Chapter 18: They Who Remain

Two years later:

As he lay on his side staring out of the window at the night sky, trying to get to sleep, his mind continued to return to the unanimous apathy which apparently, made up the state of being of the majority of his compatriots.

Feeling as if his dreams had been betrayed once more; by his ungracious and selfish allies, he reached under his bedroll and retrieved a rather unassuming rucksack - in which contained the sole object he had left from Shiganshina. The book his father had allowed him to read.

Everyday seemed to be based on multiple variations, tried and true, of Commandant Shadis's vigorous and multi faceted training regimen. And whilst interesting to learn they were had become tedious to the point of being delusional to expect anyone to carry on.

Every night, Eren would lay in bed and each word after paragraph again and repeated, from the book trying to garner any further information about the Viceroys and their attempted rebellion against the King's Peace.

Unfortunately, each night it was another set of words that Eren found he couldn't get out of his head. Annie's truthful yet disdainful words about their fellow cadets had seemingly lit a fire within him to outdo and show them all that he was serious and they were pitiful petty cowards.

Unsurprisingly, his newfound determination had successfully rilled up Jean; and to a lesser more calm extent, Marco. On the plus side, Floch had started to make waves for himself on the ODM training course as well as having decent agility dodging fake titans amongst the forest. Even Connie had become, slightly, more aware of the true nature of the job - and responsibilities - he was being trained to do.

The original framework idea and approach for the military was to be a single unified force against the Titans and to offer effective aid and assistance necessary caused by them and any natural disasters.

This strategy was applied and continuously implemented throughout the near century of habitation on Paradis; unflinchingly, unparalleled and unfettered.

Unfortunately, forty years prior to the present day - during the of the reign of King Sverkell - two kings prior to the 'current' King Fritz (and Historia's paternal grandfather) - declared his opposition to continual inter-military coordination due to growing paranoia towards foreign plots to interfere with Paradis's political makeup in order to gain control over the islands gigantic reserves of natural resources.

Whilst his true reasons were never made public, the then Government privately branded the Survey Corps a "cesspit of seditious activity" and started the policy of Reappraisal. And so during the four decades of both his and his two sons rule, the scouts were severely underpaid and under provisioned.

Hidden in the shadows, and protected by the façade of the fake king, Sverkell and his heirs continued to covertly weaken the Scouts so that they wouldn't be able to resist 'the world's justice'.

For whenever it came, the island would be remade into an inhospitable wasteland carved up for resources and abandoned.

An eternal reminder of to all of the crimes of the Eldian Empire and of the dangers of ambition.

The three military branches were all supposedly on the same side - serving to protect Paradis - but the three Commanders and their respective section/squad captains all had differing personalities, options, opinions and loyalties. Thus attracting similarly inclined people and furthering the true kings desire for less effective military unity.

'Look around you…' Eren mused bitterly as he remembered Annie's whispered words. The way she had so thoroughly, and pointedly, dissociated herself from the 'rabble' to instead focus on her own personal training was inspiring to behold.

Eren wanted to be his own man. Free from other people's decisions for and designs on him. Whilst he was still viewed Mikasa and Armin as his beloved friends, he was starting to resent their presence wishing for them to walk another path that diverged from his own.

Moreover, Historia was now the person whom he had decided needed him more. The cause of her scar was clearly linked with either open or covert military police activity - she had implied that she had got sometime around the fall of Shiganshina.

Whatever she had seen that day had clearly had a profound effect on her, and she was intent on never having to experience anything like that again.

On the other hand, Annie's silent resolve was evidence of a barely concealed rage and an apparent desire to do everything, and anything, necessary to attain her goals. Which terrified nearly all other cadets around her - except for Mikasa whom had become the only person to match her fighting skills and give each other a good fight.

Even if no one knew why, or too afraid to ask, why she was so determined to join the Military Police - or judge her because of it - everyone knew that the M.P would no doubt accept her.

However, as much as Eren could see Annie trying to hide her reasons, he could tell that they both had the same innate drive - to never loose ever again.

'All that is expected of us ... those son's of bitches ... is to simply toe the line'.

Receiving the absolute bare minimum amount to sometimes forgoing without the basics, for the best part of nearly twenty years, the Survey Corps were forced to close ranks in order to protect themselves from M.P sabotage, insulate from Garrison corruption and undertake regular covert operations to root out capital aligned spies.

Undermanned, under pressure from a resurgent public demanding that all Titans be removed from within the Wall Maria territory and lacking the political support to lobby for support was continuing to result in an eighty percent mortality rate.

As a result, a heightened sense of internal security purveyed around the leadership's reconnaissance plans and intelligence gathering. Paranoia, albeit less than what they reported as 'having been seen' within the government, was evident within the Scout leadership hierarchy.

Moreover, scout section-commanders started increase their activity within the under-city, disguised as traders and smugglers, in an attempt to organise and maintain their own independent trade routes of weapons, ammunition and general supplies.

Also, keeping an ear to the ground - inspired by Captain Levi; and utilising his old haunts - was now a theme of Commander Erwin's leadership as the Lord Lieutenant of the wall regions began to coalesce more of their support towards the Military Police as well as returning some of their authority to the royal government - an alarming prospect for future operations; given how slow the government had been in dealing with the aftermath from the fall of Shiganshina.

And yet, unbeknownst to the other Branch Commanders - Dawk and Pixis - the government had begun to implement a new policy to, now, undermine both the M.P and Garrison units. Whilst further ordering the Inspector Generals to keep under close observation the infiltrator's son.

"And Jean and Marco want to be part of that..." Eren muttered disappointedly as he closed the book shut and sighed.

Turning his head towards where he knew horse-face was sleeping, his disappointment turned to annoyance as he just how carefree Jean was - even - when sleeping. His position definitely pointed to him having a rather sheltered, if not spoiled, childhood. And then there was the smug expression on his face, as he slept, just further exasperated Eren.

Sprawled out on his bed with blanket haphazardly covering his night-clothed body, Jean looked as if he had experienced not one hardship in his life ever.

It wasn't that he disliked Jean; in fact he quite liked having someone whom he vehemently disagreed with, it was more that he didn't understand or respect someone who didn't care about expanding his career prospects.

Fighting for more than what life had decided for them and then simply acceding to the whims of the Government and Church.

"At least Floch acknowledges the truth of the military… and is now somewhat serious", Eren grumbled a half-heartedly.

Running a hand across his face the boy couldn't help but grin as he stared at his calloused fingers - proof of his continued growth as a soldier in training, and his dedication to one day fulfil his desire to see the outside world. All his hard work was seeming to pay off. And soon would be the day when he, allying with everyone else, would choose their own military path.

"Finally…" he murmured softly. "I'm no longer the weak pathetic kid I was back then. I can fight!"

Outstretching his left palm so that he could touch the wooden wall that his bed was against, he ignored the shuffle of bed sheets in the above bed and continued to feel the small contours of the wood beneath his fingers.

With his hand he imagined that the wood grain he was feeling was actually a map of the outside-wider world, and he was in-fact looking at a picture of others nations.

"So much for anti-titan military unanimity", the boy whispered to himself. "I guess dad was right... the Viceroys were honest decent, slightly flawed people whom had the best interest of Eldia at heart".

Rolling over onto his back before sitting up and pulling his knees into his chest, Eren went back to the book and started flipping through pages.

Rereading lines that he'd memorised; attempting to pass the time in his sleepless state - passages written down by either long deceased members of the viceroy bloodline - about the Great Titan war - Eren felt his heart unexpected beat faster as his eyes fell upon the words: 'Lords of Fate'.

These words seemed to have been written by different hands, over many years apart. But the darker tones and vitriolic language began with someone called Auberon Ashanti whom recounted the last viceroy's description of how they perceived the treatment of the eldians left behind by the fleeing King would go down.

Left behind - abandoned - to the designs and machinations of the newly freed nation of Marley. As well as the rest of the, Eldia hating, world.

'Freedom from Empire...'

'Indifference to the plight of those left behind'.

'Hatred and violence delivered upon the abandoned will fester into resentment towards Paradis. And that will result in eldian on eldian violence'.

'Betrayed by the ones we served and scapegoated by the so-called heroes...'

'The family will not forgive nor will it forget. Even if it takes centuries, no matter the cost, we will have revenge'.

'The Tyburs have, oh so graciously, allowed us the opportunity to prove ourselves useful to new homeland. Our overlords - our jailers sought our scientific expertise and knowledge. And yet, be it fate or coincidence, we have discovered new ways of overcoming Titans'.

'A so-called new world order... independent nations supposedly forgetting and moving on from the past.

'Humans never forget, and they never forgive. But what if they could. What if emotion was stripped bare and replaced by blind servitude'.

'The so-called Eldian Resistance has failed; but never did we expect them not to. Our work has gone unnoticed, our plan remains unchanged'.

'The target has been successfully and unknowingly deployed to Paradis. We shall continue fanning anti Marlyean resentment and anger - just like the Tyburs and Fritz did against us.

'Our genius will triumph... the third son has inherited ours; he shall be the last. And he shall be Paradis' Lord of Gifts'.

'Finally the long game is nearing its completion... the boy has acquired it'.

'Now we watch Marley fall'.

Running his finger along the lines of the page as he read that particular sentence, Eren rubbed his eyes and sighed loudly. He was familiar with the revenge ranting from the Ashanti family; and he tended to skip over the rants whenever he came across another, but this time he had actively read some of the words. And it sounded like - wherever they were - the viceroy bloodline's planning seemed to be coming to fruition.

"What are they planning? And whom is the third son?" Muttering, imperceptibly, Eren stretched in bed before swinging his legs over the edge and sitting upright and stashing the book (within the rucksack under his mattress).

Unfortunately, that creaking of the bed, as well as his the light from the small candle he was reading by awoke a sleeping Reiner in the adjacent bed.

"Eren…" Reiner asked groggily, as he ran a hand across his face. "What are you doing? You know graduation ceremony begins early tomorrow. Get some sleep otherwise you'll look unkempt, and the scouts won't take you seriously".

"I'll be fine", Eren replied offhandedly. "I may not be as readily agile as I'd like to be… unlike a certain horse-faced bastard I know", he grumbled - eliciting a stifled chuckle from Reiner - "but I do know that I've got double... no triple the determination and courage to do what has to be done to protect humanity", he replied flatly.

"That is the job of a scout, and they'll see that in me!"

"I'm just saying..." Reiner continued, "staying up late isn't gonna out put you in any further good graces with the colonel… urgh, what the hell Bert!"

Spinning around, at Reiner's misspeak, Eren stared carefully and curiously at Reiner just as Bertolt softly interjected himself into the conversation. "Colonels are a rank below Commander, don't demean Shadis, Reiner".

However, Eren was instantly caught off-guard by a fragment-memory playing, unknown memories, from mind deep within himself or from somewhere else.

'Well done Colonel we have succeeded in bringing the King's Peace to the world'.

Within the fragment memory, Eren recognised but didn't know why, saw two men speaking to one another: the first one speaking was tall, bearded, dressed in fine silks with a long deep red cloak draped over his shoulders and holding - not wearing - a golden crown.

The other man was very slightly shorter than the King but no less severe in his expression. Dressed in a leather jerkin and chain-mail the second individual was obviously a military man, but what peaked Eren's interest the most was a hammer-like signet ring worn on his right hand.

'Your Majesty…' the man replied genteelly. "With the rebellion quashed and the viceroys soon to be persona non grata and prisoners for Marley, may I suggest now is a good time for you take all whom wish to go with you. Otherwise your presence will here will only enflame and interrupt the wheels of our peace plan'.

With wild shaggy blonde hair and brown eyes, the second person placed a hand on the King's shoulder and induced a comforting embrace.

'Also… when you arrive on Kítrino; and after you've blanked the "survivors" memories of everything, can I ask that you remove the rank of Colonel from your remaining army. This will ensure that the honorary rank used by Titan shifters comes to an end'.

Smiling with fondness and gratitude in his eyes the King embraced his friend as he relied wistfully.

'You will forever be my loyal friend and companion…' he uttered wistfully. 'Thank you, Francis. I will make all whom reside with me on the Island forget the folly of the past. They will never again know of nor will ever believe or follow the old imperial way'.

Across the short distance of mud and stone, the last Imperial Monarch walked towards several people; all equally dressed in fine clothes as himself but all chained together. And with a sad smile his face he placed a hand on the bound man's shoulder.

'I'm sorry old friend…' the monarch remarked tearfully as he placed a hand upon Viceroy Cherwell's shoulder. 'But for the sake of humanities salvation; and the end of the Eldian Empire, the Ashanti family must become the enemy of hope. I know you fought against us on this, but there is no other alternative for the people's of the world to move past these tragic centuries of death and subjugation'.

Turning away from his former viceroy, King Fritz addressed the man he'd called Francis in a stern yet admirably warm manner.

'By the way… please stop using the colonial name for that island', rubbing his hand on his chin, deep in thought; King Fritz came up with a new name for the uninhabited island.

'From this day onwards your descendants, all of Marley and the rest of the world - plus all of my exiled citizens - shall call it Paradis'.

Rubbing his head in pain, and wincing as the fragment memory concluded, Eren felt wet tears on his face - almost as if he himself had been their in the memory - physically feeling the viceroy's emotions reacting to the King's words.

Continuing to stare blankly at Reiner and Bertolt, yet lost in the haze of grief and despair of the last viceroy, Eren lowered his head and wiped his eyes on the back of his sleepwear tunic.

However, after a few seconds the boy managed to shake himself free from the immediate feelings of annoyance and refocus his energy back upon his piqued curiosity; originally created by Reiner's statement, and now followed on by the gasp of pain caused by Bertolt sharply kicking his friend.

"Why did you say Colonel?" Eren enquired. "As far as I know that rank isn't used in service anymore? It's ceremonial. I didn't miss anything important in our recent military theory lecture did I?"

Glancing back over towards the other two boys, Eren frowned as he saw Reiner's face pale as well as a subtle flinch from Bertolt.

"Yeah... that's true", Bertolt spoke carefully. "The rank of Colonel is purely ceremonial but unlike commanders who have earned their rank through experience and knowledge, colonels were typically from the nobility".

"The rank isn't used anymore", Reiner stated grinningly. "Sorry for confusing you, Eren. It's probably best you forget about that".

Frowning as he looked over the neighbour-but-one bunk bed with its blonde haired male occupant sitting upright whom was rubbing his right leg from where Bertolt had just kicked him - Eren couldn't help but feel further cheated, it was almost as if Reiner had let inadvertently let something slip.

Sighing, however, Eren knew that even if his intuition was right and Reiner wasn't telling the whole truth then that didn't necessarily mean he would understand what wasn't being said.

Staring at the frown on the green eyed boy's face as he tried to work whether or not Reiner's blunder had amounted to anything dangerously suspicious or anxiety provokingly confusion, Bertolt only saw mere gratitude and tiredness in those emerald orbs.

"It's commandant…" Eren replied wearily, deciding to let his confusion go. "Shadis isn't a commander, he's a commandant".

As if a light bulb of horrified recognition flashed on in his brain, Reiner went very pale and immediately dropped his head in his hands. "Dammit!" He heard brawny boy growled under his breath, "not now… I won't allow myself to fail so easily".

Gently patting his fellow warrior on the shoulder, Bertolt extended a smile towards the still frowning Eren so that he could ensure his suspicions and/or confusions were abated.

"Sorry Eren…" Bertolt responded slowly. "One of our neighbours was a former military man who died saving our lives… as a result of us leaving our home. Thus Reiner has some pretty deep emotional scars".

Eyes instantly widening as he looked back at Reiner, Eren ran a hand across his face and sighed. "I get it…" he spoke roughly. "One of the adults back home was a soldier… I wouldn't call us friends exactly, but I did care about him".

Thinking about how he had not even once thought about Mister Hannes, Eren but the inside of his cheek and silently pledged to find the man whom had saved him and Mikasa's lives.

"He was a drunk", Eren continued, "but he protected me. Even as the people around were being eaten and crushed underfoot by the titans. And I never even forgave him for…"

Calming himself right before tears could threaten to break from his eyes, the boy clenched his fists and punched the wall. "Those who died by titan were given the mercy of a quick death, but those who survived are cursed to live on with the memories of what they witnessed".

With a deep sigh, deciding to heed Reiner's earlier advice, Eren pulled the single blanket over him and prepared to settle back into his bunk for any sleep that would avail itself to him. Oblivious to the horrified expressions on both Reiner and Bertolt's faces.

"I'm sorry for your loss…" Eren murmured softly from within his cocoon of blankets; not quite sure if the other two had heard or were even still listening to him. "And I'm sure that your friend didn't regret giving his life in exchange for you living on".

Pausing slightly, Eren rolled over and looked back towards Bertolt. "I read in a book recently about how one shouldn't 'look for a reason behind someone's kindness', as you'll be discomforted and anxious around other people going forwards".

"Instead you should never forget the people you've met in your life… and carry the memories of those who gave up something for you and have thus left you behind with you until your final breath".

Before either Bertolt or Reiner could respond, Eren had reached out his left hand and pinched his thumb and index finger over the flame of his bedside candle - plunging their section of the room into equal darkness as the rest of the shared male sleeping quarters.

With their conversation effectively ended all they could do was stare, surprised by the poignant words Eren had just uttered. And for the first time since they'd smashed down Wall Maria, Bertolt and Reiner felt truly thankful that someone... anyone really, had spoken to them with such understanding.

And even though they knew that their honesty wasn't real, they still understood that the mission within Paradis was going to end at some point. So whenever they found the 'cursed' Founding Titan they made a silent promise to always be grateful to Eren for the kindness he'd shown them.

Marley was their home.

Commander Magath, as well as all the other Marlyean officers, plus their own parents, had taught them that the 'mainland eldians' - those left behind - were good. Whist Paradis was land roamed by unrepentant devils.

The descendants of those whom refused to surrender and continued to live as imperial loyalists whom were ready and willing to; whenever necessary, to resurrect the old Empire at the whims of the King.

"Viceroy Cherwell..."

Just as Bertolt and Reiner had lain down they heard a low voice murmur a name that they had been indoctrinated to both disdain and hate.

"The betrayers will never escape the Dark Aria".

Feeling a chill run down their spines, both warriors exhaled slowly and quietly, as to not make it known to Eren that they had heard - and were extremely perturbed by his words.

And yet, that was exactly the reaction that Eren wanted to rise from them as he now had proof that he was right. 'They're hiding something…' he mused, glowering into the darkness. 'And I'm gonna find out what'.

"How…" Bertolt whispered demurely. "How does he know that name? All mention of that family has been erased from Marleyean society, only military folk are taught the history".

"We need to keep our eyes on Eren…" Reiner replied; gruffly, his voice quiet but filled with concern. "The Tyburs supposedly keep an extremely tight lid on where the Ashanti family are kept".

"If we ever see the warchief again then we can ask him", Bertolt stated plainly. "Both he and Eren share the same surname, so they could be different branches of the same family that chose opposing factions a century ago".

"Either way…" Reiner concluded, "Our objective remains the same. We must find the coordinate and bring it home. After that, I don't care, what happens".

N.B.

I do not know military rankings. But being a colonel sounds more impressive than a commander or commandant.