As the darkness fades, you find yourself stuck in a new world - one that you know more about than you're willing to admit.
Will you be able to change the tragic fate Paradis is destined to fall victim to?
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Year 850 | Age 15. Two Years After Enlistment.
The rain poured heavily, drenching everything in its path as you pushed through the forest, each footfall splashing against the soaked ground. The weight of the bag on your back felt like a anchor, but you pressed on, drops of rain blurring your vision despite the green hood pulled over your head. Two years ago, the strain would have been unbearable. Your legs would have given in long before now, forcing you to stop not far from the starting point. But that was then. After years of training, your body had been hardened, made stronger, able to withstand this kind of challenge.
"You're too slow. Run, you laggards!" Shadis's voice cut through the rain, his harsh tone a familiar background noise to your training. He passed just behind you, barking orders from atop his horse. Your body moved on autopilot now, each step in rhythm, muscles working on muscle memory alone.
Then, over the rain, you heard his voice target someone specific. "What's wrong, Arlert? You're falling behind! Is it too heavy for you? Will you be the one guy to remove his equipment?" Your heart clenched when you realized he was talking to Armin, Your head turning instinctively, spotting your friend struggling to keep up.
"If this were a real fight, you would be Titan food by now!" Shadis's words stung, even though they were meant to be motivational.
As Shadis moved ahead of you, you slowed your pace, waiting for Armin to catch up. You weren't the only one—Reiner, ever the dependable one, had already moved in to help. Without a second thought, he grabbed Armin's bag, slinging it over his shoulder.
"Give me that. At this rate, we'll all fail out." He said, voice firm. "We're being graded on this exercise."
"If you do that, you'll lose points too." Armin protested, as expected. He hated being a burden, even when help was offered freely. You smiled slightly, remembering how he acted the same way when you first met—never wanting to inconvenience anyone, no matter how much he needed assistance.
"Just don't let them find out! And don't make me change change my mind!" Reiner insisted.
You stepped in beside them, grabbing Armin's wrist with a steady grip. "Reiner's right. We need to help each other out." You said, pulling Armin forward, giving him a chance to lean on you if he needed to.
"I will not slow everyone down, even if it kills me!" Armin gritted out through clenched teeth, determination radiating from him. He tugged his arm free from your grip and reached for his bag, surprising even Reiner as he charged ahead of the group, pushing himself past the trainees.
You fell into step beside Reiner, his chuckle breaking the tension. "He sure is determined." He said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
You couldn't help but laugh, shaking your head. "Yeah, that's one of the reasons I like him so much." You glanced at Reiner, catching his eye, and he smiled at you. For just a moment, it felt like everything was simple—like you were all just friends, working towards the same goal.
