Wishing Tree |Alternate Ending |

Phase Four

Armins POV
"Then send squad two to the docks. Sixth squad, front lines are down and they are moving in. Be on the ready."

Before I can end the radio transmission commander Mason, my soon to be replacement, steps over with his curly black hair bouncing into view to informs me "Commander Arlert the greeds are flooding into the towns at a rapid speed towards the castle." His eyes fixed on me with Hazel ehes that scream worry but a face that holds the mask of Authority. With a little more trainjng he will have his eyes hidden too. Maybe even look as numb as mine.

But for some reason, this war, my control of my emotions is wavering and my fist punches right through the table next to me uncontrollably. All the busy noise in the tent goes silent, terrified I just broke a wooden table with my bare hand, without any serum, just raw strength. Letting my fist fester in the pain for a moment I take a breath to calm down "Sir..." Mason was about to speak but I hold up my hand to silence him to think.

Right now our front lines are down, greeds are flowing in towards the castle, so something he wants must be there. Although my only issue with that it is, its closer to the Cabin where Mikasa is, my daughter too. Hitches squad should be enough to fight simple greeds as long as we can prevent titans from getting that close.

My only issue now is that Nolan is currently in full form according to my information floating in and im worrying about him reining the call to transform these Casters beside us as a last resort. For all I know he managed something like Zeke with the wine and I wont be able to stop it.

I can feel my frustration building. We've been preparing for this for so long, told we would have help and yet we are being hit in every direction against every powerful source and Mikasa was taken out before we can begin. Suddenly the silence of the tent is interrupted by a familiar voice "Commander Arlert, it sounds good on you." The voice has me spinning on my heals, Commander Erwin?

Why is it his voice makes me feel like a kid again? making it seem I can finally relax, knowing the man once in charge is back. I hold my composure and walk over to the Mic "Commander Erwin, glad to know you're back to the living. I was wondering when this war would turn around." I say smoothly, showing everyone in the tent I am still in control, still have it together.

Murmurs begin behind me at the mention of the historic commanders name, aiding hope to them "We still have a mission on our end to complete before this war turns around but we can still hold them off." He chuckles confidently "Though I am actually speaking to you because the Casters inside the confines of thag buildings of your are currently being induced by the enemy." He says calmly and Mason reacts immediately with everyone in the tent, rushing to the confines just outside.

Leaving me in the tent alone with the radio "Whats this mission?" My voice low and demanding, not liking the idea I wasn't in the loop.

"We have Eren and a team working on waking Mikasa. Do not worry Commander, we will not fail you but your coms will go out in five minutes. I recommend you get out of that tent."

I grit my teeth, calling out the last of my commands to the captains surrounding with one minute left, rushing out. The moment I step out, the tent explodes. My body goes flying with the impact when Jean catches me mid air "Holy shit Armin, are you alright?" Jean says, grappling us over greeds and down to a less chaotic spot.

Catching my breath, I put a hand on his shoulder with an unvoiced thank you and scan the area "This war is about to get bad before it gets good." I say simply, when Connie and Reiner join us.

"This is madness, the frontlines are down and they are pouring in." Connie announces the obvious, trying to catch his footing for when he lands.

Currently we sit on the other side of the bridge, the confines in a building we built close to the mountains. This puts us between them - the underground exit behind us and the awaiting frontlines enemies to cross that bridge. I would say destroy the bridge but their next option would be to go through Apex and they are to small to defend such a large scale of enemies.