𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 // 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭

1－𝓌𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾ℴ𝓇

Rain poured down our uniforms, the wet sound of our feet hitting the muddy terrain below us was all we could hear. Accompanied by the panting upon panting within the large group of children.

Your little lungs were starting to burn, you felt as if they were about to burst any second if your legs kept running the same pace. The gun placed inside of your hands were starting to feel heavier each second passing. Will this all be worth it? Will Apollo and Isabella even be proud? You shook off all the doubts running in your mind. Of course they will be, that's if you secure a spot in being one of Marley's strongest warriors. Maybe then, they'd be proud of you. But even then, you somehow still won't be perfect enough.

You couldn't risk slowing your pace, you looked back to see the rest of the warrior candidates. As you looked back, your mouth gaped the slightest bit. You were at the front. Although, you were able to recognize Marcel and Annie, just a few steps behind you.

Internally smiling, you gleamed onwards and decided to pick up your pace. You hoped this would secure you a spot in receiving a titan.

"Who said you could walk?! Run, you filthy seed of swine!" You could hear yells from nearby, coming from Commander Magath raising his voice towards the shivering and exhausted kids behind me. Poor guys. The older man watched attentively in order to detect any imperfections displayed by any of the kids. "Don't you wanna be an honorary Marleyan?!"

Honorary Marleyan. That word has been countlessly repeated to you, in order to get it inside your head. since you were a baby. It's as if that was the purpose of you being born, to make you a Marleyan Warrior. An invisible force that will structure your opportunities, your experiences and your circumstances. That word, it rings in your head every time the vibration of sound reaches the cochlea of your ears.

I can't risk falling behind. I need to be perfect. The top everything. Top shooter, Top in combat, Top in-

"(name) (lastname). You passed!"

✰

The sun had started to reveal itself from behind the dark wall of clouds. Your little legs were still aching from the previous activities, at least you were passed. You wanted nothing more than to be a warrior.

"Did you guys hear? We're attacking Paradis in just a few years." Zeke says while tossing his bitten apple to Marcel, followed by the fiddling of his soft blonde hair.

"Yes! I can finally be a Marleyan!" Reiner slightly jumps as he pumps his fist up in the air excitedly. Unfortunately, that excitement didn't last when a blonde boy with slicked-back hair, opened his mouth.

"Huh? Why so excited? If anyone's the worst, it's you." Porco growled at the boy next to him, rudely biting his apple while speaking.

"Excuse me?!" The light blonde boy offendedly turned to face Porco.

"What's your strong point? Your strength? Your aim? Your brains? Combat ability?" He egged on, trying to crush Reiner's confidence. "Nope, the only value they see in you is your loyalty to Marley." I started to feel bad for Reiner.

"It's almost time for us to inherit titans. Out of the 8 of us, 7 will be chosen and one of the 7 will become a spy. This could possibly be the most intelligent warrior." Zeke cleared his voice as he interrupted, in order to shift the attention back to the topic of conversation.

"What? Why do they need a spy for?" Annie spoke up from beside you. You were surprised she was even paying attention to the conversation.

"Before we all attack Paradis, they need a spy to send information back and forth via a letter. It keeps a connection between the warriors and Marley. We still don't know exactly who we're going up against. For all i know, the missing attack titan and the founding titan could be found on that devil island. This can ensure our safety as well as ensure the success of the mission." The blonde states, erupting gasps and a choke coming from Porco.