Chapter 8
Alastor's chest rose fast and visibly, his fists clenched in fury and teeth bared like a frenzied wolf; his breath heavy and sound, while his brow furrowed in obvious anger. The rest, having never dealt with such display of emotion from Bane, just stared as he took a step in their direction.
_DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON?! -he screamed with all the force of his lungs- OF WHERE YOU STAND RIGHT NOW?! IT'S A FUCKING BATTLEFIELD! COMRADES, FRIENDS HAVE FALLEN AROUND YOU TORN IN PIECES, AND YOU ARGUE LIKE THE LOT OF BABIES YOU ARE!
One of the recruits who had argued against the assault before stopped gaping like a dead fish, trying to get his ideas in order.
_Al-Alastor, what is wrong with...?
_WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK?! I'M RAGING, YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT! BECAUSE YOU BAG OF PUSSIES DON'T HAVE THE BALLS TO FIGHT! BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE HEART TO STAND IN DEFENSE OF THE OATH EVERY ONE OF YOU TOOK THE FUCKING INSTANT YOU DECIDED TO STAY IN THAT GOD-FORSAKEN TRAINING CAMP!
He paused, taking a deep breath and turning his back on them. His shoulders dropped as he looked at the gray sky.
_I-I remember my oath!
Alastor turned to find Armin looking at him, his right fist on his heart and a fierce look on his beautiful blue eyes. The girl with the goggles -Victoria, was it?- stepped next to him.
_Me too! I swore to defend humanity!
_Me too! -said Mikasa.
_Me too!
_Yeah, me too!
Blinking, Bane saw more and more people step forward. He glanced at the titan standing next to the building, then to his comrades.
_We swore to defend humanity -he said, voice not the least weakened by his shouting-. We swore to stand by our people in the darkest hour, and that hour has come! When they cower in fear, we stand in defiance! When their lives are in danger we give ours in sacrifice! When their hopes and dreams are lost to the shadows we light the flame that brings them back!
One by one, more recruits stood and neared the ones in front of Alastor. Their eyes showed a mix of uncertainty and hope, listening to his speech.
_Since the moment each one of us chose to stay, we've been bound to the same path; a path made with the effort, struggle and death of many before us. We represent a legacy of warriors and protectors, of spilt blood and shattered dreams! We are the true wall that protects our people,made not of cold stone but of blazing hearts! Ours is the roar of challenge; ours is the will, the duty and the honor of fighting no matter what brought us or keeps us here; no matter who we are... -he looked at Eren with a wink only visible to him- or what we are.
Turning to his comrades, he saw his words were getting to them. Some readied their blades, some looked at the warehouse with flames in their eyes while others stood tall and ready to fight.
_We fight for our people's future even if it costs our own. We fight for the children even if it means not having descendance. We fight our elders even if it means dying young. We fight for the living so they'll remember us and maybe follow us; we fight for the dead so their deaths will never be in vain! We fight with brave hearts and unbreakable will, with blades of fire and wings of steel! We are past, present and future of the greatest battle our kind has to face and WE! WILL! NOT! FALL!
Bane took both blades out, determination shown in his features and pose. He pointed one at the crowd and then circled it above his head to point it to HQ, all eyes entranced and following it.
_Those who want to fight, those who want to live follow me!
He jumped down the roof and began his way to HQ without looking back. He didn't need to; a moment later both soldiers and titan joined their voices in a war cry that echoed all over Trost, throwing themselves forward after him. Alastor spun and his blades tore a titan's nape open as a loud cracking noise announced Eren punching through another's head. Around him the young recruits advanced as fast as they could, shouting for each other to fight to the end.
A furious roar made Alastor watch as Eren punched titan after titan down; thanks goodness he was a combat pragmatist and killed as quickly as possible, with dozens of titans lying with their necks crushed, steam slightly obscuring his sight. Suddenly he heard a scream and looked down to see a recruit pressing frantically the buttons of his handles, his gear out of gas. He whistled to Marco and Armin, who looked only for a second before swinging in front of the creatures stumbling towards their unlucky comrade, staying out of their reach to catch their attention; moments later the monsters fell as Connie, Bane and Jean cut them down. Bane looked to the young man on the street.
_Connie, help him! Mikasa and Jean, cover them! -he looked around, noticing how their group had already lost numbers before speaking with authority- No one is left behind.
His gear was almost out of gas when he finally reached HQ, crashing through a window and rolling swiftly, standing in a moment and checking his surroundings for whoever was still alive; he found two soldiers cowering under a desk and went to them.
_Report, soldier. -he said casually, crouching to look at them- What's the state of the warehouse?
_It's- it's full of titans -the girl said devastated- we couldn't do anything, i'm sorry, i'm so...
_Jean! -Alastor shouted as the cadet approached- Gather everyone and tell them to wait here. I'll lure the titans from the basement out so our friend -he paused as a loud crash was heard outside- can have his fun.
Without another word, he jumped out the window and entered the warehouse by the passage meant for horse carriages and the like. His comrades waited tensely until he ran out a few minutes later with seven titans stumbling after him, and he guided them to where the Curbstomp Titan -name courtesy of Connie- proceeded to beat the tar out of them. A short while later Bane reappeared from the stairs and told them to refill and leave for the inner walls. While the bulk of people left for the basement, Bane's squad, along with Mikasa, Jean, Reiner, Bertholdt and Annie stood in silence. Suddenly Mina went to Alastor and hugged him tightly.
_You... you did it! -she said, beaming.
_It wasn't very hard to catch their attention. -She shook her head and he frowned.
_Not that. Before, your speech! You felt! -she squeaked, and everyone suddenly gasped. They'd forgotten about that.
Bane sighed.
_Well, actually... no i didn't. I kind of... um... acted it.
_WHAT!? -Jean shouted- What do you...? You can't act that! With that speech of... of...
_On humanity -Bane said simply.
_Yeah, on that!
Alastor shook his head, not paying attention to Mina gaping at his side.
_No Jean. "On humanity" is the name of a booklet...
_The forbidden booklets?
Everyone looked at Armin, who spoke with wide eyes, visibly excited when Alastor nodded.
_Those ones. On humanity, On the outside and On our legacy are three booklets forbidden by the government. They spoke of things they didn't want people to think about; they came fron who knows where, and where signed by some "S.L.H.". People argued if that was the author's true initials or, more likely, an alias.
_But your anger, all the stuff you said... -Reiner began.
_My anger was false. You forget i literally study people. It's not hard to identify and imitate body language that speaks of fury. The speech was built upon words from the first and last booklets, i've read them. Not stuff your forget easily, let me tell you.
He looked around, barely pleased at their shocked faces. He cleared his throat and pointed to the stairs.
_Alright, enough chat. Go down and refill, then leave. My squad, Mikasa and i have this covered.
_Wait a moment, we could help you... -Reiner said taking a step forward but Ban cut him with a hand wave.
_No. As far as i'm concerned, each and everyone of you -his eyes narrowed as he look upon the other four- are aiming to join the MP. And i don't want them entangled in this or knowing things they shouldn't... yet.
_Are you saying you don't trust us? -Jean said aggressively.
_Exactly. Now leave.
_Bane, stop. -said Bertholdt, looking at the group- Where's Eren?
Alastor looked down and put his hands behind his back. He seemed to have trouble to find the words and Mikasa suddenly turned around and went to Armin, her back on her teammates.
_He... fell. -he said, turning slightly to look at Ackerman.- Now get out, all of you. I won't ask again.
He waited until they left to turn to Mikasa with a smirk. She smiled softly and shrugged. Uknown to the other four, Bane had put his hands on his back and made gestures for Ackerman to turn around and go to Armin. Good thing his teammates didn't betray the lie.
_What can i say? I too can act. -she said a bit smugly.
He told the others to wait and checked on the group leaving, making sure they were away before sending half of the team to reload while the rest made sure no one came back. A while later they had all refilled their tanks and Alastor and Mikasa took Eren out of his titan. He looked clearly exhausted and fell asleep in the male's arms as soon as he got out. Alastor took the oportunity to check on his limbs and see they had grown back. It was time to return to the inner walls.
Timeskip
The whole squad stood in a half circle around Eren, with a good dozen of members of the Garrison aiming their guns at them. Their commander was ready to order them to fire as soon as Jaeger made a move, despite Arlert's passionate defense of his friend.
_Have you got the information about this people yet? -he asked to the woman.
_I have their names -answered Rico, looking at the three in the middle of the group- but those are the ones we should care more about. The girl is Mikasa Ackerman, number one in the top ten and a terrific fighter according to the reports.
_I can testify on that -said Ian-. She aided us while we protected the civilians and her skill is unmatched. Losing her would be a hard strike to our forces.
_I... see. And the other two?
_The blonde is Armin Arlert, the other friend of Jaeger's. He's reported as physically average, but of keen mind.
_And the last one?
_That's Alastor Bane. He's the one who brought Jaeger as a titan to retake HQ. And, according to his teammates, he used to be the actual number one.
_Now you mention it, Mikasa said something to that matter when i first met her. I wonder what she meant.
_I think i can clarify that.
The three people turned at the new voice to find no other than Keith Shadis standing behind them, accompanied by none other than Dot Pixis and a small army of Garrison Mmembers. He looked at them gravely before speaking again.
_That young man was indeed the number one of the top ten; his skill surpasses Ackerman's if only by a slight margin. However, he chose to resign his position.
_Why? -said Rico. She couldn't understand how someone would reject that honor.
_I agreed to recommend him directly to Commander Smith; he wants to join the Legion. That is why i'm here now: i had spoken with Smith earlier and was on my way to the training grounds when news of the attack reached me so i decided to come back.
_We all heard Arlert's defense of his friend. -Pixis said, taking a step forward to look at the group circling Eren- And i think he's earnt a chance to prove he's truly on our side. Stand down soldiers, i will speak to these young soldiers.
As Pixis made his way to them, greeting casually with his hand, Bane felt the tension ease around him. He allowed himself a brief sigh and sheathed his blades; a moment later Ackerman did so.
_Guess it's over -Mylius said with a relieved tone; Alastor looked at him and shook his head.
_Boy... -he replied glancing at Eren, standing behind them- i think we've just begun.
End of Chapter
