Lost In Oblivion

The warm sunlight struggled to pierce the misty glass of the window, casting a feeble glow across Eren's face in the District of Odel. He lay unconscious, his body battered from the fierce battle with the kidnappers. Their lifeless forms were now mingled with the smoldering ruins of the cabin that had been reduced to ashes.

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*Gunshot*

The bullet ripped through Eren's abdomen, embedding itself deeply. A guttural cry escaped his lips as a brutal punch sent him sprawling beside his father. His vision blurred, fading to black.

"Eren... Son.... Stay... Stay with me," Grisha's voice was a strained whisper, his breath ragged as he clung to life. Eren's eyes fought to stay open, locked on the door where his loved ones had been taken.

Suddenly a sizzling sound followed by a tortured scream that tore from Eren's throat as he jolted awake, pain slicing through him. His gaze flitted from his dead uncle to his father, who gripped a searing dagger in one hand, his other pressed against his bleeding chest. Grisha's lips curled into a faint, warm smile even as he coughed up blood. "Sorry... I know it hurts... Hahaha..." With a final, shuddering breath, Grisha collapsed, his energy spent.

Grisha had used his last strength to heat the dagger's blade in the fireplace, melting the flesh around Eren's wound after extracting the bullet with his trembling hands. "Da... Dad..." Eren's voice was barely a whisper as he struggled to sit up. At just eight years old, the pain was nearly unbearable.

Grisha's labored breathing filled the room, his chest rising and falling with a slow, agonizing rhythm. Flickering candlelight cast haunting shadows on the walls as he struggled to speak, his voice a frail murmur. "M...my son... I... I'm sorry... I failed you..."

A tear escaped Grisha's eye, tracing a sorrowful path down his cheek as his spectacles slipped further down his nose. Eren's jaw tightened, his voice quivering. "Stop talking, Dad... You'll be alright... Just stay awake, I'll get help..."

The old wooden floor creaked as Eren moved closer, the smell of smoke, sweat, and blood heavy in the air, a grim reminder of their desperate struggle.

Grisha's trembling hand moved from his chest to his neck, revealing a golden, rusty key on a worn leather cord. "This....Your dad, Eren Kruger, wanted me to give it to you... when you turn ten... but I don't think... I'll be lucky enough to see you grow up... into a fine young man..."

A wistful, sorrowful smile touched Grisha's lips as he handed the key to Eren, his eyes filled with longing. "Dad... Please don't..." Eren's head hung low, tears streaming down his face as he clutched the key.

A tear escaped Grisha's eyes sliding down his pale cheeks," Please... Save Carla I beg you..." Eren nodded wiping away tears from his green eyes reassuring Grisha.

Grisha's final words were a gentle whisper, his voice fading into the stillness. "Eren... Don't cry, Eren... I'll... I'll visit you in your dreams..." With that, Grisha's body relaxed, his chest still, his eyes fixed on Eren's face.

Eren remained, the key clutched tightly in his hand, his eyes swollen with grief. The flickering candlelight seemed to mourn with him, casting eerie shadows as he whispered, "I love you, Dad... Rest in peace."

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"Eren... Eren." Levi's voice cut through the silence like a blade, piercing the fog of grief surrounding Eren's fragile form. Eren's eyes, like shards of emerald, fluttered open, tears cascading down his pale cheeks. The candlelight danced across his face, casting shadows that mirrored the turmoil within.

Eren's breath came in shaky gasps, his nose reddened from crying. "D... Dad?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

Suddenly, he was enveloped in a warm embrace. "Eren... I was so worried," Petra's voice was muffled against his shoulder. Eren clung to her, seeking comfort.

Levi stood beside the bed, arms crossed and gaze lowered. "Petra, let him rest. He's hurt," he said, his tone firm but gentle.

Petra's tears soaked into the bandage around Eren's shoulder. "How did it come to this?" she whispered, her hand soothingly stroking Eren's hair.

Levi repeated, "Petra, let him rest," and after a reluctant moment, she released Eren, who wiped away his tears.

Eld appeared beside him, worry etched on his face. "Looks like you're finally awake, Eren."

Gunther, trying to lighten the mood, chuckled. "C'mon guys our little guy won't give up so easily, right?"

Oluo ruffled Eren's hair, and Eren nodded, mustering a weak attempt at strength.

At that moment, Hange and Erwin entered the room. Eren's gaze shifted to them, and he attempted to rise to salute, but Erwin's voice halted him.

"Eren, stop don't." Erwin said softly, his expression reflecting concern.

Hange smiled warmly at him. "Commander!" Eren's voice was firm despite his exhaustion.

"Glad to see you awake," Erwin said, his eyes fixed on Eren.

Eren nodded, his fingers crossed, eyes locked on Erwin. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Commander!" Eren replied trying to sound strong, though his voice quavered slightly

Erwin smiled, understanding Eren's effort to mask his pain. "How did I end up here? The last thing I remember was collapsing by the cabin..."

Erwin's expression turned somber. "Levi found you unconscious near the cabin. Your breathing was faint, but he somehow managed to transport you to the nearest treatment center."

Eren's gratitude was palpable. "But Commander, you were heading out on an expedition... Then how did you found me?"

Erwin's gaze grew serious. "The Levi Squad wanted their companion alongside them on the expedition, so we stopped by the Ackermans' place. There, we found the bodies of Grisha Yeager and Jacob Ackerman."

Eren's eyes widened in shock realizing that the whole expedition got cancelled only because of him.

"Thanks to the blood trail you left, Levi tracked you easily," Erwin continued. "That was a smart move."

Eren's gaze shifted to Levi, tears welling up. "Thank you, Levi... I..."

Levi's expression softened. "It's alright. Focus on recovering. I don't want my disciple skipping training over a minor injury."

Eren nodded, a small smile touching his lips.

Suddenly, a look of concern crossed his face. "And what about Mom, Mikasa, and Aunt Karol? Are they...?"

Levi interrupted gently, "While I was tracking you, I found them running towards their home. They asked for my help. . Erwin ensured they were safe and took them to Shiganshina, to your house while I went before you. As for your dad and uncle, they're buried in the Maria graveyard."

Eren's face reflected a whirlwind of emotions as he absorbed the news. "I see..." he whispered.

Levi prepared to leave, saying, "I'll write them a letter to visit you, Eren."

Eren's attention snapped to Levi. "Wait... Do they know I'm here?"

Levi shook his head. "I didn't have time to inform them that I found you. And I guess Erwin didn't tell them either. " So apparently they are clinging to the possibility that Eren somehow survived. Eren's gaze shifted that Erwin. " That's true I left shiganshina right after ensuring they are safe."

Eren nodded, his thoughts drifting. "Commander, can I ask a favor?" he asked, eyes locked on Erwin.

Erwin's curiosity was piqued. "Of course, what is it?"

Eren's voice was firm yet tinged with pain. "Please tell them that I didn't make it and that I was burned to death alongside the kidnappers."

The room fell into stunned silence. Levi's face reddened with anger. "What are you saying? Do you realize what you're asking?"

Eren's grief gave way to determination. "I understand perfectly, Levi."

Erwin's voice broke the tension. "And why is that, Eren?"

Eren's voice cracked with emotion.

" Commander it's better if I'm dead for them. I.... I don't have the courage to face them."

A tear escaped Eren's eye as he clenched his teeth, his feelings laid bare. He knew that if he returned, his family's pain would only deepen due to the upcoming expeditions, and what if he died fighting Titans, their grief would be unbearable. It was better for them to let go of him and move forward, rather than suffer endlessly.

The silence in the room was suffocating, each second pressing down on Eren like a physical weight. His fists were clenched, his knuckles white with tension. He whispered into the oppressive quiet, "It's better if they live without me."

Levi's eyes narrowed, a bitter line forming on his lips. "Idiot," he muttered, his voice lacking its usual harshness.

Erwin's voice, calm and deliberate, cut through the tension. "Very well, Eren... I'll visit them with Hange."

Levi's disbelief was evident, his eyes widening. "Even you?"

Erwin's response was steady but laden with weight. "It's his choice, Levi. I don't want to force him, nor do I want him separated from his loved ones... but it's his decision. Only God knows what he's endured. And do you think that he wants to leave them himself?" His words were a deep, raw wound.

The finality in Erwin's voice lingered as he left the room, the door closing with a soft thud. The room was now filled with a heavy, oppressive silence, like dust settling.