The following year passed by, everyone had trained hard and now possessed over the skills necessary to kill titans. Those who already seemed capable enough to join the Survey Crops, Garrison or the Military Police, could prove themselves today as it was the first selection. Only the top ten would be able to join the MP though and I secretly hoped Ella would pass, she took training so serious and she really worked her ass off to reach that position. Those who will join the Military Police will get 2 weeks of extra training right after.
I wondered why. Hell, working there was the easiest and safest and job out of the three. Instead of giving the newbies of the Survey Crops extra training who would fight titans first hand, that they most definitely could use, the pigs decided it was best to waste their time on those who avoided fighting titans at all cost. Fucking Military logic.
Rumors were that Erwin Smith and his right hand Levi would personally attend the tests today and decide along with other higher-ups who are and who aren't ready to join them. I picked up little information about Erwin from conversations of trainees, I never heard someone say a foul word about him. He was a respected man, why? I had absolutely no idea, but I guess I was going to find out firsthand when I would join Levi's squad. Apparently they seemed to work close together.
All trainees were dressed in uniform, our look completed with the 3d maneuver gear. I was teamed up with my roommates; I haven't seen them in action before since I almost always managed to skip training and headed into the woods instead. Continuing training there in peace, on my own terms; I didn't need old men screaming at the top of their lungs, or whining trainees. I was best off training alone.
Now we were standing on top of the roofs within wall Maria. Yuza, Ella, Jonah and I we were team #7. The goal was to stick together and kill as many titans as possible while the higher ups watched us making a decision on whether we were good enough to pass. That meant Erwin and Levi were also up there.
A green flare stained the cloudless blue sky. The signal for us to start. "Yuza go left for the 5-meter class, Ella head for the 7-meter class, Jonah you keep up with me and assist me with the 15-meter class. After you're done head back to me and Jonah to wait further instructions." I commanded.
They themselves chose me as their leader for this test. Even though I refused at first, I realized soon it was better than being commanded around. But then again, I don't want to hold responsible for their lives. I just want to pass and get this over with.
Yuza and Ella did as I told and flew away using their gear. "Jonah, follow me." I said looking behind while making our way to the ugly titan. I chose Jonah to stay put with me because if he succeeded, he would also join Survey Corps and since he wasn't too bad I secretly hoped he passed along with me.
"Jaclyn, instructions?" He shouted from behind awaiting my strategy.
"You distract it while I go around it and kill it, understood?" I nearly had to shout over the roaring sound of the titan.
"Understood!"
Jonah stayed behind luring the target his direction him while I unnoticed made my way around it. It worked; the titan moved his large body awkwardly but fast towards Jonah. I made a big swing around a tower and now flew freely in the air facing the back of the titan, my cables hit the neck of the titan; I rushed forward at full speed before slicing my blades into his neck, killing it in one effortless move.
"That was good!" Jonah screamed from a distance. I rolled my eyes at his usual overly excited tone. I saw Yuza and Ella also succeeded and were already heading our way. In the distance I saw 6 titans approaching, fast. Four 15-meter and two 7-meter class, god they looked fucking ridiculous, running and destroying everything in their path.
"Yuza, you handle the 15-meter titan on the right, Ella and Jonah you two work together and finish those 7-meter titans, I will take care of the other three." I instructed.
"Yes." They all said in unison and immediately turned away to face the enemy. It seemed like they didn't question my leadership or fighting abilities because they didn't hesitate to leave me alone with three titans. Where did that trust and sureness came from?
"Ok Jaclyn, Focus." I said to myself taking a deep steady breath.
I leaped forward heading for the two nearest titans while I landed on the top of a church tower. The titans gave me a hungry look, trying to climb it. "Tch, you creatures can't even climb, huh? Just stay still and I'll finish you quick." Did I just really catch myself talking to them? I let out a soft chuckle, ok get a hold of yourself Jaclyn. I reminded myself people were watching my every move.
I jumped gracefully from the building, arms spread out and like a vulture as I eyed my prey. How wrong and dark as it may sound, I could finally fight, kill, spill blood, my violent old self, rising again in the heat of the moment. I decided I would take down the 15-meter first and as soon as his neck was in sight I twisted rounds in the air and cut off his neck, a piece of flesh flew in the air along with the red juices escaping it's body.
Good that was one, two to go.
The following two went down easy as any other titan I faced so far. When I landed back on a roof from my last kill, my attention was brought towards a scream I heard on the right.
Yuza?
Oh shit. It was him.
I turned around to see him being thrown into a building. Without thinking I jumped in the air, my cables pulling me closer to where his now limp body was laying on the ground.
Fuck.
The titan was already reaching for his body. I saw him twitch in agony, trying to get to his feet. Why didn't he get the fuck out of there already? "Yuza, use your gear and get away!" I screamed while moving forward on full speed.
"I have a malfunction!" He desperately tried to launch his cables but with no success.
Why did these kinds of things always happen at the worst possible times? "Hide behind the house till I give further instruction!"
I saw a fresh cut in the neck of the titan, Yuza didn't cut the back of his neck properly and the titan was already almost fully healed. When he was out of sight the titan suddenly turned around which I didn't saw coming. I flew right into its hand that he held open, meant for me to land in. This fuckers' movements were much more precise, it probably was an aberrant they talked about during classes, the titan must've noticed me long ago.
He slowly brought me to his enormous mouth, its saliva hanging from top to bottom. Ella and Jonah were probably too busy to notice me in the titans grasp. I remained calm, if I learned something as a criminal it was that panicking never helped. Never. I noticed a swift movement at the side of my eyes.
"Ella? Jonah?" I said out loud in confusion. Where the heck were they when you needed them?
"If it isn't Jaclyn Rosenthal, having a little problem?" A voice I recognized called out. I refused to ask people for help, but I now was facing death straight into the stinking mouth of the titan.
"Carson! This is no time to fuck around, do something." I said my voice steady as ever while struggling in the tight grasp of the titan.
"Didn't you tell me to get lost?"
What! He never got over what happened on the very first day? I even almost forgot about it.
"Carson for fucks sake thi-." I began but was cut off.
"Carson, kill the titan!" Yuza demanded from the ground revealing himself from behind the building.
Damn this titan was taking his time.
Carson acted as if he Yuza wasn't even there. "Go back to the underground." He gave me a mocking smile before adding, "Where you belong." He turned around and left me here to die, not even doubting whether to help me or not.
I twisted and turned in the titans grip but it was useless. My body alone wasn't enough to get out.
So was this it then?
This is how I die?
Hell no.
I refused to become titan food, not today, not ever. Also, Carson wasn't going to get away with this, the bastard would pay. I'm going to make sure of it.
The titan placed me in its mouth while I heard Yuza scream words I couldn't place. As soon as his grip loosened I sliced through his hand, cutting it off. It became darker and my vision was minimal as the titan closed its mouth while I was holding on to its tongue. Taking what was probably the last chance I had, I jumped my way out through the thick curtain of saliva and suddenly I was out again. The sunlight stained my eyes and blinded me for a second.
It was all white, I felt the wind rushing past my body as I fell down. When my sight returned to normal I immediately made my way to the back of its neck, slicing it and killing the titan who then fell to the ground. Sweat was prickling my forehead, I felt sick and dizzy. I stood on the roof and decided it was best if I sat down for a moment.
Drops of red fluid dripped on the roof tiles. Confused I looked up, where was it coming from? A drop tickled its way from my forehead and fell on my eyelash, I blinked it away and swiped my forehead with the back of my hand. My eyes widened at the sight, it wasn't sweat, I was bleeding? When did that happen? I tried standing up but fell back again, suddenly feeling nauseous while an all too familiar iron scent filled my nostrils. I grabbed my head with both hands trying to contain my consciousness.
I heard faint sounds of gas tanks nearing. "Jaclyn! What happened?" Jonah screamed, his voice sounded slightly anxious. He and Ella landed on the rooftop and hurried towards me.
"Yuza is still on the ground, get him up here." I said to no one in particular. He wasn't safe on the ground without functioning gear. At least I could still think straight.
Jonah kneeled besides me supporting me with his hands, keeping my back straight. "I'm fine, don't worry." I slapped his hand away and this time successfully stood up again. Ella brought Yuza to the rooftop and he calmly explained what happened. My body flared up with anger when he mentioned Carson, that son of a bitch was going to pay for leaving me here to die in the filthy hands of a titan.
A green flare now once again flew up in the sky; meaning the tests are over. Jonah carried Yuza while all the trainees made our way back to wall Rose.
We arrived at HQ where all trainees had gathered.
"Jaclyn you're still bleeding." Ella pointed out.
"I'm good." Actually, I felt giddy and had to steady myself. I leaned against the brick wall and dropped my head against it, closing my eyes for a second.
"Still alive then?"
My eyes flew open as my head jerked up. He stood in front of me, arms crossed and a stupid grin plastered on his face. I pushed myself off the wall ready to smack that smile off his face but I was stopped by Yuza who stretched his arm to stop me.
"You'll get in trouble. Yuza said looking over his shoulder to me. "He's not worth it."
As if I cared if I got in trouble, my fists were itching, ready to collide with his face.
"Yuza Dorman, right? If I were you I'd-"
We will never know what he was about to say because I leaped under Yuza's arm and blew a strike at his stupid face. He shifted unsteady on his feet, startled by my sudden move. He cursed under his breath, fingers trailing along his lips where blood was seeping out.
"You fucking rat." He spat at me, his voice full of resentment. Exactly why did he hate me?
"Fight me." I challenged.
He sprang up, throwing fist after fist at me. I all dodged them with ease, his anger and frustration growing by the second. I noticed the little crowd gathering around us and when Jonah called out my name I lost my focus for a second. He took the opportunity; his fist hitting me in the face.
"You fucking shit." I hissed under my breath, swiping the still running blood from my forehead.
My head was throbbing, dizziness increasing. That was my queue, now it was my time to attack before I would fucking faint or something.
I punched him in his stomach which caught him by surprise as he hunched over in pain, growling inaudible words. I grabbed his head with both hands and gave it a firm blow with my knee as I threw his body back on the ground. I heard people around me gasping in what sounded like surprise but paid them no further attention.
He lay on the ground, both hands covering his bloodied face. "Why aren't you pretty?" I said in a mocking tone.
My body hunched over his as I continued to punch him in the face, stomach – basically anywhere I could get my hands on. He screeched out in pain as he tried to block my blows. He got hold of my left wrist throwing me aside; I rolled over the grass before coming to a halt against the brick wall.
He hovered over me, looking down on me before sending a blow into my stomach with the tip of his boot. It immediately resulted in coughing and I got to my knees, my right hand keeping me off the ground while my left hand filled itself with blood that seeped from my mouth.
I made it to my now unsteady feet again, Carson standing only a few meters away. "Is that everything you got Carson?" A frown made its way onto his face. He kept his left hand up signing for me to come to him. Come on Jaclyn; give the fucker what he deserves. If it weren't for me feeling like shit right now, the fight wouldn't even last a minute.
I hurried over, grabbing his arm that was stretched out towards me and throwing him onto his back while holding his arms in place. "Now why won't you tell me, what the fuck your problem is?" I realized all trainees were now formed up in a circle, shouting words I couldn't place in my dazed state. I tried to focus my now hazy eyesight.
"Rat, go back to the underground tunnels." He randomly insulted me again.
Abruptly I felt a stinging sensation burning in my left hand.
"What the fuc-" I managed before the boy threw me off again.
I stumbled backwards noticing the deep cut in the palm of my hand. The bastard cut me?
He grasped my collar firmly, smacking me against the wall, a blade held against my neck. It was so shiny I could see my own reflection in it, noticing my bloodied head.
"Stop it!" Jonah screamed, quieting the crowd of trainees. Carson looked over his shoulder to Jonah, probably about to throw an insult at him. I took my chance as his focus was now directed to Jonah and grabbed the blades' sharp edges with my bare hands, turning it away from my neck, turning it away. Time to get this over with.
I kneed him in the stomach at which he fell, now coughing up blood too. I put my hand into his face burying the back of his head into the ground, I got hold of the blade again, pushing it hard enough into his neck causing a small cut, blood now starting flowing from the cut.
His eyes bulged while I pushed down with all the power I got left in my shaky body. I heard faint screams at the back of my mind while I dazed off into a dreamlike state, not even realizing my surroundings anymore.
"Jaclyn, stop it!"
Someone took my trembling wrists into their hands, pulling it off Carson's neck. The blade slipped through my fingers as my grip loosened. My senses kicked back in as I felt every sore muscle in my body, my left hand stinging from the cut Carson inflicted, my body felt sore, my head throbbing.
I got to my feet as a man pulled me up, I turned around to see who stopped me from nearly killing the boy. A man dressed in a Survey Corps uniform, he wore the green cape with the 'wings of freedom' logo stitched onto it. The man had black hair and was the same height as me. He was still holding onto my wrists while looking at me with narrow eyes, a frown visible on his face. I noticed the higher ups standing a bit further away, observing the scene with caution.
"That's enough." He concluded. Exhausted and breathless I felt too tired to even respond as I just stood there.
Fuck. This wasn't good. I was supposed to stay under the radar and work my way into the Survey Corps. While I was mentally beating myself up Yuza, Ella and Jonah now stood by my side eyeing me with worry.
"I'm fine." I said, feeling like absolute shit. I just wanted to lay down for a bit, take a shower, and get this sticky blood off of me, half of it was probably Carson's. That thought made the edges of my lips turn upwards.
"Jaclyn Rosenthal, right?" The man spoke again, still firmly holding onto my wrists.
"That would be me." I looked up, observing his face closer. His eyes are dark brown, almost black. He had a slim face and had this undercut. He was kind of attractive I thought to myself, he was... Levi.
Levi?
I noticed how tense everyone was, probably because Levi, also known as humanity's strongest soldier and also a squad leader, was standing here.
Not that I could care what rank he held. I refused to think higher or lower of someone just because they were in a better position or not. We were all just human, I'll judge you with my own two eyes and decide for myself I respect you or not.
"Time to announce top ten graduates!" A voice called out, probably one of the higher ups.
Levi gave me a single nod and he let go of my wrist, throwing it back. I returned the nod and he moved to the front to stand beside what was most likely Erwin Smith.
"For the trainees graduating today, you'll be able to choose among the three Military branches. You can join as a member of the Garrison and guard the walls and cities. You can put your lives on the line as a member of the Recon Corps and fight the titans in their own territory. Or you can become a member of the Military Police and serve the King within wall Sina." The man eyed the trainees before continuing. "Of course, only the top ten are allowed to join the Military Police."
Erwin came forward with a piece of paper in his hand.
"I am Erwin Smith, commander of the Recon Crops." All trainees saluted so I decided to join managing a feeble salute. "Today you will choose a branch of the military. Putting it bluntly, I am here to persuade you to join the Recon Crops." Well at least he was straight forward. "During your test just now, you learned how terrifying titans can be and that not everyone made it back today."
Wait, trainees died today?
I looked over the crowd of trainees and saw a girl standing next to me, her face buried in her hands, tears slipping from her weeping eyes. She was sobbing while her knees were trembling. When I paid closer attention I noticed the mournful faces around me, I was too focused on Carson just now to notice.
"However, you did and are capable of fighting titans, if you join the Recon Crops you will become an excellent soldier with a high survival rate. Question yourself; are you willing to offer up your beating hearts in the name of humanity?" He took shut his eyes, took a deep breath before opening them again. "Any of you willing to risk your lives, I'll see you at Recon Corps headquarters. That's all."
I guess he felt it was needed to give us an extra speech in order to pursue us to join him, even though his speech wasn't that motivating at all, rather discouraging. Not that it stopped me of course.
"Now I will announce the top ten." He broke the silence again, in a lighter tone of voice.
"Top of class is; Jaclyn Rosenthal."
I heard words of doubt and disbelief filling the air. I mean even I was quite astonished; I knew I belonged in that list but I almost died on battle grounds today.
"Soldiers like her are unprecedented of significance for the survival of human kind. She proved today she possesses over great leadership, skills and a sharp mind."
I was a bit taken aback by the defensive words of Erwin when he noticed attitude of the others, I could feel their eyes burning holes in my back. I avoided any unnecessary chit chat with them so they knew nothing about me. After all I can't really blame them for their dubiousness.
He then continued naming the rest. Ella was listed fourth and Yuza as seventh, I hadn't seen them killing the titans just now but I knew they had it in them.
"Tenth place: Carson Alcott."
I noticed Carson was on his feet again, bloodied and all he stood front right from me, that stupid grin I had wiped off, was slowly returning to a crooked smile. I didn't give him what he deserved, but if he dares to come up to me one time again I'll make sure I will.
That also meant Jonah didn't make the list. Not that it mattered; he wouldn't join the Military Police even if he got the chance. I turned around to face the three. "Yuza, Ella, made your choices already?"
"Yes, Military Police it is." She said smiling like I've never seen her do before.
"Yeah, me too." Yuza said less excited. "It's just… If it wasn't for you." He now turned to face me. "I'd be dead right now."
"Hey, don't sweat it." I reassuringly smiled.
Titans were brutal and ruthless. No one could blame him for retreating last minute and joining the Military Police instead, especially since Erwin had held his inspiring speech.
"What about you two?" Ella asked.
Jonah put his arm on my shoulder leaning onto me. "Survey Corps it is for us!" He beamed. God he could be so annoying, despite that I couldn't help the smile that crept up on my face. I took a step aside in what resulted Jonah falling to the ground.
"Hey!" He yelped rubbing his head.
"So I guess this is where we part ways." Yuza reminded us all.
"Yeah but we'll see each other around." I held out my hand to them.
Yuza took it as he without warning pulled me into a hug. "Why so formal?" He laughed. "I've known you for a year now."
I pushed myself out of the hug, slightly embarrassed by his sudden move. I shrugged as now Ella pulled me into a hug too. "Take care." She muttered as she stepped away again. Ella and Yuza said their goodbyes to Jonah as they walked off, starting the next chapter of their lives, now as a member of the Military Police within wall Sina.
"Come on, we also need to get going." Jonah nudged me to move.
"Yeah." I breathed out, looking up at the sky which colored bright glows of orange and red, the day was nearing its end.
I was starting a new chapter too, the second phase of my job which meant joining Survey Corps. I could finally close the first after one, long year.