Battle for Trost (3)

Mina's POV

Fighting off the Titans in the rearguard isn't exactly as stressful compared to the people that are stationed in the vanguard and middle. The only thing that was stressful around here was the people trying to evacuate and how selfish they were.

I rolled my eyes in disgust after noticing a certain merchant trying to buy his way to move forward in line. For this type of scenario, I would rather risk my life facing off a titan than listen to them ramble on about how important they are to society. 

As I spot one titan on my left and two on my right, I decide to pick the road where I can let off some steam. 

"I'll go that way." 

After saying those words to a Garrison soldier, I immediately dashed to my right as I maneuvered my body into position. With one swift move, I instantly passed in between them, cutting their napes off during the process. 

Tumbling over to a nearby roof, I prioritized swinging my blades to take some blood off of it. 

These inhumane actions that I constantly do while riding the ODM gear don't exactly coincide with Mina Carolina's ability. I can only conclude that Ymir must have done something for me to use this body as if 'I' own it. 

So, this is what it means to become the daughter of an Ackerman and a Yeager. 

It took me a few more minutes to finally clear the area where I was stationed before deciding to proceed to where Mikasa was placed. At least doing so will help keep me sane after realizing that by this time, Thomas must have been eaten by an Abnormal already. 

With his upper body trembling in fear as his eyes plead to team 34 to help him, there was nothing we could do in the past world but to witness him being killed. Here in world three, it may be different for me since I have been placed in the rearguard, but the guilt that was eating me away has never left. It only gnawed at me, bit by bit, forcing me to fall even deeper into the land of sorrow and depression. 

As I continued to make my way toward the middle part of the rearguard, different scenarios began to play in my head as I unconsciously remembered every detail that World Two had shown me. With my father dashing forward because of rage and with the other team members following suit, one by one, they began to fall. 

Eren was blinded and wanted to avenge his teammate but didn't notice the incoming threat below him. I can still remember how I felt after seeing his leg being eaten as his body lunges forward to tumble on the roof of the house. I felt rage, anxiety, worry, and pain. If I were the one experiencing it, I wouldn't have minded it, but seeing the younger version of my father experiencing that was different. 

So, back in the second world, I stopped. It was later that I realized that by doing so, I had prevented 'Mina Carolina's death. I went back and desperately killed that titan, forcing it to wish never to have touched Eren in the first place. However, after I was done torturing it, the most grueling sight came.

There, I saw my father being eaten by a titan, with Armin stretching his arm toward it while screaming in pain. 

"Mina?" Mikasa's voice eventually shifted my vision as I noticed that I had successfully made it to her station. "What are you doing here?"

I cleared my throat and pushed my memories further into my head. "I cleared my side and thought you might need help." It was then that I noticed a dead titan on the ground. "Or maybe not." 

"Thanks, miss!" A young girl who was smaller than us by a few inches spoke, her lips curving into a smile. 

"We're saved thanks to you." Added the older woman, who was probably the mother of the child. "Thank you so much." 

This kind of gratitude doesn't always come from the citizens here in Paradis. So, after noticing Mikasa's lips curving ever so slightly upwards, even I couldn't stop myself from producing a small smile. She gave a salute, which amazed the young girl even more. 

Me too, little one. Seeing the younger version of my mother acting like this makes me extremely proud to be her daughter.

It was then that rain started to pour down heavily upon us. My calm mood instantly shifted as I recalled the next scene that we must face. I knew that our superior was thanking Mikasa for what she had done, so I focused my attention solely on the direction in which the fighting was intense. By this time, I wonder where Armin is. 

His first appearance in the first world made me realize how much he values my parents' lives. As his rough yet gentle hand patted the head of my young self, I could at least recall how happy he was after seeing our lives in isolation. Even if my mother and father ran away, he didn't mind it and simply wished for our peace to continue. 

That's why I'm worried. The young version of himself is probably so lost right now, just like how Mikasa will be later on. 

"I'll go ahead." 

The Garrison soldier was about to reprimand me for doing what I wanted, but I was already too far for his voice to reach. 

Being sad and angry because of how cruel this world is won't change a thing. With every step that I took, titans would emerge. Saying that I don't have a choice and to proceed in killing these victims is wrong. Because once my blade had sliced their napes, it was then that I eventually showed what my decision was.

Here in this chaotic world, being a murderer is normal. No matter what side we take, everyone will experience what it's like to end a life. 

As someone who has experienced it in three different worlds, I deeply pray that someday, this emotion that my mother and father have given to me shall not vanish. Even if I became a person who is capable of killing victims without feeling guilty at all, I pray for my heart never to move on. 

For my heart to always hold on to the fact that my hands are filled with innocent and evil blood and that I may someday suffer once this world is freed from the devil's clutches. 

Because that's what I deserve.

This is the duty of someone who knows what the future has in store for these innocent and naïve people. 

The guilt that will always accompany me wherever I go – one that will forever haunt me.

Just like what I'm currently feeling after finally arriving at the vanguard. 

Connie was the first to notice my arrival. "Mina? I thought you were with the rearguard!"

I nodded my head at him before finally noticing how hopeless the soldiers were in this place. Their gas has run out. Seeing that no one was climbing the wall, the supply team must not have arrived. 

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. "No one came, huh?" 

Jean crouched even more after hearing my words. 

"They're too terrified to move. I can see why…" He heaved a long and irritating sigh before continuing. "But abandoning their mission to resupply us and to hide inside HQ? Unbelievable. And sure enough, the Titans have swarmed them, so we can't go get more gas…"

"Then we must take a chance and try to destroy the Titans around HQ!" Connie desperately cried out as he tried to lift everyone's spirit. But it was no use. 

Jean and Connie continue to chat as I wait for Mikasa's arrival. 

This was not the time for me to speak up, for I knew exactly how they'd be able to resupply gas. However, to do that, I should wait and let the predetermined scenarios unfold. As painful as it is to watch, it is my burden to do so. 

"Mina!" The voice of Mikasa calling out my name eventually claimed the attention of the trainees. As she landed safely beside me, she immediately asked, "Did you see Eren's team?" 

This question was directed to Annie back in the second world, but it seems that I now have to answer it instead. I lifted my arm and pointed at the other rooftop. "Armin's over there."

She nodded her head and called out to her friend. I noticed the sudden shift in Armin's body as I recalled the words he uttered to Mikasa back in the second world.

Not that it changed because Eren still got eaten by a titan. 

I turned my back on them and left, not wanting to hear his cries and how much in pain Mikasa would be after hearing the news. I could hear in the distance the cries of my classmates, asking if I was starting to lose my shit. 

I chuckled, agreeing with their statement.

I also didn't want to witness for the second time their suicidal charge toward HQ. Instead, I focused my whole attention on killing the nearby Titans as I made my way to the spot where Mikasa's gas would run out. Thankfully, I still have a lot left since I prioritized minimizing my usage of it earlier. 

A few seconds later, I noticed Mikasa's figure, who was foolishly maximizing her gas usage. I bit my lip and looked away, despairing how Mikasa looked so lost after hearing about her family's 'death'. 

She eventually fell and tumbled to the ground. 

It was time.

I took a step forward and noticed a lone titan in the distance. 

It jogs around and doesn't particularly care about the humans it passes by. Instead, it targets other titans, which, coincidentally, is the one that sees Mikasa's lone figure on the ground. 

Eren Yeager, the attack titan, has finally appeared. 

*****