Attack on Titan: The Covenant of the White Veil

Chapter 1 - Hal

Three Weeks Ago.

The light of dawn seeped through the cobblestone walls, filling the windowless, candlelit bedroom with glorious rays of sunshine. Sultry weather boiled an iron pot of potatoes that sat on the windowsill in the room opposite, steaming up the last remaining unbroken window pane.

Muffled voiced traversed through the walls, losing strength as they reached Hal's dim room. Warmed by the group of candles by his bedside. Twisting and turning in his slumber, readjusting his pillow as he moved. Mumbling incomprehensibly as he stirred.

The oak door creaked open as almost silent footsteps marched through, followed by hushed voices.

Hal groaned as he shifted to face the doorway, eyes flickering as he began to awake. The source of noise froze in place as they stared down at Hal's sweat soaked body.

A sudden, sharp stinging pain surged across his back as he snapped awake. His unfocused eyes darted around the room, settling on the small group of bystanders stood around his bed. Hands dripping in freezing water that soaked into his thin bedsheets.

"What was that for?" Hal shouted, shivering.

Hal's eyes stared at the closest of the crowd, Cohen, holding a now empty bucket.

"You slept through graduation you idiot." Cohen laughed. "The General isn't too happy with ya."

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Cohen asked, glancing at the group.

Laughing with unease, they looked at one another, readjusting their scout jackets. Cohen backhanded the closest to him.

"Well... Vex told us not to. She told us leave you be. Said if you did oversleep, that she'd want to see you." Cohen said, grinning.

Hal sighed as he swung his legs off his bed. Locking eyes with Cohen, staring his uneven face down, smiling as Cohen broke contact.

"Right, let's go guys." Cohen mumbled, gesturing his group out of the small room.

Climbing out of bed, Hal aimlessly looked around his room, searching for his uniform. Catching a glimpse of it poking out of his draw, it's tan colour was soaked in mud. Yanking it out, brushing it down with his bare hands. Grumbling as he looked at the dark stains that remained.

Sliding on a shirt and his arms into the jacket. He stormed out of his room, into the wide, open community hall, connecting all the recruits rooms together. Brightly lit by a wide arrange of windows and candles. The aroma of freshly cooked foods wafted through the air like scented candles, each table was covered in a thick layer of various exotic meals with its own unique smell. Venison, tomato soups and most of all, a large amount of potatoes.

Grabbing an apple on his way out, he took a hefty chunk out of it as he pushed the main door open, allowing more light to fill the hall for a moment. Closing behind him with a thud.

Stepping out into the bustling training camp, almost stampeded down by a pack of unaware trainees, oblivious to anything around them.

"Did you hear? The Hal guy overslept during graduation. They're thinking of kicking him out of the program." One of the trainees whispered as they passed. Glancing behind themselves, frowning as they saw Hal.

Hal saw Aruna in the distance, sitting on a wooden bench, engrossed within a book, reading each line with her finger, slowly combing through the book with haste. Stomping over to her, he towered over, his shadow casting darkness over her book and golden hair.

"Thanks... No really, thanks. I asked you to do one thing. Wake me up. You didn't, why not?" Hal shouted.

Aruna, with the speed of a snail looked up at Hal.