I'm Eren Yeager

The Price Of A Legacy

Year 812 ...Two years after the end of the Ackerman Persecution Act.

The last words my parents last words still echoed in my mind "Keep running, Jacob, and never look back. But why did I flee? Why was I too weak to save them?" Jacob's voice cracked as he gazed down at the gentle stream beside them, its soft gurgling a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart.

The warm sunlight filtering through the tree's leaves above cast dappled shadows on the grass, where Rowan's concerned face came into view. "Hey, Jacob, snap out of it! We can't afford to linger. The Military Police might be closing in." Rowan's black hair seemed to blend with the shadows, his greyish eyes gleaming with urgency.

Jacob's eyes fluttered shut, the memories still haunting him. "I... I had a dream, Jason. A dream I can't remember." He shook his head, the leaves rustling above them.

Rowan's hand grasped his shoulder, his voice firm. "No time for dreams, Jacob. We need to keep moving. The king's men won't show mercy if they catch us." The soft breeze carried the distant rumble of horses' hooves, a reminder of the danger lurking beyond their secluded glade.

Jacob's ancestors were prominent leaders in the rebellion against the empire. Although the Ackerman Persecution Act had been repealed, the new king sought vengeance for his father's death by targeting all those involved in the rebellion, including Jacob's family.

As for Rowan, the last surviving rebel besides Jacob, knew the military police would show no mercy to an Ackerman who had fought alongside the king's assassins. Therefore, Rowan had pledged to remain by Jacob's side as his protector, a duty he had sworn to uphold as Jacob friend.

"Wall Maria seems impossible to reach," Rowan said, concern etched on his face. "Crossing Wall Rose and navigating through Trost without a wall pass... it's a risky move. We'll be lucky if we don't get caught by the Garrison Regiment." He sighed, frustration evident in his tone.

Jacob nodded silently, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. The two friends had been on the run for what felt like an eternity, with no food, no home, and no one to turn to. They were just a pair of 15-year-old fugitives, struggling to survive.

After hours of walking, their hunger and thirst finally brought them to a town in the Utopia District, north of Wall Rose. Though they'd reached temporary safety, they couldn't afford to let their guard down. Soldiers might still be lurking, waiting to pounce.

Under the cover of night, the two youngsters sneaked into the town, where revelry filled the air. The streets were alive with music and laughter, as the people celebrated the appointment of Dhalis Zachery, son of a noble family, as the premier of the three regiments. Rowan smirked, carrying two plates piled high with beef and two foaming glasses of beer. "Looks like we're in luck, Jacob!" He handed Jacob a plate and a glass, interrupting his scrutiny of their surroundings.

As they ate and drank, Rowan warned, "Don't get too comfortable, we need to move soon. I packed some food for the road ahead, so eat up and don't hold back. And try not to get too drunk!" Jacob nodded, savoring the flavors he'd missed for so long. "It's been ages since I've had a decent meal," Rowan said, patting his stomach contentedly.

As they finished their meal, Jacob asked, "So, what's our next move? We should make our way to Trost now, right?" Rowan nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, we need to move fast. The gate might close in an hour or two, and we can't afford to get stuck here." With a deep breath, they set off towards Trost, their senses heightened as they navigated the festive streets.

It was quite easy going through the Wall Rose-Trost Gate, but as they approached the gate linking Trost and Wall Maria, their hearts sank. The gate was swarming with Garrison soldiers and Military Police officers, their eyes scanning the crowd with an air of suspicion. "What are they doing here?" Rowan whispered, his face pale with worry.