Dead silence. The only word that can describe the state in a cell. No one said anything. How can they? After what they've heard and witnessed, it was hard to talk. Talking means lifting a little bit of burden from your shoulders and they didn't have the strenght even for that.

"Eren's gone crazy."

Everyone looked at Connie who broke the silence.

"Who in their right mind would abandon his own friends like this? He said we're special to him and there he is, following his brother who visibly wants to get rid of Eldians."

"Can you read someone's mind?"

Connie raised his eyebrow at Jean.

"Of course not. Why are you asking that nonsence?"

"Because you claim it for so sure. You can't read Eren's mind. We all know him and I'm sure he won't do this unless there's a reason behind it."

Connie wanted to say something, but words got stuck in his throat. He frowned and turned his back to him.

"Do you remember how he laughted when Sasha died?" Connie said through gritted teeth. At the mention of her name, Nicolo, Kaya and Sasha's parents made sad faces.

"He laughted like that when Hannes died too."

All eyes now were on Mikasa who spoke for the first time in a while.

"What?" said Armin in disbelief.

"He laughted and cried at the same time. He broke down and was on the right way to lose his mind," she said emotionlessly.

"Why... haven't you said that?" said Connie.

"Because you've already made up your mind. I tried once but you cut me off."

Mikasa stood up and took off her scarf. She placed it on the table.

"Mikasa?"

"What is it, Jean?"

"Why are you taking off your scarf?"

"It's too hot in here," she answered.

Jean blinked, not believing her words. He looked at Armin who shifted nervously.

"What's Eren done?" he asked.

"He..." Armin took a big breath. "He officially declared he left us behind."

"Huh?"

"He said-"

"Armin."

Armin looked at Mikasa who stared at him. He understood and stopped himself from speaking further. It was obvious that this theme was too sensitive so no one asked anything else about it.

"What are we going to do from now on?" asked Nicolo.

"Beats me. If we try to escape, we can end being shoot," answered Connie to Nicolo's dismay.

"Armin, can you turn into a Collosal Titan and get us free?" asked Jean.

"I can't do this without destroying the whole castle. My Titan is useless in this situation," Armin answered.

"There must be another way," Nicolo said.

"For now, I afraid not," said Jean.

"Miss Mikasa?"

Everyone turned their heads in direction voice was calling from. A girl with short blonde hair, dressed in Survey Corps uniform was standing behing the metal bars.

"Mr. Yeager wants conversation with you."

Jean looked at Mikasa and found her emotionless face staring at the girl.

"Why?" said Mikasa.

Louise shifted a little. She wasn't glad that Eren told her to call Mikasa because she knew she was already annoyed with her.

"I don't know. He just told me to bring you," she answered.

Mikasa looked at Armin, then at others. They gave her reassuruing faces and she stood up.

"Alright."

Louise pulled out the keys and unlocked the cell. Mikasa gave her friends one last glance and exited. Louise was locking the cell again while Mikasa was standing behind her.

"If I wanted, I could have taken you down five seconds ago."

Louise stopped her current actions when she realized she turned her back to Mikasa. She looked at her with wide eyes and locked the door in the same time.

"You are careless," Mikasa said.

Louise gripped the strap of her shotgun that was hung around her shoulder.

"Let's go," she said, ignoring what Mikasa said previously. She let Mikasa walk in front of her, while she was on alert, ready for anything.

Milion thoughts were rushing Mikasa's mind.

What does he want? And why did he call me? Isn't it enough what he's done to us?

Suddenly she stopped. Eren was sitting on the window, looking through the glass with dead eyes.

"You actually came," he said, not even looking at her.

Mikasa felt like crying again. She could feel the water pooling in her eyes and that pain in head and chest. She shut her eyelids tightly to held back her tears.

"Leave us alone," said Eren. Louise nodded and left.

"Do you want me to die, Mikasa?" Eren said and this time looked at her. Mikasa stared at him with usure eyes.

"Speak."

Mikasa wanted to say no, but she stopped herself on time. She changed her face to her usual stoic one and remained silent. She's not a slave and she'll show him that. Every bullshit he's talking doesn't have sence and she's going to show him that.

"Speak," Eren repeated.

Mikasa kept her mouth shut. She wasn't standing like a frightened or broken-hearted girl. She was standing like a soldier, not letting this trash in front of her took the best of her.

"I'm talking to you," Eren said.

"But I don't have to do as you tell me," Mikasa answered.

Eren appeared to be slightly taken away by her words. He got what he wanted. He broke the Ackerman bond and now she's free.

"I see... you're trying to prove you're not a slave?"

Mikasa turned around and started walking away. Eren got on his legs in second and called after her.

"Mikasa! Stay where you are," he said but Mikasa didn't listen to him.

"Mikasa," he said this time more sternly. Mikasa continued walking.

"Turn around!"

"Why would I? I don't care anymore," she answered, not stopping.

"Mikasa!" Eren shouted, but she didn't listen. Unestia spread through Eren's body and his stomach turned.

"Mikasa!" he called one last time before she disappeared.

Eren slid down the wall to the ground and stared at the opposite wall. Blanc. Like his mind righ now.

Is this what I put you through, Mikasa?

He felt like a trash, more than he felt before. He knew all of this was hurting people around him, but he didn't have a choice. All that mattered was their salvation. If he needs to sarcifice everything and die remembered as a villain, then let it be. He knew what was more important.

Will Kiyomi hurry up already?

***

Gabi brought her knees to her chest, her tears dried long ago. She calmed down her little trembling body after everything that happened to her.

What did my mother do to receive so much your hate? Kaya's words echoed in her ears.

You are the one... who killed Sasha!

How could you?! To big sis! I thought we were friends!

That's the name of a girl whom you stole from me.

"But they are devils," she said and gripped her hair with her fists.

"They are devils who deserved it. I did nothing wrong. Because of them, we were dehumanized in Marley."

Her voice went frustared as she talked. "We were forced to do all that things, just to prove we're not the same as them. But they've ruined it!"

Tears formed on the corners of her eyes and she started trembling.

"All those years. All those generations that tried to prove we're good Eldians. The've ruined it all! They killed every hope for us to be free and live better lives!"

She digged her fingers in her hair and cried in her knees. She trembled, out of coldness and fear.

"Where is Big bro Reiner? Where is Falco? Please... someone... come and save me!"

Sasha was shooting at people and ended being shoot herself.

"But they..."

Children are children. We must let adults settle this things.

Mia, are you alright?

"They... don't hate me," she said and calmed down a little.

"They helped the murderer of their daughter. Someone in Marley... would never do that."

They are nothing like I was told.

"And that girl, her friend. She saved me..."

She burried her head further in her knees and put her hands around them.

"Why did they save me? To show how they're merciful..."

I know nothing anymore. I don't know what is right anymore. Who am I then?

***

"I don't want to die. I need to suceed. I need to see my brother. We need to put an end on this suffering. We need to free Eldian people from their misery!"

Zeke was dying.

"Will everything I've done go to waste? Everyone I sacrificed for greater good?"

Zeke gasped and woke up. His eyes were widened in fear and he was breathing rapidly. He blinked a few times, looked right and left. Trees. River. Carriage. Horses. Captain Levi.

"Captain Levi..."

Is he dead? He's lying in the grass motionless.

Is that... a hand?

Lot of blood dyed the green grass, making it crimson red, implying that Captain Levi bleed to death. Zeke let out a sigh of relief. He finally eleminated his biggest treat and now he doesn't need to fear he'll be killed.

"Looks like this won't stop here."

He sat up and looked at his legs. They were on place. It was a good thing his Titan powers reacted fast and he healed in a short time. He also noticed that he was completly naked. He raised his gaze and spotted his pants at the good distance from the spot he currently was, the steam showing it. He stood up and walked towards it, but not before he looked at Captain's body once again. He was lying on his back, his face and uniform covered in blood. Sticky red liquid was already dry and it looked like the river of blood was coming from his mouth and nose. His eyes were closed and his lips parted, without oxigen entering them long ago. His righ hand wasn't visible, not on his body in the end. Zeke gritted his teeth and averted his gaze from him.

It doesn't matter anymore...

He approached the steaming pile and got his pants and shoes from it. He put them on and watched as the pile of flesh dissapeared in seconds, not even bones remained. It disappeared like it was never there. Disappeared. Then, the sudden realization hit him and his stomach turned. He put a hand in his front pocket, just to find it empty.

"God where it is? Don't tell me I've lost it!"

He franticaly searched in his other front pocket, first buttom, second-

"Ah, there it is."

Zeke let out a sigh of relief and pulled out a photograph. It was slightly old one, because three years of holding it inside of his pocked was a long time in this world. He smiled at the picture he longed to see again. The picture that brought happiness, true happiness and joy into his live. He placed it on his chest, right where his heart was. He sighed, thinking of the moment they'll finally be free and live normal lives. Sadness was here too because he knew he won't be the same again. He'll finally live a life he always  longed to live. Even alone...

"ZEKE!"

The yell that resembled a beast froze every muscle and nerve in his body. He turned his head and could only stare at the man he thought was dead just a second ago. Levi was on his legs, holding his swords with...

BOTH HANDS?! How's that even possible?

He wore an expression of anger and intention to kill. Shadows were all over his face and he looked Zeke with murderous glare. Zeke's legs now were released from freezing fear. He took one step back in fear.

"You are..." he said with the voice that didn't sound like his.

Levi was alive. Just minute ago he was dead. Zeke was sure of it. Did he lost his mind? He lowered his gaze to the ground and spotted a hand still there. He looked at Levi again, he was still there. Dread filled Zeke when he realized this wasn't a nightmare or his mind toying with him. This was real.

"Why... are you... still... alive...?" he shook in fear.

Levi started charging towards him and Zeke started running as fast as he could. He rapidly put back the photograph inside his pocket while still running. The million questions rised in his head while adrenaline and fear pushed his body forward.

He's alive! How? Is this the real power of Ackermans?!

He almost felt Levi's breath on his neck and it made him run faster and faster.

He'll kill me, he'll kill me, he'll kill me! I can't turn into a Titan, too much energy went on healing. But... he doesn't know that.

He made a mistake of looking back and saw Levi only meter away from him. He screamed in horror and continued running like his life depends on it. Well in truth, it did.

Levi jumped on Zeke and they rolled on the grass. Levi grabbed his sword and tried to cut Zeke, but he grabbed his hand. Levi didn't waste even a milisecond and grabbed his other sword and tried to stab Zeke's throat. Zeke moved himself and every Levi's stab went in the ground. Zeke was thankfull that he had fast reflexes even now, when he was frightened.

Levi released his hand from Zeke's grip and raised both of his blades to stab him in the chest. Zeke punched Levi in the gut and grabbed his Survey Corps cloak. He hit Levi head to head and took the advantage to press him on the ground. Zeke sat on Levi's stomach and put his hands around Levi's neck and started choking him. Levi struggled to got free while Zeke struggled to not lose again's Levi's streight. It was too dificult. Levi gripped Zeke's hands and tried to break them. His steel grip made Zeke tighten his grip on his neck. Who's going to be faster? This was the moment of life and death.

Levi cursed. He was visibly damaged after those fell and even if his body repaired, his streight hasn't yet. He chased after him and he couldn't give up now. He won't bare the thought to lose to him. Not now when he was this close. He's not going to run away this time.

"Damn you asshole!" he growled, his grip on Zeke's hands tightening.

"You never understood Levi and you never will. You can't understand the meaning of our mission. Those were your mistakes."

"Mistakes? Who in their right mind would kill his own people?"

"We're the same in that," Zeke replied. "You sent those recuits to death as distraction, just to kill me and failed in that."

Quilt overwhelmed Levi but he didn't show it. Zeke was right, he sacrificed all those children and veterans in Shinganshina and even Erwin, and failed. But now, God gave him another chance and he's going to use it.

"No one made you kill them. If you wanted to save them all, why did you do it?" Levi said bitterly.

Then Levi remembered what Zeke said just moments before yanking thunder-spear out of his stomach.

Euthanasia... Eldia's euthanasion... Euthanasion of all Eldians...

"Euthanasia..." Levi said.

Zeke's expression changed into stunned one. He knows, but how? Their plan is known only to Yelena and a few Yeagerists, his friends and Eren. How this bastard could possibly know about it?!

"So I've heard you right," Levi said.

"Another reason why I can't keep you alive, Ackerman," Zeke bared his teeth. He released one of his hands from Levi's grip and grabbed one of his blades quickly. He hasn't even questioned how he released his hand so easily. He lifted the blade and aimed it for Levi's chest. "This is the end of the road!" he made determinated face. He swung his blade towards Levi.

I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!

Levi waited for this, an opening. He punched Zeke's jaw as hard as he could. One moment of distraction and the roles changed. Levi took the opportunity to throw his foot in Zeke's stomach with full strength. Zeke gasped and he flew from the spot he was just second ago. His back hit the hard ground and he gritted his teeth in pain.

Both of them were covered in mud and blood at this point. Zeke was at the good distance away due to the force of Levi's kick. Levi grabbed his blades and got them back into the metal box. Zeke lifted himself from the ground as he saw Levi approach.

"You...gah! You can't... cut me remember? I'll turn into a Titan," said Zeke while holding his stomach. He was on his knees with one foot on the ground.

"Who said I'll need to cut you?"

Levi started running towards Zeke. Zeke used his foot to jump from the ground and start running in Levi's direction, ignoring the sharp pain in his stomach. Him and Levi were now running towards eachother, ready to end this all. When they were close enough Levi prepared his fist and tried to punch Zeke's head. Zeke moved his head to right and prepared his own fists, but as Levi's hand flew by his head, it changed direction. It was like everything was happening in slow motion. When Zeke realized that Levi was planning this from the beginning, it was too late.

Levi missed on purpose. His hand went in the sharp angle to the right, behing Zeke's head. Levi had Zeke's neck clasped. His right arm was circling his neck and he yanked his head down and threw his knee in his stomach again. Zeke fell on the ground unconscious.

Levi panted in exhausion while staring at Zeke. He couldn't win in this state and this was his only solution. He used wires from his 3dm gear and cut them into the ropes which he used to tie Zeke's hands and legs, not daring to stabilize his breathing first. He grabbed Zeke's hair and started dragging him to Historia's place. There wasn't time for waiting. Or mercy.