Der Tag, An Dem Alles Begann
ザ・デイ・エヴリシング・ビーガン
The Day Everything Began
Heavy rain descended upon the land as the sound of running horses could be heard during the unforgiving downpour. Riding said horses were a group of soldiers who were riding out into the woods. Their goal was clear, their focus was on that goal and nothing else. As the soldiers in green cloaks with the symbol for the wings of freedom etched on the back of their dark green cloaks—the rain seemed to fall harder, the fog becoming thicker, the tension more suffocating.
"Moment of truth, people! It's on us!" A man shouted to the soldiers around him in the heavy rain. This man with the commanding voice was Keith Shadis—Commander of the Scout Regiment, "Either we secure this ground as mankind's first stronghold beyond the walls, or we die!"
An individual with brown hair that was tied in a high ponytail snorted—this person was Hange Zoë, "Don't be such a downer, Commander! Dying here wouldn't be very fun at all!"
"That's the point, dumbass!" Shadis yelled back at Hange, who only cackled in response.
While the two of them were having their little spat, another individual was keeping his eyes open and focused on their surroundings the whole time. This man with the icy blue eyes, blonde hair and thick brows that could tower over the walls themselves was Erwin Smith.
As his gaze was set straight ahead he caught sight of something and recognized it instantly, "Target approaching!" At his shout, everyone focused in the same direction. Stomping in the same direction as them was a Titan, but this one's head was hanging low, it was a big one so they had to be cautious.
Shadis held his arm out, "Split into five groups, now! Group one will act as bait! All squadrons, engage ODM Gear!" He ordered.
Just as he commanded, three soldiers activated their gear, launching themselves in the air and circling the Titan, while the other soldiers did the same.
"Hit it from every angle!"
One of the soldiers launched behind the Titan and aimed for the back of its neck.
"For my brother!" He yelled, "For humanity!" Taking a swipe, the cut was clean and precise—the titan had fallen, but it was too soon to celebrate however as more titan started to gather around them.
"Damn, there are more of them!" Shadis cursed, "Don't falter! Keep coming at them from every angle!"
The rest of the soldiers follow his orders without question, surrounding the Titans so they would be confused and unable to grab at them. This seemed to work as the giants made grabbing motions towards the flying soldiers, trying to swat them out of the air like flies.
It was working—
—but not for long.
One titan got lucky however as it managed to grab Moses just as he was preparing to cut the back of its neck. Surprised, Moses froze—eyes widening in utter terror as he was overcome with fear to the point where he didn't even try to get out of the titan's grip.
"Moses!" A soldier cried out in horror as the titan slowly brought Moses to its face, mouth wide open and ready to bite down on his head. Just as it was about to clamp down on his head, the hand holding the blonde soldier fell to the ground suddenly.
"Ugh!" Moses grunted in pain as he snapped back to reality and got out of the decapitated titan's hand.
At once, all soldiers ceased trying to circle around the titans that gathered the area in favor of staring down at the severed hand. Their attention then turned back towards the titan, the behemoth just stared at its hand in what appeared to be confusion.
SLASH!
What came off next was its whole head, the Scouts watched as it rolled on the ground for a moment before the whole body fell and began to decay.
"What in the world…?" Hange starred, flabbergasted.
Erwin's eyes weren't focused on the dead titan, but the individual that killed it.
Standing before them was a 15-meter Titan, skin a marble color, muscles protruding from every angle. Looking closely, the Scouts could see what appeared to be a lower mask covering its mouth, but its eyes were very much visible. In the Titan's hand was a giant battle axe, the weapon being held in one hand.
Shadis eyes widened at the sudden appearance and knew exactly who this Titan was, "It's here...The Marble Titan…"
There was a sparkle in Hange's eyes as her whole body lit up with joy, "FINALLY! It finally showed up! This beautiful Titan finally shows itself to me at last!"
Erwin ignored Hange's normal eccentric reaction in favor of studying the Titan up close, "So this is what it looks like up close. I've heard stories from the Garrison and Scouts alike, but the stories of its appearance don't seem to do it justice." And that was a real compliment coming from the man known to have balls of steel.
No one moved as they waited with bated breaths to see what the titan would do. They didn't have to wait long as the Marble titan moved, cleaving off another titan's head like it was nothing before proceeding to go after the rest. The Scouts did nothing but watch as they witnessed the titan slash and hack every titan that got in its path with such grace.
Hange was practically frothing at the mouth as they watched the brutal carnage taking place, but the Marble titan made it look so graceful and elegant—as though it were putting on a performance and the world around it was its stage, with them being the awed audience.
"Look at it go!" Hange nearly shouted, "The way it moves and counters the titans that surround it! I've never seen such a Titan display such obvious signs of intelligence!"
"Yes, unlike the normal Titan we're used to, this one doesn't display the normal mindless actions the rest do. A titan such as this one does indeed display intelligence and impressive fighting prowess." Erwin examined the way the Titan fought.
While those two were busy analyzing the titan, the rest of the soldiers were too busy cheering it on.
"Go get 'em!"
"Take them down!"
"For humanity!"
Hange snorts at them, "Looks like our little titan friend here has fans already." Not that they weren't already fans of the Titan themselves, but whatever.
All of them watched as the last titan was mercilessly cut down just like all the rest. When the carnage was over and done with, the Marble Titan stood tall, weapon at its side in a relaxing manner.
"It killed them all...without hesitation." Shadis had never seen this titan himself before, and all he had to go on about any information about it was from the Garrison and other Scouts who saw it with their own eyes. A tall 15 meter titan standing above all of them—killing its own kind and ignoring humans. Was this Titan the new hope humanity has been waiting for? If so, then—
Suddenly, the titan moved again, making them tense and readied their blades, expecting an attack. That's what they expected, but the titan had no interest in attacking them for it was only moving its arm in order to point in a certain direction.
"Eh?" Hange looked in the direction where the titan was pointing, "Does it want us to go in that direction because it's safe?"
Erwin looked up at the titan, "Is that right?! Are you trying to tell us to head in that direction for our safety?!"
While the titan didn't answer him, it did huff before walking away, axe hanging over its shoulder. Seems like it had no interest in staying in the area any longer as it did what it came here to do.
"Ah, wait—!" Hange started to say, intending on following after it.
"No, leave it alone," Shadis ordered, "Right now our only priority is focusing on our mission! Let's move out!" Snapping the reins on his horse, he led them away in the direction the titan told them to go. Shadis knows he should be skeptical, but something told him to follow the titan's advice.
Today will be different, he can feel it!
'We will prevail!'
Year 845–Shiganshina District
'I'm here again.'
A deceased corps that feels all too familiar with him, a place that looks nothing like the walls.
'Why am I seeing this again?'
Faces of individuals he has never met before say something to him, he can't hear them very well.
'What are you trying to tell me?'
A cold gaze stares back at him, a destroyed building, women and children crushed by the debris that fell on them, crushed to death or stomped on like they were nothing.
'No...don't...please…'
Someone approaches him with a kind smile on their face, long black hair, red scarf wrapped around their neck as they speak to him.
"Eren, I—"
'Mikasa…?'
"Eren, wake up!"
It was the urgent sound of the voice that woke him from his slumber. Slowly, Eren opens his eyes to the world, coming face to face with a worried Mikasa—her face hovering just a few inches in front of him.
Blinking a few times to clear his vision, he spoke, "Mikasa…"
"Are you alright? You looked like you were having a nightmare." She was crouched in front of him, the logs behind her forgotten in favor of checking on Eren.
Eren didn't answer her right away, instead he opted to stare into her silver eyes.
"Eren, what's wrong—" She was cut off when Eren brought his hand up to her face before deciding to touch her hair instead. The sudden action made her cheeks turn pink, but she didn't move a muscle as he gently took hold of a strand of her hair.
At this point, Mikasa could feel her chest tighten, heart thumping erratically, "Um, Eren...what—"
"Mikasa," Eren cut her off, "Don't ever cut your hair, okay?" He lets her hair go and gets up before walking over to the abandoned logs.
Mikasa, whose cheeks were tinted pink had her whole face become as red as a tomato. She tries patting her cheeks to make her face go back to normal, but to no avail.
To say something like that and then walk away. No fair!
Pouting, Mikasa turns around intending on telling him so before noticed something, "Eren, have—have you been crying?"
To his testament he didn't react physically to her question, but he also didn't try to deny it, either.
Taking a deep breath, he offers a small smile in her direction, "It's nothing to worry about, okay?" Strapping the logs to his back, he walks away, with Mikasa following his lead.
In the back of her mind, however, she was still worried about the dream he had because…
...he kept saying, "I'm sorry."
But why?
A cold shiver ran through her—something telling her she didn't want to know what he was apologizing for.
"You really don't remember? Anything at all?" She asked him as they walked across the bridge.
Eren shakes his head, "It felt like...the dream I had was going on forever. Not only that, but I was feeling all sorts of emotions, but…" he trailed off.
"But?" Mikasa gently gestures for him to continue.
He looks down as he lets his feet carry him the rest of the way, "Sadness...it felt like I was being swallowed, suffocating to the point where I couldn't breathe," his voice wavered a little despite his calm expression, "I...really hated that feeling."
Mikasa gives him a sad expression, Eren sees this and rubs the top of her head, "Seriously, I'm fine. Don't look so worried."
"But still—"
"Oh, somebody's messing with my favorite Yeager twin?" A man with short blonde hair, wearing a uniform with the symbol for the Garrison etched on the back of his coat.
"Mr. Hannes." Eren greets.
Hannes bends down a little, "What's wrong, Eren? Somebody giving you trouble?"
"No…" Eren smells the air for a minute before covering his nose with the back of his hand, doing the same for Mikasa, "You smell like a tavern, you've been drinking."
Hannes stood up, "Yup. Nothing like a good old drink to help the day go by."
Unimpressed, Eren gives the man a dry expression, "And yet, you're supposed to be on watch. Not doing a very good job of it, are you?"
Mikasa nods in agreement.
"Hey, that hurts!" Hannes exclaimed, "I don't drink all the time!"
"That's a lie because you do." Eren countered, "I feel bad for your liver."
"Same here." Mikasa said.
"Oh, come on! And here I thought you were the nice twin, Eren!" Hannes complained.
Eren narrows his eyes, "What do you mean by that?" Let it be known that Eren is protective of his family, and won't allow anyone to slander them.
Sensing the boy's irritation, Hannes lifts his hands up in a surrender pose, "Calm down, I didn't mean it like that."
Seeing that Hannes was just joking, Eren relaxes, "There's nothing wrong with sis, Mr. Hannes. She's just...different."
It started a few years ago, after they left to visit relatives in Wall Sina. When they came back from the visit everyone noticed Grisha Yeager didn't come back with them. Naturally everyone assumed something had happened on the trip and the good doctor perished—leaving his wife and two children the only survivors. The news was heartbreaking and everyone in the district offered their condolences to the family, Grisha was a man they all came to respect and adore. He cured a deadly illness and saved millions of lives, and for him to suddenly...pass on the way he did. Truly heartbreaking.
Grisha's death had an impact on his family, while Carla seemed okay, but still heartbroken—their children were a different story.
Eren became a blank, calm child who rarely smiled anymore. But when he did smile though the people appreciated it greatly and smiled back.
As for Erena…
She was the complete opposite of Eren. Unlike her brother who rarely smiled these days, she was always smiling, but it wasn't a genuine one. Her smile revealed nothing as it was a smash she wore constantly, even the air around her has changed.
Some of the citizens commented how Eren was the 'good' twin while Eren was the 'bad.' The citizens believe that she was hiding something behind that false smile, which is how she was labeled as the 'bad' twin.
And Eren hated that.
A hand rubbing the top of his head got his attention, Hannes gave him a sympathetic smile, "My bad, I forget how much Grisha's passing had an effect on all of you." Even now the pain is still there, "For what it's worth, he'd be really proud of you both—hell, every time we ran into each other all he would talk about was you. Saying how in the future you'll do great things."
Eren's eyes widened slightly before going back to normal, "Oh…" he smiled a little as he heard that.
"Hey, there we go! That's the smile I wanted to see." Hannes grinned.
And just like that it was gone. Eren's blank expression had returned.
"Whoa! Talk about a quick change!" He exclaimed.
Eren continues to stare at the man, "Mr. Hannes, do you think this peace we have will last, or will we be crushed by our own ignorance?"
At his innocent question, Hannes and Mikasa had different reactions. Mikasa looked worried and unsure of why Eren would ask such a thing, while Hannes looked pale for some reason.
Making sure the sticks on his back was nicely secure, Eren huffed, "Just kidding." He resumes his walk with a worried Mikasa by his side.
Hannes watches them leave, complexion still pale as Eren's words still go through his mind. Those words had a hidden meaning behind them, but as to what the meaning was?
He didn't want to know.
"Eren, what was that? What did you mean?" Mikasa was still trying to ponder what he meant when he said those words to Hannes. For some reason she felt a foreboding sense of dread and fear grip her heart and refuse to let go. She didn't like it.
"I'm not sure," Eren replied, "It felt like I wasn't the one that said that to Mr. Hannes, it just came out."
Before she could ask him more about it the bells began to chime, signaling the return of the Survey Corps. Whenever the bell rings it means that they've returned from an Expedition.
"They're back." Eren said, looking in the direction of the gate.
"They are." Mikasa said, "Do you want to go see them?"
"No need," He said, turning away, "C'mon, let's go."
She follows him without complaint. He was right, there's no need to see that no Survey Corps members lost their lives during their Expedition. Part of why more were returning home was because of the Marble Titan. Every time they left the walls, the titan would appear and mow down the rest of its kind. People have begun to say nothing but good things about the titan, but there are those who are still weary and skeptical of the giant. Soldiers of the Survey Corps always had stories to tell whenever it showed up.
Speaking of which…
"Eren, are you still planning on joining the Scouts?" Mikasa questioned.
"Ah, I want to see what's beyond the walls. Me and Armin made a promise to each other that we would both join together." He replied.
"Oh...what about Erena?" She questioned.
"She's not joining, says it doesn't sound very "fun," so she's going to stay here with mom." He answered.
"What about Aunt Carla, is she okay with you wanting to join them?" She pressed.
"Ah."
Mikasa made a surprised expression before she began to ponder on what to do now. If Aunt Carla was okay with Eren joining the Scouts, then what is there for her to do now?
Yeager Household
"We're back." Eren announced.
Carla turns around to smile at them, "Welcome back, kids." Her smooth, black hair seems to have grown longer, but only those who know the woman well enough would be sharp to notice. But what really drew people's attention was her beautiful blue eyes, some say it's those very same eyes that ensnare men to notice her, but that was just a rumor.
Eren dumps the sticks down through the wooden floor, Carla walking over to him with a smile, "Wow, look at that. The two of you worked very hard to gather fuel for us for the next several days."
"Ah." Eren said.
Smiling, Carla bends down, kissing her son's cheek, "Thank you, Eren. It was very sweet of you to go out and gather those for us."
Instead of replying, he returns the gesture, "Mikasa helped, too."
"Indeed she did, thank you dear." Carla thanked Mikasa before kissing her on the cheek also.
"You're welcome, Aunt Carla." She said, shyly.
Eren walks over to the table, "Sis isn't here yet?" He noticed.
"Your sister's with your teacher today, but don't worry she'll be back soon." Carla answered.
"I see." He sits down and has some soup, Mikasa sitting next to him with her own food.
Mikasa's eyes shift towards Carla to Eren, "So, um, Eren says he's going to join the Scouts."
"Yes, I know, Mikasa." Carla said, knowingly, "Is there something you want to say?"
The black haired girl looked hesitant to say what she wanted to say, but managed to do so, "I, um...I want to join the Scouts, too." She turns to Carla with a determined expression.
Since Mikasa's attention was on Carla, she failed to see Eren's reaction to her declaration. His lips parted slightly as he looked down at his empty bowl.
"...I see," Carla finally responded, "And this is what you've truly decided to do?"
"Yes." Mikasa said.
Carla puts the dishes away before going over to the two of them, hugging both children. The sudden action took them by surprise, but was a welcomed one as both children melted from the hug.
"I want you both to listen to me," Carla starts off saying, "This world is truly a cruel one, but it's also very beautiful. You both will be forced to meet some very cruel human beings, but that's okay. You'll also encounter people who are understanding and will fight by your side no matter what happens."
They both listen, not saying a word to interrupt her.
"Mikasa, you have experienced that cruelty first hand, but your spirit regained a new sense of purpose. Be strong, and if you feel like you have to cry, then let your tears fall, get back up, and move forward." Carla tells her.
Mikasa nods her head in the woman's shoulder.
"Eren...you are incredibly kind, and that kindness is one of your stronger qualities. No matter what happens, no matter what you face in the near future—never forget—how powerful kindness and understanding can be. Okay, Eren?" She tells him.
Like Mikasa, Eren also nods his head in understanding.
Carla squeezes them both to her one more time before releasing them, "Since the two of you did such a good job in getting fuel for us, why don't you go outside and enjoy the rest of your day."
They both leave the house in search of Armin, who was the most important member of their little group. Carla sends them off with a wave, smiling at their backs.
"Heh, touching speech. Didn't think anyone could be that dramatic, but him." A new voice commented, standing in the shadows of the house, his tall frame leaning against the wall, face lowered, hat covering the person's face from being seen.
Knowing who the person was, she simply releases a small hum, "How is everything?" She asked him.
He grabs the top of his hat, but doesn't move it away from his face, "Same as usual, though there's been more of 'em Titans roaming around here than usual," a visible grin appears on the man's face, "Guess that means our little friends are finally here to play."
She frowns, "Grisha predicted this would happen...I just hoped that it never would."
"You should know better than to expect nothing bad to happen in this screwed up world." The man's tone lowered, laced with seriousness.
A gust of wind blew around them both, moving Carla's dress and hair slightly against the foreboding wind.
"I know…"
That was all she could say.
"They just don't learn." Mikasa commented as the three boys ran off upon seeing Eren and Mikasa come at them with the intent to harm.
The two were looking for Armin and soon found him being messed with by the three nuisances as they both dubbed them. Armin did pretty good in holding his own against them before they arrived. One look and one could tell Armin was not much of a fighter, so Eren decided to teach him ways of avoiding getting hit. It seemed to work in this case as Armin didn't have a scratch on him when they arrived.
"I'm okay, Eren." Armin kept protesting as Eren kept checking him over for any wounds he might have gotten.
"Just making sure," Eren did one last final check before sitting at the edge of the steps near the river, "What were they bothering you about this time?"
"Oh, that. They just heard me rattling on about how mankind's future lay beyond the walls," Armin shrugged, "Doubt they understood half of it, but still."
"I see," Eren got the picture now, "People have gotten comfortable living behind the walls, they don't want to hear anything about what's outside them." He tossed a rock in the river.
"Because the walls are a powerful idea. We've survived for a hundred years because of them. That's why no one here is too keen on tempting fate." Armin adds, "Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with that sentiment, but I can understand where they're coming from."
Eren looks down at the water below, "Human nature. The policies of the government reflect the fear of the people. There are those who believe in the government and decide to remain within the walls, and others who don't and want to see what lies outside."
Armin had nothing to say to that, but he looked thoughtful, "Anyway, was Aunt Carla okay with you joining the Scouts?"
"Mom knows and accepts my choice, Mikasa's joining, too." Eren replied.
"Really? Then all three of us will be together then." Armin said, looking happy and pleased.
Mikasa gives him a nod.
A gentle breeze moved the leaves off the ground, clouds in the sky floating above lazily.
"It's kind of sad," Armin said, suddenly, "What most people here are willing to settle for, all for a false sense of security." He watches as a little boy runs up to his mother and hugs her.
"Trust me when I say that this is fleeting," Armin continues, "These walls that have protected us for so long...can't hold forever."
Eren and Mikasa remain silent as Armis speaks, knowing he's right.
Armin's hair moves against the wind, "Only a matter of time." And just like that, the wind stopped blowing.
Eren suddenly looks up at the sky, alerting both Armin and Mikasa.
"Eren?" Mikasa said.
"What's the matter?" Armin asked.
There was no answer as Eren stood up, gaze still kept firmly on the sky above them.
Light is faster than sound, they saw it before they heard it. A flash of light came out of nowhere, before what sounded like a bomb was then heard, the ground shook as Armin and Mikasa tried to keep from falling in the river. It knocked some people off their feet, but somehow Eren remained standing, his stance firm, gaze unwavering as he looked in the direction of the gate.
"What was that?!" Armin exclaimed.
"I don't know, but it—" She didn't get to go finish her sentence as Eren took off suddenly in the direction of the gate.
"Wait, Eren!" She called out, running after him.
"Guys, wait for me!" Armin yelled after them, also running.
Eren didn't stop running though. There's no time.
He stops running finally, allowing Armin and Mikasa to catch up to him.
"Talk to us, Eren, what's wrong?! Was it an explosion—?" Armin stops talking as he looks up in horror.
Mikasa had the same reaction, while Eren just...starred.
A steaming red hand was grabbing the wall, the very same wall that was tall enough to prevent any Titan from trying to get over the wall.
Until today…
"No way...that's impossible!" Armin trembled, "That wall is fifty meters high! So how?!"
Mikasa's eyes widened, "No…"
Everyone looks on in horror as the giant head of a skinless Titan peers down at them from above the wall. Steam coming off from its massive form.
"It's a Titan…" Armin said.
"Look how big it is…" Mikasa starred.
The Titan moved its head down, but from the outside, it was moving its leg back.
Eren was already moving by then, grabbing both Armin and Mikasa's wrists, he drags them away. Everything moves in slow motion as the giant Titan brings it let back down—
—aiming right for the wall.
As it's foot made contact, Eren had already gotten Armin and Mikasa to safety. A resounding boom sound was heard as the debris from the wall soured through the air, landing in either the houses or the people below.
Behind the giant Titan was a hoard of lesser Titans coming towards the wall in droves.
Armin comes out from the hiding place Eren dragged them to and looked at the destruction around him before falling to his knees, "It—It just blasted a hole...like it was kicking a rock on the side of the road."
Soon, Titans began to come through the wall with eerie expressions on their faces.
"Run for your lives!"
"They've gotten through!"
"Wall Maria has been breached!"
While the people were fleeing in the opposite direction of the gate, Eren suddenly takes hold of their hands.
"Eren, what are you…?" Armin trailed off.
"Get somewhere safe." Was all he said before he took off running in the direction of his house, running faster than they've ever seen.
"Eren, no, wait!" Armin called out.
"Eren, wait!" Mikasa was about to follow, only to be scooped up by Hannes, "Mr. Hannes?!"
"Mikasa, Armin, we have to evacuate now!" He said, grabbing Armin with his other arm.
"Let me go, Eren's out there!" Mikasa practically screamed, trying to squirm out of his hold.
"I'll go back for him later! Right now you two need to get somewhere safe!" Hannes told her.
"No, Eren!" Mikasa cried out the boy's name.
"EREN!"
He had to force himself to ignore Mikasa's cries of his name as he continued to run in the direction of his house. He had to make sure his mother was safe as some debris from the wall fell in that general direction.
Turning around a corner, he sees that his house had indeed been destroyed, the memories stored within forever crushed.
"Mom…" He whispered.
"She's alive."
Eren quickly turned around, relaxing when he saw who it was, "Teacher." Of course, there's no way his teacher would let anything happen to his mother.
Without saying another word, the tall man hands Eren a knife.
Grabbing it, Eren already knows the implication.
Now is the time.
Another bright light and sound of lightning got everyone's attention, but they were too busy trying to run away from the Titans.
"Shit, what now?!" Hannes cursed.
Armin and Mikasa were by his side as they saw another titan make a side appearance. But this one was different from the others, way different.
The titan was about 15m tall, hair long enough to graze its shoulders, with elongated ears. Its facial features are also different from the rest of the mindless Titans. Along with a prominent, hooked nose, its eyes are deeply sunken within their sockets, and its mouth takes on an unusual, jagged shape. Finally, it also lacks lips and flesh on its cheeks, exposing all of its teeth.
Another observation is that this titan is well-proportioned and physically fit, sporting a well-defined, lean, muscular appearance in lieu of the more common pot-bellied or emaciated appearance of regular Titans.
"My god...another Titan…" Hannes starred in horror.
Armin noticed something strange about the 15m Titan, "It's just standing there...that Titan ain't attacking anyone."
"What?" Mikasa turns to him.
"Mr. Hannes, that Titan isn't attacking anyone!" Armin yells loud enough for the man to hear.
Hannes snapped out of his shocked state to see that Armin was right, it was just standing there before its head back.
"ROAR!"
The humans below covered their ears as the roar let out a shockwave that knocked some people who were running down to the ground.
"W—What the hell?!" Hannes shouted, hands covering his ears.
The Titan stopped roaring finally as it seemed to go on forever. Every citizen moves their hands away from their ears and looks around to see a strange sight.
Armin also noticed it, "They stopped moving…" all of the Titans that came through the wall stopped moving and stood perfectly still, heads lowered as though they were submitting.
"Did...did that Titan make them stop?" Mikasa wondered.
"I...think so?" Armin didn't sound too sure, but that has to be it.
"Son of a bitch...it actually made the other Titans stop." Hannes could hardly believe what he was seeing, so he rubbed his eyes, "I'm not drunk am I?"
"You're always drunk, Mr. Hannes but right now that's not important." Armin states.
Citizens watched as the mysterious titan roared again, sending another shockwave that rocked through the area, just not as big as last time.
What happened next was something they thought they'd never see. The Titans started to eat each other!
The sheer sight of it was grotesque, how they bit into each other's skin, tearing away the skin on their bodies.
"Okay, now I know I'm drunk! What the hell are they doing?!" Hannes exclaimed.
"They're eating each other...did that titan make them do this?" Armin was trying to wrap his head around what he was seeing right now.
"But...why?" Mikasa questioned.
Armin's eyes caught sight of one titan that was coming towards the mysterious titan, "Look! That titan's still acting on its own."
Walking in the direction of the mysterious titan was a Titan with short blonde hair, sporting an eerie smile that sent shivers down his spine.
"Why is that titan the only one still walking around?" Hannes didn't like the way it was smiling. It was creepy and terrifying, and the way its eyes stared at absolutely nothing didn't help matters.
Mikasa saw the Smiling Titan walking in the direction of the mysterious titan, "That titan's going near the Rogue one."
Out of the corner of its eye, the Rogue titan saw it coming towards it, the Smiling Titan raising both arms in its direction as though it were trying to give the Rogue titan a hug. Just as it got close enough to almost touch the muscular titan, a fist smashed into its face, killing it instantly. Falling to its knees, the corps fell over—crashing to the ground, steam coming off from its unmoving corpse as the body began to disintegrate.
"It...killed it…" Armin's voice wavered, eyes wide and shaking, "That titan killed one of its own kind."
Hannes slapped the side of his head, "This confirms it...I'm actually seeing this. Another titan came to the aid of humanity…"
Unable to keep herself standing anymore, Mikasa fell to her knees, "That titan saved us…"
All around, the citizens no longer felt fear and began to feel better about their current situation. What helped was the fact that this Titan ignored them in favor of protecting them instead. Everything would be okay.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Hannes was instantly back on high alert, "What the hell is that?! Is it another titan?!"
And indeed to his and the rest of the citizens' horror, another tian came stomping out from behind a house. Like the Rogue titan, this one was also different.
This new titan was also 15m tall and has plates of hardened skin covering the entirety of its body. Its eyes are covered by white, organic lenses, and it has short, silver hair.
"The whole body is all armor!" Armin said.
Mikasa frowned in its direction.
"Doesn't look very friendly unlike our other one here," Hannes turned his head in the Rogue titan direction, "Looks like this Armored Titan got its attention." The Rogue titan's attention was only on the Armored titan and nothing else.
Crash!
"The hell?!" Hannes exclaimed, seeing giant crystallized spikes from outside the wall, "What the hell is going on out there?" Was some other brawl going on out there or something?
"Mr. Hannes look! The Armored Titan is moving again!" Armin said, pointing at the 15m titan.
Getting in a crouch, the Armored titan bent forward before taking off—charging at one thing...the Rogue titan.
"So fast!" Armin exclaimed.
For something so big and heavy, the Armored titan was moving incredibly fast, and yet the Rogue titan stood there calmly. Just as the Armored titan was close enough, the Rogue moved. As the Armored titan prepared to punch the Rogue titan—the Rogue countered by ducking under the punch, it clenched its fist—hardened material covering its knuckles. Moving the fish upwards the hardened fist warmed right for the outstretched arm, breaking it easily like a stick.
"AAARRRGGGHHH!"
"Did you see that?! That was amazing!" Armin said in awe.
Mikasa, however, was paying more attention to the Rogue titan's counter attack, 'Why does that look...so familiar?'
Hannes blinked a couple of times, "Well, shit…" what else could he say?
"Go get that Armored titan!"
"Send it back to where it came from!"
"For the sake of humanity!"
"For the glory of humanity!"
Hannes widened his eyes at the sheer faith the people of Shiganshina suddenly have in the Rogue titan. Where there was once fear was now a burning flame ignited within their hearts. No longer did fear overtake them.
Shrugging, Hannes decides to get in on the action, "Aw, what the hell? Kick that Armored titan bastards ass, Rogue!"
Armin takes a deep breath, "Y—You can do it!" He shouted.
"Don't lose!" Mikasa shouts.
With the people of Shiganshina offering their encouragement, the Rogue titan decided not to drag this fight out any longer. Using the Armored titan's distraction to its advantage, the Rogue hardened its foot, bringing it up and slamming it into the Armored titans knee, breaking it. Letting out another howl of pain, the Armored titan fell—crashing to the ground, completely vulnerable.
And the Rogue titan saw that.
Mercilessly, it hardened its foot again before stomping down hard on the Armored titan's other arm, breaking it before doing the same to both shoulders. The beating the titan took was merciless and brutal as the Rogue titan showed it no mercy. Seeing its opponent could no longer move, it grabbed the defeated titan by both ankles before swinging it around a couple of times then letting go. Everyone watched as the Armored titan was flung over the wall like it weighed nothing. When they could see the Armored titan was completely over the wall and out of sight...they cheered.
"WE'RE ALL ALIVE!"
"Our lives were saved by the Rogue titan!"
"It's the savior of the walls!"
"Fuck yeah!"
Hannes couldn't help but laugh like a complete lunatic, "I'll be damned...never thought in all my years, I'd see titans saving humans from their own kind."
Armin and Mikasa cried, but they were tears of joy and while they couldn't explain as to why they were crying, it didn't matter in the end. Not everyone was okay, some people did die, but had that Rogue titan not show up when it did, then it could have been much worse.
Speaking of said titan, it began to walk in the direction of the breach, confusing many.
"Is it leaving?" Mikasa wondered.
Armin shook his head, "No, I think it's walking towards the breach! But what is it going to do?"
Out of pure curiosity, the citizens and Garrison all followed the titan, which they noticed was trying not to step on any of the houses in its path. Very considerate of the titan to do that, but most of the houses have already been totaled. The titan was still walking, its path very clear.
"Huh, I think it is headed for the breach, but why?" Hannes was curious and confused.
"I'm not sure, but...it must have something in mind otherwise it wouldn't be heading in this direction." Armin commented.
After what felt like an eternity, the Rogue titan finally stopped but then it did something even more strange. It turned its back on the breach before moving backwards and blocking it then sitting down.
Hannes was even more confused, "Okay...is it trying to block it with its whole body?"
His question was answered as the Rogue titans entire body began to harden. It was then that the citizens finally understood what the titan was doing—the titan was trying to seal the breach by hardening its whole body. But it wasn't just the breach that was being sealed for the crystallized hardening spread all across the wall, making it look better than it has in years.
When the process was done, all that was left was the crystallized body of the Rogue titan. The breach had been sealed off thanks to the mysterious Rogue titan.
More rounds of cheers erupted from the people as not only was the breach sealed off, but the titans had been taken care of, and the Armored titan soundly defeated before being tossed out of the district and back outside the walls.
It was over.
For the time being the nightmare was over.
Hannes sees the happy expressions on the faces of the people before looking at the crystallized body of the titan, "Gotta say...never in all my years I thought I'd be grateful to a titan for saving us." If he could, he'd raise a drink to the titan if he could, and he most definitely would.
"Amazing...there are other titans out there willing to help humanity," Armin smiled, "What else would you call this but a miracle?"
"Yeah…" Mikasa agreed.
Suddenly, footsteps can be heard coming from a different direction. The two turn to the sound of the footsteps and see it was Eren slowly walking towards them.
Water gathered in Mikasa's eyes, "Eren!" She shot at him like a bullet, wrapping her arms around him. It was a miracle the boy didn't fall down due to the sudden action by Mikasa.
"You're okay…" Her voice cracked as she rubbed her face against his shoulder.
"Ah…" He hugs her back, one hand rubbing the back of her head. When she was still having nightmares, he would rub the back of her head like this to calm her down and help her get back to sleep.
Armin approached them, "Eren, are you sure you're okay?" He asked, clearly worried.
Eren nodded, "Mom's fine, teacher got her someplace safe. The house is gone though…" he was still upset about it, but at least the house can be rebuilt. The same can't be said for human lives.
"Eren, did you—did you see…" Armin stuttered.
"The Rogue titan? I saw..." Eren said, sounding a little tired, "Mr. Hannes, the bodies...I've found them."
Hannes was confused for a moment before realizing what Eren meant. The boy must've found the corpses of those who didn't make it, poor kid. Eren leads them in the direction where he found the bodies of those who were killed instantly, Hannes saw they were all covered by blankets that looked to be brought from their own homes.
'Eren must've covered them up so no one would see, kid really is kindhearted.' Hannes thought, closing the eyes of some of the corpses before covering them back up.
"Eren!"
Quickly, he turns around and sees that Eren had collapsed, Mikasa frantically trying to wake him.
"What happened?! Was he injured?!" Hannes demanded, bending down to take a look.
Armin leaned his head down on Eren's chest, "He's okay, just passed out after everything that happened today."
"That's all it is?" Mikasa didn't sound very convinced, but she could see Eren's chest moving, so he must be fine.
"I'm not surprised." Hannes said. Eren was probably walking around trying to cover these poor people that didn't make it. He moved to pick the boy up, only for a familiar person wearing all black to beat him to it. Eren was hoisted over the man's shoulder
"What the—?! Where'd you come from?!" Hannes exclaimed.
"Keh, quit flappin' your gums and move your ass, drunk." The man walks in the opposite direction.
Mikasa was the first to follow with Armin and Hannes right behind her.
"In the Year—845, Wall Maria was breached by what the citizens called it...the "Colossal Titan." Soon after it breached the wall, the mysterious Rogue Titan made its appearance, commanding the other titans to eat each other—this killing them in the process. Another titan which had been dubbed the "Armored Titan" tried to attack the Rogue Titan, only for it to be soundly defeated in combat."
"With the Armored Titan defeated, the Rogue Titan sealed the breach by using its own body. Some say it died after sealing the breach, others believe it fell into a deep sleep until the next time it would be called to action."
"No more titans had been seen near the wall, which made it easy for the Scouts to arrive and interview those who witnessed everything. Some of the Scouts wanted to bring back the crystallized body of the Rogue titan—but the citizens rejected the idea and wanted it to stay here. Samples from the body were taken, which seemed to be okay. As for outside the wall, signs of a fight were present—leading others to believe that maybe the Marble Titan appeared to take care of another supposed Intelligent Titan. But it was just speculation for now…"
"Eren and Erena slept deeply in the comforting embrace of their mother. Armin's grandfather was also alive, and hugging his grandson out of pure relief. Repairing the destroyed houses will take time, but it can be done. The government has approved funds to help those in Shiganshina that lost their homes due to the sudden Titan attack."
"It was a day no one will ever forget...they won't ever forget the Rogue Titan that saved their lives. It will forever be known as—
"—The Savior Of Wall Maria."
Eren lets out a huff, looking up at the night sky. Currently, he was sitting on the roof of the evacuation shelter, having woken up hours ago and was now just lost in his own thoughts.
"There you are!"
Hearing his name, he turns to see it was Armin and Mikas, "Can't sleep?"
Armin shook his head, "No, and from what I can see, neither can you." He sits on his right, Mikasa on his left. If the two held hands the moment she sat down, Armin didn't say anything.
"Next year I'm applying to the Cadets." Eren said suddenly.
Armin doesn't look surprised.
"It's not over, the Colossal and Armored Titan are still out there somewhere—waiting to make their next move. This time we were lucky, the same won't be said for when they next appear." Eren said, seriously, "What are you two planning on doing?"
"I'm with you." Armin didn't even hesitate, "I may not be strong like you and Mikasa, but I can still fight in my own way."
"Armin…"
"Me, too," Mikasa said, leaning against his shoulder, "Next time...I won't hesitate. I'll become strong, strong enough to protect anything."
Eren knows he can't change their minds, so he gave in, "Then...together."
That night, the three of them made a promise.
Year—847
"Straighten those spines, piss-ants!"
"The 104th Cadet Corps Boot Camp starts now!" Keith Shadis yelled. The man had lost all his hair and was now bald, "Allow me to introduce myself: I''m Commandant Keith Shadis; and you will grow to hate me!"
"Training is gonna be a white-knuckle ride through Hell. If I've done my job, you'll be waking up in a cold sweat."
Standing before him were a row of trainees, some looked nervous while others were indifferent.
"From memories of this place every night," Keith continued, "For the rest of your miserable lives. Right now, you're nothing. Livestock. But over the next three, soul-crushing years, you'll learn to take down your own Goliath."
"Remember this moment when you come face to face with him, 'cause here's where you ask yourself: Am I a fighter, or am I a feed? Are you gonna be the one to bite? Or am I gonna be the one to bite?"
Three noticeable faces were in the sea of cadets, Armin, Mikasa, and Eren—the three of them already knew the answer:
They are the hunters—
Not the prey—
And they will defeat their enemies no matter who it is.
Let the training begin.
Das Licht Der Hoffnung In Der Dunkelheit Der Verzweiflung (The Light Of Hope In The Darkness Of Despair)