Destiny of Paradise

Training End

Sam

"It's almost over." I chuckled as I laid on my back, looking up at the stars. "Who do you think will get first?"

"Mikasa." Ryan simply replied.

"Oh..." I awkwardly sighed. "Thought you'd try to point out who was better."

"I don't think I know anyone stronger than her or Annie." Ryan grunted as he stood up and kicked a rock across the ground. It then tumbled off of the cliff and towards the bright lake in the distance.

"They're fighters." I said as I stretched my back.

"But so is Eren." Ryan retorted.

"Eren's different." I argued. "Annie and Mikasa both have this innate strength within them, both physically and mentally. They've been masters at this for forever, but Eren is only starting."

Ryan chuckled and said, "I remember when you tried to be cryptic with Zeke in training. Pretty sad, dude."

"Shut up!" I whined as I sat up. "I was trying to look tough. Also, Magath was right next to us. Tried to get some points."

"Yeah, pity points."

"You got quite a mouth on you." I laughed as I pushed myself to my feet.

"Who does?" A voice asked from behind us. I looked back and saw Eren walking towards us.

"Ryan." I answered.

"What are you guys doing out here?" Eren asked.

"Just preparing for the ceremony tomorrow." I answered.

"Where branch are you guys gonna go to?" Eren asked. Both Ryan and I fell silent.

"I'll... go wherever Big Bro goes." Ryan answered.

"Don't you dare." I snapped at him. "Make your own choices."

"Well, which branch are you choosing?" Eren asked me. I sighed and stared at the sparkling lake. I remembered what that Erwin guy said to me. I was to be put into the Scouts.

"I... don't know." I answered. "I'll figure it out." Eren hummed and crossed his arms.

"You guys are missing a good meal." Eren smiled at us. "Don't stay out for too long. The foods gonna get cold."

"We'll be right in." I told him. He nodded before walking back to the cabin. "I miss the good ol' days."

"What do you mean?"

"Being warrior candidates." I told him. "Having a bright future."

"That can still happen."

"No... no, it can't." I looked at him, tears beginning to fall from my eyes. "Because our fucking parents wouldn't let that happen!" I fell to the ground and curled up into a ball.

"Where's this coming from?" Ryan asked.

"I... I just can't handle this." I told him. "I know we'll eventually have to choose between Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt, or the others. I don't want to." It was rare for me to cry, but I just couldn't hold it back any longer.

Sam, Age 9

"I can't do this." Ryan cried into my shoulder. "I won't get a Titan. I'm too weak."

"Stop." I told him as I grabbed his shoulders. "We still have a few months before it's decided."

We were both sitting on a bench near a hospital, wearing our Marleyan military uniforms with our yellow armbands.

"Wipe those tears." I told him as I brushed my thumbs on the corners of his eyes. A group of Marleyan soldiers passed by. "We can't look weak."

"But I a—"