Mikasa's Faith: The Eve of the Counterattack
Mikasa stood in awe as Eren's Titan form slammed the boulder into the breach, sealing Trost's outer gate for good. The ground shook with the impact, and a deafening roar echoed through the city as Eren's Titan slumped into a sitting position, its massive body steaming and slowly decomposing.
They had done it. The mission was a success!
But there was no time to celebrate. The sound of heavy footsteps thundered behind them, and Mikasa turned to see two eight-meter Titans approaching, their lanky arms outstretched, ready to grab any unsuspecting soldiers in their path. The breach may have been sealed, but the Titans already inside the city were still a deadly threat.
"The remaining Titans are coming!" Rico announced, sharp and urgent. "Head up the wall!"
With Captain Ian gone, Rico had taken charge of the elite squad tasked with protecting Eren. She barked orders to the team, emphasizing the need to avoid combat unless absolutely necessary. Their goal was clear: retreat and leave the cleanup to the main forces.
Mikasa glanced at Rico as she spoke, her voice cutting through the chaos. "I'll withdraw after I've recovered Eren."
Without hesitation, Mikasa sprinted toward the gate, toward Eren and Armin. The heat was scalding up close, the steam from the decomposing Titan body rising in thick clouds. Armin was struggling to pull Eren free from the nape, his hands trembling as he tugged at Eren's limp form.
"Armin, how's Eren?" Mikasa asked, clearly concerned.
"He's unbelievably hot to the touch!" Armin gasped, his face flushed with exertion. "We need to hurry and get him up the wall!"
Mikasa and Rico climbed up beside them, their eyes widening at the sight. Eren's arms and legs were still attached to the Titan body, wrapped in scorching red flesh. His face was severely burned around the eyes and temples, and he was completely unconscious, just like the first time he had emerged from the Titan's nape. The sickening squelch of flesh filled the air as Armin continued to pull, his efforts growing more frantic.
"Part of his body is fused to it," Armin explained, his voice strained. "I can't pull him free!"
Rico's expression hardened. "Then we'll have to cut," she said grimly.
The thought horrified Mikasa. "Wait! Please!" she pleaded.
But Rico acted swiftly, her blade slicing through the fused flesh with precision. The momentum sent Armin and Eren tumbling to the ground behind them. Before Mikasa could react, the two Titans from earlier loomed dangerously close, their gaping mouths ready to devour their next meal. One of them reached out, its massive hand closing in on her friends.
Mikasa's body moved before her mind could catch up. She launched herself forward, blades at the ready, her muscles screaming in protest from exhaustion and pain. But she couldn't let her friends be eaten—not now, not ever.
Before she could reach them, a flash of light streaked through the air. The two Titans collapsed, their napes sliced open with surgical precision. A soldier landed atop the fallen Titans, his green cape billowing in the wind. Mikasa's eyes locked onto the symbol emblazoned on his back: two wings, one blue and the other white.
"Mikasa?" Armin's voice broke through the silence, filled with awe and disbelief.
She landed beside him, her expression eerily calm despite the chaos. "Those are…"
Neither of them noticed Eren stirring until he spoke, raspy and weak. "The wings of freedom…"
The soldier turned his head to face them, his piercing gaze sweeping over the scene. "Hey, you brats," he said, his voice sharp but laced with a hint of confusion. "What exactly is going on here?"
Mikasa and Armin were too stunned to speak, their eyes wide with awe as they stared at the legendary soldier before them. Thankfully, Rico stepped in, her voice steady and professional as she addressed him.
"Captain Levi!" she saluted sharply. "We'll explain the situation later. For now, please help us transport Jaeger to safety."
Levi's expression remained impassive, though a faint "Tch" escaped his lips. "Alright," he said, his tone clipped. "Let me carry him."
Mikasa's grip on Eren's arm tightened instinctively, her reluctance to let go evident. She wanted to be the one to carry him, to ensure his safety with her own hands. But her body protested, every muscle screaming in exhaustion after hours of relentless Titan slaughter. She knew she was at her limit.
Levi jumped down from the Titan's remains, landing gracefully in front of them. Up close, Mikasa was struck by his stature. From a distance, he had seemed larger than life, but now she realized he was shorter than her. Could he really carry Eren? Her doubts must have shown on her face, because Levi's sharp gaze flicked to her, his expression unamused.
Without another word, Levi positioned Eren in a cradle carry, his arms supporting Eren's shoulders and knees with surprising ease. Despite his size, there was a quiet strength in the way he held Eren, a confidence that left no room for doubt. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the group, his voice cutting through the tension.
"Get moving," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I don't have enough arms to haul all of your asses back up."
Mikasa hesitated for a moment, her protective instincts warring with her exhaustion. But she knew Levi was right. They needed to move, and quickly. With a final glance at Eren's unconscious form, she nodded and turned to follow, her heart heavy but her resolve unshaken. For now, Eren was in capable hands—and that was enough.
They maneuvered their way back to where Commander Pixis was stationed, accompanied by the Garrison Corps' reserve troops. Upon arrival, Mikasa, Armin, and Rico saluted sharply, while Levi remained indifferent, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Commander," Levi said, his voice calm but commanding. "I need a stretcher for Jaeger."
"At once," Pixis replied, gesturing to his men without hesitation.
Two Garrison soldiers nodded and hurried to the supply crates, returning with a bundle of rope and fabric strapped to a wooden frame. They quickly assembled the stretcher and stepped aside, allowing Levi to lay Eren down gently. Mikasa seized the opportunity to inch closer, her scarf clutched tightly in her hands. She knelt beside Eren, her eyes scanning his face. He was unconscious again, but thankfully, his body temperature had lowered. The burns around his eyes, however, remained an angry shade of red, stark against his pale skin.
In gentle, almost reverent strokes, Mikasa cupped her hands around Eren's face, her thumb brushing across the burns on his cheeks as if willing them to disappear. The simple act of touching him, of feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest, calmed her. He was safe. He was alive. And for now, that was enough.
She silently thanked Armin for not interrupting her, for standing quietly by and giving her this moment. The commanding officers, however, had other plans. The sound of multiple sets of footsteps broke Mikasa from her reverie. She turned her head slightly to see who had arrived.
At the forefront of the group stood a tall, imposing blond man. Commander Erwin Smith, she noted. Behind him were several members of the Survey Corps, their green cloaks billowing in the wind. They saluted crisply before speaking.
"Commander Pixis," Erwin began, his voice steady and authoritative. "I apologize for our tardiness. We came as soon as we received word."
Pixis reached into the inner pocket of his vest, retrieving a canteen. He took a swig, exhaling with satisfaction before replying, "I appreciate your regiment's aid. The Garrison surely wouldn't have been enough to handle this situation alone—"
"Enough with the pleasantries," Levi interjected, his tone sharp and impatient. "Get to the point and tell us what the hell is up with this Jaeger kid."
Pixis was momentarily taken aback but chuckled softly, returning the canteen to his vest. He turned to the other Garrison soldiers behind him, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. The soldiers scurried away, leaving the group to discuss the matter in private. Mikasa watched them go, her grip on Eren's hand tightening. She didn't want to let go.
"Not beating around the bush, are we? Alright," Pixis said, his tone resigned. "Jaeger here has the ability to summon a Titan body on command. He seems to have some degree of control over it and successfully sealed Trost's breach using a giant boulder. That is, with Cadet Ackerman and Arlert's help."
Erwin's gaze shifted to Mikasa and Armin, his piercing blue eyes studying them intently. "I assume these are the cadets you mentioned?"
"Yes, sir," Armin answered promptly, saluting. "I am Cadet Arlert, and the one beside Eren is Cadet Ackerman."
"I see," Erwin mused, his expression thoughtful. "How interesting. How long has Jaeger had this ability?"
"We don't know, sir," Mikasa whispered, her voice barely audible. "We just saw him come out of an Abnormal Titan's nape a few hours ago. That's all we've found out so far."
"So none of you can explain," Levi said bitterly, his tone laced with skepticism. "How convenient."
"Levi," Erwin chided gently, though his tone carried a note of warning.
Pixis hummed thoughtfully, his gaze shifting between Mikasa and Armin. "I recall Jaeger mentioning something about a basement earlier. Perhaps you can elaborate on that."
Mikasa, still visibly shaken, remained silent, her eyes fixed on Eren's unconscious form. Armin, sensing her distress, stepped forward to answer.
"Eren believes that his father, Dr. Jaeger, may have hidden something in their basement. He remembers his father saying that it would all make sense if he went there."
He glanced at the commanding officers, searching for any sign to stop or continue. Erwin gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable but encouraging. Taking a deep breath, Armin pressed on. "It might have the answers to Eren's mysterious Titan powers and the Titans themselves. I can't exactly vouch for the credibility of this information, but…"
Mikasa, sensing Armin's hesitation, took over. Her voice was quiet but steady, though she avoided making eye contact with anyone. "Dr. Jaeger never let any of us into the basement, not even his wife, Carla. On the day Wall Maria fell, he was finally going to let Eren in, but he never had the chance."
Erwin raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "How come?"
"Our house was in Shiganshina, sir," Mikasa answered, her tone heavy with sadness.
"Of all the places," Levi muttered under his breath. "Shiganshina."
"I see how that would be difficult," Pixis said, his voice tinged with empathy. "Is there anything else you can share?"
Armin hesitated, his confidence wavering. "Uh, about Dr. Jaeger, sir… He's been missing for the past five years. He was in the interior when Shiganshina was attacked, but we've never seen him since."
Pixis nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "And Mrs. Jaeger?"
Mikasa's face darkened, her voice barely above a whisper. "Dead, sir."
"I'm sorry," Erwin said, his tone respectful and sincere.
The air grew heavier, the weight of their losses pressing down on them. Mikasa's gaze never left Eren's resting form, her eyes tracing the steady rise and fall of his chest. Suddenly, a glimmer of light caught her eye.
"The key…" she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Levi's sharp tone cut through the silence. "Speak up, brat."
Mikasa reached for the string around Eren's neck, gently pulling it out from under his shirt. She carefully removed the key, holding it up for everyone to see. "This is the key to the basement," she explained. "We'll need this if we want to go there."
Erwin approached her slowly, his movements deliberate and calm. He knelt beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I would like to take it for safekeeping," he said, his voice steady. "If what you're saying is true, we must make retaking Shiganshina our next priority."
Mikasa hesitated, her grip tightening around the key. Eren had never parted with it, wearing it around his neck at all times. It wasn't just a key. It was a symbol, a connection to their past, to their home. It was the last tangible piece of Shiganshina they had left. Everything else had been lost that day, swallowed by the chaos and destruction. Could she really hand it over?
Her thoughts raced as she studied Erwin's face, her sharp eyes searching for any hint of deception or ulterior motive. There was something in his gaze—a glint of determination, of danger, of a man who had seen too much and carried the weight of impossible decisions without faltering. It was the look of someone who had stared into the abyss and come back with a plan, no matter how ruthless or unorthodox. Mikasa wasn't sure if she could trust him, but she also knew she didn't have the luxury of time.
Pixis trusted him. That fact alone carried weight. Pixis had been the one to save them, to believe in their desperate plan to seal Trost when others would have written them off as reckless or insane. He had given them a chance, and in doing so, had proven himself to be a leader who valued humanity's survival above all else. If Pixis trusted Erwin, then perhaps she could too. After all, the Survey Corps was known for its unwavering commitment to humanity's freedom, to pushing beyond the walls and reclaiming what had been lost. They were the ones who risked everything to fight for a future beyond the confines of fear and oppression.
Mikasa's grip on the key loosened slightly as she weighed her options. The Survey Corps had always been a symbol of hope, even if their methods were often brutal and their losses staggering. They were the ones who dared to dream of a world without Titans, who fought not just for survival, but for the freedom to live. If anyone could help them uncover the secrets of Eren's Titan powers and the mysteries hidden in the basement, it was them. Surely, Erwin and his soldiers had humanity's best interests at heart.
Wordlessly, Mikasa nodded and handed the key to Erwin.
"Thank you, Ackerman," he said, tucking the key into his inner vest pocket. "When I have the chance, I'll make sure this is returned to Jaeger himself."
Before anyone could say more, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Mikasa turned to see a small squad of Military Police soldiers, each armed with rifles. They halted at a respectful distance, saluting crisply.
One of the Military Police soldiers cleared his throat, stepping forward. "If I may, we have received orders from the top brass."
"Go ahead," Pixis said, gesturing for him to continue.
"Cadet Jaeger is to be taken to the capital and detained. Please leave him to us," the soldier stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Mikasa's eyes flashed with anger, her grip on Eren tightening instinctively. "Detained?! You can't! He hasn't recovered yet."
The soldier's gaze hardened, his voice cold and unyielding. "I suggest you give way, cadet, before we detain you as well."
Armin reached out, pulling gently on Mikasa's free arm in an attempt to calm her. "Mikasa! I think we need to let him go," he reasoned, his voice soft but urgent.
Reluctantly, Mikasa stepped back, her heart heavy as the Military Police soldiers took their places on opposite ends of the stretcher and lifted Eren. They turned to address the group, their expressions stern.
"Commander Smith, Commander Pixis, you may speak to Jaeger once he is secured. For now, please cooperate with us and await further instructions."
"Very well," Erwin answered for both of them, his tone calm but firm.
Mikasa was shaking, her hands trembling with disbelief and frustration. It hadn't even been a full day since she had thought Eren was dead, and now he was being taken away again. The sight of the Military Police carrying him off, their faces stern and unyielding, filled her with a sense of helplessness. She wanted to follow them, to chase after the stretcher and demand they let her stay by his side. Detainment be damned—she couldn't bear to be separated from him again.
"Mikasa, please," Armin pleaded, soft but urgent. He placed a hand on her arm, trying to ground her. "I'm sure they'll let us see him. Right, Commander?"
Erwin didn't reply immediately. His piercing blue eyes were fixed on the retreating figures of the Military Police, his expression unreadable but intense.
"Tch," Levi voiced his disapproval. "Those military bastards are fast. Who knows what kind of shitshow they're cooking."
"It's too early for them to do anything drastic," Erwin wondered aloud. "There's too many things we don't know."
Pixis, however, seemed to sense Mikasa and Armin's distress. He stepped forward, his tone calm and reassuring.
"Nothing has been decided yet," he said. "The best thing you can do at the moment is return to the barracks and rest. We'll send word once there's news."
Mikasa hesitated, her fists clenched at her sides. She wanted to argue, to demand answers, but she knew Pixis was right. There was nothing she could do right now, no way to force her way into Eren's side. Reluctantly, she nodded, adjusting her scarf so that it sat tighter around her neck and shoulders. She hid her mouth in the fabric, her voice muffled as she muttered, "Thank you, sir."
Armin gave her a small, encouraging smile, though his eyes were filled with worry. "C'mon, Mikasa," he said gently, tugging on her arm. "Let's go."
As they walked back to the barracks, Mikasa's mind raced. She tried to sort through her thoughts, to push aside the fear and frustration that threatened to overwhelm her. Eren was safe—at least, she hoped he was. He had survived worse, and he would survive this too. They would be reunited soon. She had to believe that. For now, the best thing she could do was wait, to give way temporarily and trust that the commanders would handle the situation.