5 years later…
Time has passed in the estate, and for two little kids, things are quiet and normal.
In one corner of the estate, a five-year-old boy was napping by a tree. He has short brown hair, freckles on his cheeks, and has a rather chubby build. On his neck was a necklace with a familiar emblem with the words Stone of Gaia carved onto it.
This is Helmut Fritz!
Helmut remained sleeping for a while, so he didn't hear the sound of footsteps approaching him. These footsteps belonged to an older girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes.
This is Historia Reiss!
Historia looked at her brother, and she giggled at seeing him.
"Oh, little brother. It's not time for a nap." she thought to herself as she approached him and grabbed his legs.
"Come on, Helmut. Now's not the time for a nap." she greeted as she then pulled him, making sure he didn't hit his head on the ground too much. Helmut, upon feeling himself dragged, groaned himself awake.
"Five more minutes." he whined. Historia shook her head.
"You said that half an hour ago. Come on. The animals need us." she explained. Helmut whined again and pouted, staring up at the sky. Historia made a pout of her own.
"You promised, Helmut." she said. Helmut looked up and saw her.
"Please. I promise we'll play together." she pleaded. Helmut then noticed that Historia's pout was more...tense than before. It looked like she was about to cry. Given Helmut's impressionable nature, he didn't think that Historia was pretending. So, he got up and looked at her with a sad look.
"Don't cry! I'll go with you!" he said as he approached her. Historia then pulled him into a big hug, giggling.
"Aww! Don't be upset, little buddy! We can play later! I just need help, that's all!" she assured as she rubbed his back with a smile. Helmut looked at her, and upon seeing her smile, his frown immediately disappeared, and a smile grew. Historia giggled again and she gently squeezed.
"Oh, you're so cute, Helmut! I just, MMMM!" she gushed as she spun him away on one foot before the two fell down. Luckily for Helmut, Historia landed on her back, so Helmut wasn't crushed. This didn't hurt them, though, and the two ended up laughing.
Soon, Historia and Helmut were working on chores for the farm. Historia was gathering some wood while Helmut was feeding some cows.
Ever since Helmut's arrival in the estate, Historia tried to raise him the best she could...to her knowledge, that is. Due to how her mother barely talks to her (as well as the fact that in the one or two times they DID interact, her mother hits her and wished her dead), Historia has to read about how mothers are to care for their kids...even though Helmut's her new brother. Historia, with some help from her grandparents, as well as the occasional visit from Frieda herself, taught Helmut how to walk, talk, and read.
While it has been a hassle, Historia ended up loving raising her little brother. The little boy proved to be a joy to be around. He was very polite and helpful, always willing to assist whenever he wanted...that's if the urge to play doesn't come around for him.
Helmut raised his hand up to the giant cows, holding a stack of hay. One of the cows lifted its head up to look at him. Helmut smiled as he lifted the hay up. The cow then pressed its nose against the hay for a while before Helmut could see the cow's moving lips before the sound of hay shuffling in its mouth. Helmut giggled at how funny the cow looked. Historia, who was nearby picking up firewood, looked at him and giggled.
The two continued on with their chores for a good while until Helmut got bored with working. Upon seeing Historia sighing as she sat down in front of a nearby fence, Helmut grew a devious smile.
Historia, all the while, was staring up at the sky, bored out of her mind. In her mind, she was admired how clear and bright blue the sky was. There are a few clouds slowly moving from the left. She sighed silently, smiling as she reached her hand out.
"I wonder how high the sky goes." she thought to herself, feeling the soft wind pushing against the arm.
Unfortunately, she didn't have long to enjoy it as, before long, she was besieged from the left by a small figure. Historia gasped before looking down, with Helmut pressing his face against her side, blowing a raspberry. Historia lets out a giggling as she tries to push him away.
"Hey! I was distracted, you goofball!" she said. Helmut lets out a giggle before the two of them tumbled down onto the ground. The two laughed as Historia was the first to get up. She just gave Helmut a devious smirk.
"Alright then, little Helmut. You wanna play? Fine, then let's play! Run for your life!" she said as she got up. Helmut looked up and screamed in a playful fright as Historia roared at him before he got up and began to run from her.
The two ran from the paddock and across the nearby field of flowers. The pedals flung upwards as the kids stepped over them.
Helmut, thanks to his rather chubby build, couldn't really outrun Historia, especially not for a good long while. This allowed Historia to eventually catch up with him, and she enveloped him into her arms. Suddenly, the two eventually tumbled along the hill, laughing along the way towards a set of fences.
Eventually, Historia managed to pin Helmut down onto the ground, and she lets out an evil laugh as she pulled aside his shirt.
"Oooh. A yummy belly!" she said. Helmut widened his eyes as Historia inhaled and arched her head back. Before he could protest, Historia pressed her face against his belly, and Helmut could only wheeze as he felt her blowing a raspberry against his belly.
The two remained on the floor for a few seconds, before Historia pulled back, panting in relief.
"Ahh. Tasty!" she said in a devious voice before she broke down giggling. Helmut, all the while, was wheezing and clutching his belly with a big smile. Once the two soon calmed down, Helmut adjusted himself as he laid next to Historia, the two of them staring at the sky with smiles.
Historia continued staring at the sky, as she felt her brother scooting closer to her. She responded by simply laying her head on top of his. Helmut smiled at this gesture.
"I love you." he said simply. Historia grinned again as the wind brushed against them, the grass waving, and clouds moving.
"I love you too, little brother." she said as she took his hand and slightly tightened her grip affectionately. Helmut hummed slightly.
The two of them laid there for a few minutes, in near-total bliss for one another. Unfortunately, this would not last for long.
Thunk!
Helmut gasped as he felt something land close to his ear, shooting up in fright. Historia gasped and sat up, holding Helmut closely to her.
"Oof. So close!" called out one voice.
"Yeah!" replied another.
Helmut and Historia looked up and saw around three boys behind the fence. All of them are at least a few years older than Historia. These are their bullies, and they frequently stop by to throw rocks at them. Historia narrowed her eyes.
"Hey! Leave us alone!" she demanded as she held Helmut close to her. The bullies laughed as another one picked up another rock.
"Ah, shut up, you little bitch!" he called out before he threw another rock towards them. Historia moved in front of Helmut, taking the rock to the left side of her face. It was a small one, yet it stung for her. Helmut, on the other hand, stared in shock as the bullies laughed at her holding her face with her left hand. Growing a slightly determined look, he moved slightly ahead.
"Leave us alone!" he demanded. The bullies just laughed.
"Aww. Look at him, defending his precious princess!"
"He's probably a bastard, like this girl!"
"Let's give him a little rock to the head!"
Historia gasped and Helmut felt himself flinch as he saw one of the bullies pick up a rather huge rock. The former quickly got herself ready and prepared to shield him again.
However, no rock was thrown.
All Historia and Helmut could hear was the sound of gasps, grunts, and the rock dropping.
"I don't think so."
A familiar voice made them perk their heads up. They turned around and saw a familiar figure grabbing the boy's wrist. They smiled.
"Frieda!" they said. The bullies looked at them and then at her, paling as they recognized who she was.
"U-Uh...good day to you, Frieda!" one bully said. Frieda hummed as she knelt to the bully who was about to throw the rock.
"Young man, what is your name?" she asked. The bully began to panic.
"U-Uh...Michael Ross?" he asked. Frieda nodded.
"Okay. Well, Michael. I've noticed that you and your friends have been bullying my siblings. I would like to remind you that I do not tolerate such behavior. My father owns this land, so I can tell him about how you all are disturbing the peace, and he can have you and your families thrown out without a second thought." she explained, glare firm and voice tense. The three bullies shivered in fear as they realized who they were actually picking on. Even Historia and Helmut shivered; Frieda hardly ever got mad, but when she does, it's enough to give any child nightmares.
"W-We're sorry, your ladyship!" Michael pleaded, tears streaming.
"Y-Yeah! We'll apologize right away! We're sorry, you two!" one lackey replied, turning to Historia and Helmut.
The two siblings, staring on, just gave slight nods, not willing to forgive them so soon. They just wanted them gone. Frieda seemed to notice, and she then stood up.
"Good. Now, leave us alone. And remember what I said!" she instructed before pointing to the direction from where she came from. The bullies didn't need to be told twice. They scurried away like rodents, until they were almost out of sight, leaving the three alone.
After a brief period of silence, Frieda turned to look at the two of them. She gasped as she saw a small cut on Historia's left cheek.
"Oh dear! Hold on. Let me get that." she said as she hopped over the fence and began to inspect Historia. She set her bag down and began to pick up a liquid medicine to pour onto her handkerchief.
"*sigh* I don't know some people nowadays." she muttered to herself as she gently dabbed Historia's cut. The sting made Historia gasp in pain, and Helmut flinched back. Frieda pulled back.
"Sorry." she said. Historia nodded in understanding.
"It's okay, Frieda. I just...We're glad you're here!" she said before she hugged Frieda, with Helmut joining a few moments later. Frieda didn't hesitate, and hugged them back, growing a big smile.
"I miss you both so much." she said, tightening her hold on them and giving them kisses on the top of their head.
Later on, the trio was sitting in another fenced area on the farm, looking at a book that Frieda brought over. Helmut was reading the book, and the two women were looking at him happily. Or, rather, Helmut was trying to. You see, nearby, was a centipede resting near one of the hays. Helmut was distracted by the presence, and it freaked him out. Frieda noticed and tried to soothe him, with Historia's help.
"Shh. Shh. Don't worry about it, sweetpea." she said.
"Yeah. Don't bother it, and it won't bother you. Remember?" asked Historia. Helmut gulped, but he kept his gaze at the centipede. He tried to focus on the page, looking at a young woman holding something in front of a giant devilish figure in a hood. For a few moments, it seemed to be working. However, Helmut's peripheral vision saw the centipede. RIGHT next to his arm.
Panic soon swept him and he yelped, jumping into Historia's arms. Frieda immediately scooped him up and held him closely.
"Helmut! Helmut, relax!" she said. Helmut whimpered as he stared at the centipede, which was now crawling on top of the book.
"I-I got it!" Historia said as she swung her hand slightly at the centipede, forcing it off of the book and back onto the grass. The three stood, watching the centipede slowly crawling away. Frieda, upon sighing, sets Helmut down and stared at him.
"Helmut. Why are you so scared of such a little animal? You could've just ignored it, or swipe it away if it bothers you. You almost hurt Historia jumping like that." she said, gesturing to Historia, who was rubbing her left arm slightly. Helmut looked down in shame.
"I...It looked like it was gonna bite me again." he said. Frieda raised a brow, as did Historia.
"Hmm? Did a centipede bite you?" she asked. Helmut nodded.
"One did...in a nightmare." he said. Frieda grew even more confused, while Historia grew concerned.
"Wait...is that why you screamed that night?" she asked. Helmut nodded.
"Mmm-hmm." he replied. Frieda turned to her.
"Nightmare?" she asked. Historia nodded.
"He was screaming about some giant centipede puffing smoke all over us in front of him before we turned into hideous monsters, before biting his head off. At least, that's what he said." she explained, gesturing her head to Helmut, who nodded. Frieda looked visibly distraught by the nightmare. However, she then nodded in understanding before looking down on the grass.
"Hmm. That must've been a pretty bad nightmare then. When did it happen?" she asked. Historia blinked as she answered for Helmut.
"It happened after you left a couple of months ago."
Frieda blinked in surprise as she looked at the two of them.
"Really? Then, how come you didn't tell me the next time I visited before today?" she asked. Helmut just shrugged.
"I...I was too scared of what you'd think about me. Y-You wanted me to be a big boy. B-But I don't know if I can do it." he replied. Frieda sighed softly as she sat down and cupped his cheek.
"Oh, Helmut. Just because you're scared of something, that doesn't mean you have to be ashamed. Come here, let me tell you something. You too, Historia. This will help you as well." she said as she gently pulled Helmut close to her and having him sit next to her. Historia did the same on the other side.
"Yes, you should be brave, Helmut. Yes, you should be able to protect Historia and others like a big, strong man. However, that doesn't mean you should be ashamed of what you're afraid of. Most people are too afraid to stand up for themselves. And how can we blame them? We're all human, after all." she said to both of them. Historia and Helmut looked at each other, before looking up at her.
"But then why are there people going outside the walls? Aren't they scared?" asked Historia, referring to a branch in the military, called the Survey Corps, or Scout Regiment. Frieda frowned at their mention, but she looked at her.
"That's because they are able to overcome their fear. They know the outside world is very dangerous, and they venture out bravely to fight them. However, that doesn't mean they're not scared. Even the higher-ups are scared." she said as she ran her hands on their hairs.
"The point I'm trying to make is: even the supposed 'bravest of us' are scared. And that's okay: we're all human. We're all imperfect. What matters most, is to overcome that fear and beat the odds. You two understand?" she asked with a smile. Helmut and Historia nodded. But the former, whilst feeling better, still felt confused.
"Do you think I can do it?" he asked, hope in his eyes. Seeing this, Frieda giggled, pondering if this is how her mother felt with her and her other siblings before she nodded.
"Of course. And Helmut, I want you to listen to me. Okay?" she asked. She then turned her body to the side, turning to face him. Historia looked at the both of them as Frieda took Helmut's hands.
"Of all people, I believe you can do it. You're not just anyone. You are more than you could ever know." she began before moving a strand of hair away from his left eyebrow.
"Some don't understand, like those bullies earlier. Others will...well, they're not gonna like you. I'll leave it at that." she said, referring to her family and the Interior Police. Helmut raised a brow.
"Why?" he asked. Frieda, of course, knew the answer. But she wasn't gonna give it to him at this point, so she shrugged.
"I don't know. People can be really weird. The point is: don't let them hold you back. I know you, especially, are gonna change the world in your own way. When that does happen...I hope I'm there, seeing you bravely moving ahead." she said, voice quivering as she remembered her uncle Uri, and the sacrifice he made to free him. Helmut felt his heart flutter and he soon gave him a big, loving hug. Frieda was quick to return the gesture. Historia watched from the side, smiling and feeling like she's about to cry. However, a part of her felt left out.
"Hey, what about me?" she asked, wiping away a tear. Frieda opened an eye, and she moved her arm outwards.
"Come over here, you! You're gonna help change the world as well!" she said with a chuckle, causing everyone to laugh as well, hugging one another.
During the hug, Historia and Helmut looked at one another with smiles.
"What do you think, little guy? Wanna change the world forever together?" she asked, moving her arm to show a pinkie. Helmut smiled.
"Together!" he said cheerfully as he pulled out his pinkie and intertwined his with hers. Frieda looked at the two of them and her heart beamed with pride at her two siblings.
"I always knew these two would get along so well! Oh, I'm so proud of them already!" she thought as the three hugged each other.
After what felt like forever, Helmut and Historia pulled away from Frieda, just as the wind began to pick up. Then, Helmut noticed some dandelions nearby, and his eyes perked up with excitement.
"Ooh." he said as he pointed to them. Frieda smiled as she walked towards them.
"I see some dandelions. Wanna blow them?" she asked. Historia and Helmut nodded excitedly. Frieda smiled as she plucked them up, and then looked at the sky, feeling the wind direction heading south of them.
"Alright. I think the wind direction is pretty good. Ready, you three?" she asked as she knelt again. Historia and Helmut nodded as they approached her from the left and right respectively.
"Okay. One...Two...Three!" the three said before they blew at the dandelion, causing it to detach its seeds, sending them flying high in the sky. The three siblings looked on as the seeds flew high into the air.
"Bye, dandelion!" Helmut's voice called out as the seeds continued to fly from the fields, spinning thanks to the wind.
The flowers continued to fly into the sky for a good long while, eventually passing over a giant wall, Wall Sina.
Before long, the seeds eventually began to lower themselves onto a road leading to the inner capital.
One of the pedals landed on the road, settling down. However, it didn't stay this way for long.
A horse hoove stomped on the pedal, crushing it as the horse rushed ahead, heading towards the entrance to the capital.
Riding the horse was a hooded figure. The hood and cape did hide the face and most of the body, but we can see from her arms that she is wearing a dress with long, puffy sleeves.
The woman and her horse made it through the gate, leading to the capital city, which by the way, is called Mitras. She slows her horse down to a walk as she eyes the capital building nearby.
"This must be where he's at right now." she thought to herself as she moved along the streets. Various people nearby, mainly the wealthy, stared at her, a bit nervous of the aura she's admitting.
Eventually, she arrived at the entrance to the castle. Dismounting her horse and tying up the reins to a nearby pole, the woman removed the cape from her, revealing herself.
Nearby, one of the guards stationed at the gate, a member of the Military Police, noticed her and blinked.
"May I help you with something, ma'am?" he asked, voice sounding like he is uninterested in the assignment he was doing. The woman smiled as she approached him.
"I'm here to speak with a certain Lord Reiss. Is he here?" she asked, giving off a slight smile. The MP nodded.
"But he's currently in a meeting, right now. I'm afraid he can't be bothered right now." he said. The woman frowned a bit, but she kept going.
"I'm sure he is. However, I heard that there is a crisis in the Interior. I have a solution for it, so it is imperative that I meet him immediately." she explained. The MP stared at her for a moment, before he nodded.
"Alright. Follow me." he said as he turned around and walked forward, gesturing her to follow her.
Inside one room, five people were sitting around a table. These are noblemen, and they are talking to Rod Reiss.
"Anything yet?" asked a chubby noble named Aurille. Rod sighed.
"No. They haven't contacted us since I updated them of the crisis nearly a year ago." Rod explained. The other noble, the tall man with a necklace with emblems showing the pictures of three women from the Order of the Walls, named Roderich, was especially upset.
"Who knows what will happen if or when whoever has the Founding Titan finds out its true potential. Think of what will happen if they decide to unleash the Colossal Titans inside these Walls." he muttered. Aurille nodded as he added,
"Not to mention, there is also the possibility that the wielder of the power might have access to memories of the time before the First King. Who knows what will happen if they decide to share it to anyone."
Rod shook his head, however.
"I wouldn't worry about it, Roderich, Aurille. The chances of it falling into the hands of someone with Royal Blood is slim. There aren't a lot of people with the blood out there. Chances are, it will be useless to them." he explained. Aurille looked a bit unconvinced.
"Even if what you're saying is true, that doesn't change our current situation. With the Founding Titan gone, the other nobles have become restless. They're starting to think that without it, we will have no means of keeping our current government if these walls fall." he explained. Rod nodded as he looked at the table.
"I agree. I can't tell you how many letters I've been receiving from the other nobles, condemning me for losing such a vital piece of the this puzzle so easily." he explained with a sigh. The five sat there silently before a knock on the door made them turn their heads in confusion.
The door soon opened and in stepped the MP with the woman.
"Lord Reiss, this woman wants to see you." he explained as he stood aside, allowing the woman to walk inside. Upon seeing her, Rod blinked in surprise. The woman smiled.
"Good day to you too, Lord Reiss." she said as the MP closed the door.
"O-Oh. Mrs. Tyber. I didn't expect you here." he said as he sat straight. The woman shook her head.
"Please. Mrs. Tyber is the name of my brother's wife. Just call me Lara." she clarified. The men nodded as she looked around, searching for an empty seat. At this point, a taller noble with the dress of the military, Gerald, pulled a chair closer to her.
"Here, ma'am. You can sit if you want." he said. Lara nodded with a smile as she took the offer. Then, she looked at Rod.
"Now. Our leaders are wondering what's taking you all so very long at searching for the Founding Titan. You haven't contacted us in a while." she explained. Rod blinked again as he hummed.
"I didn't contact you because I thought you all were still looking for it." he replied. Lara hummed as she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Well, we couldn't find it. Because of the lack of contact, my brother decided to send me here to help you all." she said as she clasped her hands together. Gerald raised a brow.
"Does anyone else know about this?" he asked, referring to her people outside the walls. Lara shook her head.
"Only the higher-ups. They were very adamant about sending me of course, but at the same time, they're getting desperate." she explained with a slight shrug. Rod nodded in understanding. Then, he sighed as he pressed his forehead against his hand.
"I'm still pondering on how this could happen. It's been five years since my daughter returned without Uri. We couldn't find the people responsible for the attack, nor could we find the body of Uri. We've been looking high and low. But so far, we've found no traces of the Founder." Rod said. Lara narrowed her eyes.
"Low is more likely." she said. The men turned to look at her, seemingly offended by the remark.
"Are you suggesting that we are slacking off when something so important is at stake? Is all of this a joke to you?!" Gerald asked. Lara shook her head.
"No. I just don't think you're looking hard enough." she began before she adjusted herself, leaning forward slightly.
"Rod, do you know where Frieda is attacked?" she asked.
"A-At the Orvud District." he said. Lara nodded before she got up.
"Okay. Now, if those men are still there, then there's a chance that they might still be there." she said before she began to walk towards the door. However, Aurille raised his hand towards her.
"W-Wait! H-How do you know if those people are still there?! Furthermore, don't you need some help from the Interior Police?!" he asked, panicking slightly. Lara opened the door, but she stood there for a moment. She then raised her right hand close to her chest, obscuring it from view. However, the men could hear the sound of flesh being pierced.
Lara then turned around and raised her hand, showing several small cuts on the palm of her hand. What shocked everyone, however, with the exception of Rod, of course, was the sight of small bolts sizzling for a moment. Lara smiled.
"I can handle myself. See you later." she said with a wink before she walked off, closing the door. The men stood there, silently for a long while. Roderich then looked at Rod.
"D-Did you know that she's one of them?" he asked. Rod nodded.
"Yes. It would make sense, after all: how else would someone survive beyond the walls?" he explained. The other men blinked in surprise, but they didn't really argue, so they relaxed their posture. Aurille, however, looked at Rod.
"I hope she has our best interests at heart. Who knows what she really wants the Founding Titan for." he explained. Rod, although he didn't show it, felt a twang in his heart in tension. He didn't really think about it. But what else are they supposed to do? They couldn't find the new wielder of the power, even with the Interior Police, nor could they find the bandits. And they certainly can't get the rest of the Military to help them out for obvious reasons. For now, Lara's assistance might be their only shot.
He sighed to himself: this is gonna be hell for him…
AN: Phew! I got it done! So hey, everyone! I'm finally done with this chapter.
I had a bit of trouble figuring out what little steps I should take this story, and after surfing through the site, I think I got it! I don't think this is the only story to include the Warhammer in Paradis. I think the story is called Empire of Devils. Of course, I'll give her a bigger role here!
Other than that, I don't have much to say about this chapter, so I guess I'll talk about the Finale and the leaks.
Now, I like the ending as it is. It was a bit rushed, yes. The outburst with Eren did come out of nowhere, and Reiner sniffing Historia's letter is...yeah. But I don't hate it, and I think the hate was a bit overboard.
As for the leaks...I dunno. I don't think they are legitimate. I don't think Hajime Isayama would do that after investing nearly 10 years of his time on this! If they are legitimate, then it is what it is. If not, then great! Now, with that said, the hate and harassment sent toward Isayama is going way too far. You can hate the finale and The Rumbling Arc all you want, but they should not be the cause of harrassing the poor man. It's HIS story, so he should do what he wants.
With that said...that's all I have to say. I hope you enjoy it. Please be respectful if you disagree. Constructive criticism is appreciated. And most importantly, stick around for more!