Attack on Titan: Aftermath

The Lost Warrior

The ceiling was foggy. Everything was foggy. The light coming in from my curtains was too bright to handle. God... what had happened last night? Oh yes... I remember now... We were at the bar, and then Gabi and I had a few drinks... The little boy took a photo of us to hang on the wall of the bar. The bartender was mean... What was his name again? I looked at the clock to the right of me. It was already eleven hundred hours. Oh, right! I went back afterwards, said goodbye to everyone. Everyone was there... that bar must've been a popular one... was anyone else there? I got up and out of my bed, there being a red carpet on the floor kept my feet from getting too cold. The AC vent above my hotel window was also keeping the entire room cool during the early July month. Across from my bed, was a plant and behind it a dresser with a mirror above it. I walked over to get a closer look at my face. It'd only been a few days since I'd last shaved and my face was already stubbling into a five o'clock shadow. Only a few years ago my chin and upper lip were the only areas of my face that'd grow facial hair, I was getting old.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Reiner Braun?" A male voice said through the door. It must've been a steward. I moved away from the mirror and opened the door. "Queen Historia has requested your presence in the Krolva District." The man said, handing me a piece of paper. It'd only been my third day in Eldia and the Historia was already requesting to see me? By herself? No she must be inviting others. I took the paper, smiled, and closed the door. Slowly, I opened the paper which had writings on it.

"Reiner,

Thank you for finally coming to visit me and the rest of Eldia! Annie gave me word of you and the others' reunion last night and I am deeply sorrowed that I was not invited! Even had I been, I most likely could not attend. Although I heard it was all by coincidence, which sounds a bit too cheesy to really be true. Nonetheless, I'd like to see you in person today. The Krolva District is only a train ride away and shouldn't take more than an hour without trouble. It's also where we've been training the new Garrison, and I'd like you to meet them. Further details will be explained at your arrival. I expect you to leave as soon as you get this letter!

Sincerely,

Queen Historia"

The Garrison? What's this about? No use in asking myself. I went to my bed and pulled out my suitcase from underneath it. I'd packed a more formal suit for this occasion, however due me meeting the Garrison instead of just the Queen herself, I opted for my retired Marley uniform. Without the armband, the chance of people recognizing it were slim. I took out a comb and tried training my unkempt hair, which I'd let grow out quite a bit. I abandoned Marley's traditional middle part in order to blend in with Eldians better, although I wouldn't go as far as to get an undercut, which also reminded me of Porco too much. I swept my hair to a slight side part and headed out to the stations, where I sat and waited patiently. I didn't fall asleep like last time, I'd just kept reading Historia's letter over and over again. Her penmanship was truly beautiful.

Getting off the train was a relief, I feared having another nightmare, or memory of a different future again. It was amazing to see how much Eldia had evolved since my last visit. There were automobiles that looked way out of Marley's league just a few years ago, skyscrapers, automated streetlights, just a lovely mix of steampunk and modern technology. After asking for directions as to where the western Garrison were trained, I found myself upon a facility with several royal guards. "Western Garrison Registry" the sign above it read.

"Good afternoon" I greeted them. "Queen Historia requested my presence" I said, giving the paper to one of the men guarding the front door as I walked up the last few steps.

"Right this way sir." The man wearing a green trench coat with a unicorn badge replied, opening the door to the building. I stepped in, it was a messy building with a female receptionist at the front and many people in the waiting room I walked in. Without knowing what to do, I sat down like the rest of them.