Time felt like it was dragging endlessly as Jean watched the Titan that had been chasing him meandering through the street.
The creature, a grotesque parody of humanity, lumbered along with an unsettling grace, its massive form casting a long shadow over the debris-strewn pavement. Its short brown hair was a mess while its face was curled up in a constant frown.
Why wouldn't it just go away?
The question echoed in his mind, a desperate plea for relief from the relentless terror that had become his reality.
The shine from the deceased soldier's ODM gear repeatedly drew his attention, almost mocking him with its proximity. It lay abandoned on the ground, a stark reminder of the fate that could easily befall him. The glint of metal caught the light, reflecting the sun in a way that felt almost taunting as if the very equipment that had once been a symbol of hope and freedom was now a harbinger of doom.
Jean's stomach twisted at the thought of the soldier who had once worn it, now just another victim of the Titans' insatiable hunger. His heart pounded as he leaned against the wall, the rough surface digging into his back, grounding him.
He had ensured the window was behind him, a flimsy barrier between him and the horrors outside, in case any Titans attempted to look inside. The thought of those monstrous eyes peering in, searching for him, sent a shiver down his spine.
He struggled to steady his breathing, each inhale a battle against the rising tide of panic threatening to overwhelm him, and took a look at his surroundings.
The home he was in was completely abandoned. Chairs were knocked over. Chests and dressers were open and their contents scattered about. There was even a warm meal, still steaming, sitting abandoned on the kitchen table.
"Nice work," he muttered under his breath, sarcasm lacing his words. "Just dragging everyone down. Fantastic." The bitterness in his voice was heavy, intertwining with his frustration and guilt. Jean clenched his fists, the adrenaline coursing through his veins, urging him to act, to fight back against the despair that threatened to consume him.
But what could he do? He was just one man, and the Titans were relentless.
Victoria wouldn't have fucked up this badly.
Jean's face twisted up into a snarl.
Fuck it. He had to act quickly, or he would die in this place.
Jean's focus narrowed to the task at hand. Looking out the window once more, a flicker of hope ignited within him. The Titan was at last retreating, its massive form had turned away from Jean as it trudged down the street, its grotesque silhouette slowly disappearing into the haze of destruction it had wrought.
Before he could fully comprehend his actions, Jean's body was already in motion.
Adrenaline surged through his veins, propelling him forward with a sense of urgency that drowned out the fear clawing at the edges of his mind.
For a brief moment, all Jean could hear was the sound of his own labored breathing as he dashed back into the street, the ground trembling beneath his feet with each hurried step.
He attempted to suppress a grimace at the lifeless figure sprawled on the ground, a fellow soldier who had once fought valiantly against the Titans. The sight of the man's crushed upper torso and the contents that spilled out from under the rock sent a shiver down Jean's spine, but he pushed the feeling aside.
There was no time for grief; survival was paramount.
"If I wait for the all-clear," he muttered to himself, "I'll never make it out alive. I have to do something."
With quick but trembling hands, he started to remove the ODM gear from the man, the straps and buckles feeling foreign and heavy in his grasp.
As he worked, Jean's mind raced with thoughts of his comrades, of the battles they had fought together, and the sacrifices they had made. He could almost hear their voices urging him on, reminding him of the importance of this moment. The gear was a lifeline, a means to escape this hellish landscape and perhaps find a way to fight back.
But one of the buckles was stuck; crushed from the looks of it.
"Damnit!" Jean snarled as he pulled at the strap. "Oh come on!" He shouted in frustration. He cursed more as he nearly chewed through the leather, desperate to free it from the deadman. "Work with me here!"
"Jean, look out!"
Marco called out from behind him; as Jean turned to face him, he realized Marco was distracting the original Titan that had been chasing him. Jean's cursing had been loud enough to draw it back to him.
"Marco?" Jean snarled, "What the hell are you doing?!"
Marco ignored him, making sure the Titan was looking at him before he took off on foot away from Jean. With renewed vigor, Jean gave one good, hard yank on the ODM gear.
And finally, it was free, and Jean started strapping it onto his own body as fast as he could. The familiar metallic weight settled against him, a comforting reminder of the power it bestowed. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he adjusted the harness, feeling the familiar rush of determination coursing through him.
But he didn't have time to fully enjoy the sensation, more Titans had joined them, drawn by the noises of their shouting.
Jean dashed forward with a smile, his heart racing with adrenaline as he vaulted over one of the beasts that lunged at him with a ferocious swipe of its large hand. The Titan's growl echoed in his ears, a primal sound that sent a shiver down his spine, but he was determined to keep moving.
The thrill of the chase fueled his spirit, and for a moment, he felt invincible.
However, as Jean twisted in midair, he quickly realized that the triggers on his gear felt cumbersome. They were slightly misaligned, a frustrating flaw that made it challenging for him to get them to react properly.
It was like trying to pull on a stuck nail; there was a lag, a hesitation that could cost him precious seconds.
With a hard thud, he landed on the ground, the impact resonating through his body and sending a jolt of pain up his legs. The ground beneath him was uneven, littered with debris from the ongoing battle, and he could feel the vibrations of the beasts as they prowled nearby.
"What! You've got to be kidding me?" he snapped. "Why is the trigger so stiff?"
Jean's mind raced as he assessed his options. He needed to find a way to compensate for the malfunctioning triggers. Perhaps if he adjusted his stance or recalibrated his movements, he could still harness the power of his gear.
Movement from the corner of his eye drew his attention back.
A Titan; merely a few feet from Jean, lumbered slowly with outstretched hands trying to grab at him. Its mouth hung wide open, drool dripping down its chin.
"Jean!" Connie's voice cut through the panic Jean felt rising in his throat. With a loud shout, the short teenager leaped from the roof nearby, slamming his knees into the Titan's head. "Ow!" He cried as he landed again.
"Are you insane!" Jean shouted with wide eyes.
"What are you waiting for?" Connie screamed back, forced to retreat as the Titan recovered and slammed its fist into the roof where he had been standing, "Get out of there!"
Jean froze for only a moment before jumping to his feet and taking off for Wall Rose. He could see it. His breath came harder as he leaped at the last moment, gear finally kicking to life as the Titan that had been after Connie spun, landing behind Jean as it tried to take one more desperate swipe at him.
Jean watched the pitiful thing with spiteful glee. He was so focused that when he turned his gaze forward again, the sight of the Titan maw before him sent chills down his spine.
If it weren't for Annie, coming down at the last moment to land on its jaw, forcing it closed as the Titan crashed to the ground, Jean surely would have died.
The four of them made it, crashing back onto the top of Wall Rose with heavy breaths and sweaty brows. Connie and Marco stared at Jean with large eyes, their worry evident. Annie was the only one who maintained her composure.
"You idiots got a death wish!?" Jean shouted, sitting up after a moment. His cheeks were red with anger.
"Don't even start, man," Marco snapped back, his brown freckles highlighted in the sun.
"Yeah!" Connie cried, "You scared the hell out of me!"
Jean opened his mouth to snap back with some witty remark, but Annie's blue eyes growing wide in shock was enough to give him pause. The Wall was trembling; Jean followed her gaze in concern, widening at the sight he saw.
"Well," she murmured in awe. "I'll be damned."
Eren...
~o~
"Eren..." Victoria murmured softly.
Eren let out a fierce roar, a primal sound that echoed through Trost, reverberating off the buildings and structures that surrounded them.
His muscles tensed and bulged, each sinew straining against the immense weight of the massive boulder he was attempting to lift onto his shoulders. Fury ignited in his eyes, a blazing fire that burned away any remnants of doubt or fear.
As he gritted his teeth, Eren felt the pressure forcing his head down against his shoulder, the weight of the boulder pressing down like a mountain. His breath came in ragged gasps, each inhalation a battle against the crushing force that threatened to overwhelm him.
Steam began to rise from his Titan form, swirling around him like a tempest, a visible manifestation of the heat generated by his exertion. With every ounce of strength he could muster, Eren pushed against the boulder, feeling the strain in his muscles intensify.
The fibers of his body screamed in protest, and he could sense the tearing of flesh as he fought against the impossible. Yet, even as his muscles tore, they began to heal in a brutal cycle, a testament to the power of his Titan form. The pain was excruciating, but it was also invigorating, fueling his determination to rise above the odds.
The ground beneath him trembled as he summoned every last bit of his willpower, his heart pounding in rhythm with the chaos around him. He could feel the earth shifting, the air thick with tension as he strained against the boulder.
Each second felt like an eternity, the weight of his burdens pressing down not just physically, but emotionally as well. He was not just fighting for himself; he was fighting for his friends, for his family, for the future of humanity itself.
He had to fight.
With a final, guttural roar that seemed to shake the very heavens, Eren summoned the last reserves of his strength. The boulder began to shift, inching upward as he pushed with all his might. The steam around him billowed, a fierce cloud that obscured his form, but within it, he felt a surge of power, a reminder of the Titan legacy coursing through his veins now.
It was on his shoulders and he took a step forward.
Victoria couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at her friend. He was doing it. He was going to save Trost. Armin still had her by the arm, eyes and smile wide as they watched Eren take another step.
"We did it," Victoria smiled at Armin.
"You did it!" Armin turned to her. "I don't know how, but whatever you managed to do got Eren going. Just look at him!"
"No," Victoria corrected gently, but Armin ignored her. "We; You talked him out of it, Armin."
"Come on," he urged, letting go of her arm. His blond hair glimmered in the sunlight as he dashed across the rooftop towards Eren. "We need to make sure his route is free of other Titans!"
"Right!" She exclaimed in agreement.
Victoria was about to chase after him when something made her halt in complete disbelief.
There stood her mother on the roof, a figure Armin had sprinted past without even noticing. Emma Friedrich's long brown hair cascaded down her back, catching the light in a way that made it look silver. She had an almost ethereal look, as she tenderly cradled her prominent pregnant belly. Her gaze lingered on Eren, amber eyes hard.
The sight was both beautiful and surreal, a moment that felt suspended in time. The scent of gardenias drifted in the air around the woman, and with a sigh the phantom lowered its head and closed her eyes.
"M-mom?" Victoria gasped, her matching eyes wide with shock. Her heart raced as a whirlwind of emotions surged within her.
Emma froze, her head snapping around to meet her daughter's gaze, her expression a mixture of surprise and something deeper—an unspoken understanding of the situation that transcended the chaos surrounding them.
"Mom!" Victoria called out, her voice breaking as she rushed toward her, desperate to bridge the distance that felt like an eternity. "You're alive!"
But the look on Emma's face caused her to hesitate, a flicker of fear crossing her mother's features that sent a chill down Victoria's spine.
"No," Emma stated plainly, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with an almost disappointed tone that made Victoria's heart sink. "I'm too early."
One moment, Emma Friedrich was there, staring at her daughter with such despair in her eyes that Victoria thought she was going to break down in tears. The next, she was gone. Vanished like a wisp of smoke in the wind. It was like the universe had decided to erase her from existence, leaving only a fleeting echo of her presence and the faint scent of lavender.
Shiganshina...Emma's voice trembled in the air.I'll see you...
Victoria stood frozen, her mind racing to comprehend what had just happened.
The rooftop, once filled with the promise of reunion, now felt hollow and empty.
The sunlight that had illuminated her mother's figure now cast long shadows, deepening the sense of loss that enveloped her.
"Mom!" she cried out again, her voice echoing against the concrete walls and terracotta rooftops, but there was no response; only the distant sounds of the city and the ever-looming threat of Titans.
"Victoria!"
She couldn't move, even as Jean practically crash-landed beside her.
Was she going insane?
"Victoria?" Jean's voice was soft despite his rapid breathing. "What happened?" She saw him glance towards Eren's Titan, who was about a block away now with Armin quick on his tail. Armin hadn't even noticed Victoria wasn't following him.
"Some friend," Jean snarled under his breath, turning back to her
Jean's hazel eyes tried to take in every inch of Victoria, his hands trembling slightly with emotion as he shook her shoulder. There was a faint flush of pink across his cheeks, and the scent of liquor filled Victoria's nose as he leaned in closer.
"V, talk to me," He gently tried again, lifting his hand to turn her face towards him. His fingertips intertwined with her hair. "Are you hurt?"
"I saw my mom," Victoria replied abruptly, tears threatening to slip down her cheeks. She pointed to the spot on the roof. "She was.. right there..."
"Your mother?" Jean asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he raised an eyebrow in disbelief. His mouth hung open for a moment as he struggled to find the right words. "I thought she had.. passed away...?"
"She has," Victoria snapped back, her eyes narrowing at him with irritation. Jean's lips twisted into an uncomfortable, apologetic grin, and he quickly fell quiet. He took a step back, shifting uncomfortably.
Victoria smirked, turning her gaze back to that spot on the roof.
Her mom had been pregnant, and her hair hadn't been that long since Laszlo had been born. Her little brother liked to pull on Emma's hair, if she remembered correctly, so it got chopped to shoulder length. It wasn't until 844 that it had finally started growing back out again.
Was that... a vision..?
"I'm really happy that you're alright, Victoria!" The words slipped out of Jean's mouth before he could think twice. Victoria turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise, only to find his face mere inches from hers. A flutter of excitement raced through her as their breaths mingled in the air.
"Jean?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking any louder might shatter the fragile connection between them.
"The Garrison imposed a gag order on us and insisted we stay in formation," Jean explained, his voice tinged with frustration as he reached out to softly grasp her hand. The warmth of her skin sent a jolt of electricity through him, and he felt a surge of protectiveness.
"They wouldn't allow me to search for you, even after witnessing Eren stop that cannonball. I was so anxious about you, a-and Armin and Mikasa too!" He added hastily, taking a quick step back, suddenly aware of how close they had been. His cheeks flushed slightly, and he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake off the awkwardness.
His eyes shifted back down the road toward Eren, whose body was producing even more steam the farther he walked. "I honestly thought his reckless plan would get all of you killed," he continued, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.
Victoria's expression softened as she watched him, the concern etched on his face revealing a depth of feeling she hadn't fully recognized before.
"You were worried about me?" Victoria asked. "I'd think you'd have other more pressing things to worry about, like not dying yourself.'
"I came close a few times," Jean smiled back at her, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "It made me realize something, though."
"And what's that?" Victoria was starting to blush as she took another step towards him. Jean stuttered slightly. It was like his mouth had turned to sludge. The way her eyes sparkled at him was more disarming than he had realized.
Victoria was a mess: bandaged ribs, messy hair, and wild eyes.
She was beautiful.
"Jean?" Her voice was smooth. What he wouldn't give to hear his name from her lips over and over again. "Jean, are you okay? You're really red."
"What are you guys doing?" Connie's shrill voice shattered the moment. He appeared in the air above, soaring over them towards Eren. "C'mon! We've got to protect the big guy!"
"Right!" Victoria shouted, grinning back at Jean as she crouched, preparing to leap for the sky. "Let's go!"
"Wait!"Fuck it, Jean thought to himself, We could be dead in the next 5 minutes.
In a swift motion, he seized Victoria's wrist, yanking her into his embrace just as she lost her balance and collided with his chest. The clatter of her gear against his was insignificant to him; all that mattered was this last, possible chance.
Without uttering a single word, Jean pressed his lips firmly against hers.
The kiss was electric, a spark igniting between them that sent shivers down his spine. He felt her breath hitch in surprise, her body momentarily still, as if time itself had paused to witness this unexpected connection.
Her skin glowed with the warmth of exertion, a delicate pink reminiscent of blooming roses, and he could feel the rapid beat of her heart against his chest, a rhythm that matched his own.
Unable to resist, Jean's fingers glided gently over her cheeks, tracing the soft contours of her face and neck. He wove his fingers into the strands of hair at her temples, feeling the silken texture slip through his fingers like water.
The initial surprise of the kiss had transformed into a feral, desperate bid for connection as she began to respond. Jean deepened the kiss, trying to channel all his unexpressed emotions into that fleeting moment, yearning to communicate the intensity of his feelings.
Victoria responded eagerly, her hands instinctively finding his shoulders, fingers gripping the fabric of his jacket and pulling him closer. Their tongues intertwined in a primal dance of desire, and for a heartbeat, the world around them faded into oblivion.
With a low groan, Jean maneuvered his knee between her legs, gently pushing her back against the cool stone of a chimney. The rough texture grazed her skin as he lifted her effortlessly, securing her legs around his waist. His hands glided up her arms, fingertips teasing the fabric of her shirt.
But just as she encircled him with her arms, a sharp, feminine laugh sliced through the air, shattering the hot, intimate bubble they had created. Jean pulled back in surprise, one hand dropping to his sword.
But there was no need.
Because it was fucking Annie Leonhardt.
The teenager stood not a few feet away, having landed without a sound behind them. Her face was split into a wide, smug grin, an expression Victoria had never seen Annie make before. Her blond hair was wild from the wind, and the look in her eyes matched.
It was almost unnatural.
Fuck.
"C'mon, lovebirds," Annie smirked with smug satisfaction, her gear kicking to life. "We have a Titan to defend."
~o~
"What are we going to do, Captain!?" the soldier yelled at Rico, her voice filled with panic as they witnessed their comrade being consumed by a Titan with an enormous nose. The grotesque sight of their friend being devoured sent a chill down the spines of the two women. "We're the only ones left..."
"Retreat to the boulder!" Rico ordered, her voice cutting through the despair like a knife. She narrowly avoided the massive hand of another Titan that swung toward her perch, the air rushing past her as she ducked and rolled. "Move now!" she urged, her eyes catching sight of Ian in the distance, his figure a beacon of hope.
With a swift twist maneuver, her gear roared to life, launching her into action, the familiar hum of the ODM gear filling her with a sense of purpose.
"What's the situation?" Ian called out, landing next to one of his men stationed by the gate, his expression grim but focused. The soldier's eyes were wide with fear, sweat glistening on his forehead as he struggled to keep his composure.
"Sir, five more Titans are approaching!" the soldier yelled, urgency evident in his voice. "They're closing in quickly, and we're outnumbered! We can't hold this position for much longer!"
Rico felt her heart pound as she absorbed the dire news. The Titans advanced with a terrifying determination, their enormous bodies moving with a relentless drive. She could see the dread etched on her men's faces, their bodies shaking as they braced for what felt like an unavoidable doom. The air was thick with tension, the acrid smell of sweat and fear mingling with the distant echoes of destruction.
Ian fought to maintain his composure, desperate to find a solution. Yet his mind was clouded with chaos. They had already suffered significant losses, and more threats loomed on the horizon. The weight of command pressed heavily on his shoulders, and he could feel his men's eyes on him, searching for guidance, for hope.
But how could he offer them reassurance when the odds were so starkly against them?
Mikasa landed on the rooftop next to him, her cheek stained with blood. Despite her usual calm demeanor, her eyes reflected a deep emptiness that spoke volumes. She had faced countless battles so far, yet the toll of it was evident in the way her shoulders sagged slightly, as if the weight of the world rested upon them.
"Ackerman!" Ian shouted, his voice filled with urgency, cutting through her hazy mind. "We need a strategy. We can't allow them to get past us. We must—"
Suddenly, the building trembled beneath them, a deep rumble that sent vibrations through their bones. They turned, bracing for the sight of another Titan, but instead, they were met with a sight that filled them with a mix of shock and awe: Eren Yeager, his face set in fierce determination, was striding toward the gate, a massive boulder hoisted on his shoulder as if it were a mere pebble.
Hot steam escaped his stretched maw with every breath; every step breaking the cobblestone beneath his feet as he advanced.
Armin landed next to them, breathless and wide-eyed. "Mikasa!" he gasped, his voice laced with excitement and disbelief.
"Armin?" Mikasa's eyes sparkled with renewed hope, her heart racing at the sight of her friend.
"He came out of it somehow!" Armin explained eagerly, his words tumbling out in a rush. "We're set! He's determined to see the mission through to the end! As long as we've got his back while he heads for the Wall, victory will be ours!"
Ian's dark expression was twisted and grim, yet his resolve was unmistakable. The weight of their situation pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he refused to let despair take hold. "Defend him!" he commanded, his voice rising above the din of battle. "To the last man, if that's what it comes to! Erenmustreach the gate! I don't want a single Titan anywhere near him!"
The urgency in Ian's voice galvanized the soldiers around them. They exchanged determined glances, their fear momentarily eclipsed by a shared sense of purpose. Mikasa tightened her grip on her blades, her heart pounding with adrenaline.
"It seems we're back in action!" Victoria exclaimed with delight, touching down next to Armin and Mikasa alongside Jean and Annie. Armin's grin was broader than ever, radiating happiness. Meanwhile, Annie shot Victoria a sidelong glance, her expression a mix of amusement and defiance, though she opted to brush it off.
In contrast, Jean was struggling to maintain his composure, his cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Awkwardly, he returned to his squad.
Ian pointed decisively at Mikasa, Armin, and Victoria, commanding, "You three! Get to Eren right now!" They exchanged bewildered glances, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of his eyes. "Move it, soldiers! That's an order!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" they shouted in unison, watching as Ian pivoted to spring into action, only to halt abruptly. Below, Mitabi Jarnach and his squad were sprinting across the cobblestones, heading straight for the mass of Titans.
"Team Mitabi!" Ian bellowed, his voice cutting through to them. "What are you doing!?"
"The ugly bastards have completely forgotten about us!" Mitabi shouted back, determination in his tone. "We need to get close enough to grab their attention!"
"Hey, big guy!" one of the soldiers yelled, trying to draw the Titans' focus.
"You walking away?" Mitabi yelled with wide, desperate eyes. "Maybe you want us to shove our blades right up your smelly asses!?"
That did the trick.
The Titans turned towards the noise, eyes focusing on the men at their feet. Two of them turned fully and began lumbering towards the men, who spun on their heels and took off as fast as they could in the opposite direction.
"They're insane!" Armin cried. "Setting foot down there is suicide! If they get cornered somewhere, there will be nothing they can do!"
"Yeah," Ian's face had darkened, his voice cold. "I know. Let's move out.C'mon!" He urged as he ran forward with a burst of speed, jumping off the building to run on the street himself. "Follow Team Mitabi!"
Ian's men followed him without question, into what would certainly be their deaths. All for the glimmer of hope that Eren was about to succeed.
Armin caught her eye, and it was clear he shared her feelings, his posture reflecting the weight of the moment. But, Mikasa cut through the tension by seizing his arm.
"Come on," she urged, "We have to go."
~o~
Why...
Why through caution to the wind, and venture outside?
...
We're born free. All of us.
...
Free.
Some don't believe it.
Some try to take it away; to hell with them!
Water like fire.
Mountains of ice.
The whole bit. Lay your eyes on that, and you'll know what freedom is.
That it's worth fighting for! Fight to live! Risk it all for even a glimmer of real freedom!
It doesn't matter what's waiting outside the gate, or what comes in.
It doesn't matter how cruel the world can be!
Or how unjust!
Fight! Fight! Fight!
...
FIGHT!
~o~
The massive boulder crashed down with a thunderous roar, sending tremors rippling through the ground like the aftermath of an earthquake. Dust and debris erupted into the air.
Eren had done it.
He'd effectively sealed the hole in the gate. The sheer force of the impact unleashed a powerful gust of wind, swirling around them with ferocity, nearly toppling Victoria off her feet. Instinctively, she reached out, clutching Armin's arm for balance, her heart racing as she struggled to regain her footing amidst the chaos.
Armin, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and concern, fixed his gaze on Eren's Titan. The colossal figure let out a triumphant roar that echoed through Trost, a sound that resonated with both victory and defiance.
A loud pop caught their attention. Following the sound, they found Rico Brzenska with a flare gun. A yellow trail of smoke flew upwards into the sky.
"Comrades," Tears misted in Rico's eyes as she watched her friends being eaten behind them. "Your sacrifice was not in vain."
But that moment of glory was fleeting; the Titan's massive form began to tremble, its muscles quaking under the strain of exertion.
With a heavy, almost mournful groan, Eren's Titan abruptly collapsed forward, overwhelmed by fatigue, its colossal body crashing to the ground with a resounding thud that sent another shockwave through the earth.
Victoria's heart sank at the sight, a mix of admiration and dread flooding her senses. She could see the dust settling around the fallen Titan, obscuring the once-mighty figure that had fought so valiantly. The air was thick with tension, the aftermath of the battle hanging heavily over them. Armin, still holding onto Victoria for support, felt a surge of determination rise within him.
"Eren!" he shouted, his voice hoarse, desperation lacing his tone. He knew they had to act quickly; the moment of triumph could easily turn into a moment of despair if they didn't seize the opportunity. Victoria, still reeling from the impact, looked up at Mikasa, her eyes reflecting a fierce resolve.
"Mind the stragglers!" Rico yelled after them, her eyes locked on the two Titans that were inching closer, "Friedrich! Ackerman! Pull back!"
The girls frowned, with Victoria retorting defiantly, "With all due respect, I won't retreat until we get Eren back!"
Armin was already ahead of the game, effortlessly leaping onto Eren's back. He swiftly cut into the nape of the Titan's neck and began to sift through the gruesome insides until he located what he needed.
Rico growled as Victoria dashed toward him, with Mikasa right beside her. "Armin!" she shouted, her heart racing as she watched Eren being extracted from the mess. "Is he okay?"
"Unconscious and scorching to the touch!" Armin called back, his arms looped through Eren's. He grunted, straining against the muscle fibers that connected Eren to the Titan. "We have to get him up the Wall!"
"Uh oh, damnit!" Armin groaned, as they joined him, "He's fused to the carcass! I-I can't work him free!"
Rico's voice was icy as she announced, "Then it's time to cut." She stood firm, blades glinting in her grip.
"Hold on!" Mikasa interjected, alarmed. "We have no idea what could happen!" But Rico paid her no mind, deftly slicing through the flesh that ensnared Eren. Armin stumbled back, a startled cry escaping his lips as he fell, cradling Eren's now liberated and unconscious body as they both hit the ground. The steam billowing from the remnants of the Titan was scalding, making his eyes water and his throat burn.
Eren stirred slightly in his grasp, letting out a low groan.
A sudden darkness enveloped them, casting an ominous shadow. Armin looked up, his heart racing as he was confronted by the horrifying sight of two Titans looming overhead, their monstrous figures dwarfing him, mouths wide open and their vacant stares piercing into his very essence.
"Armin!" Victoria cried out in panic, "Eren!"
She instinctively prepared to charge ahead, but before she could move, a flash of green and silver surged past her.
Descending from the Wall above them, the vibrant blur shot forward like a bird of prey, swiftly severing the first Titan's neck. Crimson blood sprayed out in an almost elegant pattern as it was swept off the blades from the force of the individual's movement. In a seamless motion, it pivoted around the second Titan, dispatching it with lethal precision in mere moments.
The Titans had no chance to defend themselves before they collapsed, their bodies crumbling into smoldering heaps of flesh with a defeated groan.
"Who is that?"
Victoria gazed at the figure who had just rescued them, the man effortlessly landing atop the fallen beast, seemingly unfazed as he turned his attention back to Trost. The emblem of the "wings of freedom" gleamed brilliantly in shades of white and blue against his green cloak, a symbol of hope and defiance in a world overshadowed by despair.
The sight of it sent a shiver of exhilaration down her spine, a reminder that there were still those willing to fight against the encroaching darkness.
"Pay attention, kiddos," Levi Ackerman's commanding voice filled the air.
It ignited a rush of excitement in Victoria, her heart racing as he cast a quick glance in their direction. His piercing eyes held a sharpness that rivaled his blades, a fierce intensity that seemed to promise both protection and danger.
She felt a mix of awe and admiration; this was a man who had faced the Titans time and again, and yet here he stood, unyielding and resolute.
"This is the part where you explain to me exactly what it is I'm looking at."