Glory For Mankind | AOT [book 1]

Ch.21:Higher Ground

Ruvik stood next to Pixis on top of the wall, the three cadets were silently sitting behind them. The cadets were watching their two superiors, who were peering over the edge to look at the titans, narrowing their eyes as they gathered at the bottom, constantly scratching at the wall's surface.

Pixis sighed. "Man...I should've known I wouldn't find one..."

Ruvik steered his eyes away from the titan horde to the man next to him. "Come again?"

"I've been hoping to finally come across a titan that looks more attractive to the eye." Pixis scratched the back of his head, chuckling without a care who heard him. "After all, I wouldn't mind being eaten by a sexy titan."

The Scout raised a brow, wasn't expecting that a response like that.

"Come on now, Ruvik, don't you agree?"

"No comment." 

"What? It's not my fault you're stiff as a board." Pixis shrugged, taking a swig of his silver flask before turning to Armin. "Now, give me a brief explanation on this titan ability you mentioned?"

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After Pixis was detailed on the information, they and a few other soldiers gathered for Armin's proposition on aiming to retrieve Shiganshina to discover whatever knowledge, Eren's father, had about the titan's hidden away inside the basement of their house.

"I see..." Pixis mumbled. "We'll know everything if we go to that basement."

"Yes, will you believe me?" Eren asked.

"I think I can tell when someone is telling the truth." Pixis hummed. "So, I will guarantee your lives."

There was a sigh of relief from the boys.

Pixis turned his attention towards Armin. "Cadet Arlert was it?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Earlier you said that if we used Eren's titan power, it might be possible to retake this city. Do you really think this is possible? Or was that a last ditch effort to save your lives?"

"...It was both." Armin admitted. "It was something I thought of on the fly. I hoped you see...how Eren's power could change our present situation...Of coarse. I said it in the desperate hope of saving our lives!"

Pixis hummed at the response he got. "Heh...In the desperate hope of saving yourselves...Now those words I can believe. Isn't that right, Ruvik?"

Pixis glanced over to the Scout, who had his arms crossed, avoid his eyes in return. Ruvik  knew the weight of those words himself. After receiving no response, Pixis took a swig from his flask before shifting the interrogation towards Eren. "So, Cadet Jaeger."

"Sir!"

"Can you seal the hole?"

"Well, I...I really don't know anything more about myself than these people here do. That's why I don't want to give an irresponsible answer."

Ruvik decided to speak up. "Let me rephrase what was Commander Pixis was asking you. Will you do it, or won't you? Which will it be?"

Eren looked at Ruvik, his green eyes staring directly at his brown ones. Eren was silent for a moment before his determination kicked in, giving his Captain a firm nod and his answer. "I'll do it...I'll do it! I don't know if I can seal the wall or not, but...I will do it!"