Ripple of Kindness
Disclaimer: I do not own AoT
Ancient Eldian Historical Discoveries:
Pre-Ymir and Post-Ymir Eldians shared a belief that the afterlife held mighty fortresses where souls would be whisked. Which one depended on how they lived and died. There were seven in total, spread across the worlds of the Ashtree. The most terrible of these was Trelleborg, the Fort of Slaves. The armor and weapons of a warrior possessed in life would be turned into the collars and chains of a slave, lorded over by dark spirits that would lash the unworthy dead to work for all eternity in the mines and forges of Trelleborg, supplying the other Fort, and the more worthy dead, through their labor.
There was only two recorded ways to be sent to Trelleborg: The first was to "Fail the Gods." It is unclear all the things that fell under this description, but the most common was to beg for mercy during a blood-eagle.
The second was to turn craven and flee from a battle in fear for your life, abandoning your tribe in the process.
However, Post-Ymir Eldians believed in a third great sin: To be found unworthy by Ymir and her royal descendants. In other words, it was beleived that the family of Fritz could damn or save a soul from this fate on a whim...
Syn hated pretending to be a servant. It wasn't even a matter of pride. True, there was that too, but she could swallow it for the Titaness. Being expected to be seen and not heard grated on her a bit, but she was already one of the less rambunctious of the Jarnvidr.
No, what she hated were the clothes. She was accustomed to the feel and weight of her armor and having her idle hand resting on a weapon. Now it was these loose robes that reminded her constantly of how exposed and vulnerable she was compared to before.
She'd have to find a time and place to slip back into her armor, so that she didn't grow too used to this and lose her edge. True, the Titaness never wore armor, but she was the Ash-blessed Titaness! She didn't need it, obviously, as proven by her taking a spear in human form.
Speaking of Lady Ymir, Syn was on her way to report to her, as she did every morning. Even a Jarnvidr needed sleep.
And that was when instincts took over, dodging a punch to her face as she reached a corner, grabbing the kick aimed at her legs and about to flip her enemy over.
Until she saw the attacker, which made her stop sharply.
"Reik Angrboda?" she asked in surprise.
"Former Reik," the Warden of Nagrindr corrected with a scowl, ripping her leg away. "Glad to see you haven't gone soft, Syn."
Syn snorted as she stood. "Please give me some credit, it hasn't even been a whole moon yet," she said, crossing her arms. "I wasn't expecting a meeting like this. Is something wrong?"
Angrboda scowled dangerously. "I should be asking you. What have you done to displease the Titaness already?"
"What?" Syn asked in disbelief, barely keeping her voice down. "What are you talking about?"
"King Fritz says that Lady Ymir takes issue with you," Angrboda explained evenly, obviously displeased.
"I-that-she-! He must be lyi-" Syn started, silenced as the warden pushed her against the wall and grasped her by the mouth.
"Careful, Syn. Fritz may call himself King all he wants, but he is the Alareik. The Reik of Reiks. Unless you want to lose that tongue of yours, you'll be careful where you say things like that," Angrboda warned sternly before releasing her.
"Y-yes, Warden," Syn answered in submission, flexing her jaw. "But I don't understand. Lady Ymir has never even graced me so much as a word to me, let alone convey that I had displeased her."
"Really, there's nothing?" Angrboda asked, unconvinced.
"No," Syn answered with a troubled, displeased look. "She never talks to anyone. Only to the Princesses and to...King Fritz."
"That is what I've heard from everyone, even the healers," Angrboda said with a sigh. "Syn, be honest with me, one Jarn to another. How obvious are you?"
Syn looked at her in confusion, prompting Angrboda to lean in and whispered directly in her ear
"About how much you wish she hadn't taken that spear for him."
Syn frowned deeply, glancing away in dark displeasure. "I haven't said anything, to her or him."
Angrboda snorted. "I doubt you have to say much with a look like that in your eyes."
Syn bitterly didn't answer, balling her fists.
"You know, it's kind of funny," Angrboda mused ironically. "You were so overjoyed at the idea of serving Lady Ymir, despite that it was Fritz himself that ordered it."
"Ordered," Syn repeated under her breath. "By Veleda, why does she follow him?"
"Why did she save him? That is what you really mean, after all," Angrboda claimed with a knowing, unimpressed tone.
"Reik, we surrendered to her. Not to Eldia, not to Fritz, but to the Titaness," Syn hissed with simmering indignation. "I always thought she was just biding her time..."
"Former Reik. And Lady Ymir follows his will. Like it or not, she made that clearer than ever in saving him," Angrboda stated sternly. "So toss aside that petty hatred of yours."
"Petty? Did you forget what he did to us?!" Syn accused harshly.
"Did you forget why he did it?" Angrboda remarked with a raised eyebrow.
Syn's dark look didn't lessen at that reasoning.
"Lady Ymir killed many more of us than Eldia ever did on its own. Do you hate her as well?" the warden challenged pointedly.
"Of course not! That was different," Syn denied, as if it were obvious.
"How so?" Angrboda asked sternly, getting no answer. "Listen to me, Syn. This isn't about you, it's about Lady Ymir. And if you ever give her or Fritz reason to doubt your loyalty, I promise you, "I" will blood-eagle you myself."
Syn paled. If it was anyone else making the threat, she would not be scared. To suffer the blood-eagle was an agonizing fate, but at least a warrior could earn their way into one of the Great Forts by refusing to cry out from the pain. But if Angrboda did it...if she personally did it, she didn't just want to kill her victim, but to deny their soul passage to anywhere but Trelleborg. To labor forever without ever knowing peace or glory.
"I understand, Warden," Syn answered, trying to hide the trembling in her voice.
"Good. Now, the entire family is going on an excursion today, without you," Angrboda informed bluntly.
"Wait, what? Why am I only now hearing of this?" Syn asked in surprise.
"Because I'm the one telling you," Angrboda stated pointedly. "And by the time they get back, you will have buried and made peace with your grudge against Fritz."
Syn swallowed thickly, nodding under her leader's look. "Yes, Reik Angrboda."
"Former," Angrboda reprimanded, "Now, try not to further upset the Actual Goddess that could literally eat you alive," Angrboda instructed, cupping her chin as Syn left.
That had been far less informative than she thought. It was well known that the Titaness didn't speak to most people, but Angrboda thought for sure that Syn would have some idea of what she had done to displease Lady Ymir.
Of course, she hadn't told her exactly what Fritz had said: That Ymir had been actively avoiding Syn at least once. That troubled Angrboda deeply, to know one of her own had somehow upset Lady Ymir that much, yet had no idea how or when.
Perhaps she was overthinking it. Lady Ymir was loyal to King Fritz, that much was clear. Maybe she simply could sense how Syn felt about Fritz himself?
The alternative was that Lady Ymir didn't like the Jarnvidr in general. A very...disheartening notion to consider. Her sisters-in-arms all but worshipped the Titaness, after all. Knowing she disapproved of them collectively would devestate them.
Still, she just hoped Syn didn't do anything stupid. She was wagering that Syn's devotion to the Titaness was stronger than her hatred for Fritz.
If not, Trelleborg always had room for more slaves.
Meanwhile
Ymir was having a stressful morning.
As someone that could turn into a giant monster to smite entire armies, this was a surprisingly rare event for her. After the first few times she transformed, she stopped worrying about it. She just did whatever she was ordered to do. As long as she accomplished her task, there was nothing to worry about.
Realistically, this was no different. But it was somehow very different.
She would be leaving soon; with her master, children, and others to conduct some tests with her powers. And give her daughters a firsthand view of what she could do.
And she dreaded that. She dreaded that more than anything she could recall experiencing. Even the feeling of drowning helplessly was beginning to feel secondary to this.
"Lady Ymir?"
She came out of her thoughts, tilting her head up in acknowledgment. The woman brushing and fixing her hair was a bit older than herself, her own brunette hair up in a bun with a circlet on her brow.
Drifa was her name, if Ymir remembered correctly. They didn't...interact a lot. In fact, Ymir was a bit surprised to be addressed at all.
As if reading her mind, Drifa smiled brightly. "I know me and the others haven't been around a lot...and I know it might sound silly, you being the Titaness and all, but we're all very relieved."
Ymir blinked, turning to face her squarely, showing her confusion. Relieved? Why?
Drifa fidgeted a bit awkwardly, but still smiled. It felt real. "I mean, you saved Fritz! And you've already recovered! I mean, I know it shouldn't be a surprise that you're okay, but-" she stopped and breathed to calm her rambling, steadying her thoughts. "We're all just happy that you two are safe."
Ymir nodded slowly as she looked forward, taking that in. She knew who Drifa was, and who she referred to-the other women that belonged to Fritz…his favored.
There were four of them, counting Drifa. They had never been slaves, but they were Fritz's other concubines. Women from the Snaer lands to the far north, after the Reiks there pledged themselves to Eldia. Those tribes had joined more peacefully than most.
They were also like her own servants at times, helping her get ready. She didn't know why and never really thought much of it.
Still, they were happy that she was alive. That felt more surprising than it should. She supposed they were just happy the Titaness was still around. Not that she could blame them. After all, what other reason would they care about her for?
"...You're very brave, Lady Ymir," Drifa continued with a sigh. "I...even if I knew I could survive that, I don't know if I'd react fast enough to throw myself in front of a spear like that."
But Ymir didn't know she would survive that. She almost didn't. Did that make her brave?
...No, no it didn't. She did it to protect her master, but even then, she almost allowed herself to die if not for Fritz spurring her on. That wasn't brave. At least, she didn't think so.
She certainly didn't feel brave now, knowing her children would see her Titaness form today.
"Thorri is still jealous of you though," Drifa remarked with an amused snort. "She really thinks you cursed us to be barren so you'd be the only one to have Fritz's children."
Ymir turned her head fast at that, genuinely surprised by the comment. They thought she could do what?
"Oh? You haven't heard that one?" Drifa asked, holding in a giggle. "Don't worry, me and the others don't believe that. After all, you wouldn't need to. There's no way we could compete with you."
Ymir was lost at that. Compete with her? What did that mean? Compete for what, in what way?
Drifa didn't elaborate as she continued to straighten Ymir's hair.
"I'm sure the Princesses must be excited though," Drifa mused idly. "This'll be the first time they've left the city, right?"
Ymir nodded slowly.
"They've been clingy, haven't they?" Drifa guessed knowingly, feeling Ymir stop shortly before nodding again. "Don't be too surprised. They're just trying to show how much they love you and don't want to lose you. That's normal for children after...something like that."
Was it? Ymir didn't know. She couldn't know. She barely remembered her own parents anymore, and she wasn't sure why that was. Was it just too long ago? Or did she not want to remember? How they would be if they lived to be enslaved with her? She had seen families turn on each other in desperation, both slaves and freed; Parents who cared nothing for their offspring, children who abandoned loving parents, siblings that would tear each other apart.
Fritz, if nothing else, wanted Eldia and his children to have a future. That, Ymir knew to be fact. That was why they were preparing, doing these experiments.
But why did her daughters have to see this? To come see their mother, like that? She had only just began to speak with them. To speak at all, true, but her talks with her children were, they were...precious, she supposed.
"Lady Ymir, you're shaking? Are you co-?" Drifa asked in concern, stopping as she saw Ymir's balled fist, but not her worried face. "I'm...I'm sorry, if I overstepped, Lady Ymir," she apologized meekly.
Ymir glanced down. She wanted to say something, tell her that she didn't say anything wrong. But she didn't.
The two remained in a less comfortable silence as Drifa finished attending to Ymir.
Ymir hated being this weak. She had her master's permission to speak. Not just to him, but to others. He was even encouraging it. But it was the one thing she couldn't do yet.
She really was a coward.
Later
Eldia, in its recent and rapid expansion had adopted many things from their sworn enemy of Marley. This was a principle of necessity rather than anything else. It was an obvious fact that Marley was more advanced than them in various forms. Making things like the Marlayeans did was done simply due to having no other idea for how to do such things. Like Architecture. Making entire buildings of stonework like Marley was something few if any of the tribes had ever even tried at any point in the past. So making it in a Marleyean likeness was the default, even if more traditionally Eldian aesthetics were added on.
Yes, Eldia was adopting a lot of things from their old adversary.
However, some things Fritz refused to take part in.
For instances: Carriages.
"Why does Father hate carriages?" Rose asked curiously as she sat behind Maria, arms clinging around her sister's waist cautiously.
"Something about how they're overvalued wagons that people in the south are idiots for using," Maria answered in amusement. "I think he just doesn't like the idea of us not knowing how to ride a horse."
Rose whimpered, trying not to look down as her sister handled the reins with relative ease. Just about everyone in Eldia learned how to ride from a young age, even those without horses. Maria took to it at about the average speed. She had started two years ago and could ride decently. Rose was a bit slower, but she was still getting over her fear of falling off. Sheena...
Maria glanced over to the horse their mother rode on with the youngest princess seated in front. Maria did not miss the curious look her mother was giving Sheena, who held the reins and was steering the beast rather effortlessly. Granted, she was still figuring out how to make the horse stop and start moving properly, but it was impressive all the same.
Maria took the time to gaze over the rest of the group. The fairly large group.
There were over a hundred people: Them, their parents, several advisors and nearly a hundred warriors. A third of them were from the royal guard, but the rest were common warriors; All on horseback, riding through the forest. They were in the center with their father closer to the front. He wasn't wearing his crown, opting instead for his old horned helmet.
Today was a big day, apparently. They were finally going to see why everyone called their mother the Titaness. Father needed her to help with preparing in case Marley ever tried to attack again. He had been rather...vague about the whole thing. And their Mother seemed unusually quiet today. Which was surprising, given how little she talked already.
They had been riding since just after daybreak, and the sun was beginning its trip down to the other horizon. They would be stopping soon. Traveling at night wasn't the best idea, even in Eldian territory.
"Hey, careful Princess," Baugi warned lightheartedly, making Maria come out of her idleness, realizing she was pulling her horse too close to the side, almost running into the guard.
Maria flushed in embarrassment as she righted the horse, not wanting to look like a fool in front of so many people, let alone Father and Mother. She cleared her throat as she regained her demeanor. "Baugi, correct?" she asked calmly.
Baugi almost rolled his eyes at her attempt to act "royal" all of a sudden. "That would be my name, Princess Maria," he answered in amusement.
Maria ignored the tone. The royal guards knew the princesses well, having been the most trusted of Fritz's warriors. "Do you know where we're heading exactly?" she inquired curiously, Rose perking up from her back.
"A place called Husteinar," he answered, briefly looking thoughtful. "I'd tell you more, but...we're here."
Rose poked her head around the side as Maria's head craned forward. It was hard to get a good view with all the taller people and horses, but...
Fritz frowned as he looked around the desolate village, devoid of all life, or so it seemed. He looked to his guards and gave them a pointed nod. Without a word, two dozen men started to dismount the horses and headed deeper into the village.
Never can be too careful, Fritz decided, as he dismounted his own horse. He smirked as he patted the earthy coat of the beast before turning as he watched Ymir helping Sheena off their horse. Maria was able to get on and off on her own, albeit a bit slowly.
Rose sat nervously on the saddle, hoping her mother would come soon get her off this creature. She could feel it growing uneasy with her, and any moment it would send her falling off and-
"Is something wrong, Rose?"
She started and the horse jerked its head before Fritz grabbed the reins, placing a hand on the mane to steady the beast. "F-father, I'm sorry, I just..." she trailed off insecurely.
Fritz just raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to answer and explain herself. Maria tugged at his clothes, prompting him to look down at his eldest. "She's scared of being off the ground, Father," Maria whispered, trying to save her sister's dignity.
Rose bowed her head in shame while Fritz looked surprised. "Is she? When did this happen?" he asked curiously.
"I think always?" Maria answered, sending Rose apologetic looks.
Fritz snorted as he lifted Rose up from under her arms and pulled her off the horse. "Let me guess, every time you look down, the ground starts spinning?" he asked as he put her down. Rose looked up in surprise, nodding slowly. "It will get better with time," he answered matter-of-factly.
"O-Okay, Father," Rose said softly, clearly uncertain but not wanting to disappoint her father.
Fritz wordlessly passed the reins to Baugi, who led the horse away. Fritz looked over towards Ymir and Sheena, who were watching on.
"Father, where are we?" Sheena asked instantly while holding Ymir's hand.
Fritz hummed, looking out towards the village. "It was once a village called Husteinar, allies and close relative of the original Tribe of Eldia."
"What happened to them?" Maria asked curiously.
"Nothing," Fritz answered idly. "They simply moved to the new city after we united the tribes and this place was left abandoned."
Sheena made a sound of curious wonder. "So, Eldia use to look like this thirteen years ago?"
Fritz shrugged. "This is smaller than our village was, but yes, it is very similar," he explained, glancing to Maria and Rose. "You wanted to know about our history, and it seems appropriate you three see how we lived for centuries."
Maria took on a look of deep consideration, staring out at the village of abandoned wooden homes, varying in quality, and trying to reconcile it with her image of their home, their city: Buildings far and wide being made of fine stone and well-crafted wood. And all that had changed by the time she could retain her own memories as a child.
How could so much change?
"What's Mother going to do, Father?" Rose asked, drawing Maria back to the present.
"You'll see in time," Fritz answered, turning to the woman in question. "Ymir, af-" he stopped when he noticed the Titaness was lost in thought, looking off to the side. "Ymir? Ymir!"
Ymir started abruptly at the raised voice, looking to her Master with a startled expression.
Her daughters looked on in concern, while Fritz gave her a bewildered look. "Is something amiss?" he asked in confusion.
Ymir stared for a moment before shaking her head, slowly.
None of her family looked particularly convinced. "Very well," Fritz said doubtfully. "Once we're sure the village is cleared, you are to ride out so that we can begin."
The princesses looked on with incomprehension as Ymir nodded obediently, but the royal family fell into a somewhat awkward silence as the guards gave them a respectable berth.
Fritz, meanwhile, subtly traced where Ymir's eyes had been lingering before. All he could find out of the usual was a stray, abandoned water bucket lying about.
"King," one of his guards addressed, pulling Fritz's attention. "We searched everywhere. Only a few bodies we had to clear out. The main hall is empty and ready for you."
"Very good, Ullr," Fritz answered, before looking towards Ymir meaningfully.
Ymir looked down to her daughters in response, who looked up at her with unusual expressions. What was that look in their eyes? They looked almost worried for her. Maybe they were. After all, they had no idea what was about to happen.
She dropped to one knee. The dirt smudging her robes, but she cared not as she brought all three of them into an embrace.
"Mother...?" All three sounded off at once, taken off guard by the sudden action.
"I love all of you," Ymir whispered, quick yet clear, before breaking her hold, turning and standing in one motion as she marched to her horse.
"Father, what's going on?" Maria called on in alarm.
Fritz chose not to respond, watching as Ymir mounted the beast and rode off into the forest.
Ymir had done this many times. Her transformation needed a lot of room, or she might hurt somebody by accident. There was nothing new about this time. In fact, it should be better. She wasn't going to kill anyone today.
So why was her heart racing, like it had done that day she fled for her life thirteen years ago? Why did the voices of her daughters ring in her head like thunder? Why was she clutching the reigns of the horse so tightly?
She stopped, knowing she had gone far enough. She brought herself down before slapping the horse on the hindquarters. It was trained specifically for her, for this event, to return on its own; leaving her alone, with her pounding heart.
Why did her master have to bring their daughters to see this?!
That, however, was not the thought as she brought her hand to her mouth. No, that was much simpler:
Why...why was her face wet? It wasn't raining. Was she...crying?
Meanwhile
A great lightning bolt crashed down in the distance, shaking the very earth.
"That's where Mother went!" Sheena cried out in panic as Rose clutched to Maria tightly.
But Maria was more bothered by how unphased their father and the guards were. Even some of the horses barely reacted to the great display of nature's fury. Or, at least, that's what the princesses thought it was, at first.
Fritz watched with a small smirk as the thunder ceased. In the distance, a looming behemoth rose, footsteps causing tremors in the ground beneath them.
"W-what is that!?" Rose cried out in shock, Sheena just stared while being unable to process it.
"Father, is...is that...Mother?" Maria guessed, the dots beginning to connect in her head.
Fritz smiled, patting Maria on the head. "You are correct. Be not afraid, Daughters. She may be the Titaness, but she is still your mother," Fritz encouraged as Ymir carefully walked near the edge of the village, looming above the trees even while on all fours.
The Titaness was always intimidating, no matter how often one saw it: enormous beyond belief, ribs looming out of her chest almost like they were daggers, a disturbing sunken in stomach, a skinless face, and eyes th-
Fritz blinked, realizing he wasn't imagining it. Ymir's Titaness form had eyes now; Purple eyes, with a slight glow to them. Strange.
He also noticed that she wasn't staring at him, but rather their children.
He looked down, seeing that Maria and Rose were stunned, unable to move. But Sheena...
"Mother?" Sheena called out, looking up at the skull, framed by long blond hair. "Is...is that really you?" the youngest called up.
Ymir made a strange noise before nodding, staring down at the small princess.
"You're...you're..." Sheena stammered, her eyes wide. "So...BIG!" she declared enthusiastically.
Ancient Eldian Historical Discoveries:
The Empire of Eldia has had a long and complicated history with polygamy, falling in and out of favor many times over the centuries. It has never been truly illegal however, even in modern day. Furthermore, unlike other countries, this often meant more than one breadwinner in the relationship and, in recent times, who took which surname was chiefly a personal choice. Inheritance laws were sometimes complicated by these practices, but Last Wills were generally taken as the final-say in all matters.
The nobles and royals often practiced both polygyny and polyandry, and both at once in at least one confirmed occasion. The various Rulers of Eldia have used the Founding Titan to make Subjects of Ymir as a whole immune to newly discovered Sexually Transmitted Diseases, universally considered a global upside even by enemies of Eldia. This, however, also led to various attempts in their history to legalize prostitution. When inquired about the libido that appears to both grace and curse the various bloodlines, all who could answer shared similar yet vague answers that amounted to this:
"We didn't get it from Ymir."
End of Chapter
Okay, I'll admit I had always assumed that Fritz had other women, maybe even had other concubines, but it wasn't until 139 semi-confirmed it that I got inspired to fully throw them into this story. So, yeah, 139 actually had a positive effect for one. Minor miracle.
Moving on. Syn has a grudge against Fritz, Ymir has a oneside conversation with one of Fritz's other women, annnnnnd Ymir's titan has eyes now. Read into that as you will. And Sheena is precious as always.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Unitl next time!
p a treon . com (slash) akumakami64