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PRESENT - SHIGANSHINA - (Akira's Pov:)

This pain burned through my chest, as it was lit by a fire.

He briefly summarised his story, but ever word that came from his mouth was the truth. The further he spoke, the further my anger was surfacing. Killing our clan, without a single ounce of remorse, killing my grandfather.....my grandmother...but why do I feel anger?

I never met them, never grew up with my clan.....so why do I feel so angry?

"Is that it?" my voice utters out, still kneeling upon my knees before him. "How could you have done such things? How could those Marleyan's allow such.......a monster, to roam and do as he pleases?"

"Corporal," Lena breaths out, her blade still at a threatening distance from behind his spine.

He's killed many people in his life, not just Marley's soldiers......but his own people. I can't allow such a man to live any longer, despite my blood relations to him....

Standing up slowly I could see a puddle of blood, his knees an inch deep from his bleeding arm. His skin grew pale, but all I could was a cocky grin curling upon his lips and bloody stained teeth.

"You were the reason, why the clan has fallen," He sneers, spitting blood at my feet. "A child that should never been born, a life wasted on such a damned bitch! This is true dishonour to our family, to me."

Drawing my blade within seconds, a shadow casts over my eyes, the sharp tip of the steel grazed his throat, drawing a fine line with blood. His breath hitches in his throat, sweat gliding down his temple nervously as his adams apple bops up and down whilst swallowing thickly.

"You're the dishonour, for turning your back on our clan," my tone shifts more dangerously, as my gaze pierces into his own.

He scoffs dryly, "No, you and your family were the cowards, for turning your back on our clan," he seethes through his teeth, making me feel sick to the core. My wound throbs painfully, but I plant my feet firmly on the ground.

Lifting my chin, my eyes gaze down with disgust, "Though you lacked nothing, you only gained enemies........so let's see if death will rectify your actions."

His eyes bore into mine, but I'm done hesitating.

Gathering strength in my arm, my grip tightens before swiftly slicing across his throat in seconds. Blood splatters across the earthy soil, before his body falls forward into the bloody puddle. Though I could feel eyes on me, all I felt was anger and frustration with conflicted emotions flooding all over.

He was already dying, losing too much with his arm and he knew.....but he still glared at me with no second in changing himself.......

What a way to die, with your demons....

His blood rolls down my blade, as I swipe it clean off before placing it back into the steel canisters. I could see at the corner of my eye, that Hanji was interrogating Reiner still, and Mikasa was tending to Jean's wounds. Immediately, I realised I must go back to Erwin and quickly.

About to take a step forward, my knees buckle beneath me.

"Corporal!!!!"

A thick metallic substance rolls up my throat, before coughing heavily. Vision blurry with tears, I felt a hand rest upon my back for support. My body shook painfully, as if all my channeling anger and overworked adrenaline has calmed down, feeling the numbness dissipate.

"Shit, you're worse than I thought!" Lena worriedly cries out. "Hanji, what's going on the other side with Levi and the Commander?!"

Hanji's eyes were wide staring at me in shock, before shook her head whilst holding the blade up against Reiner's throat.

"I don't know the current situation with them on the other side," She informs her. "And we don't have the time to go and confirm it ourselves. These titan powers have exceeded our understanding too many times. We thought we had him before. I refuse to underestimate his power again!" she presses more deeply against his throat, blood drawn. "I'll start by beheading him, but that's not enough on it's own!"

Shaking my head I push myself up steadily, my hand pressing firmly against my bleeding wound.

"I'm going to find Levi and the Commander," I stood taller, before turning to Hanji. "Send Mikasa if you have to, if you have.....*Cough*.....any gas left."

"Right,"

"Lena, you stay with hanji until somethings comes up.....alright?" I order firmly, but she shakes her head.

"No, I must go with you," She insists sternly, her eyes almost well up with tears in worry. "Please? Just let me go, I have enough gas to get by......"

Sighing deeply with defeat I nod, "Alright, let's go,"

"Akira!" Hanji calls, making me halt in my steps. "Mikasa will go now, and please evaluate the situation. Refill your gas as well, and retrieve the syringe from Levi, and bring it back here to me. If you're unable to do so, this goes for both of you, then regardless of the reason, fire off a smoke signal....that will be my cue to end Reiner."

Mikasa nods, "Understood,"

Without wasting another second I activate my ODM gear, and flew towards the walls. Lena follows along, as I send Mikasa towards another direction to find Eren and Armin at least. Making our way to the top, the wind pounds against my ears. My heart spikes with worry for Levi, hoping I'm not too late.

Once we finally reach the surface, my eyes fall upon the battlefield, only to choke at the sight.

"W-What......what happened?" my breath shook, landing upon the flat stone. Lena lands just behind me, while my eyes dart around at the sight. Titans steaming one by one around where they stood, but the beast titan........he's fallen? Or has he escaped? I can't make out what had happened, but I could see a sea of corpses in the centre of it all.

"Shit......."

Someone's distant cries turned my attention towards the inner gate, not far from where we both stood. Squinting for a moment, I could make out a few people standing from here. Taking one more glance to the bloody massacre, I usher Lena to head down only to see a red flare being fired.

"Mikasa......"

"She must've found Levi!" Lena exclaims, with somewhat relief.

With speed we head down only to feel my body weakening with every dreading second, but I couldn't black out now. We're not done, and I can't collapse just now without figuring out if Levi is alive and along with my children. Leaning forward we make it upon the rooftop, only to hear Eren pleading desperately to Levi.

"Corporal! Lena! Please, we've got to help him?!" Eren pleads, turning to me.

I couldn't understand what was happening, until my eyes fall upon a burnt body. No.....oh god......Armin. My eyes slowly widen in horror, at the burnt corpse that laid just behind Eren. Turning to Levi, I noticed his body was drenched with blood, but just staring at the corpse left my body sink in dread and guilt.

"Shit.....I.....did this," I utter out, finding fault in my orders and actions. Why did I allow this? Why didn't he tell me? "Lena.....go check on Hanji and the others, and bring them h-here....okay?"

"Yes, ma'am!" before she disperses from the commotion.

"Please?!" Eren cries out, as Levi pulls out the tin box carefully. Slowly he went to pass it to Eren, when someone approaches us from down below the rooftop. My head snaps in the direction, only to find one of the fresh recruits, I easily recognised. Not only was it one of the recruits, but he was carrying Erwin's battered body upon his back.

"Floch?" I question, my breath hitches in my throat.

"L-Levi," His voice trembles. "Captain.....Corporal, I finally found you....It's the Commander. He's hurt! His stomach is gouged, and his insides are all torn to shreds...the blood just won't stop! I thought that injection might be able to him, but......what do you think?"

Levi and I remain deadly quiet, as if he was reconsidering his options. Soon, Levi draws the tin box away from Eren's grasp, trying to figure out a way to make this work. No, only one survives. That was the harsh reality of the options, that were laid out to us.

"Captain Levi....?"

Stepping towards Floch I help him grab Erwin, with Levi aiding me as we gently place him upon the rooftop. Placing my fingers just above his nose and mouth, "It's only faint....but he's breathing," I spoke up, but on the inside my frustration was running thin.

Levi clenches his jaw, "Erwin.......you're alive,"

Glancing over to see Bertholdt's body out cold, I myself was conflicted on who to choose. Pushing myself to my feet slowly, with Levi finally coming up with his decision, "You know what has to happen," he spoke up, meeting my harden gaze. "Erwin gets the shot."

The tension begins to build, before Eren growls standing up towering over Levi threateningly.

"Eren...." Warningly raising my voice, not finding any strength for anything else. My body was past it's limits, and my head was pounding and time was ticking.

"You can't.......you told me you'd use it on Armin," Eren's voice trembles, eyes wide with betrayal. Tears wells in his eyes, while staring Levi down with such a horrified expression.

"I'm going to revive the person who can save humanity," Levi states, settling the next step.

The sound of steel grazing against each other, made me glance over my shoulder to see Mikasa drawing her blades.

Her breath shook with distress, her body trembling knowing she doesn't want to fight us truly. "Mikasa.....don't you dare step closer," I warn her, narrowing my eyes dangerously towards her, not wanting to provoke her further.

"You two....do you have even the faintest damn clue...." Levi breaths out, before growling distinctly. ".....what you're doing?! It's Erwin.....the Commander of the Scouts.....and you're telling me to watch him die? There's no time for this, just get out of my way."

Before Levi could step towards Erwin, Eren grabs the tin box tightly trying to fight for it.

"Eren....check your emotions," Levi reminds him, collectedly.

Eren's breath shook, "Sorry, Captain.....can't do that," standing his ground. "Tell me.....why didn't you give Armin the injection right away?"

"I was thinking about Erwin," Levi replies, steadily. "Considering the chance that he might be alive."

So wait......wasn't Erwin gonna come out of that battle, alive?

"But you couldn't have known that Floch would carry the Commander here," Eren scoffs dryly, shaking his head refusing to believe anything or listen to Levi's reason. "There's no way you would've seen that coming!"

"You aren't wrong, Eren," Levi admits. "But the fact remains, he's here now. So I'll revive him."

Eren gasps frightfully, before trying to forcefully take the tin box away from him. Within seconds Levi sent a heavy punch across the face, with the tin box, sending him flying. Hearing Mikasa gasp loudly, she charges towards Levi and I, as I quickly dodge her blade and tried to push her away. She was filled with such rage, she unexpectedly slices my arm severely.

Gripping my arm for a moment, blood seeping through my fingers, she shoves Levi to the roof and tries to use her blade against his collarbone.

"Hey!!!"

She tries to get the tin box out from his grip, hearing their grunts straining. Judging my Levi's strength, he was indeed exhausted. We all were, and Mikasa was now using it for her own advantage.

"You know just as well as I do," Levi grunts beneath her strength. "Without Erwin's leadership, humanity can't beat the titans!"

"He's right, mikasa," Floch agrees. "Don't be crazy! There's too much at stake here!"

She growls angrily, tears flowing down with overwhelming conflicting anger.

"No.....it's no different if we lose.....Armin," I hear Eren, at the brink of exhaustion himself.

"Eren!"

He weakly pushes himself up, "Think about it, think about what he's done," he sobs, trying to reason with Levi and I. "We used his plan to back Trost with that boulder. He's the one who realised what Annie was. It was his idea to avoid titans by coming here at night. He's the only reason we uncovered Reiner's hiding spot...and the only reason we defeated Bertholdt!! We only got this far, because of Armin!!! I can't save humanity, and neither can the Commander! But Armin can! Tell him, Mikasa!!!"

Mikasa grunts trying to forcefully pry Levi's grip from the tin box, "Please Captain....just let go,"

Floch steps closer to her, while my vision was fading in and out of this point.

"You're just being selfish," Floch bitterly spoke. "Erwin's our leader--"

"No! Shut up!!!!" Mikasa snaps angrily, her eyes dangerously glaring upon the mop haired recruit.

Floch grits his teeth, "What? And why the hell should I? Do you think you're the only ones who suffered through all this?" He retaliates. "Not that you asked, but...on the other side of that walls, there's not a single soldier left alive. The Beast titan threw crushed boulders at everyone. That field is soaked with the blood of my comrades. Commander Erwin was the only survivor I could find. He came up with a plan. Found a way for us to strike back at the beast Titan, and so we did....."

He pauses for a moment, as my eyes steadily watched Mikasa hoping to find a moment to grab her before more blood is shed.

"....My comrades were smashed to bits, just as he'd planned. I'm sure the last thing they felt was fear. All-consuming fear...." He trails off, his voice still trembling. "......when I realised the Commander was still alive, I almost finished him off myself...but then....I recognised that would be a mercy....and I thought to myself, that he ought to taste more of this hell. Suddenly, I understood."

My hand grips my wound, wondering if we give the serum to Armin. Knowing Erwin has done all he can to bring us closer to the truth, was there really nothing else for him to pursue. All he wanted was to see the basement. Nothing else.

"If we wanna stand any chance against the titans, we need a devil!" Floch declares. "I realised that's what Erwin is, and that it's my mission to bring him back! That's why a coward like me outlived the heroes around him. Because Erwin needs to fight on!!! So get out of his way right now!!!"

Suddenly Floch lunges towards Mikasa, as my eyes widen in horror, seeing her swiftly grab her blade and went to attack Floch.

Levi's eyes widen, "Don't do it!!!!"

Pushing off, I finally grabbed her with force, pulling her back with all my strength I've finally gathered as she was distracted. Grabbing her by the under arms, I grip her shoulders from the front preventing her from attacking any further. Hanji and the rest soon appear from behind me, as I held Mikasa down.

"Mikasa.......please....it's gonna be okay," I whisper in her ear, gently cooing to calm herself down. I knew it seems childish, but I could feel her pain. Losing many close comrades, especially ones who were special to you.

Gathering by the rest of the squad gasping in horror, or were utterly speechless at Armin's sacrifice, and Erwin at the brink of death.....they were shocked.

Soon Levi opens the tin can, earning a fearful gasp escaping Mikasa's lips.

Mikasa began to fight through my strong hold, her screaming began to pierce the air with such pain. Holding her tightly to my chest, "I understand how you feel, but most of us are dead!!!!" I inform her, the pain shaking in my voice.

Hanji nods, "Mikasa you have to understand, we can't afford to lose our Commander too!" Hanji agrees, helping me from the side. "The Scouts must endure! If we lose our symbol of hope, we lose everything!"

Mikasa chokes on her sobs, "I know that, but Armin could help us too!" she cries back. "He's special!!!"

"You're right Mikasa, he has an incredible mind!" Hanji agrees, whilst her thrashing began to worsen my wounds. "That said, Erwin is far more experienced, and he's a leader!"

Suddenly Mikasa whacks her head back hitting mine, causing my vision to blur for a moment. The pain begins to throb against my skull, squeezing one eye to ease the discomfort.

"Akira!" Lena and Hanji exclaim in unison, but I pull Mikasa down with every fibre of my being to the tiled rooftop.

"Mikasa....listen to me, I know....there's people I wanna bring back, too," my voice broke, trying to remember the faces of them all. Not one I could recall, or memorise their voices. "Hundreds.....or many more, but you need to understand. You will eventually have to let go of everyone you've ever met......that's the harsh reality I had to face......not just me, Hanji as well.....Levi.....everyone. I know it's tough to accept...."

Closing my eyes, tears flow painfully as I rest my head against hers with a more comforting grip.

".....It's tough for me, too....." my voice shook, my body almost running out of strength to keep myself awake. "....it's hard to stay sane......living like that. It hurts like a bitch, we're not cold-hearted as you make us out to be.......we've just come to terms in accepting the fact we can't bring them back. I practically raised Armin like my own, even from when we lived in Shiganshina......I watched you three grow. It's painful for me to watch you three suffer like this so young.....but all we can do is push forward and keep moving........it's okay..."

Finally after a moment of silence, Mikasa's body gives in to accepting that fact. She soon drops her blades, wrapping her arms around me, silently sobbing into my chest like a child would.

Drifting my fingers through her hair comfortingly, my eyes slowly meets Levi's gaze filled with confliction.

Was he having second thoughts, just now?

Before he could stand up from kneeling, Eren reaches out grabbing his ankle, "Captain, do you......know about.......the sea?" he asks, rhetorically. His face red, bloodied with tears streaming down. "It's like a lake, but enormous. So big that it stretches past the horizon......and it's full of salty water. Armin told m--"

Floch rips Eren's grip from Levi, "Hey! Stop making this harder!" trying to prevent him to convincing Levi.

"He told me there's a sea beyond the walls," Eren continues, as Floch holds Eren up under the arms. "He said that we'd go there together! Thing is, that's been our dream since we were kids. Only I forgot it a long time ago! I want to avenge my mom! I wanna butcher all the titans. The only thoughts left in my head are full of hate! Yeah, and Armin's lost as much as I have, but he just isn't like me. He cares about more than fighting!"

Within moment, Levi stood up turning to us, "Everyone except for Akira, get of here right now!" he warns us. "I don't want Erwin to eat one of you, instead of Bertholdt!"

Slowly standing up Hanji walks over to Mikasa, taking care of her for me. Thanking her quietly, everyone began heading away from the rooftop. Seeing Eren's devastated expression, left my heart aching with discomfort. Finally once it was left to both of us, Levi turns to me whilst still holding the syringe hand.

Grabbing Bertholdt I drag him to the edge, preparing him for the process of transformation.

Gazing down I notice Levi kneeling down where Erwin laid, lowering the syringe to the Commander's arm carefully. Incidentally, Erwin's arm swats away Levi's hand, raising his arm above. "Did he just...?" Levi was in shock.

"Excuse me.....but how can we be sure that there aren't other humans...." Erwin's voice hoarse, wheezing and barely clear. "....living somewhere far away from the walls?"

My eyes were wide in shock, having the urge for myself to cry with how overwhelming this battle has