N.B : If you'd like to get early access to the next 3 chapters of Universal hope (Chapter 5-7), why not consider supporting me at P a treon . com (slash) Weeb Fanthom. Any donations will be very much appreciated.
"We're home." Eren shouted as he pushed open the door to their home. There inside, was Carla Yeager and Grisha Yeager, his parents. Carla was by the kitchen side preparing breakfast while Grisha sat at the table, engrossed with paperwork. "Welcome back" Carla greeted as soon as the two kids stepped inside. She was a woman of long raven hair and gentle almond eyes, her beauty complemented by the warmth she radiated. Her warmly smile fixed on Eren and Mikasa; but as she looked at them, something felt…off.
"Eren, where's your carriage bag?" Carla asked, her voice carrying a hint of suspicion. Mikasa, without hesitation, dropped her own bag into a container crate, revealing bundles of wood inside. Meanwhile, Eren began stuttering with his words. "Err, about that… well—"
"Eren took Uncle Grisha's small wagon to gather a lot of wood." Mikasa cut him off with her usual bluntness, surprising Carla and Grisha while Eren gave her a side glare. Silence filled the room for a second. Grisha glanced up from his paperwork, eyebrows raised, while Carla's expression shifted slightly.
"And where exactly is the small wagon?" she asked, arms crossed. Mikasa pointed outside. True to her words, the wagon was parked near the house, overloaded with an absurd amount of wood. Too much wood for any normal child to gather alone. Carla's suspicion deepened, immediately knowing something was off. "Eren, how exactly did you gather this amount?" she asked, her voice gentle and sweet, but Eren knows better as it was laced with that knowing tone only mothers have when they sense mischief. He felt his stomach drop as he tries to come up with a lie. "W-Well, you see, Mikasa—"
"He used the device to do the work when you told him not to." Again, Mikasa snitched on him. "Mikasa!" Eren snapped his head toward her, his voice a mix of frustration and betrayal. Carla's expression darkened slightly, but her smile remained eerily sweet. Grisha, however, put down his papers completely now, rubbing his temples as if he already knew where this was heading.
"Oh?" Carla placed a hand on her hip, her eyes locked onto Eren. "So you're saying my son, who whines about carrying a single sack of potatoes, managed to collect this much firewood all on his own? Without any help?" Eren gulped. "U-Uh… well, technically I—"
"You transformed, didn't you?" Carla cut in; her voice still calm; but holding the weight of a mother who was absolutely not in the mood for nonsense. "I—I mean, not exactly, I just—"
"He used the creature that had four arms." Mikasa added, deadpan. Eren clenched his teeth. "Mikasa, stop helping!" Carla sighed, placing a hand over her forehead while shaking her head. "Eren. We talked about this." Grisha leaned back in his chair, his usual tired expression deepening. "What if someone had seen you?"
"They didn't!" Eren protested. "I made sure no one was around. I was quick, I swear! I—I just thought we needed more wood, and it would take too long by myself, so I—"
"So you disobeyed us?" Carla finished for him, her voice turning sharper. Eren flinched, looking away. "I just… wanted to help." Mikasa, still standing beside him, simply tilted her head slightly. "By disobeying your parents." Eren shot her a glare, whispering, "You're supposed to have my back."
"I am," Mikasa said simply. "By making sure you don't do anything stupid."
"That's not-!"
"Do you want me to tell them what you did recently?" Mikasa countered as she whispered to Eren, to which he kept shut. Of course he wouldn't want that to be told. Carla sighed again before finally stepping forward, placing a firm but gentle hand on Eren's shoulder. "Listen, sweetheart. I know you mean well. I know you want to help. But using that device recklessly, especially when you know the rules, isn't okay."
"But—"
"No buts." Carla's voice hardened. "You're grounded." Eren groaned loudly, slumping. "Come on—"
"No arguments, young man." Carla turned to Mikasa, giving her a small nod. "Thank you for being honest, Mikasa." Eren grumbled under his breath while Mikasa simply gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. Grisha finally spoke again, his voice calm but firm. "We're going to have a serious talk about responsibility later, Eren. For now, go wash up for breakfast." Eren dragged his feet toward the wash basin, grumbling. "Snitches get stitches…" Mikasa, completely unaffected, calmly sat down at the table. "Not when one can't properly defend themselves." Carla covered her mouth to stifle a chuckle, while Grisha simply shook his head in amusement. Eren, glaring at both of them, knew that today was going to be long.
The Yeager residence have finally settled down for breakfast, enjoying the peaceful quiet of the atmosphere. Eren sat at the dining table, still sulking from the scolding he had received. The smell of freshly baked bread and hot stew filled the air, but his appetite was slightly overshadowed by the sting of betrayal. He shot occasional glares at Mikasa, who remained as composed as ever, casually eating her food without a single hint of regret. Carla placed a bowl in front of Eren before sitting down herself. She exhaled softly, as if still trying to process her son's latest reckless stunt.
"Well," she started, breaking the silence, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You've always been impulsive." Eren didn't respond, instead shoveling food into his mouth. His mind was still swirling with frustration—first Mikasa snitched on him for using the wrist device, and now his mother was piling on more disappointment. Grisha, after taking a sip of his tea, finally spoke. "Eren."
Eren glanced up.
"Your heart is in the right place, but you need to understand that power alone doesn't justify recklessness," Grisha said, his tone measured. "Even if you can transform into something stronger, it doesn't mean you should rely on it for everything." Eren gritted his teeth, gripping his spoon tightly. "But what's the point of having this power if I can't use it?" Carla's expression darkened slightly. "The point, Eren, is to use it responsibly. Not for gathering wood because you're too impatient."
"I wasn't being impatient, I was being efficient," Eren muttered. Mikasa, without missing a beat, said, "You were being reckless." Eren slammed his spoon down with a loud clank, his temper bubbling over. "Why do you always side against me?!"
"I'm not against you," Mikasa replied calmly, taking another bite of food. "I'm stopping you from doing something stupid." Eren grumbled under his breath. "You're still a snitch." Mikasa didn't react. Instead, she finished chewing, swallowed, then looked up at Carla. "Eren also wants to join the Survey Corps."
The room fell into complete silence. Eren's eyes widened. His jaw clenched as he turned to Mikasa, completely caught off guard. Carla, who had been taking a sip of water, nearly choked. "What?" Grisha put his spoon down, his expression unreadable. Eren's heart pounded. He shot up from his chair, slamming his hands on the table. "Mikasa!" Said person blinked at him, her face as neutral as ever. "You do."
"That's not the point! That was meant to be a secret! Why would you say that now?!" (Translation: Why do you hate me this much?!) Carla, still looking stunned, finally found her voice. "Eren… is this true?" Eren hesitated. His hands clenched into fists. He could lie; he should lie. But something in him refused to back down. His mother deserved the truth, even if he knew she wouldn't like it. "…Yes."
Carla's expression immediately darkened. "No. Absolutely not."
"M-Mom, just listen to me—"
"There's nothing to discuss, Eren." Carla's voice was firm, laced with a rising panic. "You're not joining the Survey Corps. End of discussion." Eren grit his teeth. "Why?! I can fight! I want to fight! I won't sit around doing nothing while people—"
"Eren."
The single utterance of his name held a weight that made him flinch. Carla's voice trembled, but her eyes burned with raw emotion. "Do you know what happens to the people who join the Survey Corps?"
"I know it's dangerous, but—"
"They die," Carla cut him off, her voice cracking slightly. "They go out there beyond the walls and never come back. You think I'll just sit by and watch my son throw his life away?" Eren felt a lump form in his throat, but he swallowed it down. His mother didn't understand. She never understood. "I don't care about danger," he shot back. "I'd rather die fighting than live like cattle inside these walls!"
A heavy silence followed.
Carla stared at him, hurt flashing across her face. "Eren…" Grisha finally spoke, his tone low but serious. "Eren, do you understand what you're saying?"
"I do," Eren insisted, his voice filled with conviction. "More than anyone. I've seen what's out there, I know what's coming—"
"No, you don't." Carla stood up, slamming her hands on the table, her composure finally breaking. "You're a child, Eren! You don't understand! You've never seen the horrors beyond the wall, the things those monsters can do to people! You think you're brave, but you're just a reckless, stubborn boy who doesn't realize he's trying to get himself killed!"
Eren was stunned into silence. Carla's hands trembled as she continued. "If you leave, if you go out there, you won't come back. And I can't—I won't—lose you." Her voice cracked again, tears welling in her eyes. "Not like that." Eren's chest tightened. Seeing his mother cry hurt more than any scolding ever could. But deep down, he still couldn't let go of his resolve.
Before he could say anything else, Grisha spoke up. "That's enough," he said, his voice quiet but authoritative. "We'll talk about this later." Carla wiped at her eyes and turned away. "There is no later. He's not joining."
Eren clenched his fists, frustration and guilt warring inside him. He wanted to argue more, but something in his mother's eyes made him stop. He didn't want to hurt her.
Outside, the birds continued chirping, the world continuing as if nothing had happened. The silence in the room was heavy, pressing down on Eren like a weight. Carla had turned away, her back to him, still wiping her eyes. Mikasa remained seated, quiet and composed as always watching everything unfold. She hadn't spoken since her initial comment, but her presence still loomed in the conversation. Grisha, who had been noticed his son's pained demeanor, finally let out a sigh and placed his spoon down.
"Eren," he said, his voice measured, but firm. Eren turned his head, his body still tense. Grisha looked at him for a long moment, then finally asked the question.
"Why do you want to go outside the walls?"
Eren's breath hitched. He hadn't expected his father to ask him that—not like this.
Grisha studied his son carefully, waiting for an answer. Carla turned slightly, her red-rimmed eyes watching Eren with a quiet desperation, silently begging him to reconsider. Eren swallowed, his mind racing. His father wasn't just asking out of curiosity. He was testing him. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "Because I don't want to live my whole life trapped like a caged animal," he said, his voice unwavering.
Grisha didn't react, but Eren pushed forward, his passion igniting. "We don't even know what's beyond the walls. All we do is hide. The people in this town act like everything is fine just because we haven't seen a Titan in years. But that doesn't mean we're safe!" Eren's voice rose with intensity. "We sit here, pretending everything is okay, but it's not! We're trapped! And no one seems to care!"
He slammed his hands on the table, his breathing heavy. "I don't want to spend my life in fear. I won't live like that." His green eyes burned with determination. "I'd rather die fighting for freedom than live my whole life as cattle."
The room fell silent again to the point one could hear the wind howling. Grisha's expression was unreadable, his fingers intertwined as he studied his son. Carla, on the other hand, looked absolutely heartbroken.
"…Freedom," Grisha finally murmured. His gaze darkened, as if his mind drifted elsewhere for a moment. Eren sat back down, his hands trembling slightly from the adrenaline. He knew his mother wouldn't accept his reasoning, but maybe—just maybe—his father would understand. For a moment, Grisha simply looked at him. Then, slowly, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I see."
Eren blinked. "That's it?" Grisha opened his eyes again, his gaze sharp. "If that is truly what you want… then you must be prepared for what it means." Eren frowned, confused by his father's tone. Carla, however, turned fully to face him. "Grisha, no—"
But Grisha stood up. "Eren, I have something to do today. When I return, there's something I need to show you." Eren's eyebrows furrowed. "Show me?" Grisha placed a hand on Eren's shoulder, gripping it firmly. "Until then, promise me one thing." Eren looked up at him, confused. "What?"
"Whatever happens… you must protect Mikasa and your mother." Eren's confusion deepened, but Grisha didn't elaborate. Instead, he let go and walked toward the door, grabbing his coat. Carla stood as well, panic in her eyes. "Grisha, where are you—?"
"I won't be long," Grisha assured her with a small smile before stepping outside. The door shut behind him. Eren watched him go, still puzzled. Something about his father's words didn't sit right with him.
Mikasa, who had been silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke. "…You shouldn't have said that to your mother." Eren flinched slightly, guilt creeping in. He glanced at Carla, who had sat back down, rubbing her temples. She looked exhausted. Eren bit his lip. He knew he had hurt her. He just didn't know how to make her understand. He looked back at the door where his father had left, his mind still lingering on Grisha's last words.
Whatever happens…
He had no idea that his entire world was about to change.
Eren shook his head as he looked at his mother who had her eyes closed, lump forming in his throat as he is unsure of what to say. "Mum I-" The words freezing in his mouth as he saw her tear stained face.
"I…I need some air." That was all Eren said as he stood up from his chair and ran outside. "Eren!" Carla called out to him but he was already gone. She turned to Mikasa and placed firm hands on the girl's shoulder. "Mikasa, you know how he's prone into getting to more trouble, so please watch over him." Mikasa gave an affirm nod to her and proceeded to follow after Eren where he last disappeared to.
____________
The air was still tense as Eren stormed out of the house, frustration burning inside him. His mother didn't understand. She never would. He had power; he could make a difference, but she wanted to keep him trapped behind these walls like a caged animal.
"Stupid Mikasa," Eren muttered under his breath, kicking at a loose pebble as he walked toward the market square. He wasn't mad at her, not really. But her constant snitching wasn't helping.
As he walked, distant sounds of struggle caught his attention.
"Look at him! Always with his nose in those useless books!"
"You think the world is gonna change just because you read, you little freak?"
"What's the matter heretic? If you don't like being beaten to a pulp all the time, why don't you fight back?"
"You're only resorting to physical abuse because you don't have proof that I'm wrong. Doesn't that make you admit that I am right?!"
'That's Armin's voice.' Eren thought, only for a sharp grunt of pain followed—a voice Eren recognized all too well. His anger flared as he sprinted toward the alley. Just as expected, Armin was curled up on the ground, clutching his stomach as the bullies loomed over him, laughing.
One of them, possibly the leader then held unto the scruff of Armin's collar before hitting him to the wall. Raising his fist high in the air, he was about to beat Armin once more.
"Maybe this will shut your trap, you rambling nitwit-!"
Eren didn't think. He acted.
With a loud yell, he charged at the nearest bully, fists swinging. The boy recoiled in surprise, stumbling back. "What the hell—?!"
"I have warned you suck up jerks not to touch my friend ever again, or do I need to have to beat you up just to get that into your thick skulls?!" Eren said his voice laced with anger. The lead bully sneered, fist still raised near Armin's face. "Oh yeah? What're you gonna do about it, Yeager? Cry to your mommy?" Eren's eyes darkened as his hands clenched into fists, holds his ground. Instead of responding with just words, his right hand twitched near the Omnitrix on his left wrist. "Last chance. Walk away." Eren said with his eyes narrowing with determination. The fat one among them nudged the boss. "Hey, hey, hey, look at that. Eren's got guts today."
"Tell me about it! He's just a runt!" The leader shouted as he shoved Armin aside and stomped toward Eren. "You think you're tough?! I'll—"
It wasn't until they spotted Mikasa rounding the corner; her usual blank stare fixated on them like a predator as she dashed her way towards them; that they finally panicked. That made the bullies pause in their tracks, horror etched to their expressions. "Shit! It's Mikasa!"
"What are you waiting for you moron, let's get out of here!" The three all abandoned the street and made a run for it. The bullies scrambled away like rats, their earlier bravado crumbling the moment Mikasa's presence registered. Eren didn't even glance after them; his focus was entirely on Armin, who was slumped against the wall, still clutching his stomach.
"Tch. Cowards," Eren muttered. Turning back to his friend, he extended a hand. "You okay?" Armin groaned but accepted the help. "Y-Yeah. Just… more bruises to add to the collection." He winced as Eren pulled him to his feet, wiping blood from his split lip. "You didn't have to do that, you know." His attempt at a smile faltered when he saw the storm in Eren's eyes. Eren's hands clenched. "Like hell I'd let them get away with that."
"You're here now," Armin said softly. "That's what matters." Mikasa approached silently, her silver eyes scanning the scene. "They ran fast," she observed, voice flat. Eren scoffed. "Because they know what happens if they don't." Mikasa hovered nearby, watchful as always. "Your mother told me to keep you out of trouble," she reminded him. Eren shot her a glare. "And I'm helping someone. That's not trouble." Mikasa didn't argue, but her gaze lingered on Eren's wrist; on the Omnitrix. He knew what she was thinking.
You could've used it.
He ignored the unspoken accusation. Armin glanced between his two friends, hesitating before smiling softly, trying to dissipate the brewing tension. "Thanks… both of you."
They didn't say much else as they walked toward the riverbank, where they usually spent their time.
_______________
The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden ripples across the water. Eren sat on the descending stares near the riverbank, arms draped over his knees, while Armin dabbed at his bruises with a damp cloth. Mikasa stood nearby, ever vigilant. The lake's surface rippled gently in the breeze as the trio sat in silence, gazing at the endless walls in the distance.
"You shouldn't have provoked them," Mikasa said finally, breaking the silence. Armin sighed. "I know. But I can't just stay quiet when they spout nonsense about the world." Eren's jaw tightened. "They're idiots. They don't care about the truth. They just want someone to punch."
"Still," Mikasa pressed, "fighting them won't change anything." Eren scowled. "Maybe not. But letting them walk all over us won't either." Armin glanced between them, sensing the tension. "Eren… about earlier. Did something happen at home?" Eren's grip on his knees tightened. "My mom found out I used the gadget. And then Mikasa—" He shot her a glare. —decided to tell them I want to join the Survey Corps."
Armin's eyes widened. "Oh."
"Yeah. Oh." Eren threw a pebble into the lake. "She freaked out. Dad was… weird. Said he had something to show me later." Eren clenched his fists. "We're trapped. Like livestock." Armin nodded solemnly. "The outside world is so much bigger than this, but people are too scared to even dream about it. Afterall the walls have been a safe haven for many for over 100 years." Mikasa sat beside them, arms resting on her knees. "It's safer inside."
"That's the problem!" Eren snapped, turning toward her. "We shouldn't be content with just surviving! We should be fighting for more!" Armin looked down, his voice quieter. "The Survey Corps are the only ones who still believe that." Eren's expression softened. He knew what Armin meant. It wasn't just his dream; it was Armin's too.
He took a deep breath, about to speak, till he felt something…wrong.
Gazing back at the wall there were two geese flying in the air, time seemed to slow down for reason because all of a sudden.
BOOM.
A deafening roar of thunder cracked through the air. The ground trembled violently. Making all three of them rise a few feet up the air before falling. Immediately they recovered and snapped their heads up, eyes widening.
There; beyond the walls; a massive bolt of lightning struck the ground, illuminating the sky in a blinding flash. The air buzzed with static, the sheer force of it making their hair stand on end. There many people had gathered there as flumes of steam rose from outside the wall.
"An explosion?" Eren muttered. That was until Armin ran towards where the crowd were heading that Eren and Mikasa followed. When they reached the scene, they just saw the blonde stare at something, his eyes widening. "Armin, what's wrong what are you staring a-!"
And then… they saw it. A monstrous hand gripped the top of Wall Maria. Fleshless. Steaming. Armin gasped, stumbling backward. "No way… That wall is 50 meters tall!"
Eren's blood ran cold. His entire body froze in place, heart pounding. "It's them…" Mikasa, usually composed, had gone still; her eyes locked onto a massive head looming over the wall. The titan; colossal in size; stared down at them, steam rolling off its fleshless face and serrated teeth, its hollow eyes burning into the city.
"…A titan."
Unbeknown to the speculating crowd, the colossal titan had raised one its foot backwards, preparing to collide its foot on the wall. With enough momentum, the foot kicked so hard the wall blew open a massive hole. Those caught in the crossfire either got blown away, smushed or killed by massive flying debris and stones.
Eren, Mikasa and Armin shielded their eyes from the accumulating dust, looking back at the wall their eyes widened in horror, the colossal titan has gone and in its place…was a massive hole. "Th-They blew a h-hole in the wall." Armin stammered. Then massive footsteps rumbled the ground. Coming out of the hole was an enormous creature with an eerie grin, bulk naked and disproportioned in shape. A titan had entered wall Maria. Many fled and scrambled in terror. For a single, horrifying second, the world stood still.
Then—screams.
"They are here!"
"The titans are coming!!"
"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!"
Soon, several more rumbling footsteps pierced the chaotic air as several more came in numbers. Within minutes, titans flooded Shinganshina district.
The day humanity had feared for the most, has arrived.
Chapter 5-7 already available on P a treon . com (slash) Weeb Fanthom.