The explosion had created a deafening noise, and the Titans, who had previously been moving toward the walls, abruptly turned in the opposite direction. Adrenaline coursed through my body as I ran alongside the soldiers to lead the civilians to safety. I could feel the panic in the air as people tried to flee from the danger zone.
"Quick! Follow us!" shouted the leader as we guided the people out of their homes and into the safe streets. I had never thought I would find myself in such a critical situation. *I'm not a hero,* I thought. *I'm just a fan who has stumbled into another world.*
As we brought the first civilians to the safety of the walls, I heard the screams of people behind me. Some of the Titans had turned around and were coming toward us. I felt my heart race. *This isn't a game anymore. I have to fight here and now.*
"Stay together!" I called out to the soldiers as we retreated to a position to hold off the Titans. I had no combat experience, but I had observed a lot. I knew I couldn't just look away.
"What are you planning?" Jean asked as we moved toward the Titans. "You can't just stand there and do nothing!"
"I'm going to try to distract them!" I decided, doing my best to show a sense of determination. *If I don't do this, who will?*
"That's crazy!" Jean shouted. "You're not a soldier!"
"But I can try," I replied, focusing on the approaching Titans. I remembered the knowledge I had from the anime. "If I draw them to me, maybe you can attack them!"
"You're insane!" the leader shouted, but I was already in motion. I knew I didn't have time. The Titans were fast, and I had to act immediately.
I ran toward the Titans as they approached me. My thoughts raced. *What am I doing here? This isn't my fight!* Yet, as I ran, I felt I couldn't back down. I was here to help, and I had to give it my all.
"Hey! Over here!" I shouted, trying to draw the Titans' attention to me. Their large, empty eyes turned in my direction, and I felt the fear intensify within me. *This is really the moment I have to find out if I'm brave enough.*
The Titans began to charge at me. I could feel the ground shake beneath their massive feet, and my heart raced. *This is not good. What am I doing here?*
I ducked to avoid the first Titan that came at me with its mouth wide open. *This is insane!* I thought as I moved. I had to find a way to distract them before they got too close. *I can't do this!*
I continued to run while keeping an eye on the Titans around me. I felt that I would lose control of the situation if I didn't act quickly. *Think, Kael! What do you know?*
The Titans were huge, but they were also slow. I used that to my advantage and looked for a way to escape them. I knew I couldn't stop them, but I could try to lead them in another direction.
"Over here!" I yelled again, throwing a few stones in the opposite direction. The Titans reacted to the noises and turned away from me again. I felt my heart pounding as I saw them divert. *It's working!*
Just as I thought I had succeeded, I heard another scream. I turned around and saw a Titan grab a soldier who had gotten too close. The sight froze the blood in my veins. "NO!" I screamed, and my stomach twisted as I watched the devastating scene unfold.
"Kael!" shouted the leader as he tried to fight the Titan. "Come back!"
*I can't look away!* I thought, and my feeling of helplessness turned into anger. I ran straight toward the Titan that had attacked the soldier and yelled, "Let him go!"
I knew I couldn't do anything, but I couldn't just stand by and watch. The Titan turned to face me, and I felt my body tremble. It was as if the world around me came to a standstill. *This is my moment to act or fail.*
"Stop!" I shouted as I tried to grab the Titan's attention. I wasn't sure what to do, but I knew I couldn't back down. *I can't let them suffer!*
The Titan turned its head and looked at me with its empty eyes. I felt smaller in that moment than ever before. *This is no game anymore. This is my life.*
Just as I thought I was going to die, I heard the sound of sharp blades slicing through the air. The soldiers had rushed to help, and I watched as they attacked the Titan with precise strikes. *They are here to save me!*
The Titan staggered back, and I breathed a sigh of relief. "Quick! Let's rescue the soldier!" I shouted, helping to free the injured man from the Titan's claws.
The soldiers worked together and finally managed to defeat the Titan. I felt as if I had won part of the battle, even though I had only been on the sidelines. *I can't believe it. I didn't just survive; I also helped!*
"You did well, Kael!" the leader shouted when he saw me. "You really helped us!"
I felt encouraged yet overwhelmed. "I... I just wanted to help," I stammered as I tried to process the shock. *I might actually be making a difference.*
But while I floated in that moment of success, I felt a dark premonition rising within me. *What will happen next?* This world was full of dangers, and I couldn't stay safe forever.
"We need to retreat now," the leader said, leading us back behind the walls. "The Titans could return at any moment."
As we withdrew, I felt my heart grow heavy. *I didn't come here to save people. I came here to find a way back.* Yet as I continued walking, I knew I couldn't just give up. *I am now a part of this world, and I have to fight for it.*
The uncertainty gnawed at me as I returned to the walls. *What will become of me?* I knew I had to do everything in my power to shape my destiny, no matter which world I found myself in. And as I stepped into the safety of the walls, I was sure I was ready to face the challenges ahead.