Attack on Titan: Twin Crimson Rose
The Year is 845, one day before the fall of Wall Maria.
"Morning, Morgan" The noble's daughter said from the door frame. Rays of light lit up the dim guards house as she flung open the shutters.
"It's seven already?" Morgan asked with a yawn.
"Nope, it's six, father is extra paranoid today" the girl said and sat down on the end of the bed.
"You and your father" Morgan said as he shook his head then got out of bed. He was about 17 years old and around 5'10 with brown hair and stone grey eyes, his fringe ended in a sharp point to the left.
"He has his usual suspicions, it's always 'Today is the day the titans break the walls'" the girl joked and mimed a titan. The noble's daughter was also 17 years old, had long brown hair and brown eyes and she was wearing a white summer dress befitting that of a rich family "But not on your watch!"
"It's the Wall Garrison's job to keep the titans out, I merely patrol your estate" Morgan said as he got dressed for work "Do I need to wear the armor again today?"
"Extra paranoid" the girl repeated.
Morgan sighed "Alright, I assume I don't get breakfast till after the morning patrol then?"
"Correct" the girl beamed with a smile.
[#]
Morgan St Clare was a security guard for the Masons, a rich and powerful family who's head was a Baron under the king. Their estate resided halfway between wall Maria and wall Rose. Morgan originally spent four years in the Wall Garrison and attained the rank of Lieutenant before leaving to join a private security firm. The company gave him a job and the family provided his equipment. Because the estate resided on a large plane of land with no high features and sparse trees, the Baron had a different method other than 3DMG for fighting titans despite none being spotted within the walls, ever.
"In general I'd prefer my own 3DMG over this, have I ever told you that, Quinn?" Morgan said to the girl as she watched him assembling his gear.
"Every morning before eight" Quinn Mason replied.
A suit of medieval knights armor stood on its stand in the middle of the steelworks. On its chest bore the symbol of the Wall Garrison of which Morgan was still technically affiliated with. It's sallet helm was adorned with the crest as well and a rich crimson plume ran from the crown to the back of it. This however was no ordinary suit of armor, it had two gas canisters fastened to its back and pipes running down the legs to the feet, the gas could be ejected to slow the descent of the user or make greater leaps and jumps, it was nowhere near as versatile as 3DMG but had a distinct advantage of being more effective on flat land. The armor did however provide some protection against the smaller titans, mainly being difficult to consume for the smaller ones lacked the strength to crush the plate steel, of course it would provide no protection against anything larger than a 10m class.
However its weapon was the most impressive, a long handled war hammer with a gas trigger specially designed for a small gunpowder blasting cap to be attached to the hammer head. When swung and when contact was made, it would explode outwards and destroy a localized area of the target. While it was harder to actually kill a titan with it, it was far more effective at crippling them by literally removing its limbs.
Maneuverability was the biggest problem which the armor lacked completely, this was key in defeating a titan therefore a horse came standard along with it. Riding past a titan and removing its legs was quite effective, when crippled a second strike to the back of the neck would kill them since they would be low to the ground.
A crimson cape also draped over the shoulders for good measure.
"Ok, could you get that buckle there for me please?" Morgan asked and pointed to the canister strap. Quinn fastened it and Morgan was then ready for the morning patrol.
Morgan walked out of the steelworks and over to the stables where he led his horse out. He mounted it and took the reigns. Quinn nodded to Morgan and smiled then walked away towards her family mansion.
"Alright, Bellerphon, lets go" Morgan said and began his patrol. Medieval plate armor had become redundant many years go, not because of titans but because of the cost it would take to equip an army to defend them against musket rounds and canons shells, they decided that avoiding the projectiles was better than spending the money. Morgan's specially designed suit was perhaps the only functional and effective suit of armor within the walls, probably because no one had the Baron's imagination. Morgan had not however used it against a titan, back when he was in the Wall Garrison he had slain five titans in total over four years using 3DMG.
Morgan trotted around the estate on horse back and watched the peasant workers go about their normal business of tending the fields and what not, Morgan was an upper-middle class man so had more benefits than they did. He passed over the little stone bridge and the great walls came into view and beyond that was the Shiganshina district who were mainly there to be eaten first if the titans came, or so the Baron told him.
[#]
"Morning St Clare" The Baron nodded to Morgan as he trotted back to the stables after his patrol.
"Good morning, Sir" Morgan said and got off his horse then bowed slightly.
"You can take a break now, your next patrol is at 1pm" The Baron said and carried on his way. Morgan thought that he had come to tell him in person but he figured he was just in the area at the right time, besides, he would have had a messenger do it for him. The Baron went to talk to his coach driver who was also at the stables.
"Yes, Milord" Morgan said and took his helmet off then returned his horse to its stables before making his way to the mansion. He at least had the privilege of some access to the families house such as meal times and the like, the Baron was fond of his most trusted guard, the others merely got swords and patrolled on foot.
Morgan entered the mansion and went to the dining room where the chef had prepared him breakfast despite being 10:30am. Morgan lived on the estate and so almost never left it, his family was long since gone and he wasn't sure where.
A courier walked into the room and handed Morgan a letter from the Baroness "What's this?" Morgan asked simply. Except for Quinn, he didn't talk all that much to others and was often quite stern despite his young age.
"The Baroness wants you to take a high priority package to Shiganshina district" the courier said "She only trusts you with it" He handed Morgan a small box to be delivered to a renowned doctor within the city.
"Very well, I assume I must skip my routine patrols, yes?" Morgan said.
"Indeed, you are relieved of duty for the day if you leave immediately" the courier informed Morgan.
Morgan turned back to his food and finished it quickly, patrolling the grounds was boring and pretty much pointless as a titan could be spotted miles away "Sounds like a good deal to me".
Morgan left to the stables again and replaced his sallet helm then mounted Bellerophon, the Baron's coach disappeared from sight after it left the front gates, Morgan was curious as to where he was going. His horse neighed and stamped the ground before Morgan whipped the reigns and sped off over the stone bridge and out of the estate in the direction of the outer wall city. The parcel he was delivering was placed securely in his messenger bag which was slung over his shoulder. His Blast Hammer was clipped to his belt and so was his spare replaceable explosive blasting caps, he could carry about twenty with him at one time. After every strike the cap had to be replaced, it was a dangerous weapon as shrapnel was an issue but it was however one of the reasons why he wore armor.
[#]
Morgan reached Shiganshina and the guards opened the gates for him. The city was alive and bustling with its inhabitants who went about their business as normal.
"Who's that?" someone asked from the side of the road. A heavy cart went by and Morgan maneuvered his horse around it.
"No idea, whys he wearing armor? No one uses that anymore" another person answered.
Morgan rode past them "It means I'm harder to eat".
The two men looked at each other in surprise "He has a point" one said "Must be a royal courier or somthin'".
"Perhaps" Morgan said and left them behind. He carried on his way towards the outer gate where his delivery address was supposed to be, he had not been to this city in a long time but things remained the same as always, so did everything within the walls.
The survey corps returned from their mission outside the walls and it caught Morgan's attention so he stopped for a moment to watch them go by. The renowned Captain Levi passed with a brooding look on his face as usual, Morgan had met him perhaps once when he was still in the Wall Garrison. The soldiers looked weary and bloodied, especially the corpses. A woman cried out and the convoy stopped, she sobbed and screamed and people began to talk in hushed tones about the effectiveness of the scouts.
Morgan left it behind and carried on to his destination. Thirty minutes later he reached Dr Jaeger's house and knocked on the door and a young Asian girl answered, she led him in and Dr Jaeger sat at his table drinking coffee.
"Good afternoon" Jaeger nodded to the man in armor "I didn't realize it warranted such heavy security, good timing though as I'm leaving soon"
"I'm never late" Morgan said and handed the small package to the doctor "Good day" Morgan then turned to the door to leave, he glanced at the Asian girl again before walking out.
[#]
Morgan stopped at a local inn later that day to rest, for wearing armor was tiring, especially in the summer heat.
"I didn't realize we still had knights" the inn keeper joked.
"I'm not really a knight, more private security to be honest" Morgan said and sipped his beer.
"Drinking on the job, eh?"
"Not really, I'm off for the rest of the day now my job is done".
"Fair enough" the inn keeper said and went back to his business.
Morgan finished his beer then left the inn behind him and tended to his horse. He replaced his sallet helm and got onto the main road towards the city gate, he would return to the estate in good time. Before he could cross the border, the world around him shook and his horse stumbled. People fell and chimneys and roof tiles crashed down as an explosion tore through the city.
People rushed towards the front gate to see what was the matter "An explosion?" Someone yelled.
Morgan pulled the reigns and went to investigate. He went at a fast trot and stopped at the center of the city where he could get a good view. Citizens swarmed around him to get a look as well.
A giant red, skinless hand gripped the wall and crushed the edge. The giant's head then rose over the wall and peered at the inhabitants inside while venting steam from its body.
"A titan?" Morgan whispered under his helm. People cried out around him and a second explosion rung out. The gate was kicked in by the colossal titan and debris was flung out and crushed humans and buildings alike.
"Titans!" Someone screamed and the crowd was in panic. Bellerophon reared up but Morgan steadied him.
"I need to get back to the estate and warn the Baron" Morgan said and turned to see a 7m class titan advance upon the crowd. Without thinking Morgan flicked the reigns and charged towards it to stop it from consuming the innocent people before him.
Morgan drew his hammer and attached a blasting cap to the head, he rode by and struck its leg which was blasted off in a small but high pitched explosion, the titan dropped its prey and fell to the ground with a thud.
"That worked better than expected" Morgan thought as he turned the hammer over in his hands then fastened another cap to the head. He trotted over to the enraged titan who had fallen headfirst into a shop front then smashed down at the nape of the neck to kill it "Perhaps I was wrong about this gear".
Morgan turned around to see the people around him cheering and clapping "Everyone, get out of the city! There's no time for thanks" Morgan whipped the chains again and sped off towards the gate that led back to the estate. In the distance he could see one of the barges slowly grinding along the wire that led it through the water. Titans of all shapes and sizes swept over the city and consumed whoever they found without remorse.
"The old man was right, today is the day" Morgan reminisced with a scowl "Today of all days".
Bellerophon stopped suddenly and jolted Morgan, up ahead towards the gate a strange armored titan was charging full pelt. A canon shell crashed into the ground beside him and his horse reared up in panic but he calmed him down with a pat. The shrapnel had barely missed them and he couldn't afford to lose his steed now, running was not an option.
The titan demolished the gate and began to steam ferociously till nothing was left. Smaller titans wandered through and began eating as they pleased.
"Wall Maria's been breached" Morgan said to himself and regained his composure. "Hiyah!" Morgan took off like a thunder bolt intent on speeding past the titans to get back to the estate.
Morgan crossed the ruined gate, he could see many smaller titans that had entered and they wondered around aimlessly until they could find a new target. Morgan sped past them and left the titans in the dust.
[#]
Morgan trotted up to the gate of the estate and looked over his shoulder, smoke was rising far to the south from when the colossal titan had ruined the wall. The guard stationed there opened the gates for him and he sped up towards the mansion.
Quinn watched him from the window of her bedroom "He's in a hurry, that's odd".
Morgan flung open the great doors "Baron Mason?!" He went upstairs and ran into Quinn.
"Morgan, what happened?" Quinn asked, her voice shook slightly.
"Titans, titans have destroyed the gate of Shiganshina" Morgan gasped as he was out of breath.
"W-what do you mean?" Quinn asked and her voice gave way.
"Exactly as it sounds, where's you're father?" Morgan asked urgently.
"He left on a business trip about an hour ago, three O'clock even".
"Where?"
"Stohess".
"Typical, alright pack your things we're going" Morgan said and turned to go back downstairs "What of your mother?"
"She went too, didn't they tell you?" Quinn asked and tugged his cape.
"It might have been in the letter she gave me, now go, get your things, we leave in twenty minutes" Morgan said and left the mansion and jogged towards to the guard house, his armor clunked with every step.
Morgan began packing his things "Alright, clothes, service record and ID, tooth brush, money, crate of blasting caps. No room for spare gas canisters on the horse but they're the same as the standard issue 3DMG ones so I can still get a hold of them" He muttered to himself then hauled his bag and the crate to the stables.
Quinn ran up with her bags, she had an extra back of food "Ready?"
"I was ready first" Morgan teased with a smile despite the situation they were in. He mounted his horse then held his hand out to help Quinn climb on, she held him around the waist "Grab my helmet would you?"
Quinn reached over to the wooden post that it was sat on and grabbed it for him. Morgan put it on and the plume swept over her face and tickled her nose.
Morgan trotted over to the stone bridge and stopped. The thumping steps of titans could be heard coming from the south. A red mist followed them and it sounded like a hurricane crashing through a forest.
"What the hell?" Morgan cursed to see a wave of titans approach.
The source of the red mist appeared, beside the normal rabble of dull and deformed titans was something Morgan could never have imagined. The titan was about 15m tall and almost completely enveloped in red mist, its ominous eyes and wicked toothed grin could be seen from the swirling cloud of red steam and its forearms and fists were visible and humanlike but its footsteps could not be heard. Instead it appeared to propel itself across the ground by blasting the red steam at such pressure that it could essentially levitate but the sound it made was like a storm turned up to maximum. Sparks of electricity began whipping off and striking objects around it, the speed of the cloud was great enough to generate a current.
The area suddenly began to get very, very hot and Morgan backed off and decided to take the back gate and travel to Trost instead.
The peasant workers screamed and ran but the Crimson Steam Titan swept them up in its monstrous hands dozens at a time and swallowed them whole and they disappeared into the steam.
"Oh my god" Quinn gasped "That steam, it's blood, it's boiling the people it consumes to fuel it's cloud!" She almost wretched at the sight.
The aberrant titan swiped a guard post building aside like it was nothing and ate the man inside to fuel its furious storm. The bolts of electricity struck off and stunned people as they fled which made them easy pickings for the ravenous titan, harkening back to his time in the Wall Garrison, they would have called it a Gluttonous Aberrant.
Morgan charged off towards the gate for there was nothing he could do, perhaps he could fight the normal titans but this aberrant looked far beyond him and his job was to protect the Baron's family, not the peasants.
The pair left the estate behind and made their way towards the district of Trost, it was a sad day for humanity indeed.