NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:
Hello everyone. I want to clarify a few things before you begin reading this fanfiction.
This is heavily inspired by the series Naoki Urasawa's Monster.
However, I am using the world of AoT and implementing a lot of my own ideas.
For instance, a lot of the character's back stories will remain the same but formulated to fit this AU.
As the series Monster is written so ambiguously, I wanted to explore the ideas presented in different lights.
For instance, the Monster capable of love with Levi x Historia.
I wanted to also dive into the world of AoT that is full of experimentation, murder, abuse, racism etc. in a more natural, realistic form.
This is set in the world of AoT but I want to specify that there won't be any titan monsters - just references to it.
Levi will still be supernaturally strong - as he will still result in being a human/Titan hybrid.
This is suppose to be set in a world which resembles ours, lots of references to our WW2/Holocaust will be made but I will keep the context to the world of AoT.
A lot of details will be told in reflection to past memories, so I will place (***) to signify when the past is being shown.
There will also be HEAVY triggers in this story of child abuse, torture, rape, brainwashing, genocide, stalking, toxic love, obsession, murder. CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY etc.,
You have been warned.
I will try and remain canon to the character's personalities. But as Levi is sick, twisted and broken by the experiments done to him, he will be a bit different. I want you to hate him. But I also want you to empathize with him once we jump down the rabbit hole.
Do not expect a soft, tender relationship between Rivahisu - at least not from the start.
There will also be some Erwin/Historia elements being thrown.
Everyone is of age.
Erwin will be at least 5-7 years older though.
Levi and Historia ARE NOT REALLY SIBLINGS. They are not blood related.
I want to explore humanity, morality - the thin line between right and wrong.
To make us realize the most terrifying truth about those who commit atrocities...that they are not monsters or devils - they are merely human.
As humans we are able to love just as strongly as we are able to hate.
There's a monster inside all of us.
Enjoy this wild ride.
- Aki
" The child not embraced by the village may burn it down one day to feel it's warmth."
March 1986
There were hushed words over the crackling of the fire – but he heard them.
Their tones full of worry and annoyance as they argued back and forth – but he had already made a decision for them.
The sound of the heavy rain hitting against the glass windows consumed the reticence that filled the living room once the Monster had departed. His foster parents had a lump of information to digest after their unannounced guest confessed the many secrets and truths about their adopted daughter; specifically who Historia was and was chosen to become. The Priest of the walls was trying to rid himself of the guilt – but the Lieberts took it as a warning. The deafening silence was broken once Mr. Liebert groaned with annoyance,
"I told you – I didn't want the girl in the first place! I just wanted to adopt the exceptional boy!" and then his wife cried out quietly,
"How was I supposed to know?! Why are you pinning the blame on me?!" Mrs. Liebert argued with a muffled tone.
"Besides, Levi would not leave the Orphanage without her. "
"It doesn't matter anymore – she can't stay here any longer. She is too dangerous to have around us!"
They were worried about the wrong child.
"Michael…what are you saying?" his wife's voice trembled. Her husband sighed loudly and sat down close, taking her hand.
"You heard what that man said! The girl was experimented on – pushed into extreme mind wrenching tests, deprived of basic human decency. They tortured her in order to break her down and start anew… so that she could…become the perfect candidate."
He paused.
"Who knows what else they could have done to her…"
"…That's not her fault though…" his wife began to sob.
"I know…but she is a ticking time bomb…that I don't want to deal with!"
Another long pause.
"The King would pay us handsomely if we turn her over to him…W-we should d-do that…instead of living our lives in fear, alright?!"
Levi felt disgusted – as he did with every single adult he encountered in his lifetime. He observed how Historia clung to these two, desperate to call them her parents. The way she showered them with flowers and drawings – creating this illusion for herself that he would never. They were fortunate enough for her undying affection and they were just going to throw her away. Throw her away like nothing – just like her so called mother had.
Despite his distaste for their lack of care for his dear little Historia, he could not feel anger or resentment. After all, he expected no less. This is how it was always going to be – they were nameless, unwanted children. Levi already had his gun at his side, finger curving just upon the trigger, listening in the hallway. It would be quick and effortless - just as he was when pitted against the other children at the Orphanage.
He wouldn't dare to hesitate, because if he did, then that would mean he was also having second thoughts about Historia. He would never have to choose; because his one and only choice would always be her.
Two quick gunshots and they were on the floor. He shot Mr. Liebert one more time for good measure. Then the sound of the storm outside flooded the room again. There was nothingness in him just as there was in front of him –just two dead bodies of people who were no more.
That was until he heard a tiny, scared voice call out,
"…Levi?"
July 1996
Levi opened his eyes, grayish-azure irises wincing at the harsh sun's rays. He stared blankly at the sky after adjusting his eyes from the daydream he found himself having.
Of all days, why was he thinking back on that fateful night now?
It had been 10 years since then.
10 years since his brush with death.
10 years since he survived by the grace of god or the devil's luck.
He left Historia all those years ago with a new set of foster parents with the hope that she would be able to heal and lead a healthy life despite how much it killed him to be separated from her.
He felt incomplete.
Like a piece of him was torn from him.
The only part of him that mattered.
"Krista!" A cheerful, obnoxious voice called out and broke the raven haired man from his cogitations. There he sat, on the bench, eyes focusing on her long sun kissed hair dancing along the breeze. Her almond shaped face, that bright smile – she was so radiant.
She went by the name Krista Lenz now.
"Hey sorry I'm late!" Krista snickered to her friends, dressed in a white button up and a black skirt. She wore black thigh highs- her legs were much longer now. But she didn't seem to have grown considerably since when they were kids. She was still so short and thin.
He wondered if it was because of the experiments done on her during their youth.
He shook the thought away, his eyes burning in the image of her instead.
She was a college student now; an undergrad majoring in social work with hopes to protect abused children; make a change in the cruel world.
How sweet.
Yet the bitter irony in it all was the fact that she had no idea what stemmed that desire out of her.
After school she'd attend the kids at the local orphanage before going to her part time job as a waitress at a diner called The Fritz. There were a lot of men who hit on her, stare at her with hungry eyes that made his skin crawl; tugging at his desire to bury them six feet under.
Thursdays and Sundays, were her days off. She'd be free to do whatever she wanted but instead, she wasted a lot of her time on the computer until it was time for dinner.
He's watched over her for years – picking up her habits down to the route she takes home on her bike; she made it far too easy to become his victim.
Or anyone's victim for that matter.
He hated how she made it look so easy – moving on from him and their painful past.
She had forgotten all about him.
That's why she was able to grow and nurture into this bubbly woman everyone adored.
But he will make her remember him – no matter how cruel he was going to have to be.
Once the walls fell, everything changed.
He knew they would come for her once again.
Kindness would not lead to her survival.
After all, he's told her since they were children that he had a plan.
The Monster of Paradis would finally bare its teeth.
I apologize if you're here for shippy stuff. The next two chapters will introduce Erwin, others and focus on world building.
I also have to develop Levi as a terrifying presence.
But don't worry, Rivahisu and Erihisu will shine its light very soon.