Chapter 13:
Devote Your Hearts
Armin was going ballistic, no longer listening to the aura when Kai is explaining further how the King was host. Eren and Mikasa too were freaking out but only through the expression on their faces as they watched Armin shouting to himself;
"No! He can't do that! He's taking them to the Reiss family! So much could go wrong. One; they could die! Two; the MPs could get get involved! How is he planning to expose them? Then three; you do realise the founder could manipulate their memories. Oh Kai, what are you doing?!"
"He's potentially ruined the timeline as well." Eren frowned, "if exposing them is what Kai intends to do, your son could prevent everything from breaking the Curse of Ymir and Titans could remain here forever."
"However, when I say to expose. You are not to make contact with them. Hopefully it makes sense when we get there. I just want to show you what will be found in the future. But it must be left untouched because no one is supposed to know yet. Therefore, I only want you, Hunter to come and not pass on what I will show you." Kai's voice warned, "Or... you will simply have to believe me regardless that I am from the future and help us get home."
"So you want me to not pass on what you'll show me? Like hiding a little secret." Hunter smirked, finding this amusing.
"Yes. One little secret." Kai agreed, "I don't want us to get caught doing it. But we will worry about that closer to the time."
"OH SURE! WORRY ABOUT THAT WHEN THE FOUNDER SEE'S YOU!" Armin in frustration yelled. "One little secret?! Oh dear god.."
"Armin, calm down." Mikasa suggested.
"Mikasa, I can't just calm down." Armin retorted, instantly regretting his choice of tone with Mikasa, he could feel Eren's eyes not impressed with him , "I know he's in a tough position regardless. I know that. I know if I was in his place, aware all of this knowledge of events and not knowing what to do with it. I guess no matter what he picked, it's a risk. But I just saw he managed he find the book about the outside world. How did he do that? I am so lost trying to catch up with the power source that's showing us our kids."
Armin goes up to aura, "The light is jumping from one event to the next. We don't even know if they actually already went to the chapel by now to catch out the Reiss family."
"Armin, you have to remember everyone is separated. That's probably why everything is jumbled up right now. As for Kai, he may be causing a mess right now. But I should be able to correct the timeline. The main thing to remember is that Kai needs to make sure he doesn't get caught by the Founder. If it finds out, that's a different story." Eren trailed off, his attention to the floor as he knitted his brows together, "I have a funny feeling who the Founder is as well."
"Who?" Mikasa standing beside Eren, her soft eyes showed with curiosity.
"Uri Reiss, younger brother to Rod Reiss and Historia's uncle. He was the Founder before Frieda Reiss."
"Historia's step sister?" Armin checked with Eren, arching his brows with his arms folded.
Uri Reiss was the true king of the Walls for some time until the year 842, meaning he became ruler of the walls in the year 829. The Reiss family is the current royal family of Eldia that descended from the Karl Fritz, the First King of the Walls. They branched off from the original royal family after the Great Titan War, masqueraded as a minor noble family living inside northern Wall Sheena, and set up a false King and royal family to further draw attention away from themselves. They passed the Founding Titan between ruling monarchs every 13 years, until it was stolen by Grisha Yeager in the year 845. At the current moment still to this day, the longest ruler of 20 years of the Reiss family is Queen Historia.
"Yes. So he's the current ruler."
Mikasa found Eren's knowledge of things quite intriguing. It use to be Eren who asked the questions, wanting to understand everything that was going on. It made him come across as intellectual about the titans. It was something that most people wouldn't refer Eren as smart, especially in his younger years as loads of people considered the Yeager as someone impulsive and least intelligent. But, as the years went by, Eren became tactical and wise due to his knowledge of the Founder and experience. But that knowledge changed Eren almost entirely. She looks up towards the stars, seeing the colours of blue, purple, white diamonds in the sky and the variety of sizes. Now lost in train of thought. She didn't understand but recently she felt withdrawn from it all, feeling as though she's isn't really there. It was quite tormenting, there she was standing beside her closet friends, especially beside Eren. A man she gave her all her love and heart to, but lost him by her own choice. Then 25 years down the line, more than double of Eren's entire life; Mikasa was living a for herself. So much has happened since then, yet the one thing that stayed consistent was the beauty of the twinkling orbs throughout her entire life, leaving Mikasa to wonder what they were made of and how they lived so long.
"Still though, how did Kai get that book?" Armin, feeling confused, "Let's find out. Um.. Aura, show us how Kai discovered the book of the outside world."
The aura obeyed, forming an image that Armin's mouth dropped, his eyes widened. Mikasa and Eren too were shocked. In the aura, he can see his son between two men. Armin knew instantly who they were, his eyes still but his hearting thudding in a steady rhythm. He could see his father, looking younger and his soft usual smile along with his grandfather. But what was different was seeing Kai standing there between them, all that was missing was Armin himself and what would've been 4 generations of the Arlert family standing in one room. Armin could feel his throat tighten, welling up inside. It was surreal, because in his home he had no one from his lineage. He would do anything to be with his family again, it was something he barely spoke about. Eren and Mikasa saw this within Armin's expression. Armin flinched when he felt Mikasa's hand on his shoulder, something she always did throughout their life when she comforted him.
"Armin?"
A voice of, 'are you ok?' by saying Armin's name was enough for him to nod quickly, not realising his eyes had been watering, "Oh-oh. Yeah. Yeah, I am fine. Shoot, I didn't even noticed I was crying. I mean.. He remembered about my parents, and here they are.."
"Take it."
"What. No. That's your-"
"You wanted a piece of your father, didn't you?"
Armin froze, seeing his grandfather, much more younger as he was holding the very book that changed Armin. When Armin's grandfather kept the book which contained forbidden knowledge of the world beyond the Walls, with descriptions of fiery lakes and snowfields of sand. Eventually, the man gave this book to his grandson Armin Arlert. When he was nine years old, Armin showed this book to his friend Eren Yeager, inspiring him to see the outside world. 'You wanted a piece of your father, didn't you?' the voice echoed in Armin's head, feeling a sense of recognition but slight worry into why Armin was mentioned like that;
"you.. you didn't have to."
"Ah, well, you helped out in my son's shop. And it seems like you'll make a difference. So.. please, take good care of it. I have had that for years now. May it even feel like your father is back with you."
Eren was listening to the aura, but was more focused on Armin as he stood behind his friend and Mikasa in the present moment, feeling heartfelt as Kai was bonding with his relatives.. Eren didn't know what to make of this conversation, it was something rather hard to feel. Eren was happy that Kai is bonding with Armin's relatives but couldn't help but be deeply worried about the jeopardy of the book no longer in ownership of Johnathan. The result potentially being Armin would never know about the book, and lastly Eren would lose his inspiration on why he wanted to go outside the walls. With rational thinking, Eren did remind himself his goal to fix everything. Unlike for Mikasa and Armin seeing Kai grabbing the book and started to admire the pages. Eren again could tell his friends lack of worry, wanting to point of the situation and how taking the book from Johnathon wasn't a good idea. Just as he was about to, Eren stopped when Mikasa goes,
"His eyes lit up just like when you were a kid, Armin."
"Heh, you think so?"
"Yeah, all those days you and Eren got so excited. It's nice to see a part of you within Kai."
"Yeah.. I agree."
It was awkward, feeling like the one person who could ruin the moment. Eren then chooses to remain quite, allowing the pair to be in the moment. His eyes softening at his friends. Time has really changed, the two were parents. They weren't 19 despite looking that age within the paths, they were grown adults trapped in time watching their children sucked into a different timeline. A sigh escaped Eren, trying once again to not get tripped in his thoughts, a habit he got into since his retrieved the full founders memories through Historia. Constantly in a long and compelling monologues, where Eren use to be the most present man there was. Not letting anything distract him bar his goals that motivated him everyday to keep going. Now it's the opposite, it's all the events he knows, the present making him question everything and now the future memories making Eren sit and think, feel and wonder in his thoughts. No longer confident in what he talks about, in case it spoiled something, in case he was negative over something about to happen or was meaning to happen. Now his head was hurting, groaning quietly as he pulled the hang threads of his deep brown hair back behind his ears.
Kai was like Armin, truly fascinated with the world, filled with hope, filled with dreams. But also, there was something different to Kai, something where the son and father would clash. Eren could see Annie's features through Kai, a fierce male version. Kai was though very extroverted, traits taken from Armin but heightened greatly with optimism. Though Armin somehow pulled through with solutions, answers and revolutionary ideas.
Would Kai Arlert be able to do the same thing?
"Alright, this is your last week of training. Tonight I want to see your improvement with vertical manuver work, I haven't been teaching you the traditional way of doing things but so are you're doing well. In front of you there are the three podiums, each of you will be tested and I will test you one by one. However, one of the belts have been tampered with, I won't tell which one but it will be good to see if your balance has truly improved. You get to pick which podium you want but you cannot examine them."
Carla's instructions were loud and clear as she stood in front of the podiums, waiting for the three to make their way to their selected post. Milo was standing furthest to the left, Aimi in the middle and Eleanor to the right. All of them felt determined, wanting this to go perfect. Aimi could feel the tension in her legs, wanting to make sure they had the power for stability, clenching her fists tightly in determination. In her mind, Aimi barely heard Carla talking away to Milo, hoisting him mid-air and remained perfectly balanced and was back on the floor once more. Seconds later, Carla was standing behind Aimi, telling her to get ready as she began to turn the handle. Not listening, Aimi doesn't notice she was mid-air, only hearing herself chant that she can do this, she will do well with the vertical training. When the test was over, Aimi believed she had the good belt just like Milo, assuming Eleanor was the one with the damaged gear. Eleanor noticed this and began to joke she was going to end up smacking her face like Aimi did back at the academy.
"Well done, Aimi. Not bad." Carla praised whistling, impressed as she rolled the handle down so Aimi returned her feet to the floor.
"Thanks." Aimi blinked herself back to reality, a little lost with herself on the fact she actually done well with the gear. From all those weeks of falling, hurting herself and feeling like a failure to now finally can balance upright with the ODM gear.
Last but not least was Eleanor and once again, the girl does well with vertical manuver training. Carla asks the three to take off their belts and all to stand in line once more as she stands in front of them. A smile forming across her face with positive affect,
"Well done, especially one of you. Which one do you think was able to balance with broken gear?"
The three looked amongst each other, figuring out who was the one to achieve such a thing. Then Carla pointed at the person who was able to do it,
"Well that person was you."
The two who weren't picked looked at the person who was. The individual unable to mutter a word as they turned their heads to the podium they hung on. Did they really do it, balancing as if their gear wasn't tampered with?
"Oh my god Aimi well done!" Eleanor praised, hugging the girl in admiration, "You mastered it!"
"Uh..." Aimi gaped, feeling Milo nudge her as he teased, "About time, Ackerman."
"I done that?"
"You did." Carla encouraged, "Now the real challenge is to apply this out in the forest. Sadly, I won't be able to practice titan target training where you work on aiming for the nape of dummy titans. But, what I do have is thick foams that I'll set up. Just waiting for Hannes to arrive and we'll head to the titan forest. But I bet your chuffed to finally master balancing, Aimi."
Blushing, the girl nodded sheepishly at Carla in which the captain smiled. All of a sudden they heard a voice from outside shouting for Carla, making the three go outside the barn to see Hannes on his horse. His voice sounded raspier, almost like he was grumpy and a complete different tone to where he was earlier that day. Carla smirked, knowing the man was experiencing a great hangover.
"Oh, Hannes. It's good to see you."
"Don't start." Hannes rolled his eyes, clearing his throat as he made his stallion halt to allow him to jump off his horse. "So, where we heading? I noticed your cart near the cottage was loaded with stuff."
"We're going into the nearest titan forest, we're going to get these three to practice their titan kills with the gear."
"Uh. So we're sending them to their graves then?" Hannes chuckled, "I say its him to go first."
"Hey!" Milo pouted, feeling attacked to be the one to assume they'll die first.
"You said titan forest didn't you?" Eleanor checked, "That's the one you pointed out to us weeks ago."
"Yip, so get in the cart and we'll get heading." Pointed Carla for the wagon in front of them, "This is when things get really dangerous."
"WOOOHOO! THIS IS SO FUN!" Eleanor whizzed around the trees, getting the hang of the ODM with ease.
"Check this out!" Milo shouted, mid backflipping before zooming after Eleanor who wowed him when he done it.
Pure danger.
This was dangerous.
Dangerous, a term often described as something that will mostly cause harm or an injury. That was evident of the chances happening to anyone who trains to become a soldier for Eldia. That was exactly how Aimi was feeling when facing the titan trees, it was unbelievable. The height made her feel like an ant, almost as nothing as the dark shadows hovered over her, wobbling in the knees as she watched her two pals handling it just fine, swinging from branch to branch and how much fun it was. Aimi was figuring out how to do this, heights wasn't the issue, in fact she loved climbing as Aimi would climb the tallest building in Shiganshina and never battered an eyelid but if Mikasa were to find out she would be in the biggest bother. But, it was the idea of relying on a device to help manuver you mid air, expecting to constantly to do stunt moves and think on the spot from time to time where to go next.
"Alright, Aimi. Let's go. Remember what I told you, use your surroundings." Carla encouraged, waiting for Aimi to shift it as Hannes was beside her. He too waiting for Aimi to give it a go.
"O-okay." Aimi nodded, using her hand grips to fire off the hooks and successfully catch hold of the closest tree branch in front of her.
The first goal that went well for Aimi was aiming and firing the grapple hooks at an object and then activating the gas mechanism to reel herself towards the tree. As Aimi does this, she pulls in the handle again, gasping as the force of air causes her body to physically sip into the sky. Her heart was racing, having to think quickly as she was less than 5 metres from the tree, unhooking the grips and somersaults her body to squatting pose but nearly toppled over due to poor balance.
"You alright?" Carla shouted up, seeing Aimi's face looked like a cat who just drowned in water.
"Yeah! Just the momentum." Aimi explained, hewing that she made it on the trees.
"Alright, well because Milo and Eleanor are ahead I will make them practise amongst the trees. I will pair Hannes with you. ("I will be paired with her?" Hannes voice's interjected unhappily.) Yes you. There's vital points that would be used for cadets to practice killing titans amongst the trees. Your job when your ready is to cut all 10 before returning to the cart. This will be the last part of your training for this week before the expedition."
Carla's words were like slurs of water for Aimi, still grasping on the idea of trying to control the gear mid-air and somehow not injure herself in the process. Then a figure is behind her, folding his arms and tapping his foot to bring back her attention. Hannes, shaking his head;
"Oy, common lets try get you going."
"I-I can't do this." Aimi blurted back, feeling her body numb.
"Oh common, you afraid? What's the point you joining the military then?" Hannes arched his brow, laughing at Aimi which makes her scoff back.
"It's not like I had much of a choice! I'm worried I am going to get hurt!"
"Oh shut up, drama queen. Heh, looks like you need to loosen up a bit and I know just how."
His voice had hidden deviousness, seeing how feared Aimi was that she was no longer listening or paying attention to what Hannes was about to do next. But in fairness, it could work Hannes believed. After all, Carla did ask for his help. So, this was Hannes's ways of getting things done. Hannes pulled out a flask from under his jacket, opening it up and hands it to Aimi, having to tap her shoulder to wake her out of her trance,
"Common, Aimi. Sure hydrate yourself, now I must tell you- oh! Oh ok... you're already drinking it. Well, better tell you to not to down it all- WOAH STOP!"
But why would Hannes would not want Aimi to done her drinking a flask of high percentage wine, snatching it from and downing the fluid in seconds. Aimi, too frightened to take note, only finally tested the alcohols' notes the moment she had two gulps left, her eyes shot open as she spat the remainder out,
"THIS ISN'T WATER?!"
Chuckled in awkwardness Hannes shrugged; "Surprise..."
"WHY DID YOU MAKE ME-"
"No! Wait, I offered you the drink, about to tell you it was wine to loosen you up a bit but someone had different agendas! But wait, lets not see this as a bad thing!"
"HOW IS THIS NOT A BAD THING?" In hysterics, Aimi is shaking Hannes by his shoulders, "Carla is gonna kill-"
"She'll knock me out before you, go on give it a go kid."
"I am 19-"
"Then stop acting like a 9 year old freaking out over a sip of alcohol in case your mum finds out!"
A deep exhale, now worried the alcohol will hit her like a tone of bricks but after a well fed dinner Aimi tells herself she will be fine. It was Hannes's fault, not hers.
"You got this, okay? Just try think ahead." Hannes encouraged, sounding genuine.
"Okay.." Aimi looks down, allowing another second to gulp to get rid of the tightness in her throat.
"How about you aim for that tree, and just keep going straight. Then when you feel ready, practice a few different manuvers and then before we go we can try aim for at least 2 vital points. Sound good?"
"Yeah, let's do this." Aimi accepted, forcing herself to forget about her fears as she fired a hook. She heard Hannes tell her he'll be right behind her. Perhaps he was nice after all, even without alcohol.
Now in the air, Aimi shuts out the world around her. Focusing on one tree to the next. The memories of Chief Martin telling her all those negative words, to then replacing them with the many days Carla praised, Milo encouraged and Eleanor celebrated her victories. Aimi's thoughts begins to tell herself,
'I can do this!'
'I know I can'
'Common, let's try some moves.'
Maybe it's the alcohol boosting her confidence because Aimi was flying through the trees, spring in the trees. stunting an odd somersault, to then. Back flip and natal spotted all the rubber bands against the trees where Carla wanted her to practice killing off Titans.
"Go for it, Aimi!" Hannes from behind told her.
Aimi took on his suggestion, connecting her handles to the blades within its case, the chumming sound of the blade exposed in the air.
'You got this Aimi! Let's do this!"'
Just like that, Aimi successful slides the rubber that mimicked a Titans neck. Carla, Milo and Eleanor was higher above in the trees, watching Aimi zoom around the trees and single handle sliced all the targets.
"She's got the hang of it now!" Eleanor nudged Milo who agreed with a smile.
Hannes appeared beside Carla, "Yeah, she was nervous about moving around. But I got her sorted."
"How did you do that?" Carla asked, her eyes still on Aimi who was wooing the amount of fun she was having.
"Uhhh..." Hannes sweat dropped, " through the power of wine?"
"HANNES!"
"WOOOHOOO! I CAN FLYYY!" Aimi cheered, back flipping mid air for the higher tree branches, now above the four standing watching her.
Aimi felt alive, the adrenaline pumping through her, the air also replicating the win. It was breezy, and backflips to land on the tree branch, using her hooks to diagonally glide her across and zoomed ahead. Feeling like she could do anything, allowing her body to force a backflip, slowly dipping back before she hits the ground and flies straight up against it. If a bird felt like this, Aimi wanted to keep feeling like this until her gas from her gear gave up.
"Oh god, there she goes!" Eleanor snorted , finding it funny as she sees her friend no longer aiming for the targets but was zooming around the trees. The alcohol already taking affect.
"What a light weight." Milo eye rolled chuckling, standing up prepared to go after her as he asked Eleanor to follow him- the two chasing Aimi amongst the trees.
Carla scowled Hannes, only to end up smiling to herself at how Aimi even managed to trust Hannes suggestion to drink. For her it was good that everything was coming together, knowing by the end of the week they could be ready. The first phase of her plan coming together. Carla then thanked Hannes. For Hannes it was nothing, saying he was glad to help as it gave him something to do.
"It's not like you Carla to do this sort of thing."
"I know.. let's say things have changed."
"Changed?"
"Hm." Carla responded, seeing Aimi and her friends have fun amongst The tree, allowing them to zoom around, "trust me. I would tell you but.. I can't."
Hannes's tone become more serious, wondering what was going on.
"Carla, it's up to you. But you can't do something without-"
"Hunter knows. He's got my back." Carla affirmed, "If I need you, I'll tell you. Pu it this way I am trying to keep you out of it, you being here is dangerous enough."
"You're a changed woman, Carla. Wonder what's causing it ."
"I already asked myself that question ages ago..." Carla sighed, looking over to Hannes, "I already have."
This was it, the six weeks of hard work was over. Carla tested each Milo, Eleanor and Aimi on their skills and exceeded immensely. It was tough, but it felt rewarding. Eleanor become more aware and was able to think ahead, strategize and think of solutions in whatever Carla implied. Milo was stronger and heavier, it was an impressive transformation as it was no longer petite but was lean, becoming just as a stronger as the girls compared to before. As for Aimi, despite her confidence not quite there, her strength, endurance and in a matter of seven days she became brilliant with ODM. It was a slow process, but she eventually managed. With Hannes being around, he was able to help Carla finalise even though he didn't take it as serious as she did.
In fact, Hannes grew found of the trio, sharing banter and despite the poor first encounter, Aimi and Hannes were the two who clicked the most as they slagged each other off and were in many play fights, especially saying Aimi drinks on the job which of course she doesn't.
The expedition will commence within the next two days. Carla tells Aimi, Milo and Eleanor to come into Shiganshina so they can met with her after she reunites with the squad to commend a meeting. Hannes suggested seeing the meeting, knowing it would be held outside the liberty church where are all the member's of the Survey Corps would be resting in the homes before moving out the following morning. The way each expedition was held, depending on whereabouts on Paradis you were situated (for example Carla in the south within Shiganshina), that was where they will hold the new expedition to explore the outside world. Now late in the evening, Milo Eleanor and Aimi went with Hannes on a high open roof top, none of them bar Hannes wearing the uniform to prevent being questioned by the Survey Corps as they peered over the many rows of soldiers who were lined up facing a stage in front of the liberty church of Shiganshina. A lot of the soldiers were new, which turned out to be the trainees from the cadet corps as Aimi recognised Niamh Top and Byran Helenkin standing still in line.
"Hey, it looks like the soldiers are choosing which branch they want to join before the expedition." Hannes explained, "I wonder how many will volunteer this time."
"They say it's like walking to their graves." Eleanor remembered from cadet training, "How come you didn't pick it, Hannes?"
"Heh, I'm happy enough to be a drunken soldier in the side lines. I'm not cut out for that sort of thing, the titans aren't for someone like me to face. Unlike someone like Carla, it's like daily fuel for those within the Survey Corps to go after the titans. Even though the past few years it hasn't been successful... They just keep on coming."
"Look, there's Carla!" Milo pointed out, seeing her walk on top of the stage.
"Hmm, where's Commander Hunter, it should really be him taking this speech. Strange." Hannes folded his arms, now sitting against the wall of the roof top.
Aimi felt like a spy above everyone else, seeing them watch Carla reach the centre of the stage now once again in her Survey Corp Uniform. Brings ack the memory of how Aimi first met Carla, serious, cold and nothing like the woman she grew to know the past 6 weeks.
"I am Carla Rin, Captain of the Survey Corps and under lead with Commander Hunter. Normally it would be the Commander to convince you to join the Survey Corps- but instead it will be me."
Quietly everyone listened, the silence brewing the air. Aimi, Milo and Eleanor stood in line, naturally doing so as they felt it was appropriate even though they were up in the roof top. For Aimi, she wanted to do this as a form of being part of the training cadets, being accepted rather than rejected, pretending she too was under the same boat as the rest of the trainees below her. As the flames glowed in the torch light, they were no heard as Carla continued her speech.
"I am Carla Rin, Captain of the Survey Corps and under lead with Commander Hunter. Normally it would be the Commander to convince you to join the Survey Corps- but instead it will be me."
Eren, Mikasa and Armin were startled by the sudden change in the aura as they heard Carla's voice to eventually revealing her on a stage. The aura clearly had a mind of its own, something the three inside the paths wanted to understand. Originally they were watching Kai, Emet, Kuklo and the Commander heading for the inner walls of Sheena to the district of Erhmich. Whereas the rest of the Survey Corps led by Bernadine were heading to Shiganshina to meet Carla for the expedition. Hunter informed the two soldiers beforehand to inform Carla of his absence. Hunter's goal was to meet her at Erchmich and along with the new and current soldiers, giving Hunter backup if something was to go wrong when going this chapel Kai warned about.
"Oh this brings back memories, Mikasa. Remember Erwin's speech?" Armin recalled.
"It's just strange seeing Carla standing there." Mikasa replied, "It's strange. She made me promise to protect Eren... She was so against it.. She literally said-"
"Do you know how many people die outside those walls?" Carla asked.
"Well.. what she just asked." Mikasa, widening her eyes as if Carla had read her mind, experiencing a flashback of Carla holding Eren as a little boy for having such reckless desires. To now the question was pinned at trainees, a soldiers herself representing the Survey Corps.
"To be honest, more than there will ever be of titans. Meaning by joining the Survey Corps, your chances of living a long life are close as none as most of you will die. Just like the hundreds upon thousands has died before you. A sad reality, but that doesn't mean their death doesn't mean something."
There the three, especially Eren pure locked onto his mother, almost as if he wasn't looking at his parent as she closed her eyes, walking to the edge of the stage for a moment of silence.
"Tonight, you have a choice to turn a blind eye, pretend nothing fearsome is around the corner and will take the easy route to life. But for as those who decide not to accept this reality. Knowing the truth that we are not free. We are nothing but caged animals waiting to be preyed on, and decides to make the choice to go a difference a direction to push forward towards hope, a change, a progress for a bright future as you choose to find beside us in order to the rogues who remind us we are never truly safe inside the walls. It's humanities' thanks to you to make that sacrifice, for as long as there's you to fight against the titans. The battle for freedom is not over. That is all, those who wish not to join, you are dismissed and I wish you nothing but that long life you desire."
Long life. Sounded so sincere but hidden with undertones of jags of disappointment. Eren just felt like he was being tapped into an alternative universe, feeling as though the woman inside the white essence wasn't his true mother. Carla hated the concept of the survey corps, she was the person Eren as a child cursed upon pretending humanity was forever safe inside the walls, living their live in some sort of fantasy but instead she's preaching like she has his mindset. What happened to her? What caused this change. He needed to know, just like him back in square one again. The first time was when he was trying to figure out his father and the basement. Now it was like a flip of a coin as the focus was now on his mother. Armin and Mikasa could see the expressions of the trainees, the fear in their eyes, doubting their capabilities or some already making a decision right on the spot on what they wanted to do. For Mikasa, at 15,anywhere Eren went, she followed without hesitation. Back then it was to protect him from harms way, a promise to Carla before she died. For Armin, he no longer wanted to be on the side-lines and seconds later they watch the many trainees reject the Survey Corp as they walked away. Of over 100, 40 remained, including Aimi, Milo and Eleanor who stayed quite on the rooftop.
"Wait, you joining the scouts too?" Hannes voice gasped, making Armin, Mikasa and Eren froze thinking they misheard a person for somebody else.
"Wait." Eren paused, "No it can't be"
But it was, the aura showed Hannes, looking in disbelief at the three trainees on the rooftop. How did he get there? So he knew about Carla as a soldier, and he never let on a thing? He knew, and not even Grisha Yeager. The three trainees showed it was Eleanor to the left, Aimi in the middle and Milo to the right. The three faces were each determined, specifically Aimi's. Her face painted in pure determination, the grey eyes reflecting the flames of the lanterns amongst the darkness. Aimi salutes, lightly thumbing her hand against her chest,
"After seeing those monsters, I'll be first in line to take them down."
Mikasa felt a strange urge to resist Aimi's comment, wishing she could be there instead to stop her daughter saying anything more.
"No. She can't."
"Mikasa, there's nothing-" Armin tried to speak, stopping when Aimi from the aura sighed.
"It may be something I never wanted..."
"I won't let her." Mikasa sprinted for the aura like a bullet, "I have to get to Aimi!"
"But I will do what's needed in order to get home." Aimi finished.
Too quick, almost in contact with the aura, the chains from the sand attacked Mikasa, catching her by the throat and pulled her quicker than Eren could reach her. The sand beds felt like stone due to the pressure of being pulled forcefully to the floor, choking as Mikasa's throat felt tight and just about able to breathe.
"PULL HER BACK!" Armin ordered, helping Eren drag Mikasa away from the aura, the chains drifting away the further Mikasa was from the light.
"Tank you from myself and on behalf of Commander Hunter for those who stayed." Carla thanked, "I welcome you all now to the Survey Corps. Tomorrow is your first expedition, may it not be your last as we fight for humanity and take back what is ours!"
Moments before, Eren helps Mikasa back up to her feet, seeing her brush off the hand and hissed as her neck ached. It seemed the chains don't just target him, but could be any of the three. This wasn't normal, and their freewill was definitely hindered. Eren heard his mother thank the cadets who remained, facing the aura once again to see the aura had pinpointed on Carla who was looking down at the cadets but almost felt like she was looking at him. Her hand saluting out, motivating the trainees who were now classed as soldiers to copy her when Carla chanted out,
"DEVOTE YOUR HEARTS AND DEVOTE YOURSELVES TO HUMANITY!"
"HAH!" The soldiers saluted back, offering their lives to the cause, including Aimi who was faced in the aura only making Mikasa more distressed.
"She'll.." Mikasa coughed, trying to get the sand out of her mouth, "She could die out there. The three of them can.. Aimi said it herself, it's something she's never wanted...Eight weeks of training is nothing.. I haven't even see what she's like with ODM never mind if she's even ready. I need to be there. I can't.."
"We can ask the the light to show us, Mikasa. I am sure she will be ok. Have hope, Carla must've made sure that-" Armin tried to reassured, only interjected by Mikasa with cold words;
"Unlike your son Kai, he has military experience. As for Emet, don't get me started about him. I am just as feared. Titan abilities or not. Doesn't matter. When it comes to Carla she can only do so much. At the end of the day, she's putting my daughter out there in a pen full of titans. And No. I want to remain present to what's going on, anything could happen. Chains or not, they would would have to snap me in two. I am going find a way to get there and protect Aimi. no matter how hard my daughter is training, even if she's beyond skilful. .. I don't believe it's enough because she needs me."
Nothing could be said to Mikasa, she was lost in her fears that both men knew it was pointless to try calm her down. It was the Mikasa they were familiar with, the Mikasa back when she was 10-16 years old. Eren and Armin knew well Mikasa cares deeply for her friends and caretakers, seeing them as the last remnants of a family she cannot afford to lose, making her not completely immune to the effects of her emotions, however: Her strong feelings for her beloved ones, particularly when they are in harm's way, does at times cloud her judgment in fury—sometimes to the endangerment of herself and others. She always had a soft spot for children, wanting to protect them also regardless on where they were form, an example of this is when Mikasa protected Gabi from getting killed by Kaya (a girl who was saved by Sasha when she was younger). So, as a mother, seeing her daughter about to join the Survey Corps and head out the following morning made her in the verge of panic.
"Eren." Mikasa said, not looking at him as she helplessly looked to her hands, knowing Eren had his attention to her, "I finally understand how your mother felt when she found out you were joining the Survey Corps."
Eren doesn't respond, sighing in himself. As he tried npt to look into much of his mother's opinion of his dream to join the survey corps as a child, an already complicated situation as it it. He too didn't want Aimi in the Survey Corps, yet his younger self would approve and tell her what an honourable decision it would be to help fight the titans. It was naïve, the day wall rose was attacked in Trost. Eren technically died in his first day, galloped up by a titan when trying to save Armin and got his leg bitten off too. That was 3 years worth of training, being in the top 5 but acted recklessly when he witnessed his friend get devoured, fuelling his rage to attack. If it wasn't for the fact he was a titan shifter, even fact bitten into pieces by the titan- Eren would be long gone. So what chance does Aimi, Eleanor or Milo have who only trained for 8 weeks. How did Carla even manage, but he won't be able to find out but hopes it is enough. The aura showed Aimi, letting go of the salute, her face reminding him of wanting to wipe out the titan race. The grey eyes, representing a balance of determination of hope but there was something else he could see, something he wouldn't dare mention to Mikasa to worry her further, and that was self-doubt. It was there silently, knowing she didn't have full confidence in herself and the same eyes she had in the cadets camp. They weren't as visible, but Eren knew those eyes hid the true emotion well.
Eren would easily in first glance, his flared determination to eradicate titans since he was no age with great confidence, his bravado hid deep insecurities. He was often ready to blame himself and his incompetence whenever something went wrong, believing a course of action he took - or failed to take - was the reason for the disastrous result. Hence he sees right through Aimi Ackerman.
"Well, I have faith in her, even Milo and Eleanor. I mean look at Milo, he looks a lot leaner." Armin insisted, letting Mikasa go, "It's true she may need you, but, doubting her chances won't help. But trust not charge at the aura like you did the last time. It's clear it limits us for doing certain things. When Aimi and the others return from their expedition, we will experiment with the light. it's the only way we can understand it, maybe use it to our advantage if we can."
Mikasa looked to the aura, seeing Milo had indeed grew muscle as his face looked more pumped. She ignores the idea about the aura, focusing on
"Carla bulked him up." Mikasa noted, "He looks a lot healthier. I couldn't get him to eat at all before.."
"Why not?" Eren asked, seeing Mikasa furrow her eyebrows and sighed,
"He lost his family last year... The mother.. Well she was a close friend of mine. Milo didn't handle anything of it as well as he let on. But I am glad he's eating now, I suppose his training was his reason to do so."
"All the matters to believe Carla is doing something right." Armin pointed out, smiling at Mikasa, "If she's helped him physically, clearly there is improvement in the other two. Who knows, the Aimi we knew could be a true fighter! Am I right, Eren?"
Eren thinks about Aimi's face again, the aura showing Aimi and others following Hannes off the building probably to meet with Carla. Armin and Mikasa were waiting for Eren to agree, to back yup Armin's point. But inside Eren could see and recall in his thought.
She's determined yes.
Hopeful.
But she doubts herself...
Will she survive?
"You're right Armin."
Is she really able to kill one?
Or what Eren really thought to himself, 'I hope you are..."
Volume 3 Finished.
Author's Note:
I really struggled in this volume, feeling self doubt for this story but I will continue it because I do writing. I think it's one of those things where because it is OC dominant story, a lot of people might not be too keen. I am working my way onto Eren, Mikasa and Armin soon because they are vital to the story. I would love someone to reach out to me how they feel about the fanfic so far, anything that's a little confusing or what not. But Volume 4 will defo have more action, Volume 5 as well. It's going to accelerate from there. Btw, see the term; Shinzou wo Sasageyo (which i know mine is wrong below the bottom cuz it doesn't have the 'wo,' I kept it that way to highlight how much of a silly cheese I am) There is different meanings to it. I chose, Devote your hearts.
But here is other translated meanings;
-give me your heart.
-Sacrifice your heart!
-Offer your heart!
-Dedicate your heart!
-Give your heart away!
I found this on; /en/shinzou-wo-sageageyo-meaning/
I could be so wrong, but I did try to ensure what I am writing is somewhat close enough to the manga.
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!
Volume 4 will be released tomorrow.
And also, *salutes*
Shinzou o Sasageyo!