Humanity's strongest
A classroom in Liberio is receiving a few children for today's class. Less than 15 kids are attending a new type of education that was implemented just one year ago, since reconstruction of the city reached hospitable levels.
The children are wearing commoner clothes and are happily chatting between each other, every children is different, none are wearing the same type of clothes or have the same appearance, there is no distinction anymore between races… when suddenly a woman barges in…
Gabi: Good morning brats!
The children standing up: Good morning miss Gabi!
Gabi: Well, were did we left off yesterday huh? Does anyone remember? or were you all thinking about what are you having for lunch?
A Hizuru child stands up: We were learning about Paradis history miss Gabi!
Gabi: Hitomi, you always answer everything. From now on you are barred from answering a question. The rest of you lazy oafs have to stop depending on a girl to save you all the time.
Well, as the only child with a future here said, we were talking about Paradis. What can you tell me about it? Anyone? NOT YOU HITOMI.
A Marleyan child: Miss Gabi! Paradis is an island east to Marley, it is inhabited mostly by Eldians, who were people who could transform into titans! They were the enemies of the world.
Gabi concerned: Who told you Eldians were enemies of the world?
The child: My dad did miss!
Gabi: I am an eldian you know? Am I your enemy?
All the children look concerned: uhh? No, not you miss, how could you be our enemy?
A child whispering to another: well she does yell and beat us with a stick
Gabi: Well children, listen to me now. Not long ago, just a few years ago actually, the only thing I knew was that I was a devil just for being born, because of where my family came from, no matter what I had or had not done, I was evil for just existing, and I spend all my life until then trying to convince other people and even myself… that I was not evil, even if I never had done anything wrong… Tell me children, you think this makes sense?
All the children answer: NO!
Gabi: How could it make sense right? How can a baby be evil? Well, that was how people of this country thought about my people before the Rumbling… We were hated for just being born, we were beaten, caged in walls and forced to kill people in order to be a little bit accepted. We were told the people of Paradis were unspeakeable monsters, even though nobody I knew had ever been there or even seen an Eldian from there. Including me. But you know what happened?
The children: What miss?
Gabi: Well, I had a chance to meet people from Paradis and be there myself. It was a beautiful place, with people so kind and warm… with such kindness in their hearts… that, even though nothing had happened yet, I realized everything they told me here… was a lie. The eldians were not monsters, they were regular people, who struggled like you and me… and most of them never harmed anyone in their entire lives… but almost every one of them had lost someone they loved… from the titans…
So children, what you need to know, is that the real enemies, in most of the cases, are ourselves… us not having faith in one another… not believing there is good in this world… and placing the blame for our own faults on others… this is hard for many to learn… but that's why I'm here for you… so you can be free of the shackles of hate…
The children are deep in thought
Gabi: Ups, I may have gotten carried away there heh… Let's resume the class, we are now going to learn about Paradis royal house and system of government…
Afternoon – the marketplace
Falcon is picking up groceries while taking a break from his job…
Falco: sigh… another slow day… I would have thought that many people would be more interested in learning after been given a 2nd chance in life, but no… It's just the kids… well I guess that makes sense, their world is big now, and full of opportunities…
Falco works at the City's library, of which he is the curator and manager. It's a cramped up but cozy building. It's filled with books from all around the world, except Paradis, from which there are just a few, as it's the only country to have self imposed a blockade, so it's extremely difficult to get material or even communications from there…
Falco returns home with the groceries
Falco shouting: GABI are you here yet?
A dark and short figure emerges from the living room while struggling to walk…
Levi: Stop your shouting you idiot, that brat is not here.
Falco drops all the groceries while screaming: MISTER LEVI WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Falco runs towards Levi concerned as he is walking without a cane or his crutches.
Levi: LEAVE ME DAMMIT, I can do this. Levi is clearly in pain, but not stopping.
Falco: Mister Levi, how many times we have to tell you? You can't do this, if you hurt yourself you are losing that leg.
Levi: I can't keep living with you two brats, do you know how humiliating it is?!
Falco: Geez, you're welcome for making me and Gabi heal you for two years…
Levi: You are throwing that in my face now?
Falco: Well, you could show a little bit of appreciation for us you know?
Gabi slams the door happily: FALCO! I'M HERE!
Levi: For fuck sake, I can't stand this anymore…
Falco: GABI! Mister Levi is trying to run away again…
Gabi: WHAT?! And how far did he get this time?
Levi fuming: You little… I can still kill you both in a second you know?
Gabi slaps Levi's back: SURE YOU CAN OLD MAN. I'll be in the bedroom waiting to get my throat slit okay?
Gabi goes to the back, while Levi cannot stand being in his feet anymore. Falco rushes to get his wheelchair.
Falco: my, that was too close… you have to know your limits Mister Levi…
Levi: Fuck… why am I the only one who is not dead? What kind of sick joke is this?
Falco is concerned. Levi has had recurrent episodes of depression these last 3 years… he calls it survivor's guilt. He has seen this happen to many people who survived the Rumbling…
Falco: Mister Levi, what would your comrades do in your situation?
Levi is puzzled: What? What kind of question is that?
Falco: Well, you think Miss Hange would be moping around, feeling sorry for herself?
Levi is shocked and angry
Falco: All I'm saying is that you should try to think what you what to do with your life now that there are no more battles, no more death… only you and what you really want to do…
There is no more need for you to be the strongest one in the room… you can just be you, you know? I'm sure your comrades want that for you, not for you to get yourself killed by being hit by a car or something…
Levi chuckles while reflecting: Tsk, feeling smart ain't you?
Falco blushing with pride: Well I try!
Levi slightly smiles: Sigh… get me some tea would you?
Falco shouts excitedly: SURE THING MISTER LEVI!
Levi: Stop shouting for fuck sake!
The next day
Falco is bored out of his mind in the library as no one has come in, but suddenly someone does. A tall slender man with black hair and glasses approaches Falco…
Mysterious man: Good morning young man, I have been looking all over the world for some information about the Eldian noble houses and Paradis history. Does your library have any books about it?
Falco is glowing and nearly crying of happiness: BUT OF COURSE SIR! My, you should have come here in the first place… there are many eldians here who have kept records and books from the old ages… Tell me sir? Are you an eldian?
The mysterious man answers: I must say I am.
Falco is even more glad: OH ANOTHER ELDIAN HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE! You make me so happy mister… in that case… I'll show you some secret records… about Paradis and the eldians there… you must be trying to reconnect with your family right?
The mysterious man gives Falco a sly smile: I sure am…