Attack On Titan: Goodbyes

Faint light filtered through the rusty metal mesh barely clinging to the small window in Eren's cell, casting a grim, fractured glow across the stone walls. Eren lay on the hard, uncomfortable cot, his face reflecting the torment swirling in his mind.

His eyes were red and glassy, haunted by the unyielding memories of his father's past—of Dina Fritz, Zeke Yeager, and the cold, unforgiving truth that bound them together.

Even now, part of him clung to the hope that it might all be a twisted nightmare. But ever since the invisible chains that kept him from the truth had broken, the memories flooded his mind, relentless and unforgiving.

In the adjacent cell, Mikasa lay asleep, her face calm, unaware of the storm raging within him. It had been about a week since the brutal battle for Shiganshina.

Both she and Eren were sentenced to two weeks in prison after their desperate attempt to revive Armin that had violated orders. However, Erwin's intervention had managed to shorten their sentence.

A sudden movement broke Eren's dazed trance. His eyes snapped open, the nightmare still clutching his mind.

"Looks like you're finally awake, Eren..." Levi's voice cut through the silence, his gaze fixed on Eren's tear-streaked face.

"Heh? Did little Eren have a nightmare?" Hange teased from outside the cell, her familiar grin softened slightly by the black eye patch covering her damaged eye.

Eren didn't respond, running a hand through his disheveled hair. Seeing Eren up Levi slid his hand into his pocket, pulling out a set of keys with a tired sigh. Wordlessly, he unlocked the cell door, gesturing for Eren to step out.

"Come on, get out," Levi muttered, glancing at Eren with an unreadable expression. He handed the keys to Hange, who moved to unlock Mikasa's cell.

Eren was totally confused,"Why? I thought we still had ten days left," Eren murmured, his voice rough.

Hange's grin softened. "You can thank Erwin for that. He convinced the higher-ups to release you both early. After all, you two were instrumental in taking down the Colossal and Armored Titans. Locking you up for too long wouldn't look good to the public."

Levi gave a small, weary sigh. "Though, some locals weren't too thrilled. There were protests demanding a strict punishment after the news of your rebellion spread. But Erwin managed to keep things under control... for now." Levi's gaze darkened slightly, a hint of unspoken frustration lingering beneath his usual stoic expression.

"Just remember, Eren," Hange added, her tone suddenly serious, " It'd be much worse if Armin got chosen over Er—" She caught herself, stopping short as if realizing it would hurt him even more.

Eren stepped out of the cell without a word, his gaze immediately landed on Mikasa's face. There was a faint worry in his eyes as he studied her. "Did you lose some weight...?" he asked, frowning slightly. "That's strange; we had plenty to eat."

Mikasa raised a hand to her head, pressing it lightly as if staving off a headache. Eren's expression softened further, as he continued, "You're still worried about the curse, aren't you?"

He could tell, even without asking. During their time locked up, he'd heard soft sobs coming from the cell next door, and he'd pieced it together. Slowly, Eren reached a hand toward her face, thumb brushing her cheek with a gentleness that surprised even him.

"Now listen, I went through my dad's memories. There's no such thing as the Curse of Ymir…" he murmured, his gaze meeting hers with a calm reassurance. Levi and Hange watched from the doorway, both raising a brow at this rare display from Eren.

Mikasa leaned closer, her hands resting against his chest as if she could somehow feel the truth through the beat of his heart. Eren's pulse quickened under her touch, though he kept his expression steady, watching her intently.

But Mikasa's gaze drifted, landing on his earlobes, a reminder of the detector he carried—a reminder that only added to her sadness.

"If there's no curse, then why did dad give you the Titan powers? Why are they even inherited?" she asked, her voice filled with pain and a frustration she could no longer hide.

Eren's mind scrambled for an answer, trying to justify it in the simplest terms. "Because... he trusted me. Maybe he believed I could handle the burden he couldn't."

His explanation came out strained, his eyes darting as he struggled to find the right words. But before he could say anything more, Levi interrupted.

"We don't have time for this," he called, his voice flat and impatient. "Get ready, both of you. Her Majesty is waiting in Trost to award the Scouts for their bravery. Put on something decent, and let's move."

Mikasa's jaw clenched as Levi's brusque words interrupted their conversation, his lack of empathy for her distress jarring.

But Eren only gave her hand a gentle squeeze, a silent assurance before he nodded. Without another word, he took her hand, guiding her out of the cell and into the light beyond.

————————————

Trost District

( City that worshipped Eren as it's saviour. )

The entire district celebrated the arrival of their hero, Eren Yeager. The streets were adorned with banners and decorations, crowds cheering as if they could not contain their gratitude.

Smiling faces and cries of joy filled the air—without him, humanity would have been crushed, their dreams wiped out in the grip of Titans.

Eren, dressed like the other Scouts, looked striking in his long green overcoat that reached nearly to his knees, white pants, and high boots covering his shins.

Sasha, clutching a crisp, red apple, glanced through the small openings in the cart's wooden wall. "Look at them. They really love you, don't they?" she said, her eyes wide with wonder.

"You should get outside and wave or something, Eren. They're waiting for you," Jean added, sitting between Sasha and Connie, who all watched the crowd with quiet admiration.

Eren and Mikasa sat across from them, hands intertwined but silent, each lost in their thoughts—Mikasa weighed down by the curse of Ymir, and Eren by the crushing reality of what his father had left him.

"Hey, are you even listening?" Connie broke the silence, waving a hand in front of Eren's face. Eren blinked, a look of vague confusion crossing his face. "What?"

Connie sighed. "Nothing… we're about to reach there.... So don't get into a fight with anyone...," he mumbled.

Neither Eren nor Mikasa replied, but their hands slipped apart slightly as they drew inward, bracing for the moment ahead. The cart rolled to a stop before the small castle in Trost, where Queen Historia awaited them.

Inside, the Scout Regiment, the Garrison Regiment, and the Military Police Regiment gathered for a formal meeting. Premier Dhalis Zachary, Queen Historia, and several nobles sat at the front, three worn books laid out on a table nearby—handwritten by Grisha Yeager himself, preserved over the years. These would tell the truth of humanity's tragic history.

Eren sat in the front row with Mikasa, Jean, Connie, Sasha, Hange, Levi, and Erwin, each honored for enduring the horrors of Shiganshina. Behind them, other regiments and civilians crowded, eager to hear the tale.

As Zachary read from Grisha's books, detailing the origin and power of the Founding Titan, the words struck Eren like a physical blow. A person of royal blood was needed to wield its true strength.

The revelation crashed over him, piecing together fragments of his memories. He stood up abruptly, startling those around him.

His mind raced, his gaze flicking to Historia, who looked at him with a quiet, questioning concern.

He looked extremely awkward with him being the center of attention.

Eren sensing the sudden change muttered an apology and sat down, feeling Mikasa's steady gaze on him. She didn't seem to understand anything.

Eren's thoughts clouded: he could access the Founding Titan's powers by touching a pure Titan of royal blood. He remembered the feeling when he saved Mikasa from the Smiling Titan.

Suddenly a distant realization formed in his mind about Zeke, his half-brother he could be used. But that's where Historia can also be considered, an ideal option. Historia could be the next inheritor of the Founding Titan—or worse, she could be forced by the MPs to have a child to ensure a successor with royal blood.

A shiver ran through him, anger and desperation mixing inside. The thought of Historia's life being treated as a tool like his was something he couldn't stomach.

"You alright?" Mikasa whispered beside him, her voice soft, laced with concern. Eren nodded, his thoughts swimming with the grim implications of this truth.

Meanwhile, Zachary's voice droned on, reading more of Grisha's words, inciting deep-seated anger in the crowd. The truth spilled forth—the island of Paradis, the Eldians cast out from Marley, the horrific fate of Eldians outside the walls turned into Titans to prey on their own people.

The resentment of Eldians against Marley burned like a slow flame, and as Eren listened, he knew that whatever came next, there was no easy path to peace.

"My fellow Eldians, calm down…" Zachary's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. His eyes narrowed as he continued, "I know the hatred that flows through your veins makes you want to kill every last human who became the reason for our misery"

"We've suffered—endured losses that could break any people. But let me assure you, those who fell did not die in vain. Marley will answer for every life taken by the Titans…"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the fervent crowd. "Even if it means using our final weapon—the Rumbling. That's right. If Marley pushes us to the edge, we won't hesitate."

The crowd erupted, cheers and cries filling the hall as people leapt to their feet, applauding, their hearts blazing with newfound hope. All eyes drifted to Eren, their silent, fierce symbol of vengeance. The Scouts exchanged uneasy glances, but Eren remained silent, his gaze fixed downward, the weight of expectation pressing down on him.

As the assembly began to disperse, Eren alongside Mikasa and the rest stood at a corner with erwin requested Historia for a little private talk.

About an hour later Erwin stood, gesturing for Eren to follow him. Wordlessly, Eren rose and trailed after him, feeling the heaviness of his own steps as they entered the Scout's office.

Erwin's expression was unreadable as he took a seat, his intense blue eyes narrowing as he looked across the table. "So… I take it we're both clear on something. You hold the ability to wield the Founding Titan's power if you're in contact with a pure Titan of royal blood. Correct?"