Chapter 33

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexual content

Enjoy

Kruger Residence, Wall Rose, 850...

Roksana released the final puff of her cigarette before putting out the butt end in the saucer. She glanced around the table, taking in everyone's silence. She tapped her finger on the table. "So...any questions?"

More silence followed. Nadia and Raisa couldn't look at their mother. The both of them internally struggling to process her story. Levi and Armin were both stunned speechless. Hange had her fingers on her temples, massaging them as she thought. Finally, she spoke. "How did you end up here? After the Garrison brought you in? You said you traveled west from the shore, so that would've been Holst District."

Roksana nodded. "Yes, the soldiers were quite confused. I made up some lies, shed a lot of tears, and they let me go. I suspect because they didn't know what to do with us. A woman and three girls suddenly appearing outside the walls?"

Hange looked to Raisa, but noticed she was too preoccupied with her thoughts and instead tapped on Levi's arm. "There might be a report."

"If there is, that was, what? Eighteen years ago," he said, his gaze shifting to Raisa.

Roksana inhaled sharply and pulled out another cigarette. "I have no idea. I was questioned, but no doubt any record of my arrival was either...erased, burned, confiscated?"

Hange blinked. "Confiscated?"

"Didn't take the Interior MPs long to track us down. I only had Marleyan currency and our clothes were quite conspicuous." Roksana lit her cigarette then tossed the match into her empty teacup. "Obviously, things worked out."

"Worked out?" Nadia scoffed. She willed herself to look at her mother, nearly shaking with numerous emotions.

Roksana was unfazed, holding Nadia's gaze. She took a long drag of her cigarette. "Yes, it did. I managed to trade the coins and jewelry I had. Worked whatever jobs I could get as we made our way west. I'm sure Raisa's told you about my habit of befriending elderly farmers needing to sell their land."

Raisa flinched at the sound of her name, coming out of her trace. She rubbed her forehead from the dull headache forming behind her eyes. "I did. I gave them to the Scouts to use as safe houses."

"I don't understand why. There was a reason we left those places behind." Roksana harrumphed for good measure. She scratched the corner of her eyebrow as she recalled the unpleasant memories. "The Interior MPs were relentless. Finally, I met a man named Wulf Ackerman."

Levi blinked in surprise. "Ackerman?"

"Yes. This was his home. He was quite old, but he was alone. Built this place to hide away from the Interior MPs. Something about a persecution or whatever."

"Why didn't you mention you knew another Ackerman?"

Roksana shrugged. "He said he was the last of his family. And you look nothing like him."

Raisa huffed in frustration. She swerved in her chair in order to face her mother, slamming her fist on the table. "I don't remember any of this. Nothing."

"Why would you? It was a stressful time, and you were very little."

"No, I wasn't. You told me Dad died before I was born and that's why Nadia and Katya couldn't remember him. They were too young. That's what you always said. But we weren't even born here," she pointed out, tapping the table with her index finger. "I was seven years old when we shipwrecked. Why can't I remember that? Any of it?"

Roksana met her daughter's challenging glare unashamed. Nadia studied her mother's demeanor and leaned away, horrified. "Did you...did you erase our memories? How could you?"

This caused Roksana to roll her eyes. "No, I didn't erase anything. I would never take away memories of your father. I simply blocked them."

"What?" Raisa scoffed. "Why? How?"

She tapped her wrist. Raisa and Nadia both checked their right wrists. They were wearing identical cord bracelets with charms woven into them. Roksana release a large puff of smoke upwards. "Katya has one, too. None of you have ever taken it off because I made sure you'd subconsciously know not to."

"Why?" Raisa stressed.

"To protect you."

Her answer stunned Raisa who found herself unable to think of a response. Hange and Armin exchanged uncomfortable glances while Levi took a sip of his tea. Roksana took a drag of her cigarette. "I wouldn't remove your bracelets right now. It can be a bit jarring. Sudden rush of memories returning to light."

"Is this a joke to you?"

Roksana tilted her head, smirking at Raisa's tone. "Do you realize how much information we could've provided to this world?" she continued. "The very fact that this isn't the last of humanity would've saved so many people. Our memories could've greatly benefited the people living here in the walls. We wouldn't have been so under-prepared when the Colossal and Armored Titan attacked. Why would you keep all of this secret? Taking our childhood away, hiding here with your army of fucking zombies...how could you just stand by and say and do nothing?"

"I will not be made to feel ashamed for my actions!" Raisa and Nadia flinched at her tone. Roksana's anger created a deep, dark tension in the room. "Everything, every single decision I made was to protect you girls. I kept us alive. I kept us safe. Your buried memories are what have kept you and Katya safe out there. Beyond the protection of this forest."

"You think ignorance is what's kept us safe?" Raisa asked, shaking her head.

"Yes," Roksana answered sternly. "What do you think the Interior MPs would have done to you had you known the truth from the beginning? Grisha did the same thing in order to live undisturbed. Be as pissy and childish as you want. Both of you. What's done is done. I have nothing to apologize for."

With that, she took several puffs her cigarette. Trying to keep it alight. Armin glanced around the table, seeing everyone's discomfort. He summoned his courage and raised his hand slightly to get Roksana's attention. "I'm sorry, but...can you tell us how you came to know Doctor Jaeger?"

Roksana took a deep breath, keeping herself calm. "We met in the village. Not long after Raisa left to join the Cadet Corps. He recognized me first."

"Recognized you?" Hange asked.

"He had Eren's memories." She noticed their confused looks. "My husband."

"Oh. Right."

"It was truly a strange encounter," she continued, "meeting him in the last place I expected to. He told me what happened after we departed Marley."

"We have that information," Raisa said. "Doctor Jaeger left three texts behind. Detailing his life, knowledge of titans and the outside world. And Eren, his son, verified them since he can access his father's memories."

Roksana blinked and then hummed. "I had no idea he wrote down everything. It was my understanding that he had his mission and his practice to focus on. And before you ask: no, I did not assist him in his mission to locate the Founding Titan."

"Why not?" Levi asked.

"My priority was my family. Sure, Katya and Raisa had left, but I still had Nadia to think of. Not to mention the Interior MPs." She waved her hand in no particular direction, referencing the forest. "I haven't been able to leave my land in over ten years. After awhile, it was just Nadia meeting Grisha in the village."

Nadia suddenly jolted to her feet, causing the chair to scrape against the floor. "I...I'm sorry. I can't."

"Nadia..."

She waved Raisa off as she stomped around the table to the stairs, her footsteps echoing all the way up. Roksana simply continued dragging on her cigarette. "So...is there anything else you want to know?"

Garrison HQ, Trost District, two days later...

Hange led Levi, Raisa, and Armin down the dark damp halls of the dungeons. As they walked, Levi would sneak glances at his wife. She was outwardly calm and composed, but he was still worried. He lowered his gaze to her wrist which was now bare save from the tan on her skin. Hange turned a corner to the wing where Mikasa and Eren were being held. As they approached, Mikasa rolled out of bed. Armin greeted her with a kind smile. "Hey, you doing okay?"

"Yeah. What's going on?"

Hange, Raisa, and Levi continued on to Eren's cell. He was leaning against the walls. His eyes were glazed over as if he were lost in thought. He held onto his right wrist as he muttered to himself. "...always fighting. Therefore, it's called the Attack Titan."

The three officers stared at him in confusion. Hange furred her brows. "What are you doing?"

Eren blinked, remaining still upon having realized he had an audience. Hange leaned against the wall, mirroring Eren's pose. "It's called the Attack Titan. That's what you just said. What's with that look? Don't you remember?"

"No."

"Huh?!" Hange gasped. She turned to the others. "Come on! He totally did, right? You guys saw?"

"No, but I think he just..." Armin's voice trailed off as he looked down.

"Just what?" she demanded. She turned back to Eren. "Who the hell were you talking to?"

"No one." His gaze shifted to Raisa then he quickly looked away. "It's nothing."

"You said the name of your titan. Are you practicing ways to introduce him or-"

"Let it go, Hange," Levi said, shaking the keys in his hands. "He's fifteen. We all go through a phase like this."

"A phase where we mutter weird crap while posing like an idiot?!"

Eren tried to drown out their voices. He ran his fingers up into his hair, gripping it tight as Hange continued to argue despite Armin trying to calm her down. Her questions dug further and further under his skin. He peeked at Raisa who stared back at him curiously, but it only made him more uncomfortable. "I promise," Armin told Hange. "I'll explain it later. It's kinda hard to do it right now with you and Commander Raisa here."

"Ohhhhhh. It's that kind of phase."

"What the hell do you want?!" Eren snapped.

Levi shoved the door open. "Get out."

Eren blinked. "What? But I'm not done."

"You are now."

"But...I thought I had nine days left."

"It's fine," Raisa said, startling him. "Hange just gave you nine days worth of pain."

"Huh? What'd I say?"

Raisa ignored her as Eren exited his cell. "We needed to make an example of you two, and we did. Trust me, I would've much preferred to keep you kids here longer, but-" she folded her arms under chest and frowned "-keeping the brave heroes who toppled the Colossal and Armored Titans jailed sends a bad message."

"After all, you were only defying the morons who let the Beast and Armored Titans get away," Hange added, rather passive-aggressively.

Eren took a step back away from them. "That isn't true."

Raisa harrumphed and turned to follow Levi now that Mikasa had existed her cell. Eren did a double take upon seeing his adopted sister. "Did you lose weight? That's odd. We had plenty to eat."

Mikasa pressed her hand to her stomach and then lower. She could almost grab her hip bones. With a sigh, she looked over Eren like a mother hen. "You look...well enough."

"I guess."

"Let's go," Levi ordered. "Get dressed already."

Eren stopped, glancing around at everyone. "Wait, what? Where're we going, Captain?"

"A state meeting," he said, almost around the corner. "Her majesty has come to Trost."

Royal Suite...

Queen Historia sat properly in her chair while Jean, Raisa, and Hange waited with the paperwork and reports. The room was quiet save for the soft ticking of the clock. MP guards waited patiently in front of the door with rifles. When Historia finished reading, she looked over the letters. Raisa noticed her scrutinizing. "Something wrong?"

"Uh, no," Historia said as she set the letters down. "I take it this is all she wrote?"

"Yes. I doubt she'd be permitted to write anything that would be beneficial to our cause."

"Could there be a secret message that one one can see except you?" Hange asked. "Some kind of code?"

"I don't know. But, frankly...that doesn't sound like her." Historia sighed as she touched the pages. After a moment, she looked to the Commanders. "Is there any sign? Cassandra...is she still alive?"

"We can't say for certain," Raisa answered. "But...she was taken alongside Reiner by those intending to rescue him. Given her royal blood and pregnancy...my bet is that she is alive. We believe she's incredibly valuable to them."

Historia sighed loudly, slumping in her chair as she rubbed her forehead. "I can't believe this. I had no idea she was pregnant. How did she...I never noticed a thing."

"She said she had ordered the royal physician, Doctor Bruhl, to keep quiet." Raisa rubbed the back of her neck as she spoke, groaning slightly. "She also said she was twenty weeks along. If we had pushed the mission to retake Wall Maria, it would've been impossible for her to hide it. Words can't begin to describe how sorry we are, your grace. We failed you. We failed Princess Cassandra."

"No, I don't believe that." Historia turned away to stare out the window. "No one could've stopped Cassandra. She would've gone one way or another. It seems I have a habit of having my loved ones leave me."

Raisa and Hange exchanged glances. Neither of them able to think of what to say. A knock on the door interrupted their thoughts. A MP guard poked his head in. "It's Captain Levi, ma'am."

"Let them in," Hange said.

Levi led Armin, Mikasa, and Eren inside. The two previous prisoners were now properly dressed. Historia quickly wiped her eyes and walked over to greet them. As she approached, her three friends bowed deeply, addressing her properly. Historia waved for them to stop. "Please, you don't have to do that."

Eren furred his brows, lowering his gaze. "I'm sorry...about Princess Cassandra."

Historia smiled sadly. She felt an urge to hug Eren, but kept herself composed. "I am, too. I miss her terribly." She snorted, suppressing a laugh. "So much has happened. Everything you've had to go through. Meanwhile, I've done nothing but sit on the world's most uncomfortable chair and wait."

"It's an important duty," Armin said. "Just to keep safe and well."

"He's right." Eren agreed.

Historia studied their faces, noting their calmness. This made her smile more genuinely. "It's good to see that you're still acting like yourselves."

"Well, that...might be because it just hasn't sunk in for yes yet."

Hange gathered up her reports and tapped them on the table to straighten the stack out. "Why don't we get the ball rolling, huh?"

"Yes, I think we've kept the officers and newly appointed parliament leaders waiting long enough." Historia straightened the coat she had draped over her shoulders. Her friends parted to let her walk through, her guards following close behind.

Great Hall...

Premier Zachary sat at the head table to Historia's left, representing the military leadership. Katya sat to Historia's right, now representing the government leadership. The remaining Scouts, save for Sasha, sat at the center tables, surrounded by MP, Garrison officers, and other newly appointed government officials. Zachary sighed as he looked over the books laid out before Historia. "The Early Life of Grisha Jaeger. The Extent of Our Knowledge of Titans and Their History, Information About the World Beyond The Walls, and..."

He placed his hand on the fourth book. "...the Testimonies of Roksana Kruger, Katya Smith, Nadia Kruger, and Raisa Ackerman Regarding The Outside World. The only people who know these books exist are in this room now. These texts were obtained through the efforts of the ten Scouts before us and the one-hundred-and-ninety-nine who were lost."

Zachary slid his fingers off the book in order to lace his fingers together on the desk. "On this day and in the Queen's presence, I'd like for all of us to assess our situation and come to an agreement about our next course of action. Scout Regiment Commander, Zoe Hange. You may begin."

"Sir." Hange stood up. "The Scouts have suffered a brutal, staggering blow. In exchange for the lives of many heroes, including Erwin Smith, we have retaken Wall Maria and seized control of the Colossal Titan with all it's fearsome strength."

Several snuck glances at the stone-faced Katya upon the mention of Erwin's name. She looked as composed and regal as she always had, but the dark circles under her eyes were evident. "That said," Hange continued, "we humans living inside the walls have just learned how precarious our situation is. I'd be relieved if titans were the only monsters we had for enemies. Unfortunately, the true nature of the foe we face is human."

A few whispers erupted between the various officers and leaders. "One could say that it's us against the world," she said, regaining their attention. "According to these books, we're of a special race that can turn into titans called Subjects of Ymir or Eldians. We ruled nearly the whole world and some fear we will again. So despite our past century of pacifism, most in this world would like to wipe us out."

As Hange talked, Eren found his mind wandering through the old memories of his father. Of his life in Marley. Of Eren Kruger's words and mission to save the Eldian people. He shifted his gaze to Raisa and then Katya. They were both grown women. Mothers. Yet, his memories distorted his view of them. Suddenly, he saw them as children. Bright-eyed and full of joy. He recalled a memory of an afternoon many years ago, not belonging to Grisha, where he was sitting on a rocking chair. Holding a sleeping baby girl while two toddlers sat at his feet as he told them a fairytale. Ah...this must be one of Kruger's memories, he realized.

"Doctor Jaeger did manager to achieve the mission of obtaining the Founding Titan, and passed it onto his son, Eren." Hange's voice pulled Eren back to the present. "The Founding Titan's full might can only be brought to bare when the power is possessed by someone of royal blood. However...when said royal comes to possess the power, they're overpowered by their ancestor's will and they continue down the path he set before them."

"This power to renounce war?" Katya asked.

Hange nodded. "But Eren has commanded pure titans once in the past to escape from a dire situation. So despite his lack of royal blood, it's at least conditionally possible for Eren to wield that power, too. My guess is that-!"

"There's no way!" Eren exclaimed, slamming his hands on the desk as he jolted to his feet.

Hange glared at him over her shoulder. "You scared me. What is it?"

"Oh." He blinked, realizing everyone was staring. "Uh...I just..."

Raisa leaned back to whisper to him. "What's wrong?"

He blinked at her, unable to respond. Premier Zachary leaned forward. "If you have something to say, our titan...we'd be glad to hear it."

Eren met Historia's confused gaze. He quickly glanced at his friends and then sat down. "Actually, it's nothing?"

"What?" Levi snipped.

"Sorry for interrupting, Commander."

Hange narrowed her eye at Eren, watching him silently despair. "Oh, I get it now. That's right." She turned to face the three leaders. "It would appear the Jaeger here is going through an awkward phase. You know...speaking out of turn, making a nuisance of himself."

"Ah, I see," Zachary hummed.

Katya sighed, folding her hands on her lap. "That's rather unfortunate, but he is at that age."

Armin leaned in to his friend, whispering. "Eren?"

Eren said nothing, unable to look him or Mikasa in the eye. Hange resumed her report as Eren spiraled into his dark thoughts. What should I do? I don't think I can talk about it here. He recalled the moment he touched Dina Fritz's pure titan. The completeness he felt. She had royal blood...maybe I can use the power while in contact with someone like her. But what would the leaders do to Historia?

The image of Cassandra flashed through his mind. Eren's shoulders slumped slightly. What is the enemy doing to her?

After Hange's report was completed, the hall had grown silent and tense. Commander Dennis broke the silence, rubbing his scruffy chin. "Our foe is the world. That information should stay in this room. If it became public knowledge, there'd be chaos."

"I concur," said Commander Feld. "We can't let this get out until we've fully grasped the situation."

"Shall we deceive the people once more?" Commander Pyxis countered, frowning at them. "That's what you're suggesting? That we keep our citizens complacent and blind as the late king did?"

"Wouldn't it be simpler to ease the public into this information?"

"Do you hold such little trust in the people?"

"I'm just being realistic," Commander Feld argued.

"Gentlemen," Katya scolded. "Commander Feld, Commander Pyxis is right. They deserve the truth. I understand your hesitation, but I truly believe the people can handle it. They're stronger than you think."

"Wait, are you saying we should announce this?" he asked. Commander Feld looked to Nile, but the Commander of the Military Police was lost in thought.

"Ultimately, the decision rests with her majesty. That's how the new system works," Zachary said. "But I agree. The people should hear the truth. What say you, Prime Minister?"

"It's only fair. A hundred years people knew of the outside world. It's time to give it back," she said with a nod. "And you, your grace? The final decision is yours."

"As the people of the walls, all of us share the same fate. Which is why we must now unite as one and work together," Historia proclaimed. She looked to the apprehensive officers. "Release the information. Lay everything bare."

Stohess Berg Newspapers, three days later...

Levi glanced out the window of the meeting room, watching the mill gossip and read the headlines. Almost every person he saw had a newspaper in their hand. At the table, Raisa and Hange sat with Roy and his head reporter, Peaure. He was reading the main article aloud, letting it sink in. When he was done, he glanced at the women quizzically. "I know we've already published this, but is all of this as creditable as you claim?"

Raisa hummed as she set her teacup down. "The childhood memories of three sisters is questionable to a bystander, I know. But my mother has verified everything."

"Who would've thought foreigners have been living here this whole time," Peaure breathed in awe.

"At the very least, it addresses most of the doubts and questions we've had this whole time," Hange said. "I know it's not the truth we would've hoped for, but it's what we have."

Roy poured a fresh cup for Levi as he sat down. Levi took the cup gratefully. "Appreciate it."

"So, how are people taking the news?" Raisa asked.

"It's a mixed bag," Roy confessed with a heavy sigh. "Some just accept it, some laugh it off, some lash out at the military and insist it's all a great conspiracy. Just as you feared, things have become somewhat chaotic."

"Makes sense. But the Queen and her fellow leaders believed the people deserved the truth...whether or not they were ready to hear it." Hange gentled swirled the tea in her cup, creating a mini-whirlpool. "It's our job to explore and report our findings. The taxpayers can treat that information as they will. That's something we've improved since the old king was deposed."

Roy smiled. He sat back in his chair as he admired Hange. "I couldn't be prouder of the work you've done, Commander. Not only as a citizen of the walls...but one working stiff to another."

Hange blinked in surprise then looked away, blushing. "Th-Thank you."

"Uh-uh. Then why don't you fluff us up a bit in the next article you write?"

Raisa nudged Levi with her elbow. Roy let out a chuckle, but then slumped his shoulders. "What happens to us now? For so long, it was only the titans we feared. We hated them. Wished they'd disappear forever. And now we've learned that this is how the people of the world see us? Commander...you lived there, didn't you? Amongst the people who see us as monsters?"

"I did. I don't...remember much. I was only seven when we left, but," Raisa sat back in her chair as she remembered, "I remember a wall. Not nearly as big as ours, but it circled a large part of the city we leaved in. It was the ghetto Grisha Jaeger lived in. It looked like a giant pig pen, honestly."

"Was it the same way in your mother's country?" Peaure asked. "In Anscar?"

"I don't know. She didn't say Eldians were treated like monsters. It's been over thirty years since she's been there, but...in her time, they made all the refugees work as servants. Personally, I don't see a difference."

"No, I suppose there really isn't," Roy said. His hands shook as he held his tea cup in his palms. "Marley...they'll come back, won't they? They'll attack us again. Why wouldn't they? This hell will repeat itself until the last of us are dead."

Mitras, the next day...

"I don't understand why I need to be here."

"Mom, please stop complaining," Raisa begged. She rubbed her forehead in frustration. She and Roksana stood off to the side, away from the other officers and parliament leaders. "I know you're nervous being away from home, but you said you wanted to be more involved."

"For your sakes, not everyone else," she grumbled. Roksana reached into her pocket, but found them empty. She began searching through her other pockets. "Nadia's all by herself with the children."

"This is a formal ceremony. The kids wouldn't have be able to sit still."

"Oh, please. You should have more faith in your-where are my cigarettes?" Roksana searched through her pockets more vigorously.

"I have them."

They turned to see Katya approach, two guards flanking her. Roksana raised an irritated eyebrow. "What? Give them back."

"After the ceremony," she said. "You can't smoke in here, anyways."

Roksana widened her eyes in angry surprise. She pulled her coat tighter around herself and held out her hand. "Katya. Give them to me. Now."

"After the ceremony, I promise."

Roksana inhaled sharply, but calmed herself. Her irritation growing without her tobacco. "I see the power's already gone to your head."

"It's just a temporary position. An official election will be held in the next few months while we sort everything out."

"What else is there to sort out?" she asked, sticking her hand into her empty pocket once again. She realized she was absentmindedly looking for her cigarettes and huffed in disappointment. "I know what you want, Katya, but I cannot give it."

"Can't or won't?" Katya asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Now that we know the truth, there's new possibilities laid out before us. You're our only connection to another country outside Marley's influence."

"I have not had contact with my siblings in almost twenty years."

"And imagine how happy they'll be when they learn you're alive," she countered. Katya sighed, easing her own rising tension. "Mom, we have try. It may take years, decades even...but right now, we're all alone in this world. We need allies. Any that we can get in order to survive."

"That means re-organizing our military, fortifying our true borders, and trying to catch up technologically," Raisa added. "We're so far behind."

Roksana rolled her eyes and looked away. Her glare scanned the ballroom. The young Scouts were gathered across the room. Her glare softened upon seeing the dark-haired boy. Is that Eren Jaeger?

Raisa glanced behind her shoulder, noticing the Queen's protection detail entering. "We'll have to continue this later. It's time."

Queen Historia made her way to the raised platform in front of the grand windows. She felt a little silly, dressed so formally. Her royal cloak dragged slightly on the ground. Her golden blond hair was done up in an elegant regal style. She almost felt numb, standing before the ten Scouts kneeling before her. Katya and Zachary stood off to her right along with Jocelin Burner, Katya's chief of staff. Jocelin held a large box, and opened it for the queen.

Inside were ten bolo ties. Historia bestowed the awards one by one. First was the Commander of the Scouts, Hange. Then Raisa and Levi. Historia finally came to Eren, gently securing the tie to his neck. Eren followed custom and grabbed Historia's hand. The moment his lips touched her skin, he froze. Historia blinked in confusion. She tried to slip her hand free, but Eren tightened his hold. The others began to notice. Historia leaned down, seeing the utterly shocked look on his face. "Eren?"

That evening...

Eren leaned against the wall as he watched everyone mill about. He held onto a glass of wine, but couldn't bring himself to drink any. The room was full of blurred chatter. People drinking and talking, having a decent time. Mikasa was with Sasha by the buffet table. Jean and Armin were talking with Katya and the other parliament leaders. His gaze shifted to Historia who was surrounded by many people. Her smile was bright and genuine as she talked. Eren sighed and set his glass down on a nearby table.

He moved out onto the balcony facing the north courtyard. It was much quieter and he relished it. He rested his forearms on the marble guard rail. Normally, he'd despise the quiet. A distraction from abyss of silence. Now, he desired it. His thoughts would wander. Sometimes falling into his father's memories, and sometimes...into his own. Cassandra.

Her face came to his mind. His memories replaying through his head. Their time together on Levi Squad. When she'd hold him to keep away his nightmares, when she'd comfort him, and...their last night together. He remembered the softness of her lips, the smoothness of her bare skin. Eren groaned as he dropped his head into his hands.

"Thinking of lost loves?"

He whipped around to the voice. A figure sat on a bench in the corner, smoking leisurely. "Roksana?"

"Oh? Have we met before?" she asked.

Eren blinked as he processed her question. "Oh...uh, no. We haven't. But I remember you from my dad's memories. You're Kruger's wife. Commander Raisa's mother."

Roksana nodded. She inhaled deeply on her cigarette then stood up. "And you must be Grisha's son and successor. My husband's namesake."

Eren looked away. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. He peeked at her as she leaned on the guard rail, knocking off the ashes of her cigarette on the marble. "I wanted to ask you something. I read the reports Hange wrote up about your past. You ended that world war from thirty years ago. The one we didn't even know about."

"I didn't hear a question."

Eren frowned, unfazed by her tone. "The peace ceremony for the treaty between Anscar and Marley...why did you lie?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I lied?"

"What you said happened between you and your dad...that's not how it went down."

Roksana smirked softly. "Why haven't you confessed you can access my husband's memories?" Eren blinked in surprise. "Heh. I was bluffing, but it appears I'm right. Why you're keeping it secret is beyond me. You've got nothing to gain."

"What about you? It's not like anyone's gonna punish you about the things you've done."

Roksana looked away this time, her smirk disappearing. "Perhaps. Somethings are better off kept secret."

Eren's gaze fell to the tattoos on her hands. They looked old, almost dark gray. "Your family's method of titan succession. Removing the spine to pass it between people. Are you the only one who knows how to do that?"

"Am I the only one on this island who can? Yes. I had no reason to teach my girls." She blew out a large puff of smoke. "Am I the only one in the world who can? I don't know."

"Don't know?"

"It was developed by my great-grandmother, so it's in my family's records. The knowledge is out there." Roksana watched him process her words. She almost laughed. He was like an open book. "You have nothing to fear from me, child. As long as you don't give me reason to...I won't take your titan power."

Eren flinched in realization. He clenched his hands into fists for a moment and then relaxed. So many things ran through his mind. But he forced himself to remain calm. He had enough of Kruger's memories to know what Roksana was capable of. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"You can."

"Can you introduce me to your daughter, Nadia?" he asked. "And her son?"

Titan Country, seven months later...

The Scouts rode out in the open country for the first time in six years since the destruction of Wall Maria. Hange rode in the center, staying true to Erwin's formations. There was only thirty of them with Raisa leading the right flank and Levi leading the left. Eren rode in the center, protected by his friends. Hange recalled the map they had spent months drafting. The port is just a straight-shot southwestward.

She noticed a flare of red smoke. She motioned to release signal, ordering the formation to avoid the titan. But, several green flares lit up. Huh. Guess they took care of it.

In the right flank, Raisa steered her horse around the lone titan. It was a small, plump thing with weak limbs. Dirt was piled up around it's face. She glanced across the hills, noticing a divet. "Huh. It's been dragging itself."

"Section Commander!" Floch called. "Shouldn't we kill it?"

"No, it's not a threat at the moment," she said, steering her horse back into formation. "We'll take care of it on the way back. Let's go! Resume formation!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The other Scouts kicked their horses back into full gallop after Raisa. The titan gave no reaction as the humans took off. The rest of the way the sky was clear of any signal flares. Clear of trees and hills. The small flanks closed in together, riding as one solid unit. The horses whinnied in protest as the grassy plain turned into sand. Raisa peered across the small dunes. "Look! Up ahead!"

Hange and Levi followed her gaze and gasped in surprise. At the edge, blocking their view of the shore was a wall. "Do you smell that?" Raisa asked Hange, a big smile on her face.

Hange sniffed the air. "Yeah. What is that?"

"The ocean."

The Scouts rode around the wall. They eased the horses into a comfortable trot, heading up a path around the wall until the reached the edge of the cliff. Laid before them was the Marleyan Sea. Glittering, blue water nosily slapping against the shore. Raisa recalled her childhood memories. The summer days when her family would spend the day at the beach. Swimming with Katya and Nadia, and watching strangers surf on the waves.

They wasted no time making their way down. Once the horses were tied up, the Scouts spread out. Taking off their shoes to walk in the shallow ocean water. Levi stayed by his horse watching over Raisa and Hange. His wife twirled around, kicking up clumps of sand. "Quit it," he told her. "You're getting dirty."

"Dirty? This place is super clean compared to the beaches of Marley," Raisa beamed. She spread her arms out, taking everything in. She noticed Jean bringing his cupped hands to his mouth. "Wait! Don't drink it!"

"Gah!" Jean spat out the water. "It's so salty!"

"I said don't drink it!"

"Why not?" Hange asked, gathering up the water in her hands.

"Cause it'll kill you, that's why."

"That's amazing!" She laughed manically as she released the water. Hange noticed a strange figure in the water. "Huh? What could that be?"

"Lemme see." Raisa walked over, ignoring Levi's warnings. She knelt down beside Hange. Raisa suddenly reached in and picked it up, startling her Commander. She held up the little creature in front of Hange. "It's called a Sand Dollar."

"A Sand Dollar?" Hange tilted her head. "Is it...alive?"

"No, this one is dead actually." She handed it to Hange and dove her hand back into the water. "This one is alive."

"Whoa!" Hange held up the dead Sand Dollar to the alive one.

Raisa flipped the living one over, showing the bristle-y underside. "See? This is how it moves."

"Holy shit. How does it eat? How does it shit? Does it have a brain?!"

Raisa shrugged. "I know it eats microscopic organisms in the water." She noticed something else moving in the water. "Oh!"

Levi, having grown irritated, stomped over. "Would you two quit it? You don't know what those things are. They could be poisonous."

"Levi, it's fine. The dangerous ones are further out to sea." Raisa stood up. She trudged through the water over to him, carrying a multi-limbed creature. She grabbed his hands and placed the creature in his palms. "It's called a starfish. They're relatively harmless."

Levi stared down at the strange creature. It was a pretty orange color, with yellow bumps along it's limbs. Raisa's hands lingered on his. "One day...I'd like to bring Remi here. I have no idea if that'll even be possible, but I hope so."

Levi raised his gaze to meet hers. His heart skipped a beat upon the look she was giving him. Her cheeks were a little red and there was a familiar gleam in her eyes. She slid her fingers up around his wrists. "Let's have more kids."

Those four words nearly took his breath away. Words he had been hoping to hear for a few years now. Before he could respond, Hange called for Raisa. "Heyyyy! What's this thing?"

Raisa did a double take. "No, wait! Put that down! Those are actually toxic!"

Levi watched her run over to knock the black lump out of Hange's hands. He watched them for a moment then turned to gaze out over the ocean. Maybe this isn't so bad. He had been on edge ever since they stepped foot in pure titan country. He thought over Raisa's words and imagined his children playing and splashing around in the water. The corner of his lip curled into a hint of a smile at that thought. A strange feeling pulled him from his thoughts. This thing is scratchy. He flipped the starfish over. The creature wiggled, it's little bristles reaching out in every direction. Levi promptly threw the thing back into the sea.

End of Chapter 33