Credit goes to Bob the T rex and his story, the Tree on That Hill. As well as Attack on Titan a new path by The Court of Talons. For inspiring this work.
Upon my death, I never thought I'd see my friends again but as my control over the new founding Titan increased I learned to tap into a power that far exceeded what I thought possible. Turns out without the curse of Ymir and without the God of Darkness to stem it, Titan shifters become nearly immortal. Nearly in that, we can still be killed but age no longer affects us.
I ponder this because it has been over sixty years since I died and was transported to Remnant, it was here I found a new purpose, new friends, and even happiness. Eventually, after defeating Salem we became enforcers in a way. Still, it wasn't until I saw my children and grandchildren grow up that we discovered that none of our bodies had aged and instead much like Grim they are derived from, our Titans got stronger with time.
It was through this gradual increase in strength and power that I discovered through the coordinate on how to travel to different worlds and that is how we ended up in Shigishina.
Upon our arrival the first thing we did was translate what we could, learned all we could and quite frankly over the last few days it has been an eye-opener.
Shigishina has changed significantly over the decades, and the island is flourishing, with new buildings, new technologies, and countless happy faces. Even so, a few things remained the same, namely the presence of ever-evolving weapon systems, according to the news and other pieces of information we could gather. Peace was indeed settled between Eldia and the rest of the world. Two alliances had been created those on the mainland with the allied forces and those with Eldia namely Paradise and Hizuru.
Still, Eldians on the continent were no longer discriminated against and hated and Marely itself no longer existed as a nation-state. People could move between Eldia and the mainland with ease and trade was becoming more prevalent.
Even so, war will always be a factor in the human race only this time, Titans won't be involved.
"You know this place looks nothing like the memories you showed me, well except the occasional statue of the Attack Titan and other statues of the 104th." Cinder smiled the day was warm and beautiful, large white buildings reaching high in the sky on either side of the once dirt road. In a way, it reminded her of their home at Kuroyuri
Eren looked at Cinder with a knowing smirk, of course with their hoods on that was the only thing that anyone could see. After all the risk of being recognized was something Eren didn't want to risk. As it was their cloaks weren't too different than what he wore back in the Survey Corps. Only with several technological improvements, if the MPs so much as thought they were a threat then the systems active camouflage system could be activated with a push of a button.
Upon crossing the next intersection they finally located their target, the Tree Eren spent his time running and laying under. The path while paved has fallen into disrepair and the tree has increased to such a size it can clearly be seen from hundreds of meters away.
Sigh "It's been a long road getting from there to here, feels like everything has come full circle, according to family records Mikasa and I are buried at the base of the tree" That feeling alone brought past feelings. in fact, nearly all of his old friends are dead and each and every one of them was given a hero's funeral.
Cinder placed her hands on her husband's shoulders" It's alright if you want to go alone, I'll understand"
"No, it's alright," Grabbing her hand the couple make their journey up the hill.
Joana Alert, grandchild of the famous Armin Alert sat by listening to calm music watching her grandfather who was just thirty meters away relaxing. That is until she noticed two people wearing green cloaks with a different colored variant symbol used by the former survey corps. Reenactments weren't uncommon but this appeared different since they never come to this area. She thought.
Seeing the white car wasn't surprising but seeing an old man leaning down with tears in his eyes was. However, the couple were able to catch what he was saying at least a little bit.
" This is the last time I'll be able to visit, my body is worn out and I lack the strength to get up here even with a car, my time is near so this is a goodbye" Patting the headstones one much newer than the other. The Sadness Armin felt could be seen by all those in attendance. Turning around after sweeping away the dirt he sat down next to his friends for the final time. Old memories cause tears to fall once more.
Despite his age Eren and even Cinder were shocked, while Armin was indeed on their discreet visit list, actually seeing him brought back painful memories. Eren contemplated leaving but that thought was crushed and instead, he let go of his wife's hand and moved near Armin. Gone was the young blond and in his place was a white-haired wrinkly old man however when he looked up his eyes didn't seem to age a day.
Despite his age, Armin's eyes had dulled little in his many long years, upon seeing the pair the first thought was the military's secret police though the black and white wings on their cloaks said otherwise. The couple released their joined hands and the male came closer to him and deposited a rose on each gravestone. Despite the kind gesture, Armin noticed if briefly the pistols, retracted swords, and other gear on him. These people were well equipped, odd.
"Still as sharp as ever I see eh Armin" The voice said with a tone of happiness.
That voice, "Forgive me but I don't think we've met after all these years many people sound the same to me" Armin said with a smile
Eren chuckled at that," I'm glad Horse Face was able to give Mikasa a good life, though I wasn't surprised by you and Annie, your grandkid coming out of that car seems to be quite surprised as well."
Indeed Joana had gotten out, curiosity and worry were all over her face. Still, very few people knew what Eren called Jean and that voice was unmistakable as it haunted his dreams for years. However, this could still be a hallucination.
"I'm too old to play these games so please show me your face, whoever you are." Armin's eyes for the first time in years narrowed on the imposter.
Sigh, " I hope you don't die from this, after all, we have a lot to catch up on." Slowly pulling the hood over his head for both Armin and Joana to see.
Armin couldn't believe his eyes, he saw and touched Eren's decapitated head, he was dead and yet wasn't. Joana saw this as well so unless they were both crazy then this wasn't a hallucination.
As if time itself stood still and to add credence to a potential hallucination Eren hadn't aged a day.
A minute went by before anyone spoke and even then it was one word. "how?" Armin said. Tears were beginning to form once more.
Looking down, Eren wanted to sigh again but didn't. " My soul was transported to another world by a powerful being simply called the God of Darkness. My mission was to defeat an unkillable enemy, I succeeded and even found new friends and family along the way. Gradually my powers got stronger and so we decided to pay a visit at least once."
Before Armin could say a reply his daughter who paled from the sight of a man who was in every school textbook the world over spoke. "Impossible, you are dead, there are entire monuments dedicated to you, parents discipline their children by the very threat of you, the greatest mass murderer and monster this world has ever seen." Joana stopped still trying to comprehend it all.
Cinder recognized the state the girl was in after all it was the same reputation Eren had on Remnant. Though for entirely different reasons finally, she lifted her cloak off and spoke." A monster he was but no more, where we are from he does a lot of good, saving people, and hunting things, it has become quite the family business. He saved me when I was just a little girl from awful people and even saved our world." A small tear escaped her eyes., she then wrapped her arms around Joana and brought her closer to Eren and Armin.
Looking to Eren she gave her approval for introductions.
"Armin I'd like you and your granddaughter to meet my wife of nearly sixty years, Cinder Yeager"
Armin's heart was beginning to hurt, this beautiful woman was Eren's wife, aside from her eyes she could easily be confused for being related to Mikasa. Wait, how did he know about Joana, how long has he been here? " Hehe, cough, sorry but this is indeed a lot for my heart to take."
"Okay then, let me take you to someplace where you won't have these issues, Joana I know what you must feel about me but for this to work I need you to hold Armin's hand please"
Joana was hesitant until she got a nod from her grandfather, She wasn't sure what was going to happen but she was sure Armin knew.
Once together, Eren closed his eyes and focused. Suddenly the world changed, where once was Shigashina now stood endless sand and a massive glowing tree.
Looking around Eren and Cinder remained the same but her grandfather had changed a lot and looked exactly as he did in those old photographs she saw. "Grandfather where are we and why do you look so much younger?" Joana gawked at the change
Looking at his pristine hands Armin couldn't help but smile, the last time he was here it was to say goodbye, standing up he looked at his friend and then back at his granddaughter. "We are in the coordinate a place that once linked all of Eldia together but guessing from the proximity Eren can no longer do that" I looked at Eren for confirmation.
"That's correct and now I can speak or simply share my memories with you, and as to why you look younger" Eren turns his attention to Joana. "This is your soul a soul is immortal and can't die but can be resurrected it gets complicated." The memories of the God of Darkness came to mind.
Seeing this, Armin for the first time in years hugged his friend " As long as you don't erase my memory I think we'll be fine"
Joana and Cinder watched as Eren hugged his best friend for the first time in decades, tears coming out.
Finally, Eren pulled back and asked. "Armin, I have a simple method in which to share everything we can talk or I can show you and save some time and then we can discuss my other proposition".
Armin contemplated this, while time in here was relative it would indeed save time and provide a new perspective from first-hand account but there was just one thing missing. "Joana, would you mind joining me for this, it won't hurt I promise, after all this will likely be the last time we see each other."
Joana was still trying to comprehend what was going on but having someone in her head seemed like an invasion of privacy but to see and learn what her grandparents did was something many historians dreamed of so she nodded her head and came closer to her grandfather.
Eren, Cinder, Armin, and Joana linked hands and through Eren and Cinder, the memories were relived.
What Armin saw was a land of technology and horror, a God who would put fear into anyone. In many ways, it reminded him of his adventures during his time. Only this didn't seem as destructive. Ymir was transported, as were Carla, and others. Different sapient races, it all looked so wonderful but then there was the grim followed by the onslaught. Of course, one piece of history always seems to repeat itself
"Wow adopted siblings are just your type it seems" Looking at Cinder
"Hey! I'll have you know I had a different last name than him, if anything Nora and Ren were more like siblings hmph"
"heheheheheh hahahaha," For the first time in many years everyone present was laughing, Armin practically dropped to his knees and needed a few minutes to recuperate.
"Seriously though you two were made for each other and I'm happy for you both but you did say two things Eren."
Scratching the back of his neck nervously Eren didn't know how to put it lightly so he just went with it. "I can reincarnate you to Remnant along with Annie so that you may live a second life if you so choose."
Armin's mind went into overdrive Eren's power has gradually become godlike if he can offer this. Several scenarios went through his mind. In the end, however, he still dies while Eren and his new friends continue but it would be yet another adventure.
"I'm sorry Eren but I must decline."
Eren raised an eyebrow at that
" Don't get this the wrong way I would love to do it and perhaps another me would or already has but right now I'm just glad to meet with you one more time before I move on and join Annie, of course with your power gradually increasing I guess you could always ask me again later" Armin smiled knowing this was likely in the future
Eren smiled at that "Give everyone our regards" For the last time the two brothers hugged tears in their eyes
Joana after having seen the memories couldn't help but join in with Cinder following suit, "Thank you Uncle Eren and Aunt Cinder for everything"
As a mist enveloped them Joana and Armin found themselves back in their car the music still going before being shut off.
Thinking about it Joana concluded. "Grandpa I hope you don't mind but I'd like to write a book about Uncle Eren's new adventures. Granted it'll have to be in fiction but what do you think?"
"I think it would be an excellent idea do you have a name for it?"
Joana smiled, I was thinking of Attack Titan a New Path."
Further credit goes to The Avenging Titan who is also the author of Attack on Titan A New Path.
That said this is not canon to their story though it is inspired by it. Thank you all and stay healthy.