The brutal clash between the Armored Titan and Attack Titan left a trail of devastation, claiming the lives of seventeen scouts and injuring over thirty more.
The Armored Titan's hardened defenses withstood much of the Colossal Titan's explosion as it shook the earth, Reiner seized the moment, retreating with both Ymir and Eren in his grasp.
Bruised and battered, Eren felt himself slipping into unconsciousness, his fading vision blurring as he remembered the last glimpse of Mikasa's tear-streaked face reaching for him—a desperate attempt that vanished in a heartbeat before placing her in his mouth offering protection.
Mikasa managed to survive the ordeal, shielded by Eren's fading Attack Titan, which lay slumped and decomposing around her. Meanwhile, back in Karanes District, panic had seized the scouts. Their strongest fighter, Eren Yeager, was now captured, held by their enemies. Pixis and Erwin stood side by side, their expressions grim as the soldiers filled them in on every agonizing detail.
Erwin's lips tightened before a faint, bitter smile crossed his face. "Looks like you were right all along, Eren…" He clenched his teeth, summoning every ounce of resolve.
"Soldiers!" Pixis's voice thundered through the ranks, igniting a spark amid the fear and chaos. "Prepare yourselves! We ride with the Scouts. No matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice—we will bring back Eren Yeager!"
The soldiers gulped, feeling the weight of the suicide mission before them, yet their faces were filled with grim determination. They fastened their ODM gear, eyes fixed on their commanders, as they rallied alongside Pixis and Erwin, stepping forward into the unknown, refusing to let their comrade remain in enemy hands.
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The sun cast a warm glow over the gently flowing river, its light dancing across the water, illuminating two children sitting beneath a tree not far from a cozy wooden cabin where the adults chatted away.
Eren's low, animated voice filled the air as he recounted one of his many adventures, his eyes lighting up with each word. Mikasa sat by his side, their shoulders just barely touching, her cheeks dusted with a slight blush as she smiled shyly, captivated by his stories.
"And then," Eren said, grinning wide, "Levi and I punched that guy together and—bam! Knocked him out cold!" His enthusiasm was contagious, and Mikasa couldn't help but smile at him—so cute.
Noticing her gaze, Eren looked over, tilting his head. "What?" he asked, watching her with curiosity as she trailed off, her blush deepening. She averted her eyes, feeling the warmth rise in her cheeks, but Eren wasn't about to let her off that easily.
"Hey, come on now—you've got me curious!" His hands pressed gently on her shoulders, casting a soft shadow over her flushed face as he leaned in, his expression playful and gentle.
"Is there anything you need?" Eren asked, his tone soft but concerned. Mikasa shook her head quickly, struggling to put her feelings into words. "Then what is it…?" he pressed, studying her with that familiar, steady gaze.
With a shy smile, Mikasa shook her head again, trying to brush it off. But it was Eren she was facing, after all—Eren, who could read her better than anyone else. He held her gaze, his hands still resting on her shoulders, his curiosity only growing.
"It's… it's nothing," she whispered, but her heart raced as she found herself lost in the warmth of his eyes. There was something about him that always made her feel safe, yet made her heart flutter all the same—the way he looked at her, determined and kind. A part of her longed to share the things she'd never put into words.
"Hm." Eren pouted a little, giving her a quizzical look, but he didn't push her. This was only the seventh time he had come to visit, yet each time, they grew a little closer. Mikasa hesitated, reaching up as if to say something, only to withdraw her hand again, her courage faltering.
"Hm?" Eren raised his brow, but when she shook her head once more, he chuckled softly. This time, however, he reached for her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers as he smiled, his touch warm and steady.
Mikasa's heart leaped as his fingers gently wrapped around hers, his hand so warm against her cool skin. Blushing deeply, she glanced around, feeling her heart race like a tiny, fluttering bird.
Before she knew it, she had leaned into him, resting her head softly on his shoulder, her hands lightly gripping his. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment, letting herself be held by his quiet strength as her fingers played with his, tracing small circles, lost in the warmth of his touch.
"Is something bothering you? If there is, I'll make sure to handle it... so go on, tell me," Eren murmured, his hand gently patting her long, dark hair as it flowed down her back.
Mikasa hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I just want... Eren to visit more. I feel so lonely… without Eren."
Eren chuckled softly, not quite catching the full weight of her words. She always felt trapped—confined to a house with her family, burdened by their reputation as the Ackermans. People looked down on her family, sneering at their poverty and lineage, and that stung in ways she couldn't explain.
"Hmm… well, how about you come back with us this time?" he offered with a grin. "I'll introduce you to my friend. I could ask your parents if they're okay with it. Besides, skipping training for a couple of days won't kill me."
Mikasa's face lit up, her dark eyes brightening with a glimmer of hope that made Eren's heart race. He could barely resist the urge that rose within him, and before either of them knew it, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
"Ah?" she gasped, her cheeks turning a brilliant shade of red as she looked up at him, startled.
"Fuck… what was that? Why did I do that?" Eren muttered, cursing himself under his breath. It was as though his body had moved on its own, drawn by an impulse he didn't fully understand.
But Mikasa didn't pull away. Instead, she buried her face into his chest, her small hands gripping his shirt tightly as she held onto him with every ounce of her strength.
Eren could only smile, despite his initial embarrassment, his hand slipping back up to gently stroke her hair. Her soft, quiet breaths brushed against him, grounding him in this unexpected, beautiful moment.
"Don't ever hesitate to talk to me, alright?" he said softly. "I'll always be here for you. No matter what."
Mikasa gave a small nod, pressing her head into his shirt, feeling the warmth of his words wash over her like a quiet comfort she'd longed for. In his arms, she was no longer alone; for once, she felt truly seen, truly understood, her sadness shared and softened in his gentle embrace.
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The clouds began to tear apart, letting streaks of sunlight filter through, casting a pale, gentle glow over the bruised and exhausted soldiers scattered in rows atop the wall.
Among them lay Mikasa, her head resting against the soft, worn fabric of her scarf. Her eyes opened slowly, finding Armin sitting beside her, knees pulled close as he gazed out at the endless horizon.
"Eren..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. Armin turned, his lips forming a small, comforting smile, but before he could respond, Mikasa sprang up like a ghost, startling him.
"Where's Eren!" she cried, eyes wide with a desperate urgency. Armin reached out to steady her. "Rest for now... you're injured. You need to recover," he urged gently. But Mikasa wasn't listening. She crawled to the edge of the wall, her gaze dropping to the massive crater that lay at the foot below.
Fragments of memory began to flood her mind, each one jagged and painful. The look in Eren's Titan eyes as he saved her—haunted, afraid. She clutched her scarf, and as her trembling fingers pressed against the fabric, tears spilled down her face, soaking into the crimson threads. "Eren... it's all my fault..." she choked out.
"Then stop fucking mourning about it," Levi's harsh voice cut through her grief, carrying a raw bitterness as he sat nearby, cradling Petra's unconscious form in his lap.
Mikasa's tear-streaked eyes met his, her expression one of heartbreak and rage. Armin tried to interject, "Captain—"
But Levi's words were razor-sharp, his gaze never leaving Mikasa. "Eren could've made it out if it weren't for you. He was shouting for you to stay away, but you just had to meddle. When he was fighting the Female Titan, he told you both to stand down, yet you pushed him over the edge until he turned into that damn form."
His voice lowered, but the bitterness lingered as he looked away, his face shadowed by grief. "At the end of the day... he's a fucking idiot. I don't know what he sees in you that makes him willing to throw his life away time and time again. What an asshole...."
With that, Levi activated his gear, his attention drawn to the approaching swarm of soldiers, led by Erwin and Pixis in the distance.
Armin, shaken, turned to Mikasa. "Don't listen to him, Mikasa... this isn't your fault," he murmured, trying to hold her steady. But her sobs only grew harsher, her voice breaking as she whispered, "He's gone... I might never see him again. All I ever wanted... was to be with him. That's all I've ever asked for. And now he's... gone again."
As the cold wind stirred around them, Mikasa clung to her scarf, lost in grief, her heart aching with a quiet, desperate longing as the light faded over the distant battlefield.
Before Armin could continue, Hannes appeared, his face a mixture of exhaustion and determination as he took in their broken expressions. "Yo, Mikasa, Armin—catch."
He tossed them ration packs, the dried, brittle bread crumbling slightly in their hands. It was tasteless, more suited to curb hunger than offer any real comfort.
Hannes took a bite himself, wincing at the dry texture before giving them a half-hearted grin. "So, I guess he got his ass beat again, huh? All that training just for him to end up getting captured... again?" He let out a sigh, clearly disappointed, though his eyes held a glint of understanding.
Armin managed a small smile, his gaze drifting downward as he thought about Eren. "It's not like that... he's not just fighting the Titans; he's fighting death itself... and he's doing it while looking out for us," he said softly.
"In every fight, he's pushing himself to the limit... always yelling at us to stay back, to get away because... because that's who he is—caring and selfless. He's always putting himself in danger to protect us."
A tear slid down Armin's cheek, landing on the cold stone of the wall. "In Trost, he saved me. When I was in between titan jaws he saved me, every time we bounced off the houses, he put himself beneath me, taking the impact so I'd be safe. He just smiled afterward, happy I wasn't hurt... and then, without a second thought, he rushed over to protect Mikasa, holding off Titans until he was sure she was okay."
Armin's voice wavered as he continued, "And in Stohess... even then, when Mikasa was injured, he held back nothing, his eyes full of anger, guilt, fear... everything, as he fought Annie to the bitter end. And here he was again, fighting the Armored Titan with whatever strength he had left."
Hannes listened, his expression softening, a faint, almost proud smile, glancing over at Mikasa. "That's right, isn't it? He gave it all he had." Mikasa nodded, unable to speak, her heart aching with both pride and worry.
Hannes leaned forward, his voice steady, his tone resolute. "Then don't give up on him. No matter how many times Eren falls, he gets back up. You really think he'd let himself be captured without a fight? He's Eren, dammit. That bastard doesn't know when to quit, and neither should you. Understood?"
Both Mikasa and Armin nodded, his words fortifying their shaken spirits as they each took a bite of the dry rations.
Hannes then turned to Mikasa, his tone softening but laced with insistence. "And you... next time you see him, make sure you tell him everything." His finger pointed at her, his gaze steady, causing a blush to rise to Mikasa's cheeks as she looked away.
Armin chuckled at the sight, his spirits momentarily lifted as his eyes shifted toward the soldiers working diligently to set up lifts for the horses and the commanders preparing for the next move.
Soon, the soldiers gathered in a tight huddle, their faces tense and determined. Erwin cast his gaze down, his lips pressed into a thin line. None of them noticed, but a flicker of sadness glimmered in his eyes—a sadness at having lost Eren once more.
"The situation is the same?" he asked quietly.
Levi, supporting a weakened Hange, gave a curt nod. "Yeah."
Hange, steadying herself, clenched her fists. "I won't let them take Eren away." she muttered, frustration flaring in her voice.
Erwin sighed, glancing over at her. "Any ideas on how to track them down, Hange?"
Hange straightened, signaling for Moblit to bring her a map. He unfurled it in front of them, and she quickly began tracing a route with her finger. "I think... they're headed toward the Forest of Giant Trees near Wall Maria. It's the closest hiding spot from here."
She paused, coughing violently, a streak of blood appearing at the corner of her mouth, though she pressed on. "They might not be as exhausted as Eren, but they'll still need to recuperate. Since staying in Titan form consumes energy fast."
The group absorbed her words with grim silence. "As for Eren.... I'm not sure if he's dead or alive.... but we can't risk that just on an assumption so we will chase them anyways....." Mikasa's face paled, her fists clenching as she fought back her tears.
Armin, noticing Mikasa's distress, chimed in. "But... he only went berserk for split second. Eren should be alright."
Hange shook her head, sighing. "That's right that's why we can't consider him dead.... Not yet.He may be injured, unconscious... possibly worse. But we can't abandon the mission on the chance he's okay."
She pointed to the forest on the map. "They'll likely rest there, especially since they'd avoid traveling through Abnormal Titans during daylight. We should expect them to move at night, while the Titans are dormant."
Everybody heard her closely as she poured in her intellect," Considering they're headed to a place outside Wall Maria.... Thus they'd need enough strength to cover all that distance.... Chasing them would be easier by the armoured titan's footprints since the ground's muddy.... Leading us straight to their destination..."
A murmur of admiration ran through the soldiers, each of them impressed by Hange's sharp insight and relentless determination—even Erwin's eyes held a spark of respect. With a silent nod, he turned to the troops.
"Then let's move," he commanded. The Scouts, alongside the Garrison soldiers, prepared for immediate departure, their purpose clear: to bring back Eren, humanity's hope.