"Well, fuck…" Eren muttered, the words slipping from his mouth as his gaze remained locked on the crying girl before him. Beside her, Armin stood frozen, eyes and mouth wide open in disbelief. The scene before him felt surreal—like a dream. A heart-shattering yet overwhelmingly happy dream.
"Ereh..." Mikasa whispered softly, her voice barely audible beneath the sound of the rain. The crimson scarf around her neck, soaked and darkened, clung to her like a symbol of their shared history. Slowly, she took a step forward, her heart thundering in her chest, legs trembling beneath her. Tears welled up in her eyes, each drop holding a story of its own, of pain, longing, and love.
The others watched from a distance, puzzled by Mikasa's unusual behavior, but she paid them no mind. Her steps slowed as she finally came to a stop in front of Eren, her eyes locking onto his. Those piercing green eyes were a stark contrast to the gloom of the rainstorm, captivating her completely.
Suddenly, her trembling hands lifted, resting lightly on his chest. Her tear-filled eyes widened as she took him in—taller, more muscular, and somehow more handsome than before. Her breath caught in her throat, the weight of the moment overwhelming her.
"Ereh…" she whispered again, this time barely louder than a breath.
"Mikasa... I—" But before Eren could finish, she broke into loud, uncontrollable sobs, pulling him close, hugging him with all her strength. Eren, without a word, wrapped his arms around her in return, his hand gently brushing through her long, captivating hair, trying to soothe her. Her cries echoed through the rain-soaked air, her tears sliding down his Scout Regiment jacket and dripping onto the cobblestone beneath them.
"Er... Erehh... Erehh!" Mikasa gasped, her breath ragged between sobs.
The crowd nearby began to stir, slowly realizing the significance of the name. Eren. The Owl. Humanity's Strongest Soldier's disciple. The Titan Slayer. Whispers spread as people recognized him. Even Armin, his usually azure eyes now brimming with emotion, moved closer, tears filling them as he tried to embrace Eren. But Mikasa still held him too tightly, unwilling to let go.
After a moment, she loosened her grip just enough for Armin to join the embrace, and together they stood, all three locked in a moment that felt almost too precious to be real. Tears welled up in Eren's eyes as well, and with a warm, grateful smile, he let them fall. For the first time in what seemed like forever, it felt as if the weight of the world had lifted from his heart.
" Guys... I'm sorry... for everything. For leaving you behind... Forgive me," Eren whispered, pulling them even closer. Both wept in his arms, holding on like they feared he might slip away again.
Armin's voice was barely a whisper, "It's okay, Eren... It's okay."
Mikasa, still clinging to him, choked out through her tears, "Ereh! How is this... How is this even possible? I... I thought..." Her voice cracked, the disbelief and hope mingling in her words.
"It's... a long story," Eren replied softly, his gaze shifting toward Levi, who stood watching them with an uncharacteristic, faint smile—a rare sight.
But Eren knew their time was short. The looming threat of the titans was still out there, entering through breached the wall. They couldn't stay like this much longer. If they were to keep everyone safe, they had to move soon.
"Hey, guys... We don't have enough time... Let's talk once this is over," Eren's voice was low, gentle and with a hint of urgency, almost like a soft bird's song in their ears. Despite the chaos around them, his words brought a fleeting sense of calm.
Both Armin and Mikasa nodded, their grips slowly loosening from Eren's body. Yet, even as she released him, Mikasa's hand remained tightly clasped around his, trembling slightly. Her eyes, still filled with unshed tears, refused to let go of the moment entirely. Eren held her hand even tighter his face filled with understanding.
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The Previous Night
The darkness closed in around Mikasa, suffocating her in its cruel embrace as she wept silently. Jean's words had cut deep, leaving her feeling hollow, as if all her ambitions, all her struggles, meant nothing. Nothing at all.
"Eren... I'm so lonely... without you," she whispered into the stillness. Of all the people she had lost—Grisha, Carla, Karol, Jacob—it was Eren she missed the most.
Still trembling, Mikasa rose to light a candle. The dim glow flickered weakly, casting long shadows that danced across the room. She sat at the wooden desk, where she often filled pages, in other words wrote letters for Eren. Letters that would never reach him, but were instead tucked away in a book she kept hidden.
With teary eyes, she reached for a pen, her fingers brushing against the spine of the book. She opened it to a blank page, and with a shaky breath, began to write. The ink flowed smoothly, forming her clean, precise handwriting:
"I saw you in my dreams again. I held you a little tighter because I knew when I woke up, you'd be gone."
That was how she usually began, with a quote, something that captured the essence of her heartache. But tonight, the pain was too much to bear. Her hands faltered, and as the tears spilled onto the page, blurring the ink, she shut the book abruptly. Exhausted and defeated, she rested her head on the desk, her tears falling silently into the night as she drifted into sleep—alone.
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Eren tightened his grip on Mikasa's hand and commanded, "I'll take the cadets to the supply center. Levi, split your squad into three and search for lost or stranded civilians."
Everyone nodded in agreement, except for Levi, who was still rooted in place. "Oi, come here for a second," Levi said firmly. Eren's grip on Mikasa's hand loosened as he turned toward Levi.
"Ah..." Mikasa's voice faltered, her face flushed from crying and her reluctance evident. Eren noticed her hesitation and addressed her gently.
"Hey, Mikasa, if it's alright, can I speak with Levi for a moment? I'll be back in a second" Eren said softly. His voice, though low, made Mikasa blush further. The Levi squad, witnessing Eren's softer side after the long reunion, couldn't help but find some amusement in the situation.
Reluctantly, Mikasa released his hand.
Eren joined the huddled squad on the other side of the roof. "Idiot. What's the plan? What are you going to do about the gate now?" Levi whispered.
Levi's squad had initially planned for Eren to transform into a Titan and plug the hole through a massivd boulder pretending to be an abnormal. And it wouldn't be that odd for the common folks who blindly followed the religious priests who would've labelled the plugging the gate incident as 'a gift given by the god' just like the walls.
Eren nodded, a determined look on his face. "Once Mikasa and the others are safe, I'll come find you. Then we can plug the gap," he said. " For now I want to ensure their safety...." Levi nodded understanding. "Don't be reckless...." Levi patting Eren's shoulder said.
"Petra, let's go," Levi commanded, heading towards the breached wall. Oluo and Gunther headed east, while Hange, with her characteristic smile, moved toward the western side of the district, accompanied by Gunther.
"I suppose that's how it is. Anyway… who's the top of the class!!" Eren's voice was steady and determined as he gave the order, but Mikasa who had already almost subconsciously taken his hand, like a little kitten finding her lost owner seeking warmth didn't respond.
Mikasa diverted Eren's attention again and again by smiling at him. Eren smiled back before repeating," Are y'all deaf....!" Apparently Eren planned a formation led by him and backed up by the top cadet. What he did not knew was that that the top cadet was standing right beside him.
The others started to laugh with the exception of Jean, Bertholdt, Annie and Reiner who looked shocked. Jean felt a surge of green-eyed jealousy looking at Eren and Mikasa so content together when all he feels is the complete opposite of it.
Eren still confused why the cadets wouldn't respond felt a pang of uneasiness.
Unknown to him Armin came forward towards him and answered, "Listen Eren, that's Mikasa. She was the first amongst the cadets." Eren incredulously opened his mouth and after closing it hard swallowed his gaze moved toward Mikasa. There she was. With a dumb lit facial expression.
"I see… Ackerman!!! " Eren commanded, trying to sound authoritative. "Hmmm... Yes, Eren?" Mikasa wondered aloud.
"Straighten your spine, cadet," Eren commanded, trying to keep a straight face and maintain his authority as the vice commander of the regiment, though he struggled to suppress a smile.
"Sir!" Mikasa replied, still holding onto Eren and forgetting to salute.
Armin, sensing the awkwardness, whispered, "Hey, guys, at least let go of each other. It's quite embarrassing."
Realizing their mistake, both Eren and Mikasa released their grip, and Mikasa quickly saluted. "Sir!!!" she shouted, now fully composed.
"This is a dire situation Ackerman." Eren continued, his voice growing more serious with each word. "I'll lead the way to the supply center, taking out any Titans that get in our path. You'll stay in the rear, keeping an eye on the cadets and providing whatever protection you can. Understand?"
"Sir! I understand!" Mikasa responded firmly.
"Cadets who are out of gas can ride on the backs of those with some fuel left," Eren instructed. The cadets saluted, their voices in unison. Mikasa really happy that she'll get the chance to fight alongside Eren drew her blades.
"Hey, Armin, Mikasa, how much gas do your tanks have?" Eren whispered, his concern evident. Eren, known for his efficient use of resources, had managed to conserve nearly half of his gas, while the others had only about 10 percent or less.
Both Mikasa and Armin reassured Eren, indicating they were prepared and ready to go. Eren's gaze shifted at the scarf wrapped around Mikasa's frail neck.
"Eh?" Mikasa whispered as Eren's hands gently reached around her neck, grabbing the wet scarf that clung to her skin. He carefully removed it, wringing out the water from its thin, soaked fabric.
"You'll catch a cold if you keep wearing it wet," Eren said softly. Once it was somewhat dry, he gently wrapped it around her neck again. The warmth of the scarf seeped into her skin, making her flush with happiness, her cheeks turning bright red.
"He's just a lady killer... You sure it was him?" Annie muttered, her expression as dull as ever.
Reiner nodded, his eyes serious. "It has to be him. Those eyes... I'd recognize them anywhere."
Meanwhile, the others were quietly pleased, surprised even, that the Owl—someone so legendary—was standing there before them, someone they never expected to meet in person.
Eren took a deep breath, his tone protective as he spoke to his friends. "Mikasa, Armin, stay close... If you see a Titan, just call me."
"Cadets, move out!" Eren shouted, his voice cutting through the fading light, drawing his blades. In that dull twilight, the glint of his weapons seemed to flicker with a small spark of hope.
With a swift motion, he fired his grappling hooks toward a nearby house, releasing gas as he launched into the air. Some of the cadets, low on gas, rode on the backs of others, making the already dangerous maneuvering even harder. It was a delicate balance; if the weight exceeded the equipment's limit, the clasps would snap. And if the person maneuvering lost control, it was only a matter of time before they fell—victims to either the impact or the waiting jaws of the Titans below.
One by one, the mass of cadets deployed, following Eren's lead. Mikasa was the last to launch off, but Eren began to regret asking about the top cadet. Now, Mikasa could be in danger, and he'd have to be even more vigilant, ready to protect her if anything went wrong. However something prevented Mikasa to launch off.
"Ugh, what's wrong with it..." Mikasa grunted in frustration as her gear refused to release the hooks. No matter how hard she tried, nothing happened. Finally, after a harder push on the button of her sword handle, the hooks shot out. "Ha! Thank God..." she sighed, a bit of relief washing over her as she launched into the air. Her gaze quickly found Eren, who was about 100 or 150 meters ahead.
Time seemed to slow down, and the journey across Trost felt endless. The cadets were on high alert, their eyes scanning every alleyway, knowing that a Titan could strike at any moment. There wouldn't even be time to react if one appeared from the shadows.
Mikasa kept her eyes locked on Eren, a sinking feeling building in her chest. Suddenly, she screamed, "Ereh! Watch out!" A
Eren didn't flinch. He knew exactly what was happening. Out of nowhere, an aberrant ( 6 meter class) lunged, its massive body soaring through the air right in front of Eren. Its jaws were wide open, casting a dark, looming shadow over him. But the Titan didn't know who it had just targeted—an unfortunate mistake for the creature.
Eren's eyes narrowed as he shifted his blades to a reverse grip, his body spinning at top speed like a whirlwind—a technique Levi had taught him. "Idiot... " he whispered, his voice cold and determined. His blades tore through the air like a chainsaw, slicing the Titan's entire figure cleanly in two, including its nape. The colossal body split mid-air, its two halves crashing onto the cobblestone street with a lifeless thud.
Reiner gulped, his face paling, teeth clenched as his eyes darkened with fear. It was only a matter of time before his body betrayed his composure. Annie and Bertholdt exchanged shocked glances, their usual stoicism shattered.
"What the hell... is he even human?" Annie whispered, disbelief creeping into her voice.
Mikasa and Armin were equally stunned, their expressions mirroring the shock of their comrades. Every Titan they passed lay in ruin, bodies lifeless and neatly sliced apart. One by one, the titans fell—each kill more precise than the last.
"Man, he's awesome!" Connie muttered in awe, his eyes glued to Eren's fluid, deadly movements.
Sasha nodded silently, too amazed to speak. Ymir and Historia weren't any different, their gazes fixed on the trail of destruction Eren left in his wake.
"So this is Eren Yeager..." Marco murmured beside Jean, who couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and jealousy as he watched the display of raw skill and power. Even Jean, usually critical, couldn't deny the truth in Marco's words.
A massive, blonde Aberrant came charging toward the group, its towering 15-meter frame closing the distance with terrifying speed. The cadets were gripped with fear how could they possibly deal with such a fast and powerful Titan? It seemed impossible.
But for Eren, it was nothing more than child's play.
He dropped low, moving in a blur as he spun in a roulette motion, his blades slicing through both of the Titan's legs in one swift strike. The beast roared in agony, collapsing to the ground. With a quick flick of his wrists, Eren discarded his used blades. He shot them towards the Titan's nape, driving the blades deep into its weak point, silencing it forever. Taking out the last pair of his blades the cadets continued.
Reiner watched in disbelief, his voice barely a whisper. "There's no way he's human... he's.... He's.... He's a devil."
Annie, her expression unreadable, leaned toward Bertholdt and whispered, "We have to kill him before he reaches the supply center." Her tone was cold, as though she already knew what she had to do next.
The group continued their journey toward the supply center near the gate of Wall Rose. The tension in the air was thick, the looming threat of Titans ever-present.
"Don't let your guard down, cadets," Eren called out, his eyes fixed on the distant wall. "We'll be there in a couple of minutes."
The cadets, still shaken by Eren's overwhelming display of power, nodded, their grips tightening on their gear as they followed his lead. The shadow of Wall Rose loomed larger with every second, but so did the dangers ahead.
*Thunder*
Suddenly not from a distance an ear piercing lightning stuck. Diverting everyone's attention. "What? maybe just another thunder strike..." Everyone wondered but.....
"Armin!" Eren shouted, his voice raw with panic as his gaze locked onto a small aberrant Titan barreling down a narrow, dark alley. The creature was moving fast, its short height allowing it to slip through unnoticed by anyone—except for Eren. Its path was on a collision course with Armin, who hadn't yet seen the danger.
Eren halted mid-air, sharply maneuvering in the opposite direction, weaving through the faces of startled comrades. "Watch out!" Eren shrieked, but it was too late.
The Titan it's massive jaw was wide open as it jumped towards Armin attempting to catch it's prey mid air. "Erehhh!" Armin screamed, realizing the doom racing toward him. His body tensed, frozen in fear.
"Not today, dickhead..." Eren whispered under his breath, his focus narrowing. Time seemed to slow as his tongue slipped out in concentration. With one fluid motion, he hurled his blades through the air, expertly slashing the Titan's jaws. The monster let out a guttural roar, its advance stopped cold.
At the same moment, Eren shot forward, grabbing Armin with his free hand and pulling him to safety just before the Titan's massive form collapsed onto the ground behind them.
"Ugh..." Armin grunted as Eren caught him mid-fall. The force of the grab threw them off balance, sending both crashing into the rooftops below. They bounced from one house to another, Eren absorbing the brunt of each impact as he shielded Armin, grimacing in pain. Finally, they came to a halt, sprawled on the last rooftop, Eren lying at the bottom, battered from the fall. Eren his blades shattered under their weight lay there relieved.
"Erehhhh!... Arminnnn!" Mikasa screamed from the top of a nearby house, her voice breaking as she stood helplessly, her gaze fixed on them across from the main street.
But fate wasn't done playing its hand. Suddenly, the cadets realized they were surrounded—12, maybe 13 Titans were closing in, their massive forms towering ominously around them. These weren't Aberrants, but the sheer number and their single-minded focus made them no less deadly.
And it wasn't the cadets they were after.
Their target was clear—Mikasa.
The Titans' empty eyes seemed to lock onto her, their immense bodies casting long shadows as they approached from every angle. Eren's heart dropped as he tried to push himself up, his mind racing. He could feel the shift in the air—this wasn't a random attack. They were coming for her, and it was planned. "Why though?" But for now it didn't matter, he had to act fast.
Mikasa leapt from the rooftops, desperately trying to maneuver her way to where Eren and Armin lay. But something was wrong. Her gear malfunctioned, the hooks refusing to launch as she plummeted helplessly through the air.
Eren, blood trickling from a gash on his head, blinked through the haze, turning at the sound of Mikasa's panicked voice. His heart seized at the sight before him. Mikasa was falling, her body spinning as the malfunctioning gear left her defenseless. But it wasn't just the fall that terrified Eren—it was the horde of Titans closing in below.
"No. Mikasa!!!" Eren's voice tore through the air, raw with fear and desperation.
In a blur of motion, Eren shoved Armin to the side, his hand instinctively shooting out to launch his hooks into the ground. He rocketed forward, his heart pounding in his chest as he released more and more gas from his gear, each second bringing him closer to her.
He could see Mikasa falling fast, her wide eyes filled with terror, and he knew he couldn't let her fall into the jaws of death. His muscles screamed from the effort as he pushed the gear to its limit, his every instinct focused on reaching her before it was too late.
"Gahhhhhhh..." Mikasa's scream pierced the air as a Titan's massive jaws closed in around her, the horror of her impending doom sinking in. Eren, having exhausted all his blades, felt his heart race uncontrollably. Memories of their shared past—their laughter, their struggles—flashed before his eyes in a heartbreaking montage.
"You can take anything you want from me, but not her..." Eren's resolve solidified. "She's my world... my everything... Bastards, if you lay a single scratch on her, I'll destroy this entire world." The promise echoed in his mind with a fierce determination.
On one side stood Eren, the other the Titan's gaping maw. Eren's gaze shifted from the Titan's malformed limbs to Mikasa, who was perilously close to being devoured. With a sudden, grim resolve, he maneuvered himself deliberately in front of her, pushing her further away towards the Titan's jaws.
Eren, now directly facing the Titan, roared in defiance. With a Herculean effort, he grasped the Titan's upper and lower jaws with his arms and legs, respectively. He strained every muscle as he fought to keep its mouth wide open, ensuring that Mikasa was out of immediate danger.
Mikasa fell inside the Titan's cavernous mouth, her mind struggling to grasp the nightmarish reality as she lay on the wet and slimy tongue. "Ughhhhh..." Eren grunted in pain, his hand bleeding as the Titan's teeth began to press painfully into his flesh. The pressure was immense, causing his muscles to tear and bones to break exposing himself to the brutal force of the Titan's jaws.
"Ereh..." Mikasa's voice trembled as she opened her eyes, focusing on Eren, who was desperately holding the Titan's jaws apart.
"Hey Mikasa... we don't have time..." Eren's voice was strained but warm, his smile unwavering despite the agony. "Quick, take off my gear..."
"Mikasa!" Eren's plea now shifted as the situation started to get worse. "If you want us to live... do it quickly..."
Mikasa's heart raced, her emotions conflicted, but she knew there was no time for hesitation. Tears streamed down her face as she approached Eren, her hands shaking as she fumbled to unhook the belts of his gear. Her movements were frantic, driven by Eren's desperate request and her own mounting fear.
As she worked, Mikasa couldn't help but wonder why the others weren't intervening, why they weren't killing the Titan. Eren, despite his pain, understood. He knew the chaotic situation left them with little choice but to rely on their own courage and strength to survive.
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"Guys, what the hell is that..." Jean's voice was trembling with fear as he stared in horror. The sight before them was enough to shake everyone to their core. Five Titans had stacked up on the Titan with Eren and Mikasa inside it's mouth, their combined force pressing down with terrifying intensity. In front of them stood a menacing blonde Titan with crimson eyes, its gaze cold and calculating, as if it were orchestrating the scene.
"We don't have time to space out! Kill the Titans, or they'll die!" Reiner's voice cut through the panic, his command sharp and urgent. He launched his hooks toward the Titans, aiming to take them down, but instead of delivering a fatal blow, he only slashed their napes to a certain depth, ensuring they wouldn't be killed but kept at bay.
"Hurry, guys! We have to save them..." Connie's voice was filled with desperation as he urged the group into action. But as they scrambled to respond, it seemed the situation had already spiraled beyond their immediate control.
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"I'm done, Eren... Let's go..." Mikasa, now wearing Eren's gear, stood up determinedly.
Eren managed a strained smile. "Great job!" His gaze kept darting between the entrance and Mikasa, filled with urgency.
"Ereh!" Mikasa confused. " Why won't he say anything..." The oppressive silence was followed by his ragged breathing." Ereh...." but before she could say anything more, Eren grabbed her hand and pushed her forcefully out of the Titan's mouth. Mikasa's figure flew through the air and crashed onto the hard rocks below.
"Ereh!!!!!!!" Mikasa's scream echoed, followed by an ear-piercing roar from the tall Titan with crimson eyes, which loomed not too far away.
"Arghhhh..." Eren grunted as he struggled to emerge out. However, his eyes fell on the imposing blonde Titan, and he recognized it immediately. "It was a Titan Shifter."
His rage boiled over. "I'll kill you, you fucking bitch..." Eren whispered, his eyes blazing with vengeance. But before he could make a move, four small Aberrants came sprinting in, joining the fray. Their combined strength added to the monstrous pile, finally overpowering Eren.
"Erehhhhh!!!!!! Wait, I'll be right..." Mikasa shouted, racing towards Eren. But fate had other plans. The Titan's jaws closed with a final, crushing force, devouring Eren whole. The only thing that remained was his hand, which fell beside Mikasa.
"ARGGHHHHHHHHH... ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..." Mikasa's screams were raw and agonized, her eyes wide with horror as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. Her mind and heart were shattered, unable to process the devastating reality. She collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by the sheer trauma.
"Erennnnnnnn!" Armin's voice cracked with anguish, but Bertholdt, that heartless bastard, restrained him, preventing him from rushing there.
Sasha, acting swiftly, reached Mikasa and pulled her away, taking her to a nearby building.
The world seemed merciless. Mikasa had just found Eren again only to lose him once more. The cycle of loss and pain seemed endless, leaving her questioning why the world would never let her be with him, why her life was a never-ending loop of misery.
"I told you Mikasa Ackerman. Your efforts are futile...."