In Love with a Devil

Chapter 15 - Hope

You and the others run to the end of the cave, a long net covering the entrance of where Historia and Eren are. You look above you and see a hole blocked off with planks of wood... there's no way in... suddenly, a bright, hot flash of light erupts in the cave, blinding everyone.

"No..." you say worriedly.

"Eren!!!" Mikasa cries.

"Uh, guys? This place is about to collapse!" Sasha says shakily. You look up and see the wood was broken away from the hole.

"Up there! We can get in through there!" you say, pointing up. You deploy your gear, everyone following behind you.

Once inside, your eyes widen at the monstrosity below; a deformed, giant titan forming on the floor, the elite squad hooked to the ground, Kenny flailing in the air, and Eren and Historia on the ledge. You shoot over to them, avoiding the debris and the giant titan. Historia flies back from the heat wave, but you catch her before she hits the cave wall.

"Y/n!!" she says with relief.

"It's okay, we're going to get you out of here" you say assuringly.

"Hand me the keys!" Levi shouts. Historia throws him the keys, Jean and Connie on both of Eren's sides, holding him steady as the three of them unlock his restraints. Once he's free, they pull him back away as the cave continues to collapse, cornering them against the wall. You hold onto Historia, trying to think of a way to get out, but you look around you and see everyone staring at Eren. he sinks to the floor in tears, his emotions overwhelming him. He starts to go on about how he shouldn't have been given his titan power, and how the group should just leave him there. Jean and Connie encourage him, and they prepare to take off on their ODM gear, but Eren notices a vial on the floor labeled 'armor'. He snatches it off the ground and charges at the giant titan, biting the glass and swallowing. He transforms into a titan, and starts sprouting a blue crystalized vine that quickly encases everyone behind him. You all run to him, sheltering your bodies under him as the giant titan grows and bursts out of the ground... the rumbling starts to stop, seemingly traveling away from all of you. You look up and see Mikasa and Jean stabbing away at a crystalized titan, and pulling Eren out of it.

"Eren!!" Mikasa says as she holds his body close.

"Not too bad, Jaeger. You saved us. You made all of this within seconds and protected everyone here... it's not pretty, but it has potential. Potential to plug the hole in Wall Maria." Levi says as he helps him up.

"I drank from a vial that said 'armor'... I think it's what allowed me to harden my titan." Eren says softly.

"Captain!! We secured an exit, sir!" Sasha shouts from above, Connie lowering down beside her.

"Hange, Armin, and Moblit are safe too!" Connie adds.

"We need to go. That giant titan escaped... we need to stop it before it gets to the walls." you say as you stand up, wincing as you remember your wounded shoulder. You kneel as you hold it tightly, blood soaking your shirt.

"Everyone, head above ground. Check in with Hange and see if our backup has arrived yet." Levi orders as he kneels beside you.

"Sir" everyone says in unison. Once they deploy off, Levi inspects your shoulder.

"It opened up again when the cave was collapsing... it's fine though, I can still help" you say, unsure if you're convincing Levi or yourself. He pulls you into his arms, holding your body tight against him.

"I thought the worst... but I'm just glad you're still in one piece..." he whispers into your ear. You melt into the hug, holding him with your good arm and shedding a single tear.