GIVE YOUR HEART, levi ackerman

epilogue

hi lovies, we have reached the end of book 1! thank you for staying with me for so long :)

i will be going back into this book and making some heavy edits (fixing plot holes, pacing, etc). i am also working on the first few chapters of book 2 which will be released soon (maybe I'll post a little teaser chapter here as well)

as always, thank you for reading along. your interactions truly do brighten my day.

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Life continued on after Shiganshina was retaken. You began to mend your relationship with Historia, who let you return to your duties within reasonable time. Levi continued to be a pillar of support, but you two decided to take things slow, in order to prevent any more heartache. The others continued to check in on you as well, and you became closer with them than you had ever imagined, often spending your free time training and conversing with them. And although it took many long nights learning how to forgive, you had managed to mend the better part of your friendship with Hange.

Finally, months after the Scouts returned from Wall Maria, when the snow started melting, the military formally announced that Wall Maria had been cleansed of titans at last. By the time the elevators on Trost's wall were freed for use, and work had begun on paving the main road, there were flowers in bloom, and butterflies dancing between them. Maria's refugees were finally permitted to return to their homes, roughly a year after what had been called humanity's first victory in Trost. And so, six years after the Colossal Titan's first devastating attack, the Scouts resumed their expeditions, exploring the world beyond the walls once again.

As you rode across the vast plains outside the walls, the landscape stretched out before you in a breathtaking display of untamed beauty. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the rolling hills and endless fields of green.

There is a silence among the Scouts, each of you lost in your own thoughts as explored the land beyond the Walls. But for you, there was a growing sense of anticipation prickling at your gut. The Scouts had embarked on an expedition to reach the sea about a day or so ago, which alone sparked excitement. 

However, behind the scenes, you had managed to bargain with Hange on extending your trip one more day to stop by your home along the way.

The wind whipped through your hair as you rode ahead, the only sound to be heard was the rhythmic thumping of horse hooves.

Every tree, every landmark, every stone feels like an old friend greeting you after a long absence. It's as if the land itself is welcoming you home, embracing you with a sense of belonging that you haven't felt in years. Memories flood your mind, each one a piece of the puzzle that led you to this moment.

You led the scouts through the small collection of woods, inhaling the scent of pine and flowers. As you emerge from the clearing, letting your eyes adjust to the light, you came to a halt with the others following suit.

In the valley below stood a lone stone house, unassuming and quaint, with vines and ivy growing thick over its concaved roof. 

But you knew how it looked all those years ago. You recognized every brick in its walls, even remembering the ones that were no longer there, having gotten lost in time and disrepair.

"This is it." You announced breathlessly to the others.

You took in the area slowly as you walked your horse down the hill towards the crumbled ruins. The path to your front door was overgrown, but you didn't need it to guide you as you followed the steps with muscle memory. The sturdy oak tree that had given shade to you and your brother when you played outside before dinner as kids still stood strong, its ancient branches creaking heavily in the wind.