Elden Tybur, a young boy of about nine years old, with blonde hair and light eyes, had been selected to be the new bearer of the greatest power in the nation of Marley: the War Hammer Titan. Unlike his predecessors, his case would be different. His Titan power would be used to fulfill a very important mission for his nation: to recover the Founding Titan.
(A week ago)
The high-ranking officials of Marley and the Tybur family had held a crucial meeting.
—Sagred Tybur is the current bearer of the War Hammer Titan. His life will end in two years —said Arnold Tybur, the current head of the family.
Teo Magath looked firmly at Arnold. —Arnold, the Tyburs are honorary Eldians in Marley for their support in the fight against the demons and their help in defeating them and sending them to the island of Paradis —said Magath.
Arnold and the other Tyburs remained silent, listening attentively. —Their rights as Marleyans will never be taken away, but now more than ever, we need the power of the War Hammer Titan in our effort to recover the Founding Titan —Magath added.
Sagred, with a calm expression, replied: —That's impossible, Mr. Magath. Our family hasn't used its power to fight in a long time. Over time, our knowledge of the War Hammer has diminished.
Greda Tybur, visibly upset, supported her brother's words. —It's true. We're not prepared to wield that power as we once did.
Herde, the current supreme commander, intervened seriously, looking at Greda. —In our previous mission, during a battle with the forces of the Middle Eastern country, we noticed the great progress in their weaponry. In every sense, their technology has surpassed Marley's. Our winning pieces, the Titans, lose more abilities with each inheritance. At this rate, Marley will lose its power. We need a decisive blow, and what better way than to have the headlines announce that Marley recovered the Founding Titan? —said Herde, with a contemptuous tone toward the Tyburs. In his opinion, it didn't matter that they had helped Marley: the Eldians were still demons.
Arnold looked worriedly at Magath and Herde. He knew this day would come, the day when Marley would want to use his family's power. Perhaps this was the beginning of the end for the Tyburs, and the War Hammer Titan would be taken from them.
—We just want the next heir to be revealed to us, and we'll begin training him ourselves —said Herde.
—with all due respect, Commander Herde, I believe it would be better if we train him. We are capable of bringing him to his full potential —Arnold responded, feeling how the little power he had slipped through his fingers.
—No —Magath interrupted firmly—. We will train him in our recruitment program. He must meet his new teammates and learn to work in a team. As for maximizing his potential, we'll require Arnold's help to provide knowledge about the Titan.
Arnold tried to insist. —Please, I beg you, it's our responsibility...
Suddenly, a shout from Herde silenced him. —Damn it! We are not discussing this! I'm informing you of Marley's plan! There's no turning back!
Arnold clenched his fists in anger and was about to reply when Sagred intervened. —It's fine. You have my help.
Arnold looked at him angrily. —I'm the leader! You don't have the right to speak like that.
—Calm down, Arnold. This is an order from Marley. No matter how much it hurts to reveal the information about the War Hammer Titan to the world, there's nothing we can do. It's the perfect opportunity to show Marley that we remain loyal to them —Sagred said, trying to calm things down.
Everything went silent. Arnold lowered his head, resigned. —I see there's nothing I can do about it.
—With that settled, who will be the next heir? —asked Magath.
—That is Sagred's decision —Greda responded, looking at her brother.
Sagred took a breath before speaking. —I've been thinking about Lara or Elden.
—Lara Tybur is my youngest daughter, she's ten years old. On the other hand, there's Greda's son, Elden, who is nine years old —clarified Arnold.
Greda looked at her brother angrily, sensing what he was about to decide. —Greda, I know you'll hate me for what I'm about to do. Sister, the tradition of having a member from the main family inherit the power must end.
—You're disgusting! You value your daughter so much that you deny her position to give her more years of life! How dare you end the tradition out of your cowardice? —shouted Greda, furious.
—Calm down! Greda, the decision is up to your brother —said Arnold, provoking Greda's anger even further. She didn't want to continue arguing.
—I've made my decision...
(Back to the present)
Elden woke up and looked around. —You're waking up late, Elden —said a tall, blonde young man.
—What time is it, Zeke? —asked Elden, still sleepy.
—It's eight —Zeke answered, glancing at the clock on the wall.
—Damn it! —shouted Elden before getting up and rushing to the bathroom.
The night before, he had had a long conversation with his mother and uncle, who explained everything to him once again—actually, for the fourth time that week. He had been chosen over his cousin Lara to inherit the War Hammer Titan. Six days ago, he found out, and the next day, they took him to the military presentation as a soldier.
Ten minutes later, he came out dressed in his military uniform. As expected, he didn't see Zeke. They had class at 8:15, and he was already running late. He barely had time to get there, let alone have breakfast.
Elden ran as fast as he could to the classroom, where his teacher, Ted, was teaching history about the Titans. As soon as he entered, he was met with a stern look. —Elden Tybur, you're the last one to arrive. I expected more responsibility from the successor of the most important Eldian family in Marley —Ted said, with a critical tone.
—Sorry, sir. I was a little late. It won't happen again —Elden responded, bowing as a sign of apology.
The class continued as usual, though Elden could feel the pressure on his shoulders. Since he had become part of the Marley warriors just five days ago, the expectations for him were incredibly high. He had to be perfect in everything, and any mistake, no matter how small, was unforgiven. Ted, his teacher, was strict and the current bearer of the Jaw Titan, which made the classes even more intense.
Elden observed his classmates while settling into his seat. Annie Leonhart, a quiet and cold girl, stayed silent as always. Although she didn't speak much, Elden felt that she understood the pressure he was under. Reiner Braun, a strong-spirited boy, didn't speak much with Elden, but when he did, Elden felt that they could become great friends. Zeke Yeager, his roommate, seemed mature despite being older, and was always attentive to everything. Bertolt Hoover, shy as ever, barely dared to look at others, and Maricel Gallargher was cheerful and always seemed to be in a good mood, which Elden liked. Porco Gallargher, on the other hand, wasn't someone he liked. He was difficult and unpleasant, so Elden ignored him completely. Finally, Pieck Finger, a quiet and laid-back girl, seemed bored, but somehow noticed him, waved at him, and Elden smiled in response.
The class progressed until Ted, the teacher, started talking about the Changing Titans. —These are the powers at your disposal. They could control and wield very powerful and important weapons for Marley. There is official evidence that nine exist: the Armored, the Colossal, the Female, the Jaw, the Cart, the Beast, and the War Hammer, which we have at our disposal. Their abilities are unique and special, though sometimes they depend on the bearer. Beyond that, on the island of Paradis are the Attack Titan and the Founding Titan —Ted explained while adjusting his glasses.
The teacher paused for a moment, and seeing the students' attention, he continued: —It's said there was a Titan capable of using wind as a form of attack. According to several ancient Eldian reports, it was extremely powerful, able to create tornadoes. But it's been over six centuries since anything has been known about him. But like every myth, it has its origins —he said, while adjusting his glasses again, looking at the students with some seriousness.
Silence filled the classroom as everyone processed that information.
—The King of the Walls has the power of the Founding Titan and is hiding in the walls on the island. Your duty as the next generation will be to recover the Founding Titan. When that happens, maybe the Eldians in Marley will finally be free —Ted said, with a mix of hope and determination in his voice.
After this statement, Ted continued explaining other topics related to the Titans and the missions they would have to face, but Elden couldn't help but get distracted. As he looked at his classmates, he noticed that Reiner was meticulously writing down everything Ted said in a notebook. Zeke seemed just as attentive to the words of their teacher, as did Bertolt and Maricel. Porco, as usual, was playing with his chair and seemed more interested in annoying others than in the class. Pieck, on the other hand, seemed a little bored, but when she noticed Elden looking at her, she smiled and waved at him. He responded with a shy smile.
Annie, as usual, remained serious, without saying a word.
At the end of the class, the students had a small break outside the classroom, in a small field. Elden sat on a bench and started eating an apple, trying to relax a bit. It was then that he saw a familiar blonde figure approach.
—Hello, Annie —said Elden, raising his hand in greeting.
—Hello, Elden —Annie replied with a slight nod.
—As serious as always, Annie —commented Elden, smiling.
—There's no reason to be happy —Annie replied, looking toward the horizon.
Elden, not losing his optimistic attitude, smiled even more broadly. —Oh, you'll see, I plan on defeating the demons on the island and bringing peace to our people. We'll be free —he said, confident in his words.
Annie looked at him in silence for a moment, but then a small smile appeared on her face.
Note from the author: This first chapter is a bit short; it took me three hours just to think about how I wanted to start it. I promise longer chapters in the future. I decided to focus on Elden because I thought it was better to begin this way.