Over the river and into the forest, strings of unlit lanterns hung high in the canopy. It warmed Eren 's heart to see them again, directing him through the foliage and towards the place where he used to sit on his own and dream of adventure. Things sure were different now ' from the alpha at his side to the changes that had occurred within himself.

He almost felt nervous to face them all again. His mother had been understanding the last time they spoke, but that was before he had disappeared without warning. There was no telling which way her opinion swayed now. And Armin ' god, he had missed Armin. It felt like so long since they last saw each other, though in reality not much time had passed at all.