Flames of Resolve

The moment we stepped out of that basement, everything changed.

Before, the battle against the Titans was a desperate struggle for survival. A war against mindless beasts that sought nothing but to devour us. But now, that illusion had been shattered. The true enemy wasn't the Titans—it was Marley.

Beyond the sea, an entire nation wanted us dead. Not because of what we had done, but because of who we were. Because of something as meaningless as bloodline.

I already knew all of this.

But seeing the weight of the truth crash down on Eren, Armin, and Mikasa? It hit differently.

Eren wasn't broken, but he was close. He stared at the ground, his expression unreadable, his mind likely replaying every moment of his life under this new perspective.

Armin was trying to analyze, trying to process what this meant. His breathing was controlled, but the flicker of excitement in his eyes told me he was already thinking ahead. The strategist in him was awakening.

And Mikasa? She wasn't saying anything. Just staying by Eren's side, watching him, ready to be whatever he needed her to be.

Erwin was the first to speak, his voice steady but laced with something deeper. "This confirms it. We were never fighting for freedom… we were fighting to escape a lie."

His hands tightened around the book, but there was no despair in his expression. If anything, I saw something dangerous in his eyes.

Hope.

The kind of hope that could change the world.

The Aftermath

As we made our way back toward the waiting soldiers, whispers filled the air. Everyone could tell something had changed. They didn't know what, but they knew.

Levi walked beside me, his usual blank expression in place.

"Not gonna ask what's on your mind?" I muttered.

He scoffed. "I already know what's on your mind. Question is, what do you plan to do?"

I let out a slow breath, glancing at Eren. His posture was tense, his fists clenched, but there was no hesitation in his eyes.

"I plan to make sure he doesn't lose himself," I admitted.

Levi gave me a sidelong glance. "And if he does?"

I smiled faintly. "Then I'll drag him back."

Levi snorted. "Tch. Bold words. Just don't get yourself killed trying."

I didn't plan on it.

But I wasn't gonna let Eren walk down that path, either.

System Notification

The moment we crossed into the secured district, I felt it. That familiar pulse of energy in my chest.

[System Alert: Quest Completed!]

Main Quest: Uncover the Truth

✅ Objective: Discover the contents of Grisha's basement.

✅ Objective: Ensure survival of key members.

✅ Bonus: Maintain Levi and Eren's trust.

[Rewards Granted]

100,000 System Coins Skill Upgrade Token (Rare) +5 to All Stats Special Item: Reiner's Hardened Plate (Can be fused into equipment for enhanced defense)

Nice.

I felt the boost instantly—my body felt lighter, my senses sharper. And that upgrade token? That was gonna come in handy.

But the biggest reward? The fact that I had changed something.

Eren wasn't the same as he was in the manga. The hatred was still there, but now, there was something else mixed in.

Something I could use to steer him toward a better future.

A Private Conversation

Later that night, long after the others had gone to rest, I found Eren sitting alone on a rooftop, staring at the moonlit horizon.

I didn't need to ask what he was thinking.

Instead, I sat down beside him, letting the silence settle between us.

"…You already knew, didn't you?" he finally muttered.

I raised an eyebrow. "Knew what?"

Eren turned to me, his expression unreadable. "That there were people outside the walls. That the world was bigger than this."

I exhaled slowly. "What makes you think that?"

He gave a humorless chuckle. "You never reacted. Not once. Not to the books, not to the photo. Not even when we learned the truth."

Damn. He was sharp.

I glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

Eren didn't look at me, just kept his gaze on the darkened skyline. "Back in the basement. You weren't shocked. Not once. Not even a little. You just… stood there."

Damn. He really was sharp.

If I wasn't careful, he'd figure out that I knew everything long before stepping into that basement.

I let out a slow breath and leaned back, resting my weight on my hands. "Is that really surprising?" I asked, keeping my voice light. "I mean, what did you expect me to do? Cry? Scream?"

Eren's grip on his knee tightened. "That's not the point."

I turned to him, tilting my head slightly, giving him a calculated look—one that showed just enough curiosity to make him doubt himself. "Then what is the point?"

His eyes finally snapped to me, searching my face for something. "The point is…" He hesitated, his brows furrowing. I could see the gears turning in his head, trying to connect the dots.

But before he could, I threw him off track.

I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head. "Eren, come on. Look at me. Do I really seem like the kind of guy who gets emotional over things like that?"

I saw the hesitation flicker in his eyes.

I leaned forward, voice dropping to something more thoughtful. "Think about it. We've been fighting for our lives since the day we joined the Scouts. We've seen Titans tear people apart, watched friends die, and had to kill to survive. After all that, finding out there's an enemy beyond the walls?" I scoffed. "It's just another fight waiting to happen."

Eren stared at me for a long moment. Then, slowly, some of the tension in his shoulders eased.

I watched his expression carefully, making sure my words had planted the right seeds. Doubt. Rationalization. A reason for him to let it go.

And sure enough, I saw it—he accepted it.

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Tch. I guess that makes sense."

I smirked, leaning back again. "Of course it does. I'm not heartless, but freaking out over something I can't change? Pointless. What matters is what we do next."

That got his attention.

Eren's eyes darkened, and this time, there was no hesitation when he spoke.

"We fight."

I met his gaze, seeing the fire in them.

Not blind rage. Not reckless hatred. Controlled determination.

And that? That was exactly what I wanted.

I grinned. "Now you're thinking like a warrior."

Eren smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Tch. Like I have a choice."

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You always have a choice. The real question is how far you're willing to go."

His jaw tightened. "As far as it takes."

Good.

I had successfully steered him away from the worst version of himself.

Now, I just had to make sure he stayed on this path

The War Ahead

The next few days were a blur of preparation. Erwin and Hange analyzed the journals, strategizing for what came next. Supplies were restocked, weapons repaired.

And me?

I trained.

Levi wasn't one to give compliments, but after seeing me fight, he had expectations. And I wasn't about to let him down.

Not when the real war was just beginning.

Not when I had a future to shape.

System Notification

One morning, as I finished another sparring session with Levi, the system chimed again.

[System Alert: Hidden Skill Unlocked!]

Skill: Sun Breathing – Form 6 (Solar Flash Strike)

A high-speed instant-kill technique. Increases reaction speed by 50% for five seconds. Can be used once per battle.

I exhaled sharply, feeling the new power settle into my body.

Levi raised an eyebrow. "You good?"

I smirked. "Better than good."

Levi rolled his eyes. "Tch. Show me."

I grinned, stepping into a stance.

Alright then, Captain. Let's see how fast you really are.

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Hey everyone, I know that the story isn't the best and that the characters and their interactions can be a bit disjointed. This is my first time writing fan fiction, and I'm trying to improve based on your feedback. Thank you for your comments; they really help me grow as a writer!