Attack On Titan: Darkest Days

Chapter 5: Difficulty

Year 848, the 104th trainee squad is divided into two teams. One is lead by Marco Bott, and the other led by Thomas Wagner. Armin Arlert and Mikasa Ackerman were tasked with recording each individual's performance on their respective teams. The objective was for the teams to meet at a fixed location, and exchange information. Instructed not to rush, the teams are taking it slow.

The galloping of horse hooves drummed in Alma's ears. She looked ahead of her to Marco and Armin, who were quietly conversing. She looked behind her, Connie and Sasha looked extremely bored, Lucas and Mina were talking quietly, Krista stared intently ahead and Jean and Eren were riding slow in the back. Kai was with the other group, but Alma knew he could handle himself.

"So... We're not allowed to rush?" Marco asked, making sure he heard Shadis correctly.

"R-right." Armin replied.

"We'd also be stupid if we did." Jean piped up. "We can take our time."

"You don't know your lower limit. Jean, if you're going to take it slow, then I'm going ahead." Eren announced.

"Wait Eren." Armin protested. Marco held his arm in front of Eren.

"But, the formation of the group.. What do we do Jean?"

He rolled his eyes. "Like I care. Extra effort here won't get me into the Military Police."

Marco sighed. "That's not true.... In any case, lets get on with this exercise."

"It's useless." He persisted.

"Hey, hurry it up will you? Don't you have any endurance for this?" Eren argued.

"It doesn't matter if I'm complaining."

"It would be great if time passed faster in that case." Eren muttered.

"You got that right.. We have a long road ahead of us." Sasha groaned.

"This is so tiresome." There were nods all around.

---------------------------------------------------------Meanwhile--------------------------------------------------------

Thomas's group had stopped to get their bearings, so Kai rested against a rock, taking a sip from his canteen he listened to Mikasa and Thomas.

"If that's true, then we may not be able to get there before nightfall." Thomas observed, looking over the map.

"Then maybe we should head eastward a little?"

"On the other hand, it may be too shady."

Kai stood up. "I say we keep going on this route, if night falls then we set up camp."

Suddenly Mikasa turned violently.

"What is it Mikasa?" Thomas questioned.

She stared for a moment. "It's nothing. It's just me..."

Everyone turned to face her, with confusion evident on their faces.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A lizard scurried along the path beside Jean, who had been eyeing it for a while.

"Geez... That lizard's joining us on the same route, huh."

"It's rare to see that." Marco commented.

"They're delicious you know." Sasha announced.

"What?"

"They really are. My family and I used to eat them. They taste like chicken."

Jean smiled smugly. "You cook?"