Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting a silver glow on Eren's face as he practiced his ODM movements. With swift slashes, he struck the wooden structures, substitutes for the Titans he longed to defeat. Over a month of rigorous training had taken its toll, with some injuries and countless hours of maneuvering he was able to gain the experience to fight against the monsters.
Sweat dripped down his cheeks, and his eyes scanned the surroundings, ever vigilant for the wooden structures."Eren..." Commander Erwin's voice echoed through the night, his horse's hooves quiet on the forest floor. "That's enough, soldier." Eren nodded, sheathing his blades and approaching Erwin. With a clenched fist, he saluted, his face flushed from exhaustion, his green eyes tired but attentive.
"Commander Erwin!" he called out, his small frame swaying slightly.
Erwin smiled, impressed by Eren's dedication. "That's enough for now, Eren. Go and rest. You look like you're about to collapse."
Eren's response was steadfast, "Commander, I don't have time to slack off. I need to train so that I don't hold back my squad in the upcoming expedition ." Apparently, Erwin planned another expedition wanting to explore deeper into the massive world that lingered outside the walls and Eren after begging him for past few weeks got the permission to slay titans alongside the Levi squad.
Erwin nodded, feeling a sense of pride in Eren's determination. "Don't worry soldier I know you won't. For now, rest. Your body needs it."
Reluctantly, Eren agreed, his tired body betraying his will. Erwin accompanied him to Odel and the small castle, where the squad gathered, sharing a peaceful meal and listening to Hange's latest discoveries about Titans. While Eren's thoughts were elsewhere deciding whether he should inform Carla about the expedition or not? Maybe it'd be for the best to let her know after he came back from it because if he told her before going she'd do everything to stop him.
After finishing their meals, Erwin called Levi and Hange to discuss the expedition scheduled for two days' time. Oluo, Eld, and Gunthur lingered in the dining room, their faces aglow in the warm light of the table candles as they delved into strategies and battle plans.
Meanwhile, Petra escorted Eren to his room, ensuring he succumbed to sleep instead of his usual pushups. As she turned to leave, she rummaged through her pockets,
"Oh, I almost forgot, Eren..."
Producing a letter, she handed it to him,"Here." Eren's eyes, heavy with exhaustion, flickered open to behold the letter from Shiganshina - a summons from his mother. It had been over a month and a half since his last visit, and he also wished to deliver aid to the Ackermans and the locals struggling with poverty. "Guess I'll visit them after the expedition." he murmured, his eyes closing as slumber claimed him, his body relaxing into the bed.
As the days blended together, hundreds of Scouts mounted their horses, their leather saddles creaking in unison. The journey to Shiganshina had been long and arduous, but finally, the horde of Scouts arrived in front of the tall gate, their horses' neighs echoing through the air as they approached the massive gate which mercilessly loomed infront of them in the cruel morning.
Eren, his face wrapped in a crimson scarf, wore his Scout Regiment cloak, its hood shrouding his silky hair, concealing his identity among the sea of soldiers. The cloak, now two years old, hung loosely on his frame, a reminder of his growth and determination.
As they reached the threshold connecting the walls to the unforgiving world beyond, Erwin's voice boomed, delivering a stirring speech that ignited the Scouts' spirits. Their confidence swelled, buoyed by the presence of Levi and his elite squad, accompanied by his enigmatic disciple, whose capabilities were yet unknown. The air was electric with anticipation, the Scouts ready to face whatever lay ahead, their hearts ablaze with a fierce determination.
As Erwin's speech concluded, the Scouts remounted their horses, their movements swift and synchronized. Eren's gaze drifted toward his childhood home, his thoughts whispering promises to his parents, "I'll be back, Mom, Dad, just wait, I'll make you proud." Petra's concerned voice interrupted his reverie, "Eren, are you feeling alright?" Eren shook his head, but Petra's gaze lingered, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and admiration.
The skies, heavy with anticipation, unleashed a torrent of rain, casting a gloomy veil over the scene. Captain Hannes bellowed the command to open the gates, and the creaking doors echoed through the air, accompanied by Levi's cautionary words, "Be careful, Eren. You're under my command now; listen to everything I say." Eren's response was laced with mockery, "What are you, my dad?" Levi's expression remained stoic, but Eren nodded curtly, his heart racing with anticipation,"Jeez, alright Captain."
With a fierce battle cry, the Scouts charged forward, their horses' hooves pounding against the muddy ground, amplified by the rain. The commoners' cheers and blessings filled the air, but their voices soon faded as the Scouts vanished into the horizon, leaving behind the familiar walls that had always lingered over Eren's life. The gate closed with a resounding thud, and Eren's heart pounded in his chest, marking his first steps into the unforgiving world beyond.
Eren's eyes snapped open, and a wide, beaming smile spread across his face. His emerald eyes sparkled, reflecting the warm sun rays that illuminated the breathtaking landscape before him. The endless green land, dotted with vibrant flower beds of roses, sunflowers, and others, stretched out to the horizon. Animals roamed freely in the distance - deer and rabbits grazing on the lush grass. The air was filled with the sweet, heady scent of blooming flowers. Eren's excitement was palpable as he took in the beauty of the world beyond the walls.
Levi's gaze, fixed on Eren, held a hint of nostalgia, reminding him of his own first encounter with the outside world and also of a special someone who coincidentally looked like Eren. Hange's voice broke the spell, "He looks just like you, Levi, when you first stepped outside the walls." Levi's response was predictable, "Shut up, Four-Eyes, or do you want me to put you to sleep for good?" Petra chuckled at the exchange.
Just then, Oluo's grunts echoed from behind, followed by the sound of his horse stepping on a rock. Since, Oluo's jaws flapped wildly as he chatted with Eld, but he ended up biting his tongue, spewing blood. "Oluo, are you alright?" Eren asked, struggling to contain his laughter. Oluo nodded, his sly grin still intact, "Thanks, Eren dear... I'm alright."
Suddenly, Erwin's commanding voice cut through the commotion, "Disperse!"
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Three figures gathered around the rectangular table, their attention riveted on Erwin as he unveiled his revised strategy, honed over weeks of meticulous planning. "The Long-Distance Enemy Scouting Formation," he announced, his eyes gleaming with conviction.
This innovative formation, tested in the recent expedition, would deploy Survey Corps soldiers on horseback across a vast distance, arranged in a semicircular pattern with multiple columns. New recruits would assume crucial roles in communications and spare horse maintenance, freeing seasoned veterans for frontline duties.
The strategy relied on a flare-based warning system: red flares would signal approaching Titans while black flares would indicate the presence of an Aberrant. Upon spotting a flare, the command group at the formation's forefront would swiftly respond with a yellow flare, redirecting the team to avoid contact with the sighted Titan. And one flare will indicate presense of one Titan or Abarent
The room went silent for a while after Erwin's freshly described formation. "Are you high?" Levi asked Erwin, his skepticism evident as he gazed across the wooden table in Erwin's office. Hange, seated beside him, chimed in, her eyes aglow with determination and confidence. "Trust me, Levi, this formation has immense potential."
Levi's gaze shifted to Hange, his tone laced with disdain. "Four-Eyes, you really are an idiot. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't this formation prove disastrous last time?And wasn't your precious Ilse among the casualties?" Erwin intervened, his voice measured. "Yes, Levi, you're right. But this formation can help us explore the unknown, venture into uncharted lands."
Levi's dissatisfaction lingered. "The centre rear is the safest place.. the rest of the wings will get devoured in seconds." Erwin nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, but if implemented correctly, this formation can cover more ground than ever before. And with flares, we can keep the rest of the team safe."
Levi's expression remained unconvinced. "At the cost of some Scouts' lives, no doubt." Erwin's nod was solemn. "Yes, if their sacrifices can alter the fate of humanity, so be it."
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"Spread!" Erwin bellowed, leading his small squad alongside Miche Zacharius, the section commander and second-strongest Scout. Miche's imposing figure, adorned with a dark mustache and beard, complemented his blond hair, parted down the middle. With a kill count of 107, Miche was a force to be reckoned with, while Levi's staggering 549 kills made him a legend among the Scouts. Petra, ever diligent, kept track of every kill.
As Erwin's order echoed, the Levi Squad pushed further north, taking the center front position. The amateurs, tasked with signaling, played their part flawlessly, allowing the formation to cover an impressive 5-6 miles. For two hours, the front flanks remained Titan-free, a welcome respite.
"Petra, shoot the flare," Levi ordered, his voice low and even. The orange-haired girl behind him swiftly complied shooting a green flare indicating the area ahead as safe for the rest. Eren's eyes, ever vigilant, scanned the vast fields like a hawk searching for prey, his gaze darting back and forth, anticipating the first sign of Titans. "Eh?" Eren said, turning to his left. "Levi, what do red flares mean?" Levi's gaze shifted to the far left, where red flares dotted the horizon. "It indicates the presence of normal Titans," he explained. "Petra, shoot a yellow flare to the right."
Petra launched a yellow flare into the sky, signaling the formation to shift rightwards. The other groups, seeing the yellow flares, mirrored the movement, showcasing impressive coordination. As they ventured deeper, the flare system proved effective, and they didn't encounter any Titans until sundown.
The Scouts decided to camp in a dense forest, opting to stay in the trees due to the visible moonlight. The rough, hard texture of the branches made it difficult to sit, but the supply wagons provided necessary gear, including food, tents, and equipment. The Levi Squad barely slept due to the uncomfortable surface, with some Scouts keeping watch. Eren, exhausted from the day's exhaustion, slept with ease, despite the hard branches, but felt a twinge of disappointment at not encountering any Titans.
As the sun's rays peeked above the horizon, the Scouts continued their journey, with Erwin shifting to the center rear, the Levi Squad moving to the center, and another group taking the center front position. The left and right wings adjusted their positions accordingly. The Levi Squad traversed the plain fields without incident.
"So, how's your experience so far, Eren?" Gunther asked, riding behind him. Eren's response was tinged with curiosity, "It's exciting to see the outside world, but... why haven't we encountered any Titans yet? Isn't it a bit weird?"
Eld chuckled, "Eren, don't worry, we're just lucky this time. The new formation is paying off." Hange, overhearing the conversation, added, "Yeah, if we'd moved in large masses, we'd have been ambushed in no time." Eren nodded, but his senses remained on high alert, anticipating a potential attack.
"So, Eren..." Levi asked, his gaze piercing through Eren and Petra. "Who's this girl Mikasa? If I recall correctly, she's your aunt's daughter, right?" Eren's eyes flashed with killing intent, directed at Petra, who had revealed his secret fight with the dogs and the cute girl hugging him, tears streaming down her face as she cried on his broad chest.
"Well, Levi, you see..." Eren stammered, attempting to make excuses. But Levi cut him off, his response shocking Eren. "Great job! You know how to act in tough situations like that. I hope you don't disappoint me in the near future." Levi's tone sent Eren's determination soaring. "Yes!"
Levi's appreciation was short-lived, however, as Eld, Oluo, Gunthur, and Hange burst into mocking laughter. "An eight-year-old giving shoulder to a cute girl... Tsk tsk tsk... a soldier you are, kid," Oluo said, mimicking Levi's tone. Gunthur chuckled, "Now, now, Eren, first, you need to grow into a fine young man. Marriage? We'll see to it later."
Eren's face turned bright red, matching the color of the scarf wrapped around him. "No, she's just my..." Eld interrupted, teasing, "Don't worry, Eren, we'll go ask for her hand in marriage for you ..." Eren's face grew even redder, prompting Hange to say, "Look at us soldiers, single and lonely, while this kid is already hitting on little girls... Young love, I assume."
The squad continued to chuckle, but their conversation was abruptly shattered by the merciless blue sky ahead, which seemed to mock them with its serenity. Petra's voice trembled, struggling to escape her throat, "W-what...!" Levi's gaze snapped towards her, his eyes narrowing, "Petra...!"
Petra's shaky hands fumbled, barely managing to load the black cartridge into her gun. She fired it into the horizon, as Eren's gaze followed the trajectory, his heart sinking. The horizon was ablaze with not one, not two, but eight black flares, signaling the attack of eight Aberrants ( Abnormal Titans).
The black flares seemed to multiply, spreading like a cancer, and then, a new color emerged, dominating the horizon - purple. Eren's blood ran cold as he realized the implications. The front flank had been completely annihilated, and now it was their turn to face the abyss.
The air grew heavy with foreboding, the silence oppressive, as if the very sky was closing in on them. The Scouts' faces set in grim determination, their eyes fixed on the horizon, bracing for the inevitable. The purple flares seemed to pulsate with a malevolent life of their own, beckoning them towards their doom.