open post;

[dreamsofwings]

some possible plot ideas here.

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[offeredhearts]

Erwin takes it that he'll get used to the strange memories filtering in, the dreams. Perhaps a little of the idea that he ate someone, but in truth he doesn't think he'll ever quite be over it. It is strange to think of it, to know that others bore witness to the act. Part of him thinks that they all look at him differently, think of him differently, and it isn't entirely just because he now carries the power of the Colossal Titan, but because they've seen him do one of the most horrific things, one of the most terrifying things that could be suffered by any human being - the things they've all fought to prevent.

Even if it isn't true, he feels it. Those memories are there, in all of them, even though he himself only has glimpses of it, feelings.

Becoming a monster, indeed. Now he has completed that transformation.

"...yes," Erwin agrees quietly.

[dreamsofwings]

Eren, at least, doesn't look at Erwin any differently. They are both monsters, and Eren knows he is worse than anyone else could ever be, worse than Reiner, worse than Erwin, worse than Zeke.

He keeps that to himself but turns to look at Erwin, brows slightly furrowed.

"What happens now, Commander? We can't just wait for them to come."

He's so definitive saying it. He knows that Marley will come, ships first, volunteers to lead Eldia to freedom. Eren will eventually betray them, too, but it doesn't matter. He doesn't care about them. He's fairly sure that Zeke is connected to it somehow, but he keeps any knowledge he has of Zeke beyond what they were told in Grisha's journal to himself. Is it clear that the Beast Titan is Zeke Jaeger? He really should read those pages again, get straight what is actually there and what isn't.

Erwin is astute; he'll pick up on it if Eren says something that isn't yet known. Eren is sure of that.

He thinks about it for a second and tries again.

"If you were them, what would your next move be?"

If you were Marley. If you hated the people you were fighting against. If you were afraid of them, afraid of a power they might somehow have. Eren knows what he would do: hit them first.

On this side of it, anticipating Marley's next action, they have to be ready for it or outplay them. Eren still doesn't even know what kinds of technology Marley has. Flying machines, sure. Guns, but they know what guns are. They just don't usually fight people with them. He just hates standing still, not knowing when the future would catch up to the present in his mind.

5 years later sob

[offeredhearts]

We can't just wait for them to come.

Erwin turns a steady, clear gaze to Eren. It's at once piercing and veiled, his expression even. It seems almost an innocent, logical conclusion. Reiner and Zeke escaping along with the Cart Titan, taking the knowledge of what's happened back to their people likely means an even bigger retaliation. It would seem prudent, therefore, to be proactive, perhaps even to make a bigger move first. Yet there are too many variables, too many unknowns he hasn't had time yet to tease out.

But there's also something subtly...sinister, almost, about the suggestion, and the question that follows. Erwin isn't entirely sure if Eren intends it as manipulation, would ordinarily say that he wouldn't consider Eren capable of that sort of subtlety. But it sets something off in his mind, vibrating like a string being plucked. It's clear enough the answer Eren is hoping for, prodding at the idea that they should be doing something, and something significant, at that.

"Unfortunately, it's too early to say what they may or may not do next. They failed to completely eliminate us or capture you to bring back with them, so I expect their return will not be a pleasant one. We have gained much by finally obtaining the knowledge that your father left for us, but there is more yet we do not know, including what may have changed in the years since that time.

For now, I plan to focus on rebuilding our forces, and eliminating the remaining titans outside our walls. A frontal assault will be meaningless otherwise. And," he pauses, looking down at his right hand. Regrown. Healthy. Whole.

"Like you have done, I believe I should train myself in understanding this new power. That will take time, and require considerably more space."

4 MORE years later l-lol

[dreamsofwings]

Eren might not consciously intend it as manipulation.

This Eren might not. The other one — the one existing throughout too many years, pulling strings in his own past — probably would. Eren in the present, even confused as he sometimes feels, isn't quite that unhinged.

Or he could just be deluding himself. He's been manipulative since he was a kid. It just shows up in different ways. If he was accused of it, he'd get mad, defensive. But he'd pulled some innocent friend act on Reiner long enough to attack him. He's never been above playing dirty.

He is aware, however, that as far as words go, as far as being smart goes, he can't hold a candle to Erwin, or Hange, or…or Armin. He never could. He doesn't know how to solve problems without destruction, without violence. He's as resolved as he can be right now to see this thing through. Eventually he'll accept that there is no other way.

He just doesn't know how to get Erwin on his side and keep him there long enough for it to be too late. That's what it has to be. He has to get Erwin to be ready to kill a whole lot of people, but spare Zeke. It's a hard sell. Zeke decimated their numbers. Erwin would have died there, too, sacrificing himself to give Levi time to take down the Beast Titan.

And Levi. Would Levi be okay with it? Eren knows the answer, but Levi will follow Erwin…won't he? Whatever Erwin does, Levi and Hange will be right there. The rest of the Scouts will be with them, even if they don't always agree.

He's seen the ending, though. It has to be that. Where in time can't he see? How is so much still confused and clouded? (Spoilers: he did half of this to himself.)

He checks back in to the conversation and shakes his head.

"We can't take them head on," he says, an agreement. "They have…"

Weapons we don't, he wants to say. Machines. Things that fly. That sounds insane, and even Eren isn't entirely sure of what he's trying to describe.

"…more titans than we do," he finishes, which is true. They only have two. Three, counting the Founder, but it doesn't really count as it is. They still have Annie taken out of Marley's ranks, but that leaves the others. Reiner, who Eren has never quite beaten in a fight. The Cart, whatever the hell that one does. Carries…a gun? Yeah, he's not sure. The Jaw, since there is no way they will let Ymir live. Eren can't even feel bad about it; she made her choice.

Zeke, the Beast Titan, an opponent that should not be underestimated. Eren knows Zeke will help him, but he also knows Zeke is dangerous. They all saw it, went through it.

And the War Hammer? Does Marley ever actually use it? What is it, exactly? A man on a stage yelling dramatically. The taste of blood. Explosions in a harbour. That's the one Eren has to take. He doesn't understand how he knows it's that one, but it is.

"You can do a lot without being a titan," he adds, which isn't flattery. Eren has never in his life pandered to anyone like that. It's just true. "You can do strategy and all that."

Eren's words are far from eloquent, but it doesn't matter. Erwin is the smartest person he knows, probably. Erwin or Hange. He shoves thoughts of Armin out of his mind as best he can. There has to be something Erwin can see, think of, do, that Eren can't yet. Anyway, he's well aware he's still a military asset. Even if Erwin doesn't see him that way, Erwin isn't the whole military.

"We can't let them get past the shore," he says, staring off into nothing like he sometimes does. He still has one hand on the horse's neck. The animal's nostrils flare, sensing something off, but she doesn't shy or turn to bite him or anything. Their horses deal with way more stressful things than Eren being weird.

tagging every 4 months-

[offeredhearts]

The addition makes Erwin smile a little, just enough of a curve to his lips and a crinkling of his eyes to be there. It's a little distant, not quite wry as he looks out across the pasture, as though he can see all the way to the sea. They're on an island. Isolated. Contained. There's no clear indication yet of just how far away they might be from anything else. They can navigate by stars, but they have no practical knowledge of how to build or maneuver a ship across such an endless expanse of water.

He wants to see it more than anything. His palms practically tingle at the thought, of reaching that shore and looking out to see a perfectly flat, open horizon.

Supposedly, the whole of the world is against them. Regardless of what Grisha Jaeger had recorded, Erwin is well aware that this is only the recording of one man's account and experiences. While he doesn't necessarily doubt the truth of what was written, humans are never uniform in their beliefs. They may yet find allies in the world beyond, or uncover many more sides than even perhaps Grisha knew. There are possibilities, but it's impossible to guess at what shape they have until they have the chance to actually go out there and see things for themselves.

But first, their island.

"Strategy, yes. Although I doubt that they are not without their own military thinkers." Sending young soldiers in to infiltrate their ranks - yes, someone certainly had a specific plan in mind. "Still, I do not intend to rely on one or the other, and will consider all of our assets. You are correct, Eren; we must discover their landing points and eliminate or control any infrastructure there." If they're lucky, Marley never bothered to establish more than one place of entry. Why would they, confident enough that their populations would be well contained behind the walls?

Erwin lifts a hand to smooth a palm down the horse's neck below Eren's, a steadying touch. She flicks her tail, eyes shifting between the two of them as she shifts her feet. Their horses are perhaps the most precious resource they have, and now so many of them are gone, along with their riders. Perhaps with this so-called victory, Erwin will be able to recruit yet more people to bolster their numbers; perhaps some from the garrison might request to join. Once they begin to fully eliminate Titans, even more will come over. It'll take time, but it'll happen.

But there will always be the shroud at his back. The ghosts of all those who got them there. Not a night has gone by when he hasn't heard the echo of thundering hoofbeats, the screaming of dying men and horses, the quick flash of shadow overhead of rocks sailing overhead.

Erwin realizes there's a sick pull in his stomach, his hand faintly trembling against the soft auburn hair of the horse's neck. Finally deciding she's had enough of the strange atmosphere, she chuffs and turns away, trotting back to her scant companions in the field.

The Commander swallows down the thickness in his throat, and drops his hand.

"Anyway, I expect to begin training this ability in the coming days. I would like to request that you be on hand to assist in my initial attempts, as someone who has experience."

Of course Erwin could simply order Eren to be present, but especially with so few of them left, it feels important to build a tighter coalition of trust by asking rather than outright demanding. Perhaps it's just an illusion of choice, but sometimes it still makes a difference.