[attr="class","rcappleft3"]

[attr="class","rcappleft3"]

[attr="class","rcappleft61"]

AND THE WALLS KEPT TUMBLING DOWN IN THIS CITY THAT WE LOVE

I have always been surrounded by walls. Though now it seems strange that the "wall" that keeps me on this island is of sea and surf and not stone and brick.
[break][break]
I was born in Jinae, a district in the southern area of Wall Rose. We lived off the land - my parents were both farmers, and though our life was constant hard work, we lived comfortably. Home may not have been large, but it was home all the same.

( but beware! the walls are both liberating and prison. for outside, a monster calls )

There has always been word of danger. Mother never enjoyed talking about it, but Father would explain the whispered words surrounding the Titans. Great, lumbering, human-like creatures that ate humans. Beings that forced us to create walls too large to breach. Monsters that loom on the horizon, threatening to extinguish the human race.
[break][break]
And with that - tales of the Military. The Survey Corps, the Garrison, and the military police. How the Survey Corps holds the elite soldiers attempting to reclaim the land lost to the Titans. The Garrison, patrolling the Walls. And lastly, the Military Police, keeping safe those within the walls.

( glory. honor. prestige and wealth. but none of those are what i seek )

I'm not much of a fighter. As such, I felt compelled to be among the top recruits and join the Military Police once training was complete. I wanted to help people flourish, and live safely. The fight was not only the one outside the walls - it was within, too.
[break][break]
My parents often said they'd prefer if I didn't join the military. Explained to me the amount of corruption within the ranks of the Police. Explained the danger. They didn't care that joining would bring my family resources that were direly needed. Didn't care that it would bring us some prestige. But I believed I could make a difference -- and with that said, they gave me their support.
[break][break]
I just wish I could talk to them now.
[break][break][break]

GREAT CLOUDS ROLLED OVER THE HILLS BRINGING DARKNESS FROM ABOVE

Training was difficult.
[break][break]
Really, it was. Being a farmer's son helped -- I didn't have the flab of those who didn't have to work an ounce of their life. Maybe not the strongest, but I could hold out. Barely.
[break][break]
Training was mentally draining, too -- the instructors were harsh, and you had to get used to being called all sorts of names. Heck, sometimes the trainers were scarier than the Titans! But it helped build camaraderie and I made friends among the fellow recruits.
[break][break]
Jean Kirschtein was among the first. We became good friends.

( though there really is more to it. but that is for another time )

After that was when I was thrown into the fight for humanity's survival. After the Colossal Titan had breached the wall in Trost, us trainees were ordered to support the vanguard. I was put in charge -- why that is, I won't know. There were plenty of other better choices for leaders. But I suppose my hard work had paid off in this sense.
[break][break]
Except once we were told to retreat, I'd readied my gear, only to find I didn't have enough gas to use it. Neither did many of my fellow trainees.

( t r a p p e d )

We grouped together, and with Armin's quick thinking on our side, we formed a plan to fight back. And fight we did! I was scared witless, but I knew my duty -- knew to stand strong, keep morale high, keep us going. My encouragement to others wasn't just for them -- it was for myself, also.
[break][break]
We made it out, made it out safe. Rattled and on edge, but safe. And those commanders -- they decide to send us back once more. Needless to say, many were not happy about heading back to that hell hole. But heck -- we got out once. We could do it again.
[break][break]
It so happens that I eavesdropped. Overheard three fellow recruits talk about their Titan identities. Thought it was a joke at first. Turns out, it wasn't.
[break][break]
Not that I'd denounce them - Eren's one, too. They might be Titans, but they're also human, with full ability to reason and think. Even after Reiner captured me (and boy did that hurt), I tried to reason with them -- I think I did. I was honestly pretty terrified, and if asked to recall what I said, I wouldn't be able to.
[break][break]
Gotta say, I was pretty darn scared. Especially when they left me without equipment. Do you know how damn horrid it is to know you're about to die? Die a horrid, gruesome death? Heck, I did everything I could to try and convince them against leaving me. Because as much as I wanted them to see reason, I also wanted to live. I'm only human -- to survive is just a natural instinct.

( the approach of danger -- the closing of a fist. a crunch. a snap. the breaking of something, but was it will or bone? )

When the Titan had me in its hands, I fought. I saw the horrified, remorseful faces of the three that betrayed me.
[break][break]
And then I died.
[break][break][break]

BUT IF YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES, DOES IT ALMOST FEEL LIKE NOTHING CHANGED AT ALL?

I remember darkness. And then -- a blinding light. Blue sky, dotted with wispy white clouds. The roar of the ocean -- a thing I'd never seen before. The stuff of dreams and fantasy. And yet, here I was, lying in the surf, the salt of the sea on my lips, the waves soaking my uniform. Warm sand in my ears and my hair.
[break][break]
I remember looking at myself in shock, before composing myself and standing on shaky legs, like a newborn colt. Remember heading towards tall buildings that sparkled, to machines that moved far quicker than I'd ever seen.

( walk down a street in a strange land. strange looks. metal machines. the stuff of wonder and imagination )

I was quickly taken to the citizen registry where I put down my name and told my story. I was given a place to stay, opportunity for work -- a modest employ, for I still had much to learn about this futuristic world -- and some small amount of money to support myself.
[break][break]
I've been here for a few years, now. I've learned many new things -- of cars and phones, of television and radios and surfing and other worlds. I've melded into society pretty well, despite there being so many others with different powers and looks. And I enjoy the peace here - this place is truly a utopia. No fear of death, no battles for survival. Just -- life.
[break][break]
But I can't help but wonder how the others are doing. What's happened because of the Titans. Whether they are safe.

( is jean alive? )

But while I'm here, I'll just thank whatever Gods have kept me alive. A second chance at life -- I won't squander it.

[attr="class","rcapplist"][attr="class","ion-chatbubble-working"]

[attr="class","rcapplist"][attr="class","ion-leaf"]

[attr="class","rcapplist"][attr="class","ion-cube"]

[attr="class","rcapplist"][attr="class","ion-android-calendar"]

[attr="class","rcapplist"][attr="class","ion-android-favorite"]

[attr="class","rcapplist"][attr="class","ion-briefcase"]

[attr="class","rcapplist"][attr="class","ion-android-pin"]

[attr="class","rcapplist"][attr="class","ion-android-home"]