-Chapter 36: The Shifting Sands-
Change. If there was one word to describe the plethora of events that had transpired in young Ymir's odd, and tumultuous life, was change. Of course, her purpose in life never changed, but the places she found herself in constantly shifted. From the drudges of the slave pens to the decorative palace of her master, to the hastily dug grave, where her remains of her mortal shell were disposed, and forgotten.
Even now, in the seemingly endless dunes of this timeless realm, she was still susceptible to the winds of change. All thanks in part to the traveler from beyond.
Even before his arrival, the foreign powers that he wielded made themselves very much known. She could still remember the thunderous force that sent her to the ground when those energies rampaged across the sands the first time they manifested.
Like an infection, its influence began to spread further into the land, slowly but surely. It first began with the sands themselves, as strands rose and danced in the air around her, forming figures both completely unrecognizable and alien, and some she knew all too well.
But these anomalies were only mere appetizers to the greater courses that were to be served.
In time more powerful waves would surge periodically across the paths, turning the otherworldly realm into something more…otherworldly, even by its own standards.
Parts of the land cracked and separated, drifting off high into the air, creating a sea of islands in the heavens.
The starry sky above, once a beautiful azure cosmic realm, changed into new yet familiar visages. From clear newborn days, violent maelstroms, and beautiful auroras of all manner of colors, some she had never seen when she still truly breathed.
The stars themselves soon formed into a variety of new and awe-inspiring constellations, to her wonder and confusion.
As time passed those floating isles soon became the birthplace of new structures and biomes. From foreign floras and soils that overgrew the land they floated on, to constructs and towering spires that nearly rivaled the great lights of the paths themselves.
It was all so…startling, yet fascinating to the young Fritz. Yet despite these changes, she found herself continuing her servitude whenever her powers were invoked, that certainly didn't change whatsoever. She simply had to bear this new reality, as she'd done so before.
But after his arrival, all manner of things began to change, whether for better or for worse, was still to be determined as things were not so clear anymore.
The moment he had appeared it seemed as if the foreign powers influence further increased, as if it had been waiting for him. Every action he made against her children caused ripples in the paths, turning what were once stable and predetermined events to shift to unpredictable and uncertain roads.
It was then that she saw more ripples in the light of the paths. Strands of light would be erased, signifying the demise of that soul. The stings of those losses would be felt through her, a feeling she never believed to be able to feel once again.
Soon another feeling began to grow inside her, the feeling of…curiosity, desperate, lip-biting, curiosity. She wanted to know, had to know, who was the being that had turned her world upside down.
So in those scarce moments when she didn't have to create she saw the living world through the eyes of her children, curious to see the one that had made himself know to their world.
It was then that her curiosity turned to fear.
She saw him briefly through the eyes of her descendant, a sight forever extinguished by the weapon he wielded. His hatred filled eyes and sickening grin as he shouted in foreign tongues and launched his club towards her descendant's head would haunt her now and forever. Made even worse when she felt a shocking pain course through her head.
For the first time in that timeless void did she find her voice, in the form of a pain-filled shriek that echoed across the dunes and ever shifting sky.
The foreign forces infesting the Paths would respond in kind. As if celebrating the loss of her progeny another wave of powerful energies would be unleashed, causing the young Ymir to collapse onto the sands. She grasped her head and grinded her teeth together, trying her hardest to fight through the aching pains in her head.
And just as they began to subside…
She would feel a horrid sensation shoot through the left side of her body. It felt as if her left side was burning while also being torn to shreds at the same time. Her screams turned to wails as her body spasmed, before she curled into herself, trying to simply wait the pain out.
Why, she wondered. Why did she feel this pain? Why now? What had she done to deserve these returned sensations?
As the pain subsided, she slowly opened her eyes once more, which widened quickly at the sight of the paths, specifically at one that was in the process of being erased. She looked on with shock, seeing the warped strand flail and contort as it slowly broke apart and faded away. Only to reform and fall back into its original position in the massive light show, albeit far more faded than before, as if it would collapse once again at any given moment.
It was one of the Nine. Their fate had been altered and brought to uncertainty right before her eyes.
These horrid sensations would only continue further, not as greatly as when the Nine was altered, but each and every time one of her children was slain, by his hands, she would feel it. Every. Single. Time.
She could handle that of course. She'd gone through such abuses once, she could suffer through them again. But what she couldn't quite handle were the images that plagued her mind soon after.
A rotting metropolis of a far future, drowning in seas of fire, death, hatred, and lawlessness…
An army charging across a beach, as streaks of light whizzed pass, bodies dropping into the water or bursting into pieces, as the sounds of explosions and screams are heard from all around…
A duel with a being encased in golden armor among the heavens…
Two groups of metal titans, of all shapes, sizes, and colors, fighting for a cause she didn't know...
A swarm of blood sucking parasites, being set ablaze by the hundreds…
A sky piercing statue brought down to the cheers of thousands below…
A behemoth of a creature, emerging from a throne in the deep dark abyss, staring her down her as its wings expanded…
A large interior with odd music playing up above, and a horde of moaning men and women surrounding her, their sickly faces, milky white eyes, and bloody mouths and clothing all on show as they slowly advanced on her…
A beaten man, his breathing raspy and uneven as he slowly got back up, clutching his stomach and slowly rising to meet the eyes of his foe. His glowing red eyes matching the red on the symbol on his chest, and blood dripping from his mouth…
And a towering crimson demon, slowly rising from a throne of skulls, its eyes burning with rage, as many lesser demons cheered and hollered…
It was all so confusing and maddening as each new sight brought about an ever-increasing pain in her head. All she could do in return for these invasive images was to scream into the void, hoping, praying that somehow, someway, they'd stop.
This would continue for some time, as despite these new hinderances she still had her duties. Like so many times she had to simply endure.
Or so it would seem…
For on a day in that timeless realm, after yet another endless session of constructing her children's bodies and pain induced visions, the young Fritz suddenly rose from the sands, and turned to stare at the light show far beyond. For seemingly hours on end she simply looked on as her head stung with the aftershock of flashes of a life that wasn't hers.
Her shaky hands slowly formed into fists, and her eyes, once void of all life whatsoever, were now filled with a new maddened determination. Taking one small step after another she began to make her way across the sands, and towards the greenery that had now surrounded the once vast deserts.
While unbeknownst to her however was that she wasn't the only one residing in this realm. As from among one of the many dunes, far beyond her sight, did a group materialize from the sands themselves.
And watched as the young Fritz ventured off, following the sandy trail into the wild yonder…
A/N: An that's a wrap for year 846, taking it back to where it all began, just in time for the story's second year anniversary! Honestly I had this chapter ready a while ago, but I thought releasing it on the 6th would be appropriate, considering who the main focus this chapter is on.
As we see not only is Maverick causing changes for the land of Paradis, but is also having a serious effect on the Paths themselves and in its sole occupant, as it seems that little Ymir is going on a little trip to God knows where. It also seems that she's not alone in the realm, as some newcomers have made themselves at home. Who are they? What do they want? Are they friends or foes? Time will tell.
This is something I probably should have alluded to much earlier throughout the chapters this year, to show the results of Mav's borderline interference in the stories original plot, but for some reason I never found a moment to include it, even as a little tease at the end or something. Especially as this chapter is important to what I have planned for the upcoming year in the story.
847 will hopefully be a more exciting year, as Mav and the gang will be getting into the thick of it by truly going out and exploring the world outside their walls, and dealing with the dangers that come with the Survey Corps' desire to touch grass.
Lastly I just want to thank you all, my readers old and new, for sticking with me throughout these last two years. Really means a ton that many still enjoy my work. Hope I can keep you all entertained as Maverick's story continues, hopefully until the end, and maybe beyond.
As always, thanks for reading and hope to see you all in the next chapter!
-Idea for Season 2 Closing Credits-
Closing Theme: Yuugure No Tori
The scene begins with a series of torches lighting up with blue flames, illuminating two walls filled to the brim with artworks and artifacts of a certain someone's grandiose life.
An ancient series of Mesopotamian murals is shown, depicting a small figure standing before the gods of that world, a horned deity showing greater interest. It's followed by more works showing the figure's triumphs throughout the land, such as a journey for blessed weapons, a duel against a figure masked in living shadows, and a battle against a monstrous mass, all in the company of a winged half man-half bull, seemingly appearing from behind the figure.
An ancient fresco painting is then shown depicts a battle worn warrior standing before a group of cowering demonic figures. From behind is the figure of a Cherubim, wielding a flaming double handed blade, its many wings expanding and faces lit, seemingly bathing the warrior in light.
The scene then changes to an assortment of armors and artifacts of varying time periods and different worlds. The main piece of interest is a massive suit of armor, its dark blue paint worn and chipped, but still armed to the brim with an assortment of arm and shoulder mounted weapons. Shots show some interesting markings done on the armor such as the multitude of alien skull cross bones, crossed out vessels, and the phrase "I GOT YA GREAT JOURNEY RIGHT HERE" written on the arm mounted gatling gun.
A statue of a decorated warrior is shown, armed with two massive gauntlets, shoulder mounted weaponry, and an iron halo with points displayed outwards. From underneath the large, spiked corpse of a fallen astartes the figure stands over is a single name and title; Saint Maverick, Hero of Cadia.
The scene then shows a multitude of artifacts from the era of Ancient Rome. The first is an artwork depicting the image of a decorated Murmillo gladiator fighting four other gladiators of varying types inside the Colosseum, with greater figures observing from above the clouds. Further works shows the gladiator fighting alongside the legions against the enemies of Rome, and communing with the gods. A near intact sculpture of the same Murmillo is shown, standing atop a slain feline of unusually large size and a half naked barbarian. The third and last piece is a small figurine of the fighter, with the name "Vas Martis" engraved into its stand.
Further on its revealed that the Roman era is but one half of a greater lifetime, as the other side shows a series of Egyptian artifacts, with the wall hieroglyphics depicting ships arriving to the land, among the arrivals the gladiator. The wall shows the arena fighter fighting against a multitude of warriors and beasts of the new land, with beast headed deities observing from high above. Further glyphs depict the warrior in communion with these deities, especially that of one with the head of a falcon. The last of the glyphs show the warrior standing alongside a woman, joined by their respective forces and deities, in celebration of their union.
A grand mural, covered in blue and red handprints, symbols, and phrases and words of worship depicts a massive following of people either bowing or raising their arms in praise of two glowing figures centered, with a large a seemingly prosperous city in the background. Above the two are two icons: a cross with four smaller crosses and a flaming bird respectively. From behind the city is a large mountain displaying an "A" shaped icon.
We then see an early 20th century military uniform on display, modified with all manner of extra padding and armor, with a few bullet holes still shown. Alongside it is weapons ranging from a heavily decorated shotgun, a wrist mounted machine gun, and a pristine round shield, with stars decorating its exterior.
The scene switches to another series of wall art, each showing a battle between six warriors facing against a flaming green giant. The first shows the standoff, followed by one of the warriors charging ahead and dueling with the giant, a glow emanating that rivaled and seemingly overpowering the beasts' fiery green aura. The last piece shows the glowing warrior standing atop the now slain giant, its body burning away into ashes, with the five other warriors standing alongside him, each holding a weapon or armor piece high above.
Other epic art pieces include the glowing warrior's fight against a black winged being in a darkened realm, blasting away at a hybrid abomination of flesh and metal, a duel of fisticuffs with a white armored goliath, slaying a beast inside a corrupted regal realm, a vicious melee between two gods of war, and a cosmic level fight between two beings, both the embodiments of light and dark.
As the song comes to an end the scene shows a Renaissance piece showing our hero resting upon a hill, in the nude. He holds his hand out to a figure in the clouds, the Almighty Father himself, who holds out his own hand as well, their fingers nearly touching. However the scene backs away to show that God is not alone, as there are a multitude of other deities descending from above, eager to touch the finger of the man who would become a demigod.
The final shot shows the artwork in its entirety, still yet to be completed…