The People You Meet in the Afterlife

Thomas Wagner & Milieus Zeremski

Milieus Zeremski enjoyed feeling the wind in his hair again. He took a deep breath as the horse galloped along the coast, he had never seen such a massive a body of water in his life. It seemed to stretch on forever no end in sight.

It was....exhilarating.

So this is heaven, he thought.

He continued on, following the young woman who was galloping on ahead as she turned onto a path in the forest. Milieus was sadden to no longer be riding along the the shimmering body of water, and smelling salt in the air.

The ride through the forest wasn't as exciting. It felt like a training activity he had done in the many times in his 3 years in the cadet corps.

"A lot of good that training did", he grumbled to himself. He didn't even make it to the end of the closing ceremony before he was devoured by the very thing he had signed up to destroy.

Everything had gone black, after severe painful hours of digesting in the stomach of a Titan. Like being slowly boiled alive. Then he awoke on the sand, and in front of him the massive body of water, waves rippling in the wind.

After about an hour or so of sitting and starting into the vast of the horizon, a young lady appeared. To be honest she only looked a few years older than him. She had auburn hair, bright green eyes, and was quite short.

"Name's Isabel Magnolia.....hate to break it to ya but you're dead", she said with a grin.

"I kinda figured that out for myself" he said.

Now after about a 30 minute ride, the two trotted into a town, a bit smaller than Trost.

His eyes widened, "so many people....and kids".

"Welcome to town....we don't really have a name for it, it being the afterlife it can kinda be whatever you wanna call it". Isabel said, still in a cheerful mood.

They got their horses settled in the stables.

"Well ya must be hungry I guess".

At the mention of the word "hunger", Milieus suddenly realized that his stomach was empty.

"Can the dead eat?"

"I have been for the past 10 or so years"

"You've been here for that long....you're so young", Milieus stammered.

"I was 19 when I died, Titan took my head clean off", she said, being disturbingly cheerful about it. "But that's another story for another day.

Isabel led him to the tavern, that has the "best pork chop".

Milieus was looking forward to a good meal, until he walked into the tavern.

His eyes lit up!

"Mina.....Thomas.....is that really you?!?!?" He rushed over to his friends, his squad mates.

"I'm so happy to see you guys....I mean I...hate that you're..."

Mina pulled Milieus into a warm hug, "We know what you mean. We are happy to see you too"

After bittersweet reunion, the 3 sat at a table ready for their first dinner as dead souls.

"Thomas, I'm sorry we were able to help you, or even avenge you", Milieus said.

"It's alright, I mean look how we all ended up", Thomas said with a laugh. "We all
became Titan food".

"Speak for yourself", Mina pipped up, "that b*stard took my head off"

"That's what happened to the person who led me here...Isabel was her name...she seemed to make a joke of it" Milieus said taking a bite of his pork chop.

"Guess if you are hear long enough....it all becomes a joke" Thomas said with a shrug.

"So what branch were you guys thinking of joining?" Mina asked changing the subject. "I was so close to making it in the top 10, but no one could come close to Mikasa and Annie, was kind of surprised that someone as small as Krista and someone as dumb as Sasha made it", Mina continued with a laugh.

"Right before Wall Rose was breached she stole meat from the officers store, we were all going to share it", Mina said sadly. "I hope she survives, but if she's smart she'll join the MPs"

"If any of them are smart, they join the MPs after going through fighting titans for real." Milieus said.

"Well I was going to joint to Garrison, seemed like a good option, helping towns people, guarding the walls." Mina said.

"Garrison was going to be my choice too, I got a lot of respect for Commander Pixis, and again it's a safer bet, than joining those crazy b*stards in the Survey Corps". Milieus said with a bit of a laugh. "I'd bet that's where that Jeager kid is going, along with his 2 side kicks, Mikasa and Armin"

"I wonder if Eren will ever catch on to Mikasa's feelings?" Mina wondering aloud.

"Doubt it", Thomas said with a laugh. "All he's got in his mind are killing all titans and something about the sea. Then again Eren kind of was inspiring me to join the corps, see what's outside of the walls".

At the mention of the the sea Milieus nearly choked on his potato.

"That's it!!!! That's what it was!!! I saw it!!! The sea!!!!", Milieus cried out, causing several heads to turn. "That's what Armin was always talking about, that's where I woke up."

"Really??? The sea exists!!!" Mina said her eyes lighting up.

"Yes Mina, and it was incredible, and so beautiful", Milieus said.

"Would you know how to get back there?" Thomas asked.

"Yeah I think I could, I could always ask Isabel to take us".