It had been a month since that shitshow of a training excercise and oh boy was that a pain in the ass. If there was anything to be said about his 'retirement' from the rank of Commandant to Instructor it was that paperwork was quite literally everywhere. He had to fill out at least a days worth of paperwork over that fiasco and he hoped to never have to do that again.

He had chewed Eren out for that, he had explained what he did and how he staged the incident and why and some of it made sense, though it didn't excuse the paperwork!

He wished he hadn't been told the truth of the world by the boy, at first he had wanted to throw him out, but after a bit of prodding he got a cease and desist order from the Palace itself. It took a bit of bravado and maneuvering, but the boy's claims appeared true. And now he wish he hadn't been told all of what had happened to their people.

To what would happen to their people. To think, in just fifty to sixty years all of this land will be smoking ash…

Yet, in the face of this grim reality, Keith refused to succumb to despair. The challenges were formidable, but he had seen the resilience of the human spirit triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds. It was a testament to the strength that lay within each individual, a strength that could be harnessed for the collective good of humanity, if only planned correctly.

But it will be a methodical one, the young boy wished to simply slit those warriors throats in their sleep, but Keith was a clever man in the end. It would do no good to merely kill them and let that power go to chance. They needed to decide who shall take the power and use it to rid the walls of those misfortunate souls trapped in a hell like no other. They must annihilate them all.

No matter the cost.

With remarkable ease, she sliced through the wooden Titan's nape and swiftly maneuvered through the forest, leaving everyone far behind. The training felt almost effortless for her, and she couldn't help but speculate that the others might be struggling to keep up. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed another person in a cadet uniform swing past her. Distracted, she faced a Titan dummy dropping in front of her, forcing her to pull herself upward just in time to avoid it.

The person sped towards the Titan and cut its nape before continuing forward. She didn't need to see the face to know who it was though. Eren, the only one able to keep up with her. He let his hair grow longer over the past few months, an opposite to her who had begun cutting it shorter. That wasn't the only change though, this "new Eren" as she and Armin called him, was far calmer than their former friend used to be. He would never get aggravated and often chose to back down from fights rather than take up anyone challenging him.

However, a sense of melancholy surrounded him. gone were the days where he would rant non-stop about killing Titans. This 'New Eren', well, he just seemed depressed. The once revenge-filled Eren now seemingly filled with nothing. In Mikasa's mind, however, it was a change for the better if it meant Eren wasn't putting himself in danger all the time. Another Titan dummy came down, she was already whipping up and slashing through the leather fabric with her blades perfectly, a routine repeated countless times that day.

She sat down across from Eren who had just finished talking with Krista, about what she had no idea. She spotted the two frequently speaking with one another, becoming good friends but depending on who you asked, a subtle hint of jealousy crept in as she observed them frequently speaking and becoming close friends. It had once been her that he had talked with so fervently, but recently he had avoided Armin and Mikasa, avoided her. Dismissing such thoughts, she watched as Reiner sat down near Eren and began talking with him, an odd departure from his usual private discussions with Annie, Marcel, and Bertholdt.

"So Eren," Connie said. "Changed your mind on joining the scouts yet, Yaeger? With your skills, you're essentially a sure-in for the top ten, why not use it to get into the MP's and live in the interior?" Connie stopped for a moment before continuing. "In the scouts even being the best won't save you. You could die out there in a second from what I've heard."

"I know… I reckon in about eight or nine years I'll be eaten by a Titan." Eren said, the ever-present grim look on his face not escaping for even a second.

"Hehe… Always the joker aren't ya?" Connie said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah..." Eren replied, leaning back and folding his arms over his chest. "Way to ruin the mood, Yaeger..." Jean muttered from another table, though as usual Eren ignored him.

"How can you just joke about your death like that," Connie said, before replying once more "Does it not bother you that you could join the Survey Corps and then just up and die on your first expedition?"

Connie pressed further, questioning Eren's nonchalant attitude toward the prospect of death in the Survey Corps. Eren calmly asserted, "No, it doesn't bother me. Death is inevitable for everyone in this room, sooner for some than others." As he glanced momentarily at Reiner, Mikasa sensed an underlying tension. She made a mental note to ask Eren about it later…

With a sigh, Mikasa found herself reminiscing about the time before the emergence of this 'New Eren'. She contemplated the potential judgments others would have passed on his past bold and brash expressions, interwoven with the fiery demeanor that used to define him. Perhaps people might have embraced him for attributes beyond his raw skill. Would the older Eren, with his intense and assertive personality, have garnered different reactions than the current perception of him as somewhat eccentric? Mikasa had many questions, and not enough answers…

It had been one month since 'Krista' met Eren Yeager. Well, she had met him about seven months ago when training first started, but they hadn't really talked enough to truly 'know' one another.

At first it had kind of confused her. 'Krista' was a nice girl, a kind and gentle soul who was always chipper, always looking to help someone. Shy and kind… just like Krista from that story… the one she based her very personality on. The very one that Eren saw right through.

The first time they ever truly interacted, he had called her 'creepy' and walked away! The most ungentlemanly thing one could do! At first she disliked him, not because of that comment, but because he saw right through her. He saw Historia, and she did not like it one bit.

But that was before she had learned a little more about him, a little more about herself…

Flashback

'Krista' was carrying logs back to the girls cabin, they had run out and needed some for the furnace if they didn't wish to freeze to death in the December snows. Of course, 'Krista' was the first to volunteer, much to Aniya and Caren's delight. The two girls hated the cold and did not wish to trek the snowy yard between the Girls cabins and the Instructors shed.

Everything had been going so well, until she tripped.

It was a rock jutting out of the ground, hidden by the snow, and it just happened to be in Krista's way. She fell, dropping the logs all over the place. Her ankle hurt so very badly, and after inspecting her foot it was already swelling.

"You have to watch your step out here." a voice said, she turned, seeing Eren Yeager walking towards her. "I-Im alright, it was an accident, I'll be fine!" she said, nervously.

"No, your ankle is sprained, you'll be out for a few weeks at the least." He said. Starting to pick up the logs. "C'mon, we had best get you to the infirmary, so that one of the doctors can help you." he said, his voice betraying just a bit of worry. He held out his hand, and she hesitantly reached out.

As their hands met the scenery around them changed. Sand and a bright blue glow encapsulated her vision before-

Darkness.

"My Kaiser, The people are ready… we are ready for the plan." a blonde male said he looked like an elderly man, with long and flowing grey hair and a long and curly beard on his face.

"Good… Leonhardt, escort me to the Pavillion, please. And Leonhardt, I'm no longer the Kaiser, I am your König now. " he said, a solemn look upon his face. The blonde man nodded, before he began directing the man down a flight of stairs. As they were walking, Leonhardt looked to his König, hesitant.

"Leonhardt, I know that look. Something bothers you? I know we are far from our homeland, but it is for the best." The elderly man said. The blonde looked to the ground, before muttering a response. "I know your grace, but… I am just wondering what you plan to use the Founder for. You've already told me of your plans for those miscreants within the oubliettes, but what of the people of Eldia? What lay forth for us?" Leonhardt asked, hesitant for a moment.

"Worry not young Leonhardt, I am not so quick to anger as to bring harm to you for pondering upon your future. Very well, When I activate the Founder I shall recast the memories of all Eldians within the walls so that they may believe we are the last of Humanity." he said, with a sigh.

"But that will not be enough to ensure our people will one day cease to exist and that the curse we bear goes with us. I shall ensure the birth rates of our people is limited, and lower the immunity to plagues within our people, so that our descendants may be kept on a leash." he said solemnly.

"We Eldians have caused much anguish, and so long as my will is done, we shall go out without a whisper, peacefully away from the rest of the world."

"I… see. Your grace, right this way." Leonhard began leading the König down the hallway, before they were met with a brown haired woman. In her arms was a small blonde babe, swathed in white linens; she bowed her head to the König as he looked upon her.

"Carla… you are my late son's wife. You need not bow your head to me." He said, as he looked upon his daughter in law.

"My König, it would be improper. Besides… I never truly was able to introduce myself after…" she said, looking down upon the infant.

"Yes, I should have known my son would elope with you the moment I tried arranging that marriage… he spoke fondly of you before he passed… you have my home, and my consent. Now, what is this young lads name?" He said, as Carla smiled "my König Karl, his name is Erkin." she said, handing the calm child to Karl Fritz.

"Ah… Erkin… What a pleasant name." Karl said, bringing the child to his shoulder. "Erkin… you are free." he said, as the child giggled.

Their hands broke away as Eren fell to the ground, clutching his head. The look of sheer terror on his face shaking 'Krista' from her own fear.

She felt as if she had been torn from her body and watching… whatever that was take place. Who was that? What is the Founder? Why were they speaking of taking away memories? What was that?

"Krista… just what did you see?" Eren said, looking to her.

"You mean… you saw it too?" She asked. "Do you have any idea what that was? Who were they? What were they talking about? What is the 'Founder'?" she asked, as Eren sighed.

"Well 'Krista', it's a long story… one best discussed away from prying eyes. But first, let's get you to the nurse so that she can check out that ankle." He said with a sigh, and 'Krista couldn't help but agree, the pain was becoming almost unbearable.

Eren came to her and helped her up, and they hobbled together to the nurses cabin, together.

Yeah, I know, I'm a bit late on the delivery of this one. Last week I suffered a concussion which brought this chapter to a halt momentarily. I'm going to go off a weekly update schedule, where I update on Wednesdays. Anyways, I'm tired and have to get up early, so see you next time!