Chapter 2: The castle
They arrive at the castle, the headquarters of the Survey Corps, the next months they will spend training and learning the way his part of the military works. The castle feels busy, Armin watches the coming and going. Many people are on cleaning duty as it seems. Some tent to the horses other carrying buckets of water or sitting in the yard cleaning their gear. This is something Armin had notice before. Even when the soldiers of the Survey Corps look most times dirtier or ruffed up if not down right filthy from blood and grim, their gear is always the most shining, the most functional one. Probably because they are the only ones really using it and relaying on it.
They are greeted by Hanji Zoe, she tells them that she will be their guide for today. Commander Smiths bits them a quick good-bye and tells them to be on the training field in the morning, he would introduce their teachers.
The tour through the castle is uneventful. They find their rooms, get paired for every work and get their time table for who has to do what job, with whom and where. There is not much room for breathing and Armin wonders when the soldiers get to relax. Just as the thought came to him a young woman with red hair runs over to them. She looks just a few years older then him.
"Isabel." A blond guy calls her back but she didn't stop. Both seem familiar to Armin and he remembers them, they were the two soldiers riding behind Captain Levi.
"Hanji." The girl, Isabel called out. "Are this our new soldiers?" She looks at them expectational, a few nod and she let her eyes wander over them. "Hope you are good, or my brothers will take you apart." She smiles.
"Isabel." The man had reached them too. "Don't frighten them. Levi won´t be too hard on them. Erwin stopped that the last time to and he isn't the only one in charge anymore." He looks at them and even for a bunch of 15 to 17 year old soldiers they all look a bit frightened. So the rumours are true, they will get taught by Captain Levi, humanity's strongest. "Sorry about her. Don't mind her. Levi isn't so …" The break isn't very reinsuring. "He is not alone responsible so if he does anything that bushes a boundary just tell him or us. Don't worry." The guy nods at Hanji and pulls Isabel away. They can hear her complaining the way down the all and around the corner.
"That are two of our finest soldiers. They are excited like everyone here to get new faces and of course, we will do everything we can to keep you alive. Let's continue I have to show you the dining hall and the stables and my lab." A spark appears in her eyes. "If anyone has interest in working with me in the laboratory just say something. I´m always looking for support. Most of them die so young." Hanji walks away and let a few frighten soldiers stand in the doorway to the dining hall.
The next morning arrives fast and the new recruits hurry up to the training field where they would get introduced to their new teachers. Armin isn't so sure why they need to have an introduction. Everyone knows Captain Levi but it could be just a formality. Commandant Erwin is waiting for them. Next to him are two soldiers, one is Captain Levi and the other one-
Armin gets an elbow into his side by one of the recruits. "Look at his neck, he is one of the branded." Armin looks at the neck and there it is. The unmistakable mark of a murderer. He hears Mikasa on the other side of him, her breath stuttered, and he looks at her. Mikasa´s eyes are widened in shock, Armin followed her eyes and finds them fixed on the other soldier next to the captain. Shoulder long brown hair, brilliant green eyes and a bright smile on a face as old as he himself is.
"Welcome to your first training." Still shocked it takes Armin a second to understand what is happening. The commandant had started to talk. "As I told you, there are many training hours waiting for you before I even consider taking you out for a mission. For the training with the 3DM gear you will be getting lessons by our two best soldiers. Captain Levi and Lieutenant Eren Jäger."
He said it, Erwin Smith had just confirmed it. Right in front of him stands Eren. Eren his friend he hadn't seen in six years. Eren who killed three (two) people to protect the girl standing next to him. Eren the boy, his grandfather told him died the second he entered the underground city. Eren, who promised to go and see the ocean with him.
… Eren who was on the horse next to the captain as he watched them leave for a mission.
"Eren." Mikasa whispers next to him and Armin hears the tears in her voice.
"Listen up brats." Captain Levi uses the moment of silence as the recruits had stared at them. "I won´t hold your hands and give you tissues for the tears you are shedding but if you survive the training with me, you have the best chance to survive an encounter with a titan. I would recommend to give your best and more. Everyone who isn't up to my standards will be left behind. That means death outside the wall. Whoever doesn't give everything he has can leave right now."
"What Levi is trying to say, is that we will do our best to teach you everything we know to raise your chance of surviving. If you have any question just ask me." Eren spoke up after Levi´s threat.
To their surprise one of the soldiers lift her hands. Someone was really brave enough, or stupid enough to ask a question. Eren nods at the hand. "Lieutenant, how old are you, how long have you been here and what's with the mark?" Armin stared at the soldier, it is Sasha. How did she manage to stand out again? There isn't a potato or anything but what kind of question is that.
"Soldier what´s your name?" Eren asks.
Sasha salutes. "Sasha Blouse, sir."
"I´m 15, like most of you. I´m here since the fall of Wall Maria as Commander Smith recruited me and three of my friends. I never entered the military academy and for the mark, I killed a bunch of people, got branded and send to the underground city with nine. I hope that answers all of your questions." The silence was a bit overkill Armin thought but he didn't find it in him to speak up. "Good than let's start with the training. Everyone get your gear ready."