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NEXT MORNING ~ SOUTH OF WALL SINA
The heavy gallops thunder down towards the forest line, before finally ending to the open spread of the land. I've been heading south west from Stohess, and was surprised I've made it towards the old Scouts Facility, where Miche's squad has remained. The wind pounds against my ears, while making my way towards the buildings. Even though I was furious that we couldn't fully capture Annie, it means Erwin's life is limited if he takes another risky gamble.
I've been serving him for only four years, and here I still place my trust in his hands.
Approaching the buildings, the crisp morning air felt nice against my skin. I noticed two soldiers were slowly approaching me, seeing they were on guard this early in the morning. Then again, we're dealing with assumed shifters. To detain the, to pull them apart from Annie. For my stay here, I must lower my voice so they don't figure out we captured their comrade.
Pulling my reigns I slow down, coming to a normal trot.
"Well if it isn't Corporal Akira,"
"Tomas, been a while," I jokingly reply back, before I come to a halt to slide off. Landing firmly, I guide my horse behind me, "So, how is babysitting going for you all? Must be so rough, hmmm?"
He chuckles nervously, "Um, not really.....actually they're all bored out of their minds, if you ask me,"
"Hmm.....well, orders are orders," clicking my teeth together, I guide my horse with Tomas following along. Entering the stable, I tie my horse while he fills me in with the past two days since they brought the kids out. Seems nothing out of the ordinary has happened, as it's another hunch that a shifter or more is within the 104th.
".......so everything seems to be taken care of," I assume, while adjusting my gear making sure everything was intact. Continuing forth, I notice two more from Miche's squad. Both Gelgar and Henning was busily talking, when they notice my newly presence.
They both took the time and placed their fists against their left breast, "Corporal!" in a respectful salute.
With a gentle nod I warmly smile, before heading to the watchtower which was separated from the rest of the other buildings. Taking my controllers, I made sure they were working just in case anything went wrong. "Section Commander Miche is just getting ready, to take over Nanaba's shift," Tomas informs me, while I hum.
"I gathered that, spotted her earlier,"
"I will go and inform him your presence," He heads off in the opposite direction, while I grip my handles firmly.
Activating my ODM, I dig the hooks into the side of the walls and flew up to meet Nanaba already on lookout. Landing firmly on my feet, my hand rests against the stone brick for support, as she heard my presence.
"So, how did everything go?" She questions, in a more hush tone. Her icy blue eyes matches mine, while I advert my eyes to the ground, pursing my lips in a firm line. She awaits my answer, but easily from my expression she would know it wasn't complete.
"The culprit was captured, however......." my voice grew deeper, the more I dwelled on the situation. "......she managed to encase herself into some crystalised stone.......we can't any information out. So, we're placing her beneath the ground to ensure her imprisonment."
The young woman leans against the brick wall behind her, only supporting from waist down. Folding her arms she shared the same troubled look, replicating the same expression knowing there's something far more deeper. Running my fingers through my raven locks, I pull my hair to adjust my messily done hair due to an all nighter. Placing my hair tie between my teeth, a heavy sigh draws from her lips.
"How many casualties? Was it a clean capture, or.......?" She couldn't finish her sentence, while I comb my fingers through my fingers. Taking my hair tie, I throw my hair back up into a messy ponytail before swishing my hair.
Tugging my hair a bit more securely, I sigh deeply, "......a failed capture, and many civilians dead....." I inform her, before lifting my head. "Fill you in, when Miche gets here."
She nods, understanding that I hate to repeat myself sometimes.
Despite all that trouble that we've caused for Stohess, and even the Military Police, all I could was wait for my next orders. Knowing I was able speak up on my own opinions, I'd rather follow the same then following something that might not be there. A loose thread, with nothing but a brittle end.
"So then........changing topic," her teasing voice begins to irritate my ears, hearing her shuffle closer. "You and Captain Levi, you've been closer nowadays......what's going on there? Hmm?"
Trying to not react as much, my cheeks burn in response to the question.
Clearing my throat I fold my arms, "Fine, just.......been working on, you know..." shrugging my shoulder, while averting my eyes from hers. "...Erwin's assigned alot of side missions, and such. Nothing much to really discuss abou--"
"Not that, you idiot," She knocks her knuckle against my temple, while I send her a small pout. Her lips spread into a teasing grin, "Seriously, I know something is going on with you two....just between you and me....hmm?"
Giving her a teasing eye, "Hmm, why you so interested?"
"Maybe because I've know you haven't had a single romance in your life," She points out. "You're almost in your thirties, so you might as well enjoy your life too."
To be completely honest, I try my best not to mention anything private while on duty. I know that Nanaba would keep it a secret, but we were trying to lay low with our romantic life. She has the right to know, and I barely have had personal time with her. She has been with me since the very beginning, and always stood up for me, and I stood up for her.
Guess beng comrades for a long time, makes your trust and bond stronger than blood......
"Well, we......." quietly speaking up, shyly still avoiding her eyes for a moment. ".....we're together, for about a month......or so."
She was silent all of a sudden, making me lift my gaze to meet her surprised expression.
"Why do you look surprised?" I question, with a light chuckle. "You were expecting it, weren't you?"
Clearing her throat she pats her chest, "Well, I mean yeah it's just.......I never expected...well," She fumbles over her words. ".....who confessed to who first?"
"The Captain," I addressed her formerly.
Her eyes widen with a warm smile, "Well that's actually surprising," smirking, her smile soon falters for a moment. "Wait, I mean...in a good way. He's just, so quiet and sometimes scary if you think about it."
I would agree on her part, but being by his side for so long I've grown used to being close by his side. Putting up with his frustrating side, stern and cold side and so forth. He's gone through so much, but I sometimes questioned if I wasn't there, what would he do? Would he break, or would he keep silent? However I slowly begin to recall our soft moments, how he would hold me like I was so fragile to touch.
His concern, his words of affirmation and the way he would hold me close......
"It's fine, seriously, " I ensure her, before lifting my head up to the noon sky. The sun was at it's peak, seeing the clouds dusting the blue sky. "I'm not much of a romantic, so things are only going slow......take my time.....enjoy the small things."
She hums feeling her eyes on me, "You really do have patience, and I'm rooting for you,"
Angling my eyes to the side she grins, "Thanks Nanaba, appreciate it,"
Finally after some time, I hear maneuver gear before Miche lands just beside me, seeing some relief in his eyes when he meets my gaze. He towers over me, stepping back to give me some space. He seemed eager to know the status in Stohess, as I began to fill them in with the current situation. Only to have our plan to fail in the end, but it all lies within the 104th that we apparently have spies lingering about.
Despite having no evidence to confirm the outsiders, all we had to do was wait for further orders.
"The recruits are getting antsy," Tomas informs us, while I hum in response.
"Can't blame them, we had to just give them little explanation of the matter," pushing off the stone walls, glancing around keeping watch. "There's listeners, so we have to keep quiet for the time being. If we slip up mentioning about the situation in Stohess, then who knows what will happen."
To be honest, I didn't want to imagine anything happening. We've lost too much already, and if I lose many people on my behalf then I won't forgive myself. Things kept piling up, faults were pointed, and Erwin taking the blame.
"She's right, we're not even sure what we are really fighting," Nanaba agrees with me, while sending her soft smile.
Slowly we began to keep watch around our surroundings, feeling the sun grow warmer by the time. Yet, I felt this unsettling feeling in my stomach, like my conscious was warning me about something. Leaning against the stone on my elbows, my eyes tiredly drift upon the horizon as silence wanders across the land. My mind sinking away from reality for a moment, wondering if Levi was being careful with his injury...
What will Erwin's situation be in now? Will me being there, make any difference?
Shaking my head I kept trying to piece a few things together, wondering who would be the next spies on our list. Who would have the nerve to barrel their way through my home? Who, out of everyone in the 104th fake their backgrounds to becoming a soldier? They would have to make a really good story during Wall Maria's breach, and it had to be a convincing story at that.
My eyes angle down towards where the recruits were in the building, while my jaw clenched firmly.
They would have to place a really forceful front, then again, Annie was full on cold and quiet during the three years. So maybe, the other could have put on a warm and contented disposition to gain trust from others. How many are we dealing with, right now?
"How is your rib healing?" Miche asks, knocking me out of my own thoughts. "You feeling any better?"
My hand drifts to the side where it was slightly fractured, "It's fine, not as painful....." assuring him softly, pushing myself up to properly meet his stern eyes. Folding my arms, I shift my weight to my right side, "....more concerned on what we're really facing, right now."
Admitting was a weakness, but really that's how everyone was feeling at this very moment.
"Yeah, I will admit it too.......we're all kind of on edge," he concedes, making me shift my eyes over to the open widespread of field. Everything felt peaceful, not wanting to jinx anything right now. "However, I'm more relieved to have you with us........I know it sounds selfish, but with you we have more knowledge than any of us."
My eyes soften from my firm gaze, "Well, I'm glad that I'm needed,"
He breathily chuckles in response, before resting his eyes scanning the wide spread plains awaiting for anything. My smile soon falters, before resting back to my bored expression gazing out.
"Thanks for taking care of Nanaba, for me," I spoke up, but more quietly so she wouldn't hear. She was busily discussing something with Tomas, while I leaned against the bricks in front. "She's someone important to me, and I'm glad to know she's in your perfect and capable hands."
He nods slowly, "Well, she is a very strong soldier........I trust her completely,"
Internally I was screaming with cuteness overload, seeing the way his face softened more when he's mentioning about her. They deserve everything, and those two, I swear they should get together one day. They've been like this since first day when we were given squads, since she first met him. He treated her equally, and never once doubted her skills and loyalty to his squad.
My chin rests upon my palm, eyes lulled with a teasing smirk, "Cute,"
He turns to me, "Hmm, did you say something?"
Shaking my head I hum softly for a moment, before we both fall silent. Propping myself up more, my rib decides to throb faintly in pain. My hand rests against my chest for a moment, when the wind blows more heavily. Everything falls dead silent, only hearing the wind howling deeply and strongly.
~Thump~Thump~
My stomach sank in response while goosebumps run up my arms, ears locking onto the source of sound from a distance. My head angles only to find it strongly coming from the South, the earth trembles from a faint distance. My breath hitches in my throat faintly in alarm, but calmly.
"What is it, Akira?" Nanaba questions, already picking up on my sharp demeanor.
"How.......? But, I thought...." I choke out, many questions were flooding my head.
Soon Miche leans in the same direction, sniffing the air strongly. Inhaling sharply, his face grew more firm, "What is it Miche?" Nanaba asks, not understanding what Miche and I have just detected.
"Tomas! Ride out of here!" Miche orders, abruptly. "Take three couriers! Notify the districts!"
My eyes snap to the direction where he was full alert, as sweat glides down his forehead in a stressful manner. He was in confusion, but I know he keeps a level head in any situation.
Seeing a mob of them bounding their way towards us, as my hand grips the edge of the stone, "We've got multiple titans incoming from the South!" My voice grew more shaky, not knowing how this could happen again. "Wall Rose has been compromised!"
"Shit," Nanaba curses under her breath, while I try to remain calm even though many questions overwhelmed my head.
Didn't Erwin assume the shifters were within the 104th? Didn't they double check the recruits that they've brought here?
'Dammit, no use in questioning and more taking action,' I thought to myself, before sharply turning to Nanaba.
"Warn the recruits, there's no time to suit into their ODM gear," I calmly instruct, eyes still trained upon the titans. "Tell everyone to grab their horses, and make sure to evacuate every home and settlement in the area.........Nanaba?"
She nods, before leaving me towards the building where the recruits rested.
My eyes focus on the many titans that slowly trampled towards our direction, like they knew we were here from the start. Swallowing hard, I felt the air in my lungs were trapped for a moment. There's no way the walls have been breached, and there was no tremor or a brightening light from the sky.
"How, how....." muttering to myself, my voice barely audible.
Alerting Gelgar, Henning and Lynne they all began preparing to move, while Miche and I kept our sights on the enemy. Flying from the tower, we land upon the plated roof to get a better view in the direction they were coming from.
Not long I turn to see Nanaba landing back upon the roof, "Akira.....Miche,
Miche's eyes narrow, "Nine of them, in that swarm up ahead," he informs her, while I already detected the numbers.
My hands rest on my hips, ready to make a move, "They must've broken through Wall Rose," Nanaba assumes, when my attentions draws to the recruits that were preparing the saddles on their horses. With their hastiness, my eyes fall upon my supposed suspect as the spy. Not once have I blown my accusation, but the more I think about it, the more the dots connect in my own assumption.
I could be possibly wrong to anyone's defence, but the similarities are there.
"How could they break through Wall Rose? The collosal could only break down the weakest point of the wall," I spoke up, my jaw clenches.
"Which is?" Nanaba eagerly wanted to know. "With little information, we don't know what these things are. How are you su--?"
"The gates to each district, are the weakest points," I state, when I close my eyes in deep thought. "However, I'm not entirely sure....that's just my assumption."
Nanaba bends on one knee and curses audibly, "Humanity has lost, this is the end,"
Shaking my head, "We haven't, not as long as we keep breathing,"
Miche hums in agreement, "Akira is right, only when a person stops fighting, do they lose," Miche scoffs lightly, turning around getting ready to fly to our horses. "Let's move out now, before we waste a single minute!"
"Yes sir!"
Taking off we switched our ODM gear to our horses, as we flicked the reigns to speed up to give us some distance. There were only few fully trained soldiers, with ODM gear, which in reality we don't have enough soldiers. Hating the fact we had no time to get the children geared up, frustrated me. However their lives mattered right now, so I'm gonna do my part.
"The second the titans reach the woods, we'll split up!" Miche announces, with our horses in flank. "I want four separate teams! Recruits and soldiers alike in each unit! When I give the signal, we'll scatter in different directions simultaneously! Get the word out to civilians."
My hands grip the reigns more tightly, more questions flooded my mind.
"Do not engage the enemy!" Miche instructs, before turning to the recruits from behind. "Now which one of you is most familiar with the area?!"
My eyes angle back to see Sasha straight up raising her hand, "Uh, me!" confidently speaking up. "Sir, my home town just to the north of here! I know this region like the back of my hand! Connie too!"
My eyes sharply turn to the young boy, who seems a bit unsettled and in a troubled daze. That's right, he's from Ragako village which was south from here.
"Go on, tell him!" Sasha urges him to speak up.
"......"
That look was too familiar, knowing his concern for his family I'm assuming.
"What's wrong?" Sasha asks, noticing his unresponsive behaviour.
"My village.....my village is to the South," His voice shakes, fear lacing in his tone. "That's where the titans are coming from.....I can lead you to nearby settlements, but afterwards.....let me go home. Please?"
Miche turns to me, as I nod understanding his request.
"Very well, guide the Southern Team, then go to your village," Miche instructs.
"Yes sir!"
"I'll come with you!" I hear Reiner offer, which made me feel unsettled at the thought of him volunteering.
"What? No, you're crazy!" Connie dejects his offer. "They'll be everywhere!"
"You think I care?" Reiner rhetorically questions, with a smirk. "I was gonna help you get home anyway, wasn't I?"
Ignoring the soldiers discussing on who's going where, Miche seems to notice my prudent and cautious behaviour. Calmly I inhale slowly, "I'm fine, I just..........feel unsettled," I assure him.
"I see.......well, what is your orders?" He asks me, more audibly for me to hear. Knowing our ranks were similar, he knew I had more of a plan than he could in this kind of situation. However, all I know is we're fighting something far greater than we anticipated.
"You'll guide the Southern team, so our strength is balanced," my eyes meet his, as he nods in agreement.
"As you may know, today marks the new darkest day in humanity's history!!!" Nanaba announces, trying to ease the soldiers to not fret and have faith. "If ever humankind needed to give it's all, that time is now--!"
"The titans have reached the woods!" One of our soldiers warns us. "The enemy is on top of us!"
"Scatter now!!!!" Miche yells. "Ride for everything you're worth!!!!"
However before I could fully head in the opposite direction, the titans began charging towards Miche's squad. "Nanaba, you're in charge!" I pull my reigns, as I steer away from her unit.
"Ma'am!"
Charging towards Miche's squad I pick up the speed, finally reaching up to him in time, "I'll take them down, I'm fit enough to stall them," I sternly say, but he grunts with a look of disapproval.
"Holy shit!" Connie exclaims, eyes widened in horror as the titans were catching up towards us at full speed.
Without a word or warning Miche roars and changes course, steering away from our line of escape, "Akira!!!!! I'm leaving you in charge!!!!!!" He orders, without a moment of hesitation while his voice grow faint with the further he leaves us.
My eyes widen, "M-Miche........." my breath shook for a moment, before finally realising we can't risk anymore soldiers being taken. A shadow casts over my eyes briefly "......understood."
"Please tell me he's not using himself as bait!" Lynne pleads, knowing their respect for Section Commander was great.
"Let me go with him!" A solder suggests, willingly. "I can help!"
Shaking my head, "Stay where you are, we don't have enough soldiers to defend the recruits!" I reject his offer. "Trust me, I would if I could but we need enough man power to protect the recruits. I would even replace myself if he even gave me a damn chance!"
Gelgar hums with agreement.
"Seriously, give him some credit!" He scoffs, a little offended by their lack of trust and assurance on their Commanders capabilities. "That man's skills are third only to Captain Levi and Corporal Akira! He'll make it back alive! Count on it!"
To put it simply, I was angry that Miche had to go alone to fight them alone. We fought together since the beginning, he became like an older brother to me. However my trust was beyond, so all I could do was pray for him to return safely.
Stay safe, Miche.........
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