Jean Kirstien

Jean's last clear memory was when he'd taken Sasha under one arm, and Connie under the other, as they looked into the distance, knowing that this was their last moment together before they became pure Titans under Ymir's call. He said something like... it was an honor saving the world with them, that he was glad that they got to see this through to the end. Every crazy decision he'd ever made that led him down this path flashed in this mind's eye, all the way back to when he sat before the funeral pyre that Marco's body burned to ashes in, where he first began to steel himself to join the Survey Corps.

Then, for a short while, he was in hell.

Being a Titan was unexplainable. He was in there, in that cursed body. He was aware. He knew that he was Jean. But despite everything, all that mattered was the hunger. It was a desperation so absolute that his will meant nothing in face of it. He had to consume, and consume, and consume, if he ever hoped to free himself from his nightmare. An impossible appetite that could never be sated, that overtook his very soul.

In the grand scheme of things, it was only a glimpse. Just a fleeting terror. Suddenly, he was back. At first, he was still in the nape of the neck of his Titan. But it quickly deteriorated, and he was able to free himself.

It felt like something had been permanently severed. The curse of the Earth Devil that was carried in the body of every Eldian was gone.

Jean stumbled around like the undead. There was cheering at first, but it was short lived. It became clear almost immediately to every last person alive here that they had seen Armageddon and somehow, survived.

The devastation was unimaginable. Eren had very nearly accomplished his goal of destroying everything outside of Paradis. The land was flattened. The stench of the dead was unimaginable. Soon, a plague of insects would descend upon the rot, and ruin the very earth itself. Jean stood and looked out towards the endless flattened expanse for what felt like an eternity, before someone, he didn't know who, led him back to a boat.

The last of the refugees were headed back to Paradis. A home that was still whole.

None of the Eldians needed any medical attention. While they were Pure Titans, their wounds were all healed. Water and rations were passed out. Jean found some dark corner on the ship and tucked himself into it. He mechanically nibbled and sipped, and threw up after each attempt. It was hard to keep his body from uncontrollably shaking. His eyes couldn't focus on anything. Every breath was laborious and manual. He was exhausted, but his body refused to rest.

He'd felt like this before, after pivotal battles, but never anywhere near this severely. This time, he actually felt broken, in an irreparable way. This could be the rest of his life. This might never end.

[I'll bring in Connie later, just starting like this. We could also pass Connie back and forth if you'd like, just have him up for grabs if inspirations strikes anywhere!]