Thud. Thud
The knocking on the door echoed through the Yeagers house, a solemn cadence that seemed to reverberate through Grisha's chest who was getting ready for some urgent business in the interior, apparently a noble caught the disease but since it was in it's early stages it was nothing to worry about.
Suddenly after hearing the lifeless knocks Grisha exchanged a weighted glance with Carla his wife who had been sitting peacefully on the dining chair, waiting for him to join her for the breakfast together."Who could be visiting at such a somber time?",Grisha giving a curious expression asked.
Carla looked up from her seat at the dining table, her eyes also filled with curiosity. He made his way to the door, his footsteps soft on the wooden floor. As he opened the door, Kruger's solemn face came into view, his eyes fixed on Grisha with a mix of determination and sadness.
"Grisha, it's time," Kruger said, his voice low and serious, his eyes locked on Grisha's.
Grisha's curiosity turned to concern. "What's going on, Kruger?" he asked, stepping aside to allow Kruger to enter. Kruger slowly entered Grisha's home, his eyes fixed on the small, white bundle he cradled in his hands. Kruger's somber expression was enough to convey that he had come to entrust Grisha with the child, a responsibility Grisha had willingly accepted and was prepared to undertake, having always yearned for a child of his own, which was nothing more than a mere dream.
Carla slowly approached Kruger, her arms extended, and gently lifted the baby from his embrace. Though Kruger's eyes pleaded to hold on, he knew he was out of options, and his grip reluctantly relaxed. Grisha's voice was laced with empathy as he asked, "So, what's next for you, what are you going to do after this ?" Kruger's gaze lingered on his empty hands, his eyes slowly rising to meet Grisha's, filled with a deep sense of loss and longing, as if he'd surrendered a piece of himself once again.
"I'll head to Wall Sina", Kruger's voice barely audible.,"There's something important I need to take care of"
""You don't have to go through this agony, Eren," Grisha said, his hand resting gently on Kruger's shoulder. "You can attend your important business, and then you can reclaim your child. Until then, he'll be in our care." Kruger's voice was laced with sorrow as he murmured, "No, that's not possible. I want him to live a peaceful life, but as long as the Ackerman name is tied to his, he'll never know happiness."
The Ackermans were an elite group of warriors known for their exceptional combat skills and supernatural strength. Their abilities are unlocked through trauma, allowing them to access their full potential. They were bound to serve the royal family even if it meant killing anyone who came in their way.
The recent King had enacted the notorious Ackerman Persecution Act, signed on September 19th, 800, in response to the Ackermans' uprising against their enslavement and denial of basic human rights. The Act forbade Ackermans from marrying or bearing children outside their clan, under penalty of death: any family found in violation would be sacrificed, since their offspring will be an impure Ackerman.
The Ackerman Persecution Act was a brutal violation of the Ackermans' rights, driving some to flee to the underground and others to the outskirts of Wall Maria. They lived in secret, hiding from the world to protect themselves. However, some Ackermans with awakened abilities dared to rebel against the empire. Among them was Kenny the Ripper, who vanished without a trace after the rebellion was crushed. The empire suffered a significant loss, including the life of their king, who was assassinated by an Ackerman seeking vengeance for the countless lives lost due to the king's heinous act.
Fearing the empire's downfall at the hands of these formidable warriors, the new king rescinded the Ackerman Persecution Act on January 7th, 810. Although the Act was officially lifted, the deep-seated hatred and discrimination towards the Ackermans persisted, within both the nobles and the commoners viewing them with contempt as 'Titans in human form'. The Ackermans' struggles for acceptance and equality remained an uphill battle.
Don't worry, Kruger, that act is a relic of the past," Grisha said, trying to comfort his friend.
"I know, but society's prejudices still linger," Kruger replied, his voice tinged with sadness. "That's why Karen and I lived on the outskirts, far from prying eyes. And now, I fear for Eren's future... I don't want him to grow up without a mother. I know you and Carla would be able to care for him"
Kruger's face softened into a gentle smile ,"I can finally find peace, knowing my child is in safe hands." With a heavy heart, he tenderly brushed his hands against Eren's cheeks, his gaze lingering on those bright green eyes, so reminiscent of his own.
The air was thick with emotion as he whispered, "The world will now know you as Eren... Eren Yeager." Though his son had taken on the name Yeager, the blood that coursed through his veins was a mix of Ackerman and commoner, a legacy that could've made him impure and vulnerable in the eyes of society.
As Kruger savored this bittersweet moment, tears rolled down his cheeks like raindrops on a windowpane. He chuckled, his voice trembling with emotion, "Goodbye, son. May you live a life you're proud of." Grisha stood still, gazing at his friend, whom he considered the strongest man he'd ever met. He wondered if there was anything that could pierce Kruger's tough exterior and shake his emotions.
Without looking back, Kruger took his leave, whispering to himself, "You have to keep moving forward, even if you die, even after you die. After all, you started this story." Soon the sound of horse hooves faded into the distance, leaving Grisha and Carla standing alone, looking at each other with a mix of uncertainty and determination. The weight of Kruger's words hung in the air, a reminder of the long and difficult journey ahead.