First Battle

First Battle is the fourth chapter of the Attack on Titan manga, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama.

Summary
The Colossal Titan, who has not been seen in five years, continues its assault on Wall Rose. Using his Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear, Eren alone climbs the Titan's arm. Along the way, he realizes that the Titan is not attacking at random, but intentionally aiming for the canons and the vulnerable district gate. He deduces that, unlike any other Titan, it may possess intelligence.

Knowing that this is a rare chance to eliminate the only Titan capable of destroying the wall, Eren does not hesitate to target its weak spot on the back of its neck. However, he is temporarily disoriented when the Colossal Titan suddenly emits a burning gas from its body. When the smoke clears, the Titan has already disappeared into thin air, leaving nothing but smoke and two large footprints--just as it had five years ago.

A panicked conversation between Eren and his comrades, who were paralyzed in fear the entire time, is cut short when a member of the Garrison vanguard shows up and tells the trainees that the Colossal Titan strategy has started. He then orders those who made physical contact with the Colossal Titan to report to headquarters. With the Survey Corps out on exploration exploration duty, the Garrison soldiers are the only military presence available to repair the wall and prepare an ambush. The city is once again in a panic. The shortage of soldiers puts the newly graduated trainees in the sink or swim position of filling in the gaps.

Mikasa, still at headquarters, is among a crowd of frantic trainees and overhears Franz comforting Hannah. She finds Eren and Armin, who analyzes the dire situation in a panic: there is an eight-meter high hole in the wall, and the rock meant to fill it in hasn't even been excavated yet. With the hole there, the city will be abandoned and Wall Rose will be vulnerable. Briefly letting the fear get the better of him, Armin worries that the Titans could eradicate humanity at any time. Eren calms him and he is able to gather himself and continue his work.

The trainees are given their instructions and divided into three groups: the front guard will be assigned to the Garrison, middle guard will work for the training corp, and rear guard will serve under the Garrison's elite. The trainees are made aware of their commitment; fleeing in front of the enemy will be met with capital punishment and they are to give their lives if necessary. After they are dismissed, Jean despairs the fact that, had the attack happened just one day later, he would already be safely in the inner district. Mikasa tells Eren to find her if things get confused in battle, determined to protect him. However, she is then assigned to the rear guard due to her superior physical abilities, making the request to Eren difficult. Angry, Eren tells Mikasa to stop trying to impose her own rules during a time of crisis; she then apologizes for getting carried away. Distraught, Mikasa has one more request for Eren: don't get killed. Eren thinks back to the teachings in the trainee classrooms and reflects on how little is known about the Titans. The meager information they have is all thanks to the Survey Corps. They know that the Titans lack sexual organs, leaving their mode of reproduction unknown. They show no interest in eating any creature other than humans but have lived largely devoid of humans for 100 years, suggesting it isn't for nourishment. What stands out even more is their vitality and ability to heal from seemingly devastating wounds. The only spot they can't regenerate from is at the nape of the neck; a blow which is best delivered using Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear.

Now on top of a roof in their assigned position, Eren and Armin, along with other trainees, prepare for the task ahead. Eren, encouraging Armin, says that they should be able to rise through the ranks of the Survey Corps quickly if they start practicing now. Not wanting to be outdone like the previous encounter, Thomas and other trainees suggest a Titan hunting contest and with that, they move out. Almost immediately, they run into Titans who have come through the hole in the wall. It seems that the front guard already have more than they can handle. As the group moves along the rooftops, a Titan lunges for an attack. They scatter but unfortunately, Thomas isn't fast enough and gets caught. Eren watches in terror as his teammate gets swallowed whole. Now in a rage, he rushes off to try and kill a Titan with its back turned; not noticing the Titan that is below him. The Titan jumps up and bites off Eren's leg below the knee. Watching Eren bleeding and stranded on a nearby rooftop, Armin goes blank.

The remainder of the team attempt to kill the Titan below, with two being caught and another being knocked into a wall. Still in shock, Armin watches as his teammates are eaten or torn apart. A nearby Titan, taking advantage of the trauma, grabs Armin and attempts to swallow him. Bleeding and half unconscious, Eren sees his friend in need and briefly remembers a childhood memory. Gathering all of his strength, he picks himself up and rushes to the aid of his friend. Inside the mouth of the Titan, Eren grabs Armin before he's swallowed and throws him outside. With Armin now safe, Eren attempts to escape. As they reach for each other, the Titan bites down and cuts off Erens arm, who is now trapped inside of its mouth. Armin watches in terror as the Titan swallows Eren.

In the distance, Mikasa is seen staring in the direction of her friends with an uneasy feeling.

Navigation
Chapitre 4 de:Kapitel 004: Die Feuertaufe