Aaron Mustang found himself standing on a shore, his feet sinking into the soft, warm sand as gentle waves lapped at his toes. The salty breeze caressed his face, carrying with it the scent of a vast, endless expanse that stretched out before him. The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in a breathtaking array of oranges, pinks, and purples.
For a moment, Aaron simply stood there, his emerald eyes wide with wonder as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings. "What is this place?" he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the rhythmic crash of the waves. "I've never seen anything like it."
As he gazed out at the endless blue, a sense of peace washed over him, a feeling of calm that he had never experienced before. And yet, even as he reveled in the beauty of the moment, a nagging sense of unease tugged at the back of his mind.
"Freedom," he murmured, his brow furrowed in thought. "What is freedom, really? I've spent my entire life fighting to survive, to protect the people I love, but have I ever truly been free?"
He thought of the Underground, of the suffocating darkness and the constant struggle for survival that had defined his early years. He thought of the Survey Corps, of the countless battles and the endless cycle of death and despair that had consumed him for so long.
"I'm tired," he whispered, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Tired of fighting, tired of watching the people I care about die, tired of living in a world where freedom is just a distant dream."
As he spoke, a figure appeared beside him, a young man with long, flowing hair that danced in the salty breeze. Aaron turned, his eyes widening in surprise as he took in the familiar features.
"Eren?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
The young man nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Hello, Aaron."
Aaron shook his head, his mind reeling with confusion. "You look different," he said, his eyes taking in the subtle changes in Eren's appearance. "What happened to you?"
Eren's smile widened, his eyes shining with a strange, almost otherworldly light. "I've seen things, Aaron," he said, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "Things that have changed me, that have shown me the true meaning of freedom."
Aaron's brow furrowed, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of Eren's words. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Eren turned to face the ocean, his long hair billowing out behind him like a banner in the wind. "Freedom isn't something that's given to us, Aaron," he said, his voice filled with a quiet conviction. "It's something we have to fight for, something we have to earn with every breath we take."
He turned back to Aaron, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "You and the others, you're so close to achieving that freedom," he said, his voice ringing with a strange, almost prophetic quality. "But you can't give up now. You have to keep fighting, no matter how hard it gets."
Aaron felt a sudden surge of emotion, a wave of determination and resolve that swept over him like the tide. He thought of Historia, of the love and the hope that she had given him, of the dream of a better world that they had shared for so long.
"You're right," he said, his voice filled with a newfound strength. "I can't give up now. I have to keep fighting, for Historia, for everyone."
Eren smiled, his eyes shining with pride and approval. "That's the spirit," he said, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "Don't ever forget what you're fighting for, Aaron. Don't ever lose sight of the dream that drives you forward."
With those words, Eren began to fade away, his form dissolving into the salty breeze like a wisp of smoke. Aaron reached out, his hand grasping at empty air as he tried to hold onto the moment, to the sense of peace and clarity that Eren had given him.
"I'll see you soon, Aaron," Eren's voice echoed in his mind, a final promise before he disappeared entirely.
Aaron stood there for a long moment, his eyes fixed on the spot where Eren had stood, his mind reeling with the weight of the revelation. And then, as if in a daze, he turned back to the ocean, his eyes drinking in the endless expanse of blue.
"What is this place?" he whispered again, his voice filled with a newfound sense of wonder and awe.
But before he could ponder the question further, the world around him began to fade away, the colors bleeding together like a watercolor painting left out in the rain. And then, with a sudden jolt, Aaron found himself back in the chaotic reality of the battlefield, his mind snapping back to the present with a sickening lurch.
Levi, his face set with grim determination, was in hot pursuit of the Cart Titan, his blades flashing in the sunlight as he closed in on his prey. The massive beast had Zeke clenched between its teeth, the Beast Titan's broken and battered form hanging limp and lifeless.
Levi had emerged victorious from their battle, but even as he closed in for the kill, the Cart Titan managed to evade his grasp, its powerful legs carrying it away from the scene with surprising speed and agility.
Cursing under his breath, Levi landed on a nearby rooftop, his eyes scanning the surrounding area for any sign of his quarry. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin stood nearby, their faces etched with a mixture of exhaustion and grim determination.
"I'm out of gas," Levi said, his voice tight with frustration. "Quick, give me your tanks."
Eren nodded, his hands already moving to unbuckle the straps that held his gas canisters in place. But before he could complete the task, a sudden commotion from behind caught their attention.
Floch, his face streaked with blood and grime, emerged from the chaos of the battlefield, a limp and lifeless form draped across his back. As he drew closer, the others realized with a sickening lurch that it was Erwin, his once-proud form reduced to a broken and bleeding husk.
"Captain Levi!" Floch cried out, his voice ragged with exhaustion and desperation. "I finally caught up to you. You have to use the injection on Erwin. He's our only hope."
Levi's eyes widened, his hand already reaching for the small, glass vial that contained the precious serum. But before he could take a step forward, another figure emerged from the shadows, her blonde hair matted with blood and her blue eyes wide with fear and desperation.
"Captain," Nanaba said, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's Captain Mustang. He's on the brink of death. We could use the injection on him instead."
Levi froze, his mind reeling with the weight of the decision that lay before him. On one hand, Erwin was the commander of the Survey Corps, the man who had led them through countless battles and guided them towards the truth that lay beyond the walls. His strategic mind and unwavering determination had been the driving force behind their every victory, and without him, the future of humanity seemed bleak and uncertain.
But on the other hand, there was Aaron Mustang, the Unruly Stallion, the man who had risen from the depths of the Underground to become one of humanity's greatest champions. He was the light in the darkness, the beacon of hope that guided them through the storm, and the thought of losing him was almost too much to bear.
As Levi stood there, his hand trembling with the weight of the decision, Nanaba's eyes widened in horror as she caught sight of Erwin's broken and lifeless form. "Oh god," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chaos of the battlefield. "Erwin too?"
Floch, his eyes blazing with a desperate intensity, took a step forward, his voice rising in a fevered pitch. "What are you waiting for, Captain?" he cried out, his words echoing across the blood-soaked streets. "Commander Erwin needs that injection. He's the only one who can save us now."
Eren, Mikasa, and Armin stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief as they watched the scene unfold before them. They had seen so much death and destruction, so much pain and suffering, but nothing could have prepared them for the impossible choice that now lay at their feet.
Levi closed his eyes, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts and emotions as he tried to make sense of the chaos that surrounded him. He thought of Erwin, of the man who had been his leader and his friend, the one who had guided him through the darkest of times and shown him the path to a brighter future.
And then he thought of Aaron, of the man who had become like a brother to him, the one who had stood by his side through thick and thin, who had fought and bled and suffered alongside him in the name of humanity's freedom.
"I don't know," Levi whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his own heart. "I don't know what to do."
He looked up at the others, his eyes filled with a desperate plea for guidance, for some sign that would tell him which path to choose. But in their faces, he saw only the same confusion and uncertainty that plagued his own mind.
"Captain," Nanaba said again, her voice filled with a quiet urgency. "We need to make a decision. We're running out of time."
Levi nodded, his jaw clenching with a grim determination as he tried to push aside the swirling emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. He knew that he had to be strong, that he had to make the choice that would give humanity its best chance at survival.
But even as he reached for the serum, his hand trembling with the weight of the responsibility that lay upon his shoulders, he couldn't shake the feeling that no matter what he chose, it would be the wrong decision.
"Forgive me," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos of the battlefield. "Forgive me for what I'm about to do."
In the present moment, Levi and Aaron found themselves riding silently in a carriage, the rhythmic clop-clop of the horses' hooves against the cobblestone streets the only sound breaking the stillness between them. Aaron, his brow furrowed in annoyance, shifted in his seat, the leather creaking beneath him.
"Did you really have to come for me so soon?" he grumbled, his emerald eyes flashing with irritation. "I was just starting to enjoy myself."
Levi, his expression impassive, barely glanced in Aaron's direction. "You knew you were only supposed to be in training at the Cadet Corps for three months," he said, his voice flat and unapologetic. "You don't need any more than that."
Aaron let out a huff of frustration, his arms crossing over his chest in a petulant gesture. "But I was just starting to court this cute girl named Christa," he whined, his lower lip jutting out in a childish pout. "We were really hitting it off."
Levi's eyebrow arched, a flicker of incredulity passing over his face. "Is that all you want to live for?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of disdain. "Courting girls?"
Aaron's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with a sudden intensity. "The only thing that matters to me is my sister," he said, his voice low and serious. "That's why I agreed to join the Survey Corps in the first place."
Levi nodded, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "The wings on our back represent freedom," he said, his voice taking on a strange, almost reverent quality. "That's what the Survey Corps is all about. We're the ones who seek freedom and fight for it."
He turned to face Aaron, his steel-grey eyes boring into the younger man's with an unwavering intensity. "I recruited you because I saw the way you fought in the Underground," he said, his voice low and earnest. "You weren't fighting to win. You were fighting to survive, to secure a future for your sister."
Levi paused, his expression growing serious. "But you need to focus on more than just your sister," he said, his voice filled with a quiet conviction. "You need to think about humanity as a whole. Tell me, Aaron, what does freedom mean to you?"
Aaron let out a bitter laugh, his eyes flashing with a sudden anger. "I don't owe humanity a damn thing," he spat, his words dripping with venom. "I was an unwanted child, and because of that, I've had to fight for everything I've ever had."
Levi shook his head, a small sigh escaping his lips. "Tch," he muttered, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. "Spoiled brat."
As the carriage rolled on, the scene shifted, the present moment bleeding into the chaotic reality of the battlefield. Levi, his hand trembling with the weight of the decision that lay before him, stared down at the small, glass vial that contained the precious serum.
His mind drifted back to the events of just a few hours earlier, when they had been cornered by the Beast Titan, the massive creature hurling rocks at them with relentless fury. Erwin, his face etched with a grim resignation, had lamented the fact that he would be the first to die, without ever knowing what lay in the basement that held the key to humanity's future.
"I'm so close," he had whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos of the battlefield. "So close to finding the answers I've been seeking for so long. But now, I'll never know if my father's theory was correct."
Erwin's mind had drifted to his fallen comrades, the men and women who had given their lives in the name of humanity's freedom. "They want to know what we'll do with the hearts they dedicated to our cause," he had said, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. "Because even though they're gone, their fight isn't over."
Levi, his heart heavy with the weight of the moment, had knelt before Erwin, his voice low and earnest. "You fought well," he had said, his words filled with a quiet respect. "Thanks to you, we were able to come this far."
And then, with a heavy heart, Levi had made his decision. "Resign to your dream and die," he had said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Lead the recruits into hell, and I'll defeat the Beast Titan."
Now, as he stood on the blood-soaked streets of Shiganshina, the weight of that decision bore down on him like a physical burden. He looked down at Aaron's broken and battered form, his mind drifting back to the conversation they had shared just the night before.
They had been standing in the courtyard, the cool night air caressing their faces as they gazed up at the star-strewn sky. A comfortable silence had stretched between them, the kind of easy companionship that they had come to share over the years.
"Tell me," Aaron had said, his voice soft and contemplative. "What do you think lies beyond the stars?"
Levi had arched an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise passing over his face. "What kind of question is that?" he had asked, his voice tinged with a hint of incredulity. "You don't usually ask about such things."
Aaron had shrugged, his expression growing pensive. "It's just that lately, I've been wondering what lies beyond the horizon," he had said, his voice filled with a quiet longing. "What's out there, where our eyes can't see? More Titans? Allies? Enemies? Freedom? Hope? Light?"
He had paused, his eyes shining with a sudden intensity. "Whatever the answer is, it would be exciting to find out."
Levi had remained silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "Tell me, Aaron," he had said, his voice low and serious. "What does freedom mean to you?"
Aaron had hesitated, his brow furrowing in thought. "I'm not entirely sure," he had admitted, his voice filled with a quiet uncertainty. "Maybe I'm wrong, but I think a man can be free even in a prison, as long as he's happy. Freedom is the place where your happiness lies, and for me, that's in the palace."
Levi had nodded, his expression growing serious. "And what are you willing to do to protect that?" he had asked, his voice filled with a quiet intensity.
Aaron had met his gaze, his emerald eyes blazing with a sudden determination. "I'll go to the horizon and see what lies beyond," he had said, his voice ringing with a fierce conviction. "So that we can all be free."
Now, as Levi stood on the precipice of the most important decision of his life, those words echoed in his mind, a reminder of the dreams and desires that drove the men and women of the Survey Corps.
He looked down at Erwin's broken and lifeless form, his mind filled with a swirling maelstrom of emotions. The commander had dedicated his life to uncovering the secrets that lay within the basement, to finding the answers that had eluded humanity for so long.
And then he looked at Aaron, the man who had risen from the depths of the Underground to become one of humanity's greatest champions. The man who dreamed of seeing what lay beyond the horizon, of finding the freedom and happiness that had eluded him for so long.
In that moment, Levi was torn between two futures, two dreams that seemed to pull him in opposite directions. On one hand, there was the man who wanted to uncover the secrets of the basement, to find the answers that had driven him for so long.
And on the other, there was the man who wanted to see beyond the horizon, to find the freedom and happiness that lay waiting in the great unknown.
As he stood there, the small, glass vial trembling in his hand, Levi's mind drifted back to the conversation he had shared with Aaron just the night before. The younger man had approached him with a mischievous grin, his emerald eyes twinkling with a playful light.
"Hey, Levi," he had said, his voice filled with a teasing lilt. "You wouldn't want to be my best man, would you? You know, the most important guy after the bride and groom."
Levi had scoffed, his expression growing incredulous. "And why would I be interested in that?" he had asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Aaron had shrugged, his grin widening. "I know you're not," he had said, his voice filled with a playful challenge. "But I want to make your life miserable."
To his surprise, Levi had felt a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Fine," he had said, his voice filled with a grudging amusement. "I accept."
Aaron had recoiled in mock disgust, his nose wrinkling in an exaggerated grimace. "Ew, you're creepy when you smile," he had said, his voice filled with a childish petulance. "Don't ever do that again."
Levi had responded with a swift kick to Aaron's shin, the younger man yelping in pain and hopping on one foot. But even as they had bickered and teased, Levi had felt a warmth spreading through his chest, a sense of camaraderie and friendship that he had never experienced before.
Now, as he stood on the blood-soaked streets of Shiganshina, the weight of the world bearing down on his shoulders, Levi felt that same warmth filling his heart, a reminder of the bonds that tied him to the men and women of the Survey Corps.
He looked down at the small, glass vial in his hand, the precious serum that held the key to humanity's future. And in that moment, he knew what he had to do.
With a heavy heart, Levi knelt beside Aaron's broken and battered form, his hand trembling as he uncapped the vial. He looked down at the younger man's face, his emerald eyes closed in a peaceful slumber, and felt a sudden rush of emotion washing over him.
"I'm sorry, Aaron," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos of the battlefield. "But I have to do this. For humanity's sake, and for yours."
And with those words, he pressed the vial to Aaron's lips, the precious serum spilling into his mouth and down his throat. He watched as the younger man's body began to convulse, the Titan serum working its way through his system, transforming him into something new and terrifying.
....
In the depths of his dreams, Aaron found himself standing before the towering figure of the Colossal Titan, its massive form looming over him like a mountain of flesh and bone. But as he looked closer, he noticed that something was different, something was wrong.
The Titan's face was half-skeletal, its empty eye sockets staring down at him with a chilling emptiness. And as he watched, a single tear began to form in the corner of the Titan's remaining eye, the crystal droplet catching the light as it rolled down the creature's cheek.
"Why did it have to be you?" a voice cried out, the sound echoing through the dreamscape like a clap of thunder. "The one person I fear most in this world, and now I have to share my memories with you."
Aaron turned, his eyes widening as he saw Bertolt standing before him, the young man's face twisted in a mask of anguish and despair. His eyes were filled with a deep, unrelenting pain, the kind of pain that could only come from a lifetime of suffering and loss.
"Shut up," Aaron growled, his voice low and menacing. "Just give me your power and be done with it."
Suddenly, the dream shifted, the colors bleeding together like a watercolor painting left out in the rain. Aaron found himself standing atop the wall of Maria, the wind whipping through his hair as he looked out over the vast expanse of the world beyond.
Beside him, Sasha stood, her face pale and drawn, her body wrapped in a cloak of bandages. She held out a potato, the simple gesture a reminder of the bond they had shared, the friendship that had sustained them through the darkest of times.
Aaron took a step towards her, his brow furrowing in concern as he noticed the extent of her injuries. "What happened?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't remember anything since Bertolt transformed."
Before Sasha could answer, Nanaba came running towards them, her blonde hair flying behind her like a banner in the wind. She threw her arms around Aaron, her face buried in his chest as she clung to him like a lifeline.
"You're back," she whispered, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt. "I was so worried."
Levi appeared beside them, his face set in its usual mask of stoic indifference. Aaron turned to him, his eyes filled with a desperate need for answers.
"What's going on?" he asked, his voice rough with emotion. "Why can't I remember anything?"
Levi sighed, his gaze drifting out over the horizon. "Eren will explain everything," he said, his voice low and serious. "But first, we need to signal the others."
He raised his flare gun, the sharp crack of the shot echoing through the air like a thunderclap. Aaron watched as the smoke drifted up into the sky, a signal of hope and despair, of victory and loss.
As Eren began to speak, his voice low and earnest, Aaron felt a growing sense of dread washing over him. The young man's words painted a picture of a battle that had raged for hours, of a struggle that had pushed them all to the brink of despair.
He spoke of the deaths of their comrades, of the sacrifices that had been made in the name of humanity's future. And as he listened, Aaron felt a deep, aching sense of loss washing over him, a grief that threatened to consume him whole.
"Gus is gone," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his own heart. "And there are only eleven of us left."
Jean nodded, his face etched with a grim resignation. "It's been four hours since the battle ended," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "We haven't found any other survivors."
Aaron turned to Levi, his eyes blazing with a sudden intensity. "Why me?" he asked, his voice raw with emotion. "Why did you choose me over Erwin?"
Levi met his gaze, his steel-grey eyes filled with a quiet determination. "Because you're the one who can lead us beyond the horizon," he said, his voice low and serious. "You're the one who can find the freedom and happiness that we've all been searching for."
Hange stepped forward, her face set with a grim determination. "It's time," she said, her voice ringing with a quiet authority. "We need to go to the basement."
Aaron pushed himself to his feet, his body aching with the weight of his injuries. "Let me make one thing clear," he said, his voice filled with a fierce conviction. "I won't carry the burden of whether it should have been Erwin or not. I trust Levi's judgment, and I trust my own."
He paused, his brow furrowing in thought. "It's strange," he said, his voice growing distant. "I had a dream, a dream that made me cling to life. But I can't remember what it was."
Eren shrugged, his green eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Maybe you hit your head," he said, his voice filled with a playful lilt.
Mikasa rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe you've been hitting your head since you were a child."
Aaron shot her a look of mock indignation. "You really do hate me, don't you?"
Hange clapped her hands, her voice ringing out across the wall. "Alright, enough chatter," she said, her eyes shining with a fierce determination. "Let's get to that famous basement."
They made their way down the wall, their footsteps echoing through the empty streets of Shiganshina. The once-bustling district was now a ghost town, its buildings reduced to rubble and its streets stained with the blood of the fallen.
As they approached the ruins of Eren's childhood home, Aaron felt a sense of trepidation washing over him. He knew that whatever lay behind that basement door would change everything, that it would shatter the fragile peace they had fought so hard to achieve.
Levi stepped forward, his boot slamming against the wooden door with a resounding crack. The door splintered and fell away, revealing a dark, musty space beyond.
They stepped inside, their eyes adjusting to the gloom. The basement was filled with medical equipment, the shelves lined with jars and bottles of strange, unidentifiable liquids.
But it was the desk in the corner that caught their attention, the small, unassuming piece of furniture that held the key to their future. Eren stepped forward, his hands trembling as he pulled open a hidden drawer, revealing a small, leather-bound book.
As they pored over the pages, their eyes widening with each revelation, Aaron felt a growing sense of dread washing over him. The book was a journal, a record of the life of Eren's father, a man who had come from beyond the walls.
It spoke of a world beyond their own, a world filled with humans and Titans. And as they read, Aaron felt a deep, aching sense of despair washing over him, a knowledge that their struggle was far from over.
...
Aaron, Nanaba, Hange, Levi, and Jean rode through the countryside, their horses' hooves pounding against the soft earth as they made their way towards the farm. The sun was setting on the horizon, painting the sky in a breathtaking array of oranges and pinks, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and wildflowers.
As they approached the farm, Historia emerged from the house, her blonde hair shining like spun gold in the fading light. She was carrying a bucket of water, her delicate features etched with worry and fatigue.
But as she caught sight of the approaching riders, her eyes widened with a sudden, overwhelming joy. The bucket slipped from her hands, the water splashing across the ground as she broke into a run, her skirts billowing out behind her like a banner in the wind.
"Aaron!" she cried out, her voice filled with a desperate relief. "You're alive!"
She threw herself into his arms, her face buried in his chest as she clung to him like a lifeline. Aaron wrapped his arms around her, his eyes closing as he breathed in the sweet, familiar scent of her hair.
"I knew you'd come back to me," Historia whispered, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt. "But the uncertainty was killing me."
Aaron smiled, his hand coming up to stroke her hair in a gesture of tender reassurance. "I'll always come back to you," he said, his voice low and earnest. "No matter what happens, I'll always find my way back to you."
Historia pulled back, her blue eyes shining with unshed tears. She leaned in, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was both tender and desperate, a promise of love and devotion that would last a lifetime.
Beside them, Nanaba watched the scene with a wistful expression, her heart aching with a longing she couldn't quite name. "I wish I was Historia," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the gentle rustling of the leaves.
Jean rolled his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I told you not to be pathetic," he said, his tone filled with a playful mockery. "It's disgusting."
Historia pulled back from the embrace, her eyes falling on the Survey Corps cloak that draped Aaron's broad shoulders. "You know," she said, her voice filled with a quiet admiration, "that uniform suits you better than the one from Internal Affairs."
Aaron grinned, his emerald eyes twinkling with a playful light. "What can I say?" he said, his voice filled with a cocky bravado. "I was born to wear this uniform."
Hange stepped forward, her face set with a grim determination. "I hate to interrupt the moment, Your Majesty," she said, her voice filled with a quiet urgency, "but I would like to request an audience as soon as possible."
Historia nodded, her expression growing serious. "Of course," she said, her voice filled with a regal authority. "We can arrange it for tomorrow."
Aaron looked around, his brow furrowing in concern. "Where's Rosy?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of worry.
Historia smiled, her expression softening with a fond affection. "Neil took her into town for a walk," she said, her voice filled with a gentle reassurance.
Aaron's eyes narrowed, his expression growing stormy. "Why the hell did she go with that idiot?" he growled, his voice filled with a protective fury.
Historia laughed, her voice ringing out like a bell in the quiet of the evening. "Rosy is thirteen now, Aaron," she said, her tone filled with a gentle chiding. "And Neil is younger than you, remember?"
Hange stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a sudden, mischievous light. "Speaking of age," she said, her voice filled with a playful curiosity, "Historia looks so small next to you, Mustang. How old are you, anyway?"
Aaron shrugged, his expression growing slightly sheepish. "I'm seventeen," he said, his voice filled with a quiet humility. "I'll be eighteen next month."
Historia smiled, her hand coming up to rest on Aaron's arm in a gesture of tender affection. "And I'm sixteen," she said, her voice filled with a quiet pride.
Hange's eyes widened, her expression growing thoughtful. "Oh, I see," she said, her voice filled with a sudden understanding. "You're the same age."
Levi stepped forward, his steel-grey eyes filled with a quiet concern. "It's worrying," he said, his voice low and serious, "that the most influential people within the walls are so young."
Historia and Aaron exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting in a moment of silent communication. They both burst out laughing, the sound ringing out across the quiet of the evening like a joyous symphony.
Hange grinned, her eyes twinkling with a playful light. "But seriously, Mustang," she said, her voice filled with a teasing lilt, "you look so old compared to Historia."
Levi scoffed, his expression growing annoyed. "Tch," he muttered, his voice filled with a grudging admiration. "The idiot will probably keep growing, too."
Hange turned to Aaron, her eyes wide with curiosity. "How tall are you, anyway?" she asked, her voice filled with a genuine interest.
Aaron shrugged, his expression growing slightly self-conscious. "About 1.84 meters, I think," he said, his voice filled with a quiet humility.
Historia looked up at him, her blue eyes shining with a fierce determination. "Please don't grow any taller," she said, her voice filled with a playful pleading.
Hange and Levi exchanged a glance, their expressions growing serious. "Well," Hange said, her voice filled with a quiet resignation, "we should probably get some rest. We'll see you tomorrow."
Aaron nodded, his expression growing weary. "I'm exhausted," he said, his voice filled with a bone-deep fatigue.
Historia smiled, her hand coming up to rest on his arm in a gesture of tender reassurance. "Let's leave the work for later," she said, her voice filled with a gentle understanding. "You deserve a nice bath and some rest."
She turned to her horse, her delicate features etched with a quiet determination. Aaron stepped forward, his hands coming to rest on her waist as he helped her mount the saddle.
As he swung himself up behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist in a gesture of tender protection, Historia leaned back against his chest, her eyes fluttering closed with a quiet sigh of contentment.
"By the way," Aaron said, his voice filled with a quiet hesitation, "I'm the Colossal Titan now."
Historia's eyes flew open, her expression growing shocked. "What?" she gasped, her voice filled with a sudden, overwhelming fear.
Aaron sighed, his arms tightening around her in a gesture of tender reassurance. "I was on the brink of death," he said, his voice low and serious. "But I managed to survive thanks to the injection. Now I'm a hundred times more dangerous."
Historia twisted in the saddle, her teeth sinking into Aaron's arm in a sudden, fierce bite. Aaron yelped in pain, his eyes widening with surprise.
"You idiot!" Historia cried out, her voice filled with a desperate, aching fear. "Don't joke about something like that. You almost died!"
Tears began to stream down her face, her body shaking with the force of her sobs. Aaron pulled her close, his hand coming up to stroke her hair in a gesture of tender reassurance.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice filled with a quiet regret. "I didn't mean to worry you."
Historia buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking through the fabric of his shirt. "Don't ever do that again," she whispered, her voice muffled by the fabric of his cloak. "I can't lose you, Aaron. I can't."
Aaron held her close, his eyes closing as he breathed in the sweet, familiar scent of her hair. "I'll always come back to you," he said, his voice filled with a quiet conviction. "No matter what happens, I'll always find my way back to you."
They rode in silence for a long moment, the only sound the gentle clopping of the horse's hooves against the soft earth. The sun had set behind the hills, the sky above them a deep, velvety black studded with countless stars.
As they approached the palace, the warm glow of the lanterns spilling out across the courtyard, Aaron felt a deep, aching sense of peace washing over him. He was home, at last, in the arms of the woman he loved, and for a moment, all the pain and suffering of the past few days seemed to fade away, replaced by a quiet, unshakable sense of hope.
"I love you, Historia," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the gentle rustling of the leaves. "More than anything in this world."
Historia smiled, her hand coming up to rest on his cheek in a gesture of tender affection. "I love you too, Aaron," she said, her voice filled with a quiet conviction. "Forever and always."
And as they rode through the gates of the palace, the warm glow of the lanterns washing over them like a gentle caress, Aaron knew that no matter what the future held, no matter what dangers and challenges lay ahead, he would always have Historia by his side, a shining beacon of hope and love in a world consumed by darkness and despair.
The morning sun cast a warm glow through the tall, arched windows of the meeting room, illuminating the ornate furnishings and the serious faces of the men gathered within. Commander-in-Chief Darius Zackly and Commander Dot Pixis sat at the long, polished table, their expressions grave as they discussed the future of humanity.
"The existence of more humans beyond the walls, and the fact that they are our enemies, changes everything," Zackly said, his voice low and somber. "We must be prepared for the worst."
Pixis nodded, his fingers absently stroking his mustache as he pondered the implications. "Indeed," he agreed, his eyes distant. "But I fear that this audience may be little more than a formality."
Zackly's brow furrowed, his frustration evident in the tense set of his shoulders. "You're right," he growled, his fist clenching on the table. "Mustang holds all the power now. He has the support of the Military Police, the backing of the Survey Corps, and he's the damn Colossal Titan to boot. Not to mention his fiancée is the Queen."
He shook his head, his expression darkening. "Basically, whatever the Survey Corps or Mustang wants, they'll get. We're just puppets in this game."
The door to the meeting room swung open, and Aaron Mustang strode in, flanked by Hange Zoë, the newly appointed Commander of the Survey Corps, Captain Levi, and Commander Nile Dok of the Military Police. Aaron's emerald eyes glinted with a hint of mischief as he took in the tense atmosphere.
"Sorry for the delay," he said, his voice dripping with insincere apology. "I hope we haven't kept you waiting too long."
Zackly's eyes narrowed, his dislike for the young Director of Internal Affairs evident in his scowl. "It hardly matters," he sneered, his voice thick with disdain. "You enjoy the Queen's favoritism, after all. I'm sure she'll grant you whatever you desire."
Aaron's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. "As a matter of fact," he drawled, his voice low and suggestive, "she couldn't stop screaming my name last night. I'd say she's in a very good mood today, and quite likely to bend to my will."
Zackly's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white with the force of his anger. Aaron leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"That's what really bothers you and Pixis, isn't it?" he said, his tone mocking. "The fact that you don't have the power anymore. That you're not the ones pulling the strings."
Pixis remained silent, his fingers absently scratching at his mustache as he watched the exchange with a carefully neutral expression. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken animosity.
Suddenly, the doors burst open, and a group of soldiers marched in, their faces set with grim determination. Zackly rose to his feet, his expression triumphant.
"I could have you arrested right now, Mustang," he declared, his voice ringing with authority. "Despite your position in Internal Affairs and your direct service to the Queen, you are still a member of the military, and therefore, I am your superior officer."
Aaron raised his hand, revealing a small, precise cut on his palm. His lips curved into a dangerous smile as a crackle of electricity began to dance across his skin.
"Do you really want to test me, old man?" he asked, his voice low and menacing. "I'm not sure you're ready for the consequences."
The tension in the room reached a breaking point, the soldiers shifting uneasily as they watched the confrontation unfold. But before the situation could escalate further, the doors swung open once more, and Queen Historia swept into the room, her presence commanding instant silence.
"Enough," she said, her voice ringing with authority. "I will not tolerate this behavior, from anyone."
She turned to Aaron, her blue eyes flashing with a hint of reproach. "Director Mustang," she said, her tone formal and unyielding, "I expect you to show proper respect to your superiors, regardless of our personal relationship. I will not allow anyone, not even my fiancé, to break the rules or undermine the chain of command."
Aaron clicked his tongue in annoyance, his eyes darting away from Historia's stern gaze. Beside him, Levi let out a soft snort of amusement, earning a glare from the young Director.
Historia turned to the rest of the room, her expression softening slightly. "Let us adjourn to the audience chamber," she said, her voice calm and measured. "We have much to discuss, and little time to waste."
As the others filed out of the room, Historia hung back, her eyes fixed on Aaron's face. When they were alone, she stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and exasperation.
Aaron shrugged, his expression unrepentant. "I can't stand those two," he muttered, his voice low and angry. "They're nothing but cowards who would sacrifice their own Queen if it suited their purposes."
Historia sighed, her hand coming up to rest on Aaron's cheek in a gentle caress. "I appreciate your concern," she said softly, her eyes shining with affection. "But I can take care of myself, Aaron. You don't need to protect me all the time."
She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before pulling away, her expression growing serious once more. "Now, let's go," she said, her voice firm. "We have work to do."
Aaron watched her go, his heart heavy with a mix of frustration and admiration. He knew that Historia was strong, that she could handle herself in the cutthroat world of politics and power. But still, the thought of anyone trying to harm her, to use her for their own gain, made his blood boil with a fierce, protective rage.
He followed her out of the room, his steps heavy with the weight of his thoughts. As he walked, he couldn't help but let a small, petty jab slip past his lips.
"Fine," he muttered, his voice just loud enough for Historia to hear. "But don't expect any sex tonight."
Historia froze, her shoulders stiffening at his words. She turned to face him, her blue eyes flashing with a mix of anger and amusement.
"Really, Aaron?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're going to withhold sex as a punishment? How very mature of you."
Aaron shrugged, a small, impish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Hey, a man's got to have some leverage in this relationship," he said, his tone light and teasing.
Historia rolled her eyes, but Aaron could see the hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "You're impossible," she muttered, shaking her head in fond exasperation.