FLASHBACK TO HISTORIA'S IDENTITY REVEAL

The memory surfaced unbidden, a moment from what felt like a lifetime ago.

The moon hung high over the ruined castle, its pale light casting eerie shadows through the crumbling walls of Utgard Castle. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat. A ragged group of us—Reiner, Bertholdt, Connie, Historia, Ymir, and me—stood amidst the wreckage, panting from the relentless onslaught of Titans that had breached our makeshift sanctuary.

Ymir crouched protectively in front of Historia, her body shaking from exhaustion, her Titan form barely holding itself together after her desperate battle to protect us. The last Titan she had crushed lay motionless, steam rising from its broken form.

Historia knelt beside her, gripping her hand, her eyes fierce with worry. "Why… why would you do something so reckless?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Ymir chuckled, though her voice was strained. "You should be used to it by now." She turned her gaze toward me. "Akira, you knew, didn't you? About me?"

I met her stare with calm certainty. "Yeah. And I also knew you wouldn't let them die."

Ymir smirked. "Tch. Smartass."

Historia looked between us, then back at Ymir. "No more secrets, Ymir. Please."

Ymir hesitated. Then, she sighed. "Fine. No more secrets. But that goes for you, too. Right, Historia?"

Historia stiffened.

Reiner and Connie looked confused, but my gaze remained steady on her. She avoided my eyes, her fingers tightening around Ymir's hand.

"Ymir… don't."

Ymir let out a tired laugh. "Why not? Akira already knows. Probably has for a while. Might as well let the others in on the big mystery."

Historia's breathing grew uneven. I could see the conflict in her eyes—fear, doubt, but also relief. Finally, she lifted her chin, meeting our gazes with quiet determination.

"My real name is Historia Reiss. I'm the daughter of the true royal family."

Silence.

Reiner's eyes widened in shock, and Bertholdt stiffened. Connie looked utterly lost, glancing at me for confirmation. I simply nodded.

Historia's expression hardened, as if waiting for judgment.

But I wasn't about to let her stand alone.

I stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "So what?"

She blinked up at me. "What?"

I shrugged. "You're still you. Historia or Christa, it doesn't change anything."

Her breath hitched, and for a brief moment, the vulnerability in her eyes was unmistakable. Then, in an unexpected move, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace.

"Thank you," she whispered.

I hesitated before returning the hug. "Anytime."

Reiner cleared his throat awkwardly, while Connie still looked like he was catching up. Ymir, though, simply smirked, her exhaustion evident but her eyes warm.

"Guess you've got another knight, Historia."

Historia pulled back slightly, a small, genuine smile on her lips. "Maybe. But I still like the first one best."

Her fingers brushed against my hand before she turned back to Ymir, helping her up. The moment lingered between us, an unspoken promise.

We weren't alone in this fight.

[FLASHBACK ENDS – BACK TO PRESENT]

The night wind carried the echoes of that memory as I stood atop the wall, Historia by my side.

She glanced at me, her voice softer than before. "You're thinking about that night, aren't you?"

I nodded. "Hard to forget. That was the moment everything changed."

She looked away, her expression distant. "You didn't hesitate. When I told you my name, you just… accepted it. That meant more to me than you realize."

I chuckled. "I'm not really the judgmental type."

Historia turned to me fully, stepping closer. "Akira… I don't say this enough, but… thank you. For always being there."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're getting sentimental on me, Historia."

She rolled her eyes, but before I could react, she leaned in and kissed me. It wasn't hurried or fleeting—it was firm, deliberate, and filled with emotions neither of us had ever put into words.

When she pulled away, she looked at me with an unreadable expression. "That was for being my friend. And for being someone I can trust."

I exhaled, my mind catching up to what had just happened. Then, I smirked. "I'd say I should save your life more often, but I think Ymir might fight me for the job."

Historia laughed, a genuine, lighthearted sound that felt like a rare treasure in this war-torn world.

I didn't know what the future held, but for now, this moment was enough.

And when the battle came, I would make damn sure she lived to see a better world.