The brothers
The fresh winds announced the arrival of spring over Liberio, gracing its inhabitants without distinction. In a garden below, a blond boy read a letter with great excitement, oblivious to the world around him.
"How cool!" The child exclaimed with admiration about the places described in the letter, wishing one day he, his mother, and the author would go together to see these places.
With his undivided attention on the letters, the young man did not hear the screams directed at him, until a grown woman with the same blond hair as him came before him. "Reiner, I've been screaming at you for several minutes! Go quickly, get ready, we'll go to an important place today," the woman said quickly and headed home, leaving young Reiner curious, who soon got up and followed his mother.
Arriving at his home, Reiner faced a sight he had not seen in a long time. His mother, who was always tired due to overwork, was now smiling and making food that he only ate when there were special events.
"Hurry Reiner, go get ready, the food is almost ready and as soon as you get ready we will go to the station" His mother's speech took him out of his torpor and made him think about what was happening.
"Mom, what happened?" Reiner asked his mother, curious about the situation.
Hearing her son's question, she stopped stirring the spoon in the pan, turned to him with a gentle look, and went towards him. "My son, the war is over!" After saying these words, she hugged her son and cried.
Reiner, who was in shock after hearing his mother's words, began to cry with happiness and hugged his mother tightly, staying together in that state for almost a minute. After recovering from his emotional state and with the great news, young Reiner quickly headed to his room! He needed to get ready soon.
The mother watched her son run to the room happily and went back to stirring the food.
"The war is over" These words resounded in his agitated mind, as he searched for his best outfit to welcome the one who had left almost a year ago! The person he admired the most, and who taught him everything he knew, was his older brother Ludwig Braun.
If there was one person who could be called a hero in the world it would be his brother, he always helped everyone in Liberio, if there was an Eldian who had nothing to eat, he would share his food and give it to those who needed it, but such kindness only brought trouble to him, a story his mother told him.
A group of Eldian restorers tried to recruit him to their cause, but his brother knew that this cause was madness and declined the offer. Unfortunately, this only made the group want to retaliate against his brother, accusing him of being an "enemy of the homeland". Fortunately, the group was denounced by the son of one of the members of the group, thus sealing their fate, a trip to Paradis.
Fortunately, that was a long time ago, his brother became a remarkable warrior and managed to make our family honorary Marleyans, but for some reason, he did not inherit any of the seven titans, which generated doubt about the warrior program, but Reiner knew the reason for such a decision. A gift that no titan could replicate.
This was one of the reasons he admired his brother even more, even though he had power he decided to serve and help people, anyone else would only think of himself, but he put others in front of him, such an action touched him deep down from his soul and he wanted to know why his brother was like that with everyone. "A hero of justice always helps those in need" A hero, is what he wished to be, but with his brother's success as a warrior he had forgotten that dream, but seeing his brother facing the world alone, the flame of a hero was rekindled within him! He didn't need to save the world, he could simply help his brother carry the weight and to be with him there was only one way, which was to become the armored titan warrior.
He longed to meet his brother again, to show him that now he could be by his side, fighting Marley's enemies, and one day the two would end the demons that caused pain in all of humanity. Perhaps in this way, our father looks at us and the mother's dream of a happy family comes true.
With thoughts about his brother and his rush to find his clothes, Reiner didn't notice the time passing quickly.
"Phew, I finally found it!" Glad to have found her best outfit, a gift she received from her mother and brother on her ninth birthday, a simple white shirt with beautiful stitching, quickly put it on, but discovered a problem.
Only twelve months passed, but his blouse was already tight on his body, his mother said he was growing, but should it be so fast was it absurd?
"Focus, Reiner! It's just a tight outfit, you're a warrior, a mere tight outfit won't make you give in." His grimace in the reflection in the mirror said otherwise, but he wouldn't disappoint his mother and brother, he would be presentable.
With renewed focus and determination, Reiner finished getting ready and rushed to meet his mother in the kitchen.
"How..." Reiner looked at his mother, upset at how this was possible, his mother had not been tidy for a few minutes and was making the food, but in such a short time the house was already clean, food served, and she was waiting for him already arranged in the chair at the table.
"You took too long Reiner, the train should already be arriving at the station, we have to be at the gate in a few minutes," his mother spoke impatiently and headed for the door.
Reiner soon joined his mother, not wanting to be late, but something caught Reiner's attention. Since they moved to the Marleyan part of Liberio, there would always be two guards at the door of their residence, Albert and Michael.
The two guards were always very serious and never talked to him and his mother, but he felt that they were not bad people.
"Have you forgotten Reiner? Marleyans also go to war, today is an opportunity for Eldians as well as Marleyans to meet the people they love, who left to fight in the war" His mother spoke, already knowing what was going through her son's mind, with a slight look. On the street, several people were heading towards the station.
Reiner was quiet when he heard his mother's words, his brother always said that the sins of his people were too heavy to atone for, but that because they recognized their sins they should do differently and become better than their ancestors, they should fight to protect the world that was so hurt by their people.
Even knowing this, his brother never agreed with the treatment that the Eldians suffered in Marley, much to our mother's dismay.
Eldians and Marleyans were the same, he said, both loved, hated, suffered, lived and died. Why couldn't they live together in harmony? But his brother always said this only to him, never sharing such words with his mother, knowing the consequences it would bring.
The walk to the gate that divided the zones was silent, Reiner was immersed in the words his mother spoke. In a few minutes they reached their destination, a crowd of their fellow men was on the other side, contrasting with the small amount of people who were on their side of the wall.
His and his mother's arrival turned the eyes of Eldians and Marleyans to them, an anomaly that should not occur, Eldians should never be by the side of the Marleyans. Even after a year on the Marleyan side, Reiner knew, deep down, that he, his mother, and brother would never be welcome there. For him, it was okay, beings descended from the devil deserve to be hated, but as long as he was with his family, all the hatred aimed at them would not be a problem.
"Tsc, what were the military thinking of allowing Eldian scum the opportunity to live in the Marleyan zone" A man of average height spoke, not bothering to say such a thing out loud.
"Absurd, I know, how they can let such freaks live near our children!" A middle-aged woman agreed, her eyes full of hatred staring at mother and son.
Reiner and his mother bowed their heads at the same moment, not daring to respond to the insults directed at them.
The pair were silent and with their heads down, each Marleyan who arrived at the gate added one more insult to the pair, each being worse than the other.
"Mom, we can go the other way," Reiner spoke quietly to his mother, worried that his mother might be affected by the name-calling directed at them.
His mother looked at him with a blank, dead look and said, "Why would we go there? Now we are Marleyans, these insults must be for the Eldians on the other side" After saying such words, she turned her dead gaze to the ground.
"But mom and ours-" Before Reiner could respond to his mother, he heard footsteps of a person coming close, and as soon as he identified the person, his attitude changed. He promptly raised his head, puffed out his chest, and saluted the person who had just arrived. His face showed no emotion.
A tall man with stiff features joined the mother-son duo, his military uniform and rugged build making him stand out from the civilians present.
"Liberated, Braun warrior" The uniformed man commanded, his voice showing no emotion, his eyes assessing the pair.
The young man stepped out of his salute position after being released by his commander, but remained in readiness, ready to follow any order directed at him by the man.
Assessing Reiner's composure, the man gave a faint smile, glad that he was always ready, even in civilian clothes, taking his eyes off the duo, but remaining by his side.
"I imagine you two are here to welcome Ludwig" The man asked, his eyes turned to the crowd of Eldians and Marleyans in front of him.
"Yes, we are waiting for the return of my brother, Commander Magath! Did you also come to receive a person who was in the war?" Reiner only realized later that he shouldn't have asked his commander what he was doing there. His body trembling slightly after realizing the mistake.
"Well, Reiner accompany me, your mother can return to your house" Margath said dryly, with her hands clasped behind her back and waited for the young man.
Reiner's mother was surprised by the command, but soon got a hint of anger at the command, how could she leave for her house? She had to receive her child, but before she could say anything, Reiner spoke first.
"Mother, obey the commander! He will understand if we are not here! You served the food earlier, better heat it so he can eat the hot food, right?" Reiner spoke kindly to his mother, he was not happy about it, but they had to obey the commander's order.
"Yes, yes, I'd better leave the hot food for when he arrives" The woman stopped herself in time after hearing her son's words. Hugging his son and saying goodbye, returning to his home.
The commander observes the scene without showing any emotion and remaining with a rigid posture.
"Can we leave now, commander?" Reiner addressed the commander, ready to follow his command.
"Yes, we will!" With Reiner by his side, the commander ordered the guards to open the gate that separated the sides, confusing Reiner, after all why would they go to the Eldian side?
The crowd of Eldians opened a path for the two to pass, their faces full of curiosity and fear, after all, what would an army commander and a warrior want there?
The pair walked silently through the narrow streets of the Eldian zone, the two catching the attention of the resident Eldians, as it was the first time a Marleyan commander had walked among them, but the main one was a familiar face! Reiner Braun.
More than a year ago he and his mother were sent to the Marleyan zone, many thought that they had been imprisoned or worse, sent to the island of demons. His presence here and well cared for meant only one thing, they were living in the Marleyan zone! An Eldian living with the Marleyans!
"Answer me honestly, Reiner, do you miss this place?" The commander asked, looking indifferently at the people who whispered about them.
Reiner was confused about the commander's question, after all, he never worried about what the warrior candidates felt, all that mattered was the result they could get from the training and how beneficial they would be to the nation. For him to receive such a personal question, there was only one answer!
"Is it a test? I became the armored titan warrior recently, the commander must be testing my loyalty, I can't fail now!" Reiner already knew the only answer to his commander.
"No, sir, my house is now in the Marleyan zone with my family, and to pay for this privilege I must do my duty to Marley!' With complete confidence I answered the question, since I didn't miss the old house, I only had good memories with my brother" The commander stands with his face dead, showing no emotion, as if the answer surprised him not at all, and it seemed that he expected that answer.
After the answer, the commander did not ask anything else, the silence returning between the two.
"We have arrived" The commander said, his eyes and his features now showing affection, but something closer about it than anything, surprising me, after all, he was a Marleyan commander, why would he show respect in an Eldian cemetery?
"Have you ever visited this place, Reiner?" The commander again asks something personal and that had nothing to do with the army, but as a warrior, he should follow the orders of his commander.
"Yes, my brother and I helped the gravedigger of the cemetery to organize and clean the place, with the constant wars the gravedigger was overloaded and was not able to handle it alone" I did not tell him that at first, I thought it was morbid, but over time I could see the beauty in such an action.
The commander smiled after my answer, apparently pleased with what he heard. "
Come, let's pay respect to a good warrior today" He went inside the cemetery, but the objective way he went to a specific grave, showed that it had not been his first time there.
"Only Eldians are buried here, why would he respect anyone here?" The commander's actions made no sense, but I must follow his orders and show respect to the person buried here.
After a brief walk, we arrived at the tomb he was looking for, the tomb was new, showing that it had been made recently.
"Ymir's curse, after inheriting one of the nine titans the bearer's life will only last for thirteen more years, every thirteen years new warriors are born, and the old ones die, tell me Reiner, did you know the past warrior who carried the titan that now resides in you?" The commander asked as he looked at the unknown tomb.
The question took Reiner by surprise, never expecting such a question to be asked of him, as it was common knowledge that some memories of the old bearer would be transferred to the new one. The memories were more glimpses of certain events than true memories, so much so that Reiner only saw memories of endless war from the former wielder, never knowing his true name.
"I have never met her, sir! I only contacted him when there was the armored titan transfer ceremony, due to the bearer being very close to completing his thirteenth birthday, he was no longer able to communicate, in addition to always being on the front line" I answered honestly, since even with the memories I received, there were few memories with him in his human form The commander shook his head slightly, seeming to accept my answer.
"I see, Thomas has always been a dedicated warrior who lived for duty, his only flaw as a soldier was that he was born an Eldian, but even though he was born as a monster, he accepted the duty of being the shield of this nation and fulfilled it successfully until the end of his short life" The commander spoke, no mocking tone in his voice, but respect for the life of the warrior who fought for Marley.
Facing me, the commander with his sharp eyes assessed me, the pressure of his gaze being frightening and the environment of the cemetery making everything worse.
"Thomas is gone, the old shield replaced by a new one, but I wonder, will you be able to live up to the expectations that the higher-ups place on you? Your brother has already exceeded expectations, they expect at least equal or superior results. Just now, you answered me that you would pay Marley for the privilege that your family has, but will you do your duty knowing that millions will die for your happiness?" Such direct words strike an unsuspecting Reiner.
The young warrior, standing still after such words, saw the truth of his situation coming out, he was now a warrior, and as a result, many people would die at his hands. Even knowing this, he continued until he inherited the armored titan, he couldn't leave his brother alone on the battlefield and most importantly, he would make his mother smile again, and they would be a happy family with his father, and his brother became Marley's two heroes.
The words were harsh, but he got here, there was only one way, to move on!
"Ho" The commander let out a sound of derision, surprised by the young man's quick recovery in front of him.
"Yes, I have long known what it means to become a warrior, I will do my duty just like my brother, maybe the world will become a better place somehow, but the most important thing is that my family will be happy, and I will do my duty to the nation" I replied confidently to the commander, hoping that this would be enough, But due to his lack of reaction, he was probably not convinced, so he only had one solution!
"That brat Ludwig influenced his younger brother so much, not that it's bad, such devotion is useful," Margath thought, analyzing the words full of conviction that the young man in front of her spoke.
"But the big question is, to this day he has never demonstrated the same special abilities as his brother, with the success of the operations involving Ludwig, it is natural that the high command would desire more warriors with such skills, it would be a shame to lose such a suitable warrior out of mere greed" The pressure for Reiner to demonstrate such skills never reached him, since his brother always kept the focus on him, but everything changed when Reiner inherited the armored titan, the power of the titans plus the ability to create weapons beyond human comprehension was too tempting, the high command would not stop until they had what they wanted.
This unbridled greed could no longer be contained by Ludwig, Reiner must demonstrate the same skills or an uncertain fate awaited him.
"He'd make a good soldier, it's a shame he had a freak like broth-" Margath's thoughts stopped, her eyes wide at the scene ahead, a smile adorning her face.
"The commander said that I should meet the expectations of the superiors, I hope this is enough to demonstrate my loyalty and meet their expectations" His hands and arms glowed with greenish golden stripes, picking up a stone a little larger than his hand, and he simply squeezed. The stone explodes into several pieces with a simple squeeze.
"Damn Ludwig, hiding your secrets so well, but I can't deny that you're a good brother, you've protected him all this time, but the time for protection is over!" Already thinking about the most effective ways to use the warrior in front of him for Marley's benefit.
"I hope this is enough, commander" Reiner said to him, but after he finished speaking, he closed his eyes and fell on his back.
"No, you can't die here, there's a lot you have to do" The commander rushed to check on the young man, who had only passed out, to his relief.
"And to think that I'm worrying about the life of an Eldian, but at least this one is worth it, just like you Thomas" The young man in front of him had apparently only fainted from fatigue, but he was doing well.
Having carried Reiner into a corner, the commander returned to Thomas's grave.
"You served well, you always followed orders and even saved my life, in these thirteen years you never asked for anything, until the day you died, I hope you are now happy next to your parents" After paying a small tribute, he placed what appeared to be a necklace on the grave.
The commander, after finishing his tribute, turned to the young man, sitting next to him, waiting for him to regain consciousness.
"Oh, what is that smell," Reiner said, confused as to why he was lying on the floor and smelling smoke so close. Finding the answer by turning her head to the side and seeing Commander Margath smoking a cigarette, her mind became clear about what had happened.
"I apologize commander, this will no longer happen!" In desperation, the young man stood up and saluted. His white clothes, now dirty and full of stains, did not match the young man's serious appearance.
"Released, warrior" The commander spoke, this time with a gentle expression on his face, seeming to be happy.
"Come on, you were unconscious for a few hours, your mother and brother must be waiting for you" After finishing speaking he started to head towards the exit of the cemetery.
Suddenly I realized that the sun was no longer in the sky, but a full moon illuminated the sky of Liberio. With no time to waste, I followed the commander out of the cemetery.
We started to make the same way back to the gate that separated the zones, but instead of a quiet street due to the time, there were many people on the street, singing and eating food with what appeared to be soldiers, but the banners on their arms clearly showed that they were Eldians.
"Naturally, they celebrate, they fought in the war and managed to come out alive and victorious, as much as they are Eldians, this small celebration is something they deserve" The commander spoke, answering my questions, without even looking at me, already knowing what was going on in my mind.
We quickly arrived at the gate, the crowd had long since left, they must have been celebrating with their returned relatives or crying for not returning. Now, the only people there are them and the guards.
With a slight swing of his hand towards the guards, it was enough for them to obey and open the gate for them to pass.
After moving a little away from the gate, I wanted to quickly say goodbye to the commander and run towards my house, after all my brother should have been home a long time ago!
"I think this distance is enough, they would be punished if they left their position at this time of night for an eldian child" The commander spoke to himself, I was confused about what he was talking about, after all, there was no person on the street
"You are free, Reiner Braun, your anxious face already shows that you are desperate to walk slowly, you can go find your brother" The commander's words activated a trigger in my mind, I quickly saluted and ran towards my house as fast as I could.
"He hasn't even said goodbye, I'm going to put an extra load on his training next week, I can't let my warriors be undisciplined" The commander's words were not heard by Reiner, but in his run towards his home, he felt a chill down his spine.
With the good physical size and rigorous training that the young man was going through, it took only a few minutes for him to arrive at his house, greeting his sight were the two guards who returned to their post, their faces closed and silent as always, but Reiner could see two dirty plates of food next to him and that only cheered up his spirits even more.
Greeting the two guards, I headed into the house, the smell of food entering my nose and making my belly growl.
Opening the door, I came across a wonderful scene. The table was full of food he had never seen, there was even chocolate, something so wonderful, that he only ate once in his life.
"You took so long to get here, Reiner, Mom and I were starting to worry, what about this laundry? Did you invent to roll around in the garden again?" A gentle male voice entered his ears, fully recognizing the voice he missed so much.
The origin of the voice is a young man with red hair and golden eyes just like his, this person being his brother Ludwig.
"Earth to Reiner, are you okay?" Ludwig asked me, worried that something might have happened to him, but Reiner's reaction took him by surprise.
The child ran to hug his older brother and said.
"Welcome back, brother"