NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50: 50: My Legacy
Meanwhile in Aiden's mind
Aiden found himself in a vast void, standing on an endless expanse of shimmering golden sand. The atmosphere was dense yet tranquil, the silence occasionally broken by faint whispers carried on the unseen wind.
He glanced around, unsure of where he was or how he had arrived.
Suddenly, the whispers grew louder, taking shape into discernible words. The golden sand beneath his feet began to ripple, shifting and rising like waves.
Before him, one figure emerged from the sand, then another, and another—each one distinct yet familiar.
They stood in a straight line, their forms ethereal yet solid. There were Founders of the power he now wielded, their presence overwhelming. Each carried an aura of authority and strength that transcended mortal comprehension.
Aiden's gaze drifted from one to the next. The first Founder stood tall and proud, their posture regal and imposing. The second bore scars that told tales of battle and sacrifice, their eyes filled with steely resolve.
(A/N: The first Founder is the one immediately after Eren.)
Another had a kind and wise expression, their hands clasped before them as if in prayer. Each one was unique, yet all carried the same unmistakable weight of destiny.
Before Aiden could speak, the first Founder stepped forward. Their body began to shift and grow, their silhouette blurring until it coalesced into the colossal form of a Titan. A massive figure with fiery veins coursing through its translucent skin loomed above him, its gaze unyielding.
One by one, the other Founders followed suit. Each transformed into a Titan of their own making—some sleek and agile, others hulking and monstrous.
The variety was staggering: a Titan with armour gleaming like polished steel, another with sinewy, elongated limbs built for speed, and one adorned with radiant wings of light.
They surrounded Aiden in a circle, their immense forms creating an almost sacred arena. The golden sand glowed brighter, as though charged with the energy of their presence. The Titans extended their right hands toward Aiden, their voices merging into a harmonious chant.
"To you, we pass this sacred flame,
The burden, the power, the eternal name.
A shield to protect, a force to create,
In your hands, rests our fate."
"Rise, inheritor, with strength and will,
The Founder's essence shall guide you still.
From the first to the last, the chain remains,
Our spirits bound by unbroken veins."
"Embrace the truth, the weight you bear,
Through time and trials, be ever aware.
For with this gift, comes a vow so clear,
To lead with wisdom, to conquer fear."
The chant reverberated through the air, the words sinking deep into Aiden's soul. He felt a surge of power coursing through him, overwhelming yet exhilarating.
It was as though the very essence of the Founders was being poured into him, their strength and knowledge becoming one with his own.
The Titans began to shimmer and shift again, their forms melting into a montage of vivid memories. Aiden was no longer standing in the circle; instead, he was a witness to the incredible legacy of the Founders.
-
-
The first scene erupted before him. A battle raged in an open field, the first Founder—a Titan with burning fists—unleashing devastating blows that sent shockwaves across the land.
Their fiery quirk turned the battlefield into a molten inferno, the very earth trembling under their might.
The scene shifted. Another Founder stood on a mountaintop, their Titan form sleek and agile. They leapt through the air, evading attacks with impossible grace before retaliating with lightning-fast strikes.
Their enemies were left disoriented and defeated before they could even react.
Next came a Titan wreathed in ethereal light, its wings unfurling in a magnificent display. It soared above a crumbling city, casting a protective barrier of radiant energy over the civilians below.
As enemy forces advanced, the Titan unleashed beams of concentrated light, obliterating the threat with precision and power.
The montage continued, each Founder demonstrating their quirk and fighting spirit in breathtaking displays. One manipulated water with unparalleled skill, their Titan form creating towering waves that swept away entire armies.
Another controlled the earth itself, raising colossal walls of stone to protect their people.
Aiden was mesmerised, awed by the sheer diversity and creativity of their powers. Each battle, each moment, was a testament to the Founders' resolve and their unyielding determination to protect what mattered most.
As the final scene faded, the golden sand returned, stretching endlessly in every direction. The Titans, the Founders, and the memories were gone. All that remained was Aiden, standing alone in the quiet expanse.
In the distance, a great tree rose against the horizon, its towering branches stretching toward the heavens. It glowed with an inner light, its leaves shimmering like emeralds in the sunlight.
Aiden felt drawn to it, his feet moving on their own as he walked toward the majestic sight.
As he approached, the sand beneath him grew cooler, the oppressive weight of power lifting slightly. He stopped at the base of the tree, looking up in awe. Its trunk was wide and ancient, its bark etched with intricate patterns that seemed to tell a story.
(A/N: Not to be confused with the tree shown in the anime/manga. That one was shown to have been pruned/destroyed when Eren died)
From the other side of the tree, a figure emerged.
It was a woman with flowing white hair and eyes that held centuries of wisdom and sorrow. Her presence was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority. Aiden instinctively knew who she was.
"Ymir," he whispered.
The original Founder nodded, her expression serene. She held out a crown crafted from gold and adorned with delicate, glowing gemstones.
Each stone pulsed faintly, as if alive, and their light resonated with the rhythm of Aiden's heartbeat.
"This crown," Ymir said, her voice soft but powerful, "is not a symbol of power, but of responsibility. You are the next to carry this burden. Wear it with honour, and remember the lessons of those who came before you."
Aiden hesitated, his eyes fixed on the crown. "What if I'm not ready? What if I fail?"
Ymir stepped closer, placing the crown gently in his hands. "No one is ever truly ready, but the strength lies in accepting the challenge. You are not alone. The Founders are with you, and so is the Tree of Life. Trust in yourself, Aiden Wilhelm Fritz."
Aiden nodded slowly, the weight of her words settling over him. He lifted the crown and placed it on his head. The moment it touched him, a surge of energy erupted from within, connecting him to the Founders and the Tree of Life.
The golden sand began to dissolve, replaced by a blinding white light. The tree faded into the distance, Ymir's form vanishing like a wisp of smoke.
Aiden stood alone, his heart pounding with newfound resolve.
As the light consumed him, one thought echoed in his mind: "This is my legacy. My responsibility. I will not fail."
And then, everything went still.
=========================================================