i. encounter
A blade clashing against your knife caught you off guard, you hop a step away as the hooded man chased you down. The wind blows away his cover, he swung his free hand to grab you, making you jump another step back. He pushed his blade horizontally, making you both trip and fall to the ground.
As you were about to get up, he pinned you down using his knees, shoving it to your chest that it knocked you down. You pulled out a small knife and was about to stab him to the neck, your blade was centimeter away from his skin, but he managed to do the same to you at the same time.
Both of you had each other’s blade pointed to your neck, but if you were to proceed, you’d be killed first since he had you locked down.
“Stop it. Take a look around you.”
He spoke as you feel the coldness of the blade on your neck, a small push was what it needed to wound you. The person had you constrained with his knees pinning down your chest, long blade’s tip pointing to your neck. In your action of restraint, you drew out a small knife, then later dropped it in defeat.
“Captain, she seemed mastered the use of maneuver gear, so it was no easy for us in chasing her.” A cop for earlier who also helped to chase you, reported, straightening his back as he speak.
The captain turned to the cop who reported, then back to you. He stood up then flipped your body over, pinning your wrists to your back with his hand. You could feel your cheeks pressed against the ground.
“Levi! Didn’t saw you this worked up in combat for a while!” A voice said in a cheerful tone, as the man’s stoic face turned to scowl.
“We got some questions to ask you.” A person in a ponytail and glasses says, as you watch them walk towards your direction.
“First: how did you learn to use these maneuver gears?” They asked, but you didn’t answer right away, just lowered your head, stared at the ground.
“I learned it by myself.” After moments of silence, you finally answered, your sudden talking making your voice sound hoarse.
“I see.”
He nodded even though he found your answer suspicious, but didn’t said anything against it since had some...similar experience.
“Do you know it is illegal to snuck out of here without permission or without paying?” He said, tilting his head downwards, looking down to you.
“Captain, wait...” The person in glasses and ponytail whispered, dragging him away.
“I have a proposal. Don’t you think we can make her to join the survey corps? I mean, she mastered the use of the maneuver gear...and all.” They said, voice was filling with hint of hesitation.
He only said nothing and rolled his eyes at this, making his other fellow, as you heard, sigh.
The two stared at each other, seemed communicating by that. Them two nodded, separating ways, the captain heading to your way.
You looked around, seeing your other members got caught, along with the other cops talking with them.
You didn’t thought of the possibility of you with them getting caught, blaming yourself for it. You didn’t know they’ll send the survey corps since they used to call the military police, which are easy to escape to. Well, blaming yourself won’t do anything since it’s already too late anyway. You think you just have to move on about it, and maybe plan on how to escape.
“My name is Levi.”
...
“And yours is?”
Hearing that voice again, you snap out of your thoughts in an instant, turning to look on where the voice came from. You held your head up to the man in front of you, kneeled down to your level.
“Y/n”
It’s the other survey cop you fought with earlier.
“Y/n. Why don’t we make a deal?”
“What?” You replied in confusion. Wondering what the deal could be.
“What you did was unforgivable, and illegal.” He said, low-key emphasizing the words ‘unforgivable’ and ‘illegal’ which made your blood boil more, but glad that you’re used to it and can control it, somehow.
You made an expression resembling ‘and?’, like a signal on him to continue.
“With your mastery, and skills on using the maneuver gears,”
“Join the survey cops.” He said, making you somewhat relived that he didn’t make in any further and somehow got straight to the point.
“What?” You asked once you realized what he just said.
“You heard me.” He said sternly, then rolled his eyes.
“And if I don’t?” You retort, trying to pull your way out.
“We don’t know what’s the military police will do to you. But I’m sure it will be hard for you, and your friends, of course. No one is an exception.” He explained, which made you understand more of how much a garbage the military police are.
“With you and your advanced skills you will be a lot help in humanity,” He kneeled down your level, but looking away from you, only seeing the sideview of his face for a split second glance you gave him.
“Along with the advantage of you and your friends getting freed.” He turned around, now looking right into your soul, but it didn’t bother or scare you, instead, you gave him back the same look.
“Choose whichever you want.”
Thinking carefully about it, thought of the things might possibly happen when you join the survey corps. You tried to get rid of the negative thoughts after you join the scouts, but it wouldn’t go away. You think how you bought your members in this mess, in exchange, you’ll join the scouts to free them, you had did something at least, than all of you breaking in to jail.
“Fine.”
“I’ll join the survey corps.” You accepted, out of...defeat.
With this, he made hand gestures to his members, signing in a way of telling them to free you.
Proving your hunch right, you felt shuffling on your back, feeling of relief stricken through you the moment you felt your handcuffs loosen and removed.
Once the handcuffs were removed, the handcuff marks and scratches still stinging on your wrist.
“You’ll get some additional training.” The person from earlier spoke, walking forward to your direction. “In order to that, we’ll introduce you to the trainees, you will train with them for years, so you’ll have to learn to get along with them.” They finished, fixing their glasses.
“I’m Hange Zoe. The section commander of the survey corps.” They introduced themselves.
“We’ll get you out of here, so that, you could focus in your training. We’ll ask your friends about this too.” They added, giving you a small smile again before walking towards your members direction.
They gave her a small nod before they walked away, her looking around the area only seeing her members’ dirty looks on you.
They’re probably still mad about it. Why can’t they understand?Your head started to fill with thoughts, about your ‘friends’ whose probably about leave you sooner, again.
That’s why you didn’t believe in having people considered friends anymore. You’ll just meet someone, they’re just someone you know. Not your friends. That’s kind of cold but that’s how it is.
It may sound mean but it’s like that. Not all you call ‘friend’ will label or treat you like one, so in that, just make it even. Don’t label or treat them like one too. She also can’t even explain why after all this she still have the courage to talk to them or even protect them. It’s just so messed up.
Getting back, once everyone was ready, the survey corps gave them some time to pack their things, then will get ready to leave the place.
After you finished packing, she saw a survey cop wait for you outside, leading her the way to the others.
Once you arrived, you immediately left the place, looking around at it once again, but for the last time. After all, this was where it all started.
Section commander Hange leaded the way out, pausing for a while, talking to the person who guard the way out of the underground.
After a few minutes of their conversation, Hange signaled everyone to move forward.
The moment you got out, there was already a chariot waiting for them outside.
Moments after you get in, the chariot starts moving, making you flinch at the sudden movement, and quickly regained yourself then sat properly.
Carefully, you rolled the window curtain, then admired the view outside that’s you’re probably first time seeing.
The vendors, the tall buildings, houses, pretty similar to the underground city.
And the sky. It was so beautiful. Peaceful.
Quietly admiring the sky, not noticing the time, you’re already at the place.
“Y/n. We’re here.” Captain Hange greeted you from the outside, while Levi, Captain Levi side-eying you from a distance.
Slightly nodding, you picked up your things, and then exited the chariot.
They walked you a bit far away from where the did you drop-off, the walk unusually, exhausting you.
Just moments after you felt pain stricken your head, making you grip tightly on your bag and stopped walking for a second.
The corps notice you stopped, but before someone could ask, you continued walking like nothing just happened.
They continued walking too, but you can still feel the headache, but ignored it and continued walking.
“We’re here,.” Hange stopped walking, in front of a house. They signaled the others, then some of them left.
“I heard the training started today,” They said, then clasped their hand at their back.
“Luckily, you aren’t that late, but make sure to catch up.” They said, then walked forward and opened the door, a noisy crowd greeted you.
A person came beside you, a middle aged man in a uniform, a scout uniform cleared his throat.
“Attention, everyone!” He said loudly, loud enough to make every one turn their head to his direction.
“Starting today, we’ll be having a new trainee, that will train along with you.” He said in a normal voice this time, the loud voice earlier made your headache worst.
They all nodded, as Hange’s team bid their goodbyes to you.
Looking around, you found a place to sit, luckily all by yourself.
Much better.
“Y/n?” The elder from earlier called you, then he introduced himself.
“Keith Sadis, a former commander of the scout regiment, now in charge of your training and evaluation to become soldiers.” He introduced himself, offering you a handshake which you accepted.
“Y/n L/n.” You introduced yourself as well as the handshake broke.
“You will have an individual training tomorrow.” He said, his hands on his back. “You were late when you were presented, but you’ll still have the same training the others did today. Do you understand?” He said, which came out lot louder than intended, probably.
“Yes sir.” You saluted, with your right fist on you heart and the left on your back, straightening your posture.
He nodded before he walked away, a sigh of relief coming out of you for a reason.
Seeing a bunch of trainee at a certain place, you came near, seemed like they’re in a meeting, also with a boy answering all the questions about encountering the titans, which you unintentionally heard since you were near their table.
“You’re from Shiganshina aren’t you? Isn’t that the first place where the collosal Titan appeared?” A fellow trainee asks, made you notice how the boy’s mood at the question.
“Yeah...,” You also noticed how his emotion dropped, but played it cool and answered the question.
“How did the Titans look like up close?” Another person asked.
“It looks scary from any distance,” he said, staring at space. “But it’s looks scarier and more disgusting up close.” He finished, looking at everyone.
“So, you’re from Shiganshina right? What did the collosal titan looked like? Is it big?” Another question, which he answered after taking another spoon of his food.
“It’s really tall, big enough to look over the walls.” He answered, then took another spoon of his food.
“It barely had any skin, but it had a huge mouth.” He continued, lowering his spoon.
“What about the armored Titan that broke Wall Maria?” And another one, everyone of them attentively waiting for a answer.
“They call it that, but it looked like a normal Titan to me.” He answered before gulping down a cup of water.
“Th-then what’s a normal titan like?” A brown haired fellow asked, with a terrified expression on his face, waiting for an answer.
The question seemed shock the boy, dropped his spoon on his soup, then covered his mouth with his hand afterwards.
“Guys, let’s stop with the questions. I’m sure he’d prefer to forget some things” A guy with freckles and middle parted plain black hair stood up.
“I’m sorry for ask-”
“Don’t be!” He cut the guy off, picking up a bread then bit it aggressively.
“Titans aren’t really that though.” he said, somewhat smirking. “If we can master the three-dimensional maneuver gear, they won’t stand a chance.” He finished, which made you kind of wonder what Titans are really are.
“Finally, I’m able to train as a soldier... I was just so excited, I forgot myself for a second.” He muttered, some words seemed jumbled, since he was kind of mumbling.
“I’m joining the Survey Corps, so I can wipe the Titans off the face of this Earth.” He said angrily, making you wonder what happened back there, that made him hate Titans like this. Well, everyone hates it, but the hate you felt from him was somewhat, different.
“Hey, are you nuts?” A guy on an another table to the left asked, mocked rather, making the boy look at him in disbelief.
“Did you just say you want to join the Survey Corps?” He scoffed, his head resting on his hand.
“Yeah, I did.” He paused. “And you said you wanted to join the Military Police to take it easy right?” He snapped back.
“I’m no liar,” He smiled, unbothered. “I’m a straight talker, unlike someone who pretends to have balls of steel even when he’s about to piss himself” He snapped back.
“Are you talking about me?” The boy, which name is probably Eren, which you just heard from someone stood up, along with his friends telling him to calm down.
“Hey, I didn’t...” The other stood up too, them two walking closer to each other, until they’re standing in front of each other, staring for seconds.
“Well, I’m sorry.” He apologized, which you think as he should since he’s the one who started it.
“I didn’t mean to say you’re doing the wrong thing.” He smiled. “Peace?” He offered a handshake, which Eren received as a somewhat high five.
As the two separated ways, everyone minded their own business, others got back to their rooms to rest and others spent their time staying up, getting ready for another day tomorrow.
-
“First, we’ll evaluate what you have!” The commander shouted every single words, his hand placed on his back.
“Anyone unable to do this can’t even serve as a decoy!” He said, making everyone look at each other before continuing listening.
After the short introduction speech, or training rules speech rather, everyone got to their places, positioning themselves to the balance equipment used to practice the aspects of the three-dimensional maneuver gear.
You wore the equipment, making some adjustments to secure, signaling the people who’s assigned to pull up.
They slowly pulled up, you feet rising the ground little by little.
As you were rose up the ground, you effortlessly balanced yourself. You didn’t thought you were be able to balance in your first try since even though it was just a day, you didn’t get to use the maneuver gear in a while. You were used to use it almost everyday in
The commander silently graded you, and informed you that you passed this part of the test.
As few seconds pasts, they pulled you down, then you removed the equipment afterwards.
After you removed it all, you looked around your surroundings, watching them quietly.
Then your eye landed on the guy yesterday, that Eren guy.
He was wearing his maneuver gear, and was lifted up, but he was upside down. He probably wouldn’t balance well.
The trainees laughed at him, some even mocking him for the one who’s saying he’ll kill the titans then this.
You thought about how he was misunderstood. Not all people are fast learner, and to say it was just his first time, he maybe can’t do it now, bit you have the thought that he’ll surely learn it soon, especially with his determination to eliminate the Titans, which you saw in his little speech about killing the Titans yesterday.
Meanwhile, the other trainees continued to do their tasks, as you watched the sun set.
You thought about on what if you refused to join the corps, what will happen? You’re always thinking the way like that, like, what I did this first, what’ll happen? And all that.
Hearing a voice, you faded out your thoughts, and turned to where the voice came from, only seeing two people in front, and a person riding the balancing equipment.
“Don’t worry about doing well, watch the balance and stay centered.” The black haired girl in front of him spoke.
“Slowly rest your weight on the belts attached to your hips and feet.” She added, then pointed at the belts attached to his hips and feet.
“And stay calm and you can do it, I was able to.” A long haired blond spoke, encouraging him that he can do it as well.
Then it made you thought about your friends. They probably peaceful up there. You were happy knowing they got their rest.
You hated how you didn’t know how they died, but you just knew they did. The thing you only know is they we’re survey corps. You got the idea of them getting, eaten, or in any way or part of it connecting with Titans. It was also the part of the reason you joined.
“I think I can do it this time, I hope so.” He said, as he signaled his blond haired friend to lift him up.
He slowly did, the sudden silence clouding up, the sound of the creaking metal noises the place.
As you started to mind your own business and about to walk away, you felt an unusual gust of wind, words seemed saying to go back and approach him, to approach them.
Thinking your imagination was just playing with you, you felt some kind of rush to do approach them, for some reason.
Not being able to hold it in, you ran back to them, your hand reaching out.
In a gust of wind, you were on the ground, so is your right hand, while your left stuck out, just centimeters before your knuckles touch the ground, holding Eren’s head before it bump the ground.
What the heck?
Being shock by what happened, you accidentally let go of his head, making him fully bump the ground, you slightly scooter further, only bumping onto one of his friends, the black haired girl one.
After a few moments of silence, she offered her hand to you, whick you accepted.
“H-how did you do that..?” The long haired blond stuttered, as you gently tap out the dust from your clothes, also thinking about on how the heck did you do that.
You know you move fast and all, but you didn’t know you could movethatfast.
“You were so far...and then, you’re here.” He looked at you in shock, as you gave him back the look.
“I...don’t know too. I just had the feeling he would fall, so I ran,” You tried to recall the things happened, but nothing made absolute sense to you.
“Thank you,” You looked around, facing the black haired girl, slightly smiling at you, almost unnoticeable.
“If it weren’t you, Eren could’ve possibly got injured, which will burden his training, that’s why I thank you.” She held your hand, which surprised you because you haven’t received any affection or skin to skin contact for long, the small gestures of it making a big impact to you.
“You’re welcome I guess,” You mumbled, scratching your head with your index finger.
“I’ll go inside,” You said, gesturing at the cottage you’re staying in.
“Wait.” Eren said, making you froze on your tracks, rolling your eyes before turning slowly around.
“What?” You said, obviously annoyed, a little.
“You’re so cool earlier. I saw you. How did you do that?” He said, which sounded concerning to you because he sounded so, desperate.
“I can’t kill the Titans if I can’t even do something as simple as this. Help me, please.” He said desperately, in the verge of crying.
Being kind once isn’t bad right?
“I didn’t came here to look cool. But I’ll try with how I can.” You said as you knee down to his level, since he was still on the sitting on ground, the bell ringing afterwards, indicating dinner time.
Everyone shuffled around to their way to the main hall cottage, you waiting for them to lessen since you didn’t want to interact with that bunch of people.
Sooner, everyone was inside, including you.
After luckily finding an empty seat, you turned around once you heard someone called your name, only seeing the blond earlier, jogging towards you.
“Eren and Mikasa asked if you could join us,” He said while fiddling with his fingers, waiting for your answer.
You hesitated, but sooner nodded, then followed his way through with your bowl of soup and a bread on your hands.
“Sit here.” The black haired girl from earlier spoke, tapping the space beside her.
“I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Mikasa. Mikasa Ackerman.” She said, offering you a handshake.
“Y/n.” You introduced back shortly, accepting handshake.
“That one is Armin, Armin Arlert.” He pointed at the blond haired boy in front of you, which the name’s Armin, shyly waving at you.
“And that one is Eren. Eren Yeager.” She pointed at the boy in front of her, which was just staring into space, didn’t even touched his food.
“Eren.” Armin softly nudged Eren’s side with his elbow, making him snap out, slightly flinching.
“You wanted help right?” You said, taking a spoon of soup to your mouth, only looking at your food.
“Yeah...” He answered, just staring at his food.
“Eat faster. We’ll start later.” You said, before taking another spoon. “The commander might probably test you again tomorrow, we don’t have time to waste.” You finished, gulping down some water before continuing eating.
Eren seemed still processing your words, took him a few seconds before he started eating, spoon after another, which is kind of concerning since he looked like he’s about to eat the spoon and bowl too.
After you finished eating, you came outside, waiting for them.
Moments later, you saw figures coming towards you, glad that you didn’t have to wait longer.
“Armin, pull him up. Don’t make it too high.” You said as you saw Eren positioned himself inside the small pyramid used for training balance.
His foot started to apart from the ground, you observing him carefully on why he can’t balance properly. Well, as you said, not everyone is a fast learner, however, this is easy even for someone who couldn’t learn things fast.
As was just inches rose up the ground, he started to lose balance, Mikasa immediately got ready to back him up, as Armin pulled down the wheel used to lift up.
“Beginners usually go out to seconds balancing, but you didn’t even last a second.” You said, which made Mikasa react, about to say something.
“Remove your belt.” You said sternly, having the idea of the reason why he couldn’t balance well.
The two looked at you in confusion mixed with shock, while Eren do as you said.
“There’s a damage on the belt...?” He said, midway before completely removing it.
“Checking your gears is important, minor damages can cause troublesome accidents.” You stated, while he hand the belt to you.
Putting his belt down, you removed yours, then gave it to him.
He wore the belt, then lifted up his arms from his side for you to see before positioning himself back in the balancing equipment.
Taking a long deep breath, he nodded at Armin, a signal to him to lift him up.
You quietly observed, as he was lifted higher and higher, reaching to the limit of the equipment.
Once everyone realized it, he smiled in joy, glancing at his friends’ proud looks.
You heard someone called your name, but you weren’t that sure, because the noises around started to became muffles in your ears, for some unknown reason.
“Y/n!,” You flinched when you finally heard clearly, Mikasa’s hand on your shoulder, giving you a concerned look so did Eren and Armin.
The silence lasted for seconds, before Armin spoke.
“Maybe we should go back inside and rest should we? We’ve got a long day tomorrow.” Armin suggested as he sweat nervously, everyone agreeing.
Before coming inside, you took a look at the sky, the scenery reminds you something.
Despite of being covered with clouds, the moon still shined bright, but there were no stars to be seen.
It reminds you of yourself, despite of your love ones’ presence being absent, you still managed to shine alone.
But the light the moon reflect comes from the sun after all.
And light you’re shining comes from the people around you as well.
And your day ended like that, ready to begin another.
-
You watched them—Eren and the instructor—have a staring contest, which is obviously boring, the thing you wanted to do is to go back and sleep.
“Eren Jaeger, are you ready?” Commander Keith asked, with his and on his back, as always, shouting every word.
On the other side, Eren, who seemed pressured and determined at the same time based on his expression, sweats nervously.
“Begin!” He commanded, the scouts on the side immediately pulled the wheel, slowly lifting Eren from the ground.
You watched him slowly lifted up from the ground, everyone watching him attentively.
He balanced himself, everyone cheering for him, but he didn’t last for long.
Slowly losing his balance, the scouts assigned to pull him up rolled down the wheel, lowering him to avoid injuries.
Out of nowhere, you felt a random pain shot in your head, making you dizzy and held on someone beside you who’s luckily Armin.
“Y/n!? Are you okay?” He whispered in a concerned manner, not wanting to make a scene, so do you.
“I’m not.” You answered in all honesty, because you know yourself that you’re clearly not okay, that just made him more worried.
Closing your eyes, you tried to regain yourself, which you luckily did, thanking that the headache didn’t last long.
Distracting yourself from what the heck just happened, you continued watching them, your head still a little dizzy somehow.
“Wagner, change belts with Jaeger.” The instructor ordered, which they immediately obeyed, exchanging their belts.
They exchanged belts, which you barely saw because your vision was spinning, had to close your eyes, hoping it would lessen it, that it luckily did, but the slight pain still not going away.
“Your belt was defective, making it hard to balance for you,” The instructor explained, while holding the defective belt.
On the other hand, Eren, who was still in awe, was lifted, and lasted for long unlike the other attempts.
“So he still managed to balance even his belt was defective? Wow...” A fellow trainee commented, followed by the others who was amazed by him too.
“Y-y/n! You’re burning up!” Armin who you were holding on panicked, Mikasa hearing him coming to aid you you quietly.
“Y/n. Can you hear me?” Mikasa said sternly, holding your shoulders just after she placed the back of her hand on your neck and forehead.
You just stared ahead, you wanted to move, to answer them but your body wouldn’t cooperate, making you just froze in your place, like a statue in your position.
Everything happened so fast as they watched in horror as they noticed your orbs flashed complete white, then pitch black before turning into it’s original color, while Mikasa started to panic, shaking you violently, trying to snap you out of it.
Then the moment you felt your head started to feel heavy, only having the grasp your body’s currently situation.
You managed to move, even just blink, you heard your name being shouted before your vision faded into black, completely losing your consciousness.
