Chapter 6:

Fourteen Days

When the sun returns to Paradis in start of a new day, it wasn't long before Carla and her squad left their headquarters along with the survivors. Kai, Emet and the rest were asked to change into uniforms and without question they done exactly that. It was a silent morning, nobody spoke due to being exhausted from the day before as they sat inside the kart moving along the streets of the Strorirch Distract towards the main structure of Wall Maria. Aimi, who was facing the town one last time couldn't help but wonder she was actually in Paradis in the first place. She looked down to herself, wearing a pale green shirt and began to analyse her uniform; consisting of a short, light brown jacket with the badge of the squad on both shoulders, on the front left pocket and on the centre of the back, a light-coloured shirt, a dark brown sash around the waist covering the hips, white pants, and dark brown knee-high leather boots. The rest of her friends wore similar clothes bar Emet, Milo and Kai who wore their original tops underneath the jacket.

In some ways, it was interesting to see the subtle reminders of Aimi's home; the Paradis she belonged to in the year 879. The only thing that remained different was the Walls that surrounded the landscape. It was like the rest of the island she knew about were hidden away, almost forbidden to be experienced.

"Where do you think we're going?" Milo wondered, sitting beside Aimi, "I mean why do we look like those soldiers?"

Aimi turned to her friend, wondering the same thing. Why were they suddenly changed out of their original clothes, heading somewhere they weren't told and especially the look Kai had on his face that morning. He'd looked as if he didn't sleep, did something happen the night before? Kai was sitting beside Emet, both staring down at the floor of the kart and sharing the energy of unwanted conversation.

"No idea." Aimi said, now turning back to the scenery of the forest, "Probably will find out soon enough."

As they entered a trail within a forest, the trees thickly cramped together. It wasn't long before they all started to notice a camp just down below a hill up ahead. There was large space flatland with wooden shelters surrounding the area in what seemed to be a boot camp. Eleanor who was sitting at the other side of Aimi stands up from the kart, raising her eyebrow as she questioned;

"Is this some sort of camp?"

"It's the training corps." Kai confirmed, looking over to the camp, "This is where we'll be for the time being."

"This will be fun." Emet grunted, barely interested as he prevented lifting his head from the floor.

The trio turned their heads to Kai, confused on what he had meant and even wondering why there were going there in the first place. Eventually they enter into the Military Camp for trainees; The Training Corps. The Training Corps is the branch of the military dedicated to training and educating trainees to become members of the three main military branches. As the five individuals were dropped off at entrance of the camp, the rest of the Survey Corp members bar Carla and Bernadine remained with them. There they walked through the entrance, huge wooden gates that led them to the mainland where a group of trainers were lied up in more than dozens of rows. As Aimi and the rest were emerging closer to the troops, the individuals standing in their lane couldn't help but drift their eyes to the group of individuals make their way towards them but immediately returned their noisy eyes to the Chief Officer scolding,

"WHO SAID YOUR EYES COULD TURN THE OTHER WAY!"

The troops remained still even their their faces shifted into a low panic. The Chief Officer was tall and slanted man with short grey hair. His deep brown eyes cutting through his trainees with a death stare. You could tell he was the instructor due to his long deep green jacket compared to everyone else's that was shoulder. The instructor was then wondering why there was sudden disruption, turning his head to see Carla and Bernadine with a squad of random individuals behind them making their way to him. He rained his eyebrow grunting.

"Captain, interesting to see you here."

"A word?" Carla bluntly said, waiting for the Officer to come over to her. When he does they immediately stand aside from everyone, allowing Bernadine to tell Aimi and the rest;

"Stand other there in the line facing the troops, you'll be introduced in a minute."

"Introduced?" Milo said uncomfortable to Eleanor.

"Come on, before we get told off." Kai encouraged, doing as he was told, the rest stood on either side.

There in a row in a order from left to right; Milo, Eleanor Aimi, kai and Emet stood at the opposite side of the troops. Their eyes on each other, figuring who they were, why they were here and where did they come from? Our five survivors stood awkwardly, feeling the many pairs of eyes questioning them. For Milo it was as if he was wearing a clowns suit to draw attention. For Eleanor, not as phased by the awkwardness, but instead saw a cute trainee and couldn't help but wink at him, making him uncomfortable. Aimi decided to stare into the far wall of the camp, avoiding anyone who could be already looking at her. Kai and Emet, stood head on, not making contact with anyone but threw their focus off to hear giggles. Kai glanced over, noticing too girls blushing at him as one of them nudged the other. Emet, who also saw the two girls rolled his eyes, finding it weird that the girls themselves looked less than 16 years old were eyeing them.

"ALRIGHT LISTEN UP!" Shouted the Chief Officer, making everyone pin themselves up like dolls as if they were pulled with strings to straighten up, waiting for further orders.

"As you know, we're reaching our final weeks of training before the ceremony. These final weeks you will all prove yourselves as soldiers, to choose which branch you desire to be in. But as you can see, some unexpected changes has been added." The Chief Instructor commented, glancing over his eyes to Carla who stood beside him he continued, "But I will let Captain of the Survey Corps take it from here."

"Officer Martin." Carla noted, making it her entry to step in the centre between Kai's row and the trainees opposite them.

Everyone had their eyes on Carla, the wind making her cloak flow and her hair that was braided follow. She stood, quietly and was taking it the silence. Carla then began to examine the trainees. Some looked ready to fight, some looked like they couldn't care less, or too much, or weren't even meant to be soldiers at all. She then looked back to the five, wondering who could survive this world. Her eyes were more pinned on Aimi, thinking that there was something about that girl, something that made her both intrigued but weary of her.

"Alright listen up." Ordered Carla, facing the trainees again, "You heard Officer Martin. Not long you pass your 3 years worth of training. I wonder, who will be the soldiers I am looking for. If you pick the military, fair play. May you serve the King well and guarantee a long life. Just not the solider I would want. You may become one of the Garrisons, ones who keep the public in check. Though in my opinion that says a lot more of your character. Then there's the Survey Corps... Though judging you lot, barely any of you would last 1 year. But whatever you choose, you trained long and hard. All these branches as one is what helps us protect what's left of humanity. Your years worth of training... will be placed onto these trainees in 14 days."

Carla, who was grabbing attention onto the trainees every word. Their faces still showing various ranges of emotions from scared, passionate to fuelled with determination. Carla after mentioning the 14 day number, felt sudden anxiety from Aimi and the other four. Their eyes asking the question of, 'why 14 days?' 'Is that even possible?'

By ignoring their reaction Carla continues, "Due to special circumstances, these trainees must undergo intense training. It's never been done before, but's that's the thing. Even trained for years, Titans do not care. So nor do I, if you get eaten on your first day after full duration of training or a week. I or they do not care, it is all about survival. So let's see what they're made of. But all of you, even them...All I ask for is one thing and that is to devote your hearts, to the king, Paradis to all stand united as one. Your final days of training commences now, Or for some.. it's just the beginning."

The soldiers stood there just stood there, making Carla groan before she shouted;

"What are you doing standing here for? GET MOVING!"

"YES CAPTAIN." All trainees shouted back, leaving their rows one by one.

As the last row was about to leave, Carla spots two individuals at the very and and yelled out to them;

"Except for you two. Names?"

There stood a young girl of 15 and a boy who looked around 18. They halted, saluting as their answer to the Captain.

"Niamh Top." A fair, down to the length of her waist haired girl, gleaming with soft tale green eyes. An innocent pretty thing.

"Byran Helenkin." A broad builder like lad, with chestnut brown hair as well for his matching eyes.

Carla stood aside, allowing both sides of trainees to make eye contact. Niamh looked over to Aimi, smiling at her in a friendly matter. Aimi smiled back, intrigued about Niamh and the immediate interested they shared.

"I want you to take them to whatever free dorms there is. Get them settled in. I'll inform Instructor Martin your absence."

The two nod, walking off. Aimi, Milo and Eleanor looked at each other and in mutual agreement began to follow the pair in front. Kai and Emet were about to do the same but were stopped by Carla stepping in front of them, frowning in disapproval as she spoke in blandness,

"You'll be coming with me."

Kai and Emet were brought to the side of the camp where a single cell like shelter is in place. Kai was surprised to be in a location such as this, Emet too was wondering why they were separated so far out from the rest of the camp. They walk through the entrance, noticing how it was only just the three of them and that the building itself haven't been used for what seemed to be well over a year as the shelfs, including the several beds that looked dusty and dirty.

"This is a dorm for soldiers to stay in for Corrective training, although it is barely used. Quite pointless of a place if you ask me. Though I think this is an appropriate for you, Emet."

"Why for me?"

"Because I want you in a space away from the others. Do try not to mix with the trainees. It'll be safer that way."

"But..." Emet; completely stunned, "Why would it be safer? I am not-"

"That's fine Captain, will I be staying with Emet?" Kai interrupted, eyeing Emet to keep quiet.

Carla turned over to Kai, nodding before she turned her way out of the building to reply;

"Yes. You said you'd take full responsibility. So don't leave each others' side."

Before anymore from the conversation could continue, Carla leaves the shelter and heads back to the main camp. Her eyes remained closed, feeling a headache beginning to emerge. She then pulled out from her jacket a letter. The same letter she wrote from the night before, Carla hadn't slept properly because of what was going on. It was a pain to get Chief Martin to allow Carla to let the 5 train in such unbelievable short notice, saying it was permissioned by Commander Hunter- who yet doesn't even know what is going on. Especially the fact there's a titan inside the walls. The captain sighed, feeling heavy chested and wished this could be over and done with. The woman raised her eyes to see Bernadine making way to Carla, about to speak but instead listened to Carla's sudden order requesting;

"Can you head out and find this to, Hunter."

"Without you?"

"Yes."

"Carla, what's going on? You've been acting shifty ever since we rescued those lot."

"Everything is in that letter for Commander Hunter. I cannot discuss further until he knows." Carla explained, letting her guard down slightly to her friend.

Bernadine and Carla had been friends since day one of their early years in the training corps. They both came from different distracts, but over time became like sisters. Bernadine shook her head, taking the letter from the Captains hand.

"I want you to give this to Hunter, and tell him to stop by here for the Ceremony." Carla said, hoping Bernadine would agree further to her wishes.

"Ok, I will. You staying here then?"

"I am, thinking this may be a good idea to at least see any suitable candidates for the Survey Corps." Carla suggested, even though she couldn't care less who joined. It was a white lie that'll do whilst she's watching over Emet in hopes he doesn't expose himself during his two week stay amongst vulnerable humans. Relying on Kai would be too much.

"Yes. Because It won't be long until we are running out of time."

Author's Note:

Hello everyone. I say this and the next volume will be pretty quite ones. Just trying to build the story up before I hit yous with madness. I have been sooo tired this week, hope this chapter is still somewhat interesting.

Disclaimer:

I do not own the characters of Shingeki no Kyokin, they belong to the rightful owner. Other characters later mentioned in the story will be referenced also as the fanfic progresses. The only characters I have ownership are ones created from scratch. Also, IF YOU ARE ANIME ONLY OR HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE MANGA, PEASE DON'T CONTINUE TO READ THIS STORY. Unless, you love spoilers then that's fine by me!

And also, *salutes*

Shinzou o Sasageyo!