Year 845
lots of people on horses are seen near the forest. All of them are wearing green cloaks on their back two wings are seen the ''Wings of Freedom''. Everyone recognizes those wing as they belong to Survey Corp,which goes to titan infested lands to take back the lost lands and give hope to the mankind.
''All personnel...Prepare for battle!''
A commanding voice was heard and in seconds Scout Regiment soldiers faces stiffened. Most of them hoped that they won't have to fight today ,to watch as their comrades will be eaten or face their one death,every single of them knew what horors do the titans possess. But nobody spoke a word about it and they begun running in the forest.
''There's one target! Kill it without fail!''
A man was shouting while spurring his horse.
''400 meters to target!''
''It's heading this way!''
Voices are heard.
''Just as practised. Split into five groups! We'll be the decoys!''
And the soldiers began splitting.
''100 meters to target!''
''All attack groups! Switch to vertical maneuvering!''
Most of the soldiers flipped their cloak revealing something that resembles body harness that encompasses much of the body below the neck. Then they pressed the trigger in their hand grips and immediately two hooks with cables whare shot connecting with trees and then the sound of gas was heard while soldiers gone upwards leaving their horses.
''We strike at the same time from all directions!''
All soldiers drew blades from their sides while using said hand grips as a hilt forming a sword.
''Let's teach this this thing the power of the human race!''
One of the soldiers shouted nearing a titan and with a quick motion slicing it's nape and the titan quickly fallen to the ground motionless.
Line Break
BELL! BELL!
Bell sounds were heard in the Shiganshina District
''The front gate is opening! The Survey Corps are coming!''
Masses of people went to the front gates to see the Survey Corps return. All of them were silent as they saw what state the Survey Corps whare in. Some soldiers walked on foot while some on horses. All of them were bandaged some even lost their limbs , their eyes were dead.
''Are these the only ones who made it back?''
''Looks like another massacre this time...''
''Even though over 100 of them set out...''
''...There are less than 20 people here...Did the rest get eaten?''
The people around talked to themselves looking at the Survey Corp.
''Braun!Braun!''
Elderly woman was shouting until she went to the nearest Survey Corps member
''Excuse me..My son..I don't see my son,Braun,here...Where is my son...?!''
She was on her knees in front of the soldier clinging in to his cloak on the verge of tears.
''It's Brauns mother...Bring it here''
The soldier said to other one and a couple of seconds the soldier returned carrying something wrapped with cloth and give it to the woman. The woman was puzzled for couple of seconds until she unwrapped the cloth to see just a arm...Hers baby boy arm...
''That's all...We were able to get back''
The women begun crying. The soldier kneeled trying to comfort the woman.
''...But...My son...Was useful to you,wasn't he?''
''Even if he didn't achieve anything directly...His death...Brought humanity one step closer to beating them back right?!''
The woman asked the soldier with tears. The soldiers couldn't think out a reply for couple of seconds until he gathered his thoughts.
''Ofcourse!''
He replied until looking one more time at the ground.
''No...Our expedition this time...This time,too...We...We accomplished nothing!''
The soldier shouted while others just looked down.
''Because of my incompetence...! All i did was get my soldiers killed...We didn't get any closer...To finding out what those things really are!''
The soldier himself was beginning to cry. After watching so many deaths today he didn't even knew how to compose himself. Then the Survey Corps begun to move once more while the people whispered something one to another.
Line Break
There was a young boy staring through the window.
''Uncle Raimund when will mom and dad return?''
The said boy turned around and looked to the old looking man who was currently reading a newspaper.
''They will come any second now Adlard,be patient''
Raimund put down the newspaper down and walked to the boy ruffling his dark hair.
''In fact they're already here.''
After Raimund said those words Adlard quickly looked through the window to make sure that his uncle wasn't playing tricks on him, he then noticed two figures riding on horseback. one was a male with short black hair and another figure was a female with brown hair that ended on its shoulders. Adlard jumped happily there's no mistake those figures where his parents. He quickly dashed through the door.
''Mom,dad!''
Adlard shouted while running to his parents. Noticing him approaching they quickly dismounted their horses.
''Our baby boy!''
They kneeled down allowing their son to jump on them and hug them.
''Dad why is your head bandaged?''
The boy asked his father while pointing at his head.
''This? I may or may not accidentally hited a tree''
The man laughed hard.
''That's because you don't pay attention to your surroundings!''
The woman hited him on the head while scolding him.
''Are you trying to make it worse!?''
''I hope you drop dead!''
Both of Adlar's parents exchanged words with each other ,until a new voice interrupted them.
''Eawart,Marelda it's good to see you back''
The voice greeted them Eawart and Marelda looked up to see Raimund.
''Likewise''
They both greeted him back while standing up.
''So was Adlar acting good?''
Marelda asked while eyeing his son besides her.
''Yes I was ,right uncle Raimund?''
The boy replied.
''Yes he was and he made a new friend right ,Adlar?''
''Yes! There was this girl named Sasha and she it's like a lot ,she could even eat entire boar by herself!''
The boy begun talking about his new made friend and what has he done today.
''Alright,alright. Let's pick up your stuff first and then you can tell me about your day ,okay?''
Marelda said to her son. How she loved her son ,she always wants to see his smile ,but knowing her line of work she spend little time with her son and she regretted it. While both Marelda and Adlar went inside Raimund and Eawart begun talking.
''So how was the expedition?''
Raimund begun with a question.
''Bad,really bad, we lost about 80 people of 100 who were sent there.''
After hearing Eawart's words Raimund stood there silently thinking. He then sighted.
''Sometimes i regret retiring...''
At Raimund's words Eawart just smiled.
''What are you talking about old man? We let you go cause your old bones couldn't keep up with the youth.''
They both loughted.
''I just happy that I was even fortunet to be alive. I have seen so many killed over those years when I was in Survey Corps... What about you Eawart? Have you considered retiring?''
''That thought came in my mind.''
''You know that Adlar is growing. He needs his parents with him. Everyday when you leave him here he prays that you return faster to him...He needs you alive Eawart just like he needs Marelda. You don't know when will be the last time you will see him...Had you ever thought of the consequences when he one days gets a letter with bodies or even limps of his parents. Answer me Eawart have you thought about this?''
''You think I don't know this?!''
Eawart begun shouting but took a deep breath and calmed down.
''...Everytime we go there me and Marelda we pray that we would see our son again. We talked many times about this... I tried her to retire and look after our son while I would fight. She turned me down and we were back at point zero. It deeply pains me to think that one day I won't be able to comeback and see my son grow,make a living, marry, have his on children... Everytime time I go there with trembling hands...But who else will do this job if not us,Raimund?''
''It's for you and Marelda to decide. I'm better if that day wouldn't come...Either way enough of those depressing thoughts...I watched Adlar and let me tell you this he's smart really smart he is like you and Marelda combined. Gentle yet firm, Smart yet childish and most of all he is really brave. He even defended that young girl Sasha from a wild boar. He will surely will grow to a splendid man!''
Eawart couldn't help but smile at this. Adlar was his pride and joy he loved his son just as much as Marelda loved him and to know that he's shaping up to such a great man. Eawart was really proud of his son.
''I look forward to that day''
Eawart said.
''We ready to go we still have a long way to Trost so we should hurry.''
Said Marelda while holding her son by the hand.
''Yes. It was good meeting you again Raimund.''
Said Eawart while shaking Raimunds hand
''Yes it was.''
''Goodbye,uncle Raimund!''
Said Adlar while mounting his mothers horse.
''Goodbye,Adlar''
Raimund said with a smile. Marelda just nodded and they turned around and begun fading in the distance.
''I hope you will see your son grow Eawart,Marelda...''
Those were last words of Raimund's before he went in to his house.
Line Break
When Adlar and his parents were already at Trost they noticed that the people run around panicked.
''Mom what's happening?''
Adlar asked his mom ,who just stiffened and bringed her son closer to her.
''Well there's only way to figure out...''
Eawart said to his hand before grabbing one of the people by his clothes.
''What is happening? Why people are all running around like they saw a titan?''
Eawart asked the man who looked terrified.
''...Wall Maria...Was breached by titans...''
The man said. Eawart and Marelda looked shocked, nobody has been able to breach the wall for thousands of years, even if it was breached how was it breached? What kind of titan would be able to breach the wall? Thousands of thoughts raced through their minds.
''Mom will we be alright?''
Marelda looked at her son. He was really scared she even felt how he slightly shaked.
''Don't worry ,Adlar, mom is here. I will make sure to protect you from anything.''
Marelda tried to cheer up her son. She then looked at her husband and he looked at her. Eawart released the man and went to their home.
Line Break
A year has have passed when humanity lost Wall Maria and where pushed back to Wall Rose. At first there weren't so many problems. But when days past bay the storages of food begun rapidly declining and if nothing will happen the humanity will starve to death. The government quickly ordered Survey Corps to conduct an operation to reclaim Wall Maria with the soldiers of the Survey Corps there will be a thousands of civilians who will help scouts to take back the lost Wall. Everybody knew that this was suicide mission ,but everybody knew that they have to sacrifice themselves to allow other live especially the young ones.
Twenty percent off the entire population was sent to the suicide mission to retake Wall Maria. Along those were Adlar's parents.
''Adlar we will leave you at uncle Raimund's house okay?''
Marelda asked her son.
''Okay mom...Are you going to fight Titans again?''
The boy asked his mother. Marelda touched the cheek of her son. He was cleary his mom's boy he had her facial features even her green eyes. The only thing he inherited from his father was his straight black hair.
''Yes,son. Don't worry we'll take back the wall.''
Marelda reassured Adlar ,even if she herself didn't believed in the words that came from her own mouth. After so many missions behind the wall she know that there's no chance to reclaim the lost wall.
''Adlar when we came back let's go fishing.''
Eawart continued trying to ease the worries of his son.
''Okay dad!''
Adlar happily smiled. He was sure that they will come back ,they always do and Adlar always wanted to go fishing with his that. Eawart and Marelda smiled at their son ,both of them were really happy that live blessed them with Adlar and hoped that they would be able to return to their son once again.
''Good luck both of you.''
Raimund said to both of them. They looked up and smiled. They will need all the luck they could get on this mission. Marelda kissed the forehead of her son and Eawart just ruffled his hair. With the final goodbyes Adlar's parents went to take back the Wall from the titans.
Line Break
''Titans have surrounded us!''
There was a lot of panicking. Most of the people that went to the mission to retake Wall Maria whare dead. Only twenty percent are alive.
''If we continue any further we will be wiped out! Commander Erwin please give order to retreat!''
One of the members of Survey Corps members tells his blond haired commander. After some thinking Erwin accepts. He knows that going any further would be suicide and for getting back they will lose troops. After he calmed himself he straightened up.
''RETREAT!''
Erwin shouted and people quickly relied the order one to other. But as they rode further back they lost more and more men.
''There's no way out! We have been completely surrounded!''
They were encircled. Erwin looked for a way out but the more he thought the more he fell into despair. To think that his first mission after becoming Survey Corps commander would end up like this...
''Commander Erwin!''
A tall man stood in front of him besides the man stood a woman.
''Team Leaders Eawart and Marelda.''
He greeted both of them.
''Allow us to take the vanguard we will open the way for others!''
Eawart said to him. Erwin didn't want to lose such fine soldiers as them but he didn't rejected them as he knew that there's no way out.
''The vanguard is yours.''
Erwin said and hoped that at least now they would be able to punch a hole and return home. Both team leaders quickly vanished from his sight.
''Marelda are you stupid? You should wait for the time my squad would open a gap and run!''
Eawart yelled at his wife. He wanted that she at least would return home to their son.
''No way! I won't leave you! We promised Adlar that we both will come back!''
Marelda said. Eawart protested a couple of times but he was quickly denied by Marelda. Then they both went to get their squads. Marelda's and Eawart's squads fought hard ,but they managed to open a gap for others. As more time passed the more they realized that they won't be able to return.
''So this is the end huh?''
Eawart said to his wife.
''It appears so.''
Marelda went to her husband. They kissed passionately each other until separating and smiling one to other then they turned to face the titans drawing new pair of swords.
''Looks like we won't be able to go fishing,Adlar...''
Eawart sighted.
''I'm sorry Adlar that I broke our promise, hope you will forgive your mom''
Marelda apologized her son while she slightly tearing up. To think that day that they won't be able to return to their son greatly saddened them. How they wished that the world wasn't this cruel ,how they wished to see their son's smile at them one last time...
''Take care of our son Raimund...We are really sorry Adlar...We both love you and we are really proud of you son.''
Both of them said they ferewells to their son and thanked the world that they were blessed with such a good son.
Both of them and their squads charged the titans in their last battle.
Line Break
Adler was happily running around he really liked being in Dauper instead of his home in Trost ,here he could run around ,climb trees and kids here where more fun than in Trost especially reddsih browned Sasha ,she really eats a lot ,even Adlar was having hard time figuring where can she stuff so much.
As the evening came Adlar said goodbye and when to his uncle's house.
''Uncle Raimund I'm home.''
Said the young Adlar removing his shoes and walking into the house.
''Ahhh,Adlar, the dinner will be done shortly,just wait a bit.''
Said Raimund cooking some meat and potatoes. Today was really good day as hunters catched some fresh boars,nothing tastes better than fresh meat and it didn't helped that after fall of Wall Maria meat became some sort of excotic food,but living in a hunting village had his own perks. After a bit of time Raimund and Adler sited down and ate.
''Uncle Raimond...When do you think...Mom and dad will return?''
Adlar asked between chewing his food.
''Now,now,Adlar, no talking when you eat...As for your question they should return around this week.''
If they were fortunate to survive. Raimund answered and thinked in his mind. He really hoped that they are well and returning home.
KNOCK KNOCK
There was knocking heard at the wooden doors of the house.
''Do you think it's mom and dad?''
Adlar asked while his eyes shined with anticipation.
''Only way to find out''
Raimund chuckled while looking at Adlar. Both of them went to the door. Raimund opened and saw a soldier of Survey Corps all bandaged up,bloody and dirty. The soldier looked at those to and asked.
''Are you Raimund Brinkerhoff and Adlar Kuhn?''
''Yes I'm Raimund and this is Adlar''
Said Raimund. The soldier just gave him a letter and went on his way. Raimund looked at the letter and all his fears came true. Maybe he shouldn't have said all those things to Eawart, maybe he should have pursued him more ,but now none of that matters as he didn't know what to say to Adlar. He looked at the clueless boy and thinked should he lie or should he tell the ! He won't lie lying will be even more painful when Adlar learns the truth. Raimund made up his mind that he will tell Adlar the truth.
''Uncle Raimund what is this letter is this from mom and dad?''
Adlar asked his uncle. Raimund just took a deep breath and looked at Adlar.
''Let's get inside ,Adlar, I will read the letter for you...''
Raimund let Adlar inside still having doubts if he should lie or say the truth. When they both sad down on the sofa in the living room. Raimund opened the envelope of the letter ,took out the letter and begun reading
Dear Raimund Brinkerhoff and Adalrd Kuhn,
It is with real sorrow that I write this letter, for it brings you I am afraid very bad news about Eawart Kuhn and Marelda Kuhn.
They both played a very gallant part in the mission to retake the Wall Maria. They both stood at the vanguard and opened others a way out and buyed us enough time to escape safely. Both of them fighted brecely taking hords of titan by themselves.
I cannot tell you how sorry I am,in fact I can assure you that there is not one who doesn't feel their deaths as personal blow. Everyone thought so much of them, and admired Eawarts unfailing cheerfulness and Mareldas seriousness. They were excellent soldiers and a fine exemples to all.
I wish I could help to soften the hardness of your sorrow, there is one comfort at least that they gave up their lives in a sacred cause fighting for future of humanity. It is the greatest sacrifice that a man can make.
All of those who have fallen on the field of honor in this expedition,though perhaps they know it not, are following the path of self-sacrifice and of duty which many of others once trod, they are following in the future as a heroes of the humanity who sacrificed themselves for it's pride then be mingled with your tears.
Survey Corps Commander,
Erwin Smith
Raimund put down the letter and looked at Adlar. The boy was in tears he was all shaking. Adlar didn't want to believe in this, they promised...They both promised that they will come back. Adlar even made his uncle to teach him how to make a fishing rod for when he will go fishing with his dad ,he even made a wreath out of the most beautiful flowers he could for his mom. They both promised him!
''You're lying! They promised me! They will come back!''
Adlar ended up in tears ,he quickly ran to the room he was staying and closed the door. Even when the door was closed Raimund could hear Adlar's sobbing...
Line Break
A couple of weeks have passed after Adlar learnt of the death of his parents. Raimund was greatly worried by the young boy. He would barely eat,he won't come out of his room, he just stare through the window still looking for his parents to come back. Raimund went in a couple of times to comfort the boy ,but he just keep silent and wouldn't talk. Other kids would come her but Raimund lied to them that Adlar was really ill and he will come out when he's better.
Raimund sighted while making lunch. Maybe he should have lied to Adlar ,but he won't be able to lie long and eventalu Adlar would learn that both of his parents were dead.
After making lunch he went to Adlar's room. He putted the food on the table and sited near his bead on the chair. Adlar was just sitting on his bed still looking through the window his eyes glinted of hope that he will see his parents coming back. This sight saddened Raimund.
''Uncle...Raimund''
Adlar said his voice broken. Raimund was overjoyed that finally Adlar said something to him.
''Yes,Adlar? Come on boy speak to me!''
Raimund's full attention was on Adlar.
''You were like my mom and dad...a soldier?''
The boy asked his uncle.
''Yes,yes I was''
''Could you...Teach me?''
''Teach you what boy?''
''How to...Be a soldier''
At those words Raimund's eyes widened. He looked directly into Adlar's green eyes what he saw wasn't a little boy anymore what he saw was a man willing to go do the deepest parts of hell and back.
''Are you sure about this Adlar?''
Raimund asked him last time.
''Yes''
After hearing those words and seeing the look in the boys eyes Raimund made up his mind. He will train Adlar to be the best soldier that would make Eawart and Marelda proud.
''Then go eat and go to bed early. We will start tomorrow in the morning.''
And with that Adlar's training has begun…
A/N: Hello it's Roasin here. This is my second fanfic and the first fanfic that I'm writing in third-person. I had this idea for AoT fanfic for a while now and finally I got my lazy ass to write it. So let me know if you want Adlar to be paired with someone. It can be anyone from Sasha, Mikasa, Annie, Historia, Pieck, Petra, Hange. That's all from me.
Bye bye!