The Guardian's Tale (AOT fanfiction)

-Nightmare-

I opened my eyes only to discover that I was chained up in what seemed to be a never ending black room. The only thing I could hear was what sounded like water dripping...wait...no that's not right...this was heavier than water...Blood ? Suddenly, a glass appeared in front of me and in it, I caught my reflection. 

A huge cut marked my neck horizontally. Before I could scream, I heard footsteps and I relaxed my whole body, relieved that someone had come. I didn't care whether they came to save me or kill me, at least I wouldn't be alone. The footsteps got closer and closer until finally, a figure emerged from the darkness and my eyes widened.

"Marco...no way..." I managed to say.

"Yoohooo. Hey." He smiled as he crouched . "Finally. You've been sleeping all day. I've been wondering what that mind of yours has been dreaming about."

"W-What are you...talking about...?" I stuttered. "I...I wasn't...asleep....you're dead..."

"You had a nightmare." He said softly. "I get those too don't worry, nightmares that I'd lose you and when I woke up...I'd be so happy. Not that I was alive but...that even in this hell I got to see the person I cared about most. So I know how that feels...but you don't need to worry about me. I'm right here...and I'm better than the dream right...? Cuz you can touch me. You can feel me..."

As soon as he said that, the shackles burnt away and I hesitantly touched his face. I...could feel him...I could touch him. I wrapped my arms around his chest as tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Woah slow down there." He chuckled. "Yeah...you can hold me...and no one can wake you up from it and tell you it isn't real. I'm real...and you are too. It's scary out there...I know." Suddenly, he got up and my arms fell to my sides. "You really thought huh ?" He laughed darkly as his mutilated dead body replaces his current one. "This is your fault...I protected you and you...you just let me die like I was some kind of extra you could ditch."

"Marco...? I...I swear I didn't...please." I pleaded as I started backing up.

"You saw who killed me...so why didn't you avenge me ? WHY ?!" He yelled as he moved his mutilated body closer. "You'll keep on asking yourself 'Why ?' while I root deep beneath the ground. And it's all...because...of...you~" He cooed as he placed a finger on my nose. 

"Marco stop..." I placed both of my hands on my head. "STOP...GO AWAY ! GET AWAY FROM ME !"

"As you wish...All of this blood...on the wall...seems you and I were meant to fall~" He let out a bone chilling laugh before disappearing.

I backed up against what seemed to be a wall and threw up. No way...this is just a dream...I'm fine...I just need to wake up. I bit my hand over and over but nothing worked when, all of a sudden, another figure stepped out of the darkness..the man I loved.

"My love...Yuki...did you have another nightmare ?" He asked, extending his hand to me. "Everything's alright now...I've got you." He reassured as he pulled me in and hugged me tightly.

"Reiner...?" I hesitantly brushed my fingers against his cheek. "NO !" I yelled before pushing him away. "I'm fine you...you're not real."

"You're right..." He grabbed my throat and slammed me against a wall. "It's YOUR fault. They said...YOU made me this way. Everyone's going crazy because of...you. But you already knew that. No matter where you run you can't ever start over. Everyone who knows you...goes crazy. Their lives get ruined. It's who you are. You're cursed...and the curse will follow you everywhere. Nothing can break it. There's no place for you. So stop fighting it. Show us your true colors...show us that you're cursed...show us...THAT YOU'RE A MONSTER !" He grinned and let go of my neck.

"What...are you saying ?" I asked after coughing for air. "But you...I don't understand."

"I what ? Love you ?" He let out a bone chilling laugh just like Marco and looked at me with eyes full of hatred. "I never loved you. Not even for a second. You ruined my life...This is all your fault. I just wanted to get close enough to you..." He leaned in close. "To kill you. Who could ever love such a monster ? You killed your mother and the rest of your family died because of you. You...YOU RUINED EVERYTHING ! Heh...you thought this was some kind of story where someone saw the good in the monster and fell in love with it ? No...no one will ever love you. And you'll be alone...forever~"

Not a moment after saying that, he vanished and the black room lit up with torches. When I walked close enough, my eyes widened in terror and fear. There, in front of me, the people I had lost each held up a torch...including Reiner.

"What did we ever do to you ?" They all asked in unison. "Everyone who knows you...goes crazy. You ruined our lives...MONSTER !"

"PLEASE !" I yelled as I sprung up. 

"Hey !" A voice called out as they pulled me in for a tight hug. "It's alright...it was just another nightmare...It's been 3 weeks nonstop now."

As I fully regained my senses, I realized that I was panting, sweating and tears were running down my cheeks. When I looked up, I realized that the person hugging me was non other than Jean. I hugged him tightly, my whole body shaking as I stopped myself from throwing up. Jean must have realized it because he let go, grabbed the bucket next to my bed and handed it to me. Before I had time to thank him, I threw up and he gently rubbed my back.

"No wonder you're losing weight...this has been happening every night now." He said as he grabbed a cloth and wiped the sweat from my body.

"I'm..." I looked down and brushed my fingers over my ring. "I'm sorry..." 

"Hey don't...it's alright. Now go back to sleep while I do the same." He said before turning to leave.

"J-Jean..." I called out as I gently grabbed his sleeve. "C-Can you stay...can...can you sleep here tonight...please."

"Huh ? Yeah of course I can." He smiled.

He walked over to the bed and sat on the chair next to it as he gently grabbed my hand. I let myself fall back onto the bed and let the warmth of his hand guide me back into sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED !
(Also a note this is the end of season 3 so the next chapter will describe her new appearance in season 4 and the one after that will be the start of season 4.)