The morning sun filtered softly through the linen curtains, casting gentle patterns on the wooden floorboards. Elias lay quietly in his crib, his small body still, but his mind already awake and swirling with thoughts far beyond his infant years. Though barely over a year old, he was already aware in ways no baby should be.
Clara's footsteps approached, steady and familiar. She leaned over the crib with a warm smile, the scent of lavender wrapping around Elias like a soft blanket. "Good morning, my little one," she whispered, scooping him up into her arms with practiced ease. Her gentle humming filled the room, comforting yet filled with unspoken stories of the world beyond these walls.
Downstairs, the rich aroma of freshly baked bread drifted upward. Albert sat at the heavy wooden table, eyes focused on a worn map spread before him. Beside him, Erwin, now six years old, watched intently, his young face lit by curiosity and resolve.
"These," Albert said, tracing lines on the map with a calloused finger, "are the old trade routes. Before the Titans came, merchants traveled these roads to connect our people."
Erwin's eyes sparkled. "Do you think we'll ever see them again? The world beyond the walls?"
Albert smiled but his expression was tinged with sadness. "Perhaps one day. But for now, our job is to keep what's inside safe."
Elias, cradled in Clara's arms, watched his brother's determined gaze. Even at such a young age, Erwin carried the weight of responsibility heavily on his small shoulders—something Elias recognized deeply from his own memories of a past life.
Later that afternoon, the familiar sound of footsteps echoed through the front hall. Kaela entered with her usual energy—a burst of light that softened the day's seriousness. She hugged Clara tightly, her laughter ringing through the room as she tousled Erwin's hair playfully. Then, her bright eyes landed on Elias.
"And how's our little philosopher today?" she teased, crouching down to look at the baby.
Elias responded with a happy gurgle, his tiny hands reaching out instinctively. Kaela chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She had become a constant presence in the household, though Elias didn't yet understand the significance of her family name—Ackerman. Something he would only realize later, when the world's secrets began to unravel.
As the golden afternoon light shifted, Elias found himself alone in the living room, watching the bookshelf that stood tall against the wall. Among the many books—some filled with history, others with tales of faraway lands—one title caught his attention: The Secrets Beyond the Wall. The book's spine was cracked from use, its pages worn and well-read.
Clara entered the room quietly and noticed his gaze. "Curious about that one, aren't you?" she asked gently, picking up the book and settling into a chair beside him. She opened it carefully, revealing detailed sketches of vast landscapes, strange creatures, and old ruins.
"Your father and I used to read this," she said softly, "dreaming about what might lie beyond the walls. A world free from fear, where people could live without Titans looming over them."
Elias reached out a tiny hand, touching the delicate pages. The illustrations depicted places he'd never imagined—dense forests, towering mountains, and distant cities shimmering under strange suns. It was a reminder that this world was far larger and more complex than the narrow space inside his crib.
That evening, as the family gathered around the dinner table, a sudden knock interrupted the quiet. Albert rose and opened the door to reveal a stern-faced man in the uniform of the Survey Corps. Without a word, he handed Albert a sealed envelope, then turned and left as silently as he had arrived.
Albert's face darkened as he read the letter. "They've requested my expertise for an upcoming expedition beyond the walls," he announced gravely.
Clara's usually warm expression faltered for a moment. "Please be careful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Erwin's fists clenched with determination. "I want to go with you," he declared boldly, eyes shining with fierce resolve.
Albert placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder. "One day, Erwin. But for now, your place is here, learning and growing. You'll need strength and wisdom before you can face what lies beyond."
Elias watched the exchange quietly from Clara's arms, sensing the weight of the moment. The world outside was vast and dangerous, filled with threats he'd barely begun to understand. Yet inside this home, a different battle was unfolding—one of preparation, hope, and fragile dreams.
Later, as night blanketed the sky and stars peeked through the windows, Elias lay once more in his crib. His mind raced with images—maps, warriors, towering Titans, and distant lands beyond the walls. In his heart, a quiet determination grew. This world was cruel, filled with dangers and mysteries, but here he had something precious: a family, a home, and time to find his purpose.
And maybe, just maybe, he could change the fate that awaited them all.