Paradis Island
He knew better than to ever have an ounce of trust towards Erwin's murderer. He knew that it would be a matter of time before the ape shows his true colors. The moment he turned his head back, Zeke Jeager took off into the deeper part of the woods and let out a hollow scream, the same howl of a wounded animal in its final moments.
But Levi Ackerman was very aware, that wasn't a normal battle cry.
That piece of shit was calling out into the paths. Apparently, the wines supplied to all the military higher-ups and the ones that were included in this confidential, secluded detainment were poisoned with the Beast Titan's spinal fluid.
There was a small annoying twitch at the sides of his temples.
Levi gritted his teeth in a rage.
That bastard thought that he would not be spared by the transformation he initiated.
His current unit, however, wasn't spared the mercy they deserved.
One by one, each of his subordinates' bodies exploded and in the cloud of smoke afterward, were pure Titans in its wake. Thirty explosions, thirty people, thirty pure Titans.
He could possibly be witnessing the real explanation of how the villagers in Ragako, where one of his subordinates originated from, were transformed into pure Titans at the same moment they subjugated the Female Titan holder, Annie Leonhardt.
Levi stared at the horror waiting in front of him. His hands reached out for the omnidirectional gear blades that were supposedly tucked in its sheath strapped to his thighs.
Supposedly.
His hands grasp into anything but existing blades inside the holders.
He must've left all of his blades on the forest floor from when he was keeping his eyes on the traitor from Marley earlier.
The one-half of the last two remaining survivors of the Ackerman clan took in a long, deep breath. The strands of his raven hair billowed gently against the back of his neck, the silent breeze a taunting prickle against his face as he planned his next move.
Zeke Jeager apparently has not learned his lesson the last time they went head to head in Shinganshina five years ago.
He lifted himself up and stood in the middle of the forest bed, as the newly-transformed pure Titans, fell off from the branches of the giant trees. It has been five years since Paradis was liberated from any form of Titans. And when they finally appeared, never would the Captain of the Survey Corps ever expected that the Titans were transformed from the people he had grown to care, even for a short while. Like in the way he did towards his former squad formed during the uprising to place Historia as the rightful ruler on the throne years ago.
He stood still, afloat and surrounded by the pure titans, ones who he had known, ones with the faces of the people he had conversed with, got acquainted with over these past several years.
How many times has he gone through this?
The pain of losing comrades and subordinates he had grown to care for?
From Farlan, Isabel, Eld, Auruo, Gunther, Petra, Mike, Nanaba, Nifa and Erwin?
He made a promise to Erwin's lifeless body that he would slay the monster responsible for his death, and he believes he will finally fulfill his promise today.
Using the wire from his maneuver gear, he twisted his body backward before pushing upwards as he shot the steel tip of his grapple towards a higher branch of the nearest giant tree, the grapple latched tightly in between the thick wooden body. He landed with trained stealth of a notorious Titan slayer.
He leered at the form of an arrogant Titan shifter down below. The smug bastard thought he had Levi fooled, catching him off guard but peering down, it was only a matter of time before he took the wrong step.
He is going to kill that bastard and this time, he won't be holding back.
He'll apologize to the Queen later. She punched him once. She can punch him again and again. Reprimand and suspend. Whatever he wouldn't mind anymore.
But he would rather die than let this stinking piece of shit escape and meet Eren. No one knows what they were planning now, not even Hange. Except for the Rumbling.
Which was very irrelevant in his opinion.
He'd rather return to Marley himself to send another warning.
Apparently that brat escaped his detainment with the help of his obsessed followers.
Like mindless lambs following a false God.
His memory took a quick trip back to the moment where he made a public oath inside the Supreme Court that if Eren Jeager ever showed signs of betrayal, he would personally be the one who takes him down and ensure the tri-Titan holder stays deceased.
His job was to make sure those two did not meet and if killing Zeke is the last resort, then so be it.
A loud roar broke his own pondering and his eyes widened when he saw the form of the Beast Titan grabbed hold of one the pure Titans, his fallen subordinate, pulled its head apart from its body as it growls a lot louder. Its entrails dripped with scorching Titan fluid, burning the soil on the ground.
The primal monstrosity howled in frustration it seemed.
Zeke miscalculated that Levi would either somehow be turned into one of those mindless Titans or he would've been overwhelmed by a large number of Titans surrounding him.
Really?
It was obvious that Zeke has not learned anything from their last encounter before Eren's retrieval mission in Liberio.
He braced himself as he saw the approaching figure of the Beast Titan, having begun to throw rock projectiles towards his direction.
Levi let out a small 'tch'. A same old trick from the monkey.
He hid on the other side of the large tree, facing away from the incoming assault. But Zeke predicted his move. Levi felt the branch he was standing on rumbled upon seeing the large, slithery fingers of the Beast Titan grabbed hold of the tree's large bark.
"Come out, now, Levi. You really think you can win this time?"
"Keep on dreaming, ape shit. I should've killed you in Liberio. By the time I'm done with you today, you'll be nothing but a nice ornament on Erwin's grave."
The Beast Titan chortled in feign sympathy. "Still sore about your Commander's death? He knew that his death was inevitable."
"I made a promise, asshole. I'm keeping that promise. That is what honor means. Unlike some people…." Levi allowed the sardonic tone of his dripped down with raw malice.
"Love to stay and chat, Levi but I have a place I need to be."
Levi took in a deeper breath. There was no need for him to hold himself back. "The only place you're going is HELL, monkey shit!"
Levi used the force from the grappled wire to propel his body ahead, ready to face the Beast Titan head-on. Embers the color of the sunset flickered and surrounding his form.
If he was destined to have his last breath today, he'd be taking that jackass along with him.
Levi Ackerman has had enough of dealing with a Jeager's mess.
-o-O-o-
Mikasa, Gabi, and Armin were forcefully ushered out of the restaurant building into one of the carriages meant to transport the current hostages of the Yeagerists to Shinganshina.
The raven-haired prodigy sharpened her gaze at Floch, the leader of the flock (so befitting) and currently, Eren's right-hand person as he smugly barked orders for his people to secure all of their prisoners to be contained in one holding cell once they have reached the now evacuated town.
By the time they were forced out of the building, Armin noticed that Jean, Connie, and Onyankopon were already in one of the carriages. Jean looked back at Mikasa, slight relief evident on his face upon seeing her and Armin.
It didn't take him long to deduce that just like them, their comrades were also apprehended, with their hands tied - the Yeagerists had forced them to give in or face an early death.
Gabi, who was walking next to Mikasa, looked up at the older woman and said, "Ms. Ackerman….are they going to kill us?" She whimpered helplessly, revealing a contradictory insecurity. She was ready to surrender her life to the people in Paradis earlier but at that moment, she wasn't sure what she wanted anymore.
The Hizuru noble looked down at her smaller counterpart and shook her head. "Don't worry. They won't. I'll make sure that no one even lays a finger on you."
"I'm worried about Falco. I don't see him with us. Did they leave him behind at the restaurant?".
Mikasa had noticed the same thing herself. How could they even leave an unconscious young boy behind on his own?
'Izayami, I plea to your powers that be, protect these children from any harm. Please send good people to the boy's direction.'
Gabi looked down and sighed. "Now I could see that we are not so much different from each other. We've been calling everyone here as demons but since I've been on this island, everyone has been nothing but kind to me and my friend….I am sorry…. I just want to go home," whispered Gabi, tears beginning to slip between her eyelids.
"You will be home soon, Gabi. I promise."
Armin sent a sympathetic look towards the young kid. His eyes met Mikasa's in mutual concern. Yet, a small thought appeared in his head. Mikasa's new husband is an Eldian from Marley. There could be a huge possibility that Gabi and the man might know each other.
What were the odds of the Eldians knowing who's who in the concentrated area like Liberio?
It could be high.
She knows the girl's real name. She had definitely found out about it from her husband.
Gabi was a trained child soldier in the Marley Titan unit.
Mikasa is the youngest existing heir to the Hizuru empire, who was bound to an Eldian man from Marley, who was obviously from the only concentrated Eldian population there.
The only reason for the mysterious husband to divulge Gabi's real name if she is someone important to him. Not just as a trainee but at least as a relative.
She was a bit hesitant- like she was in pain even - when she persisted to confide in him of her husband's identity.
No, it wasn't only because he is the enemy. The fact that the mysterious husband's identity had caused her tremendous grief and the way she forced herself to explain could only mean one thing.
We know who he is.
Hold on…..
Armin was very sure he had successfully placed the pieces together, just like he always does, much to the contrary of Eren's earlier exclamation.
However, a deep breath escaped his lips when he saw his childhood friend extended her body to draw Gabi in closer to her, offering comfort without being asked. Gabi buried her face into the sides of Mikasa's military overcoat. Trying to find some means of calm even for a short moment.
Not too long after, the little girl looked up when she realized the slightly hard texture hidden underneath the older woman's coat, to which Mikasa shifted her head down and whispered, "Let's keep it between us for now. It would be of use when it's time."
Gabi nodded, her eyes hopeful when she understood that the rebels assumed that everyone was unarmed. They didn't do a pat-down on their 'prisoners' apparently.
Armin, who had been silently observing their exchange discreetly, found a glimmer of hope amidst the blatant fuckery of their predicament.
Mikasa would make a great mother one day.
If we could get out of this alive.
Armin's mind conjured up a random but relatable notion before quickly dismissing it, considering the current situation they were in.
"You two! Stop talking!" One of the Yeagerists scrutinized their prisoners at the back of the group.
"Hey, hey, Klaus. You don't need to be mean to the beautiful lady," said someone from the front of the troupe.
The owner of the familiar voice made himself known.
Floch Forester.
Armin gritted his teeth in annoyance while Mikasa tried her best to hide her anger towards the sardonic former Survey Corps member who was now Eren's blind, devoted follower who idolizes the Titan shifter. The loose cannon with a sick obsession and loyalty to ancient Eldian monarchy. A sketchy weasel with a hidden motive - a motive that she wasn't able to decipher yet.
The blonde-haired shifter sent a questioning look his way. "Can we help you, Floch?"
The red-haired traitor with the swirly bangs shrugged, a smug grin on his lips as his dark eyes lingered far too long on the raven-haired woman. "You know, Mikasa...I used to be puzzled with Jean's bizarre infatuation towards you, or your one-sided devotion to Mr. Jeager, for a fact. But right now, I think I understand. The Queen is beautiful but you….." Knowing that Mikasa's hands were cuffed behind her back, Floch dared himself to touch her face as he continued, "You have that fire that I've never seen in any other woman. If you ask me, Mr. Jeager made a mistake when he chose the Queen over you."
Mikasa closed her eyes, restraining herself from responding to Floch's taunting.
"But don't worry, Mikasa. I won't make the same mistake as Eren did. You deserve a better man. One who would appreciate your fire, one who can worship you like the woman you are. I'm the only one worthy enough to be his successor and I will continue his mission in restoring great Eldia."
What? Mikasa stared back at disbelief. It was only then she realized the truly dangerous extent of his manic obsession towards the Titan shifter. "You're insane."
Armin piped in, "You're disgusting, Floch."
"Hey, hey, Armin. Don't be so possessive. You've got to learn how to share. You and Eren can't have Mikasa to yourself forever."
Before Armin could even take a step to react, it was Mikasa herself who moved forward, looking dead at Floch's very own two eyes and said, "I have slain hundreds of Titans and disarmed four Titan shifters in my whole entire life. If you think these cuffs could stop me from hurting you, then I'd suggest you think carefully. Do not ever touch me ever again. It goes the same to this girl."
Armin and Gabi saw the shift of expression on Floch's face but it didn't take long for the shameless weasel to worm out of his apparent blunder. He nervously chuckled as he lifted his hands in a mock defeat, truly confident that he will have the last laugh. "You'll change your mind, Mikasa. Mark my words."
She held back the urge to knock the smug grin off his face.
Seriously, this lunatic made her felt that Reiner was heaven-sent in comparison.
Her mind temporarily drifted back to the last image of the Armored Titan holder that she remembered before she left - in a peaceful slumber.
She would hope that the Hizuru empire would keep its promise to Marley if something were to happen to her today. If she were to meet her end here, at least she would want Reiner to know that she had died while protecting his cousin.
Along the route towards her former hometown, Mikasa would not admit it to anyone, but her mind was filled by only the thoughts of her newly-wedded husband who had probably noticed by now that she would actually be in Paradis instead on the journey return to his home.
Maybe she could finally give him a small amount of peace.
She just needed to figure out a way to send Gabi to the Hizuru transporter and instruct the captain to head straight to Marley and never look back.
The rest of Paradis could end up in flames and if it means that is the only way for them to stop the real demon, Kami help her.
She'd burn along with him.
-o-O-o-
Like an ironic cycle that will never end, the forest of giant trees will once again witness the loss inflicted against humanity.
Maybe, this was how it was supposed to be.
'Erwin, I am so sorry. I think I'm done for'
The light grey irises belonging to a fallen hero blinked helplessly at the flock of birds flying high in the skies above. So peaceful, so oblivious to the fighting that happened below.
Here lies Levi Ackerman, son of Kuchel Ackerman and an unidentified Eldian father, nephew of Kenny the Ripper. Captain of Elite Squad of Survey Corps & Humanity's strongest soldier.
That would surely make a great eulogy or carving on his tombstone.
He should've written it down somewhere and hid it in his office for someone to find as they cleared out his room to make a place for the next Captain.
It turned out he was the one who miscalculated his moves.
He was very sure he had caught the shitty bastard off guard. When he propelled forward with his super agile spinning technique, he didn't foresee the other titan lunging towards him horizontally from the side, clenching him tight in its jaw at the crossroad. He couldn't forget the surprised but much welcomed relief on Zeke's face when it happened right in front of him.
He was helpless when the Titan released him from its jaw not too long after and he wasn't able to even lift a hand when his body landed on the dry, slightly cracked soil of the forest floor with a loud thud, further aggravating his already broken ribs from the earlier clamp of the titan's jaw.
His blades went scattered across the ground, like sad petals of a dying flower. The four Thunder Spears he had earlier was lost in the surprise attack.
What would be the irony that Levi would be killed by his own titanized former comrade?
Guess his age has caught up with him after all these years.
As his exhausted form looked up towards the clear blue skies, his mind kept going back to his dearest friend's final moments. Would he even dare to look at Erwin in the eyes in the hereafter and tells him that he had died at the hands of the very same Titan that killed his superior?
He can't imagine the souls of his dead subordinates berating him for failing to protect humanity. They were good, kind people. Maybe they are waiting for him at the pearly gates of the real paradise up above.
All of the people who had left him behind.
The dark, looming figure of the Beast Titan blocked his view of the serene canvas of blue and white above. His sinister grin, like the harbinger of Death, looked down upon him in sick satisfaction.
Zeke's ghastly Titan voice cracked when he uttered, "I told you before, Levi. You haven't got a clue about what's going to happen to this Island. If I don't meet up with Eren soon, everyone will die."
Levi spat out the blood that had begun to leak from the inner walls of his mouth. "If I let you live, more people would still die. It does not make a difference to me if I'm at the end of the road right now. But if I'm going to go hell today, I am taking you along with me, you piece of shit."
"Oh? Then, no hard feelings. I'll give the ride to hell with you a skip today." His large furry form shook with a cynical laughter he let out right before he lifted a large tree trunk, eager to smash the fallen soldier.
"Farewell, Captain Levi."
Levi closed his eyes, waiting for the final blow that will put an end to his life.
It wasn't perfect but it had been meaningful.
His mind had imagined the picture of a raven-haired young woman whom he had known as a subordinate, rumored to be the most promising candidate as his successor, and in the recent years, he had the pleasure of knowing her as a last known distant living relative.
'Find a good and less shitty man and carry on the family name for me, brat. Sorry I can't be that pissy, messed up uncle for your unborn kids one day.'
Levi Ackerman closed his eyes and had been ready to breathe in his last breath.
Yet, the sudden sound of a heavy form smashing against another heavy build, followed by a huge explosion assaulted his hearing.
What the hell was that?
He opened his eyes and saw the Beast Titan's form, already facing down on the ground and a hulking figure of what seemed to be another Titan with a mane, clawing the nape of the Beast with its sharp talons. He found himself staring at the back of another Titan who was looking down at the other two Titans. Its muscular figure was a dead giveaway of his identity.
Levi was very sure that the smaller Titan was the Jaw Titan. He had fought against him in Liberio not too long ago. But the other Titan couldn't possibly be the Armored Titan.
Wasn't he supposed to be 'armored'?
He remembered that the Armored Titan was a lot bigger, its defense reinforced by the armor plates surrounding his body. However, the one that he was seeing right now, his form was much leaner, it somehow had taken on a more human-like appearance.
Had they come to aid or apprehend this asshole?
Was Zeke's plan is to infiltrate them again by double-crossing them this time?
By his luck, he had miraculously spotted one of the discarded Thunder Spears earlier from the corner of his eyes. He quickly pushed himself up, twisted his body around amidst the excruciating pain in his lower abdomen and tried to drag himself towards the unused projectile.
He could use the opening and defend himself. Maybe he could temporarily retreat and regroup with Hange's unit back in the capital.
They are in deep shit if the Marley Warriors are on the Island.
They were not supposed to be able to counter-attack so soon!
The Jaw Titan bit the nape of the Beast Titan, tearing off half of Zeke's body with it and spit his remaining top half into its giant paw.
A loud scream could be heard coming from the fallen Titan shifter. "You have no idea what you're doing!!"
The Jaw Titan only looked down at his former superior's forlorn figure and if Levi had known any better, its significant jaw held what could possibly be the most satisfied grin he had ever seen on a Titan's face.
Zeke Yeager finally realized that he miscalculated his plans again.
"Sorry, we dropped in unannounced. We thought you could use some help." A deep voice could be heard as one of the newcomers landed on the ground next to him. The bottom of his light brown overcoat billowed to the gentle rhythm of the blowing wind. A clever representation of their current situation - a calm before the impending storm.
"Need a hand, Captain?"
The man extended a hand towards him. He looked up and was not surprised to see the face of his former subordinate, one of the two traitors that Erwin took under his wings; Reiner Braun.
Like the other brats, he too had grown taller than him after all these years.
He didn't see this brat back at Liberio but he would never forget the face of the men who had survived his blades directly through the neck. Because no one else did survive except him - the Armored Titan.
"Tch. Don't expect any thank you's from me."
"We're not here to hurt anyone, Levi."
A sarcastic chuckle escaped his bleeding lips, upon hearing the familiarity in the younger man's words. "So, you came back to Paradis because you missed being here. Don't make me throw up more blood."
Reiner shook his head, a thin smile upon his face. He didn't miss that sarcasm though. Nevertheless, Levi took the hand that he offered and instead, he slowly made his way towards the discarded Thunder Spear, cradling his broken rib with concealed agony.
Reiner quickly stood on guard but made no attempt to shift into his Titan form again. He knew what that thing was first hand, how dangerous it could be yet while sending a nervous look towards the Jaw Titan, he calmly asked, "Mind telling me what are you planning to do with that?"
Levi grunted as he approached the dismembered body of Eren's older brother. "It's called a contingency plan, brat. Now hold that asshole's neck for me. As long as he has his legs regenerated and an open trap, he'll keep giving us trouble."
Levi took a pause in his steps and gave Reiner a sideways glance. "You would know better. This asshole was your superior. Not that I'm ungrateful but between the two of us, you know very well who you should be more afraid of right now."
Reiner swallowed the lump in his throat. They have a great reason to fear Levi Ackerman but this time, they should be relieved that for now, his former Captain had somewhat become a temporary ally.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
With Zeke apprehended, even with his injuries, it took only a split second for Humanity's Strongest Soldier to stick the explosive spear into Zeke's guts and tied the trigger around his neck.
'I was wrong. Even our strongest and smartest Warrior is no match for Levi.'
The Ackermans were a force to be reckoned with.
"Now, explain why are you here again?"
Levi sent a dark, menacing glare at the Titan shifter, including the one who was still inside his Titan form. If they wanted to kill him, they would have struck him the same time they attacked Zeke.
Reiner looked down at his former military superior and confided, "We're here to save and bring back my family."
"Family huh?"
"It's a long story but one of the kids in your detainment is my cousin." And, also, I'm here to bring your only living relative back to Marley, who's now my wife whom I married yesterday. It just dawned on my brain that apparently we are related now. Reiner cleared his throat, trying to silence the inner voice inside his head.
Slowly but surely, Levi gave a slight nod of his head.
Amidst all the chaos and past treachery, one thing Levi understood was that you would do anything for family. Because he was very damn sure to instill that value inside his only other living kin.
-o-O-o-
All the current military members, ones who were still loyal to the government and were opposing the existence of the Jeagerists, were all detained in the same prison cell. Mikasa was looking dejected at the prison bars with Connie leaning against the steel surface next to her. Jean was on the other side of the wall, while Armin was looking away to a corner of the underground lockdown. Gabi could be seen sitting on the ground, her knees against her chest, trying very hard not to cry.
"Mikasa…" Jean called out to her.
She looked up silently. Only her eyes beckoned his call.
"The soonest we can escape this cell, I need you to bring the girl straight to your ship. I'll make sure to find that boy and meet you there. You and the kids need to head to Marley as soon as possible." Jean's hardened gaze pierced deep into her eyes.
Connie huffed in frustration. "If we don't stop Eren here, no place is safe for everyone."
Jean gave his best friend a nod. "True, but at least Mikasa and the kids will be safe. We will do everything in our willpower to stop Eren here. But Mikasa, do you think your-....." Jean struggled to utter the word, partially because he felt that he should not be taking that particular word lightly. "--...I can't believe I'm saying this but since we are now informal allies, do you think your husband would consider sending a relief team here?"
Armin turned his head around when he heard his Squad Leader's suggestion. "It is a plausible idea."
"A piece of unsigned paper would not prove anything." Connie continued to disagree. "The only reason Mikasa will be sent to Marley is that she is their prisoner of war. Their property. If she goes to Marley right now, what are the chances they will send people to help instead of imprisoning her like they are doing here?" Connie shook his head in disagreement, a dejected look upon his face. As much as he wasn't on agreeable terms with Mikasa lately, she was still a comrade and a good friend. Knowing that she had sealed her fate as Marley's figurative prisoner in a desperate effort to unite the three warring nations, had only made him grew frustrated with Eren. Deep was her devotion to the Attack Titan holder that she was sacrificing her lifetime being chained to another person again.
Armin made his concerns known. "I guess that is a chance we have to take. At this point, it is not beneath Eren to kill women and children to achieve his target. We've seen that in Liberio ourselves."
Mikasa shook her head furiously. "No. Armin, you know I have to fight. I can't let Eren hurt more people. There is another way we can achieve peace. We have to believe in it."
The sounds of heavy footsteps began to grow louder from afar. "Hey, keep it down!" One of the Jeagerists, the designated prison guard sent them a stern warning by hitting the steel bars with the handle of his rifle.
He was fuming that his prisoners were not complying. Too engrossed was he at scrutinizing the conspiring soldiers that he failed to notice a hooded figure that appeared behind him.
In quick seconds, the figure could be seen hitting the said guard on the back using a metal beam, much to the prisoners' surprise. The mysterious figure fished out a bunch of large keys from the now unconscious guard's belt and began to unlock the steel door.
"Who are you?," asked Connie to their savior and noticed that its figure was quite small for a man.
The figure shook its head and responded, "It doesn't matter who I am. We need to get out of here fast before the others begin to notice."
All of them, along with the other members of the Military Police who were detained in the cell followed the mysterious figure's lead, regardless of their identity.
They were wary but they wouldn't waste an opportunity of the unexpected assistance. They traversed through the hallways of the building silently and walked cautiously up the stairways leading to the ground floor.
There were several more of Eren's followers who were stationed as guards at the other side of the underground basement door. All of them each took care of the men with melee attacks as quickly as they could before the traitors even had the chance to alert the others.
With Gabi close to her side, Mikasa kept a close eye on the newcomer, sensing a familiarity for reasons she wasn't able to explain.
A random hand grabbed at the girl next to her, causing Gabi to scream in shock.
One of the stragglers had successfully snuck away earlier when they just passed through the basement door. The weary-looking, menacing man held a standard military issue knife in his hand against Gabi's throat and sent a stern warning. "All of you should be nice and walk back to your cells or this little girl gets it!"
In one swift movement, Mikasa drew the warrior's blade she kept hidden so well inside her overcoat and slice the man's hand, the one holding the knife, cutting it off clean in a swipe. His scream of agony pierced through their ears.
Mikasa pointed the edge of the katana, already dripping with the blood from Eren's loyally blind follower and sternly said, "Unhand her and stay down."
Gabi hurriedly moved back towards Mikasa's side, clutching the older woman's formal coat and sent a traumatized look at her attempted captor.
Said captor seethed in pain as he spat back. "Mister Jeager would kill all of you! I dare you to walk out of here. You won't be alive for long."
She sent him a deathly stare in return. "Dead men can't talk." She used the edge of the blade's handle to knock the man unconscious, instead of ending his life, the way her ancestors would have done.
Misguided he was, he was an adult man who had chosen to follow a ruthless, heartless leader who would have no qualms in killing children to get his way. She wouldn't give him the pleasure of an honorable death.
Armin wheezed as he touched Mikasa's hand. "I honestly thought you would've killed him."
The raven-haired young woman just shrugged and kept the engraved blade back inside its sheath. "I was surprised with myself too."
It didn't escape Armin's sharp observation that the blade was a family heirloom, evident from the Azumabito clan's crest forged on the end of its handle. He deduced that it was very recent in her possession but the way she handled the blade was as if she had been wielding it her whole life.
Mikasa has always been naturally gifted and in tune with blades, regardless of what shape it takes in.
They pressed forward in the dark hallways of the abandoned building and it was only when they have reached the front entrance that they saw a carriage, with Hange and the boy that they had tried to save earlier, inside the vehicle. Behind the carriage was a fuming Floch, all tied up with a fabric gag on his lips. His angry curses were muffled by the cloth stuffing his mouth.
"Commander!" Armin bellowed as he moved quickly to talk to his superior. "Where have you been? Where did Floch take you both?"
"Gabi-I mean, Mia!" Shouted the young boy, as he tried to run towards the group.
"Falco?" Gabi looked up, relief and joy could be seen on her face as she hugged the young boy so tightly that the poor boy was beginning to blush. "I'm so glad you're alright. I'm s-... sorry."
Mikasa and the others observed the exchange in sympathy. To think that they had almost killed two innocent kids in retaliation. They have murdered Lobov and Sasha but they were misguided children that could still be saved from all of this chaos.
They could have chosen to hate the children but what good would it do anyway?
Their one-eyed Commander decided to interrupt the small reunion with a piece of alarming information. "Floch took me to Shadis' training camp. He got them all fired up with the Jeagerists' propaganda of a new Eldian glory. Shadis' was almost killed in the process. On our way here, we were stopped by her." Hange directed her gaze towards the mysterious hooded figure. Everyone had a puzzled look on their faces when she removed the hood covering her head as they were not that familiar with their savior until Onyankopon made the information known. "Pieck…."
Connie looked up at the dark-skinned Marleyan native quizzically. "You know her, Onyankopon?"
"She's Marley's Cart Titan shifter. The one that Elena failed to constrain besides the Jaw Titan back in Liberio."
What the fuck…. Both Connie and Jean cursed under their breaths. They always had an assumption that the Cart Titan shifter was a man. It also didn't escape Jean's observation that said shifter was giving him a painful look - well, they had almost been successful in killing each other, head to head only two weeks before.
"Miss Pieck!" Gabi cried out in surprise and evident relief upon seeing a much familiar place in a foreign environment to her.
Jean, Connie, Onyankopon, and Armin looked at the foreign young woman. Especially after the assault in Liberio, there were so many questions - suspicious in nature between them - now that both sides were seeing each other face to face, up close and personal.
Pieck bowed her head down slightly upon seeing Mikasa. "Your Highness."
It was very obvious to the rest of the unit members that these women have been reacquainted recently, after the assault on Liberio.
Another set of alarm bells rang inside Armin's perceptive eyes but it doesn't matter at that particular moment.
Mikasa, having gotten over her initial surprise, nodded in return. "Miss Pieck. I wasn't...how could you be here. Weren't you supposed to be on the way to Marley right now?"
If she is here, then does that mean Reiner is here as well?
The long-haired female shifter shook her head instead. "I would explain it to you on our way to the northern gate of Wall Maria. Zeke had triggered the Coordinate and had shifted a group of his unknowing targets. I suspected as much that it had been the group assigned to detained him. It was very fortunate that Falco, the boy, was still far away from Zeke's scream."
Jean was very quick to identify the group specifically referred to in her explanation.
It was Captain Levi's squad.
The Hizuru noble had proven a much better control of her initial shock. Connie, however, was the contrary. Although Zeke Jeager was the mastermind, this was the same shifter that also took part, no matter how minuscule it had been, in destroying his village five years ago. There was no way that a single act of her assistance today could erase what she had partaken in. "Why should we trust you?"
Jean, who noticed Connie's agitation, stepped forward to alleviate the tense moment. "It's not that we're ungrateful of your help, but, all of these are too convenient. How can we be sure that you are not working with the Beast Titan all along?"
Connie nodded and agreed. "Maybe this is another one of your government's attempt to invade this Island."
The Marley native sent only a sympathising look his way. "Maybe we are. Maybe we aren't. Our initial priority was to retrieve the children home before they get caught up in the upcoming attack by the World's Allied Forces but we were informed by our Commander that the plan has changed. All thanks to the alliance reinforced through the union of Hizuru's princess and our new War Chief."
The Survey Corps' own commander supported the explanation by the shifter. "Zeke double-crossed both Paradis and Marley. The idea of the Rumbling was used as a tool to intimidate the rest of the world's nations. However, Mikasa's marriage has initiated a very pivotal move in resolving this conflict peacefully. We can end this needless bloodshed in a more diplomatic way."
"Thus, our mission right now would be the opposite. We have to ensure that Eren and Zeke must never meet at all costs. The Rumbling is a dangerous power that is never explored, let alone controlled. It was a chance we thought we had to take but now there is hope in resolving this peacefully without any more unnecessary wars. But we won't be able to do that until we resolve the current internal situation in Paradis right now." Another voice offered the much-anticipated resolve. It belonged to none other than the holder of the Colossal Titan. One of his Titan types could reign inexplicable horror to a nation, yet if there were five, six or even more of them released to the world - well, no one could imagine the potential destruction they could cause in their paths. Eren is willing to destroy his own birthplace just so he could prove an extremely dangerous point to the whole world.
What difference were his ideals compared to the King who secluded his entire subjects in complete ignorance?
The King who created all of this mess, to begin with?
They both invoked or are invoking fear to fend off the temporary assault, only for the next generations to suffer the consequences.
"Miss Pieck," said Mikasa. "How far is your ship on the coast of this Island?"
"It'll be almost an hour's trip on a horse."
"Great. Please make sure that you take Gabi and Falco with you to the ship. If possible, please get the ship to Marley as soon as you can. We don't know what is going to happen here but at least the children would be far away and safe."
Pieck objected instantly, "I can't leave you behind, Princess."
Mikasa's lips formed a straight thin line. "This is an order, Miss Pieck."
The Titan shifter nodded, albeit reluctantly. Pieck knew that Mikasa's words are absolute and not only because she is now the wife of her immediate superior but she is the heir of the empire who Marley is bound to.
The short-haired Paradis native continued, "Besides, this is my home. I can't leave until I have made sure that the people here are safe. Please make sure he gets this message too."
It didn't take long for Pieck, along with everyone in audience, to figure out the person whom Mikasa was referring to in her words.
"But your husband," Pieck made sure she worded the information carefully, "has brought reinforcements with us. We currently have a hundred and fifty armed Hizuru militants stationed at the coastal area, south of the island where we docked the ships."
"He did?" The panic on Mikasa's face subsided slightly upon receiving such knowledge.
Pieck nodded. "They are for your reinforcements should you require them or if your safety is compromised, your Highness."
He wasn't here for a counter-attack then.
"Please tell him to be on standby for now."
The two women looked at each other in mutual understanding, before Pieck ushered both Gabi and Falco towards a separate carriage waiting on the side of the building.
The young girl shook her head weakly. "Ms. Ackerman, I don't want to go. Not without you."
Mikasa's towering form bent downwards on one knee. She took off the crimson scarf around her neck and wrapped it around Gabi's neck instead. She then grabbed both of the girl's shoulders and calmly whispered, "Gabi, your whole entire life you've been taught to fight. But for once, I need you to go. Not because you are afraid. It's only because I need you to live and Reiner needs you to live too."
Gabi's eyes widened in sheer surprise. It wasn't possible for Ms. Ackerman to know about her connection to her older cousin. "How did you know about Reiner?" She asked back in return. She did know that these people are Reiner's acquaintances from the island when he was sent here on an infiltration mission but she was very sure no one would suspect on her connection to Reiner.
The older woman, however, left the question unanswered and diverted the explanation. "This scarf gave me hope the day I lost everything I ever knew. I want you to have it now. It will keep you safe the way it did with me." She pushed Gabi forward into Pieck's arms, much to the girl's protest.
Pieck gave a slight bow and ushered the little girl into the horse carriage, where Falco was still sitting inside.
Mikasa stepped aside and watched the carriage slowly moving towards the direction of the harbor, south of the Island. Waited wordlessly until the carriage disappeared from their vision.
At least, that is one less thing for her to worry about.
Her eyes met the questioning gazes of her former comrades when she turned herself around. Armin and Connie had a concrete look of determination on their faces while Jean had a more concerned look. The only Titan shifter in the group quipped, "Let's stop Eren. Once and for all."
"Hey, what should we do about him?", asked Connie, as he pointed towards Floch, who was still tied and gagged at the back of the carriage that carried Hange earlier.
Armin cracked his knuckles. "I have something to say to him before we go."
He had enough of people disrespecting his best friend that day and he could really use the warm-up.
Even though he is yet to meet Mikasa's husband in person, whoever he might be, Armin still feels that it is his responsibility to defend Mikasa's honor on his behalf.
Floch only gave a bored stare the moment he saw the figure belonging to the once timid boy he had ridiculed in the past approached to where he was restrained, not without a pre-shift glow on his closed hand.
However, the constant arrogance on his face had finally been reduced to non-existence when he saw the approaching figure of the Colossal Titan holder was followed by not only his former Squad Leader, Jean but also Connie.
Shit.
For the first time in her life, Mikasa felt she deserved to take liberty on another person's misery.
Floch had it coming for a long time.
She was also glad to see that Armin had found his spirit back.
The only other thing they need to do next was to convince Eren to stop all of this madness.
Just after they made sure to give Floch a piece of their mind, The sudden appearance of one of Commander Pixis' right-hand officer, took everyone by surprise. Mikasa remembered that his name was Gustav and he rarely left Commander Pixis' side unless it was due to a very urgent matter. Gustav struggled to catch his breath before giving a salute to the Survey Corps' Commander.
"Commander Zoe Hange!"
Hange nodded. "Gustav, status update?"
"I'm very fortunate that I was able to tail your escape carriage undetected. We believe the Beast Titan had triggered the transformation."
Hange gave a slight nod, confirming her knowledge of the triggering. "Is everyone alright?"
"Yes, Ma'am but because of that, our units are unable to offer reinforcements in Shinganshina for now, at least not within close perimeters to Zeke Jeager. We would be potential liabilities if we are near him."
"We'll figure something out, Gustav." There was a pause as Hange sent a quick glance at the only Titan shifter in the group.
The unavoidable contingency plan.
Their last resort.
"And also, we have received another discreet update from Anka." Gustav looked apprehensive and unsure of delivering the next news.
Hange waited patiently for Gustav's following words but she could already expect what he was going to say next. Anka Rheinberger was the designated lady-in-waiting for the Queen and one of the several trusted members of the military who have the knowledge of the Queen's secret location.
"The Queen has been in labor since last night but there is a problem. Her body has stopped progressing the birth since several hours ago. We need your help, Commander. Both mother and child are dying."
Mikasa's eyes widened in shock.
No, Historia…..