Attack On Titan- Wings of liberty*

Back within the protective walls, the once vibrant air of the bustling district had shifted into a suffocating stillness. Streets that once echoed with lively chatter now stood eerily silent, save for the hurried whispers of fear and the frantic rhythm of retreating footsteps. Smoke coiled lazily into the sky, its acrid scent mingling with the metallic tang of blood. The walls, once symbols of safety and order, now loomed ominously, as though they, too, recognized the futility of their defense. Beyond them, chaos brewed, a storm poised to devour all.

Farlan's legs burned as he sprinted through the deserted streets, his breaths ragged and uneven. The world around him blurred into smears of gray and red, his focus narrowing to a singular, desperate thought: 'Isabel and Layina must be safe.' Every stride felt heavier than the last, but he pushed on, fueled by the gnawing dread that threatened to consume him. He ignored the stinging protests of his muscles, his ODM gear sputtering on its last reserves of gas. He had nothing left—except them.

When Farlan reached his home, his fists rapped against the door in rapid, desperate succession.

"Farlan?" Isabel's voice rang out, her face pale with worry as she swung open the door. Her green eyes widened. "What happened? Why are you alone? Where's Sana?"

He froze, his chest heaving. The words clawed at his throat, refusing to come out. A lump of emotion rendered him silent, and that silence spoke louder than any words could. Isabel's expression crumpled as realization set in.

"Why… why are you out of breath?" Isabel's voice wavered, her hands clutching the doorframe for support.

Farlan knelt before her, his trembling hands gripping her shoulders. "I don't know," he rasped, his voice barely audible. "The Titans attacked, and she…" His voice cracked, the memory of Sana disappearing beneath the rubble flashing vividly before him. "I couldn't find her. I tried… but I failed."

Isabel's knees buckled as she collapsed into Farlan's arms, her sobs muffled against his chest.

"Where is Mamma?" Layina's small, trembling voice broke the silence. She clutched the hem of Isabel's skirt, her wide eyes darting toward the open door, searching the streets as though Sana might appear any moment.

Farlan's heart sank. He couldn't bear to meet her gaze. "Layina," he began, his voice breaking, "we have to leave."

"No!" Isabel cried, pulling away to meet his teary eyes. "We're not leaving without Sana!"

"It's over, Isabel!" Farlan's voice rose, trembling with guilt and anguish. Tears streamed down his face, his grip on her arm tightening as though to anchor himself. "She's gone. I failed her, and now I have to protect you. We have to move. Now!"

Isabel froze, her breaths hitching. Layina didn't understood, she started wipping Farlan's tears."Don't cry Farlan Otosan." He looked at her face with guilt. 

Farlan reached out to steady Isabel. "Please," he whispered hoarsely. "If we don't go, we'll lose everything."

---

A thunderous crash reverberated through the district. A shadow fell over the cobblestone streets as an enormous figure loomed just beyond Wall Maria.

At Wall Maria, chaos erupted. The ground trembled as the Colossal Titan appeared, its massive form dwarfing the towering walls. The air filled with the deafening sound of crumbling and the panicked cries of the townsfolk. People fled in every direction, their screams blending into a cacophony of despair.

"Evacuate the district!" a Garrison commander bellowed. His voice struggled to rise above the chaos as he directed his troops. "The northern bridge for evacuation is down! All civilians must head for the boats!"

The newly graduated trainees, their faces pale but determined, scrambled into formation. Despite their training, fear seeped through their ranks as they faced the towering monsters for the first time.

Eren sprinted through the chaos, his thoughts solely on his home. He ignored the shouts of his fellow cadets, his heart pounding with urgency. 'I have to get to her.' When he reached his house, his heart sank. Titans swarmed the area, their grotesque forms casting long shadows over the shattered remains of his neighborhood.

A familiar voice broke through the haze of fear. "Eren!"

He turned toward the house and saw his mother struggling to hold the door shut against the weight of a nearby Titan's looming presence. Without hesitation, he activated his ODM gear, vaulting through the air toward her.

"Okasan, are you alright?" he called, landing in the doorway.

"Eren!" she cried, relief and terror interwoven in her voice. "What are you doing here? It's not safe!"

"I joined the Scouts for this day," he retorted, his voice filled with defiance. "Don't you trust me?"

"It's not about trust, Eren! I'm your mother. I'm worried!" she shouted, her eyes darting behind him. "Where's Mikasa?"

"She's with her unit," he replied shortly, grabbing her arm. "We need to move. Now."

As he searched for an escape route, the house shook violently. A Titan's massive hand crashed through the wall, its fingers grasping wildly. Eren hoisted his mother into his arms and shot through a narrow gap, narrowly avoiding the Titan's grip. But their escape was short-lived. Another Titan swiped at them mid-air, its hand catching Eren's leg. He was struggling to free himself while still holding his mother.

"Eren, let me go!" she screamed. "Save yourself!"

"No!" he shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm not losing you too!"

Armin arrived just in time, his ODM gear hissing as he propelled himself toward them. "Eren!" he yelled, reaching out. "Throw her to me!"

Eren hesitated, his grip tightening. "Take her and go!" he shouted. "I'll hold them off!"

"Don't be stupid!" Armin snapped. "We're getting out of here together!"

"Go!" Eren roared, throwing his mother toward Armin. She screamed in protest as Armin caught her, tears streaming down her face. "Protect her, Armin. Please."

Reluctantly, Armin retreated with Eren's mother in tow, her cries fading into the distance. Eren turned back to face the Titans, his resolve hardening. "I'll kill you all. Every last one of you."

---

Elsewhere, Mikasa fought with the precision and ferocity of a seasoned soldier. She moved through the chaos like a storm, her blades cutting through Titan flesh with ruthless efficiency. Despite her focus, her heart ached with worry for Eren.

"Stay strong," she whispered to herself, her grip tightening on her swords. "Eren… Armin… please be safe."

The battle raged on. For every Titan that fell, two more seemed to take its place. The trainees fought valiantly, but inexperience and fear claimed many of their lives. Amid the blood and carnage, the hope of survival grew dim. And yet, within the despair, a fierce determination burned in the hearts of those who fought. This was their home, and they would defend it to their last breath.