Mind over Matter | Armin Arlert

The cost of victory

"This is a declaration of war!"

From beneath the set stage, a sudden jolt of rumbling erupted, the earth shaking from it's force. It all seemed to happen so slowly, yet it must've only been for a split second for the scene unfolded so smoothly, like it was but a part of their play. Cracks appeared on the building behind the stage, splitting bigger and running deeper until a roar emerged from under. A volcano of steam was sent into the atmosphere, and the edifice collapsed in a heap of debris and a pile of dust. From the center, a titan was spawned, only growing taller and taller as it let out a cry of war. 

Along with it, large, heavy chunks of brick and stone alike was sent flying into the anticipating audience, who stood at the edge of their seats in a sudden rush of panic and disbelief. Chaos and mayhem spread like a forest fire, travelling to clung on each of their hearts and flooded their minds, drowning out every thought they had in a ounce of distress. 

In the center of it all, Eren's titan stood tall, proudly against the air of commotion he had single-handedly caused. There was only a moment before he flung into hysteria, crashing his ginormous arms to destroy everything around him. The titan's body crushed everything that stood below him, a unspeakable amount of destruction done that would take decades to rebuild and recreate the same infrastructure. 

It must've seemed like hell was unleashed upon them, as the people now sprung into tumult and abrupt disorder. Each sprinted as fast as their legs could take them, but it was to no avail against the merciless titan that spared none. Around them, the corpses of the people only alive just a moment ago laid unmoving, collapsed under chunks off strong bricks and sharp wood. It was a macabre scene, as screams polluted the air in cries of desperation, despair and havoc. 

It wasn't too long before a sudden struck of lighting came crashing down the earth once again, a beam of light flashing to blind those that looked. In it's place, strands of generated flesh and tissue formed in strips, compiling together swiftly to form yet another titan. This time, it was white in color, almost the same as the shell of pearl. But before it had to opportunity to fully emerge in it's complete form, Eren's titan had thrown a relentless punch against it's face, sending it to crash into the remaining of the already torn building. 

From there, the attack titan looked down, it's eyes gleaming with a sudden fire of determination and fury as it stood one leg on each side of the titan's body below. The War Hammer titan was at Eren's mercy, and he was confident he would emerge in victory of this battle.

Freyja's ears  somehow heart everything, yet nothing all at once. It all seemed so muffled in her head, the anarchy and escalation of the situation pushing a troll onto her thoughts. In the far distance, she heard the sickening thud of each punch thrown, and she wasn't even sure who was the one getting hit. All she knew now was to find safety amongst this pandemonium, a place to stay hidden yet visible for the scouts that would soon arrive. 

The familiar sound of zips and stretches of string was clear amongst all else; a sound she had grown to rather miss in her time in Marley. There was no doubt about it, she thought as she glanced up, a relief in her eyes that was a stark contrast from the despair others held; they were here. 

 Above, flashes of figures in black zoomed past, gliding in the sky so much so they looked almost like birds. Each hook they launched penetrated the walls of buildings, connected to a line of rope in the gear on their waist. The scouts uniform had been adjusted, moderated in addition for the enemies were no longer titans. New weapons, including the thunder spears were taken proudly, attached to the gear on their forearms, a tool of destruction that'll work well against the unexpected enemies. 

While others made a run for their lives, Freyja headed into the closest apartment she could find. She climbed up, quicker than she ever had before, on metallic stairs that gapped in between each step. Sweat dripped from her forehead and her heart pounded against her ribcage, but she wouldn't care now. It was now or never; and she'll be left behind if she were to miss this opportunity.