Unexpected Circumstances

Chapter 2: Survival Games

"Congratulations soldiers, you've made the top 10 rookies of the 104th training corps. Don't think this makes you tough shit now, you all still look like titan chow. So, before you go and choose your branch. You'll be sent on a severe survival exercise that only the best can tackle. You'll be matched with a partner of opposite sex to keep it all fair in war so feel free to devise a contest amongst yourselves, a race if you wish to call it that. Your target destination is an old lookout post in the harsh hilly areas of the region south to our current location. In summer, it's not too bad in warmer seasons but in Winter, you're looking at a completely different story. Blizzards, avalanches, and wolves are the biggest threats to your survival and if you're really unlucky then you'll find yourself face to face with a bear that's royally pissed off. Each pair gets two packs that contains basic equipment such as a hunting knife, camp equipment and rations to last you a couple of days. Food from there is all up to you. Meet me at the southern side of the training fields in exactly 3 hours, good luck soldiers, Hell knows you'll need it."

The top ten cadets had lined up at the starting point of the journey they would soon undertake. "The pairs will be as follows:
- Connie and Sasha
- Reiner and Krista
- Jean and Marco (The only team of boys due to there being one extra boy and one less girl)
- Eren and Annie
- Bertholdt and Mikasa

"These pairs were chosen at random with definitely no bias included whatsoever. Another thing, this may seem like the point at which you'll all start but each pair will each be deposited at a different point entering the challenge," he gestured to four groups of three horses behind them. "Reiner and Krista will start here. The rest of you will go with one of my personal staff each to your designated entrance points. Do me a favour and don't die, you're the top 10 so I expect you to smash this out of the park with maximum efficiency. Once again, good luck soldiers."

"So, partners huh?" Eren and Annie had been trudging through snow for the past two hours, moving forward against the fresh cold wind that bit their faces and grew stronger with each minute. Naturally, Annie just wanted to get this over with, so they silently moved forward towards their destination. "Y'know, it's totally different during Winter. It was so much easier to navigate when we were here in the warmer months. Would be a pain in the ass to get lost out here... Annie?" She feigned ignorance.

"Sorry, did you say something?" He stared blankly at her.

"You very well heard me," he crossed his arms.

"Oh, I don't know about that. This wind is howling oh so loud."

"You talk this much with anyone else?" He growled. She put her thumb under her chin as if she was thinking about it.

"You're the only one with the balls to make proper conversation with me and as annoying as it is, you're an exception."

"I'm pretty sure you sent my balls straight to my lungs a long time ago. That and you've thoroughly annihilated the balls of any guy who fucks with you too much."

"They just needed to learn their place."

"What about Reiner and Bert? Reiner pushes your buttons plenty, but you don't kick his ass as much as others that have done less, what's special with them?"

"They're from my home village. You're pretty observant for a moron, anyone ever tell you that?"

"Nah, you're the first. Everyone else just says I'm a moron."

"I couldn't guess why," he chuffed.

"Whatever, Annie," a faint grin danced across her lips, but her hood concealed her face from Eren's sight.

"We'll have to find decent shelter soon. The wind's picking up again and we'll be stuck in a blizzard before we know it," Annie suggested.

"I remember there being some cave-like overhangs in those hills over there," Eren pointed to a series of hills visible in the distance. "If we can make it there, we can set up camp and wait till morning where we can either go around the forest or shortcut straight through it."

"Worry about the forest later, let's just pick up the pace and find a good spot to sleep," she chided.

"Right," he nodded. "Do you remember if we get our own tents or do we have to share one?"

"Fortunately, we each have our own. I don't need you drooling on me while I sleep thank you."

"Yeah yeah, blah blah. You're hilarious."

"I wasn't joking, Reiner told me you genuinely drool in your sleep."

"Wait, he told you that? What an ass!" he huffed. Annie chose not to respond and kept silent. "You could at least agree with me," he still got no response. "So, I've exhausted your conversation capacity for the day have I? Rightio, to the hills we go," and they continued their voyage through the snowy terrain.