Walls Surrounding his Heart {|Eruri|}

19

"Advance!" Erwin yelled, suspending his sword in the air implicitly. "Give up your hearts for Humanity!" 

"Rojer!" Soldiers roared in determination. The galloping of horses resonated in the air, filling the once melancholy silence.

Levi rode in formation, gazing onwards as he progressed. His 3DMG weighed down on either side of his hips, grounding him to Ink. The morning breeze brushed his shoulders, cooling his nerves as he forged ahead. He was no longer caged within the confines of the walls, where unable to spread his wings. 

Levi felt free. 

The captain rode tirelessly, passing by the occasional tree or abandoned townhouse. Levi was reminded of the days in which those cottages were not empty. He envisioned families happily enjoying their homemade breakfast, the pleasant smell of fresh cooking tickling at their noses. 

All they could smell now are ashes. 

"Captain, look!" Eren spoke, pointing to his left.

Levi turned in the direction to which Eren aimed. A red beam emitted from the West, signaling that a Titan had been spotted, and to carry on the message. The captain quickly rummaged through his bag, which was mounted on Ink's side. He pulled out a red smoke signal and fired it promptly. 

"Tsk... We probably won't be changing direction." Levi informed, casting aside the empty launcher. "Our top priority now is to reach the forest, so Hanji can have her way with you." 

The reasoning behind this expedition was to uncover something useful of Eren. If Hanji was unprosperous, the government would have Eren executed immediately upon their return. Either that, or Levi would loose custody of Eren, and he'd be awarded to the MP.

The Survey Corps would also receive a massive budget cut, one so big that the branch would be forced to rely solely on private funding to survive. Levi did not know which outcome was worse. 

"I understand." Eren nodded. 

Moments later, a green ray was visible emerging from the North. In doing this, Erwin had communicated for the regiment to continue course as usual, and that he had addressed the situation. 

Eren took a quick glance to his left, where Levi rode mindlessly. He flashed a quick smile in awe; proud that Levi predicted Erwin's next move accurately. The captain noticed this, and nodded somewhat in appreciation of the gesture. 

After over two hours of nonstop riding, the regiment arrived at their destination; Forest Northern-Dust. This forest had proved itself a dependable patch of land. Titans were rarely ever spotted there, since tall mountains surrounded the area, serving in the same manner that Walls did. 

The only opening was in the uttermost Northern part of the woodland, and so minimal attacks had ever taken place in the forest. This was perfect, as it provided Hanji with a controlled environment in which to test Eren, and hopefully discover something ground-breaking. 

If she didn't, what would become of the Scouting Legion?

"Tell the others to set up camp." Levi ordered, lifting himself off his horse. "Go." 

"Rojer!" Eren saluted, running off to do just that. 

Levi went to work, taking charge in helping unload supply carriages. After finishing this, he made sure to tend to his horse. She was most definitely tired from the extensive trip. The captain allowed for the Ink to do as she pleased, tieing her collar to a nearby beam after feeding her. 

Since Hanji needed to begin experimentation as soon as possible, Eren began eating his lunch early. He was to spend the rest of the day working with Hanji, up until their return trip the next day. Just incase something went wrong, the soldiers brought enough rations and supplies for up to 3 days.