Chapter 17: A Weapon and A Curse (2)
Mina's POV
Going back to the present time, as orders are being given to soldiers, my lone and isolated figure was eventually called by one of the elite Garrison soldiers: Jan Dietrich.
He was stationed on top of the wall along with the commander, so I had to go up and meet him directly. I wasn't expecting, however, to see both Eren and Mikasa with him.
They probably haven't expected to see me as well. "Mina?!"
"Eren, Mikasa," I landed safely on the wall and quickly performed a salute after noticing the soldier beside them. "Sir!"
"Carolina, you'll also be a part of the elite squad in guarding Yeager." I almost punched the air from the satisfaction of being ranked second for this year's graduating trainees. I had yet to reply when his team began to run. "Let's go!"
"Glad to have you with us, Mina," Mikasa whispered just when I joined them in running.
I grinned. "Me too, Mikasa."
Jan Dietrich continues to relay instructions to our group, telling Eren that we'll prioritize his life over ours. It's not exactly a new thing to me because that's the first thing I thought of doing after being placed in this world.
Mikasa moved even forward, asking Eren if he was feeling okay.
"Yeah." He says irritatingly so.
"Eren-"
"I'm telling you, I'm fine!"
It was getting tedious, so I decided to intervene once more. "Eren, it's only natural for Mikasa to worry after all you've done earlier this morning. More than safety, your health is important too. Besides," I gave him a sideways glance and continued. "This ability of yours is strong, but it must have consequences."
"Stop playing house, trainees!" A lady with white hair and wearing glasses placed herself in between Eren and Mikasa.
Then, the man beside me spoke as well. "To think we have to entrust the fate of mankind to a spoiled kid like you."
Both Mikasa and I glared at him, one he completely ignored.
But if I recall correctly, this might be the only opportunity I'll have to remind Eren of something valuable for completing his titan-shifting process. It was a piece of information I got from Armin in the second world. So, before Sir Jan completely shuts us up, I added, "Eren, just remember this,"
"Focus on doing your task," I pleaded, wishing for my words to reach his head. "Lift the boulder and seal the hole. Got it?"
"What are you-"
"That's enough, all of you!" Ordered Sir Jan. "We're approaching the route to the boulder! From its looks, there are no Titans. Seems like everyone has successfully lured them off."
And he was right. There's not a single titan in sight. The luring strategy has immensely paid off.
"Let me tell you something, Yeager." The white-haired lady claimed our attention as she continued. "In all likelihood, no small number of soldiers will lose their lives executing this plan. All for your sake."
"…"
Way to put pressure, ma'am.
"They're our comrades, seniors, and juniors. Naturally, as soldiers, we're all prepared to die anytime. But you know, they're not ignorant pawns."
It was at that point in their conversation that my mind wandered off. If I continue to listen to her talk about the soldiers here in Paradis having families that we need to protect, then I'll have none of it.
This tiny, battered, bruised, and withered heart can't possibly take any more of that burden. As I had said, I'll gladly let them haunt me both in dreams and reality due to my choice of being ignorant of their wishes.
"You have the responsibility not to let their sacrifices be wasted." I bit my lip to shut the annoyance from coming out of my mouth. "No matter the odds. Carve that reality into your naïve heart and fulfill your duty with your life."
And he has. I wanted to scream and tell everyone that the future Eren Yeager will fulfill it exactly by using his life as a price. It's one of the most painful pieces of information I have ever gotten as it continues to devour every bit of sanity that remains within me.
"It's here. Let's go!"
Along with the other elite members, we jumped off the wall and immediately used our gear to maneuver ourselves toward the huge boulder. The white-haired lady stayed behind and used a signal flare, one that produced green smoke.
The elite squad has finally begun their mission after creating that signal.
We continue to jump on rooftops, slide against walls, and pull our bodies towards the boulder. As the wind wildly passed through my face, I was glad that I fixed the tie on my hair before meeting Sir Jan and his squad. The pace we were keeping was fast and precise, one that I am glad to keep up with.
Then, finally, Eren once again turned to his titan form, roaring after doing so.
I landed beside the rooftop that Mikasa occupied, my gaze observing the titan before us. Something within that roar worried me for some reason, and it was not something I could just ignore.
Based on experience, my hunches are something I can't just disregard.
I tucked my blades in and continued to observe, greatly wishing for him to remember my words earlier on the wall.
My hunch of feeling that something was off was immediately proven right after seeing his gaze locking onto Mikasa's figure. My eyes widened upon realizing his next move, dashing forward to push Mikasa away.
"Mikasa!"
Then came his punch, one that almost killed his dear family.
It wasn't noticeable, but my right arm continued to tremble after experiencing that. But it wasn't over. Instead of pushing her body again, Mikasa could safely evade his next attack as we jumped onto both sides of the rooftop.
"Eren!"
Gritting my teeth in annoyance, I knew that I had to do something. I have not experienced this scenario during my time in the second world, so I just had to finish this as quickly as possible so that Eren could finally rest from this tiresome day.
So, I did what soldiers do, one that horrified Mikasa.
"Mina? What are you doing?!"
It was natural for her to be afraid after noticing where my gear was latched to. In addition to that, I have also taken out one of my blades.
Yeah, this doesn't terrify Mikasa at all. "Mina, no!"
In the corner of my eyes, I saw her body trying to clutch onto mine, making me prevent such a scenario from happening. With one move of my gear to make me fall in movement, evading her in the process, I swiftly made it through his nape, making Mikasa scream once more.
But instead of what she was thinking, I simply punctured a hole through his flesh while making sure to avoid his real body.
"Eren!" I called out to him, eventually stopping the other Garrison soldiers from attacking his titan form. "Eren, do you hear me?!"
He roared in response and launched another attack on the nearby house. His sudden movement swayed me a bit, so I made sure to grip my blade tightly.
"Eren, stop!" He ignored my call and attacked Sir Jan, making me panic. "Eren, stop thrashing around and listen, goddamn it!"
But it was no use. The longer I stay on his nape, the higher the risk of him targeting it next, which I definitely can't have. I gritted my teeth as I only thought of one scenario that would completely wake him up.
A gamble, one that will make him suspicious of me afterward. I had no choice but to say, "You have a dream, right, Eren? Please, I beg of you, listen to my voice. Are you not going to the outside world someday?"
A twitch. His titan form eventually stopped itself from punching through walls as I continued to pull his consciousness out. "Far beyond these walls, there's flaming water, land made of ice, and fields of sand spread wide."
So, after pulling the blade and inserting it once more, he finally ceased his movement. Did it finally go through? "Eren? Do you hear me now?"
Silence.
He didn't move, nor did he react. He was simply… silent.
And it was enough for me.
"Did you remember what I told you?" I leaned toward the hole I made and continued. "Focus on doing your task. Lift the boulder and seal the hole."
"Mina!" Mikasa called out to me once more, but I was too busy dealing with this idiotic and ignorant father of mine.
"Lift the boulder." I then removed my blade and slowly repeated the mission. "And seal the hole. Eren, did you get it?"
I made my way up to his shoulder and gazed at his green eyes. After one final look, I eventually got down from his body and safely landed where Mikasa was.
"Mikasa, are you all right-" I immediately stopped after noticing a wound on her face. I paled. "A-a cut."
"Are you fine?" She got closer to where I was standing, but I instantly stepped back to prevent her from doing so. "Mina?"
"You're hurt." My lips trembled from failing to protect her as something monstrous began to claw within my chest. "Y-you're-"
I chocked. This was not a joke. I thought that I was already capable of keeping them safe from harm, but after seeing blood trickling on her face, all I wanted to do right now was to hang myself.
"I'm fine." She took notice of my failed expression and placed a hand on my shoulder as a sign of comfort. "Don't scare me like that! I almost doubted you… I'm sorry. You did well, don't be sad."
How can I not?
Instead of focusing on her wound, my gaze landed on Eren's titan form, which had finally regained consciousness. Looking at a tall figure like him prevented any tears from spilling out of my frustrated self.
And it stuck even after he had finally accomplished his mission of sealing the wall.
*****
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone