The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving behind streaks of amber and lavender across the vast expanse of the sky. Mikasa Ackerman leaned against the railing of the airship, feeling the cool breeze brush against her cheeks. As a member of the Scout Regiment, she was accustomed to the unpredictable nature of the world, but being up in the sky provided her with a sense of serenity she rarely found on the ground.
As she gazed at the fading light, she thought of Eren Yeager, her childhood friend, and the reason she joined the Scouts. He was her constant, the one who gave her strength during the darkest moments of their lives. But now, he was no longer with them. Eren had taken a path she couldn't follow, and the memories of their last encounter weighed heavily on her heart.
Lost in her thoughts, Mikasa barely noticed the presence of someone approaching her from behind. It was Armin Arlert, another close friend and someone who understood the complexities of her emotions.
"Mikasa," Armin called gently. "It's almost time to depart. Are you okay?"
Mikasa turned to him and offered a small smile. "I'm fine, Armin. Just reminiscing, I suppose."
Armin nodded, his blue eyes reflecting compassion. "If you ever need to talk, you know I'm here, right?"
"I know. Thank you," she replied, appreciating his sincerity.
The airship began to hum, signaling its readiness for departure. Mikasa took one last look at the sky before heading inside. As she settled into her seat, she couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness, a longing for something beyond the horizon.
The journey was uneventful, and the Scouts made their way to a distant town on a reconnaissance mission. Upon arrival, they dispersed into smaller groups to cover more ground. Mikasa, Armin, and a few others set out to gather information on recent Titan activities.
As they roamed the abandoned streets, Mikasa's mind kept drifting back to Eren. She wondered where he was and what he was doing. Was he safe? Was he in danger? A part of her wanted to find him, to confront him about his choices, but she knew it was impossible.
The day turned to dusk, and the Scouts decided to take shelter in an old, partially destroyed building. Mikasa took the first watch, sitting near a cracked window, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
It was during her watch that she noticed a figure in the distance. A tall, familiar figure with unruly dark hair. Her heart skipped a beat, and she had to blink to make sure she wasn't imagining things. It was him – Eren.
Without a second thought, Mikasa rushed outside, leaving her companions behind. She ran faster than she had ever run, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. As she approached him, she saw Eren standing at the edge of a cliff, gazing at the crimson sky.
"Eren!" Mikasa called out, her voice a mix of relief and concern.
He turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Mikasa, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," she replied, trying to steady her breathing.
Eren looked away, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and determination. "I couldn't stay away from you any longer. I needed to see you one last time."
Mikasa's heart clenched at his words. "One last time? What do you mean, Eren?"
He hesitated before continuing, "I've made my decision, Mikasa. I'm going to end this, and I don't know if I'll come back."
"No!" she protested, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "You can't do this alone, Eren. We're a team, remember?"
"I know," Eren said softly. "But this is something I must do."
Mikasa stepped closer to him, her hand reaching out to touch his cheek. "Please, Eren, don't shut us out. Let us help you. We'll find another way together."
Eren's eyes softened, and he leaned into her touch. "You're too good for me, Mikasa. I don't want to drag you into my darkness."
"We've been through so much together," she insisted, her voice trembling. "Let me be there for you now, when you need it the most."
Eren's resolve seemed to waver, and he looked torn. "I'm scared, Mikasa. I'm scared of what I might become."
"We all have our fears," Mikasa said, her gaze unwavering. "But facing them together makes us stronger."
For a moment, Eren seemed lost in her eyes, as if battling the demons within him. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Alright. But promise me one thing."
"Anything," Mikasa replied without hesitation.
"Promise me that, no matter what happens, you'll keep moving forward," he said earnestly. "Live a life beyond the walls, beyond Titans."
Tears streamed down Mikasa's cheeks, but she managed a determined smile. "I promise, Eren. We'll find a way to be free, together."
As the night sky enveloped them, they stood there, hand in hand, ready to face whatever the future held. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they knew that as long as they had each other, they could endure anything. And so, beneath the stars, Mikasa and Eren found solace in the serendipity of the skies, knowing that their bond was unbreakable, and their love, unwavering.
