Chapter 15: Shinzo wo Sasageyo!

The arena fell into a hush as the distant sound of marching boots echoed through the air. Aiden leaned forward on his throne, eyes wide with anticipation.

The crowd stilled, turning their attention to the grand entrance at the far end of the coliseum.

The rhythmic pounding of feet grew louder and louder until, at last, a full troop of royal scouts appeared, marching in perfect unison.

Banners flapped proudly above their heads, each bearing the emblem of Paradis. The leading commanders rode on majestic horses, their armour gleaming in the sunlight, while the rest of the scouts followed on foot.

Every step was measured, their precision flawless, like a well-oiled machine. They moved as one, their formation sharp and disciplined, a testament to their training and loyalty.

As they reached the centre of the arena, the troop came to a halt with a single, unified stomp that echoed through the entire coliseum.

The silence that followed was almost deafening.

Then, as one, they saluted the royal family. Their hands came up to their chests, fists clenched over their hearts in the familiar salute of the Paradis scouts, just like the ones from old tales—the same salute the legendary scouts had used centuries ago.

The entire arena watched in awe as the soldiers held their salute, unwavering. The impact of their actions rang out, a show of their dedication not just to the royal family but to the nation itself.

Then, in perfect harmony, the anthem began.

The arena quieted, a tension in the air as the first scout began to sing, his voice clear and steady. Soon, others joined in, their voices harmonising perfectly, filling the arena with a sense of pride and reverence.

It was time for the anthem, and it began with a slow, solemn tone, the words echoing off the stone walls:

♪♪Fureru shinzou ga kasoku zetsubou ni wa 

 maketaku nai♪♪

The voices of the soldiers rang out, and the anthem picked up pace. Aiden's heart thumped in time with the beat, the weight of the words sinking in. This wasn't just a song, it was a promise.

♪♪"Jiyuu wo shiru tame no bousou,

 Shinzou wo sasageyo,

 shinzou wo sasageyo!

 Subete no gisei wa ima, kono toki no tame ni! 

 Shinzou wo sasageyo,

 shinzou wo sasageyo!

 Susumubeki mirai wo sono te de kirihirake!"♪♪

The scouts, fists over their hearts, belted out the chorus with all their might, their voices almost vibrating through the air. It was as though they were speaking directly to Aiden. 

"It's now or never," the anthem seemed to say, "Give your heart. Dedicate everything."

Aiden sat taller, despite the comically large throne, completely drawn in by the raw power of their voices. Every note, every word resonated through him, like a weight pressing on his chest.

♪♪"Saa susume kibou no hate ni wa

 Risou ga matteru"♪♪

As the anthem reached its peak, the arena was alive with energy. The people of Paradis, sitting in the stands, clutched their hands to their chests, silently mouthing the words.

Their pride was palpable, a connection between their past and their future, embodied by the royal family and the scouts who had sworn to protect them.

♪♪"Shinzou wo sasageyo!

 Shinzou wo sasageyo!

 Subete no gisei wa ima kono toki no tame ni!"♪♪

With the final chorus, the soldiers sang with every ounce of strength they had, their fists pounding their hearts in unison.

The anthem ended on a high note, the words hanging in the air for a split second before the entire arena erupted into wild applause.

The earth itself seemed to shake with the force of the crowd's cheers, the sound bouncing off every stone pillar, every banner, every heart.

Aiden, still perched on his oversized throne, felt an overwhelming sense of pride. It was impossible not to.

This was his kingdom, his people. This was more than a birthday celebration. It was a reminder of the legacy he was a part of, the kingdom he would one day protect.

---

As the anthem's final echoes faded into the roar of the crowd, a sudden hush swept over the arena.

All eyes turned to the entrance, where the grand double doors began to creak open. From the shadows, the heads of the 9 Titan Clans emerged one by one, their presence commanding.

They each held a banner, bearing the emblem of their families. Behind them walked their heirs, heads held high, following their parents with pride and purpose.

The head steward, standing tall with his scroll unfurled, began to announce their names with great reverence.

His voice rang through the arena, cutting through the anticipation that had settled over the crowd like a thick fog.

"From the House of Colossal, we welcome Lord Brant and Lady Annora!" the steward bellowed, his voice reverberating through the stands.

Lord Brant, a towering figure, stepped forward with his daughter, Annora. With a slight nod, he handed his banner to a nearby aide and stood tall, staring towards Aiden.

Without hesitation, Brant bit his thumb, the distinct crackle of energy flickering through the air. In an instant, he transformed into the (mini)colossal figure that represented his family's lineage: a towering, muscular behemoth with steam rising from his body.

[A/N: Obviously he is in a much smaller version of the colossal, everyone would be dead otherwise.]

The crowd gasped as Brant, now the Colossus Titan, bent down to one knee and lowered his head in a deep bow toward Aiden.

Annora, in her human form, did the same, crossing her chest with her fist. 

"Your Royal Highness, the House of Colossus pledges our loyalty to you. May our strength be yours to command."

Aiden sat wide-eyed on his comically large throne, not quite knowing how to respond. It wasn't every day that he had titans bowing to him, after all.

Next came the steward's voice once again, "From the House of Armoured, we present Lord Kael and Lady Celeste!"

Lord Kael, with Celeste walking proudly by his side, handed over his banner. The two shared a brief look before Kael bit into his hand. A flash of light and the familiar crack of energy filled the air once more.

The Armoured Titan stood in place of the man—dense plates of hardened skin covering every inch of his body. He was smaller than Brant, but no less imposing. Like the Colossus before him, Kael knelt, his armor clinking softly as he bowed low. 

"We, the House of Armoured, dedicate ourselves to the Crown," he rumbled, his voice deeper in his titan form. Celeste, by his side, bowed as well, offering her own silent pledge.

Aiden couldn't help but smirk, his friend now standing alongside her titan father in full royal form.

One by one, the other families followed:

"From the House of Female Titan, Lady Helena and Lady Yelena!" The two women, elegant and poised, transformed in sync, their titan forms slender yet fierce, with distinct hardened features.

"From the House of Beast Titan, Lord Magnus and Lord Idris!" Magnus' Beast Titan emerged in a flash, covered in fur, tall and animalistic in nature.

The crowd watched in awe as the monstrous form bowed with grace, an oxymoron in itself.

"From the House of War Hammer, Lord Cedric and Lady Gwyneth!" Lord Cedric's transformation into the pale, imposing War Hammer Titan sent ripples of awe through the audience.

His daughter, Gwyneth, saluted proudly beside him, already showing signs of inheriting her father's strength.

"From the House of Cart Titan, Lady Elena and Lord Seran!" The lithe and swift Cart Titan bowed next, her low form nonetheless brimming with power. Her son, Seran, was quick to follow.

"From the House of Jaw Titan, Lord Lucien and Lady Amara!" The Jaw Titan was fast and agile, and Lord Lucien's transformation did not disappoint.

His titan form was smaller than the others, but sharp and deadly, with teeth that could crush anything in its path.

"From the House of Attack Titan, Lord Gideon and Lord Jace!" Gideon's Attack Titan, much like Eren's of old, was lean and aggressive, standing with a raw, unbridled power that had the crowd murmuring in awe.

Finally, the steward's voice rang out, "From the House of Founding Titan, your Royal Majesty, King Maximilian Otto Fritz, and the royal heir, Prince Aiden Wilhelm Fritz!"

The crowd erupted as Max stood from his throne, looking at Aiden with a proud grin.

He didn't need to transform, his presence was already known, his power felt in every corner of the island nation.

Instead, he merely nodded to Aiden, a look of pride in his eyes as he gestured for his son to take it all in.

With all nine titan houses now gathered in the centre of the arena, the heads of each family in their titan forms, and their heirs at their sides, they bowed once more—this time, as a collective.

It was a sight unlike any other: nine titans, each representing the greatest powers in Paradis, kneeling in unison before the young prince.

"We pledge our loyalty, our lives, and our hearts to you, Prince Aiden," they intoned in a chorus, their voices deep and resonant, shaking the very ground beneath them. "May our strength serve you as it has served the kingdom for generations."

Aiden shifted in his oversized throne, a small lump forming in his throat as he absorbed the weight of the moment.

This was his future, his legacy. He wasn't just a boy anymore. This kingdom, these people, this power—it was all part of who he was meant to become.

But for now, all he could think was, How on earth do I respond to nine titans bowing to me?*

The arena once again erupted into cheers, and Aiden gave a small, slightly awkward wave. He may have been destined for greatness, but he was still just a boy trying to figure it all out.

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