Because of the darkness of the night, it was hard to see the reaction of the soldiers, but they must have been confused and bewildered as well, right? They decided to walk into the house, and right when they did, they encountered a naked middle-aged lady lying unconscious on the floor of the broken house.
One of the soldiers, upon seeing the lady, shouted with hope in his voice, "Mom!!"
---
Utgard Castle
The sun was slowly rising over the horizon, casting the world in a warm orange glow that seeped through the cracks of Utgard Castle. The ancient stone walls seemed to come alive in the early light, their rough surfaces softened by the gentle morning rays. Inside one of the sparsely furnished rooms, Eren stirred awake. His eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the dim light that filtered through the small window. For a moment, he lay still, letting the last remnants of sleep fade away, before rubbing his eyes clean with the back of his hand.
He sat up in bed, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from the long journey the day before. The castle was eerily quiet, the silence only broken by the occasional creak of the old building settling. Everyone else was still asleep, resting after the intense discussions and strategizing from the previous night. Eren's mind, however, was already on the road ahead. He was only here for a night, a brief stop before returning to the secluded cottage where he, Mikasa, and their son Aiden had been living in secret.
Eren moved quietly, slipping out of bed and making his way to the small bathroom attached to his room. The cold stone floor sent a shiver up his spine, but he welcomed it. The frigid water from the basin did little to warm him, but it served its purpose, waking him fully as he splashed his face. He paused for a moment, staring at his reflection in the cracked mirror above the sink. His eyes were tired, burdened with the weight of the world, but there was still a spark of determination in them. He dried his face with a rough towel and took a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead.
Without a sound, Eren gathered his things. He didn't have much—a small bag with some basic supplies and the clothes on his back. Before leaving, he scribbled a quick note and left it on the bed where anyone who came looking for him would find it. The note was simple: "Had to leave early, Take care, Eren." He knew they would understand.
Eren moved silently through the castle, his footsteps barely making a sound on the ancient stone floors. He made his way to the entrance and paused for a moment, glancing back at the empty halls. This place had seen so much—battles, victories, losses—but today, it was just a temporary stop on his journey. He pushed the heavy door open, letting in a rush of cool morning air, and stepped outside.
The landscape was bathed in the soft, golden light of dawn. Eren took a moment to appreciate the beauty of it—the way the light danced on the leaves, the way the shadows stretched long across the ground. But there was no time to linger. He had a long journey ahead of him. The sun was just beginning to rise, and if he left now, he would reach the cottage by evening.
The road was long and winding, taking him through fields and forests, past rivers and hills. The world was quiet, the only sounds those of nature waking up to a new day. Eren's thoughts drifted as he walked, thinking of the life he had left behind, the life he was returning to, and the future that awaited them all. There was a heavy weight on his shoulders, but he carried it without complaint. This was the path he had chosen, and he would see it through to the end.
Back at Utgard Castle, the sun had climbed higher in the sky by the time Connie and Sasha returned with Connie's mother. The journey had been difficult, and the strain was evident on both of their faces. Connie's mother was still unconscious, her breathing shallow but steady. They had found her in Ragako Village, lying among the ruins of what had once been their home. Connie had feared the worst, but by some miracle, she was still alive. Sasha helped him carry her inside, and they quickly found a room where she could rest.
Connie stood by her bedside, his face filled with worry. Sasha placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, but there were no words to comfort him. All they could do was wait and hope that she would wake up. They had done everything they could, and now it was in the hands of fate.
As the day wore on, the castle slowly came to life. The others began to stir, taking note of Connie and Sasha's return. Word quickly spread that they had found Connie's mother, and there was a quiet sense of relief among them. Despite everything they had been through, there was still hope.
By the time Eren arrived back at the cottage, the sun was beginning to set once again, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The journey had been long and tiring, but the sight of the small, familiar building filled him with a sense of peace. He could see the faint glow of a fire through the window, and he knew that Mikasa and Aiden were waiting for him.
He pushed open the door, stepping into the warmth of the cottage. Mikasa looked up from where she was sitting by the fire, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. Aiden was asleep in her arms, his tiny face peaceful and content. Eren felt a wave of emotion wash over him as he crossed the room, his exhaustion melting away at the sight of his family. He was home.
Mikasa smiled softly as he sat down beside her, careful not to wake Aiden. She reached out, taking his hand in hers, and for a moment, they just sat there in silence, enjoying the simple pleasure of being together again. The world outside was still filled with danger and uncertainty, but here, in this small cottage, they had found a brief moment of peace.
Eren knew it wouldn't last forever, but for now, it was enough. He leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to Aiden's forehead before resting his head against Mikasa's shoulder. The future could wait—just for a little while longer.