Beyond The Walls (AOT x OC Fanfic)

A Gamble for Survival

In the HQ basement, the tension was thick as the soldiers gathered around the lift, watching with wary eyes as the Attack Titan continued its brutal assault on the other Titans outside. Each roar and impact shook the walls, but for now, it held the enemy at bay.

"It's okay," Connie said, his voice trying to offer a sense of calm. "That Titan's stronger than average. They can't take over the building while it's rampaging outside."

Reiner crossed his arms, his gaze steady. "How much do you know about that Titan?"

Connie hesitated, looking a bit thrown off by the question. "Huh? Shouldn't we discuss that after we're safe?"

Reiner shrugged, conceding with a nod. "True that. Let's get out of here alive first."

Just then, Jean and a few others returned from the storage room, arms laden with dust-covered crates. Jean held up one of the boxes with a smirk. "We found some! Military Police supplies, though they're covered in dust..."

Jean cracked open a crate, revealing rifles inside. He pulled one out, examining it carefully as he pieced it together. "Will these bullets be enough?" he muttered, uncertain. "Do these guns even work against the Titans in the first place?"

Armin stepped forward, his eyes alight with a sudden plan. "It's better than nothing. Even if there are still seven 3- to 4-meter class Titans in the supply room, blinding them all at once isn't impossible with this much firepower."

The soldiers leaned in, listening as Armin outlined his plan. "First, we'll use the lift to lower a large number of people into the center of the chamber. They'll fire directly into the faces of all seven Titans at once, blinding them. The next instance will decide everything. Seven other people, hiding near the ceiling, will swoop down to attack their weak spots while they're blind. In other words, if we follow this plan, we'll be gambling everything on this single attack. The whole point is for seven people to kill all seven Titans simultaneously. The seven people should be the most physically capable ones... but you'll have to shoulder the burden of everyone's lives... I'm sorry."

Reiner shook his head. "No problem."

Annie, who had been quiet, nodded in agreement. "Whoever fails, all of us will die. The risk is the same."

Armin hesitated, his doubt clear in his expression. "But... I'm a nobody. Is my plan really the best option?"

Jeiden placed a firm hand on his shoulder, meeting his gaze with an encouraging smile. "We've got no other choices except your plan. There's no time left to think. This idea's our only shot. Now we've just gotta give it everything we've got."

Mikasa stepped forward, her voice calm and steady. "Don't worry, Armin. Be confident. You've got a talent for reasoning out the best solution."

Armin blinked in surprise. "Huh?"

"That intuition has saved my life before," Mikasa continued, a small smile softening her usually stoic expression, "and Eren's life, too."

Armin's eyes widened. "Huh? When?"

A soldier interrupted, stepping forward to announce, "The lift's ready! The guns, too! All of them are loaded!"

Mikasa looked back at Armin, her tone still encouraging. "You just aren't aware yet. I'll tell you more later."

Armin nodded slowly, visibly bolstered by her words. "Okay..."

As the soldiers prepared for the operation, Jeiden took a moment to clean her blades, ensuring they were sharp and ready for the assault. Just then, a familiar face stepped forward, catching her attention.