𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 - ﹝𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐚.﹞

﹝𝟒﹞

〔 𝘛𝘩𝘦 57𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 〕

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We've been riding for about an hour now, and so far it's been pretty tame... I can't help but wonder about what's going on further out since we're right in the middle.

I look at Eren to my right and can tell he's having similar thoughts.

Suddenly a scout comes to catch up with us.

"Reporting Sir! An oral message! It appears the right-wing spotters have been wiped out!"

The right-wing... ARMIN!

"The early warning network is compromised. One of you will need to relay the message down the line!"

My body goes numb, and I feel my grip weaken on the reigns.

No, no, NO. Armin was further in. Come on, Y/N. You know he's smart, you know he's alive... 

I hope...

Levi glances at me, before turning to Petra, "You heard the man Petra, go on."

Petra nods, "Sir!"

She gives me a reassuring smile, and then takes off. I nod to her.

Eren and I look at each other and gulp, our eyes wide as plates.

Surely a titan couldn't have made it far enough to where Armin is...

As if on cue, black flare goes up no more than 300 meters from us.

Eren looks up at it, "An abnormal!"

"Y/N! Fire the signal." The Captain orders me.

I snap back to reality, "Y-Yes sir!" I reach for a black flare with shaky hands.

I don't catch it, but the Captain looks at me worriedly as I fumble with the flare for a second before firing it.

Captain scoffs, "This is a disgrace. Lotta good the formation does if the bastards can bore into it that deeply."

"It's so close... too close." Eren looks back at the smoke worriedly. 

"Yeah... just under that smoke... someone's fighting." I say.

Let's just hope it isn't Armin.

-

We continue riding until we get to a forest of giant trees. Thankfully Petra has rejoined us, I really don't need to be worrying about both my closest friend AND Armin right now...

What the hell are we doing? Are we really riding through this..? That doesn't make any sense...

Eren is the first to speak up, "Captain! Captain Levi!"

The Captain stays facing forward, "What is it?"

"C'mon sir! We're in a forest! We won't see a titan until it's right on top of us! What are we doing here??" Eren looks desperate.

He's got a point... Erwin often comes up with some complex plans, I just didn't realize he'd be so secretive about this one. Something is definitely going on behind the scenes.

"Something's coming up on the right, isn't it? What are we supposed to do!? Defend the wagons or avoid titans??" Eren shouts.

I speak up, "Eren, at this point, I don't think either of those is an option anymore."

Captain sighs, "Y/N's right. Now haven't you noticed what's around you? Take a look at these big ass trees. Perfect environment for ODM gear, wouldn't you say? Just calm down and use your head, it's your best survival tool."

"Y-Yes sir!" Eren nods.

He's right... wait hold on are the Captain and I actually agreeing on something for once? That stuck up asshole actually acknowledged me?

I look around at Petra, Eld, Oluo, and Gunther. They all appear like they're trying to stay calm... but I can tell none of them knows what's going on.

I mean neither do I... but I bet I can figure it out.

Staying focused, I stare straight ahead and think.

Why would Erwin do this? The titan coming for us can't be a normal one... it must be like Eren. And for only the center ranks to go into the forest, Eren must be its target! This is all a trap, isn't it? We're going to try and catch this titan!

I gasp slightly at my conclusion, Is Erwin really that crazy to do something like this? I suppose I wouldn't put it past him...

Eren seems to notice me, and looks at me with a slightly confused face.

"Y/N, what's going on?"

I see the Captain glance at me from the corner of his eye, and I decide it's best to keep quiet for now.

"I uh... I don't know. Let's just focus on what's ahead and follow the Captain's orders, alright?"

"Sure..."

Petra speaks up, "Y/N are you feeling okay? I think that's the first time I've heard you willingly follow the Captains orders."

"Wha- Hey!" I playfully glare at her.

She laughs lightly, "Can't deny what's true!" Even Eren and the rest of them begin to laugh.

And I could swear I see the Captain's shoulders shake slightly...

The mood seems lighthearted for a second, as if we weren't running for our lives right now. Then I look up to see soldiers in ODM gear flying between the trees, looking for something.

No, waiting for something.

We see black smoke behind us.

"Tch. That damn things been on our ass this whole time..." I say.

"It's right behind us." Eren says looking horrified.

It's like we can't look away from behind us. Any second now... I know it's coming.

"Everyone! Blades drawn. Be ready, it'll happen in the blink of an eye." the Captain orders.

Everyone is serious now, as we all get the feeling of being hunted.

The sounds of hooves becomes all I can hear, my palms getting sweaty on my blade handles as we wait.

It's like the air freezes, and the birds stop chirping.

Everything is waiting...

I breathe in and out, staying aware of everything around me.

Come on... come on, come on! I know you're there you son of a bitch. If you killed my brother you'll have hell to pay.

The tension and anticipation is so strong, until it happens.

A near 15 meter female titan crashes through the trees just behind us, immediately killing off soldiers around her.

She charges at us, narrowly missing grabbing me in an attempt at Eren.

Eld shouts, "She's right behind us!!"

ﾒ

﹝𝙖/𝙣﹞

𝙪𝙝 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙝 𝙨𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨- 

...𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮?