Charge (1)

Warning: Violence and gore

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???'s POV

It's been 55 days.

It has been over a thousand hours since he began its torture, one that forced me to scream and wail, treating me like a disposable doll instead of what I am.

He tore my arms apart, only to reattach them.

He made me eat what he randomly saw – cicadas, moths, insects with hundreds of legs, and poisonous frogs. But instead of allowing me to attain what I truly want, he thinks of a way to bring me back, no matter how forceful or disgusting it felt.

Humans are nothing compared to him. 

Because no matter how disgusting and selfish they are, humans are still a hundred times merciful compared to this creature.

When… Just when I felt an 'arm' throwing me outside the hole for him to rest, there I lay on the surface, gasping and unmoving.

When will he end my life?

But as usual, no one answered, not even my pride and will. Everything within me has already shut down, and attaining death is starting to sound like a miracle instead of what it is. 

Looking up, every time I even get the chance to have a glimpse of the outside world, the sky would always look gray and damp, a scenery I've begun to like. For it signifies my tenor, bleak and lethargic.

"Ma…ma…" The sound of my voice presenting how fatigued my body was provided enough information to make me realize the dreadfulness of my situation. Just thinking about how messed up I finally became instantly makes me tear up. "I… miss… you…"

Will I ever see you again? I don't think I can take it anymore.

"Pa… pa…" How I miss being lifted by you, for it felt warm and safe, a feeling so distant from where I currently lay. "Save… me…"

But it's pointless.

They're not here anymore, so what's the point of saying those words?

Ahaha… Just when a tear finally escaped from my eye, a familiar pull eventually tugged at my worn-out body. Despair once again washes over my features, making me laugh tediously. "Please…" 

Save me.

I don't care what kind of creature you are. Use me, take advantage of me, then dispose of me. Just…

Get me out of this hellhole.

***

Mina's POV

"Are you worried?" Ymir's voice was louder than usual, and I appreciate her for doing it amidst the chaos I'm currently in. The sound of horses running in a pack certainly echoed through my ears, one so familiar and nostalgic to hear. 

Who wouldn't be? I wordlessly answered her, tightening the hold of my reins to show my concern visibly. 

"You'll get there soon." She says, her voice coming from the back. "Hang in there. Just endure it for a little while longer." 

"Yeah." Deep inside, gratitude began to bloom from within. "Thanks, you shitty being."

"Oi, oi, is this the kind of thanks I'm receiving? You hurt me, young Yeager!"

And yet, you sound so amused. 

"Spread out! Take formation to locate any enemies!" The commander orders, his command immediately being acted upon as we all begin to distance ourselves from the pack. Krista was with Connie and Sasha, and Mikasa was with Jean, Armin, and Hannes. Knowing full well that they'll be all right, I made it my decision to go with another group, one which has a low chance of survival. 

And just after a few minutes of riding our horses, a red smoke was signaled on the right wing. Knowing full well that we wouldn't change our path, I proceeded to ride onwards, forcing our group not to cower and focus on what was ahead. 

"Your commander just ordered for the right wing to merge with the center," Ymir says, making me raise my eyebrows from curiosity. "It's a hassle to wait for the orders to be relayed. In my current state, I can even listen to every squadron. It's a useful ability, don't you think?"

"Hmm." Well, I can't deny that even if I wanted to. 

"Oh, he also reminded them of your time limit, so you'll have to take the shortest route. What a dependable commander you all have."

Yeah.

I agree.

"Thanks for relaying it." I inaudibly whispered, knowing full well that only she could hear it. Hearing her huff as a response was all I needed to continue riding onwards. 

Who knows how long we were riding? Neither Ymir nor I was keeping track of time. The only thing that reminds me of the time limit is the position of the sun. As long as it's still up, we can make it. We definitely can take Eren back with us. 

Countless red smoke signals took everyone's attention, but the man leading this group continued to signal a green smoke up ahead, forcing us to ride forward and not to waver.

Well, not until we've eventually found ourselves in a pinch, not knowing where to run. The second world has already shown me the horrors of this mission, as countless lives will perish in this hour. However, as for this round, here in my third world, I can confidently say that I came prepared. 

No matter what obstacle has befallen us, I won't let it be the reason for it to cause hundreds of lives to be taken away, burdening Eren even further.

The commander's signal eventually turned, only for him to receive a reply of red smoke from that direction. It doesn't take a genius person to understand that, at this point, the soldiers have been surrounded. 

"The commander just told his subordinates that you won't take any detours." Ymir relayed, making me nod my head in reply. Of course, I already knew that, but it's still different now that pressure and fear were added to the mix. Without a cool-leveled head, I'm sure that humanity's survival won't even reach half. 

"It seems that we'll be forced into battle," I told the group of soldiers I'm currently with, noticing that most of them are veterans. "I may look like a kid to you, but please do not worry. If push comes to shove, prioritize your safety. I can take care of my own."

"Ha! How confident, young soldier." A man in his thirties grinned, readying himself for any possible attack at any moment. "Don't you dare go back on your word; you hear me?!"

With a smirk, I replied. "Yes, sir!" 

Adrenaline coursed through our veins, and by the time I noticed it, we finally reached the giant forest. Titans have surrounded us, forcing some soldiers to engage. And yet, what took everyone's attention was the lightning that struck in the middle of the forest, garnering everyone's attention. 

"Straight ahead in the forest! I saw a light!" Armin shouts loud enough for us to hear, giving the other soldiers a chance to witness it as well. "It's the light that appears when a titan transforms!"

Good.

We're not late, considering that they're still inside this forest. However, as for the next scenario, even I wouldn't be able to stop it. Or, to be more specific, I had decided not to intervene. Ymir, honest as she is, only cares about Krista, so I'm a hundred percent sure that she won't hurt her friend, no matter what. 

"Soldiers disperse!" The commander ordered us, and it immediately took effect. "We believe that the enemy has already transformed! Locate Eren and recover him!" 

Just when I was about to reply, in my peripheral vision, a soldier had found himself in the hands of a titan. Luckily, and thankfully, our group is on the same path, allowing me to stand from my horse and engage in combat. It only took me a few seconds to attach my wires to its nape, successfully pulling my body to slice its weak point, the place where humans are contained. 

"Catch him!" I said as I mounted on top of the titan's head. Noticing that Sasha heard me, she immediately detoured to catch the falling military police soldier. 

"Battle is not our objective!" The commander announces, just when I mounted on top of my horse once more. "Prioritize recovery and retreat!"

"Roger." 

"Won't you join Mikasa and the others inside the forest?" Ymir asks beside me just when I start to ride once more. 

Noticing that there were no soldiers nearby, I responded. "There's no point. No one will die there anyway. It's best to go ahead and prepare for what's going to happen."

"Hmm…" She hums as a reply, just when a few specks of dust enter my eyes. Annoyed at how it obstructed my vision, I immediately took my container and poured a few drops of water on my face. 

As if on cue, another bolt of lightning came on the other side of the forest, a sign that another titan shifter had transformed. 

"Reiner…" Fuming with rage, I urged my horse to quicken its pace. "That bastard!" 

However, if not for the commander's voice, I would have eventually found myself hurrying after Eren. Without his order, I would have forgotten my true objective in this mission. "All squads! Let the titans chase after you! Follow my lead!" 

However, instead of following his order without hesitation, a military police soldier screamed in reply. "You demon! Are you trying to use us as bait again?!" 

"Well…" Probably.

"That's not my intention!" The commander replies, all the while riding ahead of the group. "The Military Police have fought well! Now serve your duties as soldiers!" 

"The Armored Titan plans to escape with Eren! We have to stop him, no matter what!" 

Strengthening my resolve, I replied. "Yes, sir!" 

Along with the other soldiers, both military police and scout regiment, we eventually found ourselves riding behind the Armored Titan, trying to catch up. 

"He's not fast enough to escape!" Jean announces as some agree with his statement. "We'll catch up!" 

If it weren't for the fact that I found myself in front of Mikasa, I wouldn't have heard what she had said next. "This time, I won't hesitate. I swear that I'll kill them both! And if Ymir gets in my way, she's asking for it too!"

Ymir… Once again, nausea overwhelms my senses, forcing me to shake my head to ignore such emotion. 

"No matter what it takes… I will!"

The aura that leaked out in those words was murderous, enough to make the other soldiers distance themselves from her. But for Armin and I, we simply couldn't help but worry. 

But instead of mulling over that sentiment, I eventually raised my head and shouted words that the soldiers needed to hear. "Weapons are useless against the Armored Titan!" 

That statement alone was enough to garner everyone's attention, including the commander's. And so, without delay, I continued. "The only place where we can attack it is through its ligaments! His skin where no armor is found! If we're going to attack right now, we must do it right!" 

"Like what she said," The commander responds, his eyes blazing and ignited. "Attack the places where titan skin is found! Do not recklessly strike him head-on! Beware of the titan that is mounted on his back as well!" 

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers replied just when others began pulling themselves ahead to attack the Armored Titan. Thank goodness that the commander reminded them of what the jaw titan can do; we can limit the casualties.

While most were unable even to land an attack, some persevered and eventually found their way to close the distance between themselves and the Armored Titan. One of which is none other than Mikasa herself. 

However, after unsuccessfully killing Bertolt, she eventually made her way toward Ymir. The only thing that prevented her from killing the jaw titan was the woman mounted on top of it. Unable to hear what they were talking about, I made it my mission to look back and see if there were soldiers who needed help. 

"Won't you join them?" Surprised at her sudden intervention, I instantly whipped my head and noticed the 104th cadets mounted on top of the Armored Titan. "You're their comrade too, you know." 

Comrade… Amidst this chaos, something vile found its way slithering toward my heart. Without even trying to mask my emotion, I weakly responded. "I… am not their comrade."

"Mina Carolina is. And… I'm not that woman."

That's why… Even if I want to join them, even if I wish to be with them, there's no point. I am just a person… who is occupying the body of their true comrade.

***