As Light Fades Away

The evening light cast a somber glow across the room, shadows stretching along the walls as the last remnants of daylight faded outside. The quiet hum of life beyond the window felt distant, a stark contrast to the heavy tension that filled the room.

Erwin's expression was unreadable sitting on a chair, his intense blue eyes narrowing as he looked across the table. "So… I take it we're both clear on something. You hold the ability to control the Founding Titan's power if you're in contact with a pure Titan of royal blood. Correct?" His tone was calm, but his gaze was piercing.

Eren's eyes widened, stunned by Erwin's insight. How could he know? Had he truly pieced it together from a single moment's reaction?

Seeing Eren's surprise, Erwin's expression softened slightly as he leaned forward, lowering his voice, "Whether by Historia or Zeke, the options are there. I suspect you've realized it, too."

Eren's head snapped up, his gaze sharp as a blade, piercing through Erwin. "Don't you dare drag Historia into this," he hissed, the threat unmistakable in his tone.

Erwin didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned back, settling deeper into his chair, his face calm but calculating. "And why shouldn't I?" he replied, voice smooth, daring Eren to answer.

"Because—" Eren started, his voice low, fists clenched, but Erwin cut him off with a calm confidence that felt almost chilling. "Because of the Curse of Ymir, right?" he continued, as he watched Eren's reaction.

"You want her to live a peaceful life, don't you? Free from this curse. Not as a Titan shifter… and certainly not as a woman bearing royal children."

The room fell into a suffocating silence, every word lingering between them like a weight pressing down. Eren's hands, still clenched, trembled slightly as he leaned back, exhaling sharply. "If you knew all this… why call me here? Do you intend to use Historia?"

Erwin's gaze softened slightly but stayed resolute. "You have six years left, Eren. I have thirteen. After us… I don't believe Eldia will survive. Marley won't wait idly; they'll be here soon enough, and their goal will be clear: to seize the Founding Titan and even The Attack, Colossal, and Female Titans."

"And if the both of us fall to the Curse of Ymir ( meaning just dying and not passing it by getting eaten ) , the next Eldian child born would inherit the powers. A child from within these walls, but perhaps… even an Eldian child in Marley."

Eren's brow furrowed, confusion tightening his expression. He'd heard the argument a dozen times, yet he couldn't grasp where Erwin was going. "Why even take that risk?"

Erwin shook his head, a faint smirk on his lips. " Exactly, Who would risk losing the Founder like that?..... Thus I've proposed a decision..."

A tense, eerie silence settled over them, neither looking away from the other, each weighing the next move in the quiet.

Finally, Erwin spoke again, his voice soft yet firm. "If, in the next two years, no one from outside our walls steps foot on Paradis, We'd be forced to take an action."

Eren's gaze narrowed. "What… action?"

Erwin took a breath, studying Eren's face. "If no one from beyond the walls intervenes, you'll marry Historia."

Eren's eyes widened, caught between shock and anger, as Erwin continued, "Marry her, and father a child with her. That will be your final duty as a Scout."

With a sudden, furious movement, Eren slammed his fist against the table, his voice tight with rage. "Who the hell are you to decide that for me? To decide who I marry?"

Erwin's expression remained steady. "Then who, Eren?" he asked, his voice calm, pointed. "Mikasa Ackerman?"

The question lingered between them, drawing a pause from Eren. His fists tightened, blood starting to dot his knuckles. "No!" he shouted, the intensity in his voice as raw as his clenched fist.

"Is there someone else you like, then?" Erwin pressed. But again, Eren's answer came quickly, almost reflexive, "NO!"

"If you don't have eyes for anyone—not even Mikasa—then why refuse me?" Erwin's gaze sharpened, watching Eren's defiance with unsettling clarity.

"It's just" Eren whispered, his breathing ragged, gaze cast downward.

"Why?" Erwin leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near whisper, the weight of his words pushing Eren further into a corner.

"I... I don't know..." Eren muttered, his voice trailing off as his gaze dropped. He looked back up to find Erwin advancing slowly toward him, a heavy sigh escaping Erwin as he placed a firm hand on Eren's shoulder.

Erwin's eyes were piercing, a rare gentleness in them but undercut by steely resolve as he whispered in his ears. "I'll tell you why. You may not want to admit it, but we both know you've developed feelings for Mikasa since Armin died."

Eren's eyes widened, shock flashing across his face. Erwin's voice lowered, unwavering. "And you're pushing those feelings away because both of us are well aware, that in six years you'll be dead. You're holding back, hoping she'll forget you… that she'll move on, find someone else, and start a family after you're gone. Isn't that right?"

Eren's breath hitched. How did Erwin know all that? Had he known it all along, ever since they'd discovered the curse?

"What makes you so sure?" Eren shot back, trying to deflect, his voice hoarse. "The same could be said for Historia."

Erwin's eyes narrowed slightly, a knowing smirk touching his lips his voice turning from a mere whisper to more authoritative. "Well, that's where the MPs come in, kid. They don't care about your feelings, or hers. If push comes to shove, they'll find some random man to impregnate her… or worse, they'd take matters into their own hands."

Eren's eyes flared with fury as he clenched his fists, his voice rough. "How dare you even say th—" He stopped short, realizing Erwin's expression was colder than he'd ever seen, a fierce determination beneath his calm exterior.

"That's just how it is Eren. This world is much bigger than the two of us.... We can't risk the future of Paradis based on our emotions...."

"Listen, Eren," Erwin continued, his tone dropping lower, deadly serious. "I can only hold them back for two years. Nothing more than that. After that, the next inheritor will be chosen, and dramatically Historia will have to bear that responsibility."

Eren rose from his seat, fists clenched, shadows from his tousled hair casting eerie lines across his eyes. "Tell me, Eren" Erwin demanded, his voice like gravel, "are you really willing to throw everything away… , your emotions… for humanity?"

Eren barely blinked "Even if I agreed, there's no way Historia—" he replied, an edge in his tone. But befoe he could even finish Erwin cut him off.

"She has no problem with it," Erwin said, his voice calm, almost unnervingly so. "She anticipated this situation. It seems she was even relieved… if she were to bear a child, she preferred it come from you and not from someone she never ever met. Maybe she even harbors feelings for you."

Eren froze. Erwin's words hit him like a physical blow, and the reality of it all threatened to bury him. Since right after Dhalis Zachery's speech, Erwin had already discussed this with Historia. She'd agreed—willingly.

As he stood there, stunned, his mind spiraled through the weight of two decisions that could change the fate of humanity, and his own. Erwin's voice brought him back to the present.

"Take your time, Eren. I'm not forcing your hand… yet. But two years—that's all I can give. After that, Historia's fate will be sealed. Either by you or by the Authority." With those words, Erwin turned and left, leaving Eren alone, dust motes swirling in the dim light around him.

Eren sank back down, unable to process what he'd just heard. Historia, willing to make him her husband, even happy about it… he could see how it might make sense, but something about it felt impossible to accept.

But.... what He didn't notice that he wasn't truly alone. Unseen, Mikasa had overheard everything, and her silent presence lingered, hidden in the shadows of the doorway, her heart heavy with all she now knew.

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It's a bit odd that no one comments does anyone even read it sad... Whatever just write some reviews or something or else I'd have to write the author shameful full star review and send those power stones guys...