ELITE.

      In other words, he was alone. There wasn’t anyone he could particularly have faith in or rely on, though that was due in part to his own incompetence and introversion that came up once he got hooked onto the system that they called a “computer” here.

      Should he blame himself for having no one? Whenever this thought came into his mind, he immediately regretted his laziness. His friends were probably still out there, fighting, not knowing where the hell he was—if they were distressed for his sake, then the guilt he’d feel upon realizing it would be immense.

      So he pushed it out of his mind. Thoughts of his companions weren’t frequent anymore, but even so, he wondered what they’d be like if they were here.

      …Well, it seemed like that question would be answered soon enough. He had started to wait around the first sector’s center, where new arrivals usually come from, whenever he had the time. He thought that eventually he might see someone from back home, at least someone who didn’t want to murder him at every turn.

      And, when he saw a head of dark hair, he didn’t really think much of it. Black hair, although rare at home, was commonplace here. So much so that he actually glanced over the person who had it. He didn’t even notice her running up to him, as he was more focused on the others with fairer, more discerning colors—

      All the way up until she came up to him and called his name, he didn’t even realize that she was the exact person he was looking for.

      His eyes immediately focused on the grey scarf that was around her neck—same as his. He was shocked, fair to say. He thought he had been prepared to meet her again. He wasn’t. He just stared at her, shocked for a few moments. It seemed like a quiet eternity. Then, after a while, he laughed lightly, giving her a kind smile, the likes of which he hadn’t given to anyone during his entire stay here.

      This was just like her.

and yet she wasn't certain how long she hadn't seen him. she exhaled as she putted her brother into a hug, gently squeezed him and tried to hold her tears back. it was hard, but it feld like she had no other choice. what if something bad would have happened to him and she wasn't there to protect him?

eren.. he was her home after all. she wouldn't forgive herself if he died, just because she wasn't there to stop it.

her head was burried into the male's shoulder, digits clung into the fabric of his jacket, while she was still fighting witht he tears. without eren mikasa would have been hopeless, maybe if she'd have found anyone else she may have known from this place she wouldn't. but still.

it didn't take too long as she pulled away from him, and when ashen met ashen, a smile was displaying on her face, following with the words:

Similar to the others, Shepard had awoken from a bizarre slumber to find three individuals gracing her presence. They appeared to have been part of a certain group as their attires matched with the exception of certain accessories. And along with a rather vicious headache thoroughly terrorizing her head, as well as the sense of isolation, the commander’s attitude was overall negative. 

Though naturally she still held a level of courtesy to refrain from spewing venomous words.

While her new “companions” diverted their focus away from the crimson-haired woman, she took the opportunity to free herself from the tension rampaging her body. The past weeks were fairly unkind to the weary soldier as the nightmares of her failures continued its mockery. As a result, fatigue nestled into her bones quicker than usual. Eventually Shepard found the energy to hoist herself unto her feet, brushing off any unwanted particles from her armor.

"It’s simple: the scientists decided to throw us into yet another experiment," she spoke out loud while planting emerald hues firmly onto her uniform, "Why they can’t find a more pleasant hobby like collecting coins is beyond me."

The group were suddenly enveloped in a harsh neon light as her omni-tool sprung to life. Though several of its functions were disabled through the scientists’ hands, the tool served one of the most critical functions to Shepard’s survival and expansion of knowledge. Gesturing with her fingers, several holographic panels streaming logistics clustered above her forearm. Then she performed a sweeping movement of her hand over their surroundings to scan their current location. Once the tool began to process the information received, the woman teared her piercing gaze away towards the group.

"Since we’re in the dark here, we can at least learn each others’ names? I’m Commander Shepard."   

     A minor, audible clicking of the tongue resonated from the captain’s mouth as dialogue exchanged between his intertwined partners, shifting greyscale hues to view the women momentarily. The banter was fairly harmless and inquisitive in nature, but it failed to deter the soldier from his unwavering disposition. Listening intently to the unfamiliar commander’s explanation, a slight huff passes subconsciously.

“ ——what she said. It looks like our overseers are up to their shitty games again. ”

     He was aware that the source of their predicament could only be attributed to the scientists. But what beasts await them in the belly of obscurity, hiding under the veil of shrouded darkness?

     Luminescent neon scans the area, casting light upon a figure with inhuman features. Upper body resembling the build of a man, yet with the face of a bull. Lower abdomen consisting of animalistic legs, hooves scraping the dusted ground as its expression became intimidatingly grim. Taking note of the monster, hands tightened the grip of both blades. As formalities were proposed, a slight nod of acknowledgment.

“ Levi. Captain in the Survey Co——…!! ”

                                                                            RAM!!!

     Rampaging towards the group, horns slam into nearby stone with full force, as the soldier barely escapes. Eyes shift to view the others, stating.

“ Draw your weapons! ”

     If there were more creatures like the mythical minotaur before them roaming about, making it out of here alive was going to be no easy task.

her upper lip is curled in a permanent snarl, but she doesn`t interrupt the introduction between soldiers. the woman reveals herself to be a commanding officer; a comforting title to reveal in an unknown area filled with creatures. as a commanding officer of two soldiers, levi`s own introduction is expected but cut short—by the ramming horns of a monster she`d never seen before. the impact shakes the walls of the labyrinth, ripping her gaze away once again towards the source.

it exudes air through its nostrils in a beast-like fashion, skin stretched thinly against its bulging muscular frame. petra`s eyes travel to its hands balled into fists, then, with horror, towards the hooves it stands upon. mythology is a subject only the privileged could be well versed upon and petra was never a part of that populace. she grips her blades tighter, her blood boiling with the will to fight.

"your orders, captain!" she shouts without fear as the minotaur recovers from the impact, its gaze shifting itself to the rest of the group.

and she was ready-- ready to slaughter everything that would even go across her way. if she had no other choice but to fight, she would take it and try to protect her group. hands were wrapped around her blade's grips, eyes were narrowed. "mikasa ackerman", she said, as an introduction. yet it was obvious that petra and levi knew who she was, but it was rather directed to the woman she didn't have seen before. 

"mikasa? mikasa, wake up! are you alright?" petra asks breathlessly, hovering over the soldier`s body, ready to take measures if the woman is unresponsive as a result of a possible concussion.

a familiar voice catches her attention almost immediately afterwards, and petra tilts her head upwards to locate the source. her captain stands tall with a scowl, his own gaze fixated towards a direction in a battle-ready stance, creating an atmosphere of foreboding. quick to stand on her own two feet, she casts one last glance towards mikasa and then towards the other figure clad in metal from the neck down before unleashing her own blades. her stance widens to secure her center of balance, shoulders tense.

"what… in the world is happening, captain?" her inquiry is almost a growl with her gaze shifting north as well.

"---- what's going on here, captain?"