It's dark, no wait, it's bright. Where is he? He's sinking. He can't breathe, he can't think. His strength is being sapped.

Click.

He can breathe. His strength is returning. He feels invincible, nothing can stop him, he must destroy. Destroy. Dest—

"The Wheel of Adaptation is quite a force. Created by Isabel Fritz, granddaughter of Ymir Fritz, it adapts to any and all phenomena. Those within her isolated bloodline have been either blessed or cursed to carry this burden. It transcends the confines of space, time, gravity, and matter. Once anyone with this wheel has adapted to everything, there is nothing that can stop them. Isn't that right, Siegfried?"

What?

Who are you? Wait. Er—!

— — — — —

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Siegfried Anpassen takes this saying to the quite literal sense. Any phenomena that he endures, it is a meaningless endeavor by the world to hold him down. For he was blessed cursed with an ability unique to his family. The Wheel of Adaptation. It is believed that his ancestor Isabel Fritz, became the lover of a deity, Mahoraga. Through that union, the Anpassen family, which are loyal guards to the King of Eldia beside the Ackerman, were brought upon this world.

A familiar ceiling. "Again?" Siegfried could not help but question. This was a recurring issue, after every experiment, he would commonly have nightmares and yet he would not remember anything except the helplessness he felt. This was the eleventh time. His body was sweating all over—or was that just water from the river in Orvud—and his breathing ragged. Just as he sat up, the door to his room opened.

"Honestly Siegfried, if you're going to wake up like this everytime, we might have to find you a doctor to see what's wrong." Ulklin stated. Ulklin is the younger brother of the one who he must protect. The king. The Founder, Frieda Reiss. He was taken in by the Reiss after his family was killed by bandits. With his family no longer there to teach him his rightful duty, it was up to the Reiss to start from scratch. He learned how his family was created to help the king enforce his beautiful paradise. He learned of the sins that his blood and the blood of every person in the wall carried.

Staring at Ulklin, Sieg felt an overwhelming sadness that he could not understand. "Ulklin. Where am I? Where's Florian?" The question came out before he could even process what he was saying. Ulklin looked concerned, walking up to the bed where Sieg lay.

Siegfried was enveloped in a hug by Ulklin. "It's okay. I understand our family puts a lot of pressure on you." Sieg wanted to deny that claim but it was true. The pressure placed upon him was immense. "I promise that if I ever feel an experiment will end in failure, I won't force you to do it." That was comforting. Ulklin had always been the big brother that he always needed. "So you don't have to cry, okay?"

That confused the young boy. As Ulklin separated from the hug, Siegfried placed a hand under his eye. Tears. They were fresh, he was crying and he didn't know why he was. Was it the dream he had? The dream itself did seem to go on for a while. "Ah. Okay…" He didn't know how else to respond. He couldn't just say: 'I don't know why I was crying but thanks.' That wouldn't make any sense.

Ulklin sat there for a minute. But ultimately decided against saying anything else. He stood up and headed for the door. "Get ready, we're heading back to the chapel. Mother said that's where everyone would be today." Nodding to confirm he heard him, Siegfried sat on the bed with his feet off the edge, he would need to bathe before he left. Ulklin had a small smile on his face as he left. He hadn't brought up the fact that Siegfried mentioned Florian, after all, he could save that as ammo for when they got to the chapel.

— — — — —

Seated across from each other in the coach booth, Ulklin and Siegfried were in the midst of an interesting discussion.

"I know I've asked this question at least once before, but how does it feel when your wheel helps you adapt." That was a good question, Siegfried would often entertain Ulklin's questions about his abilities. "I can't help but be amazed. Your family is the first family that was created centuries ago without the need to cannibalize for power. I wish things were that easy when it came to the Reiss power." Ah, the titan power. Siegfried wouldn't say it outright, but the way that power worked was revolting. He didn't understand why the power had to be inherited in such a gruesome way.

Siegfried glared at his palm. Honestly, he couldn't really be disgusted with how the Reiss did things when, in his opinion, his power was as cursed and disgusting as theirs. He would forever adapt to any phenomena, even death, all because he was born into the world as a child of Anpassen. He had read it, his ancestor bested even the concept of death. Willerich Fritz, a man of ambition and the 65th King of Eldia had managed to beat even death. But that was before he inherited a curse stronger than even his body could constitute. The Founding Titan.

"I wouldn't outright say that the Wheel of Adaptation is easy to use but it's not as time constraining and harrowing as inheriting the titan." One upside is he didn't have to worry about having an expiration date of thirteen years. He could grow and develop without having to worry about not living his life as much as he could. What worried him though was her. He would never want her to inherit that curse—.

"You're thinking about Florian, aren't you?" Huh?! What the hell? Is he a mind reader?! "Your face tells it all. Whenever you think about her you get this longing look on your face. Man, just wait til I tell the other. Heh." Why the fuck does he have such a smug punch me face suddenly?

"I want to punch you badly. But I won't. After all, I can't make your ugly mug worse than it already is." The smug look was no gone replaced with an irritated glare. "You'll need to use what you can to get Emmaline from the Innocencio family." Ulklin clench his eyes shut in frustration. And was that a vein? "Or was it Valda from the Baumeister? I can't really remember how many of the girls from nobility give you gaga eyes." He got him. Hook. Line. And sinker.

Siegfried knew all about Ulklin's lovestruck fascination with the handmaid, Nadja Bozado. They both had this gag where Ulklin would call out Sieg on his crush on Florian while Siegfried would make fun of his big brother figure for having so many women infatuated with him. Both boys glared at each other for a good few minutes, then they burst out in laughter.

Siegfried sat back in his seat while looking out the window. 'As cursed as my birth has been. As terrible as life seems, I can keep going for the people that I care about.' This was a recurring thought for him. After all, if not for those around him, he would have long since lost his way.

— — — — —

An hour later, Siegfried and Ulklin are now in the chapel having been dropped off by the family coachman. Making their way through the hallways, they run into Ulklin's father and the patriarch of the family. Rod Reiss, a man that Siegfried cannot respect. He knows a coward when he sees one. This man would probably sacrifice any of his children if it meant he would benefit from it or if it meant he would survive.

Ulklin greets his father while Siegfried gives the man a brief bow. Rod simply ignores Siegfried as he hugs his son. This is a common occurrence. Whenever Siegfried is around, Rod simply pretends as if he is not there, not even Ulklin knows why that is. They only ever interact is Rod is relaying a message for Frieda

"Ulklin, we'll be praying today in the cavern per Frieda's request." While strange, it isn't uncommon for Frieda to have family pray down in the cavern from time to time. Sometimes Sieg will join when Freida's begging gets annoying. "As for you Siegfried, she has told me you are ordered to join." Ah, there it is… Wait! Ordered? Frieda never orders Siegfried to do anything.

As surprising as this was, he couldn't simply say no. Letting out a hum, Siegfried merely hummed in confirmation before walking away. 'I guess I can take nap for the time being since everyone has yet To arrive.' Not even a second after that thought, Siegfried plopped down on one of the nearest pews and let himself enter the realm of the unconscious.

— — — — —

Siegfried(?) stared into the mirror, his white hair now had pink streaks in a couple areas. His face which once had baby fat was now chiseled and his jawline was more defined. Behind him, a young man with dark hair and green eyes was talking.

"I did some research into your family." His voice was empty, blank. He spoke and looked like a soulless husk. "The Anpassen family, while wielding the Adaptation, never had the ability to – –." What? What is this guy talking about? Finish your sentence!

"Then what –r–n? You know something. I can tell. Spit it out." The annoyance his older self felt was infectious. He too was annoyed. Just get on with it! He wanted to yell or scream but he wasn't in control.

"It seems your mother was never an Anpassen and your father was not a full blooded Anpassen."

What? How? Who? Who is this guy?! He knows his parents?!

"Siegfried, your father had –– blood. That can explain the – – you feel whenever you want to protect Florian." Protect Florian? He could feel deep inside his future self, the feeling of happiness at the mere mention of her name. "But Sieg…your mother. She's the reason for your random bouts of bloodlust."

What bloodlust?

"Spit out, Ja–ge–." The happiness was gone. The annoyance had returned. He honestly wondered if his future self was pregnant the way he went through constant mood swings.

"Your mother was part H–z––u, she was descended from a cursed family. They were cursed with the need to destroy, always self serving. They lacked empathy and wanted nothing more than to pursue the pleasure and satisfaction they craved." No. No. No. No. I won't believe it. I can't believe it. I'm not cursed. I'm tired dint say it.

"Siegfried Anpassen. Your mother was—"

You aren't supposed to know this yet. Wake up, Siegfried.

— — — — —

"Wake up!"

Siegfried shot up at the sound of a familiar voice. It was feminine yet gentle. He knew that voice anywhere, it was the girl that had claimed his thoughts time and time again.

"Pfft– Ulklin wasn't kidding. You cry everytime you wake up." Dammit. This was the second time and he still couldn't remember what the dream was about! Wiping his tears away, Siegfried gazed into Florian's blue eyes. Any other time he would get lost in them but he was too embarrassed right now, so he turned away to hide the fact that he was blushing.

"Leave him be now, Florian." Senta Reiss scolded her daughter. If anyone had been truly kind to Siegfried, it was her. She taught him how to read, how to write, and taught him morals. She was against the excitement that were done on him but when Sieg was told he'd be able to protect her and everyone else, he convinced her to let him do them. "He looks like he just saw the world ending."

Siegfried doesn't know why. Even with the ever joyful faces of Dirk and Abel hugging him, he still felt like that one sentence had changed everything.

— — — — —

Siegfried stood to the side as Frieda prayed for all those that were involved in the breaching of Wall Maria. While it was truly sad, the boy didn't see how orsying would help. He wondered why Frieda didn't just do something about it, then he remembered that she too was inexperienced with the burden she carries.

'Blessed with power, yet cursed with shackles.' He wouldn't outwardly say it but the Riess bloodline was the reality you faced if you inherited the founder. To be cursed with the will of Karl Fritz, a terrible king, the man who brought upon the destruction of Eldia was a sad existence.

"For we pray to the three goddesses. We pray to Maria for protection and health. We pray to Rose for fertility and prosperity. We pray to Sina for only she could provide the commodities We have today." That was the standard prayer, Frieda always started her sermon with that opener, not that he had anything against it. He watched as each family member grabbed one another's hands while closing their eyes.

Sieg stood in between Frieda and Florian so he would have to bear with it and sit still for a few minutes. Right as he went to grasp both hands that were reached out for him, he noticed three people standing some feet away.

"Who are you? Why are you trespassing? Failure to comply will result in your arrest!" Siegdfried did not want to take any chances. As if a flip had been switched within him, his lax posture was now rigid, his hands at the ready to grasp a weapon and fight.

The man stood there while the other two merely conversed behind him. It seemed the man was nervous about something but only for a moment. Finally steeling himself, the man in glasses took a deep breath. "King of the Walls!" That put Siegfried on guard even more, no one should know Frieda is the true king. "I'm a Subject of Ymir just like you all." That settled it, this man had to be an outsider, no one in the walls uses that terminology.

Siegfried was going to step forward but heard footsteps heading in the opposite direction of the group. Turning around, he noticed Rod Reiss fleeing as if his life depended on it. If this was a foot race, then Siegfried didn't believe even he—a trained soldier, could beat that man who had run so desperately for his life.

The Outsider interrupted Sieg's thought process. "Please! You must…! You must kill the Titans attacking the walls!" Even if Frieda wanted to, Siegfried knew she wouldn't be able to. The First King willed for those within the die. This outsider was fighting a pointless fight. "Please! Before my wife and children…! Before the people of the walls are eaten!"

The royal garden couldn't help but commend the man on his bravery and the emotion he felt from that speech had truly moved him. Alas, it was not up to him to decide I'd the Titans died. Turning his attention to Frieda, Siegfried waited for any signal to dispose of the man.

Seconds passed. It seemed she was contemplating something. Then. It happened.

The atmosphere around Frieda changed. It was like someone else had inhabited her body. "We mustn't escape our sins." Ah, it seems this was Karl Fritz now. Imposing his beliefs unto his descendants, forcing them to suffer for what their forebears did a century ago. After all, their reign for two millennia ended due to that man's sympathy. "The day has come for the Subjects of Ymir ti be judged."

Well that's cut and dry, the outsider will probably try and fight. Siegfried slowly crouches and reaches for his shadow. Before he could reach for a weapon, Siegfried focused on the dark haired young man behind the Outsider. He felt familiar, sure, but that's not what made him freeze. That face of anger, it left the boy paralyzed with fear, he had never seen such anger and hatred combined into one.

"Man is hopelessly weak in the face of absolute power." The man had gasped, shaken by her denial "I came to understand this in the Great Titan War." Frieda, no, Karl spreads his hosts arms as if to strengthen a point. "Someone must keep the power of the Titans out of human hands." Behind the Outsider, the blonde man seemed to be calm, not shaken at all. "If the Founder's power passes once more into the hands of the weak hearted, the world will again become a living hell."

It felt like a standoff to Siegfried. The entire Reiss family on one side while the intruders sat on the other side of the cavern. "To protect the world, we must accept our sins and our accompanying ruin." That speech seemed to have swept the rest of the Reiss off their feet as they gazed at Freida's possessed body I reverence.

"I think I'd get along with her." The bearded blonde man spoke. That confused Siegfried greatly. If you would get along with her, why be here, with a man who has obvious lethal intentions. "But Grisha's about to kill her and her whole family." That threw Siegfried out of his stupor, reaching into his shadow he searched for the correct weapon while keeping his eyes on Grisha and the other two.

"You told me you saw this memory before." What? Siegfried rose once again. What the hell does he mean memory? "And that it disillusioned you to your father." Ignoring the man's nonsensical statements, Soegfried finally found the weapon he was looking for. The Soul Split War Sword, a broadsword that looks basic but it's rumored to have the ability to cut down to the soul.

"Was that another—" The man hated making a surprised face, finally noticing the face his ally was making. "My house is right next to the breaching in the wall." Grisha countered Frieda's earlier statement. "My wife, son and daughter live there!" Siegfried truly did feel bad for the man but his will would not be tested. He'd had enough of this. "None of these people know about the sins of their ancest—!"

"Enough!"

His voice echoed through the cavern. Grisha, the two men, and even the Reiss family were startled. Pulling the Soul Split Warsword from his shadow, Siegfried's red eyes and the spirals within coldly recognized the Eldian as a threat. "I've been sitting here listening to your damn ethical debate. Sin? Salvation? I care about neither. My job is to serve the king. That means that you, Grisha, will be cut down."

"How do you know—?!" Grisha went to question but was again cut off, this time by the dark haired boy behind him. "Who cares about that right now, dad?" This bastard, he was ignoring him now. "Have you forgotten what you came here to do?" The boy walked up to his father standing right beside him, getting into his ear. "You're here to avenge your sister who was eaten by dogs." The blonde man took a step back, surprised. Revenge? That was why this was happening? It just didn't make sense to Siegfried.

A foreboding feeling came over him, turning to everyone behind him, he outstretched his hand. "Everyone get as far away as possible, either I or Frieda will handle this." Reluctantly, everyone excluding Frieda went further into the cavern. Siegfried walked up to the woman who retained command over him. "What should we do about these three?" Frieda directed a questioning look at Siegfried.

"Three? Siegfried, what are you talking about?" That was the last thing Frieda had ever said to him.

The young man was still in his father's ear, urging him on. "And your murdered comrades." Every word seemed to push the man closer and closer to the edge. "Dina. Kruger. Everyone. Keep moving forward." Grisha was slowly reaching for the scalpel he had dropped earlier due to Siegfried's outburst. "Even if it kills you. Even after it kills you." The man was now hyperventilating, he seemed to worsen with every word the young man uttered. And then…

"You started this story, didn't you?" It happened in an instant, right as Frieda questioned Siegfried, the young man had urged on Grisha to the breaking point. With a shout, the outsider raised the scalpel high in the air before stabbing his palm.

From there it was chaos, lightning. The bright light that came with it had dispersed revealing a 15 meter, hairy behemoth. In panic, Frieda hastily bit down on her hand to the point she drew blood, the same noise and sequence followed before a feminine 15 meter titan stood in her place. Siegfried has been blown away by the transformation into a pillar bumping his head, most likely developing a concussion.

Click. Swing.

What followed was murky but from what he could remember, the man defeated Frieda and used his titan to rip her out of her Founder. He devoured her. Ulklin then stood between Grisha and the rest of the family.

Slowly standing up, Siegfried weakly reach out for Ulklin, but he could do nothing but watch as Grisha grasped him and crushed him in his hand. Grisha then turned his attention to Senta and Florian. His voice croaked, weakly calling out. "Stop!"

Grisha raised his right arm to crush them.

"Stop!"

An electric jolt ran throughout his body. And a sound rang in his ear.

Click. Swing.

— — — — —

Something within him had snapped.

Siegfried would teach Grisha his place.

"Swing and ring, my sword." A sudden strength filled him without notice. One minute he was seventy feet away from the Attack Titan and now he was between the monster and his targets. Siegfried raised his blade upon his head and within a millisecond, the pressure increased. With a rageful scream the blade destroyed the Devil's right arm.

Was the demon healing? How dare he, how dare he try and bring back the arm that crushed Ulklin.

I'll destroy that arm, then your body. After I rip you out of there, I'll destroy your soul.

Click. Swing.

Above Siegfrieds head, appeared a golden wheel with black accent on all eight points. This was the Wheel of Adaptation. The downfall of Grisha Jaeger, The Attack Titan.

"I'll exterminate you." His white blade gleamed, perhaps a trick of the light, as if the world was agreeing with him. Pushing forward, Sieg speed blitzed the Attack Titan, going for his left arm. Though, the foul devil would not allow this, as Grisha swiped his arm toward the boy. Right as it looked like he almost had him—Grisha noticed too late where the boy was really heading. The boy had not risen at all for the left arm. No. He was going to make this beasts death painful. This man woukd die.

"Die." He uttered, giving himself confidence. To add more power to his attack, Siegfried turn his attack from a regular slash into a spinning slash, completely cutting through Grisha's leg like butter.

The Attack Titan's once fierce face was now a fearful visage.

— — —

Grisha Jaeger did not enjoy what he was doing. His son had shown him memories of the future, a future where Marley took and took again. His first family was taken from Marley due to his failure as a father and husband. His second would be taken because he lacked the conviction to do what his son would do. It felt like he was the punching bag of life.

"I'm sorry."

Although the boy in front of him could not hear him, Grisha doubted he would care if he could. The boy had cut off two of his titan limbs with a single blade. It was a pointless thing but Grisha knew this boy like him was merely a victim of the world.

Preparing his right arm—

"I said. Die." What. Why were his Limbs not fully healed, they should have finished by now.

Click. Swing.

Grisha hadn't acknowledged it before but the strange thing above the boy's head. It was floating. That was the second spin cycle it had done. It felt familiar but Grisha for the life of himself could not remember where.

"Father. Run."

Eren? What? He was supposed to kill the royal family wasn't he? This child, while an obstacle, was another casualty he would bear as a sin. For Eldia, he needed to steel hims—

His left arm was gone now. What? When? That boy was not standing next to his missing left arm, with a dangerous look on his face. Grisha knew now what Eren meant. Not wanting to prolong this fight, Grisha focused all his healing into his missing leg. In an instant it was back, the boy looked surprised. That was until.

Click. Spin.

Grisha now feared that sound. Without hesitation, Grisha rushed to the cavern entrance and forcefully ejected himself from his titan. Falling into a safety roll, Grisha rose to his feet before fleeing. He had what he needed. Though it pained him to hear the child yelling his name. Scornful and filled with hatred.

— — — — —

Why?

Why?

Why?

No. Now isn't the time to cry. He needed to be strong, for the Reiss. "Don't worry, Frieda. I've got it from here." Turning on his foot, Siegfried approached Senta and Florian. Senta had tears on her face after all, she just watched her two oldest get murdered and her husband had fled, leaving them all to die. If not for Siegfried's sudden bout of rage.

"Miss Reiss. I can take Florian from you, check on Dirk and Abel." She was still sitting there. He couldn't blame her, but right now they needed to move, Siegfried didn't know if the man merely retreated to impose himself but he didn't want to fight when he needed to protect the Reiss family. Shaking her harshly seemed to have worked. She stared into his eyes, an empty leading into another empty window. "I'll take Florian, get Dirk and Abel. We need to get to Orvud. Who knows if that man will come back." Senta, while shaken, only nodded her head and moved to her youngest children.

As Senta comforted her children, Siegfried stared at the unconscious Florian. She had passed out from shock.

"Speaking of shock…" Siegfried swayed slowly. "Miss Senta, I think I'll take a quick…nap…!" At least he had warned Miss Reiss before passing out.

And all that came after was darkness.


Author's Note

This is just a pet project for me, I write this on my phone so it may not seem like much if you're reading on desktop. I just wanted to experiment with ideas I have in my head. I also cross-posted this on Wattpad and AO3. I also apologize for any spelling errors, I do not have a beta reader and I'm a busy person.