyes scanning every shadow and crevice for any sign of him. The Titan shifted slightly to fool her, its massive footfall shaking the ground beneath her, but she pressed on.
"Oliver!" she shouted again, her voice breaking slightly as she rounded a corner, her heart pounding in her chest.
Every second felt like an eternity, and it felt like the weight of the world rested on her shoulders.
Out of nowhere, a sharp pain shot through her chest, stealing her breath in an instant. It felt as if a vice had clamped down on her ribs, squeezing the air from her lungs. Damn it,Victoria thought, her mind racing as she realized she was plummeting through the air, the ground rushing up to meet her.
Panic surged within her, but she fought to maintain control midair.
With a desperate effort, she aimed for a nearby balcony, her heart pounding in her ears. The world around her blurred as she focused on her target, the wrought-iron railing coming into view.
She landed awkwardly, her feet barely finding purchase on the edge, and she stumbled forward, barely managing to catch herself. Curling into the corner of the balcony, she pressed her back against the cool stone wall, gripping her ribcage tightly as if to hold herself together. The pain radiated through her body, and she fought to steady her breathing, her mind racing with thoughts of what had just happened.
Muller... Oliver...
All she could focus on was the struggle to draw in a breath, each inhale a battle against the searing pain that gripped her chest.
The world around her faded into a dull roar, the sounds of the city muffled and distant. She could feel her heart pounding, a frantic drumbeat that echoed in her ears, drowning out everything else.
With every attempt to breathe, a sharp stab of agony shot through her, making her wince and clench her eyes shut. She could feel the cold metal of the balcony railing digging into her back, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from her body. Desperation clawed at her throat as she fought to calm herself, to find a rhythm in the chaos.
She focused on the sky above, the fading light casting a warm glow through the gloomy rain, and tried to anchor herself in the moment. "Just breathe," she whispered to herself, though the words felt like a cruel joke.
Each breath was a reminder of her vulnerability, her stupidity. How woefully unprepared she had truly been for this.
But she refused to succumb to the fear that threatened to overwhelm her. Instead, she concentrated on the small victories—each shallow inhale, each exhale that followed, no matter how painful.
"Just breathe."