In Paradise, everything was as normal and ordinary as any other day, although somewhat cloudy. Today, February 3rd, 843, to be more precise, was a special day. It marked the second expedition outside the walls of the year, something that excited few and not so many. However, this time would be different, as it would be the first exploration led by Keith Shadis as the commander of the Survey Corps. But that didn't change the feeling of most. It would be another waste of time and another loss of human lives; they had seen this hundreds of times already. By now, the spirit of freedom had been crushed by a sad truth: the Titans were far superior to them.

Den Katz, a young boy with brown hair and dark eyes, observed the group of explorers along with a woman, someone everyone knew as Ela Kazt, his mother. Among all the explorers leaving Shiganshina, one tall man with brown hair caught Den's attention. He didn't hesitate to greet his father with great excitement.

"Dad!" he shouted, raising his hand, while his mother gave a small smile. Will immediately recognized his son.

"Den, behave yourself. When I come back, I'll take you to see the Rose Wall, as I promised," said Will as he walked past his son. Den appeared fascinated and nodded sweetly.

"Hey, Mom, when are we going to move to live in the Rose Wall?" Den asked excitedly. Ela looked at her son with a small smile.

"Den, it's very difficult to get a house in the Rose Wall, but your father insists that in a week, we'll get one," Ela said. "Now finish eating."

"But I don't understand why I hardly see Dad," the boy said, somewhat less cheerful.

"Remember that your dad is a soldier in the Survey Corps. He has little free time, and the base of the Survey Corps is in the Rose Wall. That's why he insists that we move there to live with him," Ela replied. Den looked at her with a look of understanding and began to eat. When he finished, his mother looked at him.

"Den, go buy some groceries," Ela said, handing him a list. Den eagerly agreed and ran off to the marketplace.

(1 month earlier)

Will had visited his family, and after dinner, he decided to take his son Den out to have a conversation that he felt obligated to have with him. He never knew when it would be their final goodbye; after all, he was an explorer.

"Den, tell me, why do you think we live within these walls?" Will asked his son, who seemed thoughtful, then responded with a smile.

"To protect ourselves from those huge creatures called Titans," the boy said.

"Well, you're right, but it's a bit more complex than that," Will said, earning the boy's attention. "We've been living in these walls for over 100 years. It is said that a long time ago, humans lived peacefully outside the walls, exploring places. It's said there were huge mountains covered in snow, hot places filled with sand called deserts, and the most impressive thing, an enormous site full of water, a sea that seemed infinite." The boy smiled and seemed fascinated by his father's story.

"That sounds amazing!" Will smiled at his son's innocence and continued his story.

"Human life was very peaceful, until one day, out of nowhere, they appeared—giant beasts that caused a great extinction and forced us to build these walls. Den, in these walls, there is the blood of thousands of people who gave their lives to build them. Den, when you grow up, you might see these walls as a kind of prison, but that would be disrespecting the people who died so that we could have a future. In the Survey Corps, we fight to keep giving humanity hope. Even though it's hard, we have to do it. If we defeat the Titans, we can enjoy all that water from the sea or those places full of sand. We strive as hard as we can to achieve victory."

"Your job is amazing, Dad. When you defeat the Titans, will you take Mom and me to the sea?" Will couldn't help but laugh at his son's innocence. It felt like hope for the future, and a strength that would motivate him to give it his all.

"Of course, Den. I'm working on that," he said.

"You're awesome. When I grow up, I want to be an explorer like you," the young boy said.

"We'll see about that. I don't think your mother will be too excited about the idea," said Will, ruffling his son's hair.

"Hey, Dad, when will you take me to see the Rose Wall?" Den looked at his father with a happy face.

"Well, I promised your mother that I'd buy a house in the Rose Wall. Maybe after the next expedition outside the walls, I'll take you to see it," Will said to his son.

"You promise?" Den asked excitedly.

"Yes, Den, it's a promise. But now let's get down from the roof. Your mother must be feeling lonely."

(Back to the present)

Den returned home after 10 minutes with the groceries. The second expedition of the year, 843, had left exactly 1 hour and 3 minutes ago. Normally, their return would be near, so Den begged his mother to let him accompany her to see the soldiers returning to Shiganshina. Ela hesitated for a moment, not wanting Den to see the amount of damage the Titans caused, but her instinct screamed that something was wrong. She had never doubted her husband's abilities, but she knew that even the most skilled soldier could be brutally taken down by the Titans at any moment. She always worried about Will and never wanted to risk her life, especially when it seemed her own was nearing its end. Sooner or later, she would have to pass on her power to her son. Explaining this was difficult, so she hoped her son would unlock his memories, just as she had unlocked those of her father. She had worked so hard for Den to enjoy his life that she felt obligated to fulfill his wish, even if it put him in danger.

"Den, it's okay. I'll let you come with me..." The boy's face lit up, and he gave a big smile. Today, he would finally see the heroes after their mission.

A large crowd gathered at the main gate of Shiganshina. Contrary to what Den expected, the people weren't excited. They seemed worried, but he didn't let that dampen his spirits. He grabbed his mother's hand tightly and watched as the main gate of Shiganshina was slowly opened.

Den couldn't explain what he saw. The heroes of humanity appeared to have been brutally crushed. Keith Shadis looked around with evident sadness. Today's second expedition of 843, his first as commander, had been a complete failure. More than 30 soldiers had been brutally crushed. He looked at the necklace in his hand. This was the last thing Will Kazt had given him before leaving the world. Of course, it was his fault for taking too long to make the decision to divide the squads during their retreat, which had led to their own end. But Will had chosen to give his life. It was a foolish question; he was the commander, and it was obvious Will preferred that he survive. Now he had to carry out Will's final wish: to give this necklace to his son. Today, not only one child lost his father, but many people lost their loved ones. Could he pass by without giving them an apology? Even though it wouldn't fix anything?

Shadis raised his gaze, hearing murmurs and devastated civilians. When he saw the few surviving members of the Survey Corps dismounting from their horses and venting, he felt an overwhelming sadness.

"The second expedition of the year 843 has been a failure. Those who fell gave everything for the victory of humanity, but the enemy surpassed us. I..."

Shadis blanked out. He didn't know what to say. Complaints from the civilians soon began to flood in, questioning the functioning of the Legion and calling it a failure, a waste of taxes.

Shadis couldn't stand the ignorance any longer.

"Damn it, do you think we don't suffer? Do you think it's easy to let people we care about die? Have some respect for the fallen and remain silent," he shouted.

Much of the crowd was shocked. Slowly, complaints and murmurs died down.

Shadis held back tears. He let his emotions take over, and this was the cost. He looked at his hand and searched for Ela Katz in the crowd. She seemed perplexed, looking around. It was obvious she was looking for her husband. Shadis noticed that Ela wasn't alone. She had a young boy by her side. It was surely Will's little son, Den Katz. Shadis looked at his hand and the boy for a moment, then hesitated. But it was the last wish of a loyal soldier who gave his life for this cause. How could he refuse to give the boy what belonged to him? With his thoughts clear, Shadis started walking, parting the crowd to reach Ela. A short, black-haired girl who he had seen many times when Will went on missions.

Den had been very shocked by what he saw. The explorers seemed to be falling apart. The people were saying such awful things about them that it was hard to believe what his father had told him. Den was more stunned. He saw his mother looking around in horror.

"Mom?" He didn't get an immediate response. But then, his mother grabbed his hand tighter and put on a devastated look. For Ela, her worst fear had come true. The love of her

life was gone, and now, her son would grow up without his father. Ela's tears began to flow as she slowly turned to face Shadis, who had approached with a solemn expression.

With a slow, steady voice, Shadis spoke, "Ela... Will gave his life for humanity's future. I... I have something that belongs to Den. A promise, from Will."

He handed her the necklace that Will had once worn, the one that had been his last gift. Ela took it with trembling hands, her tears staining her face as she nodded silently. She tried to hold herself together, but the weight of the moment was too .

Author's note: Thank you for supporting the first part of this story, it is a great motivation to keep creating. I want to let you know that I am not from a country where English is spoken; I am just starting to learn, and if you notice any mistakes, I ask for your patience as I will keep improving. Thank you for reading this.