"So, daughter of Rod Reiss, what is it you want to say?" Eren's voice was low, his gaze a hardened line as he looked at Historia. She stood there, her face betraying a raw battle between rage and despair, like she might either explode in defiance or crumble in defeat.
"Vice Commander…" she began, her voice trembling against the darkening sky, as heavy clouds gathered and thunder rumbled overhead. A faint drizzle fell, dotting their faces. "With all due respect… don't imprison Ymir."
For a moment, Eren's expression remained unreadable, his eyes coldly fixed on her. Without a word, he turned his gaze to Hange, who approached through the rain, her steps quiet and steady.
"The Garrison advance squad is almost here to report on the breach. What are your orders?" Hange asked.
Eren exhaled, the breath clouding the chill air. He glanced once more at Historia—those desperate, imploring azure eyes before him—then turned away. "Take Ymir and the scouts from the 104th back to the Karanes with Erwin," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Levi and I will handle the breach with the rest of the squad."
Hange nodded, her gaze shifting briefly to Historia, and then back to Eren with a flicker of sympathy. But Historia wasn't done.
"Vice Commander…" she began again, her voice laced with a plea. "You don't have to do this—"
Eren turned, his irritated glare slicing through the cold mist. "Listen, kid. I don't have time to waste on you and your friend," he said, the finality in his voice like steel. "Just do as you're told."
He moved past her, but then Historia's voice—trembling with barely-held emotion—rose above the downpour. "You have time to flirt with Mikasa though, don't you? I never thought the Eren Yeager we looked up to could be this selfish…"
Eren stopped, his back to her as her words clawed through the air. Mikasa's cheeks flared red at Historia's accusation, but Eren's gaze—when he finally looked back at her—was brimming with a deep, angry chill.
" And what if I am.... Kid if you forgot I mentioned it in the court infront of everyone.... I don't give a fuck about anyone else's emotions... You're all just tools for me to complete my ambitions... Understood?"
Historia faltered, her defiance crumbling as her lips pressed shut, her hands shaking slightly as they came up to cover her mouth. She could feel tears threatening to spill, her whole body fighting to stay together against the weight of Eren's icy dismissal.
"Christa…" Armin muttered, gently gripping her arms to keep her upright as she trembled. Around them, scouts from the 104th gathered, concern etched on their faces as they watched Historia, her cheeks stained with cold tears.
"Kid…" Levi's voice cut through the rain, sharp and dry as ever. "This world is bigger than you. Your friend possesses abilities none of us were aware of—not even you, right?"
Historia's gaze dropped to the ground, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I know that… But… she might have her own reasons…"
"And what exactly would those be?" Eren's tone was cold as a drawn blade. She continued staring at the ground, unable to meet anyone's eyes, the silence stretching around them like an accusation.
"Tch… That's what I thought," Eren muttered, his jaw clenched. Just then, his senses caught the distant beat of hooves against the wet earth. He looked over to Levi, who was already at the edge, staring out with an intensity that matched the brewing storm. Captain Hannes was making his way up the wall, his face shadowed with something unspoken.
Before Eren could call out orders, Hannes' voice drifted up, rough and oddly subdued. "There's… there's no hole in Wall Rose."
Every head turned, shock flashing through their eyes. No hole? It seemed impossible. If there hadn't been a breach, then why were hundreds of Titans swarming inside?
"You sure about that, old man?" Eren asked, walking closer, disbelief simmering in his voice. "You weren't drunk, were you?"
Hannes scoffed, though his expression remained tense. "I wasn't drinking, kid… I'm in my right mind, I swear."
"Vice Commander," one of the soldier added urgently. "We combed the entire area, and there's no breach. Trost and Krolva districts are intact, too."
Eren's brow furrowed as his gaze swept over the group, lingering on two figures standing off to the side, their expressions oddly strained. Something flickered in Eren's eyes—a suspicion he shared silently with Levi and Hange.
With a frustrated sigh, Eren spoke up. "Alright. Report to Pixis. But just in case, check for any openings underground, near the walls. It sounds stupid—Titans digging—but we can't rule out anything."
As he finished, his gaze fell once more on Historia. She stood there, a mix of emotions in her eyes: hope, disappointment, and the flicker of anger. She looked back at him, her stare burning with questions she was too afraid to ask.
"Well, that's that," Hange sighed, stretching her arms in exhaustion. "Let's just head to Karanes for now… Seems like the safest bet." Eren nodded slightly, signaling everyone to mount up. He and Levi lingered, their capes billowing around them as they shared a tense glance. Something felt off amid the chaotic air. The wind picked up, sharp and biting, carrying the chill of an early winter.
"Hold them off…" Levi murmured.
"Until we reach Leonhart…" Eren replied, their words quiet, yet carrying the weight of steel.
But then, footsteps broke through the stillness. "Excuse me, Vice Commander…" Reiner's voice cut through the air, his face shadowed by a strange mix of fear, desperation, and regret. Beside him, Bertholdt mirrored his expression, teeth clenched as he gripped Reiner's arm, almost trying to hold him back.
Eren and Levi turned, locking their eyes on the pair. Levi's gaze sharpened, his hand twitching toward his blade. "What happened? You two look like you haven't taken a shit in weeks." His tone was dry, yet his body was tensed, coiled like a spring.
A faint light broke through the clouds, casting a cold gleam on Reiner's tear-streaked face. Eren's patience wore thin as he looked away. "If this is about Ymir, don't bother. I don't make that decision; Erwin does. Beg him all you want."
But suddenly, Reiner's grip tightened on Eren's shoulder, pulling him back, his face pale as a ghost. "The hell are you doing kid?" Eren muttered, trying to shrug him off.
"Reiner, don't—" Bertholdt's voice broke, but it was too late.
Eren froze as Reiner's voice trembled, words spilling out like a confession. "We have to... Bertholdt... We have to..." Reiner whispered as his teary eyes met Eren's.
"Eren… I'm sorry. This utopia you've tried to build until now… it's all been for nothing. My duty… as a warrior, as a scout, as a traitor… it's to destroy it, butchering the humanity within it.... And no matter what I'll make sure it happens.... to the bitter end."
"Over my dead body…"
Clink.
"Idiots…"
Slash.
Reiner grunted as Levi's blade sliced through his arm, severing the grip on Eren. In a flash, Eren drove his own blade into Reiner's chest, and with a brutal twist, slit his throat. Blood splattered as his head slumped, only to be interrupted by a shout.
"MIKASA, NOW!" Eren's voice echoed across the wall, and Mikasa sprang from behind, her blades aimed right for Bertholdt's throat.
But hesitation flickered in her eyes, the blade wavering just a moment too long. Bertholdt twisted his head, her blade grazing only skin.
Thunder.
"Watch out—!" Levi and Eren yelled, but it was already too late.
A crackle of energy split the air, lightning illuminating the looming transformations. Eren shot his hooks towards the wall, steam hissing from his gear as he lunged to grab Mikasa, dragging her away just as The Colossal and.... The Armored Titans erupted from within the two men, a blinding explosion blasting them back.
They crashed against the wall, Eren's arm wrapped tightly around Mikasa. Dazed, they looked at each other before shifting their gazes infront, heartbeats thundering in their chests as the colossal forms of Reiner and Bertholdt rose, shadows casting across the wall.
"Eren?" Her voice was soft, tinged with worry as her hand found its way to his face, brushing over his cheek. She flinched at the shift in his expression—a manic grin slowly curling at the corners of his mouth, his eyes gleaming with a dark, twisted resolve as a small yet noticable tear rolled down his eyes.
His hands resting on the back of her shirt. His fingers curled into a fist, balling the fabric in his hand.
"I'll kill them all…" His voice was barely a whisper, yet it carried an ominous weight, his gaze locked onto the towering titans. "Every last one…"
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