Chapter 114: The Colossal Titan Has Appeared!
Eren's Home.
The warm atmosphere of dinner was gone, shattered, just like the plate on the floor that reflected Carla's heart.
"The Survey Corps?!" Carla's voice rose, sharp and high, filled with uncontrollable fear and anger. "Eren! Tell me! Are you insane?!"
She rushed in front of him, grabbed his shoulders, and shook him violently. "That place is hell! It's where you go to die! Do you know that?! We just barely escaped from that hell! And besides, how many people are carried back from outside the Walls each year?! No! Most don't even have a body to bring back!"
"You graduated at the top! You can go to the interior! Join the Military Police! Live a safe life! Why?! Tell me why?!"
Tears streamed down her pale cheeks.
Eren let his mother shake him, his chest tight and aching, as if blocked by a giant stone. He knew his mother's fear. He, too, had been that ignorant boy, until the day the Wall was breached. But he couldn't back down.
He looked at his mother's tear-streaked face, at her deep love and despair. Eren slowly raised his hand and gently held his mother's trembling wrist. The gesture was gentle, yet held an undeniable resolve.
"Okaa-san (Mom)," he said, his voice heavy but exceptionally clear. "I have to go precisely because it's dangerous."
"Staying inside the Walls seems safe, but that's just an illusion. It's been five years, Mom. Have you forgotten the tragedy from five years ago?"
Carla's body stiffened, an even deeper pain flashing in her eyes. "That was different! That was—"
"It's no different at all!" Eren cut her off. "The enemy is right outside the Walls, and they could attack again at any time. Hiding and praying won't bring us real safety. Only by taking the fight to them can we protect ourselves, protect our family! Living in the interior seems safe, but if the outer Wall is breached again, how long will the interior be safe? I don't want to lose anyone ever again. I need to gain power, gain the influence to change all this. The Survey Corps is my only choice."
His words landed on Carla's heart like cold stones, every one of them filled with resolve.
Carla looked at her son, at the calm and determination that didn't belong to a boy his age. She suddenly let go of him and took two steps back, as if looking at a stranger. When did this son, whom she had raised and protected, become so… unfamiliar?
Grisha had been standing silently to the side. Now, he stepped forward and gently supported the swaying Carla. He looked at Eren, his expression complex. There was no blame, no dissuasion. Just a deep, long look. In his eyes, there seemed to be a sigh, but also understanding.
"…Let's eat," was all Grisha finally said.
Carla looked at Eren, then at her husband. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she only wept silently, her shoulders shaking violently. She understood she couldn't stop him.
That night was long and oppressive. No one else spoke. Only Carla's suppressed sobs and the occasional clink of silverware filled the silence. The shadow of parting hung over the home.
Several days later. Trost District, on top of the Wall.
The sun was bright, the breeze gentle. The new class of graduates was performing routine maintenance before their regiment assignments, wiping down the cold, stationary cannons.
Eren was there, along with Jean, Connie, Sasha, and other familiar faces. Some of them still hadn't made their final decision about which regiment to join. The atmosphere was a bit heavy, filled with uncertainty about the future and a subtle tension.
"Hey, Eren!" Connie called out in surprise. "Look at Sasha!"
Everyone followed his gaze. Sasha was running over from a distance, holding a paper-wrapped bundle—meat she was bringing to share with everyone! The faint aroma of cooked meat drifted over.
"Sasha! Did you steal from the kitchens again?!" Jean yelled, feigning disgust.
Sasha jumped, almost dropping the meat. She quickly presented the meat to everyone with a goofy grin. "N-no, I—I brought it for you guys!"
The group burst out laughing, momentarily breaking the tension.
But Eren didn't laugh. His sharp gaze swept over the Wall, and down at the busy streets below. He was searching. For Bertolt.
It was almost time.
He had to make sure the others were far from the epicenter of the coming disaster.
"Hey!" Eren suddenly pointed to a cannon mount far from the Wall's edge. "This one over here seems a bit loose, it's not secure." He frowned, his expression serious. "Everyone, come take a look, help me check it. It'll be trouble if it misfires or falls when we need it."
His tone left no room for argument. The new cadets were a bit confused, since nothing had happened for years, but seeing the top graduate's serious expression, they instinctively gathered around, including Sasha, who was still drooling over the meat, and a reluctant-looking Jean.
Eren breathed a sigh of relief. They were far enough away. Even if the outer gate was breached and the cannons were swept, they should be far enough to react to the shockwave and debris. He looked out over the Wall again. His eyes were calm, but his heart was beating a little faster.
It's here.
BOOOOOOOM!!!!!!
Without any warning! A blinding golden lightning bolt tore the blue sky apart! It was followed by a deafening roar, as if the sky were collapsing. The Wall beneath their feet shook violently.
"Aaah!!"
"Is it an earthquake?!"
"What's happening?!"
The cadets panicked, screams erupting. Some lost their balance and fell.
Only Eren. He stood in his spot, perfectly still. He didn't even turn to look at his panicking comrades. He just calmly lifted his head, looking towards the towering outer Wall of Trost.
Everything… was just as he remembered.
On top of that indestructible Wall, a massive, massive head was slowly rising. It had no skin, only exposed muscle, and it radiated scalding white steam. Its empty eyes stared down indifferently at the tiny city, the tiny humans below. Like a god, declaring the apocalypse.
The Colossal Titan.
It had appeared again.
Eren watched the giant head turn towards the fixed cannons on the Wall. Clear the cannons, to sweep the path for the Armored Titan to breach the gate. Bertolt… you're finally here.
Good.
Eren took a deep breath. He confirmed that his comrades, thanks to his earlier misdirection, were all safely away from the cannon area the Colossal Titan would target.
The next second.
ZRRRT!
The ODM gear at his waist expelled gas. His wires shot out, anchoring into the Wall. Eren's body became an afterimage, launching himself at the giant head looking down on them all.
The battle had begun.