Time slipped away like sand between fingers, days dissolving into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. Two years had passed since Eren Yeager, the impure Ackerman with awakened abilities, had vanished into the horizon, leaving behind a trail of shattered dreams and loved ones consumed by grief.
The news of his 'death' had struck like a thunderbolt, leaving an unhealable scar on the hearts of those who loved him. Mikasa's anguished cries echoed through the district for days, her sorrow so profound that it seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth.
Eren's aunt and mother were consumed by self-blame, their minds tormented by the thought that their Asian bloodline had cursed him to an early grave. "It's all our fault Eren left us?" they wailed, their tears falling like autumn rain.
Armin Arlet, Eren's only friend and confidant, spent most of his days sitting under the tree where they had shared countless dreams and laughter. His gaze would wander to the distant landscape, tracing the patterns of the wind-swept hills and valleys, as he struggled to come to terms with the loss of his dear friend.
"Eren, what about the dream we shared?" Armin's voice would crack as he whispered to the wind. "You promised we'd explore the outside world together... Was it all just empty talk, damn it!" The pain in his heart felt like an open wound, refusing to heal with the passing of time.
------------------------------------
Year 845 (2 Years later)
With a fierce battle cry, Eren charged toward Levi, his movements a blur to everyone except his opponent and his mentor. Levi, showcasing his legendary reflexes, expertly blocked the barrage of Eren's attacks, his every move precise and calculated. Despite his skill, Eren's relentless assault kept him on the defensive, the two warriors locked in a brutal dance of strikes and counterstrikes.
"Well done," Levi acknowledged, his voice almost casual despite the intensity of the battle. He deftly parried every punch and kick Eren threw, attempting to land a few blows of his own. Eren, however, evaded with equal skill, their faces marked with the satisfaction of their rivalry. The struggle was fierce, each combatant appreciating the other's prowess, pushing each other to new heights.
Petra, a nearby observer watched in awe. "Wow, the Captain really is struggling against Eren," she murmured, her gaze darting between the two fighters. Their hand-to-hand combat was a blur of motion; one moment, Eren was launching a whirlwind of kicks, his agility remarkable, and the next, Levi was expertly blocking the strikes mid-air. The atmosphere crackled with the energy of their clash, an exhilarating testament to their unyielding drive to surpass one another.
Levi finally landed a decisive blow, his fist connecting sharply with Eren's stomach followed by a powerful punch to the chin. "Aghh…" Eren grunted, his voice low and pained as he was sent flying backward. Yet, displaying remarkable control, Eren managed to right himself mid-air, performing a flawless flip to land on his trembling feet. A trickle of blood snaked down from his mouth, painting a crimson path along his chin.
Eren's hands hung loosely by his sides, his head lowered, eyes closed, and breathing heavy and ragged. His disheveled hair cast shadows over his green eyes and forehead, adding a somber tone to his already battered appearance. Levi's figure emerged from the periphery, his presence almost sudden. "Idiot," he chided, his voice a low growl as he moved swiftly into Eren's line of sight. "Never let your eyes off your enemy."
Levi's punch came at light speed, aiming directly at Eren's face.
Counter
Punch
With his eyes still shut, Eren anticipated the attack, his instincts sharper than ever. He dodged Levi's strike with a precise movement, his own fist crashing into Levi's stomach with surprising force. In a flash, Eren's eyes snapped open, gleaming like emeralds in the fading sunlight. With a swift, powerful kick, he sent Levi stumbling backward. Levi's feet skidded across the ground, struggling to regain his footing as he was pushed back.
Sigh
Eren took a deep breath, his hands clenched into tight fists. He stood there, silently regaining his composure. Levi impressed and undeterred by the reversal, smirked. Eren's expression looked calm and yet a bit menacingly fatal. As he tapped into his Ackerman abilities Levi with a faint smile did the same. His hands hung loosely his focus piqued. He knew he could not afford to let frustration cloud his judgment. The battle between them was far from over, and Levi understood that control and composure were as vital as strength and skill.
"Alright, kid. Today's your lucky day..." Levi whispered, his voice low and even, as he gestured towards Eren with a flick of his wrist. The Levi Squad watched with bated breath, their minds racing with the question: who would emerge victorious? But the answer was almost too simple.
But ever since Eren's battle with the kidnappers changed him. He transformed from a furious and confident kid to a quiet, calm, and stronger one. His purpose now burned brighter than ever: to exterminate every last Titan that lurked outside the walls and earn the freedom he craved for himself and the people trapped inside, living like cattle.
In the blink of an eye, the two Ackermans charged at each other, unleashing a flurry of attacks that left the onlookers struggling to keep up. The air was electric with tension as the two combatants clashed, their movements a blur of speed and skill. The sound of fists and feet connecting echoed through the air, punctuated by the heavy breathing of the fighters.
The speed and intensity of the Ackermans' attacks were breathtaking, each blow and kick dodged by the other with supernatural agility and reflexes. Eren threw a punch at Levi's face, but he dodged it with ease and countered with a circular kick that Eren blocked with his arm. The impact was tremendous, but Eren didn't back down, unleashing a flurry of rapid punches that Levi struggled to dodge but somehow managed to.
Eren's tongue darted out of his mouth, his eyes locking onto Levi with an unnerving intensity. "Tsk," Levi sneered, unleashing a barrage of punches that Eren dodged with ease, his upper body weaving left and right with a fluid motion while his legs were in the same position. But when Levi's next punch came hurtling towards him, Eren's hand shot out, catching the fist in mid-air. In a swift counterattack, Eren launched a reverse kick that sent Levi crashing to the ground.
Levi's impressed by Eren's technique sprang back to his feet, his fists clenched and his perfectly parted bangs now disheveled from the fight. The gentle breeze danced through his hair as he charged at Eren once more.
The fight raged on, both combatants exchanging blows and dodging with incredible precision and speed. But as the minutes ticked by, their movements began to slow, their breathing growing heavier. Sweat and blood mingled on their faces, their bodies bearing the marks of their intense battle.
Just when it seemed the fight would never end, Erwin intervened, his voice firm and commanding. "That's enough for today, you two!" Eren and Levi halted, their chests heaving, their bodies trembling with exhaustion. They stood there, locked in a fierce stare, their rivalry and respect for each other palpable in the air.
Eren had a deep gash above his eyebrow, and his right eye was swollen and red. Levi had a cut lip and his nose was bleeding profusely. Both were covered in bruises and cuts, but they remained standing, gazing at each other with a appreciation.
Erwin approached them, his expression stern and concerned. "That was quite a show, Eren and Levi," he said, his voice firm. "With that strength, you might even surpass Levi some d..." Erwin's gaze fixed intently on Eren, his eyes narrowing as thoughts clouded his mind.
Hange intervened, curiosity etched on their face. "What do you mean, Erwin? I think Eren would've won if they continued. You saw how they fought, and the way Eren dodged Levi's attacks."
Eren and Levi stood side by side, their gazes still locked, their hearts craving more of the fight. But they knew they had other tasks to prioritize, like the upcoming expedition - the largest ever planned, led by three flanks: center front, right wing, and left wing, comprising mostly scouts.
The formation was divided into nine groups, arranged in three rows and three columns, with each row consisting of three groups. The second and third rows would contain the garrison and military police officers alongside scouts, while the Levi Squad, Erwin Squad, and Miche Squad would lead the front lines. This formation wasn't semi-circular, but rather a rectangular shape, following the flare system.
-----------------------------------
Erwin snapped back to reality replying to Hange, "No, he's still far from Levi's level," his eyes narrowing in assessment. "Eren's agility is impressive, but he needs to continue to build his strength. That's not something he can achieve overnight; he needs to keep training relentlessly."
Eren knew Levi was holding back, as always. He couldn't go all out against Eren yet. The feeling of being looked down upon was what drove Eren to train overtime, fueled by his determination to prove himself. He wasn't there yet, but he would get stronger. One day, he'd show everyone he wasn't weak.
"Captain..." Petra approached Levi, concern etched on her face, and gently cleaned his wounds with a dry cloth. Levi's face flushed slightly, a rare sight. Recently, Petra had found the courage to confess her feelings to Levi, inspired by Eren's heartfelt speech in other words his regrets. Something he wanted to tell a special someone but fate had other plans. Fate he brought onto himself.
She had mustered the courage to approach Levi in the backyard, where he usually strolled at night, and poured out her emotions.
Levi's face had turned a deep shade of crimson, but he hadn't rejected her outright. After a 10-minute silence, he'd said, "I... I'll think about it," and left abruptly, never responding to her confession. Petra took pride in having confessed, but Levi's awkwardness lingered, leaving her wondering what to do next.
Levi's gaze remained fixed on Erwin as he asked, "So, why are you here?" His directness was unwavering, even as Petra finished tending to his wounds.
Erwin chuckled, his expression warm. "No need to be rude, Levi. We're gathering here for a reason." He paused, surveying the room. "In two days, we'll be heading out on the expedition. The garrison and military police are hesitant, so it's up to us to prove our strength. But we need as many soldiers as possible so they have no choice but to join us."
As the orange sky dipped below the horizon, the Levi Squad retired to their dorms, leaving Eren to his late-night routine. He focused on his abs and arms, his mind still grappling with the past. Had he made the right decision in leaving Mikasa behind? Levi's words,"Eren love isn't something in the cards for guys like us?" were actually true and had driven him away, but he knew his true feelings. That's why he had encouraged Petra to confess to Levi so that she doesn't have the same regrets and she could give Levi the happiness he deserved.
As Eren lay down on his bed, the soft pillow cradling his head, he grasped the golden rusty key around his neck. His gaze fixed on it, his thoughts drifting to his loved ones. Were Grisha, Jacob, Karen and Eren at peace in the afterlife? He hoped they were enjoying their eternal rest.
With a sense of resolve, Eren closed his eyes, preparing himself physically and mentally for the upcoming expedition. His sleep peaceful, his body and mind ready for the challenges ahead.
----------------------------------------
"Eh? What? A dream..." Eren thought, his gaze wandering through the breathtaking landscape, where vibrant wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze. The warm sunlight cast a serene glow, and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers.
As he strolled through this peaceful haven, his eyes landed on a familiar figure - the tall, dark-haired individual who had guided him back to life. Eren's heart skipped a beat as he approached him.
"Hey..." Eren said, his voice barely above a whisper. "What are you—"
But his words faltered as he witnessed a lone tear roll down the stranger's cheek. His hand grasped the trunk of a nearby tree, where a girl in a pink dress sat, her presence seemingly frozen in time. Eren's gaze shifted to the tree, and his heart sank.
"Eren, everyone will be coming to visit you soon... Aren't you happy?" A tall woman, her hair tied in a ponytail, her bangs perfectly parted down the middle, sat beneath the tree. Her hand tenderly caressed the tombstone, tears streaming down her cheeks and soaking into the crimson scarf wrapped around her neck.
The words on the tombstone were carved saying: "Rest here peacefully, my dear. My most beloved. Year 854. - Eren Yeager."
The woman's gaze remained fixed on the tombstone, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I wish I... I could see you again, Eren"