*
Just before thinking that there was nothing the young recruits could do, I could hear yelling and shouting from afar. Not being able to hear from where I am, I could tell something was coming. However my hearing senses pick up finally, as a cluster of heavy footsteps were up ahead. My eyes slightly widen, hoisting my upper half to peer through the crack of the armour.
I couldn't help but smirk, noticing a herd of titans charging towards us with a Scouts squad leading them.
Who could've thought of this dumbass kind of plan, but make it so badass? Erwin Smith. With a breathy chuckle, Reiner's titan growls lowly. Suddenly I felt the armoured go faster, with a slight tilt as Bertholdt holds me tightly. Soon a massive wave of force knocks right through, causing me to grimace in discomfort. Bertholdt soon pulls out his controllers, while keeping an arm around my neck to hold me back.
"Shit!"
Out of nowhere I felt the world drop and collapse, but Reiner's hands remained where they were, intact. My heart was pounding while feeling the armoured being tackled, and grabbed. A bellowing roar from the armoured sent chills up my spine, while trying to find something to grip on. Sweat draws along my brow, while feeling more claustrophobic inside.
That's when light begins to shine through, realising Reiner's hands were now opening up.
Reiner's hand that held us in protection slams into the horde of titans, trying to shake off these titans. However with Bertholdt grabbing out his controllers, his grip wasn't supportive enough as I felt my body slowly falling. My eyes met with Bertholdt's panicked ones, but before he could react, a large hand soon envelopes around me.
A normal titan snatches me, while I tried to snap the rope that bound behind me.
My heart quickens in protest, while slowly being drawn to the maws of the the beast. It's breath was putrid, burning my nose with absolute disgust. Slowly I was being drawn to my death, when blood sprays from behind, showering down upon me. Slowly my body was released, falling through the horde of titans.
In the spur of the moment arms wrap around me, securely.
"Thought I would never see ya again," A familiar voice appears, turning to see her. "Corporal, so glad to have you back."
"Lena........"
She flies down towards her horse before placing me down, with her follow suit with me in front. She took the reigns quickly, directing her horse away from the death zone where the Armoured was struggling. She soon whips out a small blade, before angling her body around and snaps the rope in two.
"There, sorry we took so long," She apologises, but I shook my head.
"It's fine.......but right now, we must get Eren and Historia back!" I sternly shift the subject, as we galloped around the horde of titans. "We can talk later, now? Now we must get Eren back, but.....I don't have my ODM."
She nods with agreement, "Right, well you just stay with me," She firmly orders. "The Commander wished for me to at least retrieve you, if that was any of the case......."
She seems rather troubled, while I run my fingers through my messy wild raven locks.
"Speaking of the Commander, where is he?!" I question, feeling the wind pound against my ears as we ran the opposite direction to the wind.
Her jaw clenches, "He's.....he's been......"
Before she could even reply, screaming and yelling begins to pierce the air to a terror of soldiers dying and being devoured. The whole battlefield was becoming more chaotic than before, but our main objective was Eren and Historia. Though I said it many times, it kept me only focusing on the goal then to falter and wander.
Soon everyone was at the armoured's radius of attack, but all kept being swatted.
"Hey um......Akira?"
Raising my head, "What is it?" until my eyes saw her horrified ones, seeing her point to the armoured closing in.
"Is he uh....following us?" She questions. "Cause......I must be hallucinating or....?"
"Shit! Lena, please? I need you to do something, and I know you're gonna hate it," I turn to her, with a firm gaze. My adrenaline was rising, my blood was boiling and I was ready to take action. Not being in the hands of the enemy, I think I'm capable in doing what I'm meant to do now.
She listens to my plan of action, but she begins to protest frantically.
"No......I will not follow through!" She snaps angrily, her eyes filled with fear. "I can't let you-- Not after what we tried to pull, I--"
I slam a firm grip upon her shoulder, giving her a firm but determined gaze.
"Lena.........I trust you will be there, once I'm done.....okay?"
Rather hesitant at first, she slowly gives in to my small plan. Offering her two spare blades in the canisters, the steel clanks together while she controls her horse. Keeping myself balanced upon her horse, my hands were being sliced by the sharp steel. Clenching my jaw, I took one by one my long sleeves from my shirt and tore right from the shoulder seams forcefully.
The material rips faintly, before I began to bind the ends of the blades to aid comfort to grip them whilst using them.
"Almost there Lena, bear with me," I focus solely on tying the ripped materials, feeling the cold nip my exposed arms out for show. Steadily I managed to tie oneup, as faint blood stains taint my sleeves in the process from my palms. Even though my body was lethargic, I couldn't help but feel my adrenaline pumping through me.
Tightening the fabric around with my teeth, I grip the baldes firmly finding no flaw in harming myself.
My eyes flicker back to my target, "Alright..........I'm ready,"
Reluctantly she activates her ODM and latches onto the nearest tall object, with me in her arms. The armoured was still tangled with the horde of titans, that we both were almost caught at every angle. The blood shed was tearing right through, as she dodges through. Our capability to sync with our strategies on normal missions were on point, to know what we were thinking. She would even think on the worst case scenarios, but later gained respect.
That's why I trust her with everything, being someone I've relied on for years. Before I met him.
My hands tighten firmly around the binded ends of the blade, feeling the wind pounding against my ears. Soon the air grows colder as she soars higher into the air, with her strength, we were just above the armoured. Focusing on Eren, Armin was new to the scene. He seemed to be talking to Bertholdt about something, seeing an appalled expression across his face.
Shrugging it off, I took my opportunity.
"Shut your mouth, hell spawn!" Bertholdt screams out. "I'll kill you!"
"Now!"
She releases me in an instant without hesitation, as I soar down landing onto the armoured's head subtly. Gaining my balance I continue to run down swiftly, seeing Bertholdt's back facing me. Eren's eyes widen seeing me, while I gave him a nod. He understood to remain quiet, but while doing so blood sprays from before Bertholdt. My heart pounds in a second, then two, I saw Eren's confines around him loosen.
My eyes snap to see what had happened, but I saw Erwin's eyes were lit with rage and a bloodied arm.
"Erwin...." my eyes slowly widen, seeing the condition he was in.
Wasting no more time than we have, I skidded down the armoured's plates before catching Eren in mid air. Holding him close to me, he laughs in response but muffles against the gag held in his mouth. Trusting in Lena or whoever, all I was glad about was having Eren back with me.
"Corporal!!!!" Mikasa cries out, causing her to aid me for the fall. She takes Eren, as Lena approaches us, taking me to ease the weight.
Seeing the relief in Mikasa's eyes brought me peace, knowing we've succeeded.
"All soldier's, retreat!!!!!" Erwin declares, seeing he was still alive. With how much we've dealt with in the past two weeks, my body was ready to collapse at any moment. A breathy chuckle leaves my lips, as lena and I land back upon her horse. Taking our opportunity to retreat, my only concern was Historia. Reiner's titan bellows down the valley, knowing he's pissed off.
Giving ourselves distance between Reiner and Bertholdt, and the titans that were holding them down for us, even though it was only a gamble.
Thinking we were all clear with our main goal whisking ourselves back to the wall, a large shadow casts over a portion of the area. My eyes trail up, wishing I didn't, as a titan was being through at us. It lands with a heavy thump, causing a massive gust of wind to shake us. I held tightly on Lena, as we both endure the hit.
"Is he fucking insane?!" Lena cries out, angrily.
The thick dust begins to cloud all around us, as titans were being thrown over and over again. Shielding my eyes through the hazy dust, another explosion of titans made the earth tremble and crumble. Lena's horse rears up onto it's two hooves, causing my hands to claw up to grip onto Lena's cloak or shoulder. A hand grasps my own in a monkey grip, as my eyes met with her auburn ones.
"I've got you......I've got you," She whispers, with a concerned expression.
Hauling me back up we continue to try and dodge Reiner's attacks, as more titans collided into the earth, leaving craters beneath them. Soon men were screaming out in pain, bodies being crushed or collided into. My eyes soon dart around, seeing anybody that we can either aid or help back onto their horses.
"Commander!!!!!!"
Turning to the the source of sound, I soon see Erwin on the ground on his knees looking pale than before. "Lena, we must collect Erwin!" I say sternly.
"What? But--"
"No buts, he's injured and is unable to defend himself as much!" I say with concern, even though he can be a jerk from time to time. Hesitantly she steers her horse around, making our way towards Erwin. Once we were at a good enough distance, I jump down almost allowing my knees to buckle beneath me.
"Corporal?!" Jean cries out.
Shaking my head, "Help Eren!!!! Go aid him too Armin!!!!!" I order the two abruptly, while running towards the Commander. Even though I was vulnerable without ODM, the Commander is also my priority in risking my life now. My body was at it's limits, but why do I keep moving? Why do I keep pushing myself, even though I could've given up long ago?
"Corporal Akira!" Erwin calls, seeing him surprised to see me charging towards him.
Bending down to his level I wrap my arm around his shoulder, hauling his heavier figure up. His blood trickles down from his missing arm, but his heavy laboured pants seemed to show he was on the verge of passing out from blood loss. Lena gallops towards us with Erwin's horse, as her eyes were filled with sudden fear.
"Why did you--?" he chokes out, while grimacing in pain. "You're the one we tried to retrieved along with Eren, so....?"
"Tch, you think I'm gonna allow myself to lose to the enemy?" I scoff lightly, while my eyes narrow upon the Armoured throwing the titans again. "Eren is our main priority, forget about me, I'm a soldier. Remember I'm your sword and shield Erwin, allow me to fulfill my duty......I just......"
My jaw clenched tightly, but trembles till my voice was almost straining.
Shaking my head I swallow thickly, "....nevermind, right now get your dumbass on the horse," I order, not wanting him to stop me. "No questions, just stay on your horse......okay?"
Even though soldiers were being devoured around us, my heart was being pulled tightly with guilt allowing their deaths to wander aimlessly. Just as I helped him up onto his horse, the Commander glances down upon me. His breath hitches in my throat, as our eyes met for a moment. It was a different look, something I've never seen during my time serving him and as an equal soldier.
Suddenly another dark shadow hovers over us, as my eyes slowly widen.
With one swift motion I slap the behind of Erwin's horse, as it rears up and bolts out of the way. "Corporal!!!!" Erwin shouts, his eyes widening as I quickly rush towards Lena.
She reaches an arm out, locking our arms in a monkey grip again before hauling back upon her moving horse. With a flick of her reigns, we managed to dodge the heavy titan attack. However a massive wave of wind causes our horses to whine in response, in fright. I shield my eyes again, while following alongside Erwin.
"Where's Eren?!" Lena calls out, but before I could reply something changed.
Catching sight of the titans that were once tackling Reiner, were now charging elsewherel. All of them simultaneously began charging in one direction, as I turn around wondering what it was. It was bone chilling to wonder what it could be, but as we turn around to get a better view, my heart stops.
"It's just a........normal titan being.....devoured by other titans," Lena chokes out, while my blood ran cold. My face froze for a moment, when I noticed Eren and Mikasa running away from the horde of titans. Swallowing thickly, Erwin reaches us both giving me a nod.
"This maybe our only window!" he comments, before turning to everyone who was still moving. "Soldiers! Retreat!!!!!!"
Thankfully seeing Eren climb onto a horse with Mikasa, I knew we had everything under control. Lena flicks her reigns sharply, as we began charging head on to the walls without thinking a second thought. Following along with the formation, we continue galloping forth as the moon rose high in the sky.
*
WALL ROSE - (3rd POV:)
Everyone safely made it back to the wall, without the armoured giving chase after them. The moon had risen to the night sky, with stars scattered across the darkness giving some light. Lena aided Akira to the top, while helping Erwin to the top of Wall Rose. He's lost so much blood lost, he was on the brink of passing out. Akira holds him up, with every bit of strength she had.
Lena however was trying to ease Akira, by aiding him.
Akira refused to let go of him while her breath grew heavier than before, like she was seeing stars blocking her vision. Torches lit up the faces of the exhausted and remaining soldiers, while previous soldiers that awaited for the remaining Mp's that were mostly devoured.
"Hurry this recruit needs medical attention!"
"Where did the Military brigade go?!"
Questions started to overwhelm the Corporal, when suddenly Erwin's heavier body collapses to his knees. She grunts in response, but blood heavily draws from where his arm was torn off. His eyes were growing hazier by the second, while still clinging onto Akira tightly on her arm.
"Commander!!!! Someone exclaims. "Hey, can you hear me Commander?!"
"He's about to pass out! Corporal help us?!" A soldiers pleads, while she was on the verge of collapse herself. She places a serious expression with a firm nod, but she couldn't fully breath through her nose. Seething through her teeth, she slowly lifts him back up.
"Get him in the wagon," She orders firmly, ignoring her throbbing head and body that hounded her. "He's lost too much now, and hurry!"
Lena stood there in shock, hating to see Akira doing this to herself.
She barely rested for about a week, hasn't had food for two days, fought titans all night long, been burned and god knows what Reiner and Bertholdt inflicted upon her and has gained some kind of fever. She's enduring it all, and none of the soldiers understand. Her hands balled into fists, feeling her jaw clamp down tightly in frustration.
Akira didn't understand herself in why she was stubborn, and placing the Commander first.
She couldn't allow him to die like this, especially after a retrievable mission and still lost many soldiers in the end. About at least a hundred of them went to retrieve mainly Eren, but plans switched to saving both the Corporal and Eren. Thought that was the case, everyone assumed Akira tailed the shifter to get Eren back. Partially it was correct, but she was abducted against her will.
She didn't want to overwhelm herself with questions, knowing it will only make her feel sick and sore again.
Erwin's body was slowly laid onto the wagon on top of the wall, as many soldiers surrounded him to his aid. Torches were lit carefully around, needing to secure a safe path back to Trost. With everything that just happened, Akira knew Commander Nile from the Military Police will be at Erwin's neck, about losing all his men he gained just now. Just to waste away.
"Thank you Corporal," A soldier turns to Akira, while she faintly heard him.
Her ears were beginning to ring continuously out of nowhere, recognising this feeling feeling again. Was she able to finally be relieved, now that they've gained Eren back? She wasn't sure whether to relax and not worry, but soon she didn't have full control of her body.
"It's fine," She ensures the soldier, when Lena approaches her.
Her eyes sternly meet hers, placing a concern hand upon her bare shoulder with a light squeeze.
"Akira you need medical attention to--" She pleads only for Akira to smile weakly, heading towards a horse.
"I'm fine.......please? Don--" her body soon sways, finding her world become more dizzier than anticipated. Resting up against the wagon, her other hand rested upon her head feeling her head throbbing painfully. Her fever was taking a toll on her body, as sweat aligns across her hairline. Her body was weighing down, as her knees buckle before collapsing.
"Corporal!!!!!!"
"The Corporal has collapsed!!!!!"
Multiple soldiers ran towards her as she seemed unresponsive, as Lena knelt beside her while panicking. Yes she knew was exhausted, but she was exactly sure how bad Akira's pain was. She knew can endure anything, but lasting for long must've done a number on her. With the help of a few soldiers, they all placed her on the same wagon with Erwin beside her.
"Lena, what happened?" Nifa questions in alarm, concern lacing in her voice. "I thought--"
Lena's eyes darken for a moment, drifting upon Akira's unconscious form.
"She's dehydrated, and has been fighting for three days straight," She explains, quietly while soldiers were beginning to head back. The soft crackle of the fire lit torches, allowed Lena to pause for a moment. "She was abducted along with Eren before, and I assume they inflicted some kind of abuse upon her........"
Lena's eyes linger upon the freshly made bruises, that discoloured around Akira's throat and exposed collarbone, that was barely lit from the fire torches. Her heart clenched tightly, while not wanting to leave her Corporals side.
"Shit, she's been through hell and back," Nifa curses, feeling some kind of feeling it would've been. "Anyway.....shall I report this, or will she, when she recovers?"
Lena sighs heavily, as her tensed shoulders relax.
"I don't know, probably wait til she wakes up......she's witnessed it all," She suggests, knowing a blind point of view won't be of use to anyone. Akira saw it all, but what nagged the young assistant was why she was abducted.
What could they possibly want from her?
"Thanks, alright I guess we should start heading back," Nifa insituates, turning on her heel. "Feel free to join me if you want, I'll be up at the front."
Lena nods quietly while not breaking eye contact with Akira, finally seeing her resting. It wasn't the best way to rest, but at least she can close her eyes for a few minutes or at least a few hours. With how much she fought, the Commander would be proud to say she survived, even being the brink of death multiple times in the last three days.
"Everyone we head back to Trost!!!!!!"
Lena hesitantly heads to her horse, that was safely brought up, and hauls herself up upon the stirrups. Flicking her reigns, everyone began heading to Trost knowing a few of the wounded needed serious medical attention. However Lena's eyebrows furrowed together, while a tear quietly rolls down feeling relief wash over her.
"Dammit, you almost scared me," She whispers with a breathy chuckle, wiping away the stray tear. "I thought......you would've left me.....like Renji did."
How she wished he stayed longer.........
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