Attack on Vader

Chapter 46

In a dining room, Gabi and Armin sit at a table while Mikasa stands in between them.

Gabi: Tell me. Why did you save me?

Armin: Don't know. Guess I really didn't have a reason.

Gabi: I'm the one who killed your comrades on that airship. I'm the one who crushed that guard's skull with a brick. Falco didn't do anything. So kill me, not him. Okay?

Armin: We won't kill you.

Gabi: Why not? I know you must want to.

Armin: Why would I want that? Always with the killing. It's like it's all you ever think about. Just like someone else I know.

Eren then walks in. Both Mikasa and Armin see him as they gasp.

Armin: Er-

Before Armin could finish his name, Eren brought up his hand as blood came out of it.

Everyone took a seat at the table with their heads on it. Armin and Mikasa were looking at Eren while Gabi was shitting her pants trying not to freak out, but failing miserably.

Eren: I just wanna talk to you. More conflict isn't necessary to solve Eldia's problems. Hange and the others are fine. We're just relocating them.

Armin: Eren, Mikasa and I have been wanting to talk to you, too. What were you thinking when you decided to attack Marley on your own? Why do all this.

Outside everyone else was being loaded up and being sent away.

Armin: Did you really turn to the dark side?

It was quiet, no sound could be heard. Then Eren spoke.

Eren: I am free, Armin. Every single thing that I've done, I decided to do. My actions are governed by nothing but my own free will.

Armin: So even though you left us and joined the dark side, you're saying that this was all you?

Eren: Yes.

Mikasa: No way. You're being manipulated! The dark side is blinding you! The Eren I know would never involve civilians and children in a war, even if they were enemies. And you wouldn't put us at risk either. You care about us more than anyone. Don't you? You are a kind person.

Mikasa starts to get out of her seat to lean towards Eren.

Eren: I said to keep hands on the table, Mikasa.

Mikasa put her hands down as she slowly sat back down.

Eren: Back in Liberio, I spoke with Zeke, brother to brother. Learned a lot of things from him. Honestly, it seems like he knows even more about how Titans work than Marley does. You're being controlled, Mikasa. The Ackermann clan was designed to be perfect for the task of protecting Eldia's king. Your Ackermann instincts were dormant, until, in that life or death situation, you heard me order you to "fight," all the way back in Trost. The strength and certainty you felt in that moment were awakened because your blood mistook me for the host you were made to protect.

Mikasa: That can't be.

Eren: It can't? Why not?

Mikasa: It wasn't a mistake. It's because it was you. It had to be you. You and Anakin are why I became strong. How could that be a mistake?

Eren: As an Ackermann with awakened powers, you're apparently supposed to get headaches pretty frequently. The research said this is a side effect of the Ackermann's true self trying to resist being forced to protect their host. Sound familiar?