She was a young girl with nothing else but the fist clenched to her heart, her family and possessions taken away by the toil that was humanity's war with the titans.
Every single day of training had always been another challenge to conquer, another test to pass. There were the naturally-gifted who carried on with flying colors, and there were those like herself who found it an ongoing obstacle to carry themselves onward.
That fury was the very same that drove her towards vengeance, on the path to avenging the lost. To her jubilation, there were several like-minded individuals that shared her anger, those of whom she stood between within her division of recruits during the enlistment phase.
But the transition was imperfect, and one could only desire so much without possessing the strength needed to carry the weight of that animosity. Young and unprepared for the difficulties of their trials, she could only muster enough resolve to drag herself just over the finish line. She was among several to suffer failure at the Gear Compatibility Test, her career starting with a blemish as she could only barely balance herself.
To be feeble was not a positive trait within the military, and through squeezing past the Close-Quarters Combat and 3D Maneuver Gear training in the Forest of Giant Trees, it was clear that she was only suitable for a supportive role within the military. Regardless, her determination remained stoutly, showing her aptitude in the classroom, where the 104th Training Corps spent most of their days besides honing themselves physically.
She had become an expert of sorts on Titan Terminology and Physiology, her capacity of knowledge impressing even Schulz, himself. In place of this weakness, she had found a crutch of strength, her curiosity for information extending into the classes of Military Terminology and Equipment, as well as the lessons of the Walls and Districts.
Their time within the classroom was limited by the military's demand for bolstering its soldiers, and they were in constant travel all throughout, the concurrent hours of horseback training serving to prepare them for their primary method of transportation. She had felt her vitality begin to wane with the third month, but there was nothing left for her if she left. The first true test of her determination would come six months after the burning sun, in the wake of winter.
The 104th Training Corps had traveled to the northernmost point between Wall Rose and Wall Sina, where the weather had been unlike anything the soldiers had ever seen before. An unruly blizzard stormed around the camp stationed at the base of a steep plateau, and even through the soldiers' preparations in thick clothing, the wintry weather remained a deadly flurry. The instructors had given them only one objective; to hike up the hills and reach the camp at the top of the plateau, their enemy being labelled as nature itself.
Left with only an objective, the soldiers-in-training dispatched into several collectives, each supporting one another in the event of an emergency. The purpose of the training was trust, and for the girl, the climb was only another obstruction to her vengeance. Yet, each step taken sapped what little strength remained, her feet sinking deeper into the snow until there was nothing left to stand for. She had been too slow to keep up, inevitably left behind by her comrades.
She was a young girl with nothing else but the frost-bitten fingers clenched to her sides, her own life taken away by the winter storm.
"I hope that the others are alright."
It was natural for Reese Kestrel to worry about the well-being of his friends, and the dangerous weather only served to bolster the matter much further. He had shuffled into the first group formed out of his acquaintances, in which he was joined by Gabriel, Olivia, Tanner, Emil, Connor, and Jay. The trek up the hill was a long one, the smaller boy's body under more pressure from the heavier backpack of supplies that they were required to carry. On the contrary of his initial excitement for seeing the wintry weather, the boy was fast to reconsider his anticipation as they approached the blizzard, and he was continually pelted by snow.
Six months had seemed to pass quickly, and over that time period, Reese focused heavily on developing himself in the areas where he lacked expertise. Beating out a number of the other trainees during hand-to-hand combat training had seemingly given him the determination to pass the Gear Compatibility Test, and starting his path towards becoming a full-fledged soldier would only grow more difficult. Balancing himself on the makeshift harness had been one thing, but actually flying through the air and trying not to crash into gigantic trees had been another when they began their actual 3D Maneuver Gear training.
At the very least, Reese was able to complete the exercises with enough effort, finding himself better in coordinating with the others more often than not. During the occasional lesson within the classroom, the boy was only rivaled by Tanner at the end of the day, though it was not exactly the type of competition that he sought recognition for. Unlike almost the entirety of the class, however, he was unfazed by the long hours or days of travel on horseback, having adjusted to the wear and tear of wayfaring many years ago.
Though, Reese was certainly not adjusted to the blistering cold, that was for sure. The boy shivered as his teeth clattered, attempting to snug deeper into his winter coat as he was shoulder-to-shoulder with Gabriel and Olivia. There was a lingering fear that some of the trainees would be left behind in the blizzard, hoping that it would not be the case for anyone within their class. "Are we there yet?" he could barely make out through the chills, bumping his head against Gabriel.
Member
Marlowe
Foster
Hos
sandstorm
Kuro
