Erwin and Hange both knelt down to examine Carla.
Hange placed two fingers against Carla's neck, then slowly shook her head with a sigh.
"…Your mother is beyond saving."
Keith's eyes went dim. Completely shattered, he collapsed to the ground.
"…Carla…"
It felt like a thunderbolt struck Eren's mind.
He clenched Carla's clothes tightly, his face twisted to the extreme. Tears and snot ran into his mouth, but he didn't even notice.
"It's all because of those damn Titans! I swear—I'll drive every last Titan out of this world! I'll slaughter them all… not a single one left!"
Eren roared hoarsely.
Why didn't Annie just kill those two Titans…? Why release them instead?
Whether or not Eren indirectly led Carla here… Annie—you can't escape responsibility.
Chen Si clenched his fists, arcs of electricity crackling violently around his body, fueled by killing intent.
"Eren, Chen Si… my condolences."
Erwin slowly stood up. He knew words wouldn't help, so he didn't say more. He, too, had experienced the pain of losing loved ones.
"The ones who should be grieving… aren't us."
Chen Si's eyes were cold, overflowing with killing intent.
"They should be the ones grieving."
Winyaad opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing.
Chen Si… have you also been caught in someone's scheme…?
Eren remained collapsed over Carla's body, crying uncontrollably, unable to recover.
"Chis… do you think I'm strong?"
Chen Si suddenly asked, staring down at Carla's body.
"Strong. At least stronger than all of us," Winyaad answered honestly.
"Then why… can't I save them?"
"Mrs. Ackerman… Aunt Carla… again and again, they die right in front of me…"
"…Why?"
Chen Si seemed to be asking both himself and others.
"I used to have the same doubts as you," Winyaad said softly.
"I thought this world was fake—that we were the only real people, and everyone else was just NPCs."
"But when Isabel's severed head appeared in front of me, covered in blood… I stopped thinking that way."
"Levi was the same."
"Before Isabel and Farlan died, he was untouchable—fearless, above everyone. No one could threaten him."
"But after that expedition outside the Walls…"
"He asked the same question you are asking now."
"Why, even though he was so strong… he still couldn't save them."
"The truth is—your strength, everything you've gained through effort, can only take effect when fate allows it."
"So this isn't your fault."
"…It's just fate."
Her voice, rarely gentle, carried a hint of hope.
"Fate is bullshit."
Chen Si rejected it outright.
"'Fate can't be changed'—that's just a lie for the weak."
No… I'm just not strong enough.
He tightened his fists.
"Chen Si," Erwin said calmly,
"your personal strength may allow you to control your own fate… but not the fate of others."
"You cannot save everyone every time."
"In the face of greater forces, individual lives are insignificant."
He glanced at Carla's body, then back at Chen Si, stating the cruel truth.
Chen Si fell silent.
It's true… I can't save everyone.
Saving people is difficult… but killing is easy.
If I can't save everyone… then I'll kill everyone…
Winyaad frowned slightly at the murderous aura in his eyes. Her pupils dimmed faintly.
Chen Si suddenly stiffened, then looked at her with annoyance.
"…Trying to mess with my mind?"
"You're not thinking straight right now," she said calmly.
"Don't make decisions when your emotions are unstable. Don't act like a child, letting your feelings control you."
"You can read minds now?" Chen Si asked, slightly surprised.
"Is it really that hard to guess what a kid is thinking?" she replied, waving her hand.
"Like you're that much older," Chen Si muttered, black lines forming on his forehead.
"Commander! The fire at the armory has been extinguished. There are signs of arson near the windows!"
A soldier rushed over to report.
"Good work. Go get some rest," Erwin nodded.
"Yes, sir!"
"So it really was man-made…" Mike frowned.
Then he suddenly looked at Hange—
who was lying on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Waaaah…"
"Hange Squad Leader…?" Eren, still tear-streaked, stared in confusion at Hange, who seemed even more devastated than he was.
"Bean! Sonny! In your next life, don't eat people anymore!"
Hange rolled in the ashes, crying and wailing.
"Alright, alright… I'll help you catch a few more next time. It's not a big deal. I can even get you an intelligent Titan if you want," Chen Si said, trying to comfort her.
A blur flashed—
Hange instantly appeared in front of him, her tears and snot completely gone.
"Really?! Chen Si!"
She looked wildly excited.
Survey Corps Headquarters – Dormitory
Chen Si and Eren lay on separate beds across the aisle.
"Chen Si… what did Mom mean before she died when she said 'don't go'?"
"Did she mean I shouldn't join the Survey Corps?"
"But how could I not join? Only by joining can we take back humanity's freedom!"
Eren said, confused.
"Don't go… the Rumbling…?"
Chen Si's pupils shrank.
Did future Eren send memories to Carla…?
Did Eren know she would die?
Or… did she have to die? Was it inevitable? Why…?
"What 'Rumbling'? What's that?" Eren asked, puzzled.
"Eren!"
Chen Si suddenly sat up, staring at him seriously.
"No matter what you do in the future—you must talk to me first. Promise me."
"No matter what happens, protect your own life."
"And you must never harm Mikasa, Armin, Sasha, or the others."
"As long as you can promise that—I'll support you with everything I have."
"Chen Si… what are you talking about?"
"Why would I ever hurt Mikasa or Armin? Isn't our goal to protect everyone?"
Eren was completely confused.
"Promise me!" Chen Si shouted.
"…Okay! I promise! I will definitely do it!" Eren replied firmly.
"…Good."
Chen Si let out a breath.
No matter how much the story changes… as long as Eren doesn't turn on his friends…
"Chen Si… you really mean it? You'll support me no matter what I do?"
"Before, you always sided with Mikasa and Mom—you never helped me," Eren said.
"Of course I will… definitely… support you…"
"…probably."
Chen Si hesitated slightly.
Support Eren… even if it means destroying the world…?
Maybe… as long as we can be happy…
Eren… maybe you and I are the same.
"You're not allowed to go back on your word," Eren said quietly.
"…Yeah."
Chen Si noticed something—
Eren's tone sounded more mature now.
Not as impulsive and emotional as before.
Growing up… really does happen in an instant.
When they were younger—
Mikasa would beat Eren, Chen Si would watch, and then Carla would scold Eren and remind Chen Si of a few things.
Later, it became Chen Si and Mikasa teaming up to beat Eren.
Then Eren would run to complain to Armin—
who would also get beaten.
Then Eren would charge back in—
and get beaten again.
Then Mikasa would step in—
then Chen Si would join—
then he'd notice Mikasa's clothes were dirty and jump in too…
Countless little moments like that—
formed a childhood that wasn't perfect—
but was deeply warm and unforgettable.
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