The Calm Before the Storm

Days turned into weeks, and I started to settle into my new reality in Shiganshina. Training in secret had become part of my routine, and while my system had given me a solid start, I knew I couldn't rely on it alone. Every morning before sunrise, I'd wake up early and sneak out to practice my footwork, strength, and stamina. Shadow Step, my movement skill, was getting better by the day, though I still had a long way to go before it felt natural.

But what surprised me the most was how quickly I had become close to Eren, Mikasa, and Armin.

"Oi, you still daydreaming?" Eren nudged me in the ribs, a smirk on his face. "C'mon, we're going to the river today! Hannes said he'd let us tag along while he patrols."

"Hannes?" I raised an eyebrow. "That lazy drunk?"

Armin chuckled. "He's not that bad, you know. He does care about us."

Mikasa, as usual, remained silent but gave a slight nod in agreement. She was always protective of Eren, but I had noticed she had started to treat me similarly. Maybe because I was always hanging around Eren, or maybe because she could tell I was holding back something about myself.

"Fine, fine," I sighed. "Let's go before he decides to get drunk and ditches us."

The streets of Shiganshina bustled with activity. Merchants shouted, advertising their goods, children ran through the alleyways playing games, and workers hauled goods from one end of town to another. I had spent enough time here now to recognize some of the locals.

"Hey, you kids better not cause trouble!" An old fruit vendor waved a wrinkled hand at us.

Eren rolled his eyes. "We're not causing trouble!"

"Not yet, anyway," I muttered under my breath, making Armin snicker.

We passed by a group of soldiers near the gate, standing around lazily. They weren't the Survey Corps, of course. Just some relaxed Garrison members with no real worries.

"You think the Titans will ever come?" One of them asked his comrade.

"Nah. They've been quiet for a hundred years," the other replied, stretching his arms. "We're safe behind the walls."

I fought the urge to scoff. If only they knew.

Hannes was exactly where Eren said he would be—near the river, drinking from a bottle that was probably filled with something stronger than water.

"Oi, Hannes!" Eren called. "We came to help!"

Hannes turned, squinting at us before grinning. "Ahh, if it isn't the brats! Help, you say? Hah! You're just here to run around and get in trouble!"

Mikasa tilted her head slightly. "Eren wanted to come."

"Oi! That makes it sound like it's my fault!" Eren protested.

Hannes laughed heartily, taking another swig. "Fine, fine. Just don't wander too far. And if you see anything suspicious, run, got it?"

Suspicious? Right. Because that's exactly what was about to happen.

The day passed with ease. We ran through the district, watched the boats sail in the river, and even managed to steal some extra bread when no one was looking.

But I couldn't shake the feeling in my gut.

Something was coming. And I knew exactly what it was.

And then, it happened.

A deafening boom shook the entire district.

The ground trembled as the air filled with dust and smoke. I knew what was coming, but seeing it with my own eyes still left me breathless.

The Wall.

The Wall had been breached.

People screamed, scrambling in panic. The ground beneath us quaked again as something enormous loomed over the broken gate.

The Colossal Titan.

Its steaming, skinless body towered above everything. I felt my stomach drop as its beady eyes surveyed the town. Then, as if moving in slow motion, its massive foot lifted.

And it kicked the gate in.

A shockwave of debris and fire erupted, throwing me backward. My ears rang as my vision spun. When I finally pushed myself up, the world around me was chaos. People crushed under falling stone. Buildings collapsing. And then—

Titans.

Dozens of them poured in through the breach, their grotesque faces twisted into eerie smiles.

A mother clutched her child as a Titan snatched her up, her scream cut off as jagged teeth clamped down. Blood splattered onto the ground like spilled wine. A soldier rushed forward with a spear, only for another Titan to snatch him mid-stride, his body flailing before being swallowed whole.

The stench of blood, smoke, and burning wood filled the air. I could hear the crunch of bones, the shrill cries of people begging for help. My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to move.

Eren was already up, his face contorted with rage. "No… No!" His fists clenched. "Mom!"

My eyes widened. Right. Carla Jaeger.

She was still in her house.

We had to move.

I grabbed Eren by the shoulder. "Eren! We have to go—NOW!"

"NO!" He thrashed against my grip, desperation in his eyes. "My mom—"

"There's no time!" I yelled, dragging him along as Mikasa followed, her own expression tight with fear.

We sprinted through the crumbling streets, dodging falling debris and panicked citizens. Hannes ran toward us, eyes wild with terror.

"You kids—!" He panted, grabbing Eren. "We have to get out of here!"

"Mom is still—"

"I KNOW!" Hannes' face twisted with pain, his hands shaking. "But if we go back, we die too!"

Eren's eyes filled with rage and anguish, his body trembling as he saw what I saw.

His mother. Trapped beneath the rubble.

Her eyes met Eren's. Fear. Love. And resignation.

The Titan loomed above her, drool dripping from its lips.

"Run," Carla whispered. "Please. Run."

"MOM!!"

Hannes tightened his grip and bolted, dragging us with him. The last thing I saw was Carla Jaeger, smiling through her tears.

Then the Titan struck.