#aotspoilers

When I started watching and reading this series two years ago, I had a feeling that it would have a loop ending right from the start. Now that we are so close to the end, I am very certain that chapter 139 will end where chapter 1 begins. I will explain why. We already know the ending of chapter 138 with Mikasa saying goodbye to Eren, relates to chapter 1. Kid Eren seeing her saying this, just before he wakes up.

But in this chapter there is also a number mentioned, right after kid Eren wakes up. 

Number 845.

Although at first start it appears to be a year (there is no reason to believe otherwise, without knowing the future events), I believe it is the number of attempts of altering the future outcome. 844 fails. New attempt 845 starting

Even in the raw - original version of the manga there is NO reference that this number signifies a year. I see no Kanji indicating that the number is definitely a year. 

The number is also not fat printed. If you look closely the digits have this extra swirl. Giving the numbers a bit of mysteric appearance. 

Something is surrounding the number, attaching itself to them. Like the parasite appendages...  This is best visible in digit ‘8′

So, this number is being influenced by something. Chapter 139 (or an epilogue bonus perhaps) will, in my opinion, end with the same loop. Eren waking up crying. But with a different number:

846 In chapter 1, in his dream, Eren sees Mikasa with short hair, saying 'see you later, Eren.' Reading chapter 138, it appears to be the ending of Eren’s alternate future that he wished for, for him and Mikasa. 

She says goodbye the moment he dies after his remaining four years have gone by. 

The cruel part is, that this, in my opinion, this is not an alternate universe according to Eren’s pov, but the real ending of what happened in time run 844.   

Maybe, unconciously Mikasa feels/knows she will see him again and that is why she says this to him ‘See you later, Eren’ in the flashback and again in real when she severes his head in this recent chapter (chapter 138).  What happened? The attack titan has the ability to see the future. The founder has the ability to have influence on the past and even alter it through the Path. With these powers combined, Eren probably has tried to change the outcome in many ways, throughout many attempts. And maybe not he alone. I think he has been part of several attempts, but others who perhaps inherited the Attack Titan instead of him have tried as well. 

There is this amazing fanart piece going around online that shows young Eren pulling strings as were he a puppetmaster (artwork by Roredwarrior). Beneath him all the colossal titans from the rumbling and his huge appearance as the attack titan x founder titan mix. 

I think the real puppet master is Ymir who should be above him with strings attached to Eren. The founder Ymir seeks freedom. And so does the attack titan. 

Eren talks about freedom are mistaken in him referring to the walls and the forced fate of Eldians by Marley. 

The moment Eren has become part of the Path, I believe his longing for freedom has a different meaning. I think he realises that they are all stuck in what seems a never ending loop and by whatever means he just wants to break free.

With so many attempts already, I think activitating the rumbling is something that has not been done before and even though it hurts him so much, his last resort in ending the tortures loop forever. 

Attempt for freedom: 845

I think Ymir linked to the alien parasite resets the clock as it were every time. 

So, in chapter 138 (or perhaps a bonus surprised epilogue) I suspect we will see Eren waking up again. His last vision will be Mikasa again. His attempt once again a failure to escape.  The page scene block after Eren wakes up will be black again. A new number now showing:

  Groundhog day anyone? 

The number mentioned in chapter 1 of the manga is referred to as a year if you look it up online. Of course, Isayama would not dispute this (not even from the start) if disputing it would reveal (part of) his ending. If he were to correct that it was not a year, then the obvious question from everyone would be, what does it mean then? Forcing the author to either remain mysterious about it and have people suspect something, or to reveal its true meaning.

This number thing is just my theory, but I would find it genius of the author if it were true.  And, of course, Isayama has a habit of twists.

Now there is still, of course, Historia’s baby. As the rumbling is activated we can see she is going into labour. With Eren’s death, it means the founder needs a new attachment to have influence on time again. I believe, this is where Historia’s baby comes into play. With a new vessel Ymir can once again influence time and restart the whole thing. 

We can see that Ymir is observing the events going on. 

She has a main goal. I don’t know what it really is, but I am certain that as long as she hasn’t reached it yet, she will keep on trying. 

Again, and again, and again... ... 

Isayama has stated in an interview that time played an important role in the story and he also hinted towards a loop, mentioning that the characters are all trapped and can’t get out. 

So, here it is. My analysis on the final chapter. 

In two weeks, I will learn if I’m right or not. Honestly, I would be really surprised if the ending would be something final and not this loop I expect.