...Months ago...before the Declaration of War...
"Well, guys...today is finally the day. For the first time in our history, the Scouts are finally going to see what truly lies beyond the sea. You all may be partially here already as I write, but I can't help but wish you to be here as we experience the new world. While I am ecstatic to arrive...the majority of me dreads the thought of seeing our enemy in their daily lives knowing our people had to suffer for so long. I want nothing more than to see those in charge in their high and mighty thrones have their throats slit...but that's for another and much more distant time. For now, I have a job to do as a Scout. I hope you're watching up there, Erwin. I'm just sorry you couldn't see this all for yourself."
"There are really cities full of people outside the walls..." I hear Connie from my right as I look up from my journal.
"Don't talk about the walls in public," Jean states.
"Ah...right..."
"The world outside the walls..." Sasha joins in the conversation. "And we're the first people from the inside to step foot in it!"
"Did you not hear me?!" Jean shouts.
I can barely hold in my laughter as I put my journal away in my coat pocket. I feel like an aristocratic pompous asshole in this suit, but obviously, I couldn't wear my father's Scout jacket so I have to make do with this. Just wish they gave me a blue tie to go with it.
"You look fine, Elijah," Hange states as she notices me adjusting my tie. "Don't tell me you want to make a good impression on all the girls you meet."
I scoff. "You and I both know that I'm well spoken for."
"Duley noted," My commander looks out to the city that ever so slightly gets closer as the boat approaches. "You could say this expedition takes us back to our original mission."
"...Yeah," I agree, with what I hope but believe is a genuine smile. "You think he would've loved to see what we soon will?"
"Only one way to find out. Let's go scout."
Other than seeing the people of my hometown flee from the invading Titans or from the ones in the Battle of Trost, I don't think I've ever seen this many people in one place. All kinds of people, from aristocratic men and women to simple dock workers, it really feels overwhelming to me, but at the same time, I'm...excited to see what there is here in the outside world. I bet this is how Armin felt when he first showed Eren the book he always talked about as a kid.
"Welcome to the continent of Marley!" Our group is welcomed by a friendly and familiar dark-skinned man. "I'll guide you to the Azumabito estate."
"Onyankopon!" Hange happily smiles and laughs like she's seeing an old friend from afar, exactly how it's supposed to look.
"I'm glad you all made it! What do you think of Marley's biggest port?"
"Well it's-"
"What?!" Before I could answer Onyankopon, most of the others were distracted by... Wait, what the hell am I even looking at? It looks like a cart...but it's not being pulled by a horse. Wait...I think Hange told me about that thing she heard from Yelena once, I believe it's called a- "That horse! Or...is it? Huh?!"
"It's some sort of cow!" Sasha adds to Connie's theory. "It has to be!"
"Guys, it's a-"
"It's a car!" Hange cuts me off. "I've heard about 'em before! Hello there car!" Hange waves obnoxiously, causing others to stare at us in confusion. And what was all that talk about not standing out?
"People are staring!" Armin whispers to me.
"Ugh! They think we're bumpkins now..." Jean says as he tries to hide his red face under his hat. "Pretend we're not with 'em."
In any other case, I'd think Jean was just reverting to his pompous attitude...but Hange, Sasha, and Connie are literally running after the car. Yelling obnoxiously as it gets further and further away. "...Honestly, maybe it's best for now."
"If we don't stop 'em, they'll try and feed it carrots."
Onyankopon laughs at Levi's remark. "Give them more credit than that-"
"They're actually buying carrots..." I say, completely dumbfounded.
"Wait a minute, what?!"
"Enjoy rounding them up," I leave the Captain and Onyankopon to tend to our overly excited tourists and walk over seeing Mikasa tending to Eren as always.
"So many people... Eren, we don't know what to expect, so stay close to me." But the boy has a familiar thousand-yard stare as he just simply looks ahead to the moving crowd around us. Just like...when we saw the sea for the first time.
"Eren?"
"Huh?" He finally notices our presence. "...Right."
"Quit spacing out, Eren!" Armin joins us. "We're in the outside world!"
"...Yeah. This is the other side of the sea...isn't it?"
"...What-"
"Hey!" Our attention is brought back to Captain Levi. "Stick with the group. Especially you." He glares at Eren.
"Be right there!" Armin answers for the four of us.
As we follow, I can't help but think about Eren's question. What did he mean? Of course this is the other side. But...why did he sound...disappointed?
After finally gathering our three stragglers, our group makes its way through the lively crowd. We eventually find ourselves in what appears to be a local market, but it's not like any market I've ever seen. The quality and freshness of the fruit and vegetables of each stand are nothing compared to the ones at home. In fact, there's all kinds of food that I've never even seen before. Great now I'm sounding like Sasha. Wait...where is Sasha? She was holding onto my arm a moment ago. I look around, finally seeing her at some heavy-set man's cart with...some sort of white paste-looking stuff. The way it's textured reminds me of snow, but that's impossible with how warm it is outside.
"What is this?" I ask Sasha.
"I have no idea, but..." Sasha looks up to the man, holding her coin purse in her hand. "May I...please have one?"
"Yes, of course!" The man happily obliges to the redhead's seemingly innocent request, but I know she's trying really hard not to drool over how delicious this stuff looks. He scoops the unknown food into...a cone-shaped...thing and hands it to Sasha who excitedly takes it. "Here you are."
"Sasha, control yourself," Jean says as I don't hear him approach us along with Connie.
Sasha takes a surprisingly small taste since this food was unknown to her, but it doesn't stop her from- "Huh?! How is it cold like that?!"
The man behind the cart laughs heartfeltly. "I take it this is your first time trying ice cream?"
'Ice cream'? "Wait, what? Let me try that." Before Connie beats me to the punch, Sasha allows me to take a small lick from this so-called 'ice cream'... "What the fuck?!" This stuff...it's cold...sweet...melty...creamy...and so damn good!
He laughs again. "You folks must be tourists."
"This is the best dadgum thing I've ever tasted!" Sasha shouts as she has more of her tasty treat.
Damn her influence. I reach into my pocket for my coin bag. "I'll take one!"
"Me too!" Jean says.
"Me three!" Connie joins in.
I know we're not supposed to be drawing attention to ourselves, but if we're just acting like excited tourists, nobody's gonna see and think we're island devils. As Jean and Connie try to convince Mikasa and Armin to buy some for themselves, Sasah and I head over to our superiors. Walking happily hand-in-hand with our ice cream.
"Didn't I tell you all not to stand out?"
"Don't mind him," Hange tells me and Sasha. "Just remember not to stand out too much."
We nod. "Of course."
"Elijah!" I feel Sasha pull on my hand. "I can smell some more delicious food over there!" she starts pulling me away from our superiors and Onyankopon as her face practically glows with joy.
I was sure to tell Sasha not to spend too much of our money, but, as usual when it comes to food, she doesn't listen. But at least she was willing to share some that I wanted to try for myself. However, she did get snarky at Jean and Connie when they wanted some pieces of her food. Sorry boys, I get better privileges than you.
"Hey." Our attention is drawn to the voice of our Captain as he's stopped a kid holding...wait... "That ain't your purse."
"Huh?" Sasha looks frantically around her pockets, now noticing her purse is no longer there. I check my own just to be safe, thankfully, I still have mine. However, I have to give this kid credit. If Levi hadn't caught him, he would've gotten away. Reminds me of how I had to get by back when I was alone when Shiganshina was destroyed, before I joined Eren, Armin, and Mikasa.
"You sneaky little-"
"Thief!" The crowd around us comes in close around the boy still in Levi's hold, and they do not look happy.
"It's another enemy migrant!"
"How'd you get here?"
"Snuck aboard a ship I bet!"
"He doesn't understand us. Let's toss him in the sea."
"Nah, let's smash his hand so he can't pickpocket anymore. Tie him up where everyone can see. That'll cut down on crime."
"Hey!" I step in having enough of this bullshit and being reminded that we're in a land where they destroy anything different from them over something so tedious. I can't believe I almost completely forgot my hatred or this wretched place for a minute. "He's just a damn kid. Just let him off with a warning and that'll be the end of it."
"Exactly!" Sasha agrees. "This is taking things too far! I already got my purse back!" She holds up her purse to show everyone.
Everyone sneers at us. "This isn't about you. We've gotta punish him to set an example. We're trying to make a living here."
"Besides, he could be a Subject of Ymir..." The crowd around us starts murmuring as I can see the growing worry on my comrade's faces. "Countries have been doing blood tests like mad lately. No one can sleep at night knowing devils could be in their midst," The man who spoke up looked to me. "For all you know, even she could be that devil spawn."
"You wanna say that again about my wife?" I feel my knuckles turn white as I see Sasha look at me with a rising blush on her face.
"Hey!" Another man from the crowd addresses Levi as he has now picked up the young pickpocket and starts to carry him away under his arm. "What are you doing?!"
"Who said he's a thief? All I said was, 'That ain't your purse. It belongs to his big sister here."
"My!" Hange joins in on Levi's attempting ruse. "Talk about a nutty family!" She looks at Sasha nervously. "Right, Big Sis?"
"A-Ah!" Sasha catches on and then bows apologetically to the crowd. "Sorry about my little brother!"
"Oh yeah?! I smell bullshit!"
"You sure you didn't just forget to take a bath?"
"Let's go!" Levi orders all of us. We quickly disperse from the angry crowd, with the pickpocket in tow.
"I'll never...get used to...running around...in this damn suit..." Most of us are exhausted at the extended marathon we just went through, even some of our superiors look tired. Well, only Hange.
"What was...that 'wife' thing about?" Sasha looks at me, tired but confused.
I smirk. "Well, If we have a cove story, might as well make it a good one." I lean over and whisper. "Don't worry, It'll be true one day." She blushes, causing me to smile.
"Where'd that brat go?" Levi asks as he looks around our group.
"Th-There..." Haneg points to a crumbled concrete wall, where the young pickpocket is waving at us...with a coin purse in his hand and a huge smile on his face. Levi checks his pockets, but he realizes, the kid is already long gone. "Well, it was just some change from the Azumabito."
"Still, gotta give that kid credit," I add.
"I'm sorry you went through that," Ms. Azumabito bows apologetically to us all. "As blood testing has improved, countries across the world are finding they're inhabited by Subjects of Ymir who've fled the zones. Back during the height of the Eldian Empire, being a Subject of Ymir was a sign of status among the world's elite. But as the Empire crumbled, they found themselves being exiled from places. Such is life for Eldians outside the wall. Alas, it will be difficult for Paradis Island to establish friendly relations."
"Even so," Armin says after a moment of silence. "giving up on peace means we'll have to go along with Zeke's plan: To leave our fate in his hands, and to sacrifice Historia and her children."
"We came here to avoid that future," I say more harshly than I intended. Sasha notices and rests her hand on my thigh, calming me down.
"Yes, that's right, Elijah," Hange says. "But we also came here for the Subjects of Ymir Protection Group's debut in tomorrow's forum."
"It's still not clear what that group seeks to achieve," Ms. Azumabito points out.
"Indeed. We'll be observing them first. But if they seem promising and agree to speak with us..."
"You'll express that Paradis Island seeks peace."
"...Tell me," I address Kiyomi more calmly. "Do you really believe that there are people in this world who want to help us? People who believe in their hearts that we devils are not the same as those from hundreds of years ago. Those who want peace with our people just as much as we do..."
"...Mr. Everett. I believe you know that is a question that none of us here can possibly answer without a shred of doubt. But I can answer this, I know that there are people who claim they want to help, but as for their true intentions...that I do not know. I believe the question you must ask yourself is: Are you willing to take a chance with that kind of hope for your people?"
"..." I know she's right...but that still doesn't ease my doubt. But still, if there's anything I've learned in my time under Erwin's command, it's that it sometimes takes a gamble to see the results of a better future. He knew that above everyone. "...I can't speak for the rest of my people, maybe not even everyone here. But...I'm willing to hear what they have to say. And...I'd like to formally apologize to you, Ms. Azumabito." She tilts her head slightly in confusion. "My behavior was unacceptable after hearing Zeke's demands when you first arrived at our home, and I took it out on you. So..." I bow my head. "...I'm sorry."
"I understood your reaction at the time, Mr. Everett. You have no need to apologize," As I raise my head, she looks back at Hange. "Naturally, the Azumabito are happy to help you down the path of peace. Though, are you being realistic about your chances of success?"
Hange looks down to her lap. "I know...it'll be very difficult. And dangerous, too. But as my second says," Hange looks back to Kiyomi. "We are willing to take that chance and give it our best shot."
"...I suppose so."
Mikasa suddenly stands from her seat on the couch to my right in shock with a look of horror in her eyes as she looks around frantically. "Where's Eren?!"
Eren
In the future, though I'm not sure exactly how far, I massacre these people.
Eren, now somewhere not too far from the Azumabito estate, takes a walk, thinking to himself of all he's seen...from his father's memories...and his own.
Before too long, they'll all die. No, I kill them. It's already determined that I do. I imagine no one ever found a way for Paradis Island to survive. Everything here will be gone. The homes, the people, the animals, people's lives, their dreams...
The young man stops in his tracks as he eyes a happy couple, the husband carries a bag full of bread...as the wife rests her hands around her belly...holding her future child. This causes Eren's mind to think of one person...
What would Mom think? Shouldn't we Eldians be the ones to die? In the same way the King of the walls chose the path to humanity's downfall? At the very least, the death toll on the island would be but a fraction of that of the rest of the world. It's also true that if Eldians completely die out, the Titan problem goes away. Eren grits his teeth and his eyes darken. I just can't accept things ending that way...
Eren's grim look is quickly replaced by one of slight shock and familiarity as he hears and then sees the sight of the same young pickpocket from before being beaten to a pulp by three grown men.
This scene... I've seen it in the memories of the future. Most likely, I save this kid.
Eren slowly approaches the scene, and the three angry men notice as the kid lies on the ground in pain. "This kid's a foreign refugee and a serial pickpocket. And since this is where we do business, we're just doing a little pest control here."
"This ain't got nothin' to do with you. Get lost."
"...Yeah... That's true." Eren turns away from the scene, allowing the men to go back to beating the poor boy.
What am I thinking? I eventually kill this kid, too. Who do I think I am? I've committed horrible acts of violence. I have no business acting like a righteous person.
Fortunately for the boy...but unfortunately for Eren...it seems that fate had another thing in mind. Eren had beaten down all the men, saving the boy from further harm. Now he's carrying him where the pickpocket guides as night falls.
It appears the future doesn't change.
"Thank you!" The young pickpocket says as Eren drops him from his back. But since there is a language barrier, he can not understand him.
I'm the same as you, Reiner. A half-assed piece of shit. No, that's wrong. I'm worse than that.
Eren takes hold of the boy's shoulders...and cries. "I'm sorry." His eyes filled with pain, regret, and anguish. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"...Why are you crying?" The boy asks, confused.
"...To save the Island... To save Eldia... I must...destroy it all... But there's...more to this..." Eren looks down to his feet. "The reality of the world outside the walls was different from the world I dreamed of... It was different from the world I saw in Armin's book. When I learned humanity was alive outside the walls, I...was disappointed. I...wanted this... I wanted...to wipe everything away..." Eren, with his eyes filled with tears, looks back into the boy's still confused but slightly shocked eyes.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"
"Eren!" As the young boy leaves for his camp down the hill, Eren allows one last tear to fall down his face as he stares up into the night sky. He hears Mikasa's call, wiping his face before she can see. "Did you forget you're the enemy's primary target? Everyone's been looking for you," Mikasa sees the camp while also seeing a familiar boy waving back at them. "The boy from the market? What happened?"
"Nothing yet."
"What do you mean? This is..."
"It's a place for people who lost their homes to war. Just like us: One day, our lives changed and everything was taken from us. All our freedoms...stolen." Eren looks to his lifelong friend. "Mikasa. Why do you care so much about me?"
"Eh?"
"Because I saved you when we were kids? Or...because I'm family?"
"H-Huh?" Mikasa...for the first time, in a very long time, blushes.
"What am I to you?"
"...You-" If the others were here, they wouldn't believe the sight of Mikasa tumbling over her own words as she tries to find the answer. But soon enough, she settles on one. "You're...family. Huh?"
The Shiganshina pair didn't notice the elderly man holding a tray with two drinks in what seemed to be well-decorated cups. He speaks to them, but Mikasa doesn't understand. But Eren could take a well-educated guess.
"I think he's inviting us."
"Hey!" Mikasa sees...what looks and sounds like Armin, Elijah, Sasha, Jean, and Connie walking up the hill.
"The hell are you doing, Eren?!" Jean shouts.
"Are you an idiot?!" Connie adds.
"I swear, if we had to look for your ass for another hour, I was bound to believe you got kidnapped! AGAIN!" Elijah's voice echoed through the night sky. "I swear if I have to strategize another rescue operation, I am going to have GOD DAMN HEART ATTACK!"
"...Good timing," Eren whispers.
Elijah
If it weren't for the fact I have to act civilized thanks to this 'invite' from these people, I'd be giving Eren one good thrashing for making all of us worry like that for nothing. But at least he helped out the kid again. But I'm not so sure about this feast that they've prepared for us, especially that drink the old man poured in each of our glasses...well, cans. I was only skeptical because I was sure it was alcohol and not some kind of homemade drink of theirs.
Eren didn't seem to think anything bad about it since he was the first of all of us to take a drink, downing the entire can in one gulp. The elderly man happily pours him another as I can already see Eren's face starting to flush. What kind of drink is this, anyway? Must be some strong stuff. I wouldn't know since tea has always been my thing. I notice the others hesitantly take their drinks, even Sasha. So as to not insult our host, I abide. Like my earlier inquiry, the drink was in fact very strong...but...
I could say with a full heart, that it was one of the best nights of my life. We were no longer soldiers for one night, but we finally had the chance to act like normal kids. Well, with the exception of being able to drink. I never actively drank alcohol but for once I'm glad I did. I haven't felt this happy in a long time, just being able to just lay back and have fun with my friends. Jean and Connie danced around like a couple of drunken goofballs while Armin and Eren just laughed their asses off for the first part of our night. Thanks to the alcohol messing with my brain, I wasn't able to think coherently as I started seeing Sasha...in a more uncouth manner, like I was back in her room months ago in her home village. Thankfully, we didn't go too far with our...affection, but Jean and Connie did get a little annoyed at how much I was kissing her like no one was watching us.
We eventually ran out of drinks so Armin and Jean went out for more...only to bring back the entire camp with them. Now everyone was having fun like there was no tomorrow...no war...no Titans...no...devils...or monsters. Just...people. Reminds me of what I'm truly fighting for. As the night continued on, and as the joyful feast died down. Hange, Levi, and Onyankopon had found us all passed out on the floor of one of the camp's tents. I can't remember all the details of that night, but I was informed that I was cuddled up with Sasha as she drooled on my chest as my friends from Shiganshina were all huddled around each other on the floor and Jean and Connie were practically cuddling around the empty bottles of alcohol.
It may have been unprofessional of me as Section Commander, but...it was worth it for one night.
The Next Morning...
"We seek to aid refugee Subjects of Ymir scattered across the world! They are not Eldians, nor do they believe in the Empire's dangerous ideologies! They're the tragic victims of the Eldian Empire's forced interbreeding! It's the detestable island devils we should hate! Hate the island devils who fled to the island one hundred years ago! Those island devils are our true enemy!"
"..." As the crowd around us cheers, I look down to my lap, clenching my eyelids shut. Well...there's my answer. Does anyone in this world even think for a second that maybe...just maybe that there are those on the Island of Paradis who don't believe in that damned empire too? What about the children born there? Are they to blame as well? Why should innocent children who have nothing to do with war have to suffer like they're the ones who caused it?! But as I look back up...I soon found myself asking a more dire question... Where the hell is Eren?
"That day...was the day Eren left us. Later on, the letter he sent said he'd trust Zeke with everything, and by the time we see him again, it will be too late. I wonder...was there any other way this could've gone? Maybe...it's all been decided from the start. Still, I can't help but wonder: What if I had just talked to him more? What if I had read our situation better? What if...I hadn't let my rage control my actions? What do you guys think? Do you think things would've ended the same way? Thomas? Mina? Dad? ...Mom?"
"Elijah?"
Present day
"Elijah?"
"Huh?" I turn to my left, now facing the black-haired Titan shifter who called to me. "Yes, Pieck?"
"Are you alright? I called for you eight times now."
"Yeah, just...had something on my mind, I guess."
"You mean," She takes a seat beside me. "besides...everything?"
I chuckle at her comment. "Yeah..."
"I want to thank you."
"What for?"
"For helping me break everything down with Falco when he woke up, I don't know If I could've handled it alone on my own."
"It was nothing. He needed to know...even if it's something so horrible."
"Yeah..." We share a moment of silence as we just look out to the sea, then she speaks up. "So...that name you told me," Oh boy, I had a feeling this conversation would come. "...That was your father's name, right?"
"...Yeah." I slowly nod.
"...I had a feeling that you were the enemy when you attacked Liberio. I wasn't so sure, but the way you disappeared so suddenly... But I didn't confirm my suspicions until I saw you again."
"...Do you...hate me?"
"...That's a difficult question. At first, I saw you as this hopeful boy who kept pushing forward no matter what he faced, someone that I could respect for that fact. Then...I saw you as this unfeeling enemy that wanted nothing more than to annihilate the rest of the world and let my home be destroyed."
"...And now?"
Pieck looks at me, analyzing my entire person. "You're a soldier with the wrath of a thousand units...but with the heart of a lion."
"A what?"
"Never mind that. What matters is... You have a strong heart, no fear, at least from the outside. You go through your enemies not because you want to, but because you have to for a better future."
"..." I look back out to the sea, taking in her words. "...Why did you become a Warrior?"
Pieck looks along with me. "...My father is the only family I have left. When I was a child, he was deathly ill, and becoming a Warrior was the only way of getting him proper medical care. He survived, but..." She looks down, sad. "He told me he was devastated at the thought of my term ending soon. And...now..."
"...I'm sorry. I think it's very honorable that you became a Warrior to help someone you love. That's...something I admire in a person. Giving up your own life for the sake of your loved ones... There's no greater way to show that sort of love. Now...we must perform our duty for the fallen. You will act your role as a Warrior, and me a Soldier."
"..." Pieck smiles at me. "Thank you, Elijah."
I nod, then smile as an idea pops into my head. "Let's start over."
"What do you mean?"
I face her, holding out my hand. "My name's Elijah Everett."
She looks at my hand, surprised, but soon laughs at my gesture before taking it. "Pieck Finger."
I nod. "Good to properly meet you."
"...It's all gone." I sigh at the irony I'm reminded of as I get to the back of the ship, turning towards the sun. The Marleyans have taken the death of their general and the detour to Odiha pretty hard. Annie most of all. I still can't believe that was the same cold girl I once knew back in our training days. Pieck, Reiner, Gabi, and Falco will lose their families thanks to my indirect actions. If this is what all my revenge was for... Then I fucking hate it.
"There you are," I look over to see Historia, the young Queen looking back at me with relief. "I thought you'd be back here."
Historia stands beside me. I look over to her as she sets her hands on her stomach while gazing silently at the sea. Unlike her beauty, the four last years haven't been kind to her freedom as the new leader of a new government, but for what it's worth, she has been successful so far. Paradis Island is advancing into the modern world, and Paradis Island might soon be the last light of civilization as we once thought it was. Historia's rule exposed the truth, and Historia's rule will make it true. Whatever world comes out of the next few moments in our lives, whether it goes Eren's way or a deterrence of fifty or so years before the remaining quarters of the world attack again, Historia's rule forever be cemented in victory for Paradis.
...And her child will inherit the world forged by her.
"I should have told you everything," She says. "Eren came to me...and told me his entire plan."
"Huh?"
"Three months ago, before you all went to Marley for the first time for the conference. He tried to convince me to fight the plan to feed Zeke to me. I told him the same I told you, I refuse to allow myself to continue this cursed bloodline for this war. And I'd be damned to let my child share the same fate. Then...he told me what he was going to do and... Obviously, I was against it. I tried to convince him to not let innocent people become like his mother, but there was no appealing his mind. He wants to remove all of the hate against us, innocent or guilty. And...he asked me to stay silent."
"...Why?"
"Because I'm the girl who saved him back then when my father took us. I'm the worst girl in the world, in his words. He threatened to wipe my memories if I didn't comply, so I did, even if killed me at my core. But that's why I'm here, Elijah. If I can't stop Eren, how can I ever hold my head high again? Or how could I ever...look my child in the eye?"
I glance down to Historia's stomach. "...Who's the father?"
She smiles sadly. "You remember the official story about a stablehand from childhood being the father? Well...the truth isn't far from that. I met him when Paradis was first beginning to modernize thanks to the Volunteers, he wasn't a stablehand, but a Military Police officer. He...reminded me of you, in some ways, not as tall but just as stubborn. Of course, the idea of a Military Police recruit and the Queen being in love would cause some trouble among the ranks. So they decided to forge a fake love story to protect not only myself but their reputation. He hated it...but he complied if it meant he could meet his future child. That's...one thing I love about him."
"..." This child...when they're born...his or her legacy will be the freedom of Paradis and the destruction of the world. By now, the Marleyan coastal defenses will be desperately and futilely fighting the Rumblin. Ships will be crushed with ease...and so will the soldiers. And once that line of defense is destroyed... I sigh as I stare out towards the hazy horizon, just off the coast of Marley. "...I'm sorry, Historia."
"Huh? What for?"
"...For not keeping Ymir's promise. For not protecting you when I should have. For not being there when you needed me. And...that I couldn't love you back."
Historia bows her head. "I'm sure she's cursing your name, but it's okay. You've done everything you could do for me in the last seven years. Just keep fighting for whatever it is you fight for now." She looks back to me with a knowing smile. "Your future with Sasha...that's it, isn't it?"
"...Yes."
"Then just focus on that. No more regrets...even if it means killing Eren."
Armin
"From the moment I was born, there was always a stifling wall before me. Firey water, lands of ice, sandy snowfields... The people who witnessed these things were the ones who had obtained the greatest freedom in the world. This...is freedom! We've finally made it here to see this. Haven't we, Armin?"
"Eren..." Armin blinks his eyes, believing he just saw the child form of Eren in that mysterious world instead of the blue ocean and cloudy blue sky around the ship. He...must be imagining things.
"Are your wounds healed now?"
"Huh? Annie?" Armin faces the lone Warrior sitting with her back against the edge of the ship, her knees held close to her body. She must have a lot on her mind as of late. "Yeah, since we've had some time... I never imagined we'd be able to relax like this."
She pats the space beside her. "Wanna sit with me?" Armin walks over and sits down, knees close to his chest as well. Annie looks away before she starts speaking. "I've...been meaning to thank you."
"Huh?"
"For coming to talk to me for years. So thank you."
"Oh... Yeah."
"I was so lonely I thought I'd go crazy. Hearing from you and Hitch was the only joy I had."
"Annie..."
"But why did you choose to spend time chatting with a rock that never responded? There were more cheerful and pleasant girls to talk to, right?"
"...That's...not how I felt." Armin turns away, blushing. "It was because I wanted to see you, Annie."
"...How come?"
"What? You really don't know? After how much Hitch teased me?"
Annie further drops her blushing face into her knees. "...I don't know. What am I even doing? Right now, thousands, if not hundreds of millions are being trampled to death all across the world, and we're..."
"..."
"I know. You were talking to an enemy like me because you're a good person. Right? For the same reason you won't give up on talking things out with Eren. I could have woken up at any moment. Talking to a monster was another way to avoid a conflict. Right?" Armin doesn't immediately reply, so Annie rises to stand, only for Armin to grab her hand.
"...Don't go. Also, I told you this before, but...I really do hate the phrase 'good person.' I killed a huge number of people. Including civilians... Even children... And now I've made a choice that betrays the people of my island, and killed friends as a result. I've long since become a monster, too. Some part of me thought that, one day, the promise Eren and I made to explore the unknown world together would become a reality."
"The unknown world wasn't what it was cracked up to be, right?"
"Yeah. It was different from the world we'd dreamed of. But..." Armin eyes a seagull as it lands on the rail just above Armin's right shoulder. "I want to believe there must still be something beyond the walls that we don't know about."
Elijah
We got to Odiha in the late evening. The town was quiet and the harbors were empty. Hizuru might be lucky to get its people to some form of safety before the Rumbling approaches, and we'll have to be just as quick. We loaded the aircraft into the service hanger as quickly as possible, and with Armin's suggestion, we decided to keep the explosives our former allies were going to use to destroy the flying boat. Now...we leave everything to the mechanics.
In the meantime, while Hange and the others meet with Yelena and the mechanics work, I keep watch on the mountains. They're clear, no signs of the Rumbling headed this way. The skies themselves are clear, with only the moon and stars looking down on me. The night hides the horror of the day, and almost like those nights four years ago, it held a peace that day would not bring. "...You guys watching me from up there? I know it's been a while since we've talked like this. Since I'm used to only talking through my journal, but it's out of my hands. So..." I drop my head, sighing. "...I really hope I know what I'm doing."
"I don't think any of us really have that luxury." I didn't need to turn to the familiar voice as she sat by my side, but my nose did pick up a pleasant smell...and in her hands, the most ironic. "Not a word, mister. Drop it for once...please."
"Where's the fun in that?" I take half of the potato out of Sasha's hands and take a bite into the warm starch. "How's everything? What did Yelena reveal?"
"There's a fort in Marley, Fort Salva. Apparently, they have a great multitude of flying boats. Eren will be heading there."
"...So he knows the greatest threat to the rumbling is where the Colossal Titans can't stomp them. If it's possible at all to do so. That's our plan, after all."
Sasha nods and looks at me as I swallow the last of the potato. I turn my face to her, questioning why she's looking at me like that- ...But she answers just as quietly with a short but meaningful kiss. When our lips part, he keeps her forehead against mine, sighing peacefully. "I know what you're thinking. You want me to stay behind. And I know what I want you to do, no heroics. Yet...we both want to save the world, so...I want to know if you're ordering me to stay behind."
I close my eyes as I keep my head rested against hers. "...Would you listen to me?"
"Not to the man I love, but to the officer I respect."
"...Then I can't ask you to do anything. I want you to make the choice because of who I am to you...and you alone."
Sasha pulls back, reaching into her pocket. "Here," She hands my journal back to me. "I read everything. All of your feelings and troubles since Liberio...and they still paint the picture of the man I see now. I love him so much, whether he thinks he's a monster or not. I'm going to follow him until the very end because of that love. If I was to die at that time, I would follow him to the other side. I don't believe my death would have changed you, the man I love would have done everything he would have done now. Your story has not ended... And I want to be there, dead or alive, by your side...when it does."
I take the book, standing up as I feel my heartbeat growing faster as...something I've been meaning to ask of her ever since she came back to me. "Sasha...I... Hange?" I look up to the woman who appears behind Sasha. She waves off disrupting us as she walks past and stares at the mountains, hands folded behind her back.
"Sasha, may I have Elijah for a few moments?"
She nods. "Yes, ma'am." Sasha smiles at me, kisses my cheek, then walks away and climbs down the ladder accessing the roof of the hanger. After watching the woman I love depart, I face the woman I respect. She stands silently and still, at least on the outside.
"Hange..."
"'You really did an outstanding job today, I think you will become a fine soldier.' I said something like that to you long ago, the day we met I believe. Didn't I?"
I nod. "Yes, after the Battle of Trost."
"Four years then... Do you have any regrets being taken under my wing?"
"No. Not a single shred of doubt or regret."
Hange chuckles softly. "As I expected, the same answer every time. And here I thought it would change for once." She turns her head in my direction, adjusting her glasses. "May I ask you a favor, then?"
I nod. "Anything."
"Be the fine soldier Moblit and I saw all those years ago, Elijah. That is your final order until we get through this...or die trying." Hange looks past me. "I think you deserve some time off, one last time after all you've done."
I look where she does, seeing Sasha walking to the boat. "..."
"That's an order, Section Commander."
I smile to myself. "...Yes, ma'am."
Inside the boat, I find Sasha alone in one of the cabins. She notices me entering the room as she flips over on the bed. If I wasn't nervous enough already, then seeing her in such a state with her hair and clothes in a messy way is not helping my heart. I do love her ponytail look, but I can't help but feel overjoyed every time I see her with her hair down.
She sees my uneasy look as she sits up on the edge. "What's wrong?"
"..." I walk over to the bed, pulling her up to stand. I look up and down her body, taking in every inch of her as I prepare myself for what I'm about to do. "...Sasha. There's...something I need to ask you. And I didn't know if it was something I was willing to wait to but I feel like I should ask now so..." I say that last part more faster than I intended, so I take a breath to calm myself down. "When you were hurt, it really put things in perspective for me. You and I have always been together, not just as lovers...but as my best friend."
"Elijah..." She says with a growing blush. Sometimes I wonder how I can still make her so flustered after all this time we've been together...but she still manages to do the same thing to me.
"Meeting you...and falling in love...is my greatest accomplishment. I almost lost you, and all I could think about was how much we never got to do. So..." I kneel down, looking up into her eyes as they sparkle speechless. "If there's a chance...we die tomorrow, I want there to be no regrets between us. Sasha Braus...will you be my wife?"
"..." I watch from my kneeling position as Sasha doesn't immediately give me an answer. Honestly, if she doesn't want this, I understand. I just want no regrets about how I truly feel about her and want her to know in case we die. I see her eyes swell up with tears...and then she smiles. "...Elijah...yes. Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Too happy to even think of anything else to say, I stand and wrap my arms around her, holding her close. The girl I love...is now my wife. Even if we were to die tomorrow, now I have no regrets. We share a long, sensual, and loving kiss. Internally, I curse myself for being cheesy about this whole thing, but then again, it's impossible to resist a kiss from Sasha.
Although... This kiss had a familiar feeling to it, one I hadn't felt since I took some time away from the military and spent time in Sasha's home village. There's a real sense of urgency I can feel coming from her, a feeling that's not too foreign to me. As she slowly gets off her tip-toes, I find myself subconsciously lowering myself to her height, at this point, the world around us is all but forgotten. I wrap my arms around Sasha's back and pull her closer to me, savoring her touch, taste, and smell. I don't even realize she has me pinned against the door of the cabin, with one of her hands on my shoulder while the other caresses my face. With everyone either working on the flying boat or somewhere else on the ship...we're completely alone.
As my thoughts wander over into...a territory I haven't explored since I was last alone like this with Sasha, she slowly slides her tongue into my mouth. It catches me by surprise as this is the first time she's ever done it. I'm a little hesitant at first, but I quickly grow accustomed to it. If I had any suspicion this kiss is unlike any we've shared in the past, this new development confirms it without a shadow of a doubt. Given how closely we're pressed together, I can feel her body heat...along with something else. My mind is racing at a million thoughts an hour. As the kiss deepens, Sasha moans softly, which only adds to the allure of our situation. This kind of territory is not uncharted to me, but Sasha and I have never actually gone that far...one of my other regrets. I...truly have no idea what I'm doing.
We eventually break apart, panting heavily neither of us knowing where the sudden mood that befell us came from. I always love looking at Sasha's eyes after we kiss, and despite this being no exception...there's something new lurking in those beautiful amber eyes. Most of the guys back in our training days would call me a 'ladies' man', but I truly never understood what they were talking about...but I know I can read between the lines. My heart is beating just as hard as my thoughts are whirring.
"...Sasha."
"...Elijah." Her voice is quiet as she replies.
"...Are you sure?"
She nods. "I need you...Elijah." Her reply is barely a whisper, but the conviction and assurance are so strong, it's almost like she's shouted it. Tentatively, her hands start picking at the buttons of my shirt. Her fingers feel warm and soft against my upper body and I watch with almost bated breath as she undoes each button. Eventually, she undoes the last one and helps me slide my blue shirt off. I take a deep breath, savoring how her hands feel on my bare chest. Sasha looks up at me, seeing my expression. "...Are...you sure about this?"
I clear my throat, then nod. "Y-Yeah... I'm just...terrified."
She chuckles. "...Me too. It's okay." Sasha takes a step back, and wordlessly, I know what I'm expected to do. As I slowly undo the buttons of her shirt, like she did to me that night, I kiss along an invisible line along Sasha's shoulders, then her neck, then her jaw, but I stop once I reach her lips and undo her last button. I help her remove her white shirt. I can't help but stare at the sight in front of me. I may have seen her like this before, but...this is different. This time, no one can interrupt us. "...You're staring...dummy."
I swallow. "Can you blame me? You look so beautiful."
She blushes. The red of her face compliments her black brassiere. I take her by the hand and guide her back to the cabin bed. Sasha lies down first, her blush growing into a deeper red. I take my position despite my heart pounding against my chest, straddling her. As she adjusts herself under me, I feel her brush up against... Making my face heat up as a pleasant chill goes down my spine. I lightly trace my fingers along her abdomen, Sasha lets out soft, shaky breaths as her eyes close at my gentle touch. Her face turns a crimson shade of red as l see...her wound from just over a month ago...a permanent reminder of my indirect actions.
"...I'm-"
"Shh..." Sasha puts her finger to my lips, shutting me up. "Don't start that song again. I know that you think it's your fault that...it happened. But you and I both know that couldn't be further from the truth." She lowers her hand and rests it beside her head.
I lower myself down, kissing her slowly and more passionately. Sasha squirms underneath me as she kisses me back. My lips move down to her neck, she lets out a small, gentle, breathy sigh directly into my left ear. We break apart, our faces only inches apart as we feel each other's warm breath. I look her in the eye...my wife in the eye, saying for what may have been the millionth time, but I know she never gets tired of hearing it from me.
"I love you, Sasha."
"I love you too, Elijah."