The Slayer of Shiganshina

The Battle for Trost - Part 2

The year 850 | Trost District | Wall Rose

The sun was gradually beginning to set. Rays of pale, golden light lazily shone from behind the horizon line. Shades of powder blue and cream yellow began to creep across the indigo sky. Alabaster colored clouds stretched across the celestial dome above. Pillars of smoke throughout the city climbed into the air, polluting the atmosphere and obstructing the elegant view.

With his hands behind his back, Pyxis casually strolled along the surface of Wall Rose, observing the premature twilight. He removed the silver flask from beneath his jacket and took a swig before stopping in his tracks. His eyes traveled from the beautiful sky to the frenzy below. A small group of titans, each vastly different from the other, all standing several meters beneath him. Their arms desperately grasping at the wall and gnawing their teeth, their gaze transfixed on the man above.

"Nope," the Garrison Commander said aloud. "Not any of you. Being eaten by a titan wouldn't be so bad. If it was a sexy lady one."

Behind him were three young soldiers, two men, and a woman. Pyxis continued to stand with his back to them, casually ignoring their presence.

Despite his seemingly carefree disposition, his mind was racing with the unforeseen events of the day. Not only had the Titans breached Wall Rose, it now seemed that one of their own, a young male cadet, could transform into a titan. That very soldier, currently a few meters behind him, was now the responsibility of Pyxis. It seemed he always got stuck with the most exciting youth. He sighed again before turning around to face the cadets behind him. "You're cadet Armin Arlert. Is that correct?"

The young blonde, bright-eyed male frantically threw his fist against the left side of his chest in salute. "Y-Yes, sir!"

"You mentioned a plan to harness this so-called titan ability and then utilize your friend's power to retake the city." Pyxis briefly paused before continuing. "Do you believe it could work? Or were you grasping at straws to try and save your hides?"

Armin swallowed as his sapphire eyes fell slightly downcast. "Well." He glanced back up, wearing an expression of certainty. "Both, Commander. I was going to suggest that Eren, using his strength as a titan, could lift that giant boulder. We could use it to block off the wrecked gate. That was the best idea I was able to come up with."

Pyxis hummed as he turned back around, his gaze landing on the ruins of Wall Rose.

Armin piped up again. "Granted, I was pretty desperate to survive."

A few seconds of silence passed.

"Desperate to survive, huh? That's as credible a reason as any, son."

The Garrison Commander took another deep swig from his flask before turning and approaching the other male cadet kneeling next to Armin. Pyxis lowered himself to meet the boy's eyes.

"What do you say, Cadet Yeager?"

Eren blinked. "Say, Sir?"

"That hole," Pyxis stated. "Do you think that you could plug it up, son?"

Eren, Armin, and Mikasa, the other female cadet with them, all gasped in unison.

"Well, I- I don't know. It's possible," Eren answered. "But now, I don't understand my power any more than you do. It's just...I sorta feel irresponsible giving you an answer. Cause I don't really know."

Pyxis simply laughed. "Ah, yes. Of course, my apologies. I asked you the wrong question."

Eren was visibly taken aback by the old man's response. He met the commander's dark golden irises, now gleaming with grave sincerity.