Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

ONE-HUNDRED-AND-EIGHT

'Cowardice is the greatest blight to humanity's curious spirit.'

-An unseen extract written by the late scholar and journalist Aksel Briggs

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ONE-HUNDRED-AND-EIGHT

Somewhere in North-Eastern Titan Country

The battalion began to break off into formation.

The night was cool against Lorelai's skin, but she found herself looking back. The lights of Wall Maria began to shrink on the horizon, like distant stars.

It'd be several days before she saw the Walls again. Odd how now that she was finally returning to Havas, all she wanted was to turn back.

Lorelai cast the thought away. She had a job to do.

"Lieutenant!" called Thomsen at her side. "What are your orders? Do we continue up the centre rank or break off to the front line?"

She looked around. The formation was working— each Scout carried lanterns, so everyone knew each other's position. The lights stood out against the blackness.

Levi Squad was ahead of her— they served as the last line of defence for Command Squad and the supply wagons. But she doubted a titan advance would make it that far.

She thought of Levi and his expression before they left. What she wouldn't give for another warm night in their townhouse— but this wasn't the time for pining.

"Continue on our current course," she ordered. "Titan activity should remain low until dawn. But stay alert; there's all sorts out here."

Thersa shuddered, gazing into the darkness. "Somehow, it's more creepy out here at night."

"Worth it, though," offered Gabriel. "It'd be a pain in the ass to be fighting from the get-go."

Elske yawned. "I'm tired. When are we stopping?"

"We've been out here all of thirty minutes, dipshit."

"Oi! Watch your damn mouth-"

"Stop bickering and look there," scolded Iva. She pointed to the horizon.

Three signal flares were climbing the sky in the distance. They'd made the switch from smoke to flares to cope with the darkness— Hange's suggestion, naturally.

The light they gave off was enormous. While they were easy to spot, they also gave away their position from a mile away. Not ideal when you had a mystery enemy behind every corner. But then again, you couldn't have everything.

"Can anyone make out the colour?" Thomsen squinted at them.

"It's red." Lorelai pulled at Beau's reigns. "Thomsen, take over and continue up the centre rank. Thersa, Elske, with me."

"Yes, ma'am," they echoed.

Lorelai took off in the direction of the flares. Thersa and Elske right behind.

"Be careful!" called Iva to Elske. All she got was a wave as Elske rode off eagerly.

They made their way through the support squads. The formation seemed to remain intact, though Lorelai couldn't fail to notice everyone's less than ideal state of mind.

Missions were always nerve-wracking. But, being out here for days didn't seem a popular prospect. The soldiers she encountered could barely manage a salute, too focused on their terror to let go of the reigns.