Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 1: The Second Coming

Everything is well. Too well. As if nothing tragic happened 5 years ago.

With the saturated sky remaining undisturbed by smoke signals, it helped ease the townspeople's minds. It’s so peaceful that they thought they’re living in a different world. A world without fear, without tragedy, and most of all, without titans. 

You know those times when you feel like things are too good to be true? You feel unnerved by the peacefulness of life which is kind of ironic. That same feeling occurs in the mind of a Garrison soldier. The soldier who gets too skeptical in good times.

The view beyond the walls is nothing compared to what’s inside, just like what Stormi thought. She wandered on top of the wall and deprived herself from interacting with the newly graduated cadets who were assigned to the same area. She wouldn’t know them if it weren’t from Marco, a very close friend whom she always treated as her younger brother, and who’s also one of their batchmates.

It’s been like what? 5 years already since the destruction of wall Maria?

Stormi Aster casually leaned against one of the cannons near her with arms crossed, as she pondered about the past incident. An event that’s way too impossible to forget, especially to the victims involved. It is natural to shudder when people recall it, but it’s a different matter for her.

Boy, I'm glad it happened. I don’t need to go back to that hell hole anymore, nor to that– She sighs and shakes her head before continuing, …forget it. Nobody needs to know.

People would be against her words if they heard her so she kept it to herself.

The view on the horizon doesn’t bore Stormi. It was one of the reasons why she wanted to join the Garrison. She just wants to spend her time walking above all else as if she could reach the clouds in the sky and witness the sun set behind the silhouette of trees.

Until when will I remain hesitant to what I truly wanted?Am I even on the right path? A flock of birds soars high above her head, like endless questions that overwhelms her. 

She proceeds to check the cannons if they were clean and well prepared since she was deployed early in the morning to monitor the artillery in that area. Supervising the other cadets was also given as an extra task to her while she stayed at her post. 

She could hear the cadets enjoying a conversation a few meters away from her. One of them took out a huge piece of meat that was hidden underneath her uniform jacket which doesn’t really surprise Stormi at all.

“Ah… typical Sasha and her hunger strike. Surely reminds me of the good ol times. ” Stormi chuckled softly while reminiscing about her past year as a cadet with her best friend, Hailey. She shook her head and went back to mind her own business. 

Being older than Marco and his batchmates doesn’t really change the way she acts towards them. 

Socializing with younger people makes her look like she’s born for it, but in her preference she gravitates towards the old and wise ones. The root of it must be from growing up as an only child with her parents and grandmother. 

Although mingling with other people seems natural for her, she can’t deny that she always seeks solace and often disconnects from the world. It’s true that she almost seemed satisfied with the life she currently has, but that was just a facade. Her invading thoughts bother her ever since she joined the Garrison. Knowing that something terrible has happened before, the possibility of it repeating is not zero, and this idea never left her mind.

I bet there’s something worse in store for us, and that tragedy back then was just the beginning.

As Stormi contemplated in depth, a dreadful feeling abruptly built up its way inside her, as if there was something dangerous that was about to happen. Alerted by her guts, she observes her surroundings, hoping she’s just being paranoid as she always has been. Her eyes shot up from left to right and her hands balled into fists.

She couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling, so she approached the cadets until something made her freeze in her tracks. 

The head of the colossal titan materialized out of thin air, gazing straight at the cadets who were also caught off guard with its unannounced appearance. They were stunned, frozen in shock.

“Hey! Get out of there!” Stormi called out to them, but it’s too late already.

The colossal titan breached the wall easily with its powerful kick and made huge debris shoot up in the air before crashing to the town that was just recently undisrupted. 

A new hole on the wall was created and it horrified everyone who witnessed it. The colossal’s ambush doesn’t end there though. Its enormous hand also wiped the cannons, destroying anything that it touches on top of the wall, including the railroads. 

The harsh air current coming from the colossal’s attack forced the cadets and Stormi to be blown away. She crossed her arms to shield her face and quickly used her ODM gear to pierce through the wall to break her fall. Thanks to her small body structure, it prevented her from taking a solid impact when she swung against the cement. However, this doesn’t exclude her from getting a bruise on her right arm.

“Ugh!” Stormi grunts and wipes the dust from her eyes in annoyance.

One of the cadets fell down unconsciously and was fortunate to be saved, thanks to Sasha’s quick thinking and reflex.

Stormi stared at the colossal and snickered, hiding her fear with a sarcastic remark in her head. So that’s how you look, huh? Totally interesting.  

The cadet who has a fierce look in his teal green eyes charged towards the titan without any hesitation. She thought what a big fool Eren is. Still, she followed him to the top of the wall instead of just hanging around. When she climbed up, she noticed that the cannons were turned to shreds and were useless. The regular titans in different heights also began to enter the breached wall, a sign of additional trouble.

When Eren managed to move closer and get behind the colossal titan to slice its nape off, they were surprised to see the titan vanish in a blink of an eye.

Eren went back with a frustrated expression. The other cadets stood around him to ask what happened and they tried to process the incident even in distress. 

Then a Garrison soldier appears, he must have come from the headquarters. Dante approaches the cadets and informs them about the ongoing colossal titan response operation. Everyone saluted, including Stormi.

“Hurry up and go back to the headquarters!” Dante ordered the cadets and they descended down from the walls without wasting time.

Stormi was about to follow Eren and the others but she was halted by Dante. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To the HQ.” She’s eager to see Marco before everything gets worse.

“You’re staying here and assisting the advance team. I was informed by Hannes-Butaicho that you’re here. Now let’s get moving!”

Before she could even react, Dante jumped off the wall to head down with the other soldiers stationed at Vanguard. With a frustrated sigh, she follows him and sees that the cannons were poorly used by the soldiers, which increases their chance of being trampled and defeated by the waves of titans coming. Seriously… What did you guys trained for?!

When Stormi finally landed on the ground, she took over one of the cannons from one of the soldiers. “Let me!”

 She aimed at the nearest titan that her eyes could find and fired at it with full precision, successfully hitting its neck. The titan stumbled, and she was able to slow its movement. She waits for another round of shots as she watches the soldier who’s assisting her, clumsily inserting the ammunition into the chamber by dropping it.

“Change the grapeshots to shells!” Stormi ordered.

“B-But that’s hard to use-” Rye tries to protest and he gets cut off.

“Just do it!”

The titans were closing in on them, and it’s not a good sight. There’s only a few minutes till they get crushed by their gigantic foot, or worse, get eaten.

Rye tries his best to reload the cannon even with trembling hands. “Done!”

“Thanks!” Stormi takes a deep breath and aims the cannon at the abnormal titan running towards them. High explosive shells cause huge amounts of damage rather than grapeshots; however, the accuracy of firing them is known to be low. Soldiers were known to have difficulty aiming at the target when using this type of shot. 

As a cadet graduate who excelled at handling artilleries and managing weapons, Stormi found the trick to efficiently fire the shells.

“Where the hell are you aiming at?!” Rye shouts at her when she tilts the barrel a bit higher. Her focus doesn’t waver, and she pulls the cord once her aim is fixed.

Rye’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at the bullet that successfully blasted the neck of the abnormal titan that fell right in front of them. The other soldiers were also surprised, and it only annoyed her when they lost the momentum of firing their shots at the titans.

“Don’t stop!” She shouted, while helping Rye to reload the cannon. The titans continued to come in waves. She noticed that the bad aim of the other soldiers was causing the titans to advance easily towards them.

Her shots were precise, taking down a few titans that’s already about to reach them. Although delivering good hits from one cannon isn’t sufficient to bring down all of the walking threats. They need manpower, and the soldiers are decreasing in number as some of them try to take down the titans foolishly with their gear.

“W-We’re gonna die!” Rye cried as he continued to reload the cannon.

“Not yet! We’re not weak like how everybody sees us!” Stormi snaps and prepares to take aim on one of the titans once more. Being stationed at the Vanguard says it all. We’re nothing but regular soldiers sent here to serve as the titan’s appetizers.

“Keep firing!” Dante ordered, his voice echoing throughout the area so everyone could hear him. 

Stormi doesn’t need to be reminded and continues to fire the shells. The other soldiers were using grapeshots, except her. Grapeshots plus having a terrible aim, leads to nothing, which stresses her out even more. They were wasting their ammunition, causing the titans to gain advantage on moving forward faster than before.

The sound of continuous blasts from the cannons was deafening, like endless fireworks, but louder. For some, this causes fear and panic. In Stormi’s part, the sounds of explosion were like a beautiful melody to her ears. It pumps her up with the thrill and keeps her grounded in reality.

Everyone’s will began to waver, but Stormi’s not part of everyone. She has a goal to go back to Marco and ensure his safety even though she trusts his skills. Though that’s not the only thing that drives her to survive. It’s her will to catch up with her best friend, Hailey. To grow stronger like her, or maybe even surpass her.

“Reload!” Stormi looks at Rye, who has a terrified expression.

“What? I said let’s reload-” She turns to the crate that consists of shells and grapeshots to find nothing but dust. Her eyes widen as it comes to her realization. They’re out of ammunition.

“How about the others?!” She rushes to the other cannon nearby that was operated by a group of soldiers. Before she could reach them, an abnormal ten-meter titan pounced on them.

She jumped backwards in surprise and saw the soldiers mashed under its weight. Blood splattered all over the place and even onto her uniform. Stormi’s attention was called out when she heard a shrill voice, coming from her comrade.

“R-Run!”

The titans were winning the battle as they started to grab the soldiers that’s within their reach to devour. Stormi didn’t want to accept defeat, even if the proof was obviously right in front of her. She rushes back and takes some grapeshots that were scattered on the ground, planning to use the cannon that stands undamaged.

Her plan was interrupted as she felt a finger brushing against her coat. She looked back and saw Rye being lifted by a five-meter titan helplessly, he was trying to grab her for help.

“A-Aster! AAAAAHHH!” He cried as he was about to get eaten.

Stormi, being a fearless cadet, uses her ODM gear to rescue Rye. Her hatred for the world and humanity was currently replaced by her duty as a soldier. 

As she was about to strike the titan’s nape, one of the handles of her controllers slipped out of her hand because of the fresh blood that splattered over it. She lost her grip and failed to kill the titan, causing the blade to cut without depth. Fortunately, Dante comes in and eliminates the titan without hesitation.

“You should work on your swordsmanship, Aster!” Dante scolded her and it made her feel even more inferior to everyone, especially to Hailey, who’s absolutely skilled when it comes to using the blades.

Rye scoffs at her too, looking disappointed that she wasn’t able to save him from the titan. Stormi tries her best to remain calm under the pressure. She often wears her heart on her sleeve; however, her pent-up hatred pushes her sentimental feelings aside.

“I’ll do better next time.” She mutters and sighs, not wanting to argue or show any emotions at all. Dante glared at her, “There might be no next time-”

He was cut off when a titan bites off his head out of nowhere in front of Rye and Stormi. 

“A-AHHHH!” Rye cries in panic and starts to retreat back to the walls. Stormi was still stunned, but when she senses a titan’s presence that was about to grab her, she swiftly dodges it and follows Rye.

She discards the dulled blades and prepares new ones for another possible head on combat with the titans just in case. Dante was right, his last words make sense. Stormi scoffs in her head and holds back a chuckle .

The other soldiers tried to save themselves by rushing to the walls, but only the lucky ones survived, and it’s obvious that none of them were. The advance team gets reduced as the minutes pass by. Not a pretty sight, but that’s how life works.

Stormi launches back at the wall when she follows Rye. Unfortunately, a titan grabs her foot and pulls her down harshly. She quickly unhooks the anchor off the wall, and it prevents the wires of her ODM gear from getting damaged.

“Argh!” She grunts loudly when her arms take the impact as she shielded her head from the ground.

Everything was happening all at once, and she’s overwhelmed by the disastrous situation. The titan continues to grip her foot tightly, and it starts to ache. She glances up at the titan and catches a glimpse of Rye behind it, still anchored to the wall. 

Is he gonna save me?

She’s not expecting him to make a move or rescue her, but that’s a sense of camaraderie, well, if he has one.

Rye stares at her and the titan, but instead of rushing to save her, he gives her a disappointed look. A look that says, that’s what you get for being weak.

She sighs in acceptance and is reminded not to rely on anybody else except herself. Her hands clutch onto the controller with more force as she slices the titan’s fingers to loosen its grip on her foot. The titan lifted her upside down, and she struggled to put more pressure on her assault to free herself.

Giving up was never an option for her. The drive to prove Rye that she’s not weak gave her the strength to push forward. Thanks Rye, for looking down on me like everybody does.

With a boost of adrenaline and boiling frustration, she manages to cut off one of the titan’s fingers by stabbing the blade forcefully through its skin and chops it. She was lifted right to the titan’s mouth but she kicked the hand with her other leg to pull herself out of its grip.

“Arghhhh!” Stormi clenches her jaw and successfully slips out of the titan’s hand. She fell onto her back, which sent a wave of pain throughout her body. Her face grimaces, and before the titan tries to take her again, she makes sure to get out of its way immediately.

“Tsk.” Rye looks surprised yet disappointed that she survived, and Stormi gives him a smug look.

He glared at her and shaken his head in disapproval. Almost everybody in the Garrison hated her; although she tried her best to be amiable and help them with everything she could, it seems like she’s born in this world to be hated. 

Only Rico and Hannes show some care towards her. That was what made her job more bearable other than the fact that she can walk on top of the walls and enjoy the scenery outside while taking care of the artilleries.

Stormi’s stomach tightens as she witnesses the titans enter the huge hole in the wall. The advance team failed to protect the walls, and she felt uneasy about the idea that this could lead to Marco’s harm. She looks up and follows Rye, with lots of disdain at herself for being unable to kill the titans or bring down their numbers.

As they reach the top of the walls, Rye faces her. “Don’t get too cocky now just because you’re able to save yourself from that titan.” He snarls at her.

“Am not.” Stormi brushes his words off and walks ahead.

“Think you’re the best at the Garrison when you’re not even capable of saving a comrade.”

She halts in her tracks, a slight frown appears in her face. Her senses could feel his intense gaze from behind, but instead of protesting, she smiled at him. “I know, thanks for reminding me.”

Rye stood there dumbfounded by her casual reply and it only irked him more. “Hey! Where do you think you’re going?!”

His words fly off her ears as she wipes the slippery controller covered with blood with the fabric of her coat and leaps down from the wall to slay the titans that happened to invade almost half of the city already. 

As usual, they come in different heights, but even the small ones can be nimble and strong depending on what type of titan they belong to.

Her mind was up above the clouds as she traveled between the damaged buildings using her ODM gear. She could hear Rye following behind her as he calls out, “Trying to act brave, are we now?!”

Could it be that she lost the spark she once had back from her cadet days? She knows how much she relishes the idea of killing the titans. Stormi may not be the top of her class when it comes to that type of task, but she surely can kill one no matter what its size is. Why would she even join and be in the Garrison if she can’t?

There was a bit of silence between them as they flew above the houses. Of course, the streets weren’t empty, and Stormi grins when she finally sees a thirteen-meter titan standing in their way. 

She shifts direction and hooks the anchor of her gear right through the nape of its neck. Rye couldn’t believe what he’s witnessing, and he can’t wait to see her attempt to fail.

“Hmph! Always trying hard to impress everybody, huh?” He mocks her as his eyes follow her movements. 

She doesn’t listen and focuses on killing the titan instead. Her foot landed on its back, and with one swift motion, she buried her blades right through the nape of its neck, slashing it with crossed blades.

“Impossible…” Rye looks at her in disbelief and he shouts at her. “That’s just luck! You’ll never be capable of doing anything-”

SWOOSH!

Stormi glances back as she hears his words get cut off, and her eyes widen in surprise to see a titan from a roof pounce on him out of nowhere. His upper torso was caught between its teeth. His feet thrashes frantically in terror. She was about to go back and save him, but it’s too late. The titan bites him in half.

She stops a few meters away from it and sighs. Rye’s lower half fell onto the ground, his insides splattering and his blood painting the pavement.

Her eyes stared at it for a few seconds as she contemplated before she shrugs the death she witnessed.

“Deserve.”

At that moment, her guilt and remorse were nowhere to be found. Isn’t that how people think about each other? She pondered. They wouldn't be bothered if a stranger died. Rye’s not that much of a stranger, but he still feels like one to her. 

Not knowing someone’s name doesn’t completely make them a stranger. Even those people you’ve known for years can be someone whom you don’t truly know.

Her attention goes back to reality as she sees a few titans walking at the same path she’s taking. Fortunately, they’re just the normal type. Even if their gigantic heights look intimidating, Stormi was unfazed by it.

Facing them head on wouldn’t be advisable in her case. She’s aware that her gas was dwindling each second and that most of her blades were used up already so she decides to take a detour away from the titans ahead.

Her gaze flicked back to the breached wall, seeing faint silhouettes of titans entering the city as she went further away from the breached wall. Her hunch was right. It’s her fault that she always doubts her hunches, just like she did in her past examinations as a cadet, changing the right answers with a wrong one. Told you, Stormi. Things are gonna get worse.

Screams from the terrorized citizens welcomed her ears and the smell of iron started to reek from each street where the titans caused their domination as she maneuvers above them. Her fearless attitude falters when she remembers her close friend.

“Marco, please be safe.” Stormi bit her lower lip, her chest tightened with worry while she flew around with the use of her gear while avoiding the titans as much as possible in order to save some gas. Her instinct tells her to head back to the headquarters and refill her gas tank, as well as get a new set of blades. There’s also a chance she might see Marco, which made her even more determined to move fast.

She’s about to turn around a corner when she hears a plea from a civilian.

“Help! Somebody help me!” A struggling voice echoed through one of the houses that was nearby which called her attention. She hesitated, yet she ended up trying to head towards it since it's along the way she’s taking. 

A 10 meter titan smiles upon the man whose face is breaking down and trembling in fear. Stormi was ready to lend a hand when a 7 meter abnormal titan jumped beside her, successfully pulling her down to the ground by grabbing the wire she’s connected to.

“Ack!” She yelps as her back hits the ground hard. Her vision turned black and she was out of her head for a moment until the titan held her in its gigantic left hand with a monstrous grip, causing her to wake up in agony.

Blood was pouring from her forehead as it pulsates, but instead of screaming for her life, she let out a laugh instead. This is the second time now, how ridiculous.

“Marco would be disappointed in me, as well as…” She grits her teeth as she remembers Hailey. The thought of dying before she could even prove that she’s also strong, sends a wave of intense emotion within her, believing how very unacceptable it is.

“Nah! I won’t die here, you hear that ugly dumbass titan?!” Stormi regained a bit of her strength and used her free hand to slice the fingers of the titan that wraps around her.

“GAAAAAAH!” She screamed at the top of her lungs to exert more effort as blood sprayed everywhere, covering her body when she achieved cutting them off and freed herself independently.

“I know Hailey’s much stronger than me, but don’t you dare underestimate me!” She pierced through the titan’s skin with the anchor of her gear as she spins around to target the back of its neck.

Her blades dug deeply right to the muscles until she slashed it with double blades like a piece of cake. Her blades snapped into two as a result of brute force when she killed the titan. She fell down to her knees in exhaustion even though she knew it’s not the right time. 

While wiping the blood off her face, she catches her breath and stands up again groggily. She could no longer hear the man crying for help as it was replaced by the disgusting sound of crunching bones. It made her feel that she messed up again. It added to her frustration as a soldier, yet she convinced herself to move on. Rye would give me a taunting smirk. But of course, he couldn’t anymore.

She tested her maneuvering gear to see if it still works, and luck was by her side at the moment. Her heart and mind were still conflicted and troubled as she continued her travel. He remembered the man who died because she was unable to save him. Just another stranger. She kept convincing herself and let her guilt get covered by her hatred.

Why do you still care if you hate humans so much? 

There were smokes that reached the sky and the whole district was a total mess when she hovered up in the air once more. Stormi’s lack of care regarding the destruction of wall Maria, even if something similar is occurring right in front of her eyes once more is still unknown to change. That's for time to decide.

She’s getting used to the screams that surround her. The smoke of the flames getting carried by the wind fills her nostrils. Was this how it looked like five years ago? Is this how it felt like? 

Leaving Shiganshina was the best choice her family made. If it weren’t for some circumstances that happened a few years ago, they probably wouldn’t have left that district.

It’s destroyed… for the best.

She scoffs in her head, determined to reach the headquarters, Stormi manages to use the last of her gas in full throttle. Once she landed on their base, she looked for Rico and Hannes around the other soldiers who were in a panic and great disturbance. 

There were no cadets at the headquarters anymore, all of them were out in battle.

“Hey Stormi! You’re finally here–” Rico called out to her and saw that she’s bleeding.

“Rico-Hancho! I’m sorry I got tangled with some trouble on my way here.” Stormi looked like a battered rag soaked in blood.

“Hurry up and get treated. I heard what happened about the advance team, stay with the medics for now.” Rico ordered with her usual stern tone of voice.

“I’ll try to catch up as–”

“You’ll just get in the way. Stay here.”

Just like that, Rico, together with her subordinates, has departed the headquarters to do their jobs. It was a punch in the gut for Stormi to be left behind without doing anything. A medic running through the grounds spotted her. She was given immediate treatment as soon as she was approached.

“You’re not allowed to fight for now. Let the others do the job and let’s pray they succeed.” Before the medic leaves, Stormi asks something she almost forgot, “Do you know where the other newly graduates are, right now?”

“I think they were scattered to the whole district by team. Some were at the rear and the others at the middle.”

“Thanks for that info.” Stormi pulled herself up, disregarding her aching body.

“Hey! Where are you going?!” The medic tried to stop her but she slipped away from the medic’s hand that tried to grab her.

She needed to head to the refill station for her gas tank. She agrees to what Rico told her earlier, yet she’s stubborn as a bull. How can she stand up even when she’s trembling in fear? How can she look confident even if she’s weak? Stormi knows the consequences of her actions and the possibilities that lie ahead of her. If she’s not gonna try to shoot her shot, she might lose what’s important to her, or more of, who .

“I can’t let anything bad happen to you Marco, as long as I’m alive.” Stormi mustered up her courage as she pulled the trigger of her controller and launched herself back in the air, ready to throw herself back in the battle.

Chapter Text

Wall Sina, sequestered deep within the most fortified of the three walls, serves as the domain of the elite Military Police Brigade.

However, the once-perceived silence became a whisper of laziness and a mockery of diligence.

The corridors gave the illusion of everyone performing their duties, but beneath the surface, many officers evade responsibilities.

On this day, the tranquility within the headquarters was suddenly shattered, and a tense atmosphere set in as chaos unfolded.

Despite the generally laid-back attitude of any officer, Hailey for one couldn't help but perk up as she heard the disturbance. The regiment's members abruptly rushed to locate the origin. With Hailey casually looking over at her fellow officers.

The disturbance quickly spiraled out of control, drawing the attention of not only the MPs but also of the nearby townspeople. A low murmur of confusion and worry filled the air, only interrupted by the sudden entrance of a Garrison soldier who barged through the gathered crowd and onto a high platform to stand on, his voice filled with a sense of urgency and panic.

"Trost City is currently under attack!” he shouted, his eyes wild. “ We need everyone’s immediate cooperation!”

The quick announcement sent a shockwave through the crowd, eliciting gasps and hushed whispers of dread. Predicatably, the people's fear got the better of them, leading to an instant panic.

The voices of every MP officer rose into a chorus of anxious shouting, each person offering their own suggestions, desperately trying to be heard over the growing din. Some advocated for immediate evacuation, while others argued for gathering more information before taking action.

In the commotion, one name was conspicuously missing from the fray - Commander Nile Dawk. In truth, he was embroiled in other pressing matters elsewhere in the city, assumingly oblivious to the chaos unfolding within the Military Police and the growing crowd entering the gates of Wall Sina.

In his absence and no clear direction from the top, the officers found themselves divided into factions, each with their own stance on how to address the unfolding crisis.

Hailey, without hesitation, aligned herself with the faction advocating for an immediate evacuation. Despite any reservations, and her general dislike of working with her colleagues, her primary concern remained to the safety of the citizens, which she knew had to be prioritized at all costs.

However, amid the evacuation efforts, some officers began struggling to communicate clear instructions while the evacuees in Wall Rose strained to understand, Hailey on the other hand struggled to move, her eyes darting past the chaotic streets,when she suddenly caught sight of something massive.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as her body froze in place. 

Hailey's breathing became labored, as if struggling to draw each breath. The familiar sight of the colossal titan's head looming over the wall sent immediate shivers down her spine. 

"Colossal... Titan…”

She repeated, her voice faltering.

 “Colossal…!!"

—

5 years ago... 

Despite the passage of time, it was hard to forget.

Years after the fall of Wall Maria, the calm blue sky somehow remained unchanged. 

High above the structures, the sky moves indifferent to the world below. People in Sina went about their daily lives, living in relative peace. 

Suppose that’s just how it is…

Life continued, humanity lived on, as folks laughed and argued over simple things, trying their best to forget the horrors that lay just beyond the walls.

While the masses were carefree, one person deviated;

A member of the Military Police Brigade, Hailey Levitzki, with a rifle strapped to her back, watching over the civilians. Her lips forming a frown as she stood guard. She paused, taking a moment to scribble her observations in her journal before closing it and continuing her patrol.

Hailey walked her way across the bridge, she glanced into the calm waters below, catching reflections of the people behind her. 

The soldier thought to herself,

Were they all really that naïve?

They lived such normal, mundane lives, and were blissfully ignorant to the truth of the world. 

She'd read about these walls in textbooks and seen them on old maps during the academy but the reality of them was a lot more disheartening then she’d like to wonder. 

The walls themselves didn't seem as mighty or indestructible as preached either. 

They looked more like tombs, than anything else.

Hailey shook her head at the thought, feeling a pang of guilt for even thinking it.

It was her job to defend these people after all and their illusion of security - no matter how irritating it felt to watch them remain so ignorant.

She adjusted the strap of her rifle, and readjusted her coat so that she wouldn’t overheat.

Even with how small her assigned area was, she had a lot of space to cover and little time to do it in. As she made her way down the steps, she made sure to stay close to the river bank, keeping a watchful eye out for anyone suspicious.

As she kept guard, the sound of the river was the only thing that surrounded her. It’s sound was calming in a way, like a silent reassurance. 

She walked near the bank, her footsteps causing the river water to splash up and send sprays of droplets into the air. A small pause took over her as her eyes glanced towards the ripples of the water, watching as the sunlight shimmered off its surface.

In the brief moment of serenity, her thoughts wandered to her friends and the life she was leading. As she continued her steps, watching the water ripple beneath her, a strange feeling crept up on her; a nagging sense of questioning.

She found herself wondering... 

Was this really the life she wanted?

The thought suddenly appeared in her head, catching her off guard. 

How much of herself was she dedicating to work?

Why do I feel that way?

Hailey brushed it off. Perhaps it was just exhaustion messing with her mind. But it was far too early in the morning to be this tired already.

Sure, the patrol was repetitive, but it wasn't unusually taxing. Her mind quickly switched gears, thinking back to her friends instead.

Yes. Friends, 

Come on, think of something else.

Instantly two names come to her mind.

Stormi Aster. 

Just by thinking about her, Hailey could almost hear her energetic shouts and feel Stormi was right there behind her, ready to pounce and surprise her. 

A small smile tugged at the corners of Hailey's mouth at the thought. Even thinking about her was enough to improve the lonely soldier’s mood.

Then there’s Rico.

Rico was a completely different person. If Stormi was the personification of loud energy, then Rico was the complete opposite. Calm, mature and in control of her emotions.

Hailey had a great admiration for her, looking up to her as a squad leader and mentor.

Despite both friends being placed under the Garrison Regiment, the irony of having such different personalities ending up in the same regiment was funny, and as she strolled, she couldn’t help but think about the proposal Rico had given her all those years ago.

Join the MP.

She remembered her exact words, and how hard it was to say no to her.

She still remembered all the reasons Rico had given her, and how reasonable they had sounded. 

It has the most benefits.

The words echoed back and forth in her head, still not having an explanation on why they left her feeling so restless. 

It’s the safest and most comfortable option, considering your skill.

But still, there was something about them that didn’t sit right with her. 

As she continued walking, her thoughts of her friends continued to play behind her eyes. 

She suddenly began to miss those times.

But then again, a lot had changed during their training. 

They had gone their separate ways after graduation, and as the years rolled by, they rarely got to see each other as they once had. Rico for the longest time, Stormi has been more recent.

"What could they be up to now?" 

She wondered how Stormi was holding up, working with the Garrison.

"Stormi is probably at the armory, tinkering with some of the equipment or sharpening her blades. She's always been into that sort of thing."

Then her thoughts shifted to Rico again.

"As for Rico, she's most likely in her office, going over some paperwork or strategy plans. She doesn't like being idle, always has some sort of work to do."

The words repeated over and over again in her head, each time in Rico’s strict, firm voice. 

She had remembered her saying them dozens of times in the past, always with the same stern look on her face. 

“A Brzenska’s will is nothing but ironclad. They don’t just endure, they excel.”

Hailey’s eyes narrowed at the words, and she silently began to repeat them in her head as if it were a reminder for her.

But is that what I am?

Her gaze fell, now staring at the ground as she walked on. 

The thought suddenly popped into her mind and wouldn't leave.

An ironclad, dedicated MP who excels in her duties?

The weight of her rifle felt heavy on her shoulder, the strap digging into her body as she clutched it tighter.

She let out another small sigh before resuming her patrol, the sound of her footsteps on the rocky path gradually became the only noise that penetrated the constant barrage of thoughts in her mind.

Even the once soothing sound of the river water was not enough to drown out the relentless inner monologue.

Her footsteps grew almost mechanical, each step becoming a repetition of the last, mirroring the endless cycle of her days. 

Patrol. Sleep. Patrol. Repeat

Each day blended into the next, filled with the same routine over and over. As she continued her march, a realization slowly crept into her mind. The more she thought about it, the more it dawned on her.

I took the easy way out…

While her friends had volunteered and dedicated themselves to the walls’ defenses, she had chosen the path of least resistance, resigning herself to the life of an MP, walling herself in the safety of the inner districts.

Guilt and shame built up inside her, a bitter pill to swallow.

Easy. Comfortable. Formularized. All things that you chose when you joined the Military Police.

She closed her eyes for a second, trying to block out the scathing criticisms.

Laughable. Predictable. Unimportant.

The voice in her head was ruthless, hitting her straight in her insecurities.

'Insignificant. Much like you are, Hailey.'

The moment a different voice spoke, a wave of memories came rushing back to her, unbidden and unwelcome. Her footsteps grew heavy, her breaths more labored, her heart rate increasing.

Hailey tried to shake off the feeling, physically shaking her head to clear her mind.

No. Not now. Leave me alone.

She gritted her teeth and forced herself to continue walking, focusing on the steady rhythm of her steps.

Don't think about it. Keep walking. Focus on your assignment.

Hailey clenched her fists, trying to regain control of her thoughts.

This is ridiculous, she reprimanded herself. You're doing this to yourself again.

"Stop it," she muttered. "Why are you doing this? Stop being so... so..."

She searched for the right word, the right insult to throw at herself.

"Weak."

It was harsh but true. She was letting herself crumble under self-doubt and insecurities. 

"Pathetic," she added under her breath.

She knew she was being too hard on herself, but the harshness was the soldier’s way of snapping back to reality, a way of cutting through the haze of negativity.

"Pull yourself together," she muttered, finally coming to a halt.

She took another deep breath and stood up straighter, her jaw set in resolve.

Get it together, Stupid. You're a ranking MP officer, dammit.

Taking a step with a deep breath, Hailey finally opened her eyes, blinking against the sudden brightness. Then, all of a sudden, she felt a cold sensation around her left leg. Startled, she looked down to see that her boot had dipped into the shallow riverbed and instinctively withdrew her foot from the water.

“Fuck.”

---

Resuming her work, her soaked boot squelching slightly with each step, Hailey decided to keep her mind occupied on other things as she walked away from the waterfront.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out her journal, flipping it open to the last page she had written on.

Much like earlier, it wasn't uncommon to see her writing. It was a way to keep her thoughts in check and distract herself from the mundanity of her day-to-day life.

She walked a few more steps in silence, her eyes scanning her surroundings as she patrolled, but her mind was focused on the page in front of her. The welcoming sound of her pen tip against the paper was soothing in an odd way. The soft scratch seemed to drown out the other noises of the world and provide her with a moment of temporary peace.

 As she wrote, she began to reflect on the past few days, putting down her thoughts and feelings on paper. She wrote about the routine of her patrols, the dullness of her days, and the nagging voices in her head.

Prancing, her mind half on the journal and half on her surroundings, Hailey noticed a small figure running towards her.

She spotted a little boy, a happy smile on his face.

Immediately, her first instinct was to ignore him and continue her patrol, assuming he'd just pass by without any issue.

But the boy kept coming closer, not showing any signs of stopping.

Hailey couldn't ignore him any longer. She sighed and came to a halt, pocketing her journal.

She stood still and waited for the child to reach her. As soon as he got to her, he was completely out of breath, and he had to clutch the straps of her gear just to stay up. 

“Is there something you need?” she asked, trying her best to not snap at the kid.

The child tried to speak, but all that came out was stutters and hiccups, as he was fighting to catch his breath.

Hailey knelt down in front of him so that she wouldn't tower over him and gave him another chance. 

“Come on kid, take a deep breath, then tell me what’s the matter.”

The boy tried to speak again, and this time, managed to get a couple of words out.

“M-M-Momma,” he managed to gasp out, between pants for air.

Hailey raised an eyebrow. “And where’s your mom?”

The kid pointed in the general direction of the marketplace, near the square. 

She put a hand on his shoulder and gets up. “Calm down and catch your breath. I’ll go check on her, alright?”

The child grabs her hand, guiding her to a nearby building, where two blonde women were standing outside. One woman was frantically speaking with the other, her hand carrying a basket while clutching an infant to her chest with the other.

Hailey headed over to them, the boy following beside her, almost making sure she was paying attention.

“Excuse me,” she started, as they turned to look at her.

“There you are, you little rascal!” the woman exclaimed, as she rushed forward and grabbed the child, pulling him into a tight hug.

The two women looked at her in shock before quickly bowing to her, the one holding the baby almost dropping it. 

The one who didn’t have a baby quickly started apologizing. “Please forgive us, ma’am. My sister’s son-“

“It’s fine,” Hailey interrupted. “I’m sure he just got excited. No need for apologies,” she assured them politely. “It’s my job anyway to make sure everyone’s okay,” Hailey added.

Hailey took note of the relief on the women's faces.

Hailey looked down at the boy, who was being embraced by the other woman with a fierce protectiveness. 

"You really shouldn't run off like that," she said to him gently. "You worried your mom a lot."

The one holding the baby still looked as if she was on the verge of hysterical tears, the child clutched tightly in her arms. 

As the women finished thanking her, the young boy tugged on her sleeve to get her attention. 

“Miss?” he mumbled up at her, still clutching onto her clothes gently.

“Yes?” she asked, looking down at him again.

He motioned for her to bend down, like he wanted to tell her a secret.

A bit confused, Hailey obeyed, and knelt down again, bringing her ear closer to the child’s mouth.

He whispered something into her ear, and although he spoke quietly, Hailey managed to catch what he said.

“Please buy my mother’s bread.”

Hailey’s face instantly turned into one of surprise. A small part of her heart was warming at his innocence.

So that’s why he needed me.

She tried her best to maintain a polite smile as the boy waited for her response, which was interrupted by the other woman. 

“Don’t listen to my nephew, officer,” she spoke up. “He’s been running around bothering people all day, begging them to-”

“I’ll take it.” 

Hailey interrupted the other woman, observing the mother with the baby and the thick circles under her eyes.

“Miss you don’t have to-”

“I’ll take all of it.”

Hailey interrupted the woman again, and quickly shot her a look that silenced her.

The child suddenly lit up, and he started bouncing on the heels of his feet. 

Meanwhile his mother, the one with the infant, spoke up. “You’ll take it? Really?”

Hailey didn’t respond as she rose up, and quickly pulled out a few coins from her pants pocket, and held them up.

The mother told her the price, and Hailey handed over the money making sure to count the silver coins in her hand carefully. 

“Thank you for your purchase and service,” the other woman said, as the mother handed her a small basket of bread.

The bread inside of it was obviously homemade, and wasn't all that appealing to look at, but it still would make a nice snack later on. 

Hailey nodded, and bid all three of them goodbye.

As Hailey walked on, she suddenly felt something shoved into her palm. 

“Huh?” she blurted out, surprised at the sudden interruption. 

When she finally realized it was a flower and a little note, her eyes widened. She looked down, and saw the little boy from earlier standing not too far away with a cheeky grin.

Once again, the child bounced with his feet and held up his hand. 

“Bye bye!” he called out. 

Hailey looked at him. “Bye,” she said with a small wave, still a bit surprised about the flower and letter before stuffing it into the pocket of her coat.

The boy’s mother quickly called for him, and he ran back to his family. 

Hailey watched as they all headed back to their store, the boy waving at her one more time before disappearing into the door.

Hailey kept walking, still holding the basket, her thoughts occupied by the pleasant interaction.

The hustle and bustle of the crowd faded into a dull hum, the sounds of bartering and chatter becoming background noise as her feet automatically carried her along the familiar path.

Hailey continued on her path, the voices of the two coworkers drifting to her over the sound of her footsteps.

"Well, speak of the devil," one of them drawled. 

"Nice basket you have there." The other added.

Hailey looked up to see them approaching her, a sly smirk on their faces. A frown creeping onto her face.It was Ralph and Djel Sannes, her two fellow MP officers whom she had the displeasure of working with  

"What do you bozos want?" she asked, her voice firm and guarded.

"You have no respect for your elder officers," Ralph’s smirk faded, replaced by a scowl. "Commander Nile is looking for you."

Djel's tone was resentful. "Says he has something important to discuss."

Hailey's expression remained guarded, her eyes scanning both men suspiciously. "Did he say what it's about?"

Ralph shrugged nonchalantly. "Beats me. But he insisted we find you and bring you to him immediately."

Djel let out a scoff. "Might want to hurry up, wouldn't want to keep the commander waiting."

"I'll walk alone." Hailey gave them a curt nod. "Thanks for the message, I guess."

She started to walk past them, but Ralph stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Hold on a second."

Hailey stopped in her tracks, her irritation growing. "What now?"

Djel leaned in closer, his gaze cold. "A little reminder, that's all."

Hailey dodged Ralph's attempt to grab her wrist, her irritation boiling over.

"Hey! What the hell is your problem?" she hissed, backing away from them.

"In case you're expecting another promotion, Levitzki." Djel derided. "You're only as important as the way the King could make use of you. Regardless of what the commander thinks of you."

"Whatever." Hailey's eyes narrowed. "I don't have time for this bullshit," she spat back.

Suddenly, she pushed past them with a little more force than necessary, determined to get away from their annoying presence.

She kept walking, her mind racing.

"The king... Tch, as if I give a damn about what that bastard thinks," she muttered under her breath.

Hailey quickened her pace, the basket swinging by her side as she made her way through the streets of Stohess.

Finally, she spotted Nile standing outside headquarters, his tall figure towering over some MPs. 

She approached him, feeling a mix of curiosity and anxiety.

"Nile-Dancho," she said, her voice steady despite the beating of her heart.

Nile turned around, his usual stern expression softening when he saw her. "Ah, there you are."

He gestured for her to step closer. "Come here for a moment."

Nile said, not waiting for her response as he started walking. No choice, Hailey complied, trying not to think about the whispers and glances from the other MPs.

Nile led the way in silence, his footsteps steady and sure. Hailey followed behind, her grip on the basket tightening with each step.

The captain’s eyes glanced over to the basket in her grip, and she could’ve sworn his eyebrows twitched slightly. 

He’s probably wondering why I have this with me.

She continued matching his strides as she kept her expression still, waiting on him to speak once more.

Finally, they reached his office and Nile stopped, turning to face her.

Nile gestured for her to sit, his expression remaining stoic as he took a seat behind his desk.

Hailey felt a bit intimidated, but she did as he said, carefully setting the basket on the floor beside her chair.

"Thanks for coming," Nile said, his voice firm. "There's something important I need to discuss with you."

Hailey swallowed hard, silently praying it wasn’t something bad. "What is it?"

Nile leaned back in his chair, studying her with his steely gaze. "I've been closely observing your performance in the Military Police Regiment."

Hailey felt a pang of anxiety in her chest. "Is... Is there a problem, sir?"

Nile shook his head, a small smile appearing on his face. "On the contrary, you've been doing quite well."

Hailey felt a sense of relief wash over her, but the other shoe was bound to drop.

Nile leaned forward, his expression becoming serious again. "Which is why I have a proposal for you."

"A proposal… Dancho?" Hailey repeated, her heart pounding in her chest.

She had a feeling she knew where this was going.

Nile leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I think you have the potential to do... greater things."

Hailey's mind was spinning. Greater things? What did that mean?

"It's no secret that you've been an exemplary member of the MP Regiment," Nile continued. "But I believe your talents can be put to better use elsewhere."

Hailey's heart skipped a beat. Elsewhere? Was he suggesting she switched regiments?

Nile held up a hand. "Before you panic, I'm not talking about switching regiments."

Hailey visibly relaxed at that.

Nile smiled as he brought his hand down. "What I want is for you to take on a special mission. A mission that, I believe, you're perfectly suited for."

Hailey's eyes widened. A special mission? Her interest was piqued.

"What kind of mission, sir?" she asked, curiosity getting the best of her.

"It's a top-secret operation," Nile said, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

Nile leaned forward, his eyes fixed on hers. "I can't disclose all the details at the moment, but I can tell you this: It's dangerous, it's important for the kingdom, and it requires someone with unique skills and abilities to get the job done."

Hailey's mind raced with possibilities. She had always prided on herself for being a skilled and capable officer compared to her colleagues, but a special mission? It was something she never imagined being asked to do.

"Why me, sir?" she asked, still trying to understand why Nile would choose her for such a dangerous task.

Nile smiled, almost as if he was expecting the question. "I have my reasons. But let's just say that I've been keeping an eye on you that could be important for the success of this mission."

Hailey felt a mix of honor and intimidation at Nile's words. She had always felt like she was just another face in the crowd, but now she was being told that she was important.

Am I important?

She took a deep breath to steady herself. She sat a bit straighter, determination setting in.

"I... I'm willing to take on the mission, sir. Whatever it takes."

Nile nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face. "I thought you'd say that. Good."

He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the city below.

"You will be under my direct supervision, with only my eyes monitoring your progress. This mission is crucial, and I cannot risk any lapses in discretion."

As Nile continued to gaze out the window, Hailey couldn't help but feel a bit restless. She glanced down at her foot, which was unconsciously tapping on the floor.

She then broke the silence.

"Sir, you said there are details you can't disclose. I understand that completely, but is there anything you can tell me? Anything at all? I just..."

She paused, her leg tapping against the floor in restless anticipation.

Nile turned back to face her, the seriousness in his tone making her sit up straighter.

"Your mission is to infiltrate a covert group in Trost," he began. "They have evaded the Military Police's notice thus far, and our intel suggests they plan an escape towards the Interior Wall."

He paused, his tone becoming more grim. 

"What's more, I've been briefed by higher-ranking officers about these people. They're involved in human trafficking and other illegal activities.”

"Human... Human trafficking?"

Hailey repeated the words softly, her mind trying to process the information.

Nile nodded gravely. "Yes. They've proven to be quite slippery, which is why they've managed to continue their operations for so long. Right now, we need someone adept at gathering information discreetly, while minimizing the risk of drawing unwanted attention to themselves." 

Hearing this, she somehow knew what he wanted without him even uttering a word. 'I need someone quiet.'

Hailey's heart skipped a beat. Was she really being asked to infiltrate a human trafficking ring?

Nile could sense her anxiety. "I know it's a lot to take in," he said, his voice softening slightly. "But I have faith in your abilities. You have a knack for reading people, a skill that can be invaluable in this kind of situation."

Hailey bit her lip, still processing everything.

"So... You want me to infiltrate this group in Trost? Gain their trust, gather information, and basically become one of them?"

"Your mission is different from what you might be thinking," Nile corrected, his voice firm. "You're not to join them or become a part of their inner circle; rather, your goal is to observe and gather vital information. The closer you can get to them, the more intel we can gain. Then intervene. But most importantly, you must do so discreetly. If they uncover your true identity or intention..." 

He trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.

Hailey nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "And what about backup? Will I be working solo?"

Nile looked at her, his expression set. "For the most part, yes. We need to maintain as much secrecy as possible. Fewer people involved means less risk."

"It's no secret as well that the majority of this regiment is...well, not entirely reliable. Some are lazy, others careless, and unfortunately, many are easily swayed with the right amount of money.”

Nile let out a sigh. “But I trust you, Hailey. I know you’re capable and resourceful. That’s why I’m asking you to do this.”

The young soldier instantly felt a flutter of pride at Nile's words. A brief flash of surprise flickered across her face before she composed herself.

He trusted her, believed in her abilities. It was a rarity in the regiment. Pushing back any doubts, she met Nile's gaze with greater determination.

"I won't let you down, sir," she vowed, her voice steady and govern. "When do I start?"

Nile glanced at the clock on the wall. "As soon as possible. You'll need to gather your supplies and head to Trost immediately. The group is said to be planning their escape within the next few months, and we can't afford to waste any time."

Nile fished a file from his desk, handing it over to her. "This file contains all the information we have on the group, but truth be told, there's not much more to go on. Most of what we hear are just rumors and hearsay. Use your judgment whenever you come across conflicting details."

Hailey accepted the file, her eyes flicking over the contents. 

“This is all I'm allowed to officially disclose for now. There may be more, but the higher-ups haven't given us the green light to share it. They fear it might impact your performance if you know too much too soon. You know how it is. Higher-ups and their need for secrecy...” Nile cleared his throat.  "One more thing,"

He stood up, grabbing a coat from the back of his chair. "I'll be meeting with regional lords to hash out some taxation issues this afternoon, and I expect I'll be preoccupied for most of the hours. but by then, you should already be well on your way to Trost."

Hailey nodded, a sense of purpose settling over her. Despite the higher-ups' silence, it was clear that this mission was a rare chance to prove herself. Instead of another mundane patrol, she would finally get to show her potential. This was an opportunity to distinguish herself and prove her dedication to the cause. For once, she would find fulfillment in the work, just like her friends. This was her moment, and she would seize it with both hands.

"Understood," she said, her voice clear.

A momentary pause settled in the office. Sounds of people talking and footsteps from the hallway outside echoed faintly. Nile observed the readiness in Hailey's eyes. With a nod of dismissal, he signaled her dismissal.  

Hailey gave her salute. Turning to the door, "It's..."

She stopped herself, then continued softly. "Please be careful, sir."

It's rare to have someone like you.

Nile donned his coat and turned to her, adjusting his collar. "Don't worry about me. I've dealt with enough troublesome lords to know how to handle them."

He gave her a wry smile. "To be honest, it's you I'm worried about. This mission certainly comes with its dangers."

Hm?

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Hailey's features. She respected Nile's leadership, and appreciated his trust in her, even if his warning made her heart race.

 “I'm used to your manner of operation, Hailey. “

He chuckled a bit, before continuing.

“Your nature is one to avoid people, but it's your talent I trust in. It's the quiet types that I remember most.”

His eyes locked with hers, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, as Hailey raised an eyebrow in confusion and curiosity.

“Yet despite that, I am already aware of your tendency to be a bit too stubborn for your own good.”

He paused, his tone serious. "So please, as your commander, I'm ordering you to be careful. We need intel, not a dramatic rescue scene. Do I make myself clear?"

"U-uh..." She nods slowly for a moment before speaking. 

The order itself was not unusual, though Hailey couldn't help but feel that it sounded a bit more personal than it should have come. Coming from a superior, especially her commander, made it all the more peculiar.

She attempted to brush off the feeling, attributing it to his responsibilities as a commander to ensure the safety of his troops. Yet, deep down, a part of her clung onto the thought that maybe he actually cared, even if just a little bit.

“I’ll be careful, Dancho.”

As Hailey stepped out of Nile's office, she realized she hadn't eaten breakfast that morning. Her stomach growled unpleasantly, reminding her of the emptiness in her belly.

With the basket in hand, she rummaged through it, pulling out a random roll. As Hailey took the first bite of the bread, she couldn’t help but feel a little better.

It wasn’t the best bread she’d ever eaten (it was a bit dry but not terrible), but the idea that someone had went out of their way to give it to her brought a small sense of comfort.

As the flavors of the bread filled her mouth, a different feeling slowly washed over her. 

Her mind was still swirling with thoughts, the secret mission, the commander's words... and the sweet, innocent smile of the little boy she had purchased the bread from.

The memories mingled together, tugging at her emotions in a way she wasn't accustomed to. Perhaps it was stress, or maybe it was something else, but it was hard to ignore the ache in her chest.

She couldn’t quite pin down what it was, but it felt similar to something foreign she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Simply put. The feeling was incredibly strange - as if they didn't belong in her life.

She suddenly thought about the little note and flower again. Curious, she stopped walking and reached into her pocket.

Hailey takes another bite, keeping the bread in her mouth, and pauses to look at the flower in her other hand.

It’s yellow, that’s cute.

 She wasn’t an expert when it came to flowers, but at least they were pretty to look at. 

After staring at the petals a moment longer, Hailey’s curiosity finally got the better of her. 

She took the flower in both hands, careful not to tear the stem off, and placed it in her pocket. 

She then unfolded the note and began to read it. A small smile appearing on her face as she read the boy’s scribbled words. 

“You look sad. A good meal will make you feel better.”

She took another bite of the bread, trying not to get too sentimental.

Once again, that other feeling from earlier resurfaced, but this time it was just a bit stronger. 

Hailey tried to ignore the increasing pain in her chest that came with the feeling and quickly folded the note before stuffing it back into her pocket too. 

Finishing the loaf, she pulled another bread back out and took a huge bite out of it. 

“A good meal will make you feel better.”

Why can’t it always be that simple?

—

Hailey couldn't help feeling the growing anxiety as she approached past the southern gate of Wall Rose, leading to Trost District, it was as if a sense of déjà vu and discomfort washed over her, a mix of both nostalgia and trouble.

She paused as she hears Trost in a state of panic. Hailey felt a chill run down her spine as memories of her childhood came flooding back. Time seemed to slow as the colossal figure of the titan loomed in the distance. For a brief moment, she almost forgot how to breathe. But just as she was about to take a step back, the titan seemed to vanish into thin air, shattering the moment.

Shaking off the brief daze, she took a deep breath, trying to recompose herself as the crowd pushed her from behind.

Hailey pushed forward through the crowd, trying to keep her footing as the panicked civilians rushed past her. She could see soldiers hurrying about, barking orders and coordinating the evacuation efforts.

Hailey fought to clear her head, knowing she had to focus on the task at hand. The emergency evacuation was in full swing, and the area was chaotic with panicked citizens, busy Military Police officers, and arguing Garrison commanders.

Quickly assessing the scene, various officials were locked in a heated argument, either with each other, the citizens, or both. Still, neither Nile nor Pixis were visible in them.

At the expense of any officials, Hailey tried to gain their attention. However, her attempts were in vain, being drowned out by the shouts of her annoying comrades or the wailing of the distressed citizenry.

While she dreaded it, Hailey recognized the necessity to assume command. She swallowed a lump in her throat, muttering softly,

“For fuck’s sake.”

Hailey turned to face the crowd, her voice rising steadily as she addressed them.

"LISTEN UP!"

The cry resounded through the air, and a collective murmur of acknowledgement rippled through the crowd. Some faces shifted towards her, others continued their panicked ramblings, but all had at least some level of attention.

Hailey took a deep breath and addressed her fellow Military Police, expecting a modicum of understanding.

"For crying out loud, do your job!"

She raised her voice to a commanding tone, hoping that at least some of the MPs would respond. However, the usual responses were not forthcoming. The MPs continued their shouts with the Garrisons, some still distracted, while others seemed completely uninterested in her words.

Hailey's patience was wearing thin, and she felt as if she was shouting at an empty room.

"Damn it, are you all oblivious idiots?! Look at the situation we're in! Look at what's coming! There's no time to mess around! We could all die!"

Suspense rose as she realized her words were falling on deaf ears. She felt herself on the verge of giving up, but the fear of their impending doom gnawed away at her.

Hailey looked around at the sea of faces before her, the terror and confusion evident on each expression. They all seemed to be on the verge of crumbling, on the brink of giving into their fears.

"This is exactly how it happened before." she said, her voice quivering once more.

We were unprepared, careless, and disorganized.

Hailey's voice gained additional force. She notices her colleagues pushing past the evacuees. She couldn't believe the apathy in the faces around her; it was infuriating.

"Think about it! Shiganshina!"

The thought of more lives being lost chilled her, and she pushed further.

"EVERYONE, PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!!" She bellowed, her voice cracking with desperation. The words were tinged with a hint of hysteria, a rare display of vulnerability from the usually reserved soldier.

"Please," she whispered, her voice breaking,

"Just listen to me."

The citizens, who had been too paralyzed by fear to act, finally began to take notice of Hailey's vulnerability. Her expression, while cracking, revealed that beneath the steely facade, there was humanity. Uncharacteristic tears glimmered in her eyes, and the occasional strained hinted at the depth of her emotions. Unlike some of her fellow officers, who had passed by and ignored them, Hailey had stayed and attempted to guide them.

"Every-" Hailey started, her voice catching in her throat, as she swallowed and forced herself to continue. Her grip on her rifle strap instinctively tightened.

Hailey found the citizens crowding around her, their voices clamoring for guidance in the dire situation.

"What do we do?!" they cried, the fear and desperation evident in each voice.

"Someone's got to tell us what's going on!" They shouted and demanded answers, their fear driving them to seek guidance from the one person left to them.

Hailey's grip on the strap tightened again, her eyes darting between the people in front of her. She felt the weight of leadership pressing down on her. She was the last MP left.

Hailey felt the instant heat of the crowd surrounding her, their anxiety and fear palpable in the air. Despite her own discomfort, she swallowed down any indecision or hesitation, forcing her shoulders to straighten.

"I'm a lone brigade," she finally spoke up, her voice steady and firm.

"We've been left on our own." Her gaze scanned the Garrison soldiers present, taking count of their numbers.

The Garrison soldiers seemed surprised, but as Hailey began to order them around, this time they quickly snapped to attention. They were used to following established protocol, and the chaos of the situation was too much of a shock to most of them to really question leadership.

She watched as the Garrison soldiers followed her orders, moving through the crowd to separate groups and direct them towards the exits.

"They're counting on me to keep them safe," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible above the commotion. She took a moment to assess their appearances and groups. Young children clung to their parents, seniors held on to their canes, and small families held hands.

Hailey felt a pang in her chest as she realized the depth of responsibility that rested on her shoulders.

They’re counting on me.

As she watched the flow of people, Hailey's attention was drawn to a smaller group of children sticking together, their parents nowhere in sight. They clung to one another, as if trying to cling to some semblance of what Hailey could imagine was family.

Her heart ached at the sight, but she pushed her emotions aside.

For a while, things seemed to be progressing smoothly. The officers were working together, and the evacuation was continuing orderly. 

That is up until another crowd of people appeared, the arrival of another crowd of people, led by a large wooden cart, she knew that this vehicle would not fit through the tunnel, and her mind began to race.

Of course, those damn traders.

Hailey suspected it was one of those merchant carts that prioritized taking their wares with them over the evacuation. Suddenly, her eyes caught something in the distance that brought back her goosebumps.

it seemed like things were going well. The officers were cooperating, and the people were evacuating quickly.  

But then, Hailey noticed something in the distance that sent a chill down her spine. 

"Titans,"

she murmured, her heart pounding.

Hailey took notice on how the new crowd was different, moving with a frantic urgency that showed the horror of their situation. The all too familiar scent of iron wafting in the air caused her chest to tighten, as the reality of the situation began weighing more heavily upon her.

She froze once more, momentarily paralyzed by terror. But the distant screams and trembling ground brought her back to reality. She swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to steady her voice.

"Move! Quickly!" She shouted, her voice shaking despite her best efforts. "Get to the tunnels! Now!"

The more people she guided, the more her own trembling increased. 

Even from a distance she couldn't ignore the fear and desperation in the faces of the people running to them.

The seniors, those too old to make it on their own, struggled to walk, their canes shaking in their hands. Little children, their faces streaked with tears, clung to their parents' legs. Injured adults stumbled along, looking on helplessly.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, a nausea forming in her throat.

"Pull yourself together," she whispered to herself. "This is not the time to feel weak."

The few Garrison officers that were present noticed the inner struggle visible on her face, but knowing the stakes, they remained steadfast in their own tasks rather than attempting to approach her and distract her.

"I can do this," she reasoned to herself as she began to falter on her leadership the more the civilians drew closer, the grip on her weapon returning.

I have to do this.

They're counting on me, and I can't let them down.

But deep down, she was terrified.

But what if fail? What if they all die because of me?

What then?

The people around her struggled to make their way to safety, some barely crawling, and the fear that was building within her deepened as she watched. Every face, every sound, brought unwelcome memories to the forefront of her mind, causing her to buckle under the weight of her everything.

No, please, not now.

they’re counting on me.

Don't do me like this.

She could feel the walls closing in on her, and panic threatened to consume her. She tried to push the memories of past horrors away, but they danced on the edge of her peripheral vision, taunting her.

I can’t let them die.

I have to save-

"GAAAAAAHHHH!"

The familiar scream of Stormi reaches her ears, piercing through the chaos. Hailey's head snapped towards the sound, her heart skipping a beat. No one else seemed to have heard it.

"Stormi…?" she whispered, her body filling with dread.

She couldn't help it. 

Without thinking, the lone MP soldier charged onward through battle.