Words haunted him, "No one will believe you."

Caroline, the medic that they had grown up with was from the very family that created a serum. It was the very serum that had turned people into mindless beings. The same serum that the Crovus Clan had sought after for power. And yet, there was no proof that such a serum even existed or so it was believed. He wanted to believe that there was some other explanation out there. Was this the real reason that the pure blooded titans were wiped out. Were these mindless creatures a result of the pure blooded titans' history?

Keith was woken up by the sounds of Nicholas and Madame Nina preparing for the day. He slowly got up from the bed and rubbed his eyes. Through the blurriness he was able to make out the image of Nicholas crouching by his bed. He put Keith's glasses in his hands prompting him to put them on his face.

"It's incredible how long these things have lasted given the amount of times you've crashed and thrown yourself around."

"I've gotten used to it. Besides I usually hold onto the sides of my face if I think they're going to fall off," he replied pulling the blankets off of him.

"Here let me help you back into the sling."

Keith remembered what happened the night before. The crash from the ground had caused him to break his shoulder. However this morning he felt completely fine. There was nothing bothering him, however he didn't want to take any risks and decided it was best for his arm to be placed in the sling. Nicholas lifted his arm up gently watching out for the injury. Once in the sling Keith quickly cleaned himself off.

The three of them left the bed and breakfast and began to wander around the town. Since the group had split up, it was time for them to regroup and figure out what their next step was going to be. Keith observed their surroundings and picked up on a few things that were relatively different from their homeland.

Aside from the town being caged in by a massive wall, everyone seemed to be living their lives much differently in a way. Back home people were using electricity, steam powered machinery, and the likes. Here it was as if they didn't exist. Everything was done by hand in the traditional methods. It was as if the advancement of technologies hadn't fully reached the people here.

As they continued to walk around, Keith made a note of the types of people who lived in the area. Most appeared to be some sort of farmer. It was almost as if there were no signs of nobility within the town. Among the people were a select few in what appeared to be uniforms. They were wearing white pants and brown crop jackets. On their jackets were emblems, however not every person in the uniform wore the same emblem. Some of them wore two roses on their jackets while others wore a unicorn. What was apparent though was the fact that they seemed to be authority figures. The ones in the unicorns carried around guns. Those with roses did not seem to carry any weapons on them at all. However, all those in the uniform worse a brown leather harness which had straps from their legs to their chest. What the harness was used for was completely unknown, but was rather intriguing.

"Madame Nina," Keith whispered.

She turned her head to face him and raised an eyebrow.

"I want to discreetly learn more about this place. Do you think that's alright if I wander around the town on my own?"

She looked over at Nicholas who wore a look of uncertainty. Disregarding Nicholas, she allowed Keith to take off on his own while they searched for the others. Keith turned a corner to separate from them and made his way down a street. He could see a few people talking to one another here and there. He quietly listened in to as many conversations as he could. Although they didn't give him much information, they did give him something.

He had learned of a couple of different places. Wall Maria, Wall Rose, and Wall Sheena. With this Keith referred to the giant wall that encased the town. He overheard a group of young boys talking about joining the military. They wanted to be well recognized in their families. They were talking about which faction of the military they wanted to join but Keith couldn't make out what they were saying over the arguing. Not much else was learned about the town through the eyes of the people he was near. Aside from that, it appeared to be a normal town with no other abnormalities.

The group had found each other at last as the sun was starting to fall for another day. They regrouped and headed back to the bed and breakfast until the next day. Everyone was eager to learn more about this new place. There was a buzz of excitement that was in the air. Everyone felt the same aside from Nicholas. He was still fixated on locating Lana.

That evening before everyone went to bed, Nicholas declared that they would set out the next day to the next town. He wanted to continue the search for her disregarding the vast lack of knowledge that they had of the place. They were going deeper into unknown ground. With limited money they were sure to not make it too far.

Lucas made it clear that their journey was going to be cut short due to the lack of provisions they had for the amount of people that was around. It was decided that they would put their skills to work and earn some money for their travels.

Keith was in charge of gathering the money from the people while the others put on a show. It was their intention to do a street performance to see if anyone was willing to give them money. People began to gather as they watched them dance around and do various tricks. They really had developed quite the crowd of people who thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Eventually they did catch the eyes of some unwanted audience members.

Two women and one man dressed in uniforms with the unicorn approached the area. They were not impressed by the acrobatics that the group was showing off. One of the women grabbed Keith's cloak and yanked him down to the ground. The coins sprayed everywhere as he was trying to pick them up and keep them together. He looked up at the woman, her golden hair dangling below her shoulders.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked.

"We are hungry, we are just trying to earn some money for food," Keith proclaimed getting up from the ground.

"None of you have any jobs?"

"No ma'am, we are poor and are trying to survive. We don't have any jobs to speak of."

"People like you should stick to the Underground," she stated as the three of them walked away.

The crowd had become very uneasy with the situation and had started to disperse.

"Underground?" Keith questioned not knowing what the lady meant by that.

He continued to pick up the coins and place them in his hat as the others had started to help. They were excited to see the amount of coins they were able to earn just in the little time that they had. This was enough to at least get them through the week, or so they had hoped.

"Hey, you guys aren't from around here are you?" came a voice from nearby.

Keith and the others looked to see who it was and were surprised to find a different man in a uniform with the roses.

"No we aren't. We are from a nearby town," Nicholas replied.

"No, I mean you guys aren't from around HERE. Within the walls."

Everyone showed shocked faces to the person before them. He stood with a sly smile on his face. The smile forming wrinkles on his cheeks as his eyes were filled with delight.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I was wondering when I'd run into you folks. I saw you climbing down the wall. You should be careful around here. Those in the Military Police Brigade are very mindful and keep a watchful eye on any who disobey the law. Especially in these parts. Come with me and I can maybe help. Not just anyone climbs over the wall for no reason. The name is Larry and I'm a Captain of the Garrison division."

They followed the man to his home located within the town. Everyone was welcomed to some warm tea as they had started settling themselves in. Larry was kind hearted and opened his doors for those who were outsiders. At first the group didn't fully trust him and therefore concealed most of the information at first. They wanted to learn more about the area and this man before they could make any further decisions.

Larry was a member of the Garrison, a military faction that has the duty of protecting the walls. The walls are to be protected by two different sources. The inside from the people who wish to tear it down, and the outside the creatures that will consume all human life. He referred to the creatures as titans. This struck the troupe as an odd concept seeing how the only titan they know of was Lana. They had come to learn that within the land, this is what they know as a titan. A creature that consumes all human life for no benefit, an unwanted being.

Keith thought back to the serum, he wondered if anyone within the walls had any knowledge of it. He wanted to ask, but was hesitant. He didn't trust the man before him well enough to ask him such an important question, let alone sharing the information with the others.

Within the military there are two other factions. One was the Military Police Brigade which is in charge of enforcing the law. The other faction is known as the Survey Corps, a faction put together to venture outside of the walls for possible expansion.

There are three walls. The innermost wall being Wall Sheena, where the capital lies. This is where the king lives and rules. The middle wall is Wall Rose with Wall Maria being the outermost wall. Wall Maria is also the wall with the most land proving valuable for farming and supplying food for all citizens within the walls.

The information that they were learning was very intriguing. Life within the wall seemed pretty normal. Everyone seemed to be enjoying their lives.

Keith asked Larry about the Underground, remembering the soldier mentioning it. He explained that the Underground was a place within the interior. It was a place mostly for those who are thugs and thieves, but those who live in a great deal of poverty also live within the hidden city. It is literally a city under the capital.

"So now that I have kind of filled you all in on what goes on around here, tell me a bit about yourselves."

"We come from a different land entirely. We sailed here in search of a friend," Lucas stated.

"Sailed?"

"Yeah on a boat across the ocean," Keith replied.

"Ocean, you shouldn't be talking about that kind of stuff around here. Just a warning."

"Why not?" Madame Nina asked.

"Most things from the books written long ago are forbidden. They talk about what life was like before the walls. Before things took a turn for humanity. Stuff like the ocean, lands of sand, all of it forbidden to even mention around here. Any life beyond those walls is a crime."

"Then how come you know or at least talk about them?"

"My father was a scholar. He kept many books that I liked to read. Some of them were taken by the M.P's but not all of them. There was one book that remained hidden. That was the book that changed everything for me. A life outside of the wall. A world beyond what we see. I've always wanted to see that."

"Then why didn't you join this…what was it?"

"The Survey Corps? Well because I value my life too much. They talk about venturing outside of the walls and have actually done it however it seems very little progress is being made. Right now all they have been doing is trying to study the titans to see how they could get passed them, and yet no results. So here I am instead. But enough about me. You said that you were here in search of a friend?"

"Yes, we lost a friend of ours and believe she could be here." Nicholas stated.

"And what makes you so sure that this friend of yours may turn up here?"

"Well that's the thing…"

"You aren't sure. Alright then. Well because I think you folks are such fascinating people, I'm willing to help you out. Take this money and go to the stables. Tell the man that Larry sent you. You should be able to get a couple of horses and a wagon with this and be able to start your travels."

He pulled out of his pocket a small pouch filled with coins. Keith was wide eyed at the man's kindness.

"Why, why go through all of this to help us?" he asked.

"You see, with you folks just turning up out of the blue like this, it gives me a bit of hope. The hope that we all can one day go beyond these walls and be free from all of this. You are living proof that there can be a life beyond this cage."

The group took the money and made their way to the stables. This was the start of the next part of their journey.

The troupe travelled to each town, through each wall. Their hope of finding Lana was wearing thin. They worked hard for their money and sometimes fell desperate enough to steal. Time had gone by as the memories of their homeland had become faint.

It didn't take them too long to earn enough money to find a place within Wall Sheena. The search slowly came to a halt. The time away had allowed them to let go of the past and look on to the future. They liked their new lives within the wall. Even though Lana was not a part of the group, they had become accustomed to the idea that she is now in a place of her own. The search was over after just a few months.

A year had gone by since their arrival. Keith made sure that he kept in touch with Larry. He was inspired by the man's compassion and had it in his best interest to do better within his own life. Along with Lucas, Jack, and Nicholas it was decided that they wanted to be a part of the military. Although it was not on the greatest wishes of Madame Nina, she knew that there was no way for her to stop the boys in achieving what they wanted.

However, there were somethings that would stop them. They had no proof of who they really were within the world. Keith brought this up with Larry as it was crucial to have some sort of identification in order to join the military. He had pulled out a document of his own and gave it to Keith. Months went by as Keith worked hard on studying the paper that was given to him. The fluidity of the designs in the corners, the curvatures of the writing. It was a painful task but he was able to do it. With a steady hand and a determined mind, Keith was capable of forging documents for the four of them that would help them enlist themselves into the military.

For Keith the military was something of a way to find out what may have happened to this land and what the serum may be. It was a way for him to believe that he could be better than what was perceived of him a way to prove himself. He was always the assassin's child, a dark mark that hung over his shoulders clouded his reputations. He wanted to prove himself that he could use his skills for good and help recover the mysterious that have been clouded with dust. Lucas wanted to remain by Keith's side. He wanted to make sure that Keith didn't get himself into any sort of trouble. He believed that there wasn't much else for him anyways and decided that the military might be a path for him to choose.

Jack and Nicholas were different stories. With the Military Police Brigade mostly residing within the interior Nicholas was determined to join the faction. He believed that by being a soldier of the M.P's he would be able to gain access to files and other documents. He wanted to be fully sure that Lana was not within the walls anywhere before fully moving on himself. Jack never explained his motives. It was as if he was just following the crowd.

When the time finally came, they approached the building where applicants would be assessed. The process was short and consisted of a quick first glance judgement. As they waited in the line-up an older gentleman was sitting at the table taking in the papers. He wore circled glasses and a thin mustache that was the same color as his mousy brown hair. The man showed age with the greys showing through his colored hair, the lines on his face had proven that he had some stories to tell. In the end, he sat there proudly wearing his uniform as he was deciding who would be the next generation of soldiers to serve the land.

When it came to Keith and the others to hand in their papers, it was almost a nerve racking moment. The man was intimidating, he had yet to say anything to him and yet his eyes pierced through Keith. He could feel his palms getting sweaty as he began to shake and fear the outcome.

"Name."

"Keith Aberdeen sir."

"Why are you so nervous?"

"Not sure sir."

"Well don't be Keith. You seem like a fine lad. How do you feel about the land you live in?"

"I love it, it's a beautiful place."

"Good, would you do anything to protect it and the futures of those who reside?"

"Of course."

"Then congrats cadet, you are in the Training Corps."

Keith and the others were all accepted as the new cadets of the Training Corps. They were to set out the next day to the camp within the north sector of Wall Maria. The excitement between all of them was in the air. The regretful Madame Nina couldn't help but to smile at the boys. She looked upon them and saw how mature they had all become. They were no longer the boys that she once knew. They were men who were eager to create a new future for themselves.

As they were preparing to leave their home, Keith and Lucas throwing their things in a wagon as they waited for Nicholas and Jack to join them. As Nicholas approached, Keith turned to see Jack talking to Madame Nina. Something didn't feel right to him. Their body language was off and not like someone saying goodbye. They both were serious as they were talking to one another. Keith brushed it off as something typical for Jack. But deep down in his stomach it didn't feel right.

Upon their arrival to the camps, they were greeted by the very man who had assessed them. He stood before all of them as they were awaiting for their directions. Many men and woman were present varying in different ages. It was apparent to Keith and the others that they had seemed rather old in comparison to some of the other faces that stood alongside them. As it had appeared that others were in their late teens, Keith and the others were in their mid-twenties.

"My name is Isaac Tulp. I am a medical advisor for the Military Police Brigade. You may be wondering why a medical advisor was placed under you supervision. I have no answer for you as I have no idea myself. As of right now though, it is my job to hand you off to your Captain. He will be in charge of training you to become the soldiers that we need. From there on, it will be your decision as to which path you choose to take. The Military Police Brigade, the Garrison, or the Survey Corps. I wish you all good luck."

Thus the next step in their lives begins. Never before had they believed that they would ever become soldiers. They went from being performers of a circus, to being cadets in the military. The path that they choose is detrimental to the future that lies ahead and what before them was nothing any of them had ever dared to imagine.