Later that night

A quick glance at the silent hallway and three quiet knocks later, I'm ushered into the private chamber of Historia by the girl herself. She repeats my glances before closing the door facing me. "Hey. Thank you for coming."

I nod to her as I glance around the fancy living room. "You're welcome." As I take a seat on the plush couch, Historia comes over and hands me a cup of tea. I take it and stare at the dancing flames in the fireplace while she sits beside me. I took a look at Historia out of the corner of my eye. She looks deathly nervous, why I wonder but do not question as she breaks the silence between us.

"How is everyone?"

"They're...themselves, I guess. They definitely enjoyed the feast. But I think the realization is finally settling in and we can finally focus on the future."

"Hmm." Historia sets her cup down on her lap and joins me in looking at the fireplace. "The future… When we were recruits, I will admit thinking of a future that doesn't have me in the jaws of a Titan was like a dream that disappears in the morning. But now, I don't know if I'm ready to accept it. It was easy to think of dying when the enemy was outside our walls. Now the enemy is beyond that. Our enemy is the entire world… What future is that?"

"...I don't know," I answer honestly. "We've been used to being the last of humanity for so long...knowing we're not...it's not comforting I'll tell you that. But these 'Marleyans' want us wiped out. Annie, Bertholdt...Reiner, they sided with the enemy for reasons I bet were out of their control. Their people live in the same fear we do but with a different face."

"Why didn't you kill him?"

"...I couldn't." I raise my head up and stare at Historia. "I don't know if I ever can...if it was anyone else...I would. But Reiner... He was once my brother. Someone I admired since our training. Yes, he betrayed us, and maybe he deserves to die like the rest of them. But I refuse to let my hatred control me anymore."

"Control you?"

"Yes." I let that horrid memory play through my head.

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" My hook, like she did to Hange, pierces the woman's shoulder. I spin myself around, swinging the bitch like a sling into the crystal ground. "HAAA!" I deliver the killing blow as my blades pierce her chest and her neck, watching in satisfaction as I see the light fade from her now lifeless eyes.

"I won't let myself become that monster again. Now that doesn't mean I won't kill any more of my enemies. It just means I will only kill who I must, but if they give me no choice, I won't hesitate. These Marleyans are the real monsters. What kind of people just let a poor, innocent child be eaten to the dogs like some kind of animal?!" Historia lets me continue, but I think I've said my piece. "I also believe something else..."

"What's that?"

"...Reiner. There's a part of him that's the same soldier who I fought alongside. It may be small, but it's there. And I know that my mercy, no matter how long it takes, it will eat away at his very soul."

Historia nods. "Ymir would call you stupid if she heard you say that. Once upon a time, I would have talked you out of it. But… I cannot. I believe Reiner deserves it, for all he's done." I turn to Historia shocked to hear those very words come from her mouth. She's...not the kind girl I remember her as, but why should I be surprised? She voluntarily killed her own father and so much more has happened to change her. "it's not my place to say if you should be the one to kill him, but next time, if you have no other choice, do not hesitate."

I finish my cup of tea and nod. Setting the cup on the table in front of us, I think about another subject. "The letter… I read it before we gave it to you, in case Ymir had some secrets to share. It was a sweet letter, in any case. Excuse me for saying it, but I think...in her own way...she really did love you."

Historia smiles. "I know. How much, I don't know, but for me, she was the big sister I never had...or, in her case, the one I remember having. I do miss her dearly. I'm sure you miss her too."

I lightly chuckle. Historia is right. I may not have understood Ymir completely, but in my own way, I do miss her. "I wish she joined us instead of them, but in the end, only Ymir knows what's best for herself."

"...Do you think she's...?"

"...I don't know. part of me wants to believe that she's out there, waiting for you somewhere, but I can't hold onto that forever." Seeing Historia's eyes well up, I scoot over and take her in my arms. Had this not been a private meeting and in the dead of night, I would have been arrested for being with the queen like this while she's in her nightclothes and her hair is down. Is that...lavender in her hair? No. Stop, Elijah. I keep talking. "Don't cry, it's the last thing she'd want, the stubborn woman. Yet she told you to move forward if you did. I think, in her own way, she's happy for you."

Historia sniffs before she rises up, but not exiting my arms. She stares at me with wet, troubled eyes. "There's only one thing...but if I do it, I...would be a bad person. I would hate myself for it. But I fear if I do nothing...then I haven't lived up to the path Ymir set up for me."

I don't know what she's talking about, but whatever would make her a 'bad person' isn't as bad as she thinks. "Then just do it, be damned with the consequences later."

"Are you...sure?"

I nod. Releasing her, I rise up and decide to leave. "It's getting late. I should get out before I do get caught. And I don't think you can-oof!" Before I know what's even happening, I'm back on the couch, Historia weighing me down by sitting on me. The realization of why she did it hits me hard, but I do not move. More in shock than In temptation. But that's as far as she goes, for a moment later she's off of me, stepping away in horror.

"Elijah... I...am so sorry."

I wave it off as I stand back up. "...Historia. I knew, even before now. I knew...and I will be honest, a part of me is happy you think of me in such a way. But...I can't... Let's just keep this between us, okay?"

I turn away, heading for the door. As I twist the knob, I hear Historia's voice again. "Will it always be Sasha?"

I pause there. I look back to the girl behind me. "..." My heart beats slowly. Historia... There had been times I've wondered what a life with you would be like...many times back in training. But...I can't. The girl changes to a different one, a taller, redheaded, amber-eyed girl from the forest. My heart thumps against my chest a little quicker. "Yes. Sasha will always be my choice. I care about you, Historia, but... I love her. She's...everything to me."

Surprisingly, a light yet cute chuckle comes from Historia. It's weak, but it manages to be a laugh. "Very well, them. I cannot say I never tried. But Elijah...despite this, please still be my friend and confidant."

I smile. "Of course, or Ymir would kill me from beyond the grave." I turn around and walk out of her chambers. I continue walking until I'm out of the building and heading down the dark streets of Trost. I continue walking until I get to the barracks and walk inside, heading up to what I'm certain isn't my room.

I knock on it three times, and moments later, that tall, red-headed, amber-eyed girl appears. She yawns with a mighty roar that dictates she might've been close to falling asleep. "Elijah?"

I smile, seeing that ridiculous mess of red hair is enough to make my heart pound. "I love you." I don't care how much of an idiot I may sound like, I just needed to say it. In any case, it temporarily rouses Sasha from her drowsiness. She looks at me with that same smile I fell in love with... I'll be damned if I ever get tired of it.

"I know you do, dummy. I love you too."

What's on the other side of this wall?

The truth I longed for in my childhood days is right there...

At the end of the road of corpses...

A repeating loop of mourning and resentment in a miniature garden...

At the end of flowing memories, I question the meaning of freedom...

Ah, it should have been full of possibilities...

Eight...months...later...

Sasha leans on my chest as we bound and leap like the deer under the noonday sun. "Do we really have to go?"

I smile. "Yes, we do, my love. Why don't you?"

"Because this is already perfect. Yes, we can go see the sea, but just look at what's right in front of you. Grass, trees, sunlight. This is home. You, me, we made Dauper our peace...and I don't want to leave it." She leans up, pecking my lips with very persuasive kisses. "You won't...be able...to make me...move...like this."

A year has passed since the battle of Trost, and eight months since the retake of Wall Maria. As of now, refugees from Wall Maria are ready to return home now that the Titans are confirmed to be wiped out from the Walls of Paradis. In that time, Commander Hange has been preparing for the next expedition, the one that will lead us outside Wall Maria. Hange has named me her second in command, an honor that would be most fitting to Moblit, but he is no longer with us. She required much work from me as I helped her complete her project. I've been named as 'Conqueror of the Armor' by some of my new peers. A title I have no right to as the fact I spared my sworn enemy continues to trouble me to this day. But I know in my heart I did the right thing, even if my head hates my heart for it.

In my time, I haven't returned to my home. Not like I had a choice being busy with new responsibilities and all. But after the Battle for Shiganshina, I managed to grab a few things the morning before we came back to Trost. Not only did I reunite with my family's horse, but I also grabbed my mother's bow, I also found my father's old Scout cloak and jacket. Just like I remember, his cloak had his name embroidered on the right side of the collar. My father's Scout jacket is a little smaller than mine, but not enough to cause discomfort, so I wear it everywhere I go to honor him. Even now as I'm with the love of my life. But she was more interested in my mother's trusty weapon than my old man's dusty clothes. My mother really would've loved her. What am I saying? She already does.

So as Hange took care of the remaining logistics, I decided to go with Sasha on a little 'vacation' to Dauper Village. As she said, we made it my home away from home, and to be honest, I really love it here. Everyone has made me feel so welcomed and loved like I was already family. I really don't...no, I promised I'd stop thinking like that. But despite everything...I want to see the sea like the others. Eren and Armin have been drooling over it for years. And...like my father, I want to see what's out there beyond the wall. I know the truth, but I want to see beyond that. "Sasha, I love you, but no amount of your kisses is going to stop us from going."

Sasha advanced from my cheek to the underside of my jaw and neck. "Are you saying that as Section Commander...or as my lover?"

Damn you amazing woman! "B-Both..." Nearly losing myself in her seduction, I flip her over in the grassy field. Thank God we're outside the village, a little upstream along the river, or else this would be strange for the villagers and us. Ignoring my roaring hormones for the basket of food we brought, I reach inside and take out a fresh, still-hot potato. Breaking it in half, I hand Sasha a piece. "Here."

She just stares at it and then at me with a frown. "C'mon, when are you going to let this go?"

"Never."

"Meanie."

I laugh as I turn towards the river. A safe, out-of-earshot, and hopefully out-of-sight distance away is Kaya and the other village kids playing by the river. Since we're the oldest young people here in the village and 'national heroes'... I still hate that word, but I've learned to accept it. Regardless, it was hard to sneak out with kids tagging along. It was a little annoying at first, but I've grown to love those kids, especially Kaya. She's like...the little... My heart sinks every time I think this way, knowing in a different life I actually could've had a younger sibling. Kaya thinks the world of Sash...and me as well. I even heard her accidentally call me 'big brother' one time. Nearly broke my heart but thankfully Sasha was there to comfort me.

"I want at least two." Sasha leans on my shoulder as she munches on the potato and looks at the kids. "One boy, one girl. We get that, I'll be happy. If we get more, no more than four."

"Planning our future?"

"Distant future. When we're adults and the world is safe for us. I have a home. I have a boy who loves me. I have plenty of food. Now I just need a future worth fighting for. So kids...our kids, hopefully."

I nod. "Then it's settled. We fight for our future kids."

Sasha shuffles herself into my lap, blocking my view of the children below with her pleasing face and half-closed bosom. "When we have a girl...I know what I want to name her. But..you can say no."

"You mean...you've already thought this through?"

She reaches for my neck, fiddling with the jewel and wooden carving that I have now worn religiously for a year. "One of us had to. I haven't been as busy as you... I want to name her...Mina. Or even Lyra..."

"..." Sasha's serious. Getting over the surprise of hearing that name, I wrap my arms around her waist. "Why?"

"Because they meant a lot to you. I mean, I never knew your mother and Mina was a friend of mine, but I know they meant everything to you that you continue to wear these. At first, I was a little jealous...mostly about the carving, but then you gave it to me back then. The carving wasn't just a symbol of how she felt for you anymore...and the jewel wasn't just a symbol of your mother's love, but they're both symbols of your determination. They remind you every time you look at them of what you dedicated your heart to, you honor them as you continue to fight, so I want to honor them too."

"..." I raise a hand to Sasha's cheek, ignoring the ping in my heart. "Thank you. Okay, we can decide on a destined name for our girl another day."

"And our son?"

"..." I know exactly what I want for my son. "I want to name him after the two bravest men I've ever known. 'Erwin Moses Everett', how does that sound?"

She smiles at me. "I love it."

"And I love you," I say happily. My arms bring my body closer to hers as I begin to pepper her lower neck with kisses.

"I love you too." Sasha giggles and places a finger between our lips and leans down. "Hold on there, Section Commander. There are children present who look up to us and are probably hungry now. You wouldn't want to scare them by doing this, would you?"

"Oh? So now it's my fault?"

Sasha giggles as she rises off me and buttons up her shirt. "Set up the food, I'll go get them."

"Don't take too long, Potato Girl."

She looks back at me, somewhat annoyed. "I'm more than just a 'Potato Girl', thank you."

"Correct. You're my Potato girl."

"That's not any better."

"You know you love it."

"...Maybe a little."

I smirk at her. "And?"

"...Fine. I love it."

"And?"

Sasha's face goes red, causing me to smile knowing my teasing is a success. "And I love you too, dummy."

"I love you too, Sasha." She turns away. Watching the love of my life walk down to the riverbank, I hold the carving and jewel in my hand. Sasha is right, these are more than just a gift from Mina Carolina and one of the remaining things from my mother, but no matter what they truly mean to me, I carry them with me. Not just them, but everyone else who died, to remind me of their sacrifice. And I know I'll do the same as they did for all of us if it ever comes to it. In one of my pockets is the journal from Thomas, almost full, possibly enough for one final entry.

I'll write it when I get to the sea.

Days later…

"It's just as you thought, Hange. The Titans inside Wall Maria were pretty much all of them. We thinned out the majority in just a single year."

"In that case, let's head straight to our target as planned." Hange turns to me with her single good eye expressing some humor. "Don't get bored, Elijah."

I chuckle as my eyes wander. This is the land that I lived beside for a decade of my life, now I can finally see beyond the wall. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Moments later, a red signal flare is spotted. We prepared for a fight, but as we spotted the Titan, I can say I was surprised at what Titan they found. It was a huge one, reminding me of the Reiss Titan, but unlike that one, the limbs on this guy are tiny. There's a trail with grass growing behind him, so he hasn't moved in a while. How he made it anywhere is beyond me.

Eren walks up to it and touches it. "It was shipped to paradise. It's a fellow patriot. Let's go. It's close."

"..." That reminder... The Titans...are our own people. I never hesitated to kill them before I knew the truth, even when we knew they were people, but knowing that they're...us... When I look into the Titan's eye...I can't help but see...pain...and anguish. It's sick. Those bastards... We continue to ride along, leaving the Titan.

"Hey! Is it okay to leave it here?! Shouldn't we kill it?!" Floch is the only one against leaving it alive, but we do so anyway.

Sometime later, we come across a sandy plain, with more sand than I have ever seen in one place. As we continue traveling, we see an enormous wall structure. "What is that?"

"I'm sure of it," Eren answers. "This is the place where Eldians were made into Titans. And beyond that…" We spot a path past the structure that leads up to the other side. Following Levi and Hange, we rise up on the hill.

The sight is unbelievable. I have never seen so much blue in my life. The sky stretches forever just like the sea below it, their only meeting point being the sun at the horizon. What my dad wouldn't give to see this if he was alive. Is this what we were fighting to see? Yes. Is it worth it? Hell...fucking...yes. I turn to the rest of the 104th, a smirk growing on my face. "Race you guys there!" We race down to the lower beach and enter the water.

I stand on the beach in my bare feet, making my account of the sea as promised in the journal. "If you guys were here, I think you'd be entranced by it as we are. I just expected a large lake, but as far as I can see, there's nothing but water. it is amazing...and we're finally here, at freedom. The Titans are gone, and we're free of them."

"Eyyy!"

"My eyes!"

My ears are ringing with the sound of Connie and Sasha splashing around in the water like a couple of kids. Jean...wait, is he tasting the water?

"Ahh! Damn, it's salty!"

I chuckle to myself, then continue on with my journal. "Jean, Connie, Sasha, I swear. Sometimes I think they share the same brain at times. That's what I love about them. Well, one a bit more than the other two, but I love them still."

"Woohoo!" There goes my superior. Ecstatic as ever at something new to discover. "Is this thing seriously all salt water?! Huh? What's that?"

"Hey, Hange! It might be poisonous so don't touch- Petra!?"

Captain Buzzkill is dumbfounded at the sight of Petra flopping on her back into the water without a care in the world. "Wow! This is amazing!"

"As usual, Hange is her usual eccentric self and There's Captain Levi ruining everyone's fun. At least Petra has learned to open up a little. I think the 104th has really rubbed off on her."

Mikasa comes to me and tugs on my arm. "Elijah, c'mon!" Putting the journal in one of my boots, I enter the water with Mikasa behind Armin and Eren. Armin is holding something in his hands. "What is that thing?"

"..." Armin is completely astonished at the soul thing that lies in the palms of his hands. It's a jagged-shaped white stone of sorts. Is that some sort of rock? Maybe a mineral of sorts? Or does it belong to some water animal? The questions only-

"Eep!" I hear a small but remarkably cute squeal from Mikasa as the water rushes above our knees, nearly making the girl lose her balance. Armin and I look at her as she embarrassingly smiles at us...and we smile back, then gaze out along with Eren to the rest of the sea.

"Look. I told you, Eren! A salt lake so big that merchants could spend their whole lives and still not get all the salt. The stuff I talked about wasn't wrong after all!"

"Yeah... It's so damn big..."

I nod. "They didn't die for nothing... Just look at it all!"

"Yeah. Look, Eren! On the other side of the wall-"

"There's a sea," Eren callously interrupts. The three of us stand behind him, wondering why his attitude is so dark. As a matter of fact, this entire trip, no, for most of the past eight months, Eren has been different. Cold, keeps to himself, a completely different Eren. I managed to ignore it with my duties but now, at the place in which he and Armin dreamed of being, nothing has changed about him. "On the other side of the sea...is freedom. That's what I always believed. But I was wrong. On the other side of the sea are enemies."

"Eren."

He turns to us. "Every part of this is exactly how I saw in my dad's memories." Turning away, he points out to this horizon. "Hey… Armin, Mikasa, Elijah...If we kill all our enemies…over there...will we finally...be free?"

"..." Eren brings up a strong point. We may be free from the Titans, but our enemy...our true enemy...lies beyond the sea. These people known as Marleyans want us dead. And for what? For what our people did centuries ago that has nothing to do with us? Marleyans like Gross are the true monsters of this world. Monsters like him won't stop until every single one of our people is wiped out from this world. That's who we must kill. That is humanity's greatest enemy. I made a promise to Erwin. These Marleyans claim they want to rid the world of the 'devils' but who says they will stop after we're gone? People like that with the power of the Titans...it corrupts. Marley will pay for what they've done to us...to me. I look back to Sasha, seeing her and the others looking at us. I know the future she wants...and I want it too, with her. But until I see Marley dead at my feet…we are not truly free. Erwin… He said that he entrusted humanity to me…but he said my father's name… That doesn't matter now, no matter how long it takes, and no matter how much pain I'll have to endure, I will do everything I can. Humanity will never be free until Marley is gone and our people are freed from their suffering.

"..." But despite all that, that's for another day to come. For now... I take a couple of steps back and I tackle Armin, Mikasa, and Eren into the water, with me with them. As we all come up for air, they look at me in surprise. I laugh and then look to Eren. "Eren. We will kill them. Our true enemy lies beyond the sea, you're right. And we'll fight them, together. But for now..."

I gaze out to the seemingly endless sea, wrapping my arms around my dearest friends...no. My family.

"Let's just enjoy this... Right here... Right now..."

Mikasa and Armin nod and smile at me, Eren...seemingly hesitant, but does the same. We sit there in silence for a moment, until I speak up, saying something I rarely share with these three, but it's long overdue.

"I love you guys."

Author's Note

I just want to say, thank you so much to all those who stuck around since chapter one! I never imagined this story would get this far! This all started as a little hobby I did on my breaks at work and my days off, but look how far it's gotten! It's now at chapter forty-two!

I understand that there may be those upset with me for not changing Reiner's fate. I believe that simply adding one more person to a story wouldn't really change too much of a story. I mean, just look at Nameless Hero in the base AOT 2 game. Yes, you can 'save' characters after completing the story, but it doesn't really change anything. In fact, Nameless Hero doesn't really change anything at all. But that doesn't mean I'm going to keep the same story. I only changed a few things because they don't affect the story that much. I believe the story of Attack on Titan is awesome the way it is and I don't plan on changing it too much. Only a few tweaks. Now for the hardest part of this... Season Four.

Yes. I will be taking another hiatus so I can watch Season Four. I plan on watching it twice because one, I've never sat down and watched it. Two, I'll watch it a second time to take notes. I already know how everything ends thanks to meanies spoiling it for me. And yes, I know the fate of one specific character in the story. But remember...this is my Attack on Titan story and I'll write it how I want it to go. I'll try not to take too long!

I'm Average, and I appreciate your existence!

P.S. You are loved!

Many years ago...before...everything...

"Erwin."

"Hmm? What is it, Moses?"

"Well..." Having returned to Trost from another expedition, Moses has been thinking how to bring up what he considers exciting and the most amazing news, but his best friend may consider it...problematic. Not knowing exactly how to say it, Moses just blurts it out. "I'm leaving the Scouts."

"...What?" This was the last thing that Erwin would hear from Moses. "What are you talking about?"

"...You know my girl, Lyra?"

"Yes?"

"...look, I don't know how to say it any other way, so..." Moses looks straight at the short-haired blonde young man in his eyes. "Lyra's pregnant."

"..." This news was also a surprise to Erwin. Moses had met Lyra during their training together when he was strolling through the city of Trost. Lyra at the time was seeing about selling some venison to the local market, and as Moses had put it, it was 'love at first sight.' But Erwin knew that he was the one who fell first, Moses always was the romantic type. Over the years of their training, Lyra would come to see Moses during his off days and others where she would just watch him train from a distance. One would say that she fell just as hard as he did. A soldier and a hunter... "I see...but... What about our dream?"

Moses smiles. "You mean your dream, Erwin. I'm afraid I've replaced that one with my own. You never needed me for that dream anyway."

"You saved my life, Moses! Don't say such a thing." Erwin steps back, knowing he may have gone a little hard on Moses. "I'm sorry..."

"It's alright, my friend."

"...Moses, what is this new dream of yours?"

Moses had thought about this ever since he found out about Lyra's pregnancy months ago. The young man had been a Scout ever since he was fifteen years old...now he's twenty-four. Never in his life would he thought he would have a family, nor did he ever think he would find someone to love. All he ever dreamed of was fighting for freedom for his people as a Scout. But now...all he wants...

"I want to live my life with my future son or daughter. I want to give them a life I never had. Growing up in the slums of Shiganshina was no easy fight. I don't wish that kind of pain upon anyone...not even my greatest enemy. I want them to live a full life of love and peace, away from all the pain and suffering."

"...And what if they want to follow in your footsteps?"

"...That's something in the future to worry about."

"..." Erwin understands his friend's choice, but he can't help but feel abandoned. Ever since Moses asked to hear more of Erwin's father's theory, he had grown to love Moses like the brother he never had. And now that he's leaving him and leaving his dream for a new one, he's happy...but at the same time, disheartened.

"I know that I'm basically abandoning all we've fought for, but I'm not worried. Because with you fighting for humanity, I know it's in good hands. With your determination to keep fighting and your sharp mind to guide the Scouts, I'm sure freedom will come for us. That's why..." Moses may just be a Scout, but Erwin had always taken Moses' word to heart as if it were true by God himself. "I entrust humanity to you, Erwin."

"..." You're wrong, Moses. It was your will and mind that humanity needs, not mine. You saved my life in more ways than one...and all I do is lead a trail of death. If anyone should be entrusted with humanity...it's you, Moses... It's always been you. "I-"

Before Erwin could finish, Moses wrapped him up in a warm hug. "You're my brother, Erwin, that's never gonna change."

"..." Erwin manages to hug him back...while also holding back his tears. "I know, Brother."

They release each other, and then Moses gives Eriwn a strong salute. "Give your heart, Erwin Smith."

Erwin smiles and salutes back. "And you as well, Moses. For your future child."

He nods. "I will."