AOT ~ The Lash Out of the Yeagers

7. Downhill

... "THE SMALL BLADE : BATTLE OF TROST DISTRIC, PART 3" ...

Axl's P.O.V.

They first appeared over a hundred years ago, a new humanoid species with a taste for our blood appeared on Earth... The Titans, natural predators of mankind. The balance of power between us is so disproportionate, that humanity has failed to be completely eradicated. The survivors built three ramparts in a concentric circle... Wall Maria, Wall Rose and Wall Sina. Thus, they were able to live in peace for almost a century. Until the day everything changed...

In the year 845, two terrified new bribes of Titan appeared. The Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan, mankind's daily life was shattered along with the Wall. The people abandoned Wall Maria... Twenty percent of the population was decimated and a third of the territory was lost. Our only choice was to withdraw behind Wall Rose...

The year 850 saw a new appearance of the Colossal Titan which again destroyed the wall, leaving humans once again to the mercy of the Titans. Two hours later, the evacuation of the entire population was completed. This time, no lives were lost at the hands of the Titans... Except that of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives at their counter-offensive post...

Captain Kitz Woermann's P.O.V.

- Captain, please wait! We're just a supply squad! If Titans attack, we won't be able to defend this place by ourselves! Tells me, one of the soldiers, with a rushed and nervous tone. Things have gotten crazy so fast in the Trost District... The Titans are running down the streets, destroying every single things people built, destroying all the hard work people put to create this district, destroying a whole life by making all civilians leave their home in terror. They might have entered the district and people might have escaped, but at least, there's no death this time. No civilians are dead at least... Soldiers... It's another story...

- Please, we're begging you, sir! Stay with us for the fight! Pleads me, a second soldier, as her and her comrades are blocking my way out. Come on...! I have orders to follow! I have a duty to accomplish! I have more important things to do, like guiding my soldiers, than being stuck here because they are frightened!

- I command you to get out of my way! You know I have no choice. I have to go and take care of the training of the reinforcement troops, I state firmly to the three soldiers who are blocking my way out. Though, my voice lightly gave up when I gave them my reason... Betraying me in my talk. Any soldiers, even the fearless ones, would be frightened by what is waiting for them outside. They stare at me for a few seconds before frowning with disbelief.

- In fact, you prefer to go to the gate where it's safe! Replies to me, the first soldier, speaking with a mad tone. Huh? He's calling me a coward?

- What? Are you insinuating something? I demand him with disbelief and some madness, arcing my eyebrows at the same time. They need my help reorganizing. I'm just following the procedure to the letter. Or would you rather us to be overwhelmed. The most important duty of any soldier is to follow orders! I remind him with a firm voice, raising my voice at the end.

- I understand all this, but if we are attacked by... Starts to respond, the second soldier, looking mad that I am leaving them here along with other soldiers. There's no time to argue... There's no time to lose!

- Shut up! I scream out of anger as I raise my sword to the girl's throat. She gasps in surprise and shock, while her two friends take a step back. The blade is against her throat. One more word and I would consider it insubordination and I would be obliged to punish you accordingly! I continue to scream at the three young soldiers, lecturing them for their lack of bravery. I keep my sword up and maintain my firm and severe look. They know what they signed up for when they trained to be a soldier. They know the danger. We're asked to do this in order to safe people, to save mankind. It's our work...