Meeting on the training field
Chapter 1: A choice
Training is over. That's the thought that scars Armin the most. How did three years pass so fast? How did time fly by? He has the figure of the colossal titan still behind his closed eyes. The day everything changed and still stayed the same. His grandfather would tell him that everything changed that day but Armin can´t see it. He lives inside the wall, his dream of the ocean is far away his parents are dead, his best friend is gone. All he has left is Mikasa and Grandfather. The same as before the wall fell.
He changed a bit, he supposed, he grew up a few centimetres and his hair needs a cut sometimes soon. He build up some muscles, oh and of course he is a soldier. A decision made by his wish to see the outside world. The world he would like to show to Eren. But his friend is most likely dead.
Armin sighs and looks around him. All the cadets that had started with him and stayed to the end look nervously at the three men in front of them. The top ten in the first line, everyone else behind them. Three possibilities, three ways to go, one choice. If Eren-
No, Mikasa told him to stop thinking like that but what can he do. Eren was everything for him growing up. His only friend. The one that fought for him against the bullies. The one that protected him. The one that listens to his stories that Armin had read in book. Eren listened to him and they dreamed together about a world beyond. The green eyes that shined bright and the promised of the ocean. That promise is still there. Armin will get out of this prison and go to see the ocean. One day he will find the ocean and when he finds it he might see his friend again.
His grandfather told him not to hope for something that isn't there anymore. The day they took Eren away his grandfather sat down with a nine-year-old Armin and explained that Eren will be gone forever. That children won´t survive down there. That it is a death sentence like getting send out. And in his innocent child-like mind Armin thought that it wasn't fair. Why didn't they send Eren outside the wall? Even for a second, it could mean freedom for him. Eren loved the thought of freedom. Real freedom. One day he tried to explain it to Armin, how living in this city felt like being pulled down by heavy metal chains. Like something is holding him back constantly. He told him that the only reason why he didn't try to set himself free form it is that his parents would be sad. He was right, of course. As Eren got free of these bounds that hold him back he killed three people and got banished. His parents were sad and Eren was bound again.
Armin tries to focus on the speech that was taken up front. Erwin Smith, Commander of the Survey Corps told them what they can expect. And to keep it short. Death. Yes, everyone knows about the death rate in this part of the military, but does he have to say it out right like this. He probably has to or, thinking about it, he wants to. What does he need soldiers for that are cowards and useless? Who isn't fit for fighting against the titans should go hide inside the wall.
A look towards Mikasa told him that she too was surprised by the way the speech went but it wouldn't change her mind. She would joint up, follow Armin outside the wall. It had hit her hart that day that changed her whole life. Her parents murdered; a boy comes for her rescue. Watching a child, a few months younger than herself kill people. Later she told him her secret. Or better the secret Eren made her keep. That she too killed one of them. For her truth he told her about the promise, about the ocean and about Eren´s wish to see it. After the fall, they both joint as they got old enough to enlist. One night she whispered to him that she hoped that this decision will change something. Because she had the same feeling as Armin, that nothing changes, that the world is cruel and that people got lazy, feeling too sure of themselves, to safe behind the wall. Even the fall didn't change much. There were less people and land. Less buildings and less of everything but in the end they were still alive and behind a wall.
Today that will change. They will join the Survey Corps and as if Erwin Smith had waited for Armin´s mind to find his way back to the presence, the commandant dismissed everyone that didn't want to join. Just a few people stayed, mostly their friends, the friends that heard the stories about the ocean and of the wonders of the world Armin told them. That is all he can do to never forget his friend. Tell the story to everyone that wants to hear it and maybe he will wake up the will to go outside inside of their frozen hears.
Armin salutes and his new life begins. He would lie if he said that he isn't afraid but his friends are strong. They will get special training as soon as they arrive and they might be able to join in on the same team as humanities strongest, Levi. Armin is excited to see him. Half a year ago, he had seen him form his place in the crowd. He even looked at them for a second but did turn back. Armin and Mikasa watched him and even saw his girlfriend kissing him. He only saw her back but her long brown hair was in a messy bum. He might see her too, hopefully they all survived. Two others, a girl with read hair and a tall blond guy talked to the couple. They looked like a small family. Armin isn't sure where that thought came from but the way they looked at each other felt like it. Armin can´t wait to see what will happen next.