| Trust

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The scout regiment finally began their 57th expedition early in the morning. Onlookers watched as the scouts gathered in front of the gates. The hearts of the new members pounded rapidly while the veteran soldiers remained calm. 

        "This is it! Humanity is now about to take another step forward! Show us what you're made of!" one elite yelled to the new members behind him. They all felt encouraged and cheered, raising their blades with pride. 

Erwin, Hanji and Miche were at the front of the formation. Just a few positions behind them was Levi's squad, where Iris was calmly and silently waiting for Erwin's signal. 

        "FORWARD!" Erwin loudly yelled, giving every person a headstart. Within a few minutes, their horses galloped outside the gates of Karanes District. "Now commencing the 57th Exterior Scouting mission!" 

Through the abandoned towns and large empty fields, the scout regiment ventured toward Trost District. The Special operations squad was positioned at the rear center, the safest out of all three. It was obvious enough that their mission was to protect Eren Jaeger-- at least for them. But for others, almost all of the soldiers were sure it was just a test run.

        Eren looked at his sister. "Sis- Major, do you think my classmates can beat the titans in a fight?" he questioned, panicking. However, Iris was keen on keeping silent. When she felt his stare on her, Iris looked at her little brother. 

       "Eren, put trust in your friends. More importantly, don't converse unless needed and watch your surroundings!" He gasped upon realizing how different she was. For the first time in his life, he was finally seeing her in action. Ever since he was eight, Eren had always admired and looked up to her. Now, they were together at the battlefield. His hands were slippery as anxiety was taking over him. 

       "Do you understand?" Eren nodded eagerly and focused his eyes forward. When they finally reached the end of the abandoned town, Erwin signalled the scouts to assume long-range scouting formation. They all separated into their own formations. Everyone bid each other goodbyes before they separated. There was fear in their stomachs knowing that it might be their last.

It's been a few minutes into the reconnaissance. Given the fact that the Levi squad was on standby and was in the rear of the center rank, there was no telling what was happening to the others. Iris and Levi were as concentrated as ever. Usually, the couple would never utter a word to each other in a serious expedition. This was one of those times. 

Iris's eyes latched onto a set of green smoke signals. Without further instructions, she quickly fired one high up in the air. Eren watched his sister closely. She was operating so excellently that she almost seemed too good-- all she did was fire a smoke signal, though.

         "Reporting, sir! It's a message! Right-wing spotters decimated, detention network partially out! Please pass this message onto the left!" Iris and Levi turned their heads toward the messenger. 

          "You heard him, Petra."

          "Go," they both ordered in unison. After she left, Eren began to panic. Iris gritted her teeth after realizing that's where Armin was. Could the titans have advanced that far? 

          "Black smoke signals!" Iris informed the team even though she was in shock. Black smoke signals were only used when an abnormal is spotted, which caused Iris to rethink things. 

         "Eren! You fire the signal!" Levi told him and the young man acted on it right away. 

This is bad. We've let them deep inside the formation. The only way is to participate in combat if ever this abnormal attacks us.

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