What's up? Its the weekend so here is a new story. I can't get over season 2 so I decided to write this story. Characters from the series may appear in the story but for now, this story will include a bunch of new characters. It takes place a few years before the Fall of Wall Maria so we might be able to see a bit of Eren and the others. If all goes well, I'll update once or maybe twice a week, if I have the time. I don't own the world of AOT. They belong to Hajime Isayama.
I sat at the window, twirling the knife in my hand. I watched the birds fly past as I gazed outside. My home was at an elevated area in Shiganshina so I can see beyond the walls. Everyday I yearned to go outside and see the world, not be confined to the prison of the walls. But to go outside will be suicide. Titans roam the lands beyond the walls and only members of the Survey Corps were brave enough to actually go to the outside world. That and they always come back beaten bloody, their faces bent low and the world against them even though they came back with only half their comrades alive.
I threw the knife into the door just as it opened. It stuck into the wood of the frame and my mother scowled at me. "Isabelle Lightbane, can you refrain from damaging the house any further," she said as she plucked the knife from the door and tossed it to me. The door was riddled with marks from where my knife had hit it countless times.
"Say, mum. Isn't it almost time for people to sign up for the Training Corps?" I asked and she whirled around. She strode over and smacked me across the face, as usual whenever I bring up the topic. "Don't you dare to think about joining that infernal Corps!" she shouted as I rubbed my face. "I'm fourteen now! I can join it! I should have joined years ago!" I shouted and she snapped back. "The Survey Corps was what took your father away from us!" she shouted, tears forming in her eyes and I clenched my fists.
My father had been part of the Survey Corps years before and was a veteran. One day, they went out on an expedition, which didn't even lasted a day and when they came back, the only thing they could retrieve of him was his head. When the commander had placed the head into my mother's arms, she had wailed and screamed, cursing them for murdering her husband. "My children have no father now! How could you go beyond those walls when the only thing you gain is more corpses?!" she had screamed as the Survey Corps walked past her. They were too exhausted and worn from the expedition to bother with one insane woman.
My mother had then barred any of us from trying to join the corps. Not like my younger brother Jon wanted to join it. "My child. You should just go and get married and have a family. Live a normal life," she said as I slapped her hand away. "How can we live a normal life when we're already caged up like animals?! We're confined within this damn walls where we don't even know come from and you expect me to sit here and live a peaceful life when countless of others are dying everyday?! Hell no!" I shouted as I stomped out of the room, my mother calling my name.
As I ran out of the house, I heard the sound of small footsteps coming after me. "Izzy! Wait!" my brother yelled as he ran to keep up with me. He was already starting to tire due to his condition of having weak lungs and I slowed down, my heart pained to see my younger brother like this. "Hey, Jon. Its nothing," I said while he scowled. "Heck like that was nothing. You got into a fight with mum again didn't you?" he said and I clenched my fist. "She thinks I should just sit down and be a woman and clean the house while others are dying out there?! You have seen how the outside world looks like Jon! Don't you want to know more about it?" I asked.
"I don't really care really. I'm fine with the way things are," he said and I groaned. He had always seemed to be the carefree type, not wanting to do more than needed. He just followed what my mum tells us to do while I'm the other way around. Its hard to tell we are even siblings sometimes due to our extreme personalities. Technically he was not even a year younger than me but he can be wise when he has to be.
"Come on. Let's go back," he said, tugging my arm. His big eyes stared at me, the eyes that once belonged to my father. Sighing, I took his hands and walked back to the house, where we ate a very silent lunch. Mum didn't even speak to me once, still fuming over the whole Training Corps episode. After that, I spent the rest of the day lying on my bed, looking outside. How I wished I could just get out there and slay some titans? Who knows? Maybe I could kill the bastard that ate my father…
That night, when I was sure everyone was asleep, the quickly grabbed my bag and opened the windows, the cold night air hitting my face. I took in the cold air, sighing as it filled my body with energy. "You're really leaving, aren't you?" a voice said and I whirled around to see my little brother at the doorway, a pack behind him. "What are you doing?" I asked and he snorted. "What else? I'm coming with you!" he said as he tugged at his pack. "But with your condition, you might not be able to make it through training!" I started to say but he held up a hand.
"Dad made me promise to take care of you when he is gone. You were always the reckless idiot in the family anyway," he said, a small smile forming on his face. He clutched his chest, twisting the fabric of his shirt. "I may be a hindrance to you in your journey to become part of the military, but I won't stop until I am able to fight side by side with you. Even if it costs me my life, I will follow you till the end," he said. I got down from the window and held him tight, stroking his soft hair.
"You were always a stubborn one, eh?" I said as I ruffled his hair. "Come on. We better make it to the boats in time," I said as I helped him onto the window. As kids we had spent our days leaping from rooftops so that skill came in handy as we made our way to the docks. A tired old military man was there, a piece of paper in his hand. "What you kids doing out here so late?" he muttered, his breath stinking of alcohol.
"We're going to join the Training Corps," I said and he snorted. "You kids think its all cool to go gear up and slay the Titans. But mind you. It ain't a pretty picture," he said as he let us on board. "Think twice before you join the Corps, girl. You may not even live to see yourself grow up," he said. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes," I said and he bowed his head. "Then I bid you two the best of luck," he said as the boat ramp was lifted. He gave us a little wave before turning back to face the walls, his mouth opened wide in a yawn.
"Well, that was one old creep," I said as we settled down. We would reach the camp in the morning and from there, we would be transformed into soldiers that defend mankind from Titans. I grinned to myself as I thought of myself killing Titans, their heads rolling on the ground, their blood staining the earth. "What are you so happy about?" Jon groaned as he turned to face me, leaning his head on my shoulder. "Nothing, kid. Goodnight," I said and he smiled, his eyes closing and soon he was snoring soundly. As I gazed up at the stars, I clutched the insignia I had been given when my father was killed. I lifted up the old fabric, the Wings of Liberty stitched on in their full glory. "One day, father. I'll avenge you," I whispered as I lulled to sleep.
…..
Mrs Lightbane woke up when the sun was just peaking from the walls. As she yawned and stretched, something at the back of her mind seemed to bother her. She slowly got up and walked towards her daughter's room, her footsteps creaking on the old wooden floor. As she opened it, the cold wind from outside hit her face like a slap, the curtains flying in the breeze. As she tried to process what was going on, she caught sight of a piece of paper jammed into the door with a knife. As she unpinned it and brought it under the light, her eyes shined with tears.
Hi mum,
I guess by the time you find this, me and Jon will already be at the Training Corps camp in Wall Rose. I'm sorry to steal Jon away with me like a thief in the night but it was his own choice to come with me. I know I have been a very inconsiderate daughter, always messing things up and complaining about going to the outside world. But this is my calling. I want to join the Survey Corps and see the outside world like Dad once did. Even if it costs me my life, I will find a way to allow humanity to once more be free from the clutches of the Titans. I promise you, I will protect Jon with my life and one day we will come home and see you. Thank you for raising us all these years since Dad died. I love you.
Love from your daughter,
Isabelle Lightbane
As she drank in those words, the tears started to flow freely from her eyes as she clutched the paper against her chest. As she sobbed, the sun rose ever higher, flooding the city with an orange glow. A new dawn had come. As she watched the sun bathe her in its orange rays, she smiled to herself. "Robert, your children are just like you. More than you ever thought they were," she whispered as she let the tears flow.
…..
"Attention! You are now soldiers who are training to kill Titans! I expect all of you to fulfill your duty and sacrifice your life in defending humanity!" the instructor shouted as he faced the recruits, who all looked at him. I stood with my arms clasped behind my back, the insignia of the Training Corps, which consisted of a shield with two swords crossing blazing on my back and arms. "You there! Why did you join the Training Corps?!" the instructor shouted and a girl shrieked, her entire body shaking. "I want to kill the Titans!" she shouted, her voice trembling. "Oho. Do you? But what happens if they kill you first? They're not going to just sit down obediently and let you kill them," he snarled as tears started to flow from her eyes.
"You! Why did you come here?!" he shouted in Jon's face, spit flying all around. "I want to defend humanity!" he shouted, his face set. "Good. Be ready to sacrifice your life when the time comes!" the instructor roared and Jon shouted, "Yes sir!" The instructors' eyes darted to me, his beady eyes boring into mine. "You," he whispered as he walked towards me, his face barely inches from mine. "What brings you here?" he whispered, his hot breath hitting me, making me want to puke.
"I want to kill the Titans and let humanity go beyond the walls. I want to kill them all," I said and his face twitched. "You ready to give up your humanity for it? Many have said it but failed to do so," he hissed but I stood my ground. I lifted my right arm and slammed my fist onto my heart, the salute used by all members of the military. "I swear. I will kill the Titans until my very last breath," I shouted and he snorted. "We'll see about that," he said and he walked away, starting to shout at another recruit.
"Here is the salute we use!" my dad said as he slammed his fist onto his chest. "Wow! So cool!" I squealed as Jon ran around with Dad's cloak fastened on his back. "Jon! Give that back! It's dirty!" my mother shouted as we laughed "Can I do it to?" I asked and he patted my head. "Only members of the Corp are allowed to do this. But who knows? You just might make a good soldier one day," he grinned as I smiled. I stood in attention and slammed my fist on my chest, puffing my chest out. "I pledge my loyalty to humanity!" I shouted and he laughed. "That's my little girl," he said as he picked me up, hoisting me on his shoulders.
"What are you smiling about?" Jon asked as he looked at me. I glanced at him, the smile not leaving my face. "I'll kill them all," I whispered as the recruits continued to fire their answers at the instructor, their shouts filling the air. Finally, I am here. I can finally kill all I want.
All comments are welcomed!