Before them all, stood the mighty Wall Maria. 50 metres tall, and imposing over all of them as the Scout Regiment gathered in its shadow in the Karanese District. Over a hundred soldiers were gathered in the town, completely filling the main road with their bodies, mounts, and wagons of supplies.
All of them were loosely in formation, some eagerly chatting amongst themselves, others in quiet contemplation, mentally preparing for the days events to come. With the former cadets who had recently joined the regiment, many were nervous and fearful. Among those, was Mina, who had been reflecting on the words Jean had said to Eren the night before.
"We need a reason, the truth, we want to know what we're laying our lives down for. Otherwise, we might hesitate when the time is at hand. What we want, is a guarantee from Eren, show us what you're worth, prove it to us. We're asking you to make us believe that you're worth dying for. Do you think you can do that? If you can, then we're with you, all the way."
He was painfully embarrassed after the fact, but Mina knew he had meant it then and she understood. Here she was, doing the exact same thing. If Eren held the key to a victory over the Titans, or even to having their first true understanding of their enemy, then she would do her duty.
To think, she had been planning to join the Garrison for so long, a safe job, and now here she was placing herself in the line of fire in the most dangerous way possible. Her parents had certainly not been supportive of the idea, begging her to reconsider. She'd been lying if she said she never did, that the nightmares of what would have happened if Gohan hadn't shown up to rescue her. But he had, and she had lived to see the aftermath of Trost.
Now they were in Karanes District, her home, departing to take the fight to the Titans and push them back. She could not, would not wait for the Titans to push in again. To breach her home, and put her family in danger, or anyone's family.
She had tried to explain herself to her parents, but they hadn't understood. More than that, they hadn't even been able to bare to see her leave. She looked for them anyway, but true to their word they weren't there. It hurt, but she knew they were hurting more from her choice.
She had written them a letter last night, as she knew many had, telling them that she was sorry for upsetting them, but that she knew she had made the right choice, no matter what happened to her. Given how long things might take to go through the delivery system, it would likely arrive long after she either returned or didn't. Another reassurance if she did, a final goodbye if she didn't.
She didn't know what the others had said, few shared, fewer asked. She knew that most had written something. Sasha had been asking people for help with certain spellings, much to potato girls' embarrassment. She knew Connie had written something as well, not that they had talked much since her disastrous pity date with him. Jean, Hannah, Franz, and so many others had did so too. She felt bad for all of their families who were no doubt as scared as her own, though she felt particularly so for Eren's mother. The boys' notoriously dangerous mindset aside, Mikasa was likewise on the expedition today, as was both Armin and Gohan whom she knew she saw as children of her own.
She searched around for the boy with the tail, and it wasn't hard to spot him when she started to follow the sounds of the amazed locals that had likewise found him. Up near the front, clad in his white headband and red shirt, Gohan sat mightily on his steed. What a mighty presence he cast, like a beacon of hope and kindness. She fought back the urge to swoon.
"What's the situation Son?" Commander Erwins question was broad, yet after so many days spent with Hange drilling his responses, the answer came easily for the boy.
"11 o'clock, one Titan still in the buildings when we leave, 200 metres from the gate. Three o'clock, single Titan, just over a kilometre and travelling by itself." Gohan could feel them out there, that by now familiar dirty Ki energy radiating from them.
Commander Erwin nodded, pleased with the response and signalled to one of the Scouts next to him. "Pass on the message to the Support Squad and have them ready for intercept on the first Titan, right flank intercept team is to engage the second."
The men around him had all treated him with professionalism, but he could tell there was more than a few uncertain glances being sent his way for being placed so near the commander. Doubtlessly word had spread over him having unique abilities, and none seemed hostile about his presence, but he couldn't help the small uncomfortable feelings he got from them. Not least of which when he noticed some of them staring at his tail, another unique feature of which word had no doubt spread amongst them.
"Ooooh that's so cool!" Hange squealed with excitement as she intently studied Gohan. "I can't wait for you to teach me. Ooh ooh, what do they feel like? Can you tell how big they are, or what they'll act like?"
Ilse Langnar pulled Hange back politely as she had leaned fully into Gohans face to the point that he could smell her breath. "You should be careful there Section Commander, you sound like one of his fanboys."
Noting his surprise, Ilse pointed off to the side where Gohan saw a small group of people gathered and cheering, all wearing the same white headband as him. When they realised he had seen them, their cheering only roared higher, one of them holding up a sign begging him to marry her.
He flushed and looked away, trying to turn his attention back to the gate in front of him. It wasn't too long now. His reunion with Ilse had been rather short, as both had been quickly forming into their designated positions and focusing on their tasks, but he had felt his spirits raise all the same upon seeing a familiar friend.
"Titans in the vicinity have been lured away! Gate opens in 30 seconds!" The shout came from one of the Garrison soldiers nearby, who was having to shout with all his lungs could muster to be heard over the sounds of the crowd and assembled soldiers.
"Good thing we have you hear Gohan, silly boys missed one." Hange's tone was as mirthful as always, but he knew she was just as focused as everyone else. All around him, peoples bodies were tensed, ready to move. With his senses, he picked out the Special Operations Squad not too far behind him, along with some of his other friends further back. He would be watching out for them as best as he could today.
Everyone would come back home.
"This is it! The day has come for humanity to take another step forward!" Darius Walbrunn called back to the newer members behind him. As an squad leader, it was not only part of his duty, but a point of personal pride to inspire his soldiers. With how dangerous a first expedition was, he knew they would need it. "Now let's show those Titans exactly what we're made of!"
His enthusiasm was infectious, and a cheer went up amongst the other Scouts, proudly raising the swords in anticipation.
"Open the gate!" Called one of the Garrison soldiers, and the large stone construction was raised, revealing to them all the way into Wall Maria.
"FORWARD!" Commander Erwins cry was powerful, as horses reared up and began to gallop. "It's officially begun, the 57th recon mission. Scouts, move out!"
Racing out of the gate, Gohan was greeted by the sight of the destroyed outer homes and businesses. The contrast was a stark reminder of what would become of Wall Rose if the Titans were not pushed out, and it was one Gohan took to heart.
He looked to his left as he felt the sickly Ki of the Titan notice them and start moving. It took several rows of buildings through before he could finally see the creature, an angry looking beast with an exaggerated stomach towering at over 10 metres tall.
"Right on cue Gohan! Oh, and look at that gorgeous belly." Hange may have seemed easily distracted, but her focus never truly wavered. "Support squad, do your jobs!"
He sensed the two soldiers fly from their mounts and soar between the buildings, one flying low before rocketing upwards and slashing across the nape of the monster. It was too shallow though, and it turned to swat at the Scouts as they hovered around it like fly's, taking out the roof of a shop by its side.
They were veterans however, and they handled the creature's attention with apparent ease. It was dangerous, and although they knew what they were doing Gohan couldn't help but anxiously tighten his grip on the reigns in his hand. It was not the same horse as he had ridden when he had first made his way to Wall Rose with Ilse, but he had named it Nimbus all the same, and she handled as reliably as the cloud from which she was named.
Further back in the formation, Sasha let out a small squeal of fear, watching as debris showered near her. "Eyes front!" Her squad leaders hand latched onto her head and forced her head to face forwards. "Their job is to handle it, yours is to keep moving!"
"Forward! Ride for all you're worth!" Commander Erwin's powerful voice still managed to reach the men and women behind him, even over the sound of so many trampling hooves.
As they approached the edge of the buildings and the path before them opened up, Eren turned to the man next to him. "Loaded question but be straight with me. Do you think my friends have a shot at taking down a Titan?"
Oruo snorted before answering. "Really? I should certainly hope so otherwise what the hell have they been training for? Now listen and listen well, prepared or not you're all scouts which means the time is nigh to choke back those fears and –" He suddenly let out a yelp of pain as he bit down on his tongue.
Pulling up next to him, Mikasa ignored the bleeding man and spoke to Eren. "They'll be ok. They're strong, and their comrades will look out for them."
Flashing her a grateful smile, Eren gave her a nod and turned his attention back to the formation in front of him and saw Commander Erwin thrust out his arm. "Long range formation, let's go!" The command was followed flawlessly, teams elegantly breaking off with a well-rehearsed ease.
For the new members of the Scout Regiment, it was a daunting final realisation that they were fully in Titan territory as the comfort of being surrounded by their comrades broke away. In a small group, Reiner, Armin, Jean, and Mina all braced for their farewells.
Reiner was the first to begin to peel off. "See you around, good luck!"
"Do us a favour, and if you run into one of those, don't piss yourself." Jean's farewell was much less polite to Armin and Mina before likewise breaking off.
"You're gross Jean!" Mina called out, though she held a smile on her face. "Armin, I'll see you later. Good luck!"
"Same to you."
When Mina pulled away, her façade dropped, and the naked anxiousness showed clear on her face, though all were too busy to see it. With a breath to steady herself, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a strip of cloth. Pre-wrapped, all she had to do was slip it on with one hand and she was set.
She hadn't put it on earlier to avoid embarrassing herself, but now that she was actually out on the expedition and under very real danger again, the reminder of her saviour helped to steady the thumping heart in her chest.
'I'll make you proud Gohan, don't you worry.'
"Right flank Titan is on approach, now one o'clock, 200 metres from the outer edge. Moving slowly, doesn't seem like an abnormal." Gohan's report was careful and precise, helping to keep his nerves calm as much as possible.
"Understood." The commander pulled out his green flare and fired it up and to the left. Titans roamed the entire inside of the wall, they couldn't travel anywhere without encountering something. As such, while they would eventually be forced to go through them if they had to avoid something worse, or even simply to maintain progress in travelling towards their goal.
So early into the mission however, they could play it safe.
"11 o'clock, one Titan at 300 metres ahead of the formation. Idle."
Had it not been for so many practiced drills, Gohan knew he wouldn't have been able to relay information in time well enough to be up front with the Commander. In fact, he imagined that it was likely a close decision as to whether he could be trusted with the responsibility or not. He had to make sure that trust was well placed.
As he watched the commander load his next flare round, another Ki made itself known.
"Three o'clock, single Titan approaching the formation. One kilometre from the outer circle. Fast movement, could be abnormal."
The commander changed his aim without a word and fired to the left, apparently deeming the chance to avoid an abnormal of greater value than avoiding one that was potentially too close.
As the left flank cart convey travelled by the remains of a row of houses, all caved in with only an empty shell still holding up their sides, Hannah rode with eyes scanning everywhere. Each tree, and each mound of earth seemed like it could be hiding a Titan behind it, waiting to pounce. When she was halfway past the buildings, her nightmares came true, as a Titan lunged through one of the walls and scrambled towards her.
It was on all fours, its unnatural gaze fixed on her with an almost childlike curiosity. Leaping forwards, it snapped its jaws at her, narrowly missing her and her horse by a hair's breadth. She felt no shame over the shriek of terror she let out, too scared to think of anything but running away.
It had stumbled when its snap had missed, but was chasing after her with unnatural speed. She scrambled for her red flare and fired it into the air, only muscle memory and discipline reminding her to do so.
"Diament! Break left, away from the wagons!" She didn't glance around to see who said it, but recognised the voice of her squad leader and obeyed.
"What do we do sir?" She asked as soon as she came close to him.
"It's too close to the wagons, if we shake it here then it'll go after them, we'll have to take it out!" He drew his swords, and pulled away from her, leaving her once again on her own as the Titan grew near.
"Sir!?" She almost begged in horror that she had heard or seen wrong, too focused on the creature gaining ever closer to tell what he was doing aside from abandoning her.
As the Titan lunged once more, a red flare slammed into its face. Distracting it just enough to miss her, instead sending only a billow of wind up her back, launching her heartbeat into overdrive.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted one of the wagon riders holding out his flare gun. Then, there was a yell from her squad leader as he hopped from his horse and latched onto the Titan. With it so low to the ground, he had to use a lot of gas to get himself the angle he needed, before coming down and slicing deep into its nape.
It collapsed into a heap on the ground as blood spurted high, with its killer likewise sent tumbling away. Crashing onto the ground, the man cursed angrily before shakily rising to his feet.
"Sir, are you ok?" Hannah watched as he dusted himself, then hobbled over to his horse and mounted up, letting out another curse after putting a little too much pressure on his ankle.
"I'll live. Come on, let's get back to the wagon. Back in formation!"
"This is such a crazy feeling…" Everyone couldn't help but agree with Eld as they looked off in the direction of the left flank. As this was the first time any of the special operations squad had actually gotten to use their Ki sensing in action, it was still messing with many of their heads to feel someone's presence and yet not see them.
"Gohan was right though, rotten to the core those Titans are." Oruo said carefully, his tongue healed enough he could speak again.
Eren certainly agreed with that. Reaching out and sensing them was like touching a rotten piece of fruit. Filthy, repulsive, there was no more accurate way to describe their Ki than just being fundamentally wrong. So much so that he couldn't even feel satisfied when he felt one die.
"How did one get so close? Is the left flank okay?" Without being able to sense far enough, it had been a terrible feeling to suddenly sense one so close and not know how things were further away. It was like riding through a fog, or half blind.
"They'll be fine." Gunther said without hesitation. "With the terrain like it is, there's always going to be something hidden away somewhere. Just bad luck to stumble onto them. Besides, they all seem to be fine. Everyone is moving."
That was something Eren could take comfort in, having felt no human Ki either disappear or be left behind. He turned to look at Mikasa. "Do you think it was anyone we know?"
"I don't know. We'll have to ask them when we all get back." Mikasa jerked her head to indicate he should look forwards.
She was right, he knew that. He needed to focus on his duty, he couldn't get distracted by endless wondering. Besides, he was surrounded by veterans and professionals, they knew what they were doing.
Gohan gasped in horror. He had to be wrong, there was no way…
"Son! What's the issue?" Commander Erwins voice snapped him back to the moment, and he fell back into his training.
"It's a horde of them. Over a dozen at least, approaching from the rear right flank at high speed. Abnormals maybe."
Despite the clear alarm in Gohans voice, the commander showed little reaction aside from another green flare being fired up into the air. All of these adjustments were no doubt sending them far off course, but this one doubtlessly couldn't be avoided. Whatever the plan for dealing with the group was, Commander Erwin would have to figure it out.
"Send word to the right flank," he addressed one of the riders next to him, "alert them of a horde on approach and have them close ranks with files 4 and 5."
The man broke off with a "sir" and went to relay his message, though Gohan wasn't sure if word would reach them fully in time. With their change in direction though, they'd given themselves as much time as possible to avoid any of the spotters being caught by surprise.
Gohan stretched out his senses and focused heavily on the horde, trying to pick out any valuable information he could. One was in front of the rest of them, but they were all fairly scattered as far as a group of Titans went. Something seemed off about one of them, but he couldn't tell for sure.
"Son, focus." He snapped back to notice the Commander looking at him and waiting. "Situation report."
"Uh, yes sir. 10 o'clock, two titans at… 1200 and 1300 metres. One o'clock, single Titan, 900 metres." Gohan could still feel all of the scouts, but the number of Titans around them were increasing even if he ignored the sudden appearance of a swarm. Things were going to get much harder every second the operation continued.
"Three o'clock, single Titan, 1100 metres, possible abnormal."
Riding by his lonesome was a terrifying experience Armin had decided. He thought that after some time, or even after they'd moved into terrain which let him see openly his nerves might have calmed down. But sadly, that wasn't the case. That had left him with nothing but his thoughts to keep him company, and wonder just what exactly was up with some of the seemingly erratic movements that the Commander was giving.
He spotted another signal flare in the sky, green again and indicating a left turn. He loaded his own and fired, though didn't understand why they were making so many left turns. Surely they were going to end up far off course at this rate?
'There hasn't been too many signals from the right flank, is something happening on the left that needs support?'
Briefly, he wondered if any of his friends were in danger, but quickly forced himself to change mental subject, lest he be dwelling on it and worry himself ill. The refocus came at the perfect time as he spotted a rider on their way over from the wagon convoy section.
"Armin!" The voice was familiar, and soon the blonde boy was able to make out the man who approached.
"Mina!? What are you doing here?"
"Message relay. Right flank is to close ranks to the wagon convoy, there's a group of Titans on their way from the right." The message sent a flash of fear down Armins back, and he noticed how Mina looked similarly worried to him.
"How do they know?" Granted, Armin was certainly glad they'd gotten the warning, but he didn't know how.
"No idea. We just need to pass it on- shit, look!" The woman pointed to their right flank, and Armin turned to see a plethora of red flares had begun to soar into the sky. "Oh no, we were too slow. What do we do?"
He hesitated, unsure initially before a plan quickly formed. "We still need to pass on the message. Return to formation, I'll relay."
He broke away from Mina before he could have time to hesitate and truly realise what he was about to do, firing his red flare first. Riding towards a group of Titans? Was he insane!? Part of him truly believed he might be. This was a potential suicide, but he had to do his duty.
The red flares were beyond the trees, which meant he had no choice but to ride through them and temporarily blind himself from having any advanced warning. The thought of it absolutely terrified him, and by the time he actually entered the small set of woods, he was on the verge of peeing himself.
His body almost felt frozen as he rode through the trees, the sound of his horse hooves crashing against the earth only overshadowed by the heavy beating of his heart. Adrenaline coursed through his body, his breath coming out in shaky gasps.
And then he broke free from the trees, into a warzone.
A titan hit the ground dead in front of him, forcing him to swerve hard to avoid it. The crash sent up clouds of dust and dirt that covered his body and muffled his screaming lips.
"Arlert! What are you doing out of position!?" The shout came from the same man who had just slain the titan, landing next to him and panting heavily.
Armin didn't respond, instead unable to stop himself as he surveyed his surroundings. On the ground, he could make out the clear silhouettes of several dead Scouts, as well as some steaming bodies of Titan corpses. Others were still in the air, buzzing around the creatures as they engaged in battle, but it was one in particular that stood out amongst the rest.
It was the first time anyone had seen a female Titan. It was running through the carnage, almost completely ignoring it until one scout came too close and she plucked them out of the sky. Snatching a hold of them and flicking them back down into the ground, their corpse bouncing in a shower of blood.
"Arlert! Focus, why are you here!?"
He snapped out of it and turned back to the squad leader. "Sir, message relay from command. A group of Titans is on approach and the right flank is to close ranks with the wagon convoy."
"No shit!" The man spat angrily at the ground and re-mounted his horse as it returned. "Damn it all, we're already too engaged to pull out now, we can't outrun them. Get a black flare up for that one!" He pointed his sword to the female Titan, who continued her path through the battle. "The others will have to deal with it, we've got to take care of these bastards first. You fall in with the wagons, we'll join you all later."
The man snapped his reigns and headed over to where two Titans were being engaged by a small group of three scouts, hovering around and searching for their opening while they avoided being crushed and eaten.
Armins fingers shakily reached into his satchel and pulled out the black flare round, firing it high into the sky before he turned as ordered. But not before he noticed something from the female Titan, his eyes unable to look anywhere else but upon the unusual creature.
She was… watching? No, that wasn't quite right. Her head was glancing between each of the scouts, but she wasn't watching the battles. She was looking for something. Or for someone? And the scout she'd killed before, she hadn't eaten them, only killed. Was it… was it like Eren?
Was someone inside of that Titan? Controlling it? Who?
"Swarm has reached the right flank, line 1 file eight through fourteen are engaged. They're taking casualties." The last line felt like a weight being dropped on his chest. He could feel the Scouts fighting and dying against the horde that had hit them. They were fighting back though, and he counted that nearly half a dozen of the Titans were dead. He didn't know who would win the battle, but he knew he would know every one of them that died.
"What of the others, did they change position?" The commander was unreadable. Gohan knew the man must have hated knowing every death that was happening, doubtlessly knowing each and every one of the men and women who served under him. But he showed no fear or worry, he was entirely resolute.
'This is what it takes to command.' Gohan realised and wondered if he would have ever been able to do the same. He doubted it. "Message has been received and right flank has mostly closed with the wagons. One of the Titans… it's split off from the rest. It's heading further into the formation."
He could feel it clearly, separating off unopposed and travelling towards the rear right side of the formation. With the change in formation, the area was clear ahead of it from Scouts, unfortunately meaning the next time it would be engaged would be nearest to the wagons which were vulnerable. But still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something else.
A sliver of energy through his mind brought his attention back elsewhere.
"Seven o'clock, two Titans, 900 metres."
With all the other Titans constantly appearing on his Ki radar he didn't have time to concentrate on whatever was up with that other Titan.
"I don't get it, why are we breaking formation like this?" Reiner called out to the others as they continued to drift closer to the wagon line. "I mean what was the point of all the training for this if we're immediately going to abandon it?"
"Beats me." Jean didn't mask the frustration in his voice, and as usual he didn't even try. "Something must be going on, but who knows what. The right-wing spotters have been quiet for a while."
"Do you think something happened with the Special Operations Squad? Maybe that's why command has pulled us away from there?" Franz was taking a guess, but that was all anyone was doing currently. "Think Eren went Titan maybe?"
"What maps have you been reading? Eren is on the left flank, not the right."
"What are you talking about Jean, mine said the right. I remember that clearly." Franz may not have been a top 10 cadet, but he was more than capable of simply reading his orders, and was annoyed at that being questioned.
"He's right Jean. Mine said right flank too." Reiner's eyes scanned towards the right flank, though he couldn't see a damn thing that told him anything.
"Well mine definitely said left. What the hell, did we get different maps? How the hell could they screw something like that up?" Jean didn't get it, nobody did. It was beyond aggravating being stuck with such little information to work on. With everyone else seeming so far away, paranoia was constantly suggesting that he had been abandoned, or gotten separated somehow.
"Maybe we can ask them if they've heard anything." Franz pointed forwards where they could just about make out three more shapes on horses.
With their green cloaks, it was damn near impossible to tell who was who until they had picked up the pace and gotten close. "Mina!"
"Jean! Franz! Reiner! It's good to see you guys." The woman's relief was plain to see, and everyone felt a little more relaxed likewise.
The other two with Mina the others began to recognise. The squad leader was Dieter Ness, the man who had helped get everyone set up with their horses when they had first joined, his white bandana making him stand out a little more than the rest. By his side was Luke Cis, another veteran they had seen briefly.
"What the hell is that on your head?" Reiner's question did bring to attention of the others the white headband, the leftover stands of fabric flapping in the wind along with her pigtails. The woman flushed a dark red and looked away from them, Jean unable to stop the snort of laughter that escaped his lips.
"Anyone from your group off sending messages?" Dieter asked, quick to focus the new blood on their duties.
"Franz came to pass the message to us, we've followed him back." Jean and Reiner had been apart when Franz had been relaying the message, so it had taken a fair bit of wrangling from Franz to get them together and back into position, but they had managed it.
"Where's Armin? Isn't he on the right flank too?" Jean had looked for him across the open fields to his right, but hadn't seen hide nor hair of him.
"He went to pass the message onto the outermost spotters, but I haven't seen him since." Mina's worry was clear and shared by her comrades. The blonde wasn't the most sociable of people, but he got along well enough with everyone that they all called him friend.
"Your friend will be fine, the right-wing spotters are still active, you all need to focus on our current situation." Dieter was clearly showing his experience, naturally reassuring the new recruits and diverting their attention back to the task at hand. "Command has us closing ranks with the wagons, probably to avoid that group of Titans that hit the spotters."
Reiner cut in, confusion plain on his face to see. "How did command know about the Titans before the spotters did? That doesn't make sense."
"Maybe you can ask them later, for now we're safe from them." The squad leaders' words did little to settle Reiners apparent unease. "If we stay as we are, we'll have no warning if any other Titans do appear, and we won't be able to protect the wagons effectively. We're gonna spread back out just a bit, and if we see any Titans then leave it to us and we'll take them down quick."
Both Dieter and Luke seemed unfazed about the prospect of engaging any Titans, though whether that was for show or genuine the others couldn't tell.
"Maybe we should reinforce the spotters then? Get some coverage again?" Reiner suggested, focusing on the men in front of him.
Dieter shook his head. "They have their job and we have ours. Besides, we don't know the situation, either they have it handled or they don't, either way we don't abandon our position."
"What about sending someone else then? The Special Operations Squad then, isn't that their job after all? I mean where the hell are they?" Reiner was being unusually insistent.
"They're doing their job, and we're going to do ours. Focus on the here and now." The squad leaders' tone had shifted from his supportive and calming one, to letting slip in hints of aggravation.
"Reiner, get it together, command knows what they're doing." Mina butt in quickly before it looked like he might say something else and get himself into more trouble.
The man looked like he wanted to say more, but a shout and point from Luke cut him off. A black flare round soaring high in the sky, and just barely visible in the distance was a Titan running towards them.
"The hell? Did that come from the right flank spotters?" Jean was pissed. He had hoped that this excursion may have been a lucky one for him, as he'd had to deal with very few Titans.
"If it did, why did it come all the way over here when there was nothing to attract it?" Franz was more openly worried, the familiar dread seeping in.
"Think it could be the flare's? Maybe it's following them?"
"God damn it Mina, why do you have to say something so terrifying?"
"Quit it, all of you." Dieter motioned to Franz. "Get a signal up to warn the formation and be ready for an intercept."
The group all looked at him with terrified expressions.
"We'll take the lead, but we'll need all of you to help too. You're part of the scout regiment now, time to earn those wings." He snapped his reigns and pulled off towards the Titan, Luke following without hesitation.
The new recruits paused, all looking to each other in uncertainty. The first to break away was Reiner, heading in with a level of confidence they envied.
'Now isn't the time to shake in fear Mina, you said you would make Gohan proud, so move it damn you!'
The lone female followed next, then Jean and Franz, the latter firing off his flare before readying his swords. The time to fight, was here.
"Five o'clock, 1100 metres, Titan is inside of the formation and heading towards the wagons. There's a team moving to intercept."
It was a horrifying feeling, but Gohan knew he wasn't wrong. The small human power levels felt so vulnerable going up against the Titan's. It was bigger, much bigger, but they could be taken down, he knew that. So why did he feel something was wrong?
Maybe it was the Ki itself? He focused his senses on it and probed deeper, hard to do at such a range, and perhaps not advised given his other duties, but he did so anyway. He had to know…
"Sir, I think something is different about that Titan. I can't be sure though, somethings just… not right."
The commander nodded in acknowledgement, but said nothing. Another green flare fired up into the air to signal their continued path. Looking ahead, Gohan could see that they were on a straight course for a forest of giant trees. They seemed to be way off course as a result of the Titan group that had attacked them, though Gohan wasn't sure if this would truly be the best chance for getting the formation regrouped when it would be so difficult for them to see each other.
"Titans have used this path. Lack of vegetation's a giveaway, should be a cinch for the wagons. Son, can you confirm if there are any waiting for us ahead?" The commander seemed untroubled, whatever his plan was.
"Just two sir. Eight o'clock, 600 metres, and two o'clock, 400 metres."
"Excellent." He leaned over his shoulder to the messengers who were with him. "Inform everyone behind us, only the centre wagon defence squad is to enter this forest. Have a team sent to each of the Titans and intercept them."
"Yes sir!" Two of the messengers broke off and turned back, disappearing out of view quickly.
"Commander Erwin sir, if I may ask, what are we doing here?" It didn't feel right to be questioning the commander so openly, but he had little idea of what was going on, and he couldn't shake the building anxiousness he felt.
The man was silent though, whether refusing to answer or deciding what to tell him he didn't know, but the silence was all he received. He looked over at the others with him, none of whom showed any signs of doubt on their faces, all having complete faith in the commander.
So Gohan turned his attention back to his Ki senses, focusing back on the strange abnormal Titan that was being intercepted. Hoping that things would be okay.