The day had finally arrived—the recruits' first mission. A buzz of excitement and nerves filled the air as they assembled in the training yard, clad in their newly issued gear. Conversations hummed with speculation, anticipation hanging thick like a storm cloud ready to burst.
Armin stepped up to the platform, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he tapped the microphone. His voice rang out loud and clear, commanding attention. "Are you all ready for your first mission?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his tone. "Well… I hope you will be."
Before he could continue, a voice from the crowd cut through. "Tell us the mission already!" someone shouted, impatient and eager.
Armin's expression darkened instantly. "If you don't shut it," he growled, "I swear I'll kick some discipline into that thick skull of yours."
Silence fell.
He took a breath and continued, his voice now sharp and serious. "Your first mission… is to invade the capital city—Rimore—and destroy it."
The words landed like thunder.
Gasps rippled through the recruits. Murmurs turned into protests, fear overtaking excitement. Rimore was the most fortified and well-guarded city in the entire region. To even approach it was considered madness, let alone attack it—especially for a group of untested newcomers.
One recruit stepped forward, disbelief written all over his face. "This is our first mission!" he shouted. "How the hell do you expect a bunch of inexperienced rookies to take on the most protected city? Do you even have a brain?"
Armin met the outburst with a cold stare. "Anyone who refuses to go," he said calmly, "won't receive mercy from me. I don't care if it's your first mission or your last. You're soldiers now. Either you fight or you fall."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"As for the plan—figure it out yourselves. You've got two hours. Adapt. Improvise. Survive. This is war, not a classroom."
The recruits stood frozen, torn between fear and fury, uncertainty and resolve. The illusion of safety had been shattered, and in its place stood a brutal truth: their lives were no longer their own, and their enemies would not wait for them to be ready.
Sheath's group stood frozen in disbelief, fear spreading through them like wildfire as the weight of their mission sank in. The task of invading Rimore—the most heavily guarded city—seemed not only impossible but suicidal. Still, they gathered in a circle, trying to form a plan, though no one dared to speak. Ideas lingered in their minds, but fear had silenced them all.
Time ticked away.
Realizing the urgency, Kale stepped into the center of the group, his voice breaking the heavy silence. "I'll make the plan!" he declared. "Stop being terrified—we have no choice! Dying out there is better than getting killed by Armin! Those who have the guts to fight, stand by me. The rest of you, leave."
A tense moment passed. Then, slowly, most of the recruits backed away, fear gripping their hearts too tightly to resist. In the end, only fifteen remained—Rein, Lira, Sheath, Isame, Kazuki, Aven, Grisha, Rick, Dave, Eva, Amen, Derek, Baster, Ivan, and Kale himself. They were the only ones willing to take on the impossible.
Armin approached them, his expression unreadable. "You all seem courageous," he said, eyeing each of them.
"Yes, sir!" they responded in unison, voices strong despite the tension.
A small smirk tugged at Armin's lips. "I can see the confidence in your eyes," he said. "You'll have support from experienced seniors. This mission was a test—a test of your courage."
Rick, still processing what had just happened, stepped forward. "Sir… what about the others?"
"They'll join you," Armin replied, his tone firm. "But only when the time is right—when they're needed the most."
The group exchanged glances, a mix of relief and newfound determination taking root in their hearts. They weren't alone. And though the mission remained dangerous, they now knew it wasn't just about battle—it was about bravery, resolve, and stepping forward when everyone else stepped back.
And they had taken that step.
After a few tense minutes, the experienced recruits finally stepped in, their presence commanding and reassuring. Without wasting time, one of them stepped forward and said, "Let's start working on the plan."
Before anyone could speak further, Divren raised a hand. "First, we need to identify who among us can actually come up with a solid strategy. No use rushing in without someone leading the way."
Maverick nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We need someone with a sharp mind. So, tell me—who's the best strategist here?"
Without hesitation, everyone turned to Kale.
Maverick looked at him with interest. "So, you're the brain of this group?" he asked, motioning for Kale to step forward. "Alright, explain your plan."
Kale took a breath and began laying out the plan he had quickly formed—detailing routes, potential weak points in Rimore's defenses, and how they could use their limited numbers to their advantage. His voice was calm but firm, clearly thought-out despite the pressure.
Maverick listened closely, nodding at key points, occasionally glancing at the others to see their reactions. When Kale finished, Maverick gave a short nod of approval. "Not bad at all," he said. "It's a bold strategy… but also dangerous."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "I like where your head's at, Kale. The foundation is solid. But we'll need to tweak a few things if we want to make it out alive."
He turned to the group and began explaining his modified version of the plan—adjusting routes, assigning roles, and integrating the more experienced recruits into the operation. His voice was confident, every word backed by the weight of real battlefield experience.
The recruits listened intently, hope rising in their hearts. With Kale's brains and Maverick's experience, the mission suddenly felt just a little more possible.
The group gathered, fully prepared, understanding the intricacies of the plan they had meticulously crafted. Each individual had a role, a purpose, and now it was time to bring their strategy to life. The first leg of their journey took them deep into the dense, shadowy expanse of the forest. It was here, within the undergrowth and concealed by nature's cloak, that they would strike with precision. Stealth would be their greatest ally as they advanced toward Rimore, the heart of their target's defenses.
Each member of the team positioned themselves carefully, ensuring that they were perfectly aligned with their designated spot. There was no room for error. Every move, every action had to be executed with absolute precision. The plan, built from the ground up using critical intelligence from spies within the city, had left no stone unturned. They knew the enemy's movements, their vulnerabilities, and, most importantly, their blind spots. This knowledge gave them a distinct advantage, a clarity that could tip the balance in their favor.
The tension in the air was palpable. Time seemed to stretch as they waited, each person lost in their own thoughts, the weight of the upcoming action settling on their shoulders. Every rustle of the wind in the trees, every distant noise in the woods heightened their awareness. For five long minutes, they stood in silence, allowing the adrenaline to build while ensuring their positions remained undetected.
And then, as the final second of the countdown arrived, they moved—swift, silent, and coordinated. The plan was set in motion. No one hesitated. They had studied their target and now, with calculated precision, each strike, each move, was designed to dismantle the enemy's defenses from within. The enemy wouldn't know what hit them.
This was not just a battle of strength but of intellect, the culmination of careful preparation, and a deep understanding of the enemy's weaknesses. Each blow, each maneuver was tailored to exploit a gap, a vulnerability. The odds had been stacked against them, but with this knowledge and their unwavering resolve, they knew they could overcome it.
The forest, which had been a quiet witness to their preparation, now became the stage for a battle that would decide their fate. As the plan unfolded, the quiet hum of the forest was replaced with the sharp, decisive sounds of an operation in motion. The path ahead was uncertain, but they had already set the wheels in motion for a future that could turn the tide of the war in their favor.