Wishing Tree |Alternate Ending |

Helplessness

Mikasa's POV
Stuck in the strands of meaningless memories, I find myself in a forest, in the cold winter that we had to go through during training. To my surprise Ymir is kicking Historia down a hill. I gasp, taking an automatic step forward but also hear the snow beside me crunch. In the shadows behind a tree I see a teenage version of Nolan, bundled up in a coat, watching the scene unfold before him "What the hell.." Nolan hisses under his breath, causing a small cloud to form into the air.

I look up to Ymir, seeing what seems to be her turning to take another route down to the checkpoint but she pauses. Nolans shoulders tense "You're breath clouds and loud footsteps give you up. Come out." Ymir says sternly, appearing not to know exactly where Nolan is.
He sighs, revealing himself to her. Moving her attention to him she scowls "This is the third time Ive caught you stalking her." She hisses.

Nolan shrugs "And you also threatened to kill me if you found me again. Will today be the day?" He tilts his head in challenge, with blonde bangs brushing his brows.

Ymir rushes him, pushing him to the tree with a blade pointed to his neck "I mean there is nothing stopping me now is there?" Her tone menacing.

Not afraid in the slightest, he gives a blank expression as he stared into her angered eyes "But you won't because you don't know who I am to her, because you don't know who Krista truly is behind her fake name" he counters.

Gripping the knife tighter, she stabs the tree beside his head with a huff of agitation"You piss me off." Her eyes glare into his but she pulls her knife and steps back "I may not know her fully yet but I did tail you and saw you live with an old man. The only threat you seem to have is that you're plain and ordinary." She glares, putting the knife in her boot "Even when she talked about you I thought Id die of boredom." She shifts her weight, putting a hand on her hip.

Her words practically push him to step forward in a surge of what looks like eagerness  "s-she talks about me?" His voice rattled in disbelief, unveiling a rather vulnerable side to the boy he was trying to mask with threats but a minute ago.

Glancing the forest, obviously checking her surroundings in case they aren't alone, she rolls her eyes "From the sounds of it, whatever life Krista lived, she happened to explain your appearance down to the small mole on your neck." Nolan reaches for the mole, stunned but also looks happy "Look Ill keep you alive because of her but I still dont like you." Dropping the hand on her hip she sighs never moving her gaze as her face saddens "But...." She pauses, looking down at the snow, probably contemplating what shes about to say "if anything happens to me and I....I cant protect her. I damn well expect you too." She grits her teeth looking pained to even say the word, her hands gripping into fist at her sides.

For that I admire her taking the precautions as reality proves she does die. Although it was more by choice than it was defending Historia's honor. Yet somehow I cant find myself to judge her as Eren practically did the same thing.

As Ymir turns to walk away, Nolan steps forward to say something but ear blistering screams erupts from his mouth, no wait, thats not Nolan. I realize as his mouth is moving to form more of words, not a screams. Grasping my ears I focus in on the scream "Kineth..." I whisper in realization.

The image before me becomes a radiant static of colors, opening my eyes to Nolans pathes and Kineth screaming with his eyes closed in pain "Kineth wake up!" I shout, "Come out of the memories! Listen to my voice!"

Curled forward with his hands gripping the sand, he continues his cries as I try will him out of the memories. I pull against my chains, trying to reach him, only to make it inches away, but not enough to touch "Come on Kineth, I need you to follow my voice." I say calmly. These damn chains, there has to be a way out if them, there has to be a wait to get closer.