The Girl Who Lived Beyond the Veil of Titans : Blossoms of Destiny

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓧𝓧𝓘𝓘𝓘

" Mom !". Eliza exclaimed, mounting inside the cart and embracing Estella tightly.

" Hey, what the hell is that ?". Draco questioned in disbelief, not understanding the situation.

" They're two children Estella saved. She's not their mom, but...". Mikasa began to explain.

Draco nodded, finally grasping the situation, but he couldn't help but feel it was unusual.

" What happened ?". Isaac asked, his voice trembling with fear and concern.

" She's been hurt trying to protect her squad". Eren replied, squeezing Stella's hand with worry.

" B-but... She's going to be fine, right ? Tell us ?!". Isaac demanded, desperate for some reassurance.

Before anyone could answer, a weak hand was placed on Eliza's head. She looked up to see Estella looking at her with tired but loving eyes.

" Why are... you crying, Lizzie ?". Estella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

" Mom !". Eliza exclaimed happily, hugging Estella tightly once more.

" Thank God, you're awake". Eren said, relieved, as he gently kissed her hand.

" I wasn't... going to die... I still had... a lot of things to do... on this Earth... Still have... two sweethearts to take care of...". Estella weakly stated.

" Sleep, Mom. You need it. Lizzie and I will see you later". Isaac told her, carefully taking Eliza away from Stella's side.

With that, the cart began to move again, and the soldiers bid farewell to the townspeople, who were now even angrier at the situation.

" These poor children. The Survey Corps is the cause of her death". A woman said, her words dripping with bitterness.

" I doubt she'll survive". Added a man, lacking sympathy.

" It won't be a big loss, after all, I've heard that she's the witch". A man stated.

Draco, unable to hold back his frustration, muttered through gritted teeth," These filthy mud...muggles".

Eren wanted to respond, to defend his fallen comrade and Stella, but then he noticed two children, their eyes gleaming with excitement, watching the soldiers as they departed. He recalled the days when he was younger, looking up just like them at the Survey Corps with admiration and respect.

" So cool ! The Survey Corps is so awesome ! They got the crap kicked out of them, and they still fight !". The little boy said enthusiastically.

Witnessing the innocence and admiration in those young eyes, Eren's heart broke, and he chose to lie back down next to Stella, tears streaming down his cheeks. He couldn't bear the thought of these children idolizing a life filled with hardships and loss.

" Commander Erwin ! Answer us ! Did this expedition learn enough to justify the number of dead ?!" The furious crowd demanded answers, their voices filled with grief and frustration." Do you think the dead have no regrets ?!".

Commander Erwin stood in silence, his eyes fixed on a distant point, his mind a whirlwind of guilt and sorrow. He understood the pain of losing comrades, but he also knew the importance of the mission. Every decision weighed heavily on him, but he had to remain strong, at least on the outside.

As the crowd continued to vent their anger, the soldiers who returned from the disastrous expedition lowered their heads in shame. Each one carried scars, some visible and some hidden deep within. They had fought bravely, but the outcome was devastating.