Dawn - Jeankasa

12 | Battle

⚠️ WARNING ⚠️

*this chapter includes minimal gore and violence!!! (also there are changes in the plot but generally follows it for the most part) Also the next chapter will be a part two. I'm sorry for not updating sooner - I've been really busy with school but more chapters are coming soon. Thanks for all your support.

We stood on top of the wall in silent anticipation. I heard the footsteps in the distance, and felt the ground quake with each movement. They were coming. Titans were coming. Every bone in my body was urging me to run, to scream, to do something. My hands instinctively reached down to my blades, quivering. Snap out of it, you've been training for this, I reminded myself. Glancing at the other cadets, they weren't handling it any better. For most of them this would be their first time seeing a titan. The dummies could never truly show the true horror of them - their deformed figures, gleaming eyes, bloodstained teeth. The cadets stared, their eyes fixated on the horizon. Then we saw them. Titans. The boom of the cannons rang in my ears, breaking the trance and we leapt into action. I was about to jump to go stand guard by the gate with the other cadets when I was approached by a member of the more advanced squad, who ordered me to head back and join the squad in the city. I glanced nervously behind me, and nodded silently. I caught Eren's eye as he stood by the cannons, bits of ash smuged across his face. Our eyes locked and I could tell he got the message - stay safe. Armin was with Connie who would hopefully look after him.

I lept off the wall following the scout back into the city. As we ran across the roof, I looked down to see villagers streaming towards the gate. The city was in complete and utter disarray.

The first titan seemed to break through the net that had been put up to cover the hole in the wall, as if there was nothing there at all. It led a parade of its brethren. Most of the cadets had retreated, back inside the interior wall, the cannons obviously being ineffective. In the distance I could just make out Eren, Armin, and several other cadets on a rooftop. Jean was nowhere in sight and I could only hope that he had made it safely along with Samuel. I flew towards a nearby titan, and felt a gust of steam hit my face as I slit its neck. The ugly creature hit the ground with a thud, and I felt my mind clear. I had been training to do this for so long, that finally doing it felt natural.

I spun around at the sound of shrieks coming from the townspeople gathered around the gate and saw a titan running straight for them. Damn it, this one was unusually fast - it managed to get past me without me noticing. I soared towards it along with the rest of the advanced squad.

"This one is an abnormal" one of the squad members called from behind, "there's no way we can get to it in time."

I jetted forward and with a whirling motion, set free a halo of blood from the titans neck, stopping it in its tracks. The villagers stared at me with both horror and relief on their faces . I couldn't help but notice that the gate was blocked.

"What are you doing here? More of you should be through the gate by now."

A man at the center of the crowd spoke "Could you tell these idiots to push my wagon through the gate?"

My eyes narrowed. People were truly awful creatures.

"My comadres and friends are dying back their and you bicker over something as stupid as a wagon?"

"Is your duty as a soldier not to die for the citizens?"

I could barely hide my disgust. With my blades at my sides I walked towards him, and the crowd parted accordingly.

"Have you no understanding of the value of a life? Do you simply take the act of dying to save someone else as normal?"

He sent two guards running at me. I knocked them aside with ease. I lifted my blade and swung it down, stopping just before his neck.

"Move. The. Wagon." I breathed.

He motioned to another one of his companions and the wagon was moved aside. One by one villagers hurried through, emptying out the once crowded street. I watched in silence.

The once blue sky had turned overcast, and droplets of rain begin to fall. Filling the air with grey fog. I'd never liked the rain. It always brought back memories of things I'd rather forget.

"Good work, I'm impressed," murmured the advanced group leader, walking over.

"Thank you" I replied mildly.

"We should scale the wall."

"I'm just going to check on someone first."Before he could respond I flew off into the distance, wincing as raindrops hit my face.

I came to the roof where I noticed a group of cadets gathered. My eyes came across Jean and I practically tackled him pulling him into a hug. It was cut short the moment I heard the sobs of Armin. I felt my face go pale. He wouldn't meet my gaze. He was sobbing uncontrollably repeating that he was sorry over and over.

I wanted to ask him what had happened, but then I noticed the gaze of the other cadets fixed on me.

"What's the matter?"

"A bunch of cadets are trapped in that building over there...it's completely surrounded" Jean said, gesturing to a building in the distance.

"I can do it."

"Do what?" one of the cadets asked.

"Lead the attack," I said.

"There's too many of them," Jean warned.

"What difference does it make? Just know this: the only way to live is by beating them" I sighed. I didn't have any more time to waste. If they wouldn't join me I would go myself. I leapt straight for the building and hoped the others would follow.

...........

I flew forward, blades in hand, ready to strike at a moment's notice. I figured taking them by surprise was better than trying to sneak in. From what I could tell there were around 20 titans. Glancing back, I noticed Jean and Connie following behind, leading Sasha, Armin, Annie, as well as Riener and Bertholdt. At least I won't be in this alone. As I sped through the streets I noticed a titan crossing right in front of me. Perfect timing. In a turning motion I slid my blades through its neck, and moved on. I paid the burning sensation in my hands from the no mind. I'd have to get used to it to become a full fledged scout.

It was a weird sensation, flying through the air. I knew I was being reckless but it felt relieving. Suddenly, the engine sputtered and came to a complete halt. Before I knew it I was falling, rushing towards the red tile roof that lay below.