A Treacherous Dawn (1)

Mina's POV

The events that took place at the Ruins of Utgard Castle were nothing short of terrifying. When Ymir brought me back and forced me to experience how the world should meet its end, I honestly didn't expect a lot since I always compared it to my original world. People were still dying at the hands of the Titans, and there was no complete trust among men. 

However, that place and the scenario that followed still kept me awake at night, wondering just how oblivious the people of Paradis were – Ignorant of its history and the source of their damnation. 

"I see it!" Shouted a soldier that was ahead of us, pointing his arm at the castle in the distance. By the looks of it, nothing has changed. It's a bit disappointing, but following the flow of scenarios is a must. No matter how much I would like to save the four scout regiment soldiers who were protecting our friends and the two traitors, their deaths would ultimately unravel the dark horse in this battle.

The Jaw Titan.

"Titans spotted ahead!" The pace we maintained gradually sped up after hearing those words, as worry, fear, and anger became apparent in everyone's expression. No words were needed, and the first one to act was, unsurprising, Mikasa. I may not see what made her use her maneuver gear, but upon recollection, it must have been Krista. 

That was all it took before the other soldiers disembarked their horses, following in pursuit. I was about to join them, but not until I heard Captain Hange's voice, screaming at a certain soldier that he didn't need to join the attack. 

"Ah," The laugh I made went unnoticed, amused at how aggressive the younger version of my father was currently acting. It was simply a hunch, but when I finally maneuvered myself towards him, worried that something might go wrong, I couldn't help but imagine myself patting my shoulder just when I caught him by the waist, eventually preventing him from crashing on the ground. 

He killed one.

But instead of mulling over that fact, I decided to ignore my current knowledge just to praise Eren for his achievement. "Congratulations on your first kill, Eren! Though you did kill a lot already, in your titan form." 

This world is sick, and I'm one of the humans who continue to stain it.

How disgusting.

"That was close!" He balanced himself out of my grasp and grinned. "That was the second time you caught me. Thanks!" 

"Ah…" I chuckled my way out of embarrassment and regret, knowing full well how fake I sounded to myself. "You're welcome."

"Hey!" If it wasn't for the fact that we knew whose voice that was, there was no way Eren and I could have known that it was directed at us. So, upon seeing them jogging their way toward us, I immediately neutralized my expression, toning down the rage just from seeing those traitors. I'm sure Eren has noticed, considering that he glanced in my direction, and I'm glad that he chose to ignore it. "Eren! Mina!"

"You guys…" 

"Please look after him for me, Connie." That was the last thing I said before maneuvering my way out of that spot and towards the incoming titan.

"You still hate him that much?" Ymir once again startles me just when I finish slicing a titan's nape. "Even after understanding their side of the story?" 

"You tell me," I whisper to myself while tumbling on the nearby pile of rocks. "I chose to remove my memories of the rumbling temporarily. Did I stop hating him back then?"

"No." That was all I needed to hear before targeting another titan out of rage.

***

After rescuing the remaining soldiers at Utgard Castle, the group immediately went to the top of the wall to locate the hole. As someone who knows what truly happened, I believe this is simply a waste of time and resources. However, what happens afterward is a turning point that even I can't merely change.

I purposely separated from the group to properly organize my thoughts and plans, wondering if my preparations before our journey to Wall Rose were sufficient. Besides, I already knew how Kris-Historia and Captain Hange's conversation would go as they concluded that it's best if we made Ymir an ally.

Honestly, learning that Ymir was a titan shifter back in the Second World didn't surprise me. I knew what she was based on my mother's stories about their youth. What shocked me the most was the reason why she exposed herself. It's incomprehensible and illogical, but when it comes to a person's heart, the reason behind the action may sometimes be ignored. 

Like how I practically sacrificed my whole sanity just to bend my parent's destiny. 

Yeah…, I can't say I don't understand why she did it. But knowing what would become of their relationship breaks my heart, even if it's already shattered in the first place. 

"You don't look surprised about this discovery, Mina." 

O my lord, this little fucker-

Annoyed at the fact that someone disturbed my peace, I visibly sighed to show my irritation. "Why do you say that, Reiner?" 

Talking to him was an easy task because I could simply imagine myself talking to a bug. Facing him, however, is a different story. His height is certainly like a fucking building from my current perspective, indirectly increasing my rage, but it's his eyes that trigger me the most. 

He's not the only one who's tired of this shitty world, and I can personally guarantee that there are much more terrifying creatures out there that are far worse than humans.

Very. Far.

Fortunately, due to how humid the weather is, I had a reason to pull up my hood and cover my eyes. That way, I can avoid looking directly into his. 

I noticed him taking one step forward as he replied. "You look very composed, which is unusual given our current situation."

"So are you." It took me a whole lot of effort just to keep the words I wanted to scream at his face, using them instead to form my usual cold demeanor.

Sensing that our conversation had reached its end, I took it as a chance to walk away and flee from this treacherous being, but not until someone grabbed my injured arm, halting me from my action. "Wait, I need to ask you something."

Calm down.

It isn't time.

"What?" With a tug of my arm, I tried pulling away from his hold. But instead of freeing it from his disgusting grip, I eventually found myself being pulled instead as his grip tightened its hold around my wrist. "You do notice that I'm injured, right?" 

"What's going on?" Like a ray of sunshine, Eren suddenly appeared beside us. "Reiner, she's injured. Loosen your hold." 

"I just want to…" But after noticing our gazes on him, he finally relented and obeyed Eren's command. He tiredly slumped on the ground just when I jogged my way to Eren's side. "Damn, it hurts." 

Heh, deserve.

"Are you okay, Reiner?" Eren's worried gaze passed through his figure just when I noticed Bertolt looking at the two of them. 

"Not by a long shot." He lifted his hand and used it to cover his face. "A titan nearly gnawed off my arm." Good for him. "That was pathetic."

Yeah. You are.

Relieving myself from this scene of abomination, I eventually found myself looking at the ground beneath us: the place where the attack and armored Titans would finally duel. In my peripheral vision, Armin just finished surveying our surroundings as he thanked Eren for pulling him up. 

"Even someone as strong as you get this way, sometimes." How comforting, Eren.

But this ungrateful human just won't accept it. "What are you talking about? This is the second time for me!" I should have added more, damn it. "Tell him, Armin." 

Surprised that he got involved, Armin's eyes had dangerously passed through my figure before landing on Reiner's. "Huh?"

"Remember when I almost got crushed in that titan's hand?" 

Upon hearing those words and remembering our earlier discussion, Eren flinched, prompting me to shorten our distance just to pull the hem of his sleeve. 

Don't let them notice. Bertolt saw my action, forcing me to pull back. Please, Eren, don't let your emotions drown you.

"Oh… Back then…" Nice acting, Armin.

"That makes twice I've nearly died." He dramatically places a fist on his forehead, making me imagine my fist on his face. "At this rate, I'll be dead before I know it."

"…"

Believe me, as much as I would want that to happen, your shitty destiny is keeping you alive.

Reiner continues to spout words of his decision to choose this path, internally making me want to puke from cringe, but not until I realized this was it.

It's almost time.

"You two have been driven far enough away from your hometown." Eren started walking ahead of us, making me follow him from behind. Call it clingy, but I cherish these moments of close contact. Ha, how amusing, I'm becoming like Mikasa. "I'm thinking… this is where we got to draw the line."

Then, he paused. It was already too late when I realized how tight my grip was on his cape. 

It terrifies me. Even if I know that we'll eventually save him from being kidnapped, nothing helps in relieving this heart-wrenching pain of feeling useless.

"He's right, Reiner!" Bertolt's voice barely registers in my head as the memory of Eren getting kidnapped passes through my vision. "Our hometown! Let's return! Isn't it about time to go back?"

Yes.

Please.

Go back and leave this land alone!

"Compared to all the trouble we've been through, what's left to do is nothing!" 

"Mina?" Just then, amidst Bertolt's speech, a warm and callused hand gently made its way to hold my trembling one. It still held his cape, signifying how I was barely hanging on to him for dear life. 

My vision, which was clouded earlier, became clear after seeing his green eyes that shone even in this dire moment. 

His voice, which was barely a whisper, was so uncharacteristic of him. Hearing it made my chest tighten and my heart even more. 

And lastly, his gaze. Eren is always known for his aggressiveness, but seeing him right now, full of worry and serenity, is destroying me. "It's going to be okay." 

No. It won't.

That's why it needs to change. 

"Yeah…" I loosened my hold on him but still refused to let go. As compensation, I tried my best to form a smile. "It will be."

"That's right." Reiner's voice completely shattered this rare moment that I had just experienced, eventually bringing me back to our harsh reality. "We're so close. It's just another few steps till the end."

"Huh?" Eren's confusion is understandable, especially for those who don't understand what the hell they are talking about. However, for me, it only intensified the rage that I've been bottling up to this day. "What are you guys talking about?"

But before he even replied, the sound of footsteps claimed our attention. Mikasa immediately went beside us, informing the group about the arrival of the Garrison's advance squad. "It's Hannes."

Hannes…

Oh, the one who witnessed Eren, Mikasa, and Armin's growth.

With a tug, both Mikasa and Eren gradually pulled me away from that spot. "Let's go."

***