Once strong hooves ploughed through the white powdery snow that blanketed the mountain they climbed upon, while the setting sun gave just enough heat to lessen the overbearing chill of the evening. It was stunning in every sense of the word, the land glowed in solemn majesty, akin to the depiction of heaven displayed by the scriptures. If not for the dormant leafless trees you'd think they were traveling across the afterlife. But they were very much alive.
The horse nickered, ears folded back, the poor thing bobbed its head up and down as it continued to trot up the mountain guided by its master. It had travelled a great distance from the stables to here, the old beast grew tired. It wasn't as strong as it once was, but its master was sure to get every ounce of usefulness from it before it was given well-deserved rest.
The boy, nestled between the reins and the broad chest of his father, could relate to the horse's condition. He wanted to rest, not from the waning feeling of old age but the environment itself. For as long as the boy could remember the winter months had been bane of his existence. The usually hyperactive boy could hardly keep his eyes open or stay in the saddle.
Eren pressed deeply into his father's body looking for warmth and support he needed. During the winters he'd frequently complained to the man of the nuisance that was the cold and ask why it affected him so. His friend Armin wasn't as bothered with the snow as he was. Even with a smaller frame he was able to retain heat and fight the cold.
Eren was a bit jealous of the fact, but the brunet guessed everyone had their perks and weaknesses.
Even being a doctor, his father could never find out what's wrong with him and why the cold affected him so.
His father did pity his odd son. Shelling out a decent handful of coins for a thick brown wool coat, mittens, and bright red scarf to help his son fend off the cold. Eren was ecstatic when he first received the gift, grinning like a mad man as he threw on his new gift, and threw himself into his father's arms receiving the warmth he desired in a tight hug.
Eren loved his father.
His mother Carla was less than thrilled. From the sauna of his new thick coat, scarf, mittens and way too many blankets curled into a burrito, Eren heard the heated exchange between his parents. Not because he was scared of course, his parents have fought for as long as he could remember. The arguments have always been rather one-sided.
His mother would rant and rave about the silliest of things while his father sat silently and just took it all in. From forbidding him from traveling with Grisha to see his ailing patients when Eren just wanted to see his dad work his miracles to flipping the fuck out when he shot up his middle finger at someone very much deserved.
The brown-haired boy shuddered in the saddle. He never quite recovered from that beating.
Yelling about some new clothes was just the last straw, he couldn't take her seriously anymore. Winter was absolute torture for Eren, he suffers long months, till the spring sun rolled around. She always pretended he was normal when he was half frozen in his bed blankets barely fending off the cold that encased their wooden home.
He would never understand that woman. Couldn't Carla see that Eren's father was just trying to help his son?
Sure, Eren cannot deny how costly the gift might have been. Even for a wall renowned doctor, money was still hard to come by. Many couldn't pay for his father's services, but he would still help them. It upset his mother, medicine was expensive, and it was hard to support such generosity. But she understood her husband had a soft heart but wasn't happy about it. She just wished he was a little stronger when it came to saying no to people, in particular their son Eren.
Eren didn't like his mother very much.
The boy in question rolled his blue-green eyes at the thought. That troublesome woman was the whole reason Eren left his heat cocoon to join his father trudging through fresh snow. The woman had just been too unbearable this morning. Wash this, clean that, messes just appeared that he was a hundred percent sure he did not cause. He had to get away. Luckily his father was heading off to meet another patient. With the opportunity open to him he took it in an instant.
Eren begged, falling to both knees, grovelling on the floor he scrubbed (for the millionth time that morning cause apparently, he wasn't doing it right), to be allowed to travel with Grisha.
His father, pitying him once more, had even joined in with him, trying to convince Carla into letting him go. Stating it would be educational. At first, she still refused. But with further explanation that it was just a pregnant woman and no one on the brink of death. She finally let him go free.
Thank the heavens.
"Eren," the boy's eyes shot open from its half-mast state. The brunet looked up blue-green eyes met. His father was looking down at him. Face riddled with worry. "I said we're almost there," His father said softly, large, gloved hands leaving the reins and was placed on Eren's head, giving the boy a light scratch, brushing the snow that collected on his head, down his face.
Eren sneezed.
Grisha chuckled.
Ignoring his son's glare, he continued. "Remember it will just be a quick check up. In the meantime, the Ackermans have a daughter, so you'll have someone to play with while you wait." Eren shook his head, eyes returning to the path ahead he replied.
"No," the smaller brunet stated, "I want to see you how you work father," Grisha's smile widened, patting his son on the head, hand returned to the bridle. "Very well," His father chuckles. "It's really nothing much but I allow you and their daughter to take a look for a little bit. She may be curious about being a big sister."
Grisha looked back down at his son "But I was under the impression you only came to get away from your mother." Eren snorted, cloudy white precipitate came rushing back into his reddened half covered face as the horse kept moving upwards.
He won't deny it, that was partly the reason he got out of the house when he could but to be fair to him the medicinal trade had always interested him.
He has wanted to see his father's practice for ages now, but his mother usually blocked his endeavours. It's not that Eren wanted to become a doctor, no he was interested in what makes a body tick. Morbid as that may be the delicate balance of life was just too intriguing to ignore. Most things on this planet were alive in one way or another. Some stayed in the ground, like the trees they strolled past to the fungi that grew under the steps. Others were free to move around. To fly, to swim, to walk on 2, 4, 6, 8 legs or none. They were all amazing.
Sometimes he peaks into his father's books to gain information on life. Most words he could never dream to fully understand but he'd keep trying. Maybe he'll ask his father to teach him the basics one day. No harm in learning first aid.
But there was something he'd like to ask the old man right now. It's been bugging him ever since his father first described who exactly they were off to meet.
"Daddy?" Grisha hummed.
"We're going to see a pregnant lady, right?"
His father regarded him curiously. "I've said this many times, Eren, is there a particular reason you are asking this?" Grisha questioned.
Eren blinked "That means they have a baby in them, right?"
Grisha hummed once more, still looking down at his son.
Eren met his father's gaze, only innocence and curiosity could be found within his large eyes.
"How did the baby get in her?"
Grisha broke eye contact immediately, red envelope his entire face, adman apple bobbed. His father tutted, tapped his feet at the horse's flank signalling to it to go faster. They fall into an uncomfortable silence.
Oh, guess he wasn't supposed to ask that.
Something was wrong. Before them sat a quaint little snow-covered cabin surrounded by a small bare garden. Humble and unimposing its welcoming exterior seemed to beg them to approach. The owners would most likely welcome them with a place to rest their hat and a fresh cup of tea.
Eren knew better and apparently so did the horse. The large beast ears twisted all around, teeth chattering, guttural noises came from the horse. It swayed its head side to side, muscles tense, it was about to flee, if not for the steady hands of his father keeping the beast in place Eren was sure it would have bolted.
Grisha moved the mare further towards the house to a small hitching posted, hammered crudely into the ground. His father swung his leg over the saddle, careful of his son he dismounted. Lifting the bridle over the horse's head he tied it to the hitch ignoring the obvious signs of worry from the old animal. Grisha moved to its flank and grabbed his doctor's bag that hung from the side of the saddle he placed onto the ground. Turning his attention back the boy atop the animal Grisha outstretched his arms. Eren hesitated for a bit, eyes flickering over to the sleepy wooden door of the cabin, he accepted his father's help down the horse.
"Alright let's go. Be kind now Eren." His father warned picking up his bag.
He knew Eren wasn't good at making friends.
Eren didn't respond, just wordlessly followed his father, grabbing onto his coat. They headed for the front door, leaving the anxious animal behind.
Grisha and Eren approached the door, his fathers gloved hands rapped at the frosted wood. The house shook softly, his fathers didn't even use that much force to knock. Eren rolled his eyes, guess this was one of the folks his father was doing a favour so why were they having another baby, when they can't pay a doctor's visit. With what little knowledge he knew, he was pretty sure you could at least control when women had them.
"Mister and Misses Ackerman, it's me Doctor Jaeger and I brought my son with me if you don't mind." His father called out, knocking again with a tad more force. The door creaked open on its own.
"Ah good afternoon it-,"
Strong metallic scent assaulted both brunets' senses immediately causing Grisha's words to die on this tongue. It was gruesome.
A quiet but sharp thunk was the only thing that could be heard, the horse had even gone quiet. Eren turned towards the noise. His father's doctor bag had been dropped to the ground; the poor man became even paler. His frame shook like death itself was introducing him to the afterlife.
Eren felt his entire frame being yanked from the door. Young blue-green eyes could only look on as the red stained interior became further away. Snow crunched loudly as Grisha stumbled towards the mare, who had become even more agitated, yanking at its bridle. His death grip on his son only relinquished when he was at the beast side.
Spinning Eren around and dropping to one knee caking it with white frosting. Their eyes meet once again for the day. One pleading, the other seemingly indifferent. "Eren," his father croaked out, gripping his shoulders, his father spoke quickly.
"I have to go get the Military Police. There is a base at the bottom of this mountain, I must be quick, so you need to stay here." His father's hold tightened "Miley can't take us both at such a pace. You must find a place where you can stay warm. I know how harsh the cold can be for you, but I need you to stay strong." A small trembling smile spread upon his fuzzy lips.
"I need you to be strong, okay? Can you be a brave boy for daddy?" Eren nodded slowly he could indeed take care of himself, despite the cold. "Atta boy, don't go back to the house okay," Grisha's eyes went blazed causing Eren to flinch. He had never seen his father so intense before, it kind of scared him more than the blood on the floor and the literally glassy eyes that stared at him.
"Eren. Do. You. Understand? Do not go back to that cabin. Just brave it out for me okay?" His father repeated. Eren could only do one thing he nodded, his father pulled him into a tight hug, rubbing circles in his back. As soon as the hug came it went.
Grisha clambered up on to Miley, with a sharp snap of the reins he was off, kicking up snow as he went leaving his son alone with cooling corpses.
Eren knew what he had to do, and that was to immediately disobey his father's orders.
The blue-green-eyed youth knew the clock was ticking, before his father's extreme reaction he noted only 2 bodies that didn't look that fresh on the floor both being adults. But a 3rd individual wasn't present at all in what little light the open door gave the cabin.
Eren made his way towards the door. Pausing, he noticed outlines in the snow, two, no three different boots pints minus the fresh prints of him and his father were present in the snow. Heading straight east from Eren's location. Jotting down boot prints he entered the cabin. Before he could pursue the traffickers that did this, he needed supplies. He may not be the most sensible individual, but he knew it was suicide tracking down those bastards without any kind of protection…...or maybe something worse.
Eren shuddered at the thought, he hoped the girl was still okay.
His father's leather bag welcomed him back ready to offer its contents used for medicinal purposes to cause pain.
Opening the doctor's bag, weird powdery mixtures, herbs, shining metal tools and broken glass pieces stared back at him. Eren nodded to himself, it was a start, but he needed a bit more to take down the three scumbags. Careful of the glass he reached inside the leather bag and pulled out the only long thin looking knife-like object, a scalpel if he could remember what Grisha's books said correctly.
He moved further into the home, stopping briefly to assess the blonde male in front. The body had been dead for at least a few hours. His face was contorted and frozen in a pained expression. No decay seemed to be present, but his ghostly white, almost glowing blue skin spoke volumes of how long he was dead for.
Eyes had frozen over leaving spike crystal like orbs behind, Eren couldn't make out the eye colour. Examining the body further the source of his demise became clear, it was a single but deep knife wound to the abdomen that had pierced his stomach. He died from blood loss and his stomach acids breaking him down from inside, he suffered. Eren's stomach clenched in disgust, those bastards allowed him to suffer, he mostly likely watched as his family was torn apart, unable to do anything but watch their fates play out.
Next, he came across a raven-haired woman. Also too pale, purple rings around her neck could be easily spotted. She was strangled to death. Eren grinded his teeth, eyes flashing as he looked on at poor Ms. Ackerman. He knew strangling someone is a long process, humans can survive for minutes before their brains give in from oxygen loss and if the frozen blood and flesh under her fingernails was anything to go by, she fought for life as well as her children but ultimately failed.
One child was lost along with its mother. A small baby bump distended her stomach. Boy or girl it didn't matter. Whoever was growing inside would never get the chance to see the clear blue skies or the setting sun. The brunet eyes flashed again, clenched his fists, promised to find her. He'll find and rescue her child before those monsters tried anything. Hopefully then both parents' souls could rest in peace.
Continuing his search, a metallic glint caught his eye. Hoping it was a larger knife. The scalpel could do some serious damage but wasn't quite enough to tip the scales for the young boy. Under further inspection it was an object better than he could ever imagine. Resting on the wall was a humble hunting rifle above it a light brown gun belt hung, shining in its wraps were 5 lead bullets used to bring down great prey. The bullets would destroy any meagre flesh that stood in its way. Once used to provide for, now it will be used to avenge.
The walnut and cast-iron weapon was cold to the touch even through his mittens. It was heavy and barely able to fit in his covered slender hands, but he could make it work. He went for the gun belt next, jumping as high as he could. Eren gripped the buckle and dragged it down. The metal buckle of the belt hit the floor with a clink.
He plucked a bullet from its resting spot. Yanking back the bolt of the rifle. He slipped the long piece of metal into the chamber. Making sure it was secure, Eren slid the bolt back into place.
Eren thinks he's about ready, rifle strap swung on one shoulder, belt on the other. He moved on.
True he knew little about guns but when he was younger, he paid special attention to the garrison when they took care of their equipment, Eren picked up a thing or two.
Eren swiftly moved towards the door, he spent quite a bit of time looking for weapons. He needed to find that girl before all was for not. Maundering over the two bodies (he didn't want to leave them like that, but he had no choice) his foot kicked a metal object into the dim light. A butcher knife, its blade fat was recently sharpened. Handle also a nice, polished walnut like the rifle. It was almost poetic for the pigs he was about to slaughter.
Swiftly picking up the large metal object Eren stuck it in an opening of the gun belt on his shoulder he rushed out the door. A strong breeze of ice wind sent snow flying into his face. Eren cursed, hand shielding his eyes as the wind seemed to pick up even more, sending snow into the cabin.
Eren breathed a frosty breath each became denser than the last. A snowstorm was on the rise and with the sun setting in the horizon it would make tracking the murderous kidnappers down even more difficult. He could waste no more time.
But.
Eren hated the cold, despised winter with every drop of blood in his veins.
He'd likely freeze to death out there, but he'd already made up his mind.
Steeling himself the young boy bolted in the direction the tracks lead. Barrelling into the forest he tucked himself into further into his clothing, hands strain to hold onto his weapons but they didn't slow him too much.
He'd manage.
Snow started to cover the tracks the further away Eren ran from the cabin.
Soon they were all gone.
His eyes burned and lungs contracted from the freezing air, but he kept running.
Rage and adrenaline fuelled his desires for avenging the family who once lived a quiet existence in the mountains
But there was something else, something much more.
He kept running.
The sun finally fell out of the sky, only darkness remained.
He kept running.
He stumbled on an upturned root.
He kept running.
The world once dark brightens for him, he could see it all.
He kept running.
In the blur of white and black, a flicker of orange spark into his vision like a beacon of hope.
Eren skid to a stop, clenching his teeth behind his scarf, a searing breath steamed out the red fabric.
He walked no, stalked towards the tiny wooden structure.
The food chain had been disrupted, he intended to fix it.
The ones who preyed on the weak had become the hunted, to be slaughtered and killed by a true predator.
The boy in question didn't even notice that all the warm green had fled from his eyes, leaving only cold blue orbs in its wake.
Pulsating with malicious intent it shall carry out.
"You daft bastard, did you know how much that woman could have gone for?!" A blonde-haired man with ordinary brown eyes spat at his companion, slamming rough hands onto the lone piece of furniture in the poorly lit room.
"No, I didn't know how much she might have gone for." The man in question hissed "Besides she was old and knocked up too much of a damn hassle. She wouldn't sell well anyways. If you had sticked with the plan, we could have had them all, maybe sell the man too." The black hair individual waved off the blonde.
"Don't you fucking blame this on me! It was your dumbass who let him see you!" The blonde bellowed shooting out of his chair "You were supposed to hide behind the fucking tree! Behind it ya moron, now look what we got, only one out of three! Slave are scarce in winter, we-."
A soft rap was heard at the door. Both men froze, fearfully peering towards the door. Military Police? No, none of those fat pigs would bother coming through this snowstorm for just a damn girl plus the hand knocking sounded way too small to be an adult, maybe the walls were smiling down on them for another catch to make up for the parents.
Another soft knock echoed throughout the small cabin. The blonde looked to his companion, the dark-haired man gave a swift nod, hands ushering for him to get the door. So he went, fixing his coat and cap as he approached the door, opening it slowly, howling bone chilling winds poured into the hut, flickering out the candles they just lit.
He cursed he'd have to relight them later with what little matches they had. But it could be to their advantage whoever was at the door wouldn't see what lies inside.
Little did he know nothing could be hidden by this soul mad enough to wander the mountains in a storm.
Brown eyes widened as the individual at the door was completely revealed. He fought a grin, the boy, (girl?) in front of him had the biggest and bluest eyes he had ever seen, peeking out of a messy mop of snow covered dark brown hair. Only half of his tanned somewhat pale face could be seen under a bright red scarf. He also had mittens and a rather expensive looking coat covering him, definitely could make some extra cash with those. The little boy before him was just so damn cute, hell, he's getting a little giddy just looking at him.
"Excuse me, sir?" a hoarse voice called; shit he'd been staring. "Ah sorry little buddy," He chuckled, kneeling down, putting his large hands on the kid's soft hair. "Ya scared me, wasn't expecting a lil grasshopper like you to be wandering around in such weather." He heard the soft creaks of his partner moving behind him, the blonde pulled the boy closer.
"I…I was wondering," the brunet sniffled, the blonde raised a fuzzing brow as the boy lowered his head, body became tense.
"If you could die for me."
The blonde's brain didn't even get the chance to registrate the hush animalistic snarl the boy gave before its oxygen was cut off by thin medical scalpel. He fell with a cracking thud, ice that accumulated at the door spider webbed by the force of his now lifeless body.
He died a filthy slave trafficking paedophile. His mother wouldn't have been pleased.
Toxic blue eyes pinned the second grown man to the spot. Trembling from the cold or the great beast in front of him. How could he react to a mere boy, still wet behind the ears, who had just slit his accomplice's throat out ear to ear? Ruthlessly stepping over glowing blue eyes prowled closer, completely stained in blood that should have been his own.
It should be his own. Breaking out of his daze the dark-haired man dashed towards his axe on the other side of the room.
His mistake.
Never turn your back to a predator.
Eren snagged the knife and gun from their hiding place in the snow, swinging it over his shoulder. He darted after the other male. Throwing himself onto the older man's back, he swung the butcher knife into the flesh above his shoulder blade. The second trafficker squealed out in pain.
Good he'd accepted his role as prey. He stumbles to the floor and karmically onto his axe, right in the abdomen like Mr. Ackerman.
Eren didn't stop there, he was going to make him suffer like the poor Ackerman family. With might that had no right to be possessed by a child, he flipped the worthless sack of flesh from his side. They stared at each other.
He hacked away at the eyes, all non-vital areas first.
He'll have his fun just for a little bit.
When he was done the knife had been broken off into his skull. Eren mourned the tool, it did a great job into turning the human features of the bastard into fresh red pulp trickling down to the floor. Huffing, he gave the body a rough kick, turning away.
He stretched, damn who knew killing someone could be so tiring.
Wait, something had slipped his mind.
The girl damn it.
Toxic blue eyes melted back in the blue-green, darting around the room wildly. Locking in on a small body barely moving on the floor. He rushed over to the girl, she was deathly pale, lips blue as ice where white precipitate exited, she was still alive, thank the walls. Eren cursed himself once again how could he be so careless. The brunet stripped, slipping the gun next to her, then his large coat that had fought off the bitter cold so far was needed for another. Noticing her bound limbs, he undid them as fast as he could and tossed them to a side.
Sliding her limbs into the coat he buttoned her up. Next, he unwrapped his scarf and wrapped her whole head in it, leaving a little room for the girl to breathe, It still wasn't enough. A bang caused him to jump, howling winds grew stronger.
The door! Ignoring his now freezing limbs he rushed over to close it. Breathing a sigh of relief from the now muffled noises outside.
"Th…" Eren almost flew out of his skin when the barely conscious voice fell onto his ears. He looked back at the girl, she was still too blue, her eyes were swimming, but she was sitting up now.
"Pardon?" Eren asks softly, concentrating on the girl to make sure he didn't miss anything if she spoke again.
"Three."
SHiT
On cue a door from the back busted open revealing another dark-haired man, illuminated by orange light, a tad thinner than the last.
"You…" The eldest person looked around the room only to see his dead comrades, an unbound girl and a blood-stained brat.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT!" He roared practically sailing across the room. Eren tried to dodge but the biting cold dampened his senses. Next thing he knew he was off the ground, slammed into the rickety door that bent with the extra force as the man choked him.
Eren's hands clawed at the man uselessly. He clocked that this one had fresh scratch marks already. This was the bastard that had choked out Ms. Ackerman. Eren eyes darted all around the room looking for an opening but found none. All he could do was sit and wait as the long process of deoxidizing the brain took place.
He didn't even bother looking at the girl he'd fail to save. She was practically frozen to death; she couldn't help him now.
His mind started to dull; eyes had gone fuzzy as he started losing himself. His mouth arched open trying to take to his lungs. Only to be blocked by the fists around his tiny throat.
He tried in the end. Managed to send two of those bastards to the ferry of hell. He'll be joining them soon. That was his peace.
A loud bang rang out.
Eren fell to the floor, gasping for air. To his left a man who just got his brain blown to pieces by a little girl, to his right the little girl in question.
He sputtered, spit and gagged from his spot on the ground. The girl stalked closer to him, steel-grey eyes unreadable. She was unbuttoning his jacket.
"You saved me," Eren croaked as he watched her slip one arm out of the brown jacket.
"You saved me," She parroted holding the free spot of the jacket out to him. He accepted he was freezing his undeveloped balls off. Funny, not old enough to know where babies come from but old enough to murder two/three men. Well, you're never old enough to commit murder. His mother is going to have an aneurysm if his father doesn't have one first.
He slipped into the other half of the jacket. Both children walked from the front door where the man had appeared. Orange flickers glowed brightly in the other room; it was better than freezing to death in the main area.
Plus, dead bodies don't make good company.
They entered, shutting the door behind and they were greeted by a roaring fire.
Small mercies.
Boy and girl curled around each other in front of a fireplace. Tired, cold and not to mention starving, sleep didn't come easy for the new soon-to-be siblings.
"Eren."
"Mikasa."
They managed anyway.
Grisha would find them eventually.
~
"I said you are not joining the Survey Corp!" Eren scowled, shooting a hot glare in his adopted sister's direction, after returning from fetching more fuel in the forest nearby. Mikasa thought it was a swell idea to tell their mother of his dreams.
Mikasa just kept eating like nothing was happening. Traitor, he'll get her later. "It's my life damn it! I don't want to be caged within these walls for all of entirety."
"Did you not see what happened to the Scouts that came back this morning, most of them are dead Eren." Carla raged slamming her fists on the table, rattling its contents "DEAD! It's dangerous out there, you wouldn't last a second."
"I just want to know what's over the other side of the walls!" Eren snarled just as vicious as his mother, Mikasa, the little rat had sold him out on his dreams. Sure, Eren had seen what the Scouts looked like on their return from their latest exhibition. Less than a ¼ of them had returned, those that did looked broken beyond their limits. Carrying only bits and pieces of their dead to their families. The titans snacked on the rest.
Titans, he doesn't know why but the use of that very word made his blood boil. Those bumbling human-like regrets were a disgrace to such a mighty name. He'll have to wipe them all out as a side conquest for his main goals. They won't get in his way. He was stronger than that, stronger than them all.
"You think I can't handle it!"
"YES!"
"YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M CAPABLE OF!"
Soft plucking of Mikasa eating her bread could be heard in the background, blocking out the noise from the fight. What a ripe mess this morning was. She was already tired of her adopted brother and only half of the day had gone by. Maybe she shouldn't have revealed his plans for the future, it was his choice to tell.
But honestly how could she not? Mikasa watched as a Scout gave a poor old woman a tiny piece of her son. Small enough to fit in a tiny bag, hardly anything to bury or even identify the once person. Yet the mother still recognised her son, falling to the ground, clenching her child to her breast. She cried out but no one came to comfort her. The crowd around her only sneered at her lost, for allowing her son to do something in their eyes that was stupid and suicidal. The Scouts didn't pay her much heed either, there were more dead to be returned.
Did Eren not see what she'd seen? The broken souls that desired the same knowledge he did only to have their wings clipped as soon as they went off to soar. Mikasa didn't want some cold-eyed soldier returning Eren to her in a bloody meat bag. Mikasa paused from eating, she'll make sure that never happens. Even if that means betraying his trust. Mikasa didn't want to lose the only family she had; she'd protect them, all of the Jaegers with her life.
"WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS PUTTING ME DOWN JUST LET ME LIVE MY FUCKING LIFE!"
Carla rounded the table, marching towards Eren. Her hand raised, preparing to strike.
"I HATE YOU!"
Carla froze, hand still hovering in the air, inches away from Eren's face.
Mikasa froze clumps of half chewed bread fell out of her mouth.
...…...Eren froze, ears turning red.
Gold, blue-green and steel eyes stared at each other, silence tense and overwhelming.
Eren wished his father was here.
Recovering first Eren darted out of the room, slamming into the table on his way out, sending it to the floor along with the bread, wooden utensils, plates, and recently steamed potatoes. Opening the front door, he bounded out to the streets leaving his distraught mother and sister behind.
The steps screamed as he launched off it. He ran down the less than bustling street. He ducked and swerved past what few people littered the street, most were inside having a regular lunch time, he wished he could do the same.
Mikasa had completely betrayed his trust, things will be sour between them for a while. He kept running, not in any random direction. He had a destination in mind. Somewhere to clear his head.
The sweet swishing sounds of the river touched his ears. The brunet slid to a stop just before he could tumble down to the waters below. Eren sighed, flopping forward onto the concrete bank, not caring if he hurt himself on the descent. Eren allowed his right-hand to slide into the cool water below.
Eren sighed, females.
He just couldn't understand it. He was strong, way stronger than most boys his age. He was quite tall and broad and not to mention muscular for someone his age. Even at 10 puberty hit him the a god damn draft horse, baby fat still lined his face, sure but everything else below the neck was practically rippling with muscles. His mother was petrified when she caught sight of him naked and went straight for his father, who shrugged simply stated, "Everyone is a little bit special."
But personally, he must agree with his mother on this one. He was an active kid running from place to place but he never really worked out, he spent most days by the man-made river, sleepily watching the water flow by, the wonderful sun on his back while Armin read him stories from his grandfather's books.
Armin stated the books were one of a kind, Eren was inclined to agree. Never before has he heard of a land of ice and fire or body of water so large it surrounded the very world itself; it made the man-made river sound like a water bucket. Descriptions of the ocean sound so outlandish it had to be believed. Armin had also stated it was so salty if you'd try to drink it your tongue would fall off, honestly it made Eren want to drink it even more. The brunet wasn't stupid just curious, despite what Armin says.
He sighed again, lifting his hand out of the water, rolling over onto his back, he shut his eyes. Maybe he should go find Armin, after getting out of that fight earlier this morning he must be licking his wounds at home. He wished he had someone to talk to, his father was further into the interior where he had patients he had to care for there, leaving Eren to suffer alone. If Eren could he'd, follow him there in a heartbeat.
Blue-green eyes rolled under their lids. He was annoyed with his mother, yes, but he didn't mean to say he hated her. Eren knew the pain he might cause her knowing his son want to go off to, in her eyes a suicide mission. But damn it, can't she understand he's stronger than that. Sure, he isn't the brightest and hell a single snowflake could end Eren but he literally bodied 2 adults, technically by himself that night at the mountain, in a snowstorm!
His lips always quirked up whenever he sought of that day. It was a real touchy subject in his household. That he and Mikasa killed those men. His mother was displeased, nein her fury that day outshone the sun at its peak by centramillion.
If that was even a number (he's not stupid). His backside was so red that day it shone like its own sun. His father didn't even attempt to help him. His face was mostly unreadable, but his displeasure was so pungent, it could be scented in the house several weeks after the incident. Well in the end he got a pretty cool sister.
When she's not selling him out.
Rumour had spread fast of his endeavours of ridding this plane of existence from scum. Many feared him and he was all the happy for it, the older kids that used to bully Armin think twice when he materializes round the corner. They scatter like sheep, bleating home or to whomever would tend to the wounds he'd inflicted.
One of their older brothers challenged Eren to a fight in front of the whole market when Eren's mother had sent him and Mikasa to buy some potatoes.
He broke the kid's arm, with an s.
The bully's parents came to their house howling about needing to pay for their son's medical bills. A few words from Mikasa shut that shit right down.
Eh, sometimes he did love her.
He slapped his hands over his face. Shame heated his cheeks. He should apologise to them shouldn't he? He was such an idiot. His mother's smothering is overbearing but she's the only mom he's got, he really shouldn't have said that to her.
He sat up, letting his arms fall to the stone below and picking himself off the ground. Looking up at the sky he'd seen it turn a bloody orange, the great walls that keep them safe looked pitch black from where he stood. It looked good but not enough to call it beautiful, especially since it's what's keeping them caged in from the mysteries of the rest of this place.
He sent off in the direction of home, walking with the cool breeze he followed the familiar trials of home. When he rounded a corner, he was met with stony eyes and dishevelled black hair. He almost cursed aloud, snapping his eyes close he tensed his body expecting a hit which never came.
Peeking to the outside world, he only saw sadness and disappointment, no anger or malice to be found.
Mikasa shook her head and grabbed his wrist, pulling him through the street.
He followed.
A loud girly somewhat masculine scream caught everyone in the vicinity attention including the siblings.
They all turned to him.
His entire pale frame was trembling, eyes widened like the three holy sisters had come down from the heavens themselves to speak ill of him.
He was pointing up his finger, shaking uncontrollably.
Blue-green eyes followed it.
Red, not orange red like the skies could be seen clearly over the dark walls. Fleshy in texture, weird white lines mirrored its face. Far too many jagged teeth split its skull in half.
It was a titan.
Looking down at them with eyes too human.
The wall was more than 50 meters high…
There was silence.
Then chaos.
A large boom echoed all around the wall, pieces of large stones of wall Maria's gate were sent flying into the sky.
Then to rain back down on them.
The lady next to him had turned into a fine red paste coating both him and Mikasa in viscera.
Stunned, they looked at each other.
Then ran like all the forces of hell were snapping at their heels.
People ran past them, not spearing a second glance at the two children running the wrong way.
They moved further into the walls, while the siblings ran away.
They ran home, where they'd left their mother.
They dodged between houses which exploded from the impact of stone, debris flying dangerously close to maiming them. Missing by centimetres they kept getting lucky.
Manoeuvring through the stone air strikes, their home came into view.
Blown to pieces, it was unrecognizable.
As they ran closer small tufts of black hair could be seen, poking out of their collapsed doorway.
"MA!" Eren screamed pushing past Mikasa, he stumbled in front of the limp figure. He looked at his mother, her eyes were red, glistening tracks could be seen going down her cheeks.
Carla had been crying. He'd never seen her cry before, and it was because of him.
Her mouth was moving but he couldn't hear what she was saying, only the heated blood rushing around his body.
Green dispersed in an instant, Eren slammed both hands onto the frame that was pinning his mother to the ground. Grunting he lifted, with all his might. Arms straining, he could feel the tendons in his arms tearing, blood pouring from his fingertips from the pressure, but he kept lifting.
A black blur caught his eye, Mikasa, she'd never abandon him.
They both lifted as hard they could, inch by painful inch the beam started to lift off his mother's back there was soon enough space for her to slip through but then…their luck ran out.
"Eren! Mikasa!"
He lost his concentration, and the beam slipped through his blood-stained fingers.
His mother screamed out in pain, more blood when flying out of her mouth onto the steps below as the crushing weight of the wooden beam came crashing back down.
Then he noticed it, a large rumbling noise was heading their way.
Eren didn't get a time to react when he was yanked back and flung over a large shoulder. The person took off away from his mother severely wounded yet still alive trapped under the beam.
Now further away he saw the source of the rumbling. A tall mop of blonde hair, cloudy blue eyes above a too wide toothy smile crouched down where they once were. A titan, it was reaching for his mother.
He lost it.
Eren whipped back and sank his teeth into the hand holding him. The man screamed in pain letting the boy down.
He darted towards his mother; he had no means of saving her, but he was going to try.
He grabbed onto the titan's hand and flung himself over his mother scratching at the titan's hands desperately with his already bleeding fingers. But it healed faster than he come inflict wounds. Hot steam burned his hands, but he didn't give up. Eren joined his mother to the ascent towards its opening jaws.
"Eren." His mother's soft voice spooked the rage out of him.
He felt a pressure in his abdomen.
He fell.
Everything slowed, he saw his mother's smile, smiling at him with all the care and love only a mother could have for their child.
Tears streaming down her face, droplets fell with him.
Her arm became limp joining the other dangling limbs in the air.
She pushed him... why-?
Eren fell face first into the glass of his broken home, pain causing his entire body to contract.
He could only look up with one eye. The other side of his face was completely paralysed, he couldn't see out of his left eye as his own blood had blocked part of his swimming vision.
The titan snapped his mother broken body in half, severing her spine, only her flesh was keeping her together.
Carla's body bent terribly as it was lifted into the titan's mouth.
Blood rained from the sky, shining in the dimming sunlight.
He felt another yank on his shirt.
He didn't fight it.
Someone was cursing up a storm.
He wasn't listening.
Black and blonde blobs were looking at his mouths moving but he heard barely hear a sound but the ringing. The blonde blob moved closer wrapping its arms around him, but he barely felt the hug just the bitter cold of the night.
There were more screaming, he didn't care. He felt his arms being pulled black and blonde blobs pulling him towards a wooden object. Words were exchanged with man in brown uniform, but he didn't listen.
Then he was placed on a hard surface.
Blobs present again pressed to his sides, their faces staring at him, blue and grey eyes full of tear, their mouths still moving but he just couldn't make their words out, well he hardly tired.
He felt his body rock from side to side, familiar swishing noises tried to soothe his woes.
He was on a boat...on water.
He snapped.
Eren's right hand flew to his face, grabbing onto the glass sticking just above his eye. He yanked it out. Blood splattered all over the deck, wound oozed out more blood running down his face and tainting his filthy cloth.
Blonde and black figures grab at his arms and tried to push him back down, but he was stronger than that.
The boy with the lone burning toxic blue eye rose to his feet. Yanking his arms away from the forces hold him back, he staggered over to the railings slamming his hands down for support. He heard them call his name, he ignored them.
Jagged sparks within his soul grew into a blinding bolt coursing through his body like Lichtenberg scars.
The boat shifted to a side like more weight was suddenly piled onto it.
The railing creaked and condensed by his crushing grip.
He gritted his sharpen teeth and glared back at the place which was his home.
A large red and off-white figure could be clearly seen in the distance, surrounded by bodies and titans flowing into the interior.
An invader, a being of unnatural origins has encroached onto his territory.
This was an act of war.
He'd wipe them out, ever last fucking one for dear challenging him, for taking what was his.
It will be difficult; he needs time to grow but still.
The errors of the past would not be repeated.
So he accepted the ultimatum.
Like every good king should.
Eren drowned the boy he once was, now a great king must rise from the depths.
The planet shakes with anticipation.