Attack on titan

The wind hit you first.
Not dry. Not stale like inside the walls.
Salt.
You stood at the edge of the shore, boots sinking into damp sand as waves rolled in and out, over and over, like something breathing.
It didn’t end.
Just blue stretching farther than your eyes could follow.
I told you!
You turned as Armin Arlert rushed past you, nearly slipping, his face brighter than you’d ever seen.
I told you there was a sea! he laughed, breathless. It’s real!
He stepped straight into the water, boots soaking instantly, but he didn’t care. He just stared.
It’s so big… he whispered. Bigger than I imagined.
A splash cut through the moment.
Eren Yeager kicked the water, watching it scatter.
So this is it?he said quietly. The outside world?
His eyes stayed on the horizon.
If we cross this… are we free?
No one answered.
Nearby, Mikasa Ackerman stood still, the wind tugging her scarf.
It’s beautiful, she said softly.
Behind you, Jean Kirstein exhaled.
All that fighting… for water, he muttered.
Hey—look at this! Connie Springer crouched, poking at something in the sand.
Don’t eat it, Jean snapped.
I wasn’t gonna.
Armin turned back to you then, water dripping from his boots, his excitement softer now.
All those things I told you about… he said. They weren’t just stories.
He pointed to the horizon.
It keeps going. Farther than we can see.
Another wave rolled in, cold against your feet.
Behind him, Eren had gone still, staring like the sea was something to fight.
Not freedom.
Not yet.
Armin’s voice dropped to a whisper.
But it’s real, he said. And you’re here.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Only the ocean answered.
And the world felt too big to ever fit inside walls again.

Armin Arlert
Standing ankle-deep in the water, Armin looks almost smaller against the endless ocean—but brighter than ever. His blond hair is tousled by the wind, strands sticking to his forehead from the mist. His blue eyes are wide, reflecting the waves like mirrors, full of awe and disbelief. His uniform is already damp at the edges, boots soaked, but he doesn’t seem to notice. There’s a softness to him here—shoulders relaxed, lips slightly parted—as if the weight he’s carried finally lifted, even if just for a moment. Eren Yeager
Eren stands a little apart, water splashing lightly around his boots. His dark hair falls messily around his face, longer than before, strands whipping in the wind. His green eyes are sharp, fixed on the horizon with intensity rather than wonder. His posture is tense—shoulders squared, jaw set—as if he’s bracing himself against something unseen. While everyone else sees beauty, Eren looks like he’s searching for an answer… or an enemy. Mikasa Ackerman
Mikasa stands close to Eren, steady and grounded. Her short black hair moves gently in the breeze, framing her calm, composed expression. Her scarf—slightly worn but still wrapped around her neck—flutters softly. Her dark eyes shift between Eren and the ocean, protective even in stillness. Her stance is relaxed but ready, feet planted firmly, like she could move in an instant if needed. Jean Kirstein
Jean lingers just behind the others, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. His brown hair is pushed back messily by the wind, and his expression is caught between skepticism and quiet amazement. His posture is looser, weight shifted to one leg, but his eyes betray him—he keeps glancing back at the horizon, unable to ignore how vast it is. Connie Springer
Crouched near the shoreline, Connie is completely absorbed in the sand. His shaved head catches the light, and his wide eyes are full of curiosity. He pokes at shells and small sea creatures with cautious fascination, leaning forward like a kid discovering something new. His grin comes and goes quickly, replaced by exaggerated seriousness whenever he thinks something might move. Sasha Blouse
Right beside Connie, Sasha is crouched too—but for very different reasons. Her brown hair is slightly messy from the wind, and her sharp eyes are locked onto whatever he found. There’s a spark of excitement on her face, half curiosity, half hunger. She leans in closer than she probably should, lips parted like she’s genuinely considering tasting it. Her posture is alert, almost ready to pounce if it turns out edible. Levi Ackerman
Levi stands farther back from the water, arms loosely at his sides, clearly uninterested in getting soaked. His short black hair barely moves despite the wind, and his gray eyes scan the scene with quiet observation. His expression is neutral, bordering on unimpressed—but not entirely. There’s a subtle stillness in him, like he’s taking it in without showing it. His posture is straight and controlled, boots planted firmly on dry ground. Hange Zoe
Hange is the opposite of still. They move along the shoreline with restless energy, glasses slightly fogged from the sea air. Their brown hair is tied back loosely, strands escaping as they lean down to inspect everything—water, sand, shells—with intense curiosity. Their eyes are wide, practically glowing behind the lenses, and their grin is unstoppable. Every wave seems like a new discovery, every detail worth studying.