The Fate of the Human Bird
"You don't know what you treasure until it's gone."
-Ancient Eldian proverb
It was a moment that would stay for eternity in the memory of those who witnessed it. Time stopped then, and further refused to advance.
It had occurred during the final battle against the hated Marleyans, a battle which would soon after be declared a victory for our side. That victory freed us from the chains of Paradis Island forever. But that one instance of time, no more than a second, held the greatest tragedy that we could ever imagine.
All eyes were unwillingly drawn to the action, as the hand of the General of those monsters struck down a short midget of a man who needs only be known by 'Levi'. It seemed impossible at the time, and yet it happened.
The Corporal fell like a bird who had lost its wings. The blow delivered by that demon nearly severed him in half. He lay upon the filth he so hated as we all threw ourselves at our enemy. Our fervor was renewed, driven by rage at the loss of a comrade-in-arms. Let us just say that neither the Marleyans nor the Eldians fighting at their side walked again after that day.
And, much to our grief, neither did the Captain. Despite the speed with which we rushed to his side with medical aid, he was already on the cusp of succumbing to his grave injury. He looked at us then with, quite shockingly, relief etched upon his features. He proceeded to say that he was tired of his friends dying in his place, and he was glad that he would die in place of us this once. With a final exhale of breath, he closed his eyes and moved no more.
Several years later, our own government has replaced the despised one of the Marleyans. Our people have spread across the continent far and wide, although a few still live on the island of our birth.
And to that island we had carefully escorted the remains of our beloved friend and captain. He is not buried, rather we have scattered his ashes across the plains. He had always much preferred them to the prison of the Underground from whence he came.
Instead of a grave we have given him a memorial flanked by two tea bushes - one green, one black. The only detail that sets it apart from any other stone in the field is the simple inscription of his name, behind which are the Wings of Freedom. There is no title preceding the four letters hewn into the rock. Titles are meaningless where he is now, and his name is known by everyone these days.
We visit that marker twice a year: once on the day of his death, the tenth day of the eighth month; and once on the day of his birth, the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month. The only offering we bring is of the white yarrow flower, which was always his favorite for a reason quite unknown to us.
The Survey Corps no longer exists, as we had disbanded shortly after the war was over. There really was no point in it continuing. There is no more danger, and we did lose one of our best soldiers. But there is also some good news. Mikasa and Eren are finally engaged to be married, as are Connie and Sasha. Hange has discovered another weird obsession. And I travel the world writing books about rivers of fire and great bodies of water and seas of sand. One of those books, my dear friend, you are holding right now. We have finally found a lasting peace.
-From 'An Account of the Titan and Eldian-Marleyan Wars' by Armin Arlert.
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A/N: the date of death is quite random, and a yarrow plant symbolizes courage, healing, and protection. It's Latin name is Achillea Millefolium, 'Achillea' taken from the name of the Greek hero Achilles and 'Millefolium' meaning 'million leafed plant'. The white symbolizes purity. I made up the part about it being his favorite flower, of course, but I thought it suits him. And the flower actually does heal, too. Well, thanks for reading this weird headcanon of mine, and I hope you didn't cry a lot.
Vale(te)!