This is it-the conclusion of Eren's destiny. It's a little intense, but it shouldn't be anything you can't handle if you've survived the story for this long. Enjoy and thank you very much for reading. As always, comments are appreciated.

AD 68

"Could an oracle be wrong about a prophecy?" Levi asked the taller man walking towards the stadium in front of him. The blazing heat of the sun hit both of them and the sweat dripped down their backs like condensation on glass.

Erwin turned his head to the new group of slaves being loaded off of the truck by a trafficker he knew by the name of Zacklay. There seemed to be a rowdy tanned boy with dark hair being roughed up by the guards when he was pulled from the cart in chains. He didn't seem to want to cooperate and Erwin felt a smidgen of respect for him even just watching him from afar.

"I do trust Historia, and you should, too," Erwin said with an unwavering voice. "She is out there scouting for him as she said he would arrive today."

"But what if she is wrong? What if they never show up and this is all a great misunderstanding? No one is asking the right damned questions," Levi argued, his tone becoming more aggravated with every question.

"Historia will choose the person she saw fit in the prophecy's vision," Erwin said trying to mitigate Levi's temper. "She is the one who has the visions we cannot see and I told you exactly why this has to be fulfilled by the person of the prophecy."

"Anyone can fit a prophecy vision if the oracle is desperate enough," Levi warned. The shorter man shifted his gaze the thousands of people jubilantly exploring the city. Many lining up and entering the stadium, others buying expensive goods in the markets, some even partying drunk off of wine in broad daylight. They seemed like a flood of heads and it made Levi's stomach churn with disgust. Would it really be possible for Historia to choose the right person? Suddenly, a question he dreaded but needed to ask came to his mind. "What if the person from the prophecy dies?"

"Are you so worried about this that you will try to change it yourself, Levi?" Erwin inquired, staring down at the man. "Is it truly difficult to trust the girl that could help restore Rome?"

"No, but I do remember what happened last time I trusted someone important to me," Levi snapped, his glare powered with enough ardor to rival the sun and burn through Erwin's armor. He took his cloak and entering the stadium to give Nero the pitiful show he wanted, so the man would leave him alone for the rest of the day. Erwin stood rigid and conscious of the empty feeling in his chest. He completely understood the scars from Levi's past still interfered with him healing for a better future.

...

Eren was running in the darkness until he saw a bright light at the end of a tunnel. Historia was there, her bright eyes shining.

"You are almost there, Eren," she said while calmly lifting her hand out to him. He kept running and panting as he lifted out his hand to reach for hers. When he was close enough to touch her finger tips, she was blocked by the soldier.

The soldier lifted up his helmet to reveal Levi smilingly wickedly.

"Did you really think I wanted to help this damn city? You really were stupid," he laughed, taking his blade and plunging it right through Eren's heart.

Eren didn't gasp awake. His eyes flung open as he flinched and slowly inched his head up to stare at Levi's sleeping face. He was too stunned to cry and he covered his mouth to keep a whimper from escaping. Of all the dreams he had… that was the worst one.

Ten minutes hadn't even pass in their tired bliss before he heard the door slam open and guards storm into Levi's room. There was a blazing heat when Eren was forced out of the bed and onto the ground. The candles had been knocked over and there was a fire beginning to engulf the room. The last thing he saw before he was apprehended, Levi was out of bed, quick as lighting, grabbing a blade he kept under his mattress and swapping at the men trying to hold him.

"Eren, you have to run out of here!" Levi yelled turning to the boy on the ground.

He cut a few down before one slipped behind him and put a cloth over his mouth. He immediately fell, unconscious. Eren tried to move towards the man, but the heavy hands on his naked body kept him down, and his vision was becoming fuzzier as he inhaled the smoke into his lungs. He tried to look at the people dressing him in rags, but they had eerie faceless masks. It was something out of his bad dreams.

"Levi!" Eren shrieked. His heart was beating in a panic when the guards dragged him from the room, skin burning against the floor when they skid him down the corridors. He struggled against their grips, noticing the people were not actually guards, but regular men of Rome. Eren froze, seeing the number of guards laid out through the hallways, blood splattered everywhere as smoke filled the corridors. The patricians had recaptured the Golden House.

He realized Armin would have still been in the house helping them with their weapons. If they were overtaken, then what about the others? Mikasa? Erwin? Had the patricians finally taken the upper hand of the revolt?

On top of all that, there was something wet trickling down between his legs and a slight ache in his hips. Of all the damned times this could have happened. He really should have thought things through.

"Let go of me!" Eren said kicking one of the men in the shins allowing him to receive a punch to the head making him see stars. Night blanketed the city in darkness and the embers of fires that burned the city were the only source of light Eren could see. He was led down the xyst of the Golden House through the front gates. The masked guards threw him down in front of the large group of citizens waiting in the streets with blazed torches and weapons chanting in anger.

"DOWN WITH THE TITAN!"

"KILL HIM!"

Eren could hear debris whistling in the air as it flew towards him. A piece of splintered wood hit him in the face. Something like raw fruit him in the chest. A kick to the stomach. The pain was endless, but he didn't care when he felt the blood rushing down from his head, he searched around looking for Levi or any familiar face he could find comfort in.

"Come on, titan boy! Why are you holding back?"

"You took our entertainment from us! And our food! Now we will starve!"

"Your emperor was an awful man!" Eren grit his teeth. He received a kick to the face and the people resumed their chanting as if they didn't hear a single word that Eren had said. His stomach churned as the metallic taste of blood dripped down his chin.

"Oy, save some fun for the arena," Reiner said stepping forward through the crowd to tower ominously over Eren. He grabbed the boy's ragged shirt and forcefully tugged Eren to look him in the eye. "Eren will receive righteous punishment in the arena tonight, for everyone to see."

The crowd cheered and the ground rumbled with their approval. Reiner leaned in lower to bend to Eren's ear and whisper. "You never did defeat me, Eren. I told you not to think this was over. May the Gods help you as this will be your last night in Rome."

He shoved Eren's face to the dirt and the boy growled when the crowd howled with laughter.

"You bastard," Eren coughed. "I will never fight you! Let me go!"

"Oh, Eren, you are in no position to talk," Reiner laughed raising an eyebrow at the boy he ground into the dirt under his foot. "I have your friends captured and if you resist me, I will kill them all, one by one in front of you while you can do nothing." He waved at some of the masked men and two of them dragged out an unconscious Levi dressed in plebeian cloths. There were whispers of excitement going around the crowd.

"He is still alive?"

"Remarkable, truly the greatest soldier in Rome to have survived Nero!"

"After I fight you, Eren, I will kill the greatest soldier in this city, and become emperor. I will finish what Nero could not. I will do this for the people! Do you all hear me? I will avenge our leader!"

The crowd cheered Reiner's name in merriment. Eren didn't understand. How could they all have been so brainwashed? Were they seriously on Reiner's side? Did they actually think he would be the one to create a better tomorrow than the sad lives they lived today?

"You will not touch him," Eren seethed, letting out a deep growl. Reiner just continued to laugh at Eren as if he were a small pesky fly trying to threaten him.

"Begin the parade," Reiner said, going to the front of the crowd and leading the way to the stadium. The masked people apprehended Eren and dragged him through the streets. The cheering, the objects hitting him, the crackling of the fire created a cacophony of sounds making Eren's head swirl and stomach turn. He wanted to know where his friends were and if they were all still alive.

The stadium emerged over them to create an even darker shadow in the night and the people began to load into it with excitement. Eren was forced in the dark dungeons with the commotion, and the stench of death assaulted him. He looked behind the bars and struggled to be released from his captors' grips on his arms. Behind the bars was Armin, Historia, Ymir, Connie, and Sasha with many of the other captured plebeians he was sure Reiner wanted to sacrifice. He noticed all of his friends weren't in the cell and it gave him a tinge of hope that they were still out in the streets fighting… if they weren't already dead. Some of them cried at the state Eren and Levi were in as they were dragged down the corridor of the dark stadium.

"Eren! What did they do to you?" Armin sobbed. "Eren, they raided the palace from the back gates, we could not stop them in time, I am sorry."

"Armin, you are fine," Eren reassured. "I will get us all out of this, do not worry."

"You poor boy, could not even protect your people, how are you going to save them now?" Reiner teased as he turned to Armin. "You could not even protect the palace from being taken, fool. You should have just given up like the coward you were being Jean's slave boy."

Through the cramped cell, a small boy with blond curls appeared and clutched the bars while trying to claw at the bigger man like an enraged kitten. "Armin is braver and better than you will ever be! Leave him alone and let the titan man go!" Renatus screeched. He stuck his tongue out. "You boar!"

Reiner looked slightly taken aback for a second and then he began to laugh at the little brat attempting to take him on. "You foolish boy, only if you would have sided with us, you could be living in glory with me. Once you go with the losers, you are no longer any use to me, you pathetic runt.

"Eren, your sacrifice will pave the way for the people to enjoy the show as I kill them all," Reiner said leaning in closer to the bars. He then looked over Historia with a lascivious grin. "Oh, but you can rest easy little Historia, I will finally make you my empress."

"The hell you will," Ymir said moving forward, cracking her knuckles and spitting in Reiner's face. He wiped it off with a disgusted grimace.

"I will be sure to sacrifice you first when all of this is finished," he seethed.

Further lugged into the darkness, Eren and Levi were thrown into the dim weapon's room where Eren began his journey in Rome. He turned to see Reiner leaving down the opposite corridor while posting a few guards to stand watch at the archway.

"Dress for your final day, Eren," Reiner said waving at all of the equipment in the room. "I am going out to greet my future followers. Let us give them a show to remember for centuries."

Left alone in the gloomy room, Eren could once again hear the rumble of the crowd above take their seats probably for his last time. He dashed over to Levi's motionless body and leaned the corporal's back on his lap. Eren held the man in his arms and that was the first time he noticed he was trembling, his tears falling down onto Levi's face. He knew Reiner was a strong fighter and he had trapped him in a cell before, but it only made matters worse now that his friends were in danger. He was suddenly scared that he would fail.

"Levi, please, wake up," Eren said through his cracking voice. "Please, wake up."

Eren had an impulsive thought about draining most of his blood to get to his titan form, but that would only risk an unneeded death as he was not entirely sure if that was how he could transform. He held Levi closer to his chest as the guards closed in and yanked him away and over to the weapons table. The crowd roared letting him know that Reiner was going to initiate the battle soon.

Eren saw the room spinning and he lugged himself over to the first bit of armor he saw. A full body suit with a helmet. If he was going to fight someone he couldn't beat alone, he was damn sure he was going to be protected. He put the suit on in a daze, everything around him was silent, and slow moving. He would do this for Levi. He would do it for the future of Rome. He would defeat Reiner like they wanted and everything would be fine… right?

The suit of armor felt hot, scalding in fact. Eren's heart began to pump faster to keep up with his labored breathing. He was hyperventilating. It was hard to keep his sword steady, and there was what seemed like a surge of energy through him that was gone as quickly as it came. He felt a ringing hum in his ears. Or was he about to pass out? Either way Eren didn't care as his mind was lost in the sea of darkness that engulfed him in that moment.

...

Reiner scoffed as Eren walked onto the field in a giant suit of armor and the crowd jeered and threw more objects. The guards followed in carrying Levi off to the side of the arena. Though the stadium was only lit with fire, they could see in the arena that Eren was dressed in the full body armor, while Reiner only had his torso covered and a helmet. Reiner broke out into a sweat, thinking it was some sort of joke Eren was playing at. Then he remembered he had his guards just in case anything went awry.

"Oh are you afraid of getting hurt, Eren?" Reiner mocked. There was no response behind the helmet covering and he grit his teeth feeling anxious. Reiner lifted his shield in the blazing fire light to the crowd's cheers. "I WILL WIN… FOR ROME!"

He immediately dashed at Eren with his sword ready for a full frontal stab. The suit of armor rolled out of the way with quick precision and Eren wielded the blade skillfully in hand. Eren dashed forward and thrust his sword at Reiner's neck, only to graze the man's cheek.

Reiner's breathing began to quicken as he stared at the boy before him. This was supposed to be an easy fight. He roared as he lurched forward with his sword to slice away the armor on Eren's arm, clanging metal against metal. Their forces were matched for a passing second, but then Reiner was pushed back until he fell onto the dirt.

He stealthily regained his composure with a cocky smirk and turned around swiftly to attack once more. Until he heard a sickening squish and a crippling pain in his lower torso. When he had turned around he hadn't expected Eren to be there, with his sword pointed outwards so that when Reiner shifted around, he would simply impale himself upon it. He tried to break free, but Eren shoved the sword to the ground with Reiner still on it. His eyes widened and he tried to stab at Eren, but he took his foot and smashed Reiner's arm holding the weapon. There was a sickening crack and Reiner grit his teeth when his limb snapped.

Reiner laid on the ground, blood pooling in his mouth and a sting in his abdomen. What was this? This was impossible. He stared up at the suit of armor before him and cried out as the sword twisted and drew more blood. The crowd roared with their disapproval, but yet they thirsted for more blood. The patricians were conflicted between the entertainment and their enemy. Reiner tried to get back up but his vision started to blur.

"I cannot believe I was defeated by a runt like you," Reiner said, his voice raspy and gasping for breath. He failed. He had failed himself and the citizens of Rome. His short lived dream to become the emperor of Rome was crushed. The fire in the stadium was fading from his vision. "When did you become so strong?"

Still no answer.

"That was pitiful!"

"Too quick! He said he would protect us from that monster!"

Reiner groaned as everything went dark. "Damn you to Hell, Eren Jaeger."

The guards waved a scent in front of Levi's nose and he began to stir.

Levi swore he could hear voices in his head. It sounded as if someone was whimpering over him, a warm embrace, disembodied voices, and then there was a soft hand on his cheek that soothed him. The abyss he was in began to fade as he tried to open his heavy eyelids.

He had no clue where he was. His head was throbbing from the yelling of the thousands of people in the stands and his vision was blurry. It was dark, but he could also see fire. He moved his palm and he could feel warm dirt underneath him. All he remembered before blacking out was being apprehended when they took Eren. Eren… Eren!

His eyes snapped open and he bolted to his feet like the ground had become searing hot. He stood up too fast and he had to grip the wall to steady his dizzy head. There was a cheering audience with torches and ominous chants. Levi looked down at the rags he was wearing and everything was becoming more confusing by the second.

"Where is Eren?" Levi shouted at the masked guards in the arena. They didn't move.

"FIGHT HIM, LEVI! KILL THE TITAN BOY!"

Levi slowly turned his head to the center of the stadium to see what appeared to be a large suit of armor towering over Reiner's body. The man yanked the sword out from the dead carcass and flicked his blood in the dirt. The titan boy they said? Levi squinted his eyes, he couldn't see clearly, it was too dim in the stadium and his vision was already blurry from waking up.

Eren? Was this man Eren? He couldn't tell as his head was hit with a sharp pain.

Eren lunged forward at him before he had time to react. He was unarmed so the only thing he could do was roll out of the way before the blade made could make contact with his head. It plunged into the hard wall of the arena and the spectators cheered at Levi's well timed dodge. Levi felt the rumble of the wall was he stared around the arena searching for a weapon, his eyes lining up to a piece of metal glinting in the fire light by Reiner's body.

"Eren, what are you doing?" Levi yelled.

Eren lurched forward as Levi dived for the sword and parried the boy's slice with a loud clang of metal. Levi tried to look under the suit's helmet, but he couldn't see anything, as the lighting wouldn't allow him. Was this boy in some sort of trance? The only time he had seen Eren fight remotely well was the first time in the arena, when he transformed into something that had titan's abilities.

"Eren, snap out of this!" Levi said, his voice harsh. He was breathing heavy and he was starting to break a sweat. Eren merely shoved his blade at Levi, and it was all the smaller man could do to dodge until he got an answer, right and left, right and left he moved. The boy ceaselessly swung at him and Levi dodge every bit of the blade. It came close to piercing his abdomen by a few centimeters every time he thrust.

The boy must have lost his mind. Fighting in a heavy armored suit, could he even see clearly? Levi went in to slice at the suit's limbs to disable him, but Eren was too adept as his agile muscles allowed him to dodge. He didn't truly know Eren's fighting style without being a titan, so how could he judge? He had never fought with the boy before.

Levi felt a pain in his head again as his vision went even blurrier.

The blade hit Levi's arm and for a quick second Eren hesitated, then continued his swinging with his giant armor clanking. Levi swung around on the ball of his foot and swung at Eren from an angle, clashing the blade upon the hilt of the sword as it flew out of Eren's hands across the stadium. He then swept his foot under the boy's feet and he fell to the ground with a rumble. He placed his blade at the suit of armor's chest.

Something was off about the boy. This wasn't like Eren. This couldn't be Eren.

"What happened to you, Eren?" Levi asked.

No answer.

"KILL THE TITAN, LEVI!"

"This is no time for your antics right now, imbecile," Levi hissed. "This is your last chance to answer me. What happened to Eren?"

There was no answer.

Instead, Eren pulled out a hidden blade within the back of the armor and tried to slash at Levi's neck. Without a second thought, Levi took his chance to plunge his blade into the armored chest plate and Eren writhed on the ground as Levi leaned over him menacingly. His hand stretched to the helmet covering and lifted it to relieve his curiosity.

His heart stopped.

Immobile beneath him was General Erwin Smith.

...

Erwin and his soldiers had arrived later than they expected once he got word that Eren and Levi were being dragged to the stadium. Hanji and Mikasa followed him into the dark corridors where he and the soldiers over took the masked guards standing watch at the cells. They unlocked the bars and began to set the plebeians free.

"Hanji, begin leading them out," Erwin commanded, his eyes scanning the corridor among the people for any sign of Eren or Levi.

"Erwin! Erwin! Reiner took Eren and Levi to fight in the arena," Historia said running up to him from down the corridor in a state of panic. "I have something to confess to you also." Erwin raised his eyebrow and stared down at the girl with a fixed emotion. "My vision from years before… it was not as vivid as I thought. Earlier this day, I saw it completed. It was Levi… Levi was standing over a man in a suit of armor and the crowd was chanting his name. Levi was actually the boy of the prophecy, Erwin. I am sorry. You trusted me all of these years and I have failed you. I am sorry, I thought it meant nothing since Nero was dead. It should not have come to this! I do not know exactly what this means, I am so sorry, please forgive me!"

Erwin stayed silent for a brief moment as he looked at Historia's trembling form. He nodded his head after he appeared to have come from deep thought. Erwin gently pat the girl's head before turning down the darker part of the hallway.

"I understand now," he said staring ahead. "Historia, you must escape with the people. Mikasa follow me."

"What are you going to do? Erwin, sir, please answer me," Historia cried. She tried to follow them, but Hanji who had heard it all, understood the man and saw through him like he were a piece of glass. She shook her head at Historia and held her back. "No, Erwin, come back!"

They found the dark room where the soldiers readied themselves for battle and the masked guards charged at them. Erwin and Mikasa worked together to knock them unconscious with prompt blows behind their necks.

There was movement in the corner coming from a large suit of armor facing away from them and Erwin knew what to do. He strategically placed a blow on the collar of the armor with a resounding ring and he caught the person in the suit as it fell. He dragged Eren out of the suit and handed him to Mikasa who looked absolutely confused. Erwin took off his hood and covered Eren's head.

"There is a small territory outside of the walls of Rome," he said. "Historia will know where to take you. Eren is not safe in this city and you are one of my only soldiers I can trust with this job."

"But, sir—"

"Mikasa," Erwin warned. He began to dress in the armored suit and put on the helmet in their tense silence. Mikasa grit her teeth and bit her lip until it hurt and pulsed. "Eren would never let me do this for him and I would never put one of my soldiers in this position if I could avoid it. All I ask is that you take Eren far from here and tell Hanji to follow along with what I do."

"Yes, sir."

There was a brief pause.

"You were one of my best and bravest soldiers," Erwin's unshakable voice broke through the stillness. Mikasa nodded and saluted, trying not to surrender to her tears. Without a second glance, she ducked into the corridor as fast as her legs would carry her and the unconscious boy on her back.

Erwin knelt beside the man on the ground, finding comfort in the steady rise and fall of the corporal's chest. He leaned down to look at the face he hadn't seen burdened with a glare in months.

"I told you we would do this together, Levi," Erwin said softly, caressing the man's cheek.

...

Levi stared at the man before him on the ground.

He didn't understand.

Everything felt numb.

Erwin weakly smiled up at him and tried to laugh, but instead a trickle of blood came out of his mouth when he coughed.

"You finally bested me, Levi," he teased, his voice so weak, Levi had to lean in to hear him. "I knew you could handle this."

Levi couldn't bring himself to speak. No sound came out of his mouth when he tried. The crowd's roaring was like a distant noise to his ears. They threw rose petals, showing Levi their adoration and it made him sick to his stomach.

"EMPEROR LEVI! EMPEROR LEVI!"

"I would feel better if you insulted me like usual, than stay unbearably silent," Erwin said, his voice a sharp rasp. His hand slowly moved to tenderly brush Levi's cheek even though every inch closer brought excruciating pain, the shadows of the arena flickering off the both of them. "You performed well. Listen... they love you."

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Sure, Erwin frustrated him many times and there were mistakes they both made along the way, but there was not a moment when he truly wanted to kill the man. He didn't want this. The general was too unnecessarily selfless for his own good; for the sake of Rome.

"Dammit, why?" Levi's said softly, seeing the blood pool below on the ground in a way he was far too familiar with. He tried not to speak anymore when he felt his eyes sting, threatening to water and a heavy lump developed in his throat.

"You will make a great emperor... and Eren is safe now," Erwin smiled faintly again but his voice was becoming softer with every word and he winced. His breathing hitched. "I am sorry... no matter how it seemed... Levi ...I never did stop loving you."

Erwin's hand fell from Levi's cheek and landed in the dirt with a soft thud, but in his head the sound echoed with brute force. The man's eyes seemed to go unfocused on Levi's face to stare at the darkness beyond him.

"You said we were in this together," Levi rasped and his eyebrows furrowed when he saw something wet drop down to Erwin's face. He quickly wiped away another tear as fast as it came. There would be time for that later.

Levi put the palm of his hand over Erwin's eyes to close them and he gently shut the face covering on the helmet. He stood up against the heaviest weight in the world, his legs protesting, and begrudgingly pulled the sword from the man's body. Levi raised his blade, where it reflected against the flames in the dark arena, and the crowd cheered, leaning forward in their seats to praise their victor.

"EMPEROR LEVI! EMPEROR LEVI!"

Levi slightly panicked and readied his sword to slice when the guards came to retrieve Erwin's body, until he heard the familiar three pitches he used with no one else. He recognized Hanji's face from beneath one of the masks. She put a finger to her lips and her cheeks were glossy with tears. Levi looked around to see many familiar faces of Erwin's soldiers on the arena from below their slightly lifted masks staring back at him. He didn't know whether to feel betrayed or relieved. Hanji placed an olive wreath upon his head, looking at him expectantly, and bowed. The other guards began to bow and Levi lifted his heavy head to the dark night.

"I am your new emperor!" Levi yelled, his tone unwavering and no inkling of distress present when he lifted his blade. The crowd roared and more rose petals drifted to the ground below them. He was now the emperor of the Roman Empire. An emperor of what may have been Hell itself.

Five Years Later

Restoring the buildings that were destroyed took months that stretched into years. They were still rebuilding but over half of the city looked much better than the night the riots broke out. New apartments and different complexes were being constructed for those left out on the streets under Nero's rule, so finally many of those without a home were able to have roofs over their heads. The walls of the city remained strong and kept out the titans under guards, and wars from neighboring empires were kept at bay for the time being.

Levi's vision for the city was that Rome was for everyone to start life anew, no matter who they were. They deserved to have the bare necessities that many of the patricians took for granted at least. He wanted to make sure that many were safe in Rome, even if half of the people were angry at him for fixing what they were used to.

That was probably why there were still citizens that didn't agree with his rule. They tried to attack the more impoverished parts of the city that lived in harmony and Levi was not one to tolerate it. He gave them the option to live in peace, but they wouldn't cooperate no matter what he did. Levi found that was the only time he used the underground prisons. He never wanted to use the titan battles at all for silly executions, even on those that committed crimes against the government. He was still humane after all.

Though he didn't know her well, Levi even invited Poppaea Sabina to stay in the refurbished palace with him, but she ran away into the fields outside of Rome, never to be heard from again. She was terrified that he would hurt her as the emperor before him had threatened to do on many occasions. Sometimes no matter what Levi did, no one was happy with it, though he did make sure it was fair and just.

Days were blissful when things were going well, and when Hanji wasn't bothering him about the research she was performing on titans with the terrified Rico. He was glad they were yielding results with their research and would be able to help solve the epidemic in years to come.

There was no need for slaves and of course the patricians tried to attack Levi about that, too, but he didn't care. Being a leader, especially over millions of people, meant he had to build a thicker skin than he already had, even if it meant rubbing people the wrong way. Those who had to work for others for years were finally free to do what they could as free men. To run shops, to buy shelter with Nero's left over gold, to eat food they never even knew existed or had tasted before. He liked to believe he wasn't dreadful at being an emperor, even when listening to his inner critic. Though there were many gifts Levi did receive from the public that still favored him.

The funny thing about being an emperor is that you usually received what you wanted on the spot. But some things it was harder to come by. Like true peace and quiet. When he wasn't reviewing the city's budget for the third time that day with Armin, he was usually staring out over the distant walls where the sky faded into the light blue of the mountains while wondering about Eren.

Levi let out a long sigh and slouched at the window ledge, letting the breeze glide through his hair gently when he closed his eyes. He heard footsteps coming down the opposite end of the corridor.

"The soldiers have been slowly improving their pace and their skills are on par with Crete's legions, your highness," Mikasa said, stopping to salute the man as he stared idly out of the window. He slowly turned to her and nodded his head.

"Mikasa, do you remember what I asked before?" he inquired while looking at her dark eyes. She raised an eyebrow and studied the man's expression. She bowed deeply, understanding exactly what he meant. "Can you do it for me?"

"Yes, sir."

Over the next few days, Levi roamed the markets of the plebeians and he looked to see many of them doing remarkably well. There were seamstresses repairing clothes to make new wardrobes for children that used to sleep on nothing but the skin on their backs. By the look of the situation, things were finally turning around for the better. Unfortunately, that day he was in town to investigate about the occurrences of bad haggling between citizens and vendors himself. Everything was going well until he found himself pushed to the ground, his Praetorian Guard surprised by the attack.

Swooping down from the buildings were men in black hoods and masks, swiftly moving at speeds the guards could barely track. One of the figures dashed down between the men, and thrust Levi to the ground. He struggled against the attacker and flipped them on the ground, seeing a pool of blood drenching his white robes.

"Emperor Levi, you are bleeding," a guard stated in panic. The onlookers were terror stricken and frozen, not knowing what to do on the side of the streets at the sight of the scuffle. "Someone get him to a healer!"

"I will take him," Armin said riding his horse through the crowd. The battle among the hooded men was still commencing when he took off through the alleyways with Levi and stopped at a dead end to help the emperor alight the horse. Levi brushed himself off when he was able to stand on two feet. "That went well, sir."

"Thanks to you both," Levi said as one of the hooded figures landed in the alley way. Mikasa lifted the mask off from her face and lowered her hood. She pulled a dead chicken from underneath her robes and wiped the blood free from her palms and saluted. Then she looked at the state of her cloths.

"Armin I hope you have new robes for Levi, because mine surely will not do," Mikasa said looking up at the boy when he descended the horse. He immediately handed Levi a fresh set of cloths, ones worn by plebeians instead of his usual emperor's tunic. Her lips tugged into a smile. "I am not surprised how prepared you are."

"Anything to help is good to me," Armin said with a slight blush and he rubbed the back of his head.

"It is best if you leave as soon as possible," she directed Levi urgently, who was already changing into his new robes and mounting the horse.

"You can prepare everything else?" Levi asked. The two saluted him.

"We have been working with you for years, we know what to do by now, sir," Armin said with a grin. He looked at Mikasa who nodded her head with a small smile, too.

"Make haste, Eren is waiting for you, we can handle the rest here," Mikasa assured him. "And take care of him or we will never forgive you."

Levi's chest felt light and for the first time in years he felt like he could smile from ear to ear. He was off in the distance of the walls before the sun set, the city of Rome finally falling far behind him, releasing him like chains that strained him from freedom for centuries.

The news quickly spread through the empire that Emperor Levi had died at the hands of assassins. Levi tried to argue with Hanji not to make his funeral extravagant, but she laughed and told him many of the people loved him and thought him a martyr. It was inevitable there would be festivals and days of mourning announced in his name as he groaned. Hanji even made it so there were dummies prepared to be burned for treason against the emperor "so the people could enjoy a show like the good old times". Only she would do that.

"So is that how you fell from power, or are you only here for your usual quick stay, oh great king?" Eren asked while trying not to look too amused. He had truly grown in the last five years. He was even taller with broader shoulders, and a stronger jawline that emphasized his face which held his same goofy expressions when he spoke without thinking. "It honestly amazes me how dangerous you are. You could have just left."

"And have the people search for me everywhere in the territories for years to risk finding you? No, thank you, imbecile. This is why I prefer Mikasa and Armin's plans," Levi said, rolling his eyes. He playfully punched Eren in the shoulder and Eren winced, knowing the guy was much stronger than his stature portrayed. "You would not want your emperor's name to be tarnished for running away in the height of his reign, would you? We have nothing to worry about now anyways. Armin has prepared Renatus sufficiently enough for the throne."

They sat on the flat portico of the small house surrounded by trees. Eren had been living there for the past five years and Levi was his most frequent visitor in the abandoned village. Armin, Historia (usually accompanied by Ymir) visited him from time to time, and so did other trusted soldiers like Mikasa. Even Rico and Hanji came to see him, though it was more for research purposes that intimidated him, but any company was fine. Yet no one made him feel more at ease on his secretive visits than Levi himself.

"Armin was always a smart boy," Eren said placing his head in his hands. "It makes me content you made him in charge of the senate. He will keep Renatus in line very well. I believe he will be able to bring fresh ideas to the city. Treat everyone fair, prevent wars—"

"With General Mikasa leading the military, I do not know if that will always be avoidable," Levi joked. "She can be ruthless with anyone that wants to harm the people that cannot defend themselves."

They both laughed knowing Mikasa would probably grimace at them for indicating she was like an overprotective sister. Eren calmed down and he stared at the sleeping wolves around them. Eren bent low to put one hand on its head, only to have it burrow it nose into Eren's lap with the light wind tussling against its fur.

"Being near them has stopped my nightmares over the years. They are like guardians, they keep the titans away," Eren said softly admiring them. "One day this titan disease will all be over. I am just glad Rico finally discovered the cure. It is odd that my blood can heal others, but I am willing to help out, you know? Even if this is scary. Now I just need the courage to tell my father."

"You had the courage to see him those years back then. I know you have the courage to do it now," Levi said placing his arm around Eren. Eren's cheeks slightly flushed as he leaned into the man's shoulder. "You have always been brave and brash, though it has brought you trouble many times. I have always admired how you selflessly fought for the right thing."

There was a heavy silence between them as they listened to each other breathe. They were comfortable knowing that neither one of them was going anywhere any time soon.

"Do you miss him?" Eren asked softly.

Him.

He knew he would ask one day and there was a slight pang in his throat.

"Erwin was a damn good man," Levi's voice held strong. "He wanted us to live together happily. I am not going to tarnish his death by moping about it. My friends would not have wanted me to live like that either."

"You are not angry with Historia, are you?" Eren asked. "It was an honest mistake, and the prophecy's vision came too late for our own good."

"Even though I questioned the prophecy for years, I am not angry," Levi said staring off into the distance. "Historia meant no harm. She was nice enough to let us seek shelter in the oracles' village. Even though it was careless the way we worked off of a hunch, here we are. Prophecies work in strange ways, Eren. Unfortunately, our way caused the pointless death of others."

"Did you love him?"

Another painful silence that made Levi's heart throb. Immediately Levi turned to Eren and cupped his chin to make the boy look directly into his eyes.

"I want you to know, I did love Erwin. I did admire him. But here and now, Eren, I love you. I still loved you, even in that moment before his death," Levi said, never taking his gaze away from the young man's eyes. Eren's heart began to speed up like it did the first time Levi truly looked at him after they had destroyed the statues at the Golden House. "I will always love you and do not damn think otherwise."

His hands firmly moved Eren's chin and he brought his lips to his. Levi's soft tongue then coaxed his lips for entrance. Eren noticed the faint smell of roses and he was lost in the scent. The young man ran his fingers through his hair and then moved to caress Levi's smooth jawline he loved so much. He loved everything about Levi and he was sure Levi loved everything about him, despite getting on the man's nerves countless times. The two were so ingrained in each other's' grasps, it would have been impossible to tear them away from each other. Their hearts; their minds and souls sewn together as one. They broke their kiss to breathe even though the hot air continued to mingle in between them. Their foreheads still touching, Levi reached down to hold Eren's hand and Eren felt something rest upon it.

Eren was surprised to see a fragile white rose in his palm, the moonlight light shining off of its petal. It looked beautiful and as if it were glowing with life itself.

"Nero had a penchant for abusing these roses," Levi said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Erwin taught me these flowers celebrate many happenings in Rome. Love, life, death… it is a pity there are many things Nero did not know." He grabbed Eren's other hand, placing it on top of the white flower and then brought the back of the young man's hand to his lips. He lifted their arms up to slight breeze and they watched the petals fly off into the grasses and the trees around them. The wind howled and the wolves perked their heads up to look in the vastness of the night sky.

"Do you remember years ago when I told you that a streaking star meant the Gods were looking down upon you and would give you a wish? I think I know what I would wish for," Levi said with his eyes never falling from the sky. Eren nodded, his mind filled with the beauty of the stars he was grateful to enjoy every night. "There is another myth that says when you see a shooting star that a human soul ascends to the heavens everyone else speaks of. I saw one the other night when I was in the palace and I thought it might have been him. If that myth is true, I wish Erwin eternal peace in that afterlife, and peace for us, and peace for this empire."

Levi intertwined his fingers between Eren's once more and kissed his cheek softly.

"Now you know."

And Eren didn't find any fault in that.

Ending Notes:

The end! That's it! I hope this story wasn't too depressing.

I really love Erwin and I didn't want to kill him, but I personally feel like that would be something he would do, to better the empire and make Levi happy with the person he loved. Don't hate me please. ;_;

Poppea committed suicide after Nero's death, but I wanted it to remain a little bit ambiguous here. She might return in the sequel for vengeance against Eren! Haha just kidding, there is no sequel, I'm not that good at writing.

Of course the next emperor was not Levi or Renatus, but we can dream for a better future for Rome can't we?

I tried to give us a happy ending. At least as happy as SNK will allow us to be, right? I had fun writing this story. I'm really only a visual artist so this was fairly challenging to do, as I do not write much, if at all. Anyways I hope you mildly enjoyed yourself, reader.