Chapter 16: Legacy and Reunion
As she walked, memories of Eren, Armin, and the others flooded her mind. They had all fought so hard for the future, and now that future was in Aiden's hands. He might not know it yet, but one day, he would.
For now, though, she would let him have this—his own journey, his own dreams. And when the time came, she would be there to guide him, just as she had always done.
---
The crisp morning air hung over the training grounds near Trost District as the new recruits assembled in a rigid line, their uniforms freshly pressed and their faces filled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Aiden Yeager stood among them, his posture steady, but his eyes betraying the thoughts racing through his mind. This was his first day at training, a path both his parents had once walked, though their steps had led to far greater destinies.
Next to him stood a girl with long, blonde hair. Aiden noticed her out of the corner of his eye, but he didn't know her name, nor did she offer any introduction yet. The recruits stood silently, waiting for instruction. Suddenly, a voice boomed across the grounds.
"Listen up!" Floch Forster, now the head instructor, barked. His eyes scanned the line of fresh faces with the same intensity that once marked the presence of Keith Shadis. "You're not here to play around! I don't care what you think you know. None of you are ready for what's to come!"
Aiden stood firm as Floch marched down the line, calling for each recruit to introduce themselves. Floch stopped in front of Aiden, his eyes sharp.
"Name!" Floch ordered, his voice gruff and demanding.
"Aiden Yeager," Aiden responded with calm clarity.
Floch paused for a split second. His eyes widened briefly, and an unmistakable flash of recognition crossed his face. He didn't comment on it, but the tension in his body suggested that the name carried weight—something he would keep in mind as training continued. He moved on without another word, but Aiden noticed his lingering gaze.
Floch continued his way down the line, barking at each recruit in turn. Finally, he stopped in front of the blonde girl next to Aiden.
"Name!" Floch demanded.
The girl lifted her head confidently. "Elena," she responded simply. Floch's eyes momentarily flickered with interest as she gave her name, but he said nothing further, only nodding curtly before moving down the line.
As the introductions continued, Aiden's mind wandered. He hadn't expected anyone to react to his name, but the look in Floch's eyes told him otherwise.
After the introductions, Floch shouted, "Dismissed to the mess hall! Get something to eat and prepare yourselves for the real work to begin!"
---
Midday, Mess Hall
The mess hall buzzed with the clamor of new recruits excitedly talking about the grueling training ahead. Aiden found a table in the corner, sitting alone with his meal. He preferred the solitude, especially now. The name Yeager seemed to have some kind of ripple effect, though no one else had reacted like Floch. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that people were watching him.
As he ate, someone approached. The blonde girl—Elena—quietly sat across from him without asking. Aiden raised his head slightly, curious.
"You're Aiden Yeager, right?" she asked, her voice gentle but confident.
Aiden nodded, unsure of what this was leading to.
"I recognized your last name," she continued. "My mother told me stories about an Eren Yeager and a Mikasa Ackerman. They were... well, she spoke highly of them."
Aiden's eyes narrowed in surprise. "Your mother knew my parents?"
Elena nodded, a soft smile forming on her lips. "Yeah, my mother is Historia Reiss. She said she fought alongside them in the Scouts. She told me a lot of stories about their bravery, especially Eren's."
Aiden's interest piqued. "Tell me about them," he said, leaning forward slightly. "About my dad. About my mom. What were they like?"
Elena's expression softened, and she began to recount the stories her mother had told her. "Your dad... well, my mom said he was intense. He had this fire in him, always pushing forward, no matter what stood in his way. He was determined to protect everyone, even if it meant carrying the weight of the world. And your mom, Mikasa... she was quiet, but fierce. She said Mikasa was only second to Levi the captain. She never left his side, always looking out for him."
Aiden listened intently, the emotions swirling inside him. He had always wondered what kind of people his parents had been, beyond the legendary figures people spoke of. Hearing it from someone else, someone who knew them personally, made it feel more real.
"They were always there for each other," Elena added. "My mom said that if you knew them, you could see how much they cared for each other, even if they didn't always say it out loud."
Aiden took in her words, a mixture of pride and sorrow welling up inside him. He didn't know what to say, so he simply nodded.
Just as they were beginning to speak more, the bell rang, signaling the end of the meal. The recruits were to head out for the next part of their training. Aiden glanced at Elena, who gave him a small smile before standing up.
"I guess we'll be seeing more of each other," she said before walking off to join the others.
---
Afternoon, Utgard Castle
The afternoon sun was setting by the time Mikasa Ackerman arrived at the gates of Utgard Castle. The once-abandoned fortress was now a guarded outpost, with soldiers patrolling the grounds. Mikasa approached the entrance, her cloak pulled tight against the wind.
Two guards stood watch, and as she approached, they eyed her suspiciously. "State your name and business!" one of the guards demanded, his hand resting on the trigger of his gun.
Mikasa stopped, unfazed by their suspicion. "I'm Mikasa Ackerman," she said plainly. "I need to speak with Commander Hange. She knows me."
The guards exchanged glances. One of them turned back to her, still skeptical. "Wait here," he said, before heading inside to relay the message.
Mikasa stood patiently, her mind focused on the task at hand. Moments later, the guard returned. "Commander Hange said to bring you in immediately."
Without a word, Mikasa followed the guard through the gates and into the castle. As she walked, memories of past battles and old allies flooded her mind. Soon, she would see Hange again. Soon, she would be back in the world she had left behind.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
AH_15
AH_15 We dont talk about the long break ok?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone