[Shout my soldiers!]
Have you ever considered that everything happening in this world is just suffering?
It's tempting to throw in the towel, right? But somehow, there's always something that pulls you back, keeping you tangled up in all the nonsense life throws your way.
Many people think that being part of the circle of destiny is something you can't escape or alter. Because of this belief, those who consistently shine in history are seen as genuinely remarkable individuals.
So, the real question is, are you one of those people?
Armin found himself unable to shake the thought, especially when he believed his life was finally beginning to take a turn for the better. That day, he woke up to a harsh reminder of reality, hitting him like a slap in the face. It was as if everything around him was shrouded in darkness, a chilling emptiness that seeped into his bones. As soon as the name of the Titans echoed through the crowd, his world seemed to lose its brightness, plunging into a shadowy haze.
"It's over!... It's all over. we can't escape this!"
"There's still a hope. The titans are still trapped outside the gate... We need to get moving! I don't want to end up dying in this place!"
"Someone please help me!... Take me to the safest place... Damn those titans! Why do they always seem to follow me no matter where life takes me?"
Men, women, older folks, and kids all blended together in a chaotic rush, making it impossible for Armin to tell one person from another as they filled his line of sight. They were so wrapped up in their own concerns that they completely ignored the struggles of those around them. This self-centeredness led to chaos erupting in the Trost district once more.
Anyone who attempted to bring back some sense of order and ease the tension in the atmosphere was quickly overwhelmed. The only one we could count on now was the government, and among its many arms, there was the soldier.
"Everyone, let's take a moment to just breathe and calm down! Trying to push each other around isn't going to help your situation. You're just going to make the evacuation process more complicated!"
This was the first time Armin had ever shouted so loudly, and he instantly regretted it. Not only did it leave his throat feeling sore, but the sudden attention from everyone around him made a shy bookworm like him feel utterly terrified.
Fortunately, he wasn't by himself. As he spotted Eren and Mikasa sprinting in his direction, Armin felt a wave of relief wash over him, knowing he could count on them. That had been true since they were kids, and he wasn't sure it would be any different now.
"Everyone! Head over to the north side. That's where you'll need to go for evacuation! You all can still make it through!" Eren's shout echoed through the bustling streets, momentarily halting the hurried pace of the crowd.
"Hold on, Eren. If you say that, it's just going to make things even more chaotic," Armin said, a hint of concern in his voice. It seemed like what he was trying to avoid was about to unfold, all because of his friend.
"We can't afford to waste any time right now. Besides, look, this isn't as terrible as you're imagining. So, let's ease up on the worrying."
Armin had always pointed fingers at Eren's stubbornness, but what unfolded before him next left him utterly stunned. Everyone was still shoving each other around, but this time, it felt way better than before.
He finally figured out what was off. Before, he had attempted to impose some order on the situation. Still, without providing them with a clear direction, they just kept colliding with one another, resulting in an endless cycle of chaos.
Once Eren pointed them towards a safe place, the group began to move in that direction, which helped to calm things down significantly.
Feeling like he had finally gotten a satisfactory answer, Armin figured their business here was done. He turned to Mikasa and asked, "Did you manage to find out what really happened?"
"Well, as everyone mentioned, the titans are already outside the gate, but I don't have any more details than that," Mikasa said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. She felt a twinge of annoyance with herself for not being able to contribute more in this situation.
It wasn't just her. Her two friends were on the same page. None of them had actually witnessed what was happening outside the south gate, so they couldn't say for sure if these titans were real.
"Hey, you three! We need to gather as many people as we can. Come on, follow me!"
Out of nowhere, a man emerged from the alley, his cloak pulled low over his head, exuding an air of authority as he barked out orders like he was in charge. They noticed the emblem featuring two wings of freedom on his insignia.
"Armin, what's with the blank stare? You okay?"
Eren and Mikasa, eager to chase after the man, paused for a moment to wake their friend. Before long, Armin came to the realization that the three of them had officially joined the Scout Regiment.
With each steady and resolute step, they set off in pursuit of the man's trail. Running through these narrow alleys stirred up a sense of nostalgia for them. Their shadows, cast against the walls, seemed to stretch and grow alongside them, almost like a reflection of their journey.
They've really come into their own, especially Eren. Despite everything, Mikasa and Armin were determined not to give up. They yearned for their own freedom in a world that felt like a cage, eager to chase after the dreams that tugged at their hearts.
But that moment was fleeting, as they soon found themselves pulling up to a familiar inn. A few nights earlier, they had their inauguration right here. They were also aware that the Scout Regiment used this inn to spend a few nights while in the city.
They found several tidy rows of people ahead, each already donned in the Scout Regiment cloak and with the 3D maneuver gear secured at their waists.
As a few of them turned around and offered friendly gestures to the trio, they recognized those familiar faces. Samuel Jackson, Daz, Mina Carolina, Thomas Wagner, Hannah Diamant, and a whole bunch of others.
Once they had donned their cloaks and strapped on their 3D maneuver gear, the trio stepped into the line, ready for what lay ahead. It was only Armin who noticed something was off, and he couldn't resist asking the person standing in front of him.
"Hey Reiner, I can't seem to find Bertholdt. Do you know where he went?" After waiting for what felt like an eternity without a response, Armin was about to give up when he suddenly heard a sound.
"Why are you asking me?"
"I can tell that you both share a strong bond. During cadet training and also that night, you even registered to become members of the Scout Regiment together."
Armin's reasoning made a lot of sense, and honestly, everyone was already aware of it when it came to their relationship. For some reason, Reiner seemed to have a bit of trouble finding the right words to answer.
"He said that he wasn't feeling well today, so I suggested he just lie down in bed until he felt better," Reiner managed to come up with an excuse on the spot. He thought someone might bring up Bertholdt's absence, but he didn't put much thought into it.
His heart raced as he awaited Armin's next response, and he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief when a concerned friend offered him a little warning.
"I hope he's okay. You should also move him to a safer place, because we don't know if the titans managed to get into this city."
"Y-Yeah, I can take care of that..."
None of the suspicious behavior or the nervousness in Reiner's voice was picked up. Armin found himself at a standstill, unable to continue his conversation as their commander had just arrived, poised to deliver an impassioned speech that promised to ignite the spirit.
"Listen up, my soldiers! The threat before your eyes is real! No matter if you're part of the Scout Regiment or another division, today we stand together as one. We're here to take on the enemies of humanity, ready to push back against the terror they bring!"
"Shout my soldiers!"
"Shout, and make sure the titans hear our roar—it's still alive and strong! We won't allow them to corner us any further, like cattle being herded into a pen!"
"As long as we're still here, as long as there's hope for humanity, we won't let the Trost district go down!"