Clash of Titans(4)

Eren couldn't believe that the murderers of humanity were beside him all this while. The ones who broke the gate of Shiganshina on that fateful day and drove humanity within the walls to the verge of extinction. They could never atone enough for all the suffering caused.

And for killing his mother.

The revelation that Reiner and Bertholdt were the culprits made him so overcome with rage that he couldn't bring himself to keep still. He had awoken earlier to find himself bound in ropes and his hands cut off.

Judging from the humongous fingers that formed a dome around him, he was most likely covered by the Armored Titan's hand.

The loud thumping noises told him they were bringing him somewhere, but where?

Surprisingly though, his mouth wasn't gagged. He had tried several times unsuccessfully earlier to transform; the injuries inflicted on him were probably too much - his hands still hadn't fully regenerated.

"Give up, Eren. You won't be able to escape."

Bertholdt finally spoke, he had been quietly watching from his side all this time.

"Why?" Eren asked, his voice low.

"What …?"

"Shiganshina. Don't play dumb. You bastard!"

Bertholdt's eyes snapped away. "It's not like we had a choice …"

"Stop kidding! So many people met their demise at the hands of titans. Tens of thousands directly and indirectly as a result… children and families brutally torn apart, dying a slow gruesome death at the hands of the titans you've unleashed into the town." He dropped his gaze, "Including my mother … she couldn't escape because a boulder from the gate you destroyed landed on my house."

Eren slowly closed his eyes.

He could still recall the last words he heard his mother speak in a choked, sobbing voice; telling him and Mikasa to survive while Hannes carried them away. And he watched helplessly as the smiling titan picked her up from the rubble, before tearing her cruelly apart and feeding on her mutilated corpse.

It was a scene he could never forget.

"You know about that, don't you? I shared that with you during our cadet days. Just … just what did you think when you heard it?" His eyelids parted, and he spoke the last few words quietly.

"Back then." Bertholdt huddled up in a corner. "I felt very sorry for you."

Eren felt like he was going to puke.

"I see ... You're just mass murderers, after all, massacring people who did nothing wrong. Calling you an animal is an insult to animals. Reiner and you are a bunch of deranged psychopathic lunatics!"

A heavy, deafening silence settled over the atmosphere.

"You think we don't know that? Who in their right minds would want to do such a thing? It's not like we could choose. What would you like; for us to apologize and beg for your forgiveness … To repent? Would that make you happy? "

"To forgive is up to God. But to send you and Reiner to meet Him … that's my role." He said. "I promise, I'll make sure both of you suffer the worst death possible! You hear me? Especially you … REINER!"

Betholdnt's jaw hung slack. He then shook his head and stood.

"Why am I even trying to explain, it's not like you'd understand. We'll be bringing you back to our hometown, Eren."

" … Hometown?"

"It's somewhere faraway … somewhere beyond the sea." Bertholdt looked away, staring at the gaps between the huge fingers where sunlight peeked through.

Eren scoured his brain, trying to make sense of what Bertholdt said. If it was somewhere beyond the sea ... This meant there was civilization outside the walls - but what exactly were Bertholdt and Reiner after?

Then he heard the sound of flares being fired.

The Survey Corps, they've finally come to rescue him!

"I-Impossible! How did they catch up to us this quickly? We haven't even managed to reach the forest to rest! This is bad!" Bertholdt turned to face him, forcefully tying a piece of gag in his mouth.

Eren tried his best to scream. He wasn't going to let Bertholdt have it easy. If he could do anything to slow them down, he would try.

"Reiner, you need to speed up! We have to reach the forest first! If the Survey Corps begin their pursuit there in ODM gear we can wear out their gas, their horses won't be able to navigate the area!"

Once Bertholdt had finished yelling, the Armored Titan quickened. Eren could feel his body shaking even more than before due to the increase in momentum. He used his legs to thrust himself right at Bertholdt but missed by a hair's breadth.

The man sent a kick right in his stomach, slamming him on the ground.

He Ignored the pain, stood up once more and charged at Bertholdt. The best he could do was to keep being a nusiance and do what he could to split his attention.

Hopefully the Survey Corps had a plan, breaking the Armored Titan's protective layer was impossible with just their blades.

=====

Beneath the orange sky, several red flares rose - curling and spiraling towards the clouds.

"Multiple titans from the right," Miche said, beads of perspiration forming on his face.

"We can't afford to dodge them." Erwin shot an orange round north, maintaining their course. "The sun will be setting soon, catching up with our foes as quickly as possible is our utmost priority."

It was the worst-case scenario. An orange flare meant abandoning the normal strategy of avoiding battles and minimizing losses - it was essentially an order to kill all titans that stood in their way. Aside from the 57th Expedition, this was the second time he had to use it.

His eyes darted east, west and north, again and again, assessing the situation.

Two more flares rose into the air; from the left this time. Then another few more from the front; black flares mixed in among them.

"I'll head to the left flank, most of the garrison and military police are there. The titans will probably be too much for them to handle." Miche said.

"Wait …" He lifted a hand, his attention focused on a figure who was closing in.

"C-Commander!" The soldier pulled up beside him. "The front recon unit has sighted the Armored Titan!"

Miche's brows pinched. "What's the strategy now, Erwin? We still have to break the armor around him."

"..." He kept his silence for a moment amidst the galloping hooves. "In front of us, where does it stink the most?"

"The right."

He had his answer.

Now all he needed was someone to slow the Armored Titan down. Even if they couldn't damage it, their presence was bound to distract him and affect him in one way or another.

It was unfortunate that the Levi Squad wasn't around. Due to the urgency of the matter, he didn't have time to summon them to participate in the rescue mission. At least Miche's was here. Their two squads boasted the strongest offensive power in all of the Survey Corps, in no small part thanks to the combat prowess of their leaders.

"Send a message to Hange, she is to act as the commander in my absence. I'll be going to lure some of the titans. Have squads seven through nine to follow me." He barked. "The rest of the formation is to merge with the central unit and prepare for battle!"

"So that's your plan." Miche looked at him. "But you'll be charging headfirst into a group of titans on flat ground. It's too risky."

"Our enemies are people prepared to risk everything for the sake of victory. The last expedition taught us that. We can't win without doing that as well." he said. "I need you to go for the e-

"The eyes." Miche finished his sentence for him. "Eren managed to disable it in the Battle of Trost. It should slow him down considerably if I can do so."

"Get Mikasa and Natalie to assist you too. Remember not to be too reckless."

Aside from Miche, there wasn't anyone else in the Survey Corps capable of such a feat with him right now.

"You're one to speak ..." His friend sighed. "Don't die on me, Erwin."

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