𝙴𝚌𝚕𝚒𝚙𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜~ 𝙰𝙾𝚃

12: The Battle of Trost - (Part - VI)

[ICON]

THE SUN VEILED itself behind a blanket of drifting clouds, its golden rays slipping through the cracks like whispers of warmth.

A soft, hazy glow bathed the Trost District, casting long, diffused shadows and illuminating the stone walls with a gentle, ethereal light.

The air held a quiet stillness, as if the world paused to admire the serene beauty of sunlight embracing the grey sky-a fleeting moment where warmth and melancholy danced together in perfect harmony.

"I'll do it! I don't know if I can seal the wall, but I'll do it," Eren declared, his voice filled with determination.

Commander Pixis smiled, placing a firm hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Well said. You're a real man," he nodded approvingly.

His eyes then drifted past Eren to YN, who was already watching them-or perhaps just watching Eren.

His expression unreadable, but sharp.

Pixis's gaze dropped to the bloodied shirt and torn Survey Corps cloak clinging to YN's frame. With slow, purposeful steps, he approached.

"YN, I heard you led these cadets to the HQ," Pixis said.

"I didn't lead them," YN replied, his tone cool. "They got there on their own. I just helped them kill some Titans along the way."

Pixis let out a low chuckle. "Tell me, YN-where do you see yourself during the operation to seal the gate?"

"Obviously, near Eren," YN said without hesitation. "I'll probably be part of the squad guarding him."

Pixis gave a short laugh at YN's bluntness.

"The hell...? I think the alcohol's messing with his head," YN thought, staring blankly at the commander.

He winced slightly when Pixis patted him on the back.

"You never fail to surprise me, YN. You really are just as Erwin described," Pixis said with a knowing smile.

"So... Commander Erwin talks about me, huh?" YN thought, letting out a quiet sigh as he instinctively caught Pixis by the arm when the older man swayed.

"Easy there, baldy," YN muttered. "If you fall off this wall, people are gonna accuse me of pushing you. And I really don't wanna get blamed just because you decided to drink before battle."

"Don't worry, my boy," Pixis grinned. "I won't die in such a boring way."

Pixis strode toward the edge of the wall, his posture steady despite the flask he'd definitely emptied more than once today.

"I'll call the strategists! We'll develop a plan!" he announced.

Armin gasped softly behind them. "W-We're really moving forward with this? As our actual linchpin strategy...?"

Pixis turned to address the four cadets, his expression sharp and commanding.
"Look sharp, soldiers. The fate of mankind rests on your shoulders."

With that, he began walking again, this time with Eren and YN at his side.

They listened in silence as Pixis spoke, his words drifting between history, politics, and the ugly truths of how humanity treated its own-how races turned on each other, how fear bred cruelty.