Without hesitation, I killed two Titans who stood in front of me, their massive bodies crashing to the ground. As I turned back to Mikasa, I noticed her unwavering gaze fixed upon me, her eyes scanning my body for any signs of injury.
Her concern for my well-being was both comforting and a reminder of the dangers that surrounded us.
Just as we caught our breath, our eyes widened in alarm as a Titan appeared, sprinting toward us at full speed. A surge of anger coursed through me as I realized its trajectory was aimed directly at the nearby gate.
" Damn, why is it ignoring us ?!". One soldier exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice.
" It's an Aberrant ! Don't overthink it !". Another soldier responded urgently.
" It's fast ! Even we elites can't catch up to it ?! At this rate...". The soldier's voice trailed off, his concern hanging heavily in the air.
Mikasa and I exchanged a determined glance, silently understanding the gravity of the situation. Without a moment's hesitation, we charged forward, our weapons at the ready. I swiftly aimed my blades at the Titan's ankles, cutting deep to slow its momentum.
Mikasa swiftly followed, striking with her unparalleled precision, bringing the towering creature crashing to the ground.
" Estella !". Isaac's little voice broke through my thoughts, filled with equal parts relief and fear.
I swiftly leaped off the fallen Titan's body, scanning the area to find Isaac and Eliza. Their frightened expressions mirrored my own concerns.
" What are you still doing here ? I thought you would have left by now". I asked, my worry evident in my voice.
Isaac's voice trembled as he responded," This man has arrived, and he doesn't want to let us go".
I furrowed my brows, directing my attention to the man who seemed to be causing them distress. He began to speak, his words laced with an arrogance that grated on my nerves.
" Oh, perfect timing. Hey, you ! Make these people help me out ! I'll reward you handsomely !". The man exclaimed, a smug smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
What a swine, I thought with a mixture of annoyance and disdain. The audacity of this man, taking advantage of innocents in the midst of a crisis.
" Our comrades are dying right now. Because the evacuation is lagging, they're fighting the Titans and dying". Mikasa interjected, her voice tinged with disbelief and anger as she confronted the man.
" 'Course they are ! It's your duty to offer your lives to protect citizens and their property, is it not ?! Don't get full of yourselves just because you freeloaders are finally doing your job after a hundred years !". The man retorted, his voice dripping with condescension.
A surge of rage coursed through me, tightening my jaw and igniting a fire within my chest. I locked eyes with Mikasa, and the silent understanding between us spoke volumes.
She jumped off the Titan's body and then started walking in his direction. The ground beneath her feet trembled with every step, echoing the weight of her determination. Mikasa's eyes bore a fierce resolve, her dark gaze fixed on the man who stood before her.
" If you think it's natural for people to die for others, I'm sure you'll understand that at times, the sacrifice of a single precious life can save many others". Mikasa told him in a gloomy voice.
The man, a cunning and arrogant figure, smirked at her, hoping to intimidate Mikasa with his threats.
" Just try me ! I've known your employer for many years. You don't know how easy it'd be for me to order your underlings around !". He boasted, his voice laced with false confidence.
Mikasa, unyielding and undeterred, did not react to his threat and kept walking. She knew that this man's words held no power over her. She had faced countless dangers and seen the horrors of this world, and nothing could shake her resolve now.
Two of his men started to run towards her. But before they could reach her, Mikasa effortlessly incapacitated them with swift strikes to the back of their necks, sending them crashing to the ground.
" How can a corpse be speaking ?". Mikasa said sternly, her voice cold and piercing, cutting through the tension-filled air.
I watched her with admiration, a small smile playing on my lips. She is amazing, I thought.
As Mikasa raised her blade, ready to deliver justice to the man who dared challenge her, she stopped, her weapon poised at his neck.
The man's face contorted with fear, his voice quivering as he shouted," Wait !".
Mikasa paused, her eyes fixed on him, her expression impassive. She remained silent, waiting for him to speak his next words.
" B-Boss...". One of the man's subordinates muttered nervously.
Feeling the weight of the situation, the man composed himself and issued a commanding order.
" Move the wagon". He said reluctantly.
With a collective sigh of relief, the citizens watched as the wagon was moved aside, clearing the path to safety. The tension began to dissipate, and a glimmer of hope emerged in their eyes.
" Go ahead. Everything will be fine now". I reassured Isaac and Eliza, who stood beside me, their innocent faces reflecting both fear and trust.
" Be careful, Estella". Isaac said, his voice filled with genuine concern.
Eliza nodded, her eyes wide with determination, and I gently patted their heads, a warm smile adorning my face. Isaac took Eliza's hand in his and together they walked through the gate.
I sighed with relief as they walked out the door, leaving behind the chaos and danger that had filled the area just moments ago. With a sense of accomplishment and a rush of adrenaline still coursing through my veins, I joined Mikasa by the exit.
Her performance had been nothing short of amazing, and I couldn't help but express my awe.
" It was a great show. You are amazing !". I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement as I grabbed her hand.
Mikasa blushed and cast her eyes downward, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
" Thanks, Stella". She replied softly, her voice filled with humility.
Suddenly, a small voice chimed in from beside us. We turned our attention to the little girl who stood next to her mother, both of them looking at us with gratitude.
" We're saved thanks to you two. Thank you so much". The girl's mother expressed with heartfelt appreciation.
I simply nodded, a warm smile spreading across my face, while Mikasa responded with a respectful salute. It was moments like these that reminded us why we fought so fiercely, why we risked our lives—to protect and save those who couldn't defend themselves.
As the mother and daughter moved away, their expressions now filled with newfound hope, we left to rejoin Ian and the rest of the team. Ian, our superior, greeted us with a nod, his eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and approval.
" Good work taking it down, Ackerman, Potter. I'm impressed". Ian commended us, his tone carrying a note of genuine admiration.
" Thank you, sir". I replied respectfully, my attention shifting to the task of changing my blades.
The exhilaration of battle was slowly fading, leaving behind a sense of weariness in its wake.
With my duties complete, I found myself scanning the surroundings, my mind wandering aimlessly. Boredom began to seep in as I realized there was no immediate action to be taken.
" Thank you very much. However... I dulled my blades with a single blow in my impatience. I'll be more mindful next time". Mikasa admitted, her voice laced with a hint of disappointment.
Ian's eyes widened, a mix of curiosity and concern evident in his expression.
" Just what kind of life have you both been living until now... Never mind, it's nothing". He muttered, perhaps realizing that delving into our pasts would yield more questions than answers.
I frowned at him, feeling a pang of frustration. Well, the life I've had so far is certainly not that of a normal child, I thought, my mind drifting momentarily to memories of my turbulent upbringing.
Before I could dwell on those thoughts further, Ian's commanding voice interrupted my musings.
" We're withdrawing, Potter, Ackerman. Climb up the wall". Ian ordered, signaling the end of our mission.
" No, sir. I will go and help my comrades". I declared firmly, my determination evident in my voice.
" I'll go with you !". Mikasa interjected.
" Potter ! Ackerman !". Ian called out after us, his voice filled with a mix of concern and resignation. But we had already made up our minds.
Within a few minutes, I could see familiar faces standing on one of the roofs.
" Connie ! Sasha !". I exclaimed as I saw them, a surge of relief washing over me.
" Stella !". Connie and Sasha said happily, their voices filled with the same mixture of joy and tension.
Mikasa and I landed quietly on the rooftop. I scanned the area, hoping to catch sight of Armin and Eren, but they were nowhere to be found. Panic started to bubble within me. Where were they ? And what about Mina and Thomas ? I couldn't see them either.
I felt beads of nervous sweat forming on my forehead as I frantically searched for any sign of our missing comrades.
" Mikasa ? Estella ? Weren't you both in the rearguard ?". A trainee asked, a note of confusion in his voice.
" Annie was the closest to them, I think. Let's ask her". I said to Mikasa, sensing her growing anxiety mirrored my own.
Mikasa nodded, and we swiftly made our way towards Annie.
" Annie !". I called out to her, my voice tinged with urgency.
I watched as she turned around, giving me a brief smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
" We think we understand the situation, and we apologize for bothering you, but have you seen Eren's unit ?". Mikasa asked, her voice laced with concern.
" No, and I haven't seen anyone climb the wall either. Armin's over there, though". Annie replied.
Relief washed over me, temporarily alleviating the tight knot in my chest. Without wasting another moment, I sprinted towards Armin, with Mikasa close on my heels.
" Armin !". Mikasa exclaimed, her voice filled with equal parts relief and worry.
" Thank God ! You're alright ?". I asked, gripping his hand tightly, desperate for some reassurance.
But to my surprise, he didn't look up at me or respond to my touch.
"Armin, are you hurt ? Are you feeling okay ?". Mikasa wondered, her concern evident in her voice.
Once again, Armin remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground. Mikasa and I exchanged a bewildered glance. If Armin was here, then where were the others ? I hoped against hope that they were nearby, unharmed.
" Hey... where are Mina, Thomas, and Eren ?". I asked, my voice trembling slightly as I searched the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of them.
" Armin ?". Mikasa said softly, her tone filled with both concern and confusion.
Armin clenched his fists tightly, tears streaming down his face. Finally, he looked up at us, his eyes filled with grief.
" Our unit... The 34th cadet unit... Thomas Wagner, Nac Tias, Mylius Zeramuski, Mina Carolina, Eren Jaeger. All five of them have fulfilled their duty and died heroic deaths in battle !". Armin's voice cracked as he spoke, his sobs choking his words.
A wave of devastation crashed over me, threatening to drown me in its sorrow. Mina and Thomas—gone. It was a devastating blow, shattering our hopes and dreams of celebrating victory together, of embarking on new adventures once this was all over.
And Eren... I couldn't bear to think of him in that moment, the emotions too raw to process. How had everything gone so wrong ?
" No way... So the 34th unit was nearly wiped out...". A cadet muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.
" If we fight the Titans, we'll end up like them". Another cadet stated, his tone heavy with fear and uncertainty.
" I'm sorry, Estella, Mikasa. Eren died in my stead... I couldn't do anything ! I'm so sorry !". Armin's voice quivered with guilt and remorse.
I remained silent, contemplating the gravity of the situation. Although I was relieved that Armin had survived, I couldn't find the words to comfort him. I feared that speaking would only unleash a torrent of tears, and now was hardly the time for such vulnerability.
Kneeling down beside Armin, Mikasa placed a gentle hand on his trembling shoulder.
" Armin". She spoke, her voice devoid of emotion.
Armin looked up at her, his eyes filled with confusion and pain," Huh ?".
" Calm down. This isn't the time to be emotional". Mikasa advised him stoically, her voice unwavering despite the loss she had just experienced.
Mikasa... She had just lost the last member of her family, and the weight of that tragedy was etched on her face. It was a sight that tore at my heart.
" Stand up". Mikasa commanded, her voice firm.
Following her instruction, Armin rose to his feet with Mikasa's assistance. Once he was standing, Mikasa turned and walked away, her steps determined and resolute.
" Marco, if we take out the Titans around the HQ, we can replenish our gas supplies and climb the wall. Does that sound correct ?". Mikasa inquired, her voice carrying a hint of strategy.
Marco hesitated, unsure of how to respond.
" Yeah... But even if you and Stella are with us, there are just too many". He explained, concern etched on his face.
" We can do it". Mikasa declared firmly, her resolve unshakable.
Marco gazed at her, his confusion evident. Mikasa drew her blades and positioned herself in front of the other soldiers, one blade pointed towards the sky.
" We are strong. Stronger than all of you. Extremely strong". Mikasa declared, her eyes scanning the faces before her, including mine.
Moved by a mix of concern and affection, I reached out and placed my hand on Mikasa's arm, causing her to turn and meet my gaze. I sighed sadly, taking in the emptiness in her eyes.
Her words alone wouldn't be enough to inspire the soldiers. Her empty bravado would only lead them astray, potentially to their doom.
" Enough, Mikasa. That's enough". I spoke sternly, my voice commanding her attention.
I shifted my gaze towards the others, addressing them with a sense of determination," I'm going to kill those Titans and clear a path to the HQ. You're free to follow me or not. I won't force anyone".
" You'll never make it !". A cadet shouted, his voice laced with doubt.
" That's fine by me. At least I would have tried. Besides, I'm the Girl Who Lived. I'm used to this kind of situation". I retorted, my voice tinged with a touch of pride." It's okay if you all stay here. Because being afraid is not a flaw".
And not only that, but I'm also a proud Slytherin. If I have to use my magic and risk being exposed, so be it. The end justifies the means.
I thought before I jumped and went to kill two Titans. I didn't know how much gas I had left in my ODM gear. After all, I had to use it extensively while eliminating the earlier wave of Titans. But I was determined to clear the way as much as possible until I ran out. Then, I would have to rely on my magical abilities.
No sooner had I dispatched the third Titan than my ODM gear sputtered and ran out of gas. I found myself plummeting to the ground, the wind howling past my ears. In that moment, amidst the chaos, I heard a distant voice shouting my name.
Painfully, I struggled to my feet after the fall, my body aching from the impact. I surveyed the area around me, taking in the destruction and devastation. It had all happened much sooner than I expected, and the weight of the loss pressed heavily on my heart.
I let out a weary sigh before raising my gaze skyward, my eyes filled with sorrow. Honestly, my friends... I hadn't anticipated losing you so swiftly.
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, a Titan began to approach me slowly. Determination surged within me, and I reached for my wand, refusing to give up without a fight. I couldn't allow myself to die here, not when there was still hope.
" Diffindo !". I exclaimed, casting a severing spell at the Titan's legs.
With a violent crash, it collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain. Now, I had to finish it off. However, before I could take another step forward, another Titan swiftly crushed its neck, putting an end to its suffering.
Amidst the chaos and disbelief, I questioned my own senses. Was I dreaming, or had I just witnessed one Titan killing another ? It was an occurrence I had never encountered before, and it left me utterly bewildered.
The Titan that had slain its kin turned its gaze towards me, its piercing eyes fixated on my form. Though I should have been filled with fear and trepidation, an odd sense of safety enveloped me. It studied me for a brief moment before lowering itself to the ground, gently extending a massive hand towards me.
Confusion mingled with awe as I allowed the Titan to lift me from the wreckage. It surveyed its surroundings, as if ensuring no imminent danger lurked nearby. With surprising gentleness, it placed me upon the rooftop of a nearby building before dashing off into the distance.
Saved by a Titan... How could this be ? Questions swirled in my mind, but I had no answers. All I could do was watch its retreating form.
" Stella !". I heard someone shout.
I swiftly turned around to see who it was, my heart pounding in my chest. To my surprise, it was Connie who called out my name. He landed gracefully next to me, and my eyes widened in disbelief.
" Connie ?! But what are you...?". I began, unable to finish my sentence due to the mix of shock and relief flooding over me.
" We saw you fall. Armin and Mikasa are right behind me". Connie said urgently, his voice filled with concern.
I nodded, finally finding my voice.
" I see. Are you okay ?". I asked, my worry for him taking over my own situation.
Connie let out an exasperated sigh, his expression a mix of frustration and relief.
" I should be asking you that question ! What were you thinking ?". He scolded me.
Regret washed over me as I realized the recklessness of my actions.
" I just wanted to help you reach the HQ". I admitted, my voice filled with remorse.
Connie's frustration softened into understanding.
He looked at me earnestly," You did manage to help us, it's true. But what good would it do us to see you dead ? None".
His words hit me hard. He was right; my intentions may have been noble, but I hadn't considered the consequences fully. I had risked my life without considering the impact it would have on those who cared about me.
Before we could delve deeper into our conversation, Armin and Mikasa arrived, joining us. Concern etched their faces as they took in the scene before them.
" Armin ? Are you out of gas ?". I asked, my worry shifting to our resourceful strategist.
Armin barely had time to respond when I felt a gentle hand on my cheek. I turned to see Mikasa, her eyes searching mine from every angle.
" Are you alright ?". She asked, her voice filled with genuine concern." You can tell me if you're hurt. I'll do whatever it takes to help you. I know I...".
I gently interrupted Mikasa, a soft smile forming on my lips.
" I'm fine, don't worry," I reassured her. " In fact, it was this Titan that saved me. It placed me on the roof before leaving".
" Wow... Then your plan might just work, Armin !". Connie exclaimed, his relief evident in his voice.
Curiosity piqued, I tilted my head to the side and asked," What is the plan ?".
Armin, ever the strategist, stepped forward and explained," This Titan seems uninterested in humans. So, I thought we could draw it toward the HQ to get rid of the other Titans around".
I nodded enthusiastically, a grin spreading across my face," You're right ! Indeed, it could work. You are a genius, Arty !".
Armin blushed, laughing shyly as he scratched his head in modesty.
" Let's put this plan into action, then". Connie declared, his determination shining through.
I let out a small sigh, my excitement tempered by a practical concern.
" Yeah, but... Maybe you'd better go without me. I'm out of gas". I admitted reluctantly.
Mikasa's face hardened with determination, and she frowned at my suggestion.
" Never in a million years am I leaving you here". Mikasa declared firmly.
Armin nodded in agreement, his gaze unwavering. And I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could utter a word, Connie interjected.
" I'll carry you. Mikasa, you carry Armin". He proposed, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Armin tried to object, but I cut him off.
" Don't worry. I guess Springels won't drop me". I said playfully, trying to lighten the mood.
" No, of course not !". Connie exclaimed, his worry for my safety evident in his voice.
Mikasa's expression softened, but a trace of concern remained.
" I hope for his sake he doesn't". She said, a touch of worry in her voice.
Connie looked nervously at his friends, ensuring they were on board with his decision, before gently scooping me up in his arms. With a confident leap, we jumped off the roof, ready to embark on our counter-attack.