›–––––––‹
›–––––––‹
There were two young people, sitting together looking out to sea, listening to the waves crash and watching it move away from the shore. The wind made the smell of the sea present, but it was fresh.
[Levi]: You know... when I heard the word sea, I was always curious to know it, now seeing it up close. I realized that I already knew the color and always had it by my side. —Louis turns to look at him, in complete silence, not knowing what he was referring to.—
[Louis]: What do you mean, Levi? —His blonde hair, like his brother Erwin, moved with the wind, his eyes had a shine that made the light blue color stand out in the sight of the black-haired man.—
[Levi]: ... —Levi was silent, his concentration was on that boy, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. Without being able to take his eyes off him, he took Louis's hand to have their hands together.
[Louis]: Levi? —Louis could feel a shiver run through his body.—
When Levi looked at the ocean for the first time, its color seemed strangely familiar. It was when he realized that he already knew him, he was always seeing him in Louis' eyes.
But the moment was interrupted when the sky, which was as blue as the sea, turned gray. At the bottom of the sea, the color red was seen
Our names are (Y/n) (L/n) and Eren Jaeger... We are using the power of the Founding Titan and the Blood of the (L/n) to address all of Ymir's subjects.
We have undone the hardening of Paradis Island's walls and the Titans buried within have begun their march. Our goal is to protect the people of Paradis Island, the place where we born
However, the world wants to exterminate our people, and not just on the island. They will not stop until every last Subject of Ymir is dead. We refuse to let them.
The past never dies. Let's smash everything that's in the way...
The Wall Titans will trample every inch of the world beyond this island until every last life beyond our shores is wiped out.
Louis gasped when he heard those voices, he was left in a state of shock as the place changed, that blue sea was now just sand while in front, he looked at a giant tree of lights and a black sky.
Louis opened his eyes suddenly, it had all been a dream, he let out a sigh as he turned to see Levi with his eyes closed.
›–––––––‹
All the people who lived in Marley gasped at what had happened, some were confused and others were scared.
[...]: Are you okay, Mr. Leonhart? —
Annie's father stayed on his knees looking at the ground in fear, sweating cold because of what had just happened.
[Mr. Leonhart]: Did you hear that? They're coming... The Titans are coming to kill us all. —He mutters, feeling the beads of sweat run down his forehead, they were going to die.—
›–––––––‹
The Colossal Titans continued walking, leaving a trail of heat along the way. Reiner had emerged from his titan after protecting Gabi from the rubble of the former walls, now he and Gabi were searching for Falco.
[Gabi]: Falco! Where are you? —She shouts, placing a hand on the edge of her lips to increase her tone towards the surroundings, Reiner walked behind her with his gaze downcast, holding parts of his body that hurt when the rubble fell on top of him.—
[Reiner]: The first time you come back from being a Titan, your memories are shot, and you can't move at first. —He was explaining, it could be that Falco was lying in a place after eating Porco.— They must've taken him away..
[Gabi]: Who? Why? —She looks over her shoulder at him, scared by those words.—
[Reiner]: Probably Jean and Connie... They wouldn't let someone as important as Falco just lie there. —His voice was cut off by the pain, a whimper left his mouth as he clutched his belly.— Not one of the Nine Titans... —Reiner fell to the ground, Gabi looks at him worried and runs towards him.—
[Gabi]: Reiner! Are you out of energy? —
[Reiner]: My armor came undone for some reason. —On one side, there was a large blood stain while steam came out of that same wound.— And then I took a hit from part of the wall. I couldn't stop them. Eren and (Y/n) are going to destroy the entire world. —
Gabi gasps at the thought that all of her Marley people were going to get murdered. After a while they walked towards a house in good condition, they both entered and Reiner leaned against the wall with labored breathing, Gabi closed the door in silence.
[Reiner]: We have airships in the south. Find Pieck or some Marleyan soldiers and run. —He turns to look at her.— You have to bring the news to Marley... No, the whole world...—
[Gabi]: Okay, then what? Where can we run? —Reiner looked away, keeping her on the ground.— Mom, Dad, Aunt Karina, and everyone are gonna die, aren't they? —Reiner nods, breathing.— We have to kill Eren and (Y/n) and stop the Rumbling! —
[Reiner]: We can't —Reiner kept his gaze on the ground, he had the thought that everything is lost for them.— The Founding Titan can manipulate the other Titans and the Subjects of Ymir however it seems fit. Nobody can stop Eren and (Y/n) anymore. All we can do is run. —
[Gabi]: Reiner.. —Reiner closed his eyes, fainting on the spot, or well... resting after so much. Gabi frowns, getting up to go to a mirror in the house, and tie her hair with a bun back.— Like hell I'm giving up here. I'm coming, Falco —
Before leaving in search of Falco, he left food next to Reiner while he rested. As the Colossal Titans continued walking, Armin and the group were in the same place they were before, this time with Jean and Connie holding Skinny.
[Jean]: It's over. I never thought they'd kill all of humanity outside the walls. If they all go away, so will all the hatred. —Mikasa, Armin and Connie were watching Jean place a blanket over Falco's mouth, who was unconscious.— Everyone who was trying to kill us will be crushed flat, leaving behind nothing but flat emptiness. The thing all those people overseas feared the most has come to pass. And it's all because they decided we were devils and tried to kill us. So this is something they brought on themselves. —He looks up to see the group— Just the consequences of their own actions. Right?
[Armin]: But this is just too much. It's an unprecedented massacre.
[Jean]: Then what? You wanna stop him? You wanna stop her? —Armin gasps, looking towards the Titans, thinking about (Y/n). Will he have the strength to stop her?— Eren and (Y/n) stopped Zeke from trying to sterilize us with his euthanasia plan. Eren stopped the government from sacrificing Historia to keep the Founder's power alive. Even though (Y/n) hated Historia, he still helped her in her own way. Eren and (Y/n) is sacrificing everyone out there to protect us. We're the ones who stand to benefit from this massacre.
🕊🕊~~~~🕊🕊
[Eren]: Because you're important to me. More than anyone else.
🕊🕊~~~~🕊🕊
Those words from Eren from the past passed through everyone's heads, but one special one passed another memory, especially of him and (Y/n). Armin kept his gaze on those titans, remembering the look (Y/n) gave him the last time she looked at him, when they had that talk at the restaurant. But the moment was interrupted by an explosion in one place
[Armin]: What the..—The group watched as the Scouts fought the formerly human Titans, the ones Zeke had transformed.— The titans! They're fighting our soldiers! —Some tried to dodge the Titans' attacks so they could hit them in the back of the head, but others were not so lucky and were grabbed or eaten.— Did they already eat all the Marleyans? That can't be right. If Eren's obtained the Founder, he should be able to control all the Titans!
[Jean]: Well, they're eating our friends! We've gotta help! —Jean wanted to go help, but Mikasa stops him by grabbing his arm.—
[Mikasa]: Wait, Jean —Jean turns to look at her.— What about this boy?
[Jean]: I'm pretty sure this kid inherited the Jaw Titan. We can't leave him here, but if we feed him to a Titan, we can save someone. Like Commander Pix-
[Connie]: No —Connie speaks, getting everyone's attention.— My mom. We're feeding him to my mom in Ragako Village. Okay?
[Armin]: Connie. Jean. According to Zeke, that kid's a warrior candidate. He's training under Reiner in the warrior unit. If we kill this kid they love so much, we'll just be starting another conflict with Reiner and the Cart Titan. Marley's about to fall. We shouldn't be fighting them now. So-
[Connie]: So what, my mom doesn't matter?
[Armin]: That's not what I- —Connie grabs the collar of Armin's uniform, glaring at Armin angrily.—
[Connie]: Do you have any idea how I feel every time I go back to visit my village? You ate Bertolt, so you got to come back to life! Don't you stop me from reviving my mom!
Mikasa yells at the two as a Titan ran towards them, destroying everything in its path. The Titan crashed into the house where they were, Jean jumped to the other side, making Falco fall next to him. Connie took advantage of the moment to grab Falco and leave with him in her arms, he is going to save his mother.
[Armin]: Connie!
[Jean]: This is bad. We have to do something about all these Titans —In front of them, there was a group of Titans coming towards them.— This island doesn't have walls anymore!
Inside the HQ, Yelena was looking out the window while men spoke fearfully behind her.
[Onyankopon]: Yelena, get away from the window —He puts his hand on Yelena's shoulder to push her but the girl did not move from her place.—
[Yelena]: These are the Titans Zeke created. Why isn't he controlling his Titans?
Yelena stared at the Titans who were climbing the walls of the HQ. On the lowest floors of the HQ, there were some cadets with no weapons, but a Titan broke the wall, taking everyone as future food for the other Titans.
Kaya and the rest of the Braus family, along with Nicolo, all ran down an alley while a medium-sized Titan chased them. Kaya gasped, looking over her shoulder at the Titan, which caused her to not look forward. Nicolo yelled at her but it was not in time, Kaya had hit her face and fell down the stairs.
Mr. Braus tried to go with Kaya, but Nicolo stopped him when the Titan jumped forward. Now Kaya had that Titan in front of her, Kaya's eyes watered as she remembered what happened to her mother when she was a child.
[Kaya]: No. Not again.. —The Titan raised his head, staring at her.— Help me, Sasha..
Mr. Braus tried to go save Kaya but Nicolo stopped him. Before the Titan attacked Kaya, a bullet rang out and hit her face, blood flying into the air. The others gasp and see Gabi, who quickly got up and reloaded the gun and started running towards Kaya.
[Gabi]: Kaya! Get up!
Gabi climbed some boxes and pushed herself up to reach the height of the Titan's face, digging the tip of the gun into his hands and pressed the trigger. The back of the Titan's head flew into the air as blood fell to the ground like a waterfall. Kaya opened her eyes when she noticed Sasha in front of her, her tears came out so quickly when she noticed the image of Sasha with the same clothes that she had when she saved her as a child.
[Kaya]: Sasha?
›–––––––‹
Gabi was with Mr. Braus and Nicolo, while Kaya was with the others crying.
[Nicolo]: I heard you ran away with the warrior unit. What are you doing here?
[Gabi]: They've got Falco, and I'm going to rescue him
[Mr. Braus]: Ya mean Ben?
Two Scouts appeared on the roofs of the houses, asking if they were okay but were surprised by the body of the Titan behind the family. They both noticed Gabi, yelling that she was Marley's and the enemies, Kaya was staring at Gabi before yelling
[Kaya]: No, she's not! We're just a family that lives in a barn!
Kaya was screaming, being in front of Gabi, who looked at her surprised by what she did. Nicolo grabs Gabi's gun, before shouting
[Nicolo]: I'm the one who killed the Titan! I was a captive Marleyan soldier, so I know how to use this gun!
[Lisa]: That don't matter right now! Ya gotta take us someplace safe!
Everyone started shouting for help, while Gabi looked at everyone in surprise, they were worrying about her and her safety. The Scouts look at each other before nodding and turning their gazes to the family.
[Scout]: Okay. We'll start by avoiding the fire!
Mr. Braus put his hand on Gabi's shoulder, crouching down to her height.
[Mr. Braus]: Y'hear me, Mia? —Gabi makes a small movement with her head, looking— Take Ben and get outta here. But until ya do, ya gotta stay with us an' lay low.
[Gabi]: Yes, sir
After a while, the family began to walk with the Scouts staring at them above the rooftops.
[Scout]: Did you have that funny dream, too?
[Mr. Braus]: Yes. Are the Titans o' the walls really...
[Scout]: Yeah. Sure looks like it.
[Gabi]: Why did you protect me? —Gabi had her gaze on the ground, not understanding why Kaya helped her after killing someone as important as Sasha.—
[Kaya]: You first. Why did you save me? You could've died —Gabi didn't say anything, keeping her gaze on the ground.— I tried to kill you. I'm a devil, aren't?
[Gabi]: No. I'm the devil —Kaya gasps and looks at her.— I've killed so many people just because I wanted to be recognized. That's the devil in me.
[Nicolo]: That devil's in everybody. You, Kaya, everybody. We've all got a devil inside us. That's why all this is happening —Gabi and Kaya stop, looking at him—
[Gabi]: Then what should we do?
[Nicolo]: Leave the forest. It might not be simple, but we at least have to keep trying.
›–––––––‹
In the same headquarters, a Titan was about to eat a bespectacled cadet named Surma, but as he was about to be eaten, a figure flew towards his nappe and slashed the Titan to death, landing on top of the body.
[Keith]: I don't remember teaching you maggots to stand there and piss yourselves when you face a Titan! Put on some maneuver gear! We still have some old models lying ground! —Keith turned to the cadets, looking at them.— Come with me! If any of you want to survive this, do as I say!
Yelena was still in front of the window, she didn't move even though there was a Titan that was about to grab her but Mikasa appeared and killed the Titan. The giant body fell to the side of Yelena, who still did not move.
[Jean]: Anybody that's still alive! Gather up on to the top floor of the fortress! We'll get the Titans together and kill 'em all at once! —He yelled at every person alive in the place.— Bring all the Thunder Spears you can carry! We'll take care of the rest! Don't let any of these Titans run away! —The cadets and Scouts heeded Jean's words, doing what he said.— If you feel sorry for your Titanized comrades, then takes a stand and end their suffering!
All the Scouts were looking towards the Titans who were trying to get to them. Jean made the signal to attack and everyone began the attack of the Thunder Spears, exploding the nape the Titans that were stuck to the wall.
The cadets who were around the city, called attention so that the Titans followed them until they collided with the wall, at the top of that wall, the group was preparing for the next attack, until Armin saw a Titan in specific just like Jean
[Armin]: Commander Pixis...—Mikasa and Armin remembered the moment where they met him with Eren and (Y/n), but were interrupted by Jean, who took a step forward.—
[Jean]: Let's do this...
Mikasa, Armin and Jean jumped off the wall towards the Titans.
[Armin]: Commander... You guided us as far as you possibly could..—Armin dodged the Pixis Titan's blow, going towards his nape, launching a Thunder Spears and exploding it, killing the Pixis commander.— Rest in peace..
The others did the same with the other Titans, while Keith Shadis killed Titans the old fashioned way. Louise flew through the fire and gasped as she was approaching a Titan, but Mikasa killed him before she arrived, saving her in the process. She was looking at her, that an explosion was created very close to her, burning her.
The last Titan fell to the ground, while there was fire all around. Now there was only the sight of the colossal Titans that continued walking
[Jean]: The fires have died down... —Onyankopon and Jean were looking ahead, while the others were silent.— All the Marleyan soldiers are dead, and the Pure Titans have been wiped out. We should be safe here for now.
[Onyankopon]: Okay. I'd like you to tell us about that vision now. What is Eren doing? What is (Y/n) doing?...
[Jean]: Exactly what it looks like...
[Onyankopon]: Okay.. —He frowned, pursing his lips.— Is my homeland done for, do you think?.. —He asked, Jean said nothing and stayed silent.—
[...]: Floch!.. —A cadet screamed when he saw Floch being helped by another— Are you okay?
[Floch]: I hear you took charge of Titan clean-up while I was busy dying next to the wall, Jean
[Jean]: You're alive?
[Floch]: Yeah, thanks your concern. I can't kick the bucket just yet... —Floch smiles at him, there was a bandage on his head from the blow he had when the wall fell.— Not when the Eldian Empire is about to return from the dead...—Floch approached Yelena, who was sitting with a lost look, Floch put the tip of his weapon on her head.—Yelena, assemble the volunteer soldiers. You're all under arrest...
[Jean]: What?... —Jean stands up, surprised by Floch's words.—
Armin and Mikasa were walking with Mr. Braus down some stairs.
[Armin]: I'm glad to see you're safe, Mr. Braus...
[Mr. Braus]: I'm glad you kids made it, too. I'm sorry to trouble ya at a time like this.. —The three arrived, and saw the whole family and also... Gabi. Armin opened his eyes when he saw her.—
[Armin]: It's you.. What are you doing here?
[Gabi]: I don't want to fight you anymore. You have to believe me. I just want you to give Falco back. Then we'll go away. Somewhere you'll never have to see us again... —Mikasa and Armin look away, Gabi lets out a silent gasp in fear at the answer to Falco's whereabouts.— Where's Falco?...
[Armin]: Connie took him to save his mother, who was turned into a Titan years ago.
[Gabi]: No.. He got kidnapped to get fed to someone's Titan mom? Why?..
[Armin]: Connie's mother was the only one that couldn't move, so we left her there. He kept checking up on her for four years...
Gabi gasped before falling to her knees in front of Armin.
[Gabi]: I'm so sorry. But... I still can't give up on Falco... —She approached Armin, with a pleading look while Armin just looked at her in silence.— Hey, couldn't Eren Jaeger turn Connie's mother back into a human? Or can she do it (Y/n) (L/n) being of royal blood? The Founder Titan can do anything, can't it?...
[Armin]: I don't know, but if he could, I think he would've turned the Titans Zeke made here back to normal...
[Gabi]: If you don't know, then ask them! Does he really have to kill everyone outside the island? They don't have to do that! Why can't they just attack military bases instead of killing everyone? Eren even stripped Reiner's armor! They can do anything!...
[Mikasa]: Where is Reiner right now?
[Gabi]: What does that matter? He's too injured to move!... —Armin put his hands on her shoulders, looking at her with a desperate expression.—
[Armin]: The Armored Titan's hardening came undone? When was this?...
[Gabi]: When the walls came down...
[Mikasa]: Armin?..
[Armin]: Eren said... he'd undo all the hardening...
Where before was the glass where Annie was imprisoned, it was now broken as she was gasping for air while her body was soaked, she was now free.
›–––––––‹
Preview...
Once a friend, and once an enemy. The clock's hands begin to move once more, revealing a changed worlds.
What choice will she make?
Next Episode: "Sunset"