The night sky was shrouded in a a heavy, grey blanket, starless and bleak. Sparks and ashes rose from the fire in the town square, the flames snapping and licking at the wood and the remnants of soldiers who had given their lives for the glory of humanity. The city of Trost lay in ruin, blood-stained and abandoned, each of its citizens safe thanks to those in the Cadets and the Garrison alike who had paid the ultimate price.

The events that had transpired over the past few days were nothing short of extraordinary. It was discovered that Eren Jaeger had the ability to transform into a titan, and it was this very ability that led to humanity's victory over the titans in Trost... but it had come at a great price.

The expressions of those standing around the fire were ones of shock and grief. Despite their victory, they had suffered heavy losses and lost many whom they had called comrades and friends.

Kuro stood before the fire, looking up as the flames reached to the sky. Thomas. Nac. Mylius. Mina. Marco... just to name a few. They were Cadets... not soldiers. Not yet. The weight of the losses and the sights of the aftermath weighed heavy on his heart. This was the price of victory. The price of survival.

He raised a hand to the bandage that was wrapped around his head, covering his left eye. Even he had paid a price for his life. His eye had been the cost for the luck that got him through. Not skill. Not strategy. Luck.

It had happened so quickly. Kuro had been standing on a rooftop with the squad he'd been assigned to. It had been quiet in that area for a few precious seconds before a shadow fell over the group.

Kuro started to glance over his shoulder and saw the titan looming over them. "LOOK OUT!!" he yelled as they all jumped in different directions to avoid the giant hand that crashed through the roof. Debris showered them, shredding clothing and skin alike. A piece of tile was hurled towards him, and was quickly followed by searing pain along the left-hand side of his face as well as the sting of cuts and ache of bruises all over the rest of him. He heard the screaming first before looking towards the source of the sound. One of their team was flailing in the titan's grip. Kuro could barely recall what happened next. There were further screams and the rattling of ODM gear being hastily fired. Kuro took his turn and blindly swung his blades at the titans neck only to find it falling right after.

It wasn't long after that he found out the true extent of the damage he'd taken. His left eye, though still there, was dead and useless. A gash ran from forehead to cheek that would never fully heal, and he was blind in that eye.

The rest of that battle had been a struggle. He was forever crashing into buildings and had too many close calls. It was through sheer luck that he was still standing. Wounded. Blinded. But standing nonetheless.

In the days that followed, Eren Jaeger was unceremoniously inducted into the Scouts following a trial to determine his fate. He was put under the direct supervision of Captain Levi and promptly taken to a secure location where his abilities could be further studied and tested.

Only two titans remained still standing after the Battle for Trost, and they were taken captive for study as well. However, they were mysteriously killed long before their usefulness was expended. A full investigation was launched, but yielded nothing.

At long last, one week following the battle, the trainees of the 104th Cadet Corps graduated and were given the opportunity to choose their Regiment, only the Top Ten having the Military Police as an option.

Due to his injury, Kuro had to go through a review to see if he was still fit to fight. It was hell for him. Joining the Scouts was what he had been working towards for so long and being so close to losing that was terrifying. Luckily, he passed, by the skin of his teeth. That injury meant that he would have a lot of work to get back to where he had been prior to it but Kuro wasn't going to give up that easily. He'd put in all the work that was needed to get back to that point.

As the Cadets all stood prepared to make their final decision, Commander Erwin Smith stepped forward and made a plea for the Scouts. There were those who wouldn't join... those who would choose the MP or the Garrison, and that was their prerogative to do so. However, the Survey Corps needed them, he said. Despite the dismal odds of survival, they desperately needed troops.

"Whoever still wishes to put their life on the line and join us, remain here." Commander Erwin spoke with a clear, strong voice. "But first, ask yourself... Can you give your heart? Can you give everything for humanity?"

It was like a cold wind swept through the crowd of Cadets. Many eyes widened, and there were a few intakes of breath.

Kuro stood there, still as a statue. Give everything? That would be easy. It wasn't like he had much left to begin with. Unlike some of the others, he had no family to worry about him or await his return. His life now, was in such a way that he would much rather die the second he left those gates than to live his whole life inside the walls.

He would gladly give everything.

"...that is all," the Commander said, after giving them all a moment to consider their final decisions. "Those wanting to join other Regiments are dismissed."

One by one, Cadets turned and walked away.... some right away, others after reconsideration. The crowd grew smaller and smaller.

Kuro stood there, hands clasped behind his back. Some of the others nearly bumped into him as they left, like they were expecting him to turn around as well. But he wouldn't do that. He'd made his choice even before he'd joined up. Injury or not, he was joining the Scouts.

As the dust of footsteps settled amid the quiet flicker of torch flames, twenty-two remained. Twenty-two... out of a few hundred.

Commander Erwin looked out over the recruits. "You who stayed," his deep voice addressed them. "You are now one of us. Allow me to welcome you to the Scout Regiment! This is a genuine salute, soldiers!" He brought his fist firmly and proudly against his chest. "Together, we give our hearts!"

Kuro stood tall as he saluted. This was it. None of them standing here could turn back now. They had seen the harsh reality of war in Trost yet had all decided to stay. What this meant for them... they didn't know, but with their salute, they each promised to give their hearts, their everything to the cause.