Chapter 9:
My Way
Still inside the walls, Kai remained silen as he waited to see where himself and Emet were taken to. It had been several hours after leaving the academy, following the trails of the unknown. It was quite a cold night as Kai pulled his cloak in tighter into him, seeking warmth from the fabric. Emet still wasn't awake from the smack the commander had left him. Kai turned his head to see what was in front of him, figuring out who the Commander could be. He knew his father Amrin was the 15th and still presently was the Commander time if the Survey Corps was still undergoing. Then it was Hange Zoë, the 14th Commander who was once too a Leader of the 4th Squad of the Survey Corps that Kai's father was in. Then, a well respected leader of the Survey Corps- an inspiration to many was the 13th Commander Erwin Smith. Kai later then remembered Keith Shadis (the 12th) and the fellow man 11th Commander names was Tobias Meier but was unable to recall the previous 10. Kai decided to wait for further information, but he had a gut feeling this man would be between the place of 8-10th Commander.
As the moon glowed amongst the land, a sudden change of tone occurred as a huge shadow engulfed the ground that Kai was looking down upon. He raised his eyebrow and turned around to see what caused the change. There before him was humungous trees, towering over the trail the soldiers were taking Kai and Emet. Kai realised that the shadow was comprised of tall trees (generally around 80 meters tall), which have enormous trunks, large branches and definitely taller than any titan. This place, was the Titan Forest. Due to their enormous sizes, humans can stay atop the upper branches of the trees and remain safe from Titans, which do not possess the intelligence to climb trees. They are used by the Survey Corps for certain goals on expeditions. These forests are excellent places to use the vertical maneuvering equipment, as there are many tall tree trunks and branches to which the steel cables can secure to, improving versatility and mobility. At the same time, it is a good place for Titans due to the large tree trunks concealing them and the denseness of the forests reducing visibility of incoming Titans.
Kai couldn't help but whisper aloud to himself, amazed of what he just saw; "No way... This must be the Titan forest."
"You're aware of this place?" Hunter questioned, startling Kai by the sudden response the Commander made.
"Um.. Yes, sir." Kai replied, settling back down into the cart.
"Hmph." The man grunted, steering his horse towards the forest and there the soldiers follow behind him.
Kai wanted to ask if they were really truly going inside the forest, but chose not to. The forest was a lot more dense compared to the forest outside the walls where himself, Aimi and the rest were exposed to. He then sees a mild light ahead of him, realising it was a fire surrounded by more soldiers and tents amongst the area. As they arrive closer, the soldiers controlling the cart halts, jumping off as one of them walked over to the edge of is, opening the back of it and says pointing towards the fire that had three chopped down thick-like branches surrounding the flames.
"Jump off and sit over there."
Kai gets up and makes his way to the fire, noticing how all the soldiers who were talking amongst themselves had noticed him- seeing that all of them were members of the Survey Corps. What were they all doing here? When Kai's eyes returned to the fire, he sees the Commander had already been sitting in front of it, staring into the flickering flames before raising his deep hallows at Kai. Kai stopped when he reached the fire, staying completely still.
"You were told to sit." Hunter coldly said, still staring into the fire.
Kai sits immediately onto the tree trunk and was directly across from the Commander. They sat silently for a moment, Kai watches the man pull out a flask from under his cloak, downing whatever was sealed inside. Kai waited for Hunter to speak, trying to hide the uncomfortableness as the Commander's eyes were pinned onto him.
"Kai Arlert?" Hunter said, checking if that was Kai's name.
Kai salutes to Hunter responding, "Yes, sir."
"Two weeks of training, but managed to rank 1st out of over 100 soldiers. Correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"What do you make of that?"
Kai, now a little confused answered, "Umm.. surprised but happy to have achieved that position, sir."
"I call that impossible." Hunter said bluntly, arching his eyebrow and analysed Kai further, "Almost unnatural. Do you have military experience before joining the Training Corps."
"Yes, Sir."
Hunter chuckled darkly, shaking his head at Kai's response. Despite it being the truth, Kai knew this conversation was not going to be a straight forward one.
"Oh really? Was this before you applied through someone you know on the island. Or really..."
Hunter pushes aside a part of his cloak, revealing his jacket where inside the inner pocket was two letters. Kai's eyes widen, seeing that one of them been opened- where one of them had to have been from Carla just over two weeks ago. Kai remained silent, watching the Commander open up the previously read letter and points out,
"You're from the Year 879? Therefore that means you applied through someone from the future. Quite an interesting fact about yourself." Hunter said sarcastically, "The more I read this letter. I am finding it more harder to believe it is true."
"Tell me, Kai Arlert. Why should I believe a man like yourself? That someone, as random as you are...is from the future?"
Armin watched his son remain silent staring down at the fire. What could Kai say to prove that he was from the future? Armin was sitting on the ground of the paths whilst tapping his finger against his cheek, thinking to himself on what he would say to Commander Hunter.
"What would you say, Armin?" Mikasa wondered, standing beside Armin with her arms folded, her deep eyes looking down on Armin due to him sitting.
"Hm... Honestly, I'm a little stuck. It's not like Kai has anything to show the Commander."
"Kai is going to have to think of something." Eren said, staring straight at the aura without turning back to Armin, "Or things won't be looking good for him."
The three watch Kai sit there, looking unsettled in the place where he was made to answer. They then watch Kai sigh, lifting his head up in a strong, but confident manner
"Because I was discovered outside the walls."
All of their eyes widened, surprised to hear Kai's bold reply as the young Arlert continued,
"Isn't that enough proof? Not only was I found outside the walls, but there are four more suviours. Each able to provide almost an identical perspective. How I know that is more than enough to believe me. Because according to Eldians on Paradis, the walls is what contains the remanence of humanity due to the titans."
As Kai continues to list the reasons why Commander Hunter should believe him. Eren out of the three felt themost surprised, it was almost seeing another Armin talking. Although Kai wasn't a double physically, his tone, and use of language was definitely how Armin would talk. Eren turned round to Armin, seeing the father eye's lit up with hope.
"By being found deep and far away from the walls, unprotected as we too tried to survive from the titans. That is why you have to consider, even if you don't fully trust me, the fact we were found from outside the walls. Is something worth questioning."
"Hi Armin." Mikasa joked in her flat tone to Armin, pretending he was in the Aura that makes the real Armin chuckle beside her.
"He listens to me too much." Armin sweat dropped, bashfully scratching his head.
"Valid, and something that has already been considered. Hence why you are here." Hunter replied, his eyes returning to the letter and then glared over to the cart where Emet was, "But my problem with you is why should I trust you. After all... We apparently have a titan amongst us. Before you can think of that, do you know why you are here?."
"No." Kai admits.
"Read this, then." Hunter said, standing up and holds out the letter above the fire.
"The letter from Carla." Mikasa noted, watching Kai stand up and take the letter from the Commander. Hunter too then began to open the other letter, the pair beginning to read what was in front of them.
Eren was now more intrigued about what the letter said, folding his arms. He then realised that they would need to find out how to read the letter itself, Eren doubted that the aura would do it simultaneously and therefore requested; "Show us the letter."
From Kai's perspective, there his inner voice is projected for Eren, Mikasa and Armin to hear the following as Kai read to himself;
MEMORANDUM FOR: Commander Hunter Rin
FROM: Captain Carla Rin, Leader of Main Squad
SUBJECT: Urgency
Hunter, our expedition has unfortunately had not been successful, just like the ones before. However, on this occasion. Things are not what they seem. I have encountered something out of the ordinary. I realised that nothing is what it seems beyond the walls and beyond the titans from the moment I saved two members of humanity far from our home. At first I didn't question it until I witnessed something unnatural. There I saw was a titan and girl make contact, as if they knew each other. However that was short lived when I tried to retrieve the girl and her friend, at the time there was only too. But that too took a turn as the titan who was at the scene was claimed to be a human being. Or classed as a 'Titan Shifter,' where an individual can become a titan with human like intelligence and attributes. The Titan Shifter is called Emet Ackerman. He claims to have no consciousness of the event, perhaps it may be true. But ever since I retrieved him from his titan vessel he has not attempted to attack me or anyone. I am currently in talks with Emet and his ally Kai Arlert. The same boy who was present with the girl, her name is Aimi Ackerman (a relation to Emet). They claim to be from the future, a statement so far-fetched but something is telling me to believe them because I experienced something incredible when I made physical contact with Ami and Kai where I had visions of children as if I knew them. Their main objective is return to their home, they say as long as they get any form of help- under our control, they will leave. I am writing to you to consider maintaining the titan shifter, his presence close to civilians is dangerous. However, if a titan shifter has the ability to change from titan back to human, there may be a possibly the inheritor can control their abilities. It means, if Emet Ackerman can master his power, threat against humanity will plummet. Hunter, this letter may seem bizarre, but based on what I witnessed today, something inside of me is telling me to follow through. From here on, nothing will be the same, a great force has begun in motion. I plan to spilt the survivors up, testing their stories, but also to stick to my deal. I will send them to the Training Corps, in hopes they learn some skills but also buy you time to reach me. There I will take the first individuals I saved outside the walls called Milo Becker and Eleanor Rako, and of course Aimi Ackerman. The girl who made contact with Emet in his titan form, if she is capable of interacting with a titan and was too the one who showed me a vison of another individua. Our world, our knowledge of the titans and humanity as we know it. Is not what we believe it to be.
Sincerely,
Carla Rin.
Before anymore comments were made from anyone, Hunter was first to finish his letter and immediately passes the second one over to Kai as he was just about finished his own. Kai takes the letter, leaving himself curious on what the next letter was about to say.
MEMORANDUM FOR: Commander Hunter Rin
FROM: Captain Carla Rin, Leader of Main Squad
I have written this in short period of time. The results are through, and beyond my expectations.. Kai Arlert and Emet Ackerman have exceeded the training, again, something that has surpassed. I believe in order for us to fully cooperate, Emet should prove he is not a threat and for Kai arlert to uphold his full knowledge to you. By the time you are reading this, I will return home as I have taken on my short-term break. I used the excuse of family emergency. When I return, I will meet you again after the upcoming expedition. There you can decide Hunter whether we should work with Kai and others on their "quest" home. Emet Ackerman has made his own objective to me, his desires are to protect his sister. Who is the girl I have mentioned previously is Aimi Ackerman. There the past the weeks I haven't seen strange behaviour. However it's Emet's abilities that has left me unsettled. Though there is hope through Kai due to his deep knowledge of the future he speaks most of, I have purposely not mentioned them to you because I want Mister Arlert to do it. May you challenge his knowledge, if what he says is true.. The fate of Paradis may have a brighter future. I will leave the final call with you, Hunter. Till we meet again...
Sincerely,
Carla Rin.
"So how do you want me to prove myself." Kai asked, his eyes still peering at the letter.
"Oh-ho-ho.. are you sure you want to ask me that?"
"Yes." Kai said, yet not as confident as he was before, "But I hope it is ok to ask this, Commander. I notice yourself and the Captain share the same surname. Are you related?"
"She is my niece." The Commander answered bluntly.
"They're related?" Eren concluded, his face still yet underneath was pure shock. He never knew he had an uncle from his mother's side. Eren as a child never much heeded to know more about his family relatives, all he considered as a priority were Grisha, Carla and then Mikasa who was fostered with them a year before the breach in Shiganshina. He knew that Carla had grandparents, but they both passed away when he was a very young age. But now, Eren, after death now returned has discovered he now has an Uncle. Not just a typical Uncle, but the 10th Commander of the Survey Corps.
"But to answer your question of proving yourself. Well, Kai Arlert... Where do I start?"
There the commander begins to explain his request, leaving Eren, Mikasa, Armin and even Kai in the past listen to Hunter's requirements to what almost appears impossible to met.
Two days after leaving the Training corps, it was another late night as the three were resting quietly on a boat as it streams along the river where Aimi, Eleanor, Milo, Carla along with other passengers who were were sitting by the cannel boat seats, gazing at the scenery around them. They didn't talk much, instead admired the views around them. They then notice they were getting closer to Wall Maria. The boat halts by port, where soldiers from the Garrison branch place a large wooden plank to create a bridge for the passengers walk on. Carla leads Aimi, Eleanor and Milo off the canal as they each help Carla's belongings into the wall. Before they reach the gates, they walk past many stilled houses as many of the villagers would be asleep. As Carla, now off duty from being Captain led the fellow survivors to a large gate with the three individuals noticing a grand shield above them of a portrait of a woman at the top of the entrance; symbolising Wall Maria.
Aimi, walking in the middle of Milo and Eleanor was absorbing her surroundings, feeling as if they were going to enter a castle. It reminded her of when thy were in Storirch District. Aimi then thought to herself was it like this in every other district? When they enter the other side, there they see a large town ahead of them. Aimi's widened her eyes, seeing the subtle similarities of something familiar of what will be her home in the near future; Shiganshina District.
"Wow." Milo said quietly, stopping for a moment to take in what he was seeing.
"It's so weird, it feels like we're back at home, but not at the same time because everything is all so old fashioned." Agreed Eleanor.
An hour later, now inside the town itself, the tiredness was starting to kick in. Eleanor was yawning every 10 minutes, starting to irritate Milo slightly because each time she yawned she stretched her arms out and kept having to nudge him.
"We're not far now." Carla said, leading ahead.
"Are we going to your house?" Aimi asked, walking behind Carla.
"Yes, but we won't be there for long."
Eventually, through twists and bends of the villages path, there they all walk up on pebbled steps, seeing a larger house from the top stairs resting peacefully. A tree too at the other side of the path. Milo, Aimi and Eleanor were intrigued by its structure. To put it in context, this very home wasn't a random village house. But was once a home belonging to a future descendent of Eren Yeager and Mikasa Ackerman before it was lost when Shiganshina was breached. It was in this current world a home to Carla. As they walk up the steps towards the door, Carla placed her hand on the door knob before she turned her head to the three behind whispering;
"Now, don't be loud. My parents are upstairs sleeping."
Milo, raising his eyebrow and was confused to hear that Carla who was a fully grown woman still lived with her parents asked however a little too loudly; "How come you live with your parents?"
"Shush." Carla hissed, "Well, I'm barely here anyway. This isn't my current place where I live, but home is always a place you come back to isn't it?"
Carla's words made Milo sweat drop due to the fact he was a little loud, watching Carla open the door as quietly as she could. The three stand around a table, looking around to see how different the style of the home was, definitely a time before electricity was a big thing. Carla sets her stuff on the floor and whispered,
"Right. One of you can decide who will go in the spare room. The other two will have to sleep in here."
"I'll go upstairs!" Eleanor volunteered in seconds, making Aimi and Milo gasp at the quick response.
"Hey, no way!" Milo hissed, "Why you!?"
"Because I picked it first, haha!"
Carla rolled her eyes, telling Eleanor to follow her up the stairs. Milo and Aimi waited, wondering how they will manage to sleep. It wasn't long before Carla returned down stairs, holding blankets. Carla then explained that one of them had to sleep on the floor whilst the over on the table above, a sort of downgraded bunkbed if you will. Milo offered the floor and Aimi to sleep on the table. Once the two settled, Carla goes upstairs for the night. Throughout the night it was uncomfortable, the table of course wasn't the cosiest spot nor was the floor. But due to travelling during the late hours of the night, eventually Aimi and Milo successfully had fallen into a deep sleep, where one of the, drifted into a experience of what we would call a dream. A dream, that Aimi Ackerman felt like she was living in someone's memories.
So it was you? The one viewing the world through my eyes all this time...I think your love was that of a long nightmare. The past lives will never return...But... Thanks to the lives you gave birth to. Here I now stand. Rest in Peace... Ymir.
It was nothing but darkness, Aimi couldn't see a thing. All she knew was she could feel like she wasn't in her own body. However the voice reminded Aimi of her mother Mikasa, her voice younger and sounded as if Mikasa knew what was happening. Inside Aimi's mind, her inner voice questioned who this 'Ymir' was. Suddenly something changed where this time inside Aimi's dream, all she can see is endless landscape of sand. Where nothing but shining light was beaming on Aimi, making it hard to see what was causing the rays. Then seconds later Aimi is faced with a woman, staring apologetically at her, cupping her hands as a voice that didn't escape the woman's physical mouth goes;
I'm sorry.
Aimi tossed herself to the other side, shrugging off the weird physical sensation in her body and continued the dream that was becoming more and more like some sort of a nightmare. There the darkness had taken over Aimi's vision, hearing her mother's voice cry out;
I'M BEGGING YOU!
I PROMISE!
I'LL END THIS!
"Breakfast!" A woman's voice announced, making Aimi abruptly wake up from her nightmare. The sweats tripping down from her head, all to feel another shock of surprise as Milo gasped and had hit his head against the table when he must've sat himself up from the announcement.
"Oof!" Milo went as his head returned to the floor, his head now sore from the whack.
Aimi, breathing for air tried to settle her nerves as looked frantically around her and was quick to catch glimpse of a woman staring at her, the arms folded as she impatiently waited to get a hold of Aimi and Milo's attention. Milo's head was spinning, forcing himself to stop too as he noticed the woman's eyes were pinned on him.
"So, it required me to shout out breakfast to finally wake you's lot up?" The woman asked, tutting as she turned her head to stir a big pot by the fire.
Aimi blinked a few times before her noise sensed the smell of porridge, watching the steam emerge out of the pot to show it was ready to be served. The woman who woke the pair up scooped up the warmed up oats onto a bowl before asking the pair to get up from the table to get stuck in. Milo crawled out from the table and sits himself beside Aimi, soon to hear Eleanor come down the stairs as the energised girl greeted,
"Morning, Mrs. Rin."
"Morning, Eleanor. Your friends finally decided to wake up."
Eleanor sits across from Aimi, waiting as the woman named now Mrs Rin placed two more bowls of porridge for the three to feast on. Aimi noticed Mrs Rin's hair was a tone of faded black, tied into a low bun as she wore a cream-coloured sweater with rolled up sleeves, a long green skirt and small tan boots. It was clear that this was Carla's mother, although they didn't look incredibly alike bar the tone of her voice and choice of words. After looking at the woman, Aimi yawned in exhaustion due to the lack of sleep. Milo shortly yawned as well going,
"Sorry, Mrs Rin. Aimi and I didn't sleep well."
"Not at all! Though I do admit," Mrs Rin paused, turning her head to Aimi for a moment, "You seemed to of had an eventful dream. Looked as if you were trying to wake up from it, dear."
Aimi blushed a little, feeling awkward that she must've looked awfully deranged if Mrs Rin had to point out about it. However what was strange was that Aimi didn't have much reciliation of the dream, all that she can remember from it was the horror and uncomfortableness.
"Um.. Sorry." Aimi muttered, taking a spoonful of the porridge, its sweetness hitting her taste buds, letting herself sigh out in relief because of how good it tasted.
"Awk, stop apologising. It's not you I want the apology from, after all... It's not often I get a crowd of strangers in my house..." Mrs Rin sighed, frowning at the person she was actually thinking of.
"Huh?" Eleanor hummed after scoffing her face with porridge, hearing Mrs Rin's comment and wondered what she was on about.
"Aww! Love you too, mum." Carla's voice from upstairs joked, taking each step down as she said it.
Mrs Rin lifted up her head, turning to the stairs and sighed, "I can't believe you're doing this, you know."
Carla sighed before smiling back at her mother, making Mrs Rin tut as the woman poured another bowl of porridge for Carla.
"It's too dangerous, I don't understand why you're like this. Why can't you just settle down? Have a family, or even get yourself a pet-"
"Mum." Carla cuts in chuckling, "It's fine, stop worrying."
Aimi, Eleanor and Milo were watching the Rin family bicker away at each other, continuing their breakfast as they do so. Carla walked over to the breakfast, sitting herself comfortably and starts to eat her meal. Mrs Rin was now standing at the end of the table, shaking her head;
"Worrying..." Mrs Rin sighed again, "If you get caught, you're done for. I swear, you're more like a child of Hunter than of your own father. I understand you're trying to be a help of the Survey Corps. But have you considered a life you really want? A life that's worth living instead of venturing outside the walls and trying to kill off those monsters? Carla, please. Listen to me."
"Honey, there's no point trying to talk Carla out of this. It's like talking to the walls themselves." A man commented chuckling as he entered the house, holding a gun to his right and a dead duck to his left. Simply by saying the word, 'honey'- it was clear he was Mr Rin.
Aimi and Milo, who were able to see the man first before Eleanor physically had to turn herself round from the door saw a tall yet slender man close the door. He looked like just an ordinary common man in his neutral like clothes. There Aimi could see where Carla got her features from, her eyes just like Mr Rin's. Milo too was able to see the resemblance, but also remembered another individual from the night of the training corps who also shared similar characteristics.
"Mrs Rin." Milo said, "You mentioned the name, Hunter... Is he in the Survey Corps by any chance?"
"Ah," Mr Rin replied before Mrs Rin could otter a word, "My younger brother? Yes, he's the Commander. Heard about the scene he made last, doesn't surprise me. On the other hand..."
Mr Rin's hazel eyes gazed over to Carla, she lifts her head at her father and then furrowed her eyebrows combined with a faint smiling as she knew what her father was about to say; "I did not expect you, missus to be doing this sort of thing."
"What sort of thing?" Aimi asked, finishing off her breakfast.
"Something illegal, and if Carla gets caught. She'll be sent to court." Mrs Rin frowned, picking up Aimi's and also Eleanor's bowl. Milo was behind him who was never a fast eater.
"Mum, a lot of squads do it. The system isn't tight at the minute. It'll be fine." Carla reassured, cockily grinning Mrs Rim, knowing she was winding her mother up.
Mr Rin shook his head, trying his best to hide his smile from his wife and daughter. Them two arguing was always something amusing for him.
"Oh, so training them outside the programme is totally fine? Where stolen equipment and putting these poor individuals in dangerous situations is fine as well?" Mrs Rin scowled, slapping her towel against Carla's shoulder.
"Hold up!" Eleanor burped, "You're training us?"
"Yes, now hurry up, Milo we got some trekking to do." Carla urged, "I'll explain more later when we get where we need to be."
Milo then shoved the rest of breakfast down him. Aimi and Eleanor exchanged looks, but how will Carla train them if they are no longer at the training corps? Mrs Rin stood beside her husband, looking at Carla as if she wanted to slap her. But she couldn't do much, Carla was a full grown woman.
"I know you're worried mum. But it will be fine, I promise." Carla smiled, "It's just training. Hunter needs these trainees suited up properly."
"Hunter is in this now? Does that surprise me?" Mrs Rin sarcastically eyerolled to her husband, which in return he sweat drops awkwardly back.
"I'm finished. Thank you Mrs Rin, that was the best breakfast in a long time." Milo thanked, handing over the bowl.
"Why aren't you well mannered, son." Mrs Rin smiled at Milo, making Aimi and Eleanor panic to thank after a they realised they didn't do that.
Carla gets up from the table and starts waling to the door, "Da, is the stuff loaded?"
"Yes, all of it's there." Mr Rin replied, following Carla out the house.
"Alright. Well mum! Love ya and leave ya!" Carla waved, looking back to her mother with an absent minded smile.
"Come home. That's all I want, Carla. Come home." Mrs Rin lightly smiled, her face hiding back her pain. She hated seeing her daughter head out, fearing that the woman she raised will never come back home.
Aimi and her pals knew to follow them out, waving goodbye to Mrs Rin who too gestured the same back to them. As the three follow out the doors and stroll down the pebbled steps, Aimi couldn't help but turn her back to the house. Although it was such a short stay, there was something in the way Carla's mother made her think of Mikasa. Aimi would do anything to see her mother again.
"Honey." Mr Rin said quietly, walking down the lane with his daughter by his side.
"Dad." Carla sighed, looking to her father, "It's just training. I wish she didn't have to worry."
"Carla, your mother loves you. A mother is always protective. She just wants you to live a long life. We already lost too many people, she'd do anything to make sure you weren't on that list. Like your mother said, she wants you home. I'll always support you, it's just I want you home too."
Carla turned her head back to the group that was behind her. The decision she made was reckless, but that was the least of her worries- it would be impossible for it to go wrong in her eyes. Then Carla gazed up to her home, making her frown as it becomes smaller and smaller the more she walked away from it. At the bottom of the lane, there's a horse along with a cart, holding various materials stuffed in sacks of fabric bags.
"Oh shoot! Almost forgot!" Carla said, walking back up the steps and taps Aimi's shoulder to come follow her back to the house. Aimi was confused but followed Carla asking,
"What's wrong, Captain. Oh, I mean Carla?"
"Forgot the most important stuff. Watch your step."
Aimi realised she standing on top of a wooden surface, in which had a handle in what appeared to be a door. Carla squats down and opens it, revealing a staircase and that lead to a another door at the bottom. Aimi raised her eyebrow, and wondered; "Is that a basement?"
"Well spotted." Carla joked, pulling out a key from under her shirt and makes her way down the stairs. Aimi eyes widened at the key, feeling a sudden shock of emotion as if she had some of connection to the key. It was a rusted medieval looking gold, held by a brown thick thread.
When I return, I'll show you the basement that I've always kept secret.
Aimi shudders, feeling uncomfortable that this random voice spoke inside her mind. What on earth was that? Carla noticed and asked, "You ok?"
"Uh, yeah. I don't know what that was.." Aimi replied, scratching the back of her head. "Suppose it's just the lack of sleep."
"Suppose. Sorry about that. Hopefully better nights ahead." Carla replied, turning back to the door down below.
Aimi accompanied Carla, realising how steep the stairs were and had to place her hand against the wall for stability. Carla unlocked the door, and there entered in to a small like office. However, you may think this office was the way we remembered it as Grisha's basement. This was a little less surrounded by shelfs of books, medication and anything doctor related (or more like secrets of the outside world). But rather filled with weapons and equipment similar to the training corps. There Carla passes out two sets of ODM gear as she carried another pair.
"You really are going to be training us?" Aimi asked, holding the manuver gear, unable to hide the disbelief.
Carla stood in front of Aimi, the silence between the two before Carla answered, "I think you already know the answer to that." Carla then moves past Aimi, heading up the stairs back to the main surface.
When Aimi and Carla returned back to the cart. Milo and Eleanor were already sitting inside it, taking the load off from Carla and Aimi and sets the gear down onto the surface. Mr Rin was patiently standing by, holding onto the horse by the reigns. Aimi glanced over to Carla, seeing her face looking a little more serious than before as she watched the woman sigh. Aimi wondered to herself what Carla could be thinking. Was it to do with her parents? Aimi jumps onto the cart, sitting in-between her friends as she observes Carla make her way to her dad.
"Don't worry. I will be back home. I always do, and I always will."
Mr Rin smiled, lowering his eyes to the ground before raising up to his daughter, "I know you will, honey."
Carla stands up on her tip toes and quickly hugs her tall father. She was very close to her father, he was the more gentle natured compared to her mother. Mrs was a tempered woman, however she was loyal to her family. For some reason, Carla felt the urge to hug her father, to tell both of them that she loved them. Her gut was begging her to, the only question was why? Carla lets go, making her way to the chair of cart and steers the horse to the main path. Aimi, Milo and Eleanor leave their farewells to Mr Rin. Carla looked behind her, noticing her mother was standing by the door of the house, their hearts both saying feeling the same thing.
"See you soon, mum."
From the outskirts of Shiganshina District and past Wall Maria. Carla takes the trio to a large farm with a cottage that was by the side of it. However; there were no animals on sight and the more closer they got to the place, the more it looked not long abandoned.
"Where are we?" Eleanor asked, now sitting beside Carla on the cart.
Eleanor was always someone who grew comfortable around people pretty quickly, a true extrovert.
"This is where Hunter lives. We'll stay here for the time being."
"Is he here?" Milo asked, searching around him for anyone on sight.
"No, he's with Kai and Emet along with the Survey Corps. I have a funny feeling they're in one of Titan forests."
"Titan forests?" Aimi repeated out those words, feeling uncomfortable with the idea of a Titan forest. In her head she pictured the forest being festered with titans just waiting to devour anyone who entered.
"Oh, you." Carla giggled, "Not that sort of Titan forest. See to your right."
As Carla extended her right hand in east direction, there they see in the distance figures of what looked to be trees standing tall.
"Now that's a good several towns away. You wouldn't be able to see normal trees when your just about halfway there. Whereas those trees... they're over 80ish metres tall. Some higher. Forest of the Giant Trees they would formally be called."
"Is that where Kai and Emet are?" Aimi wondered, squinting her eyes to try see the shapes of the trees better.
"No. They're far from here. There's a few locations where these types are trees are found on Paradis. Common let's get those load in the farm house."
As they helped Carla carry heavy loads of bags into the barn, the light shining into the open doors revealed three podiums at the bottom of the farm that were used for ODM training and scattered material of what looked like damaged weapons, gears and more.
"This use to be one of places where trainings for outside the Shiganshina, Trost and Karanese Districts. They were held until the Military decided build up the training corps base." Carla explained, slamming down the heaviest bag. "Now it's often used for illegal training."
"Illegal?" Eleanor wooed, "Why is it illegal to train us outside the Training Corps."
"Loads of reasons. For starters, the training gear is stolen. Then when trained it's often by unqualified individuals. Let's say I am an exception. Though despite my role if I was caught, I'd lose my role as Captain. Luckily, I did get approval from Hunter, therefore it'd be easier for me to worm my way out of issues. What excuse will we use? Well, I won't worry about thinking of one just yet. But.. I suppose you are all wondering how this came to occur?"
Aimi, Eleanor and Milo remained still, waiting for Carla to continue- enough for Carla to shrug as she continued,
"Back outside the walls. When I made contact with Kai and yourself, Aimi. I saw figures who I felt I knew, but didn't at the same time. Since then, I have experienced small sudden flashes of their faces. It's hard to explain, but even if I did I can tell you three are just as clueless as I am. Then of course, somehow you three along with Kai and Emet were far from the walls. To me, that is something out of the ordinary, and it showed me that the world isn't what it seems. Then.. I suppose the main reason is due your brother, Aimi."
"Emet?" Aimi asked, raising her eyebrow.
In agreement, Carla hmm'd and said, "Yes. Put it this way, his attitude pisses me off. But he definitely made me think why would a individual with such dark power be so concerned by you. I have theories. But, I purposefully placed yous in thetraining corps. In hope to build foundational skills, howeverI expected all of yous to do terribly. You exceeded my expectations there. Does Kai and Emet have military experience?"
"Well, both of parents had military experience. As kids, mum played sparring with us. Then Kai's family has too a strong background of those who can fight." Aimi explained to Carla but suddenly remembered a time when Kai told his intentions to her back when they were younger...
"Can you keep a secret?" A 17 year old Kai goes to a 14 year old Aimi, his shouter blonde hair just below his chin as the wind blows his fringe he still has currently through the wind.
The two of them were alone, sitting on the roof top of Armin's home, a place we do not know yet. It was late at night, the stars were above them as Kai and Aimi watched the stars twinkle.
"Yeah, what is it?" Aimi asked, pulling her short hair into a low pony due to the heat, it made her strands of her hair stick to the back of her neck.
"I asked my mum and Reiner to train me up. But like properly, I told them I just love practicing. But I am considering of joining the military..."
The young Kai looked down to his feet, trying to hide the shame in his face. Aimi on the other hand was confused why Kai didn't like what he was telling her.
"Ok, but what's wrong with that?"
"I don't think dad will be ok with it."
"But why not?"
Kai's eyes lifted up to her, furrowing his eyebrows at the girl and lets out a sigh. His face looked as if he was about to expose a sin, a sin that isn't continued as Carla breaks Aimi's memory when she speaks;
"I see. Well, it works in their favour. The reason why I say that is even if Kai and Emet were to do bad. I was intending to separate them from yous anyway. This is simply because it's too dangerous for yous as a group. Besides, Emet has the ability of turning into a titan. It's best to have less of you in contact and more easier to control the situation. Yous will reunite in the future, but right now my main concern is how yous will better your skills if your looking to find yourselves back home. So,"
Before Carla continued further, she slowly circles around to take in the surroundings of the barn, "This is where I will train you for the next 6 weeks. It won't be easy. But, I guarateen you, once you through the 6 weeks with me. Easily you'd be in the top 10 cadets. 3 years of training is almost like a waste of time."
The confidence in Carla's voice wasn't enough for the three to feeel like they had the chance to be trained up within 6 weeks. They each looked at themselves and then each other. Carla shook her head, shifting her eyes over to Milo when he chuckled, gesturing himself;
"Yeah I don't really see that happening for me. I mean, look at me."
"Yeah look at him, he's a twig!" Eleanor agreed, making Milo death stare at the jokester whilst as Aimi almost bursted out laughing.
Carla raised her eyebrow, letting a smile form at the corner of the lips as she too couldn't help herself.
"Trust me, I'll sort that element out too. Everything will be done my way, therefore everything is guaranteed to go well. We'll cover a range of topics and by the end of thus you'll be titan killing machines."
"You mentioned the top 10 cadets, were you in the ten when you were in training?" Aimi asked, feeling like she already knew the answer due to witnessing what Carla could do outside the walls when she took down Emet.
"1st." Carla answered, "And who knows for you Aimi, you might end up redeeming yourself. From the rejected, to maybe even one the best soldiers around. Think you can do it?"
Aimi froze for a moment, remembering when Chief Martin told her how useless she was. Self-doubt was fuelling Aimi's emotions, making her frown on the ground. But, maybe this was her second chance. WHy would Carla be doing all of this, maybe this could be the perfect opportunity to become better. Maybe it was possible. Aimi's grey eyes began to twinkle with hope as she lifted them up to Carla who was giving her the chance, the opportunity, an open door to walk through to change her path. From getting kicked out of the training corps, to now becoming a soldier to survive this strange world. Maybe, just maybe things are about to turn around for Aimi Ackerman. Aimi nodded, her stance becoming more confident as she grinned to Carla Rin,
"Let's do this."
I AM NOT DEAD!
Author's note:
I am soooooo sorry. I have been flat out with stuff at home. I was preparing for my driving test (which i pass, I am officially a threat to road users), working loads of hours and celebrating with friends that I have finished my first year of University. However, I don't think many ones noticed my absence so I think it's sweet. But hellooo! Hope everyone is alive and well. I do aim to try to wrtie as many chapters and volumes before I start my second year of university because I do not have a clue how I am going to fit the time to do so.
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!