You are my Soul

☾hapter V

Shadis's piercing gaze swept across us, his eyes filled with a mix of scrutiny and disdain. The tension in the air was palpable as he sought out his next target, his predatory instincts on full display. I watched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension as he closed in on Armin, his face contorted into an expression reminiscent of a rabid dog.

" You there !". Shadis barked, his voice booming through the training grounds.

Armin, taken aback by the sudden attention, snapped to attention and replied with a sharp salute. I couldn't help but worry for him, easily supposing that Shadis could be merciless when it came to testing the resolve of new recruits.

" Yes, sir !". Armin responded, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Ah, so it's Arly who opens the ball, I thought, a tinge of concern lacing my thoughts. I hoped Shadis wouldn't be too hard on him, though deep down, I suspected it would be a futile hope.

" Who are you ?!". Shadis bellowed, his voice laced with a blend of authority and contempt.

" Armin Arlert, from Shiganshina, sir !". Armin replied, his voice resolute.

" Yeah ? That's a stupid name. Your parents give you that ?". Shadis retorted, his tone dripping with derision.

I frowned, taken aback by Shadis's cutting remark. I didn't think his name was stupid. If you want to go that way, who names their child Keith then ? I thought, suppressing the urge to voice my retort. This kind of statement goes both ways.

" My grandfather did !". Armin responded, his voice steady despite the insult.

" Arlert, what are you doing here ?!". Shadis questioned, his eyes drilling into Armin.

" Trying to aid in humanity's victory, sir !". Armin declared, his conviction unwavering.

" That is indeed wonderful," Shadis replied, a flicker of surprise crossing his face," Then you will feed the Titans! Row 3, about face !". Shadis commanded, abruptly turning Armin around and pushing his head forward.

After hearing what Shadis said to Armin, I scoffed slightly, my frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He took Armin for an apéricube, this bastard, I thought, my anger directed towards Shadis.

As Shadis approached me, I couldn't help but smirk, a defiant fire burning within me. I knew that I would not be cowed by his intimidating presence.

" Who are you ?!". Shadis demanded, his voice echoing through the air.

" Anelise Pierce, from Shiganshina, sir !". I responded with a sharp salute, my voice steady.

" What's a little girl like you doing here ?!". Shadis shouted, his voice laced with disbelief.

" I am here to fight the Titans in order to give future generations a better future, without the fear of losing their loved ones in such a cruel way, sir !". I declared, my words dripping with determination.

Shadis's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and disdain crossing his face," You'll probably be the first to die like a mosquito, Pierce !". He sneered.

Unfazed, I replied calmly," If I may say so, human life always ends in death, no matter what we do. So, no matter what I do, I will end up dead. But if my sacrifice makes a difference, even a little bit, then it will be an honor for me to die like 'a mosquito,' as you said, sir".

The camp fell into a stunned silence, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air. Shadis, taken aback by my unexpected response, stared at me in disbelief. The silence was so profound that you could almost hear a fly flying, the tension thickening the atmosphere.