34 The Breach of Trost

"Dedicate your hearts!" His words hung in the air for a moment before the cadets responded in unison, their voices ringing out with conviction and patriotism.

They stood at attention, their arms snapping up in a crisp salute.

"Yes, sir!"

The sound of their unified response echoed through the training ground, filling Shadis with pride and hope for the future of humanity.

As Shadis went on with his detailed explanation of how all the trainees who successfully passed the rigorous training corps could select three preferred military branches, Eren's mind wandered off, uninterested in the other options. He couldn't help but fixate on the only branch that truly mattered to him, the Survey Corps.

"Number ten is Krista Lenz." Suddenly, Historia's face lit up like the sun, and a beaming smile spread across her face. She couldn't contain her excitement and almost punched the air in delight. Ymir watched with pride as her friend's name was called out, feeling a sense of joy in her heart; even Eren was proud of her.

"Number nine is Sasha Blouse." The relief that flooded through her was overwhelming, and she let out a deep sigh as the weight of her worry lifted off her shoulders. She knew she would never again have to worry about going hungry.

"Number eight is Connie Springer." The Shorty sighed in relief; he couldn't wait to see his parent's faces; he knew they would be proud of him.

"Number seven is Marco Bott." With a swift movement, Marco wiped away the beads of sweat from his forehead, and with a confident smile, he stepped forward, knowing he could serve the king.

"Number six is Jean Kirstein." Jean couldn't help but glare at Eren, knowing the suicidal bastard had shown better skills than him, but nonetheless, he was looking forward to joining the Military Police.

"Number five is Annie Leonhart." The cold girl named Annie kept her stoic face, refusing to show emotion. But as she glanced briefly at Eren, she couldn't help but feel a small spark of something.

"Number four is Bertolt Hoover." his back was straight, and his eyes were fixed firmly on the horizon; he couldn't help but look up at the sky, wondering how much longer this mission would last.

"Number Three is Eren Yeager." Eren looked forward with unyielding determination, knowing their counterattack would start soon; he remembered the plan to bring out the Colossal and the Armored Titan.

"Number Two is Reiner Braun." He briefly glanced at Krista before looking south, knowing all this would end soon, and he would return home, back to his family.

"Number One is Mikasa Ackerman." the cadets in the top 10 lined up in perfect formation, their uniforms crisp and their faces determined. The instructor, a stern figure with years of experience, stood at the front of the line, his eyes scanning each cadet as they saluted him in unison. Shadis, the veteran instructor, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he watched his students demonstrate their discipline and dedication. However, his thoughts soon turned to Eren, the young cadet who had worked tirelessly to earn his place as the third-ranked cadet. Shadis knew that the world beyond the walls was harsh and unforgiving, and he couldn't help but worry about Eren's future. Despite his concerns, Shadis had faith in his student's abilities.

With a resounding voice, he told them that tonight was a special night, a night for celebration, as they had just become soldiers and were now ready to give their lives for the noble cause of protecting Humanity. The majority of the new soldiers cheered; their hearts swelled with pride and excitement, for they knew the weight of their new responsibility and the honor that came with it. Among them was Sasha, her eyes shining with elation. But, as her stomach growled hungrily, she couldn't help but think of the delicious meat dishes she could now enjoy, a luxury that was previously unavailable to her.

Eren didn't really care much about the celebration, but he wouldn't mind spending more time with Mikasa, Historia, and the others. As the new soldiers marched into their common room, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. For the past three years, this room had been their sanctuary, a place where they had shared countless meals, laughs, and camaraderie as cadets.

Eren's eyes scanned the room, searching for an empty table where he could settle. Finally, he spotted a vacant table in the corner of the room and made a beeline for it, eager to claim his spot. Mikasa followed closely behind him and took a seat to his right. Across the table, Historia settled down, her eyes alight with curiosity. Ymir joined them, taking a seat on Historia's left.

As Armin and Mina sat side by side at the table, their fingers intertwined in a loving embrace, their eyes locked in a gaze that spoke volumes without a single word. The gentle squeeze of their hands, the soft touch of their skin, and the warmth of their palms against each other sent shivers down their spines, making them feel as if they were the only two people in the room. Though the world around them was bustling with noise and activity, they were lost in their own little world, a world where the touch of their hands was enough to convey their love and affection for each other.

Within moments of receiving the request to prepare a meal for the new soldiers, the skilled chef and his team of three helpers sprang into action, bustling about the kitchen with a flurry of activity as they carefully selected the freshest ingredients and spices to craft a hearty and nourishing feast. Finally, after much meticulous preparation, they emerged from the kitchen with steaming bowls of savory stew, fragrant loaves of bread fresh from the oven, and jugs brimming with frothy, low-quality beer. Despite the food not being of the highest quality, Eren and his fellow soldiers were grateful for this warm meal, considering the scarce resources they had been surviving on for the past three years. As soon as the jugs of beer were placed on the table, the soldiers eagerly grabbed them and started drinking, relishing life's simple pleasures.

"Annie, do you want to sit with us?" offered a warm invitation to the cold-looking blonde girl with a gentle smile on his face, Annie as she stood alone, holding a square plate filled with freshly baked bread and a steaming hot plate of hearty stew with small chunks of tender meat on it.

Annie felt a tingle of satisfaction as she noticed Eren's gaze on her before her own eyes flickered toward him but quickly settled on Mikasa, who was shooting daggers at her with her piercing glare. The tension between them was palpable, and Annie knew their fight had yet to be resolved. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of triumph for spending alone time with Eren in the woods, knowing that it would only fuel Mikasa's fiery jealousy.

Annie was convinced that it was Ymir who had spread the rumors, but she had no concrete proof to back up her suspicions. Despite the rumors circulating, Annie was surprisingly unfazed by the whole situation. She had always been a bit of a rebel, and the thought of everyone knowing her business didn't bother her in the slightest.

"Sure, I'm sure Mikasa won't mind," Annie said with a sly smile, knowing full well that Mikasa was not a fan of her. Mikasa growled from her seat, making it clear that she didn't appreciate Annie's presence. Despite Mikasa's obvious annoyance, Annie carefully sat on her right side, not bothering to hide that she knew how much it bothered Mikasa. It was clear to everyone that Annie and Mikasa were not on good terms, but Annie didn't seem to mind in the slightest.

Ymir smiled in amusement; with her cheek resting on the palm of her hand, Ymir's elbow propped against the table's surface while her other arm wrapped around Historia's waist, pulling her in closer. Ymir couldn't help but feel content as she basked in the warmth of Historia's embrace.

Ymir leaned back in her chair, surprised to see Annie sauntering over to their usual lunch table. It wasn't that she disliked Annie, but the blonde had been absent from their group for the past three years, always opting to sit alone. Ymir couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this sudden change in seating arrangements. Nevertheless, she welcomed the addition, knowing that Annie's dry humor would only add to their conversations. As they chatted and laughed, Ymir couldn't help but notice the way Mikasa kept shooting Annie sidelong glances. Ymir found it amusing nonetheless.

"So, Annie, you are joining the Military Police?" Eren asked casually, but more like stating the obvious; almost everyone knew which Military branch their fellow soldiers would join; even for people like Annie, who was mostly quiet, people knew she was going to join the Military Police. Everyone else besides Eren and his group of friends would join the Garrison, even Floch, who had shown decent skills, had told Jean that he would join the Garrison.

"Military Police, it's the safest. The chances of survival there are high, and as long as I play along, I should be fine." As she spoke, she reached for a cup filled with bitter tea and took a small sip from it, contemplating the magnitude of her decision.

Eren looked slightly dejected at her answer; after a year of being together, Eren had hoped Annie would join the Survey Corps; hell, from all the people Eren knew, he had thought of telling Annie the truth about his Titan Abilities; he trusted her, in his eyes, Annie was a girl with a bad past, and perhaps forced to do things she wasn't proud of. Still, Eren believed she had a good heart.

But Armin had quickly told him that he should wait until the Armored and Colossal Titan were revealed; they didn't know their identities; it could be anyone; Eren refused to believe that any of his close friends would be one of the enemy shifters, but at the same time he knew Armin had made a good point, for this reason, he had decided to wait.

' Looking up from the mountains of paperwork that cluttered his desk, Commander Erwin leaned forward, his keen gaze fixed on the young cadet. "Cadet Armin, you said you have a plan to force the Armored and Colossal Titan to reveal themselves?" Commander Erwin questioned, sitting behind his desk, a mountain of papers lying on his desk; he had invited those that knew the truth to discuss their plans for the future. One month later, Armin, Eren, and the other cadets would graduate. As Levi stood stoically at Erwin's side, his eyes intently focused on the conversation at hand, Mike found himself growing restless as he leaned nonchalantly against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him and his gaze drifting towards Armin.

"Once we graduate, we will join the Survey Corps as discussed. On the first expedition, Eren will reveal himself as a Titan Shifter, the information will spread, the enemy shifters will be forced to react, and they will try to kidnap Eren," Armin suggested, laying his hands on the table; Mikasa and Eren nodded in agreement.

"I thought about it as well, and it's a good plan, but we also need to take into account that the lords and the military police will want custody of Eren in order to get rid of him." Erwin quickly pointed out. Mikasa suddenly had a murderous look on her face; she wouldn't allow anyone to touch Eren, let alone harm him; Eren placed his hand gently on her shoulder, his touch calming her down almost instantly. With a deep breath, Mikasa slowly calmed down, her murderous look softening as she looked up at Eren.

As Levi stood there beside Erwin, observing Mikasa's reaction to the mere mention of Eren being in danger, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. He clicked his tongue in frustration as he knew this was a recurring issue that needed to be addressed sooner rather than later. Despite his frustration, he did not comment on Mikasa's behavior, recognizing that Eren was still a young brat who held a special place in her heart. However, Levi couldn't help but wonder if Mikasa would ever learn to control her emotions and not let them get the best of her when it came to Eren. After all, as a skilled soldier, she needed to maintain her composure and focus on the mission at hand, regardless of any personal connections.

"That's not really a problem. We will get rid of the current government, eventually. The King wants nothing but our extension. But what if the Armored and the Colossal still decide to sit on their asses and do nothing even after Eren shows himself." Levi quickly reasoned; his question made Armin pause, but not Erwin.

"That changes little. If they decide to stay put, we will reclaim Wall Maria, including Shiganshina. Once Doctor Grisha's basement is discovered, we will make the knowledge public to the people inside the Wall, but I highly doubt the Armour and Colossal will decide to do nothing."

As Eren sat alone with his thoughts. Suddenly, a low groan broke through the silence, snapping him back to reality. His green eyes darted toward the source of the sound, and he saw Annie standing nearby, making a disgusted gesture as if she was pinching her nose in response to something Mikasa had done. The scene before him was both perplexing and intriguing, and Eren couldn't help but wonder what had happened between the two girls to cause such a reaction.

Annie's voice dripped with disdain as she raised an eyebrow and asked Mikasa, "When was the last time you washed your scarf?" Her tone was laced with mockery as she continued, "I'm surprised you can even breathe with that thing around your neck." Mikasa's fists clenched at her sides, her eyes narrowing into slits as she glared furiously at Annie. Eren could feel the tension growing between the two girls, the air thick with animosity. He half expected Mikasa to lash out and punch Annie, but she remained frozen in place, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. The red scarf in question hung around Mikasa's neck like a badge of honor, a symbol of the bond she shared with Eren and her commitment to protecting him at all costs.

"When was the last time you showed any human emotions?" she asked pointedly, her piercing gaze fixed on Annie's stoic expression. Ymir let out a low whistle of admiration, impressed by Mikasa's boldness. Meanwhile, Historia watched the exchange with a furrowed brow, silently hoping Mikasa wouldn't start a fight on what should have been a celebratory occasion.

Usually, Annie would simply scoff at Mikasa for her stupid comment about 'human emotions,' but this time, she smirked slyly before leaning a bit closer to Mikasa. "Two days ago in the forest, when I had Eren's face buried between my thighs." She answered with a proud smile on her face, especially when Mikasa let out a low gasp, her face blushing and turning to look at Eren with a look of almost betrayal. Annie's voice had been quiet enough for the rest not to hear but loud enough for those sitting around the table to hear.

Ymir let out an impressed whistle; she had to give it to Eren; Annie was beautiful and deadly, the best combination, especially that ass, many times Ymir had found herself looking at it from afar and wondering what it would be like to run her fingers over that smooth, firm flesh and feel the power that lay beneath the deceptively delicate exterior. Historia blushed slightly, her brain reminding her when Eren had done the same to her; Eren, on the other hand, blushed before looking away from Mikasa.

Annie relished being the one in control, taking charge of every move, and being the one on top, especially when it came to riding Eren's cock. Her confidence was palpable as she owned every moment, making sure to leave her mark on every experience. In training, Annie's strength and determination were unmatched, pushing herself to the limit and surpassing her own expectations. And in bed, she was an unstoppable force, taking Eren to new heights of pleasure.

Mikasa wasn't really angry with Eren for sleeping with Annie; she had known it after all, but two days ago, she had wanted to be with Eren, but Annie had told her that she and Eren needed to train together. Eren had agreed and had gone with Annie instead of going with Mikasa.

Mikasa now understood they hadn't trained, instead used the trees for something else.

"Come on, Mikasa, admit it, you're still green with envy because you can't defeat me," Annie added with a twisted smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she taunted her rival. Mikasa turned to glare at her with a scowl etched on her face, her jaw clenching in frustration. Annie held her ground and prepared herself to block a fist or something when Armin decided to intervene.

"Enough now. We are here to celebrate, not fight each other." Armin quickly said before looking over at Eren for help. The latter simply whispered something to Mikasa; the Ackerman girl, still glaring at Annie, decided to step down as Annie smirked triumphantly as if she had just won a point.

"Bowl Head is right. We should drink!" However, her excitement was met with a deadpan look from Armin, who couldn't help but roll his eyes at the absurd nickname. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but chuckle under his breath as he watched her take a swig from the jug, reveling in the carefree atmosphere. Armin touched his own hair and turned to look at Mina.

As Armin nervously fidgeted with his hair, his girlfriend's gentle voice broke through his anxious thoughts, "Your hair is perfect, Armin." With a smile as cute as a button, she reached out to fix a stray lock of his hair before planting a soft, tender kiss on his cheek. Armin felt his heart swell with warmth as he gazed into her sparkling eyes, admiring the way she always knew how to put him at ease with just a few simple words and a loving touch.

As Ymir's hand wrapped around the handle of the heavy jug, she couldn't help but feel the excitement bubble up inside her. The frothy golden liquid sloshed against the sides, creating a symphony of sound that only heightened her anticipation. She turned to face Historia, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she extended the jug toward her. "Drink up, my dear Historia," she teased, a sly grin dancing across her lips. But Historia hesitated, her uncertainty etched across her delicate features. She glanced nervously at the beer, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

What if she got drunk and accidentally turned into a Titan? Ymir had already snatched the jug and forcefully thrust it towards Historia's lips, not allowing her a moment to consider the consequences. The bitter liquid burned as it trickled down her throat, and Historia could feel her head growing dizzy as she struggled to keep up with Ymir's relentless pace. Just as she was about to protest, Ymir yanked the jug away, leaving Historia gasping for air and feeling more disoriented. The latter gasped as the crisp breeze filled her lungs; she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, the sweet oxygen a welcome reprieve from the stale, boozy atmosphere of the crowded party. As she took in deep, ragged breaths, she felt the familiar burn of alcohol coursing through her veins, making her head spin and her stomach churn. Despite her discomfort, however, Historia couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration at the wildness. Beer spilled from her lips and dripped down her chin, cascading onto the floor below in a frothy, amber stream.

"Ymir, you're crazy!" at her dear friend's seemingly reckless behavior of consuming large amounts of beer, Ymir couldn't help but laugh boisterously, still clutching onto the jug of bubbly liquid with a tight grip, as if it was her only source of comfort in this world. Despite the disapproving gaze and scolding tone from her friend, Ymir felt liberated and carefree, relishing in the moment of pure bliss and indulgence. Meanwhile, Eren, Mikasa, and Annie were apparently talking with each other about stupid things.

With tears streaming down her face and a look of disappointment etched on her countenance, Sasha suddenly shouted, "There's no meat!" She gripped the sides of her head with both hands, messing up her hair in the process. Her heart had been set on devouring a hearty stew with chunks of juicy meat when she joined the army, but instead, she found herself staring down at a bowl of stew with small and almost undetectable meat chunks. She had hoped to savor the taste of succulent meat as a reward for becoming a soldier, but all her dreams had been shattered with that one statement. The little meat in the stew was barely enough to satisfy her hunger, leaving her feeling disappointed and frustrated. Several soldiers laughed at her antics; Connie, who was sitting beside her, rolled his eyes.

"Bahh, don't worry. Once you enter the Military Police, you won't have to worry about food anymore." Connie reminded Sasha, hoping to make Potatogirl smile; his words had the desired effect of making Sasha laugh bitterly.

Sasha grabbed a loaf of bread, tearing off a piece and dipping it into the hearty stew that bubbled on the wooden table. As she took the first bite, a warm sensation spread throughout her body, and she couldn't help but hum in contentment. As she chewed, she couldn't help but daydream about that juicy steak she had been craving for weeks. Her mind wandered to the tender meat, perfectly seasoned and cooked, and her mouth watered at the thought. She was so famished that she could have devoured an entire cow by herself if given the chance. Despite the thought, she savored the stew, enjoying its richness and comfort.

As the sun set on the army base, the common room was filled with the boisterous cheers of new soldiers who were celebrating their hard-earned success of passing the grueling training and being initiated into the prestigious rank of soldiers. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly-brewed beer, and the sound of bottles clinking together in merriment echoed through the room. The walls vibrated with the laughter of the inebriated soldiers could be heard from far away. The scene was a perfect picture of camaraderie as the soldiers congratulated each other, shared stories of their experiences during the training, and raised their glasses in a toast to their bright future ahead. Despite the fact that many were already tipsy, the revelry showed no signs of slowing down as they continued to dance and sing. The jolly atmosphere was interrupted when Samuel shouted. "We can't defeat them."

Everyone's attention turned to Eren, who stood up, looking at Samuel with unyielding determination, his eyes almost ablaze.

"Five years ago, everyone inside the Walls believed the Walls would protect us. Many believed that as long as we were inside the Walls, we were safe. Five years ago, The Colossal and The Armoured appeared and Destroyed the gate. That day we all saw that those Walls are not indestructible and that living inside the Walls is not the safe haven that we all thought it was." Eren stopped talking, letting his words sink in, many soldiers had solemn faces, but everyone was listening to Eren; all of them fell silent; among them, a certain red-haired soldier with a questionable haircut appeared to be particularly impacted by Eren's words, his eyes reflecting a mix of fear and determination.

"The walls will fall if we do nothing. It is not a matter of if but when. If we don't fight, we will lose. If we lose, we die. Only if we fight can we Win. Whenever it awaits us beyond the wall, it might be heaven or maybe just another hell, but only those That Keep Moving Forward Will Ever Know, and that's what I will do." Eren's piercing green eyes seemed to almost glitter in the flickering candlelight.

"I will keep moving forward. Until I destroy all My Enemies." Eren's words made everyone go silent, leaving his comrades in silence and many of them feeling a chill run down their spines. His words were charged with a fervor that made it clear he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal. However, three individuals in particular, Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, and Annie Leonhart, felt their nerves on edge, their bodies breaking out in a cold sweat as if Eren's words were directed solely at them as if he suddenly declared a War.

Looking around, he saw none of them wanted to counter him; he turned on his heels and began to make his way towards the door, his footsteps echoing loudly in the stillness of the room, leaving the common room; everyone else except Eren's friends didn't know what to make of Eren's words; Mikasa sprang to her feet and bolted towards the door, eager to catch up with Eren.

Historia, sensing the urgency in Mikasa's movements, also moved to join them outside, but before she could make a move, Ymir's strong hand grasped her shoulder, holding her back. With a sharp intake of breath, Historia turned to face Ymir, confused and slightly annoyed, wondering why she was being held back. Sensing her friend's confusion, Ymir took a deep breath and explained that Eren needed to be alone with Mikasa right now and that there were things they needed to discuss in private. With a nod of recognition, Historia reluctantly stepped back.

Annie and Reiner noticed that the way Eren spoke, his words weren't towards the Titans but instead to all his enemies, including humans. After a few minutes, the new soldiers gradually began to chatter once more, but their conversations now were laced with speculation and debate about the veracity of Eren's words. Some dismissed his words as the ramblings of a madman, while others couldn't help but wonder if there was some truth to his warnings. Some soldiers mocked Eren, jeering at him for his supposed delusions, while others quietly pondered the possibility that he might be right.

As Jean sat there, feeling the weight of his exhaustion, his cheek rested heavily against his palm as his mind wandered to the words of Eren. The words reverberated through his mind like the chimes of a resonant bell, echoing endlessly and refusing to fade away. Ever since he had laid eyes on the monstrous chained Titan, Jean couldn't stop thinking about Eren's words and how they all needed to fight together to defeat the Titans.

Since that day, Jean had dreamed of the Colossal Titan destroying Wall Rose and Wall Sina; In these dreams, Jean found himself being devoured by the Titans, feeling the crushing pressure of their jaws closing in on him. But the true horror of these visions was the sight of his friends, one by one, falling to the Titans' brutal attacks, their screams echoing in his mind long after he awoke. Despite his efforts to shake these nightmares, they persisted, haunting him day and night, a constant reminder of the unforgiving world they lived in and the fragility of human life.

Jean felt powerless as he watched the Titan's massive jaws clamp down tightly on his mother, crushing her bones and tearing her flesh apart. Blood splattered everywhere, creating a gruesome and macabre waterfall that seemed to swallow everything in its path. Despite his desperate attempts to intervene, Jean was frozen in place, unable to save his beloved mother from this nightmarish fate. The image of his mother's gruesome demise burned itself into his memory, haunting him long after he woke up from this terrible dream.

Damn you, suicidal bastard, Jean thought with clenched teeth before deciding to go outside and take a breath of fresh air; perhaps he needed to calm himself.

Eren Yeager

As Eren stood still, the gentle wind of the night brushed against his face, bringing with it the scent of the surrounding forests. He gazed fixedly at Wall Rose, which loomed in the distance like a giant sentinel, guarding them against the Titans that lurked beyond. The rustling of leaves beneath his feet was the only sound he had heard until the soft footsteps approached him from behind. Eren knew that it was Mikasa without having to turn around, for he was accustomed to her presence, and her aura was distinct to him.

"Before you ask," he said, turning his head slightly to glance at her, "I'm fine. I just needed to cool my head." Mikasa let out a small sigh of relief, grateful that Eren was at least willing to share his thoughts with her. She wordlessly walked up to stand beside him, the two of them looking out over the vast expanse of land that lay before them.

"You always get a little emotional whenever freedom and exploring the outside world is brought up," Mikasa said, slightly concerned; she wasn't as concerned as she used to be for him, but she still cared for him and always would.

As she stood next to Eren, her eyes gazed up at the radiant moon above them, casting a heavenly glow on them. Without hesitation, she reached out and grasped his hand firmly, feeling his warm skin against hers as their fingers intertwined, creating a perfect union. They both looked up at the sky, feeling the cool breeze on their faces and the soft light of the moon shining down on them, illuminating their love and the bond that they shared.

"I'm alright, Mikasa," he said softly in an attempt to reassure her. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned to face her. His hand went to her scarf, which had come loose, and he gently re-wrapped it around her neck. As he did so, he couldn't help but notice the blush on her cheeks.

"I will wrap this scarf around you as many times as you want," he promised, his voice husky and low. Mikasa looked up at him, her eyes shining with gratitude and affection, and leaned in to kiss him. Their lips met with a fiery intensity, a passion that had been burning within them for far too long. Mikasa's hands roamed over Eren's back, pulling him closer as Eren's hands cupped her face.

They broke the kiss for a moment, their breaths labored, and Eren whispered, "I love you, Mikasa." Mikasa's heart swelled with emotion, and she kissed him again, this time with as much passion as she could muster. She moaned into the kiss when she felt Eren's hands moving down to squeeze her ass, sending waves of pleasure through her body. They pulled away from each other, their faces flushed and their bodies intertwined. Eren wrapped his arm around Mikasa's waist, holding her close, lost in the moment and in each other's love.

From a distance, Jean could see Mikasa and Eren kissing; he smiled bitterly before looking away, not wanting to interrupt them. You might be a suicidal bastard, but I hope you don't die, Eren Yeager; if anything, I hope one day I will get to hear how with your help, Wall Maria was reclaimed, Jean thought before walking back inside, hoping Eren was smart enough never to break Mikasa's heart.

Tomorrow

As the sun began to rise above the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the world, the members of the Survey Corps eagerly began their routine preparations for their mission. With each of them donning their signature green capes and maneuvering gear, they set out on their journey outside the towering walls of Wall Rose, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead. As they made their way towards their destination, Eren and his friends found themselves tasked with an important job - cleaning the new cannons that had been installed on top of Wall Rose. Working diligently, they scrubbed away the dirt and grime that had accumulated on the weapons, their muscles flexing as they exerted themselves under the bright blue sky; many of them were mostly just lazing around and instead wanted to enjoy the view.

After a small commotion from Sasha, who apparently had stolen meat, everyone returned back to their duties. Eren was cleaning the cannons along with his friends; now that he was officially a soldier, he could finally reveal himself.

Mikasa had already progressed a lot using her Titan, with teeth almost as strong as a Jaw Titan and the agility and flexibility of the Female Titan, which made Mikasa's Titan a pretty strong opponent; the only downside was her getting extremely tired after using it, the first time it took three whole days for Mikasa to wake up, now it took one whole day but still was the last card use, either win or lose situation.

Eren could still feel it whenever either Mike or Levi turned into Titans; now he could feel Ian, too, whenever he transformed, same as Levi and Mike. Rico had yet to become a Titan Shifter since she had joined the military four years ago, and Erwin wasn't sure yet if she was trustworthy. Ian, on the other hand, had joined the military nine years ago, so that made him trustworthy to possess the power of one of the nine Titans.

As he stood atop the towering Wall Rose, Eren took a moment to inhale a deep breath of crisp, refreshing air, feeling the tension in his muscles slowly dissipate. His eyes scanned the vast expanse of lush, green landscape that stretched out before him as far as the eye could see. The verdant fields, dotted with clusters of trees and punctuated by winding rivers, seemed to go on forever, their vibrant hues a stark contrast to the cold, hard stone beneath his feet. Eren wondered whether or not he should tell Annie about him being a Titan Shifter; he knew she was trustworthy, at least he hoped she was.

He hadn't made much progress regarding finding the ones responsible for destroying Wall Maria; he was suspicious of a few of them, thanks to Armin, but no actual proof.

'Soon, we will bring the war to them,' Eren thought with determination; he escaped his thoughts when he heard the voice of Connie.

"Eren, come on, let's clean the cannons," he called. Eren, who was just about to turn around, was suddenly interrupted by a bright yellow flash of lightning that struck perilously close to Wall Rose, causing the ground to shake and the soldiers to stumble.

In the blink of an eye, a massive head, devoid of skin, emerged from the depths of the earth and blocked their view of the once vast and beautiful expanse. Eren, Connie, and Sasha were frozen in terror, their hearts pounding in their chests as they realized the true horror of what was before them. The Colossal Titan, the towering monster that had destroyed Wall Maria five years ago, had appeared right in front of them, its twisted and grotesque face leering down at them with a look of malevolent glee. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as the young soldiers tried to comprehend the enormity of what was happening. Eren was the first to regain his composure.

"Everyone, watch out!" Eren shouted, his voice strained as he tried to warn his comrades of the impending danger. But it was too late - the scorching steam from the Titan's body struck them with full force, causing them to lose their balance and fall over the wall. However, Eren's quick reflexes and training as a soldier kicked in, and he swiftly activated his ODM Gear, using his grappling hook to attach himself to the side of the wall and avoid falling to his death. As he hung there, suspended in mid-air, Eren's mind raced with thoughts of Turning into a Titan and capturing the Colossal Titan.

Before Eren could think of doing something, everyone Suddenly heard a loud sound echoing throughout the entire city of Trost; looking over his shoulder, Eren saw the debris from the gate of Wall Rose hurtling through the air, uncontrollably crashing into the city below. The force of the impact was so great that it instantly destroyed many of the houses in its path, and tragically, several unlucky people lost their lives. Eren couldn't believe his eyes as he watched the chaos unfold.

"The Wall is Destroyed."

"Ohh God, No. We are all Dead." The new soldiers shouted in fear.

Eren suddenly remembered his mother's death, his anger boiling on the surface, gritting his teeth in anger; No, I Won't allow him to get away, he thought with fury.

"Sasha, get Samuel out of here, everyone. The Colossal Titan is right here, don't let him get away. We kill him right here." Eren ordered everyone, the others looked at him, frightened at the thought of fighting the Colossal Titan, but Eren didn't bother to wait.

With swift and agile movements, Eren activated his ODM Gear, using the grappling hooks to latch onto the city's walls. As he ascended, he felt the thrill of the wind in his hair and the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Finally, he reached the top of the wall, drawing his gleaming swords as his feet touched the solid surface. Before him loomed the massive form of the Colossal Titan.

Eren looked up at Colossal's Titan face with fury. His emerald green eyes glittered like precious gems in the sunlight, emanating a fierce determination and unyielding power that seemed to pulse through his veins. His gaze never faltered as he spoke in a low, rumbling voice, "Hey, it's been five years."