Titans Rule, Levi Ackerman UNDER EDITING

(35) The eve of Wall Maria.

~Amelia's POV~

A yawn erupted from my mouth as I rubbed my eyes, attempting to dispel them from the weariness of the night before. I'd had a restless sleep haunted by nightmares of being eaten alive by Titans. Visions that were entirely possible as we set out to the Wall, unbeknownst what would meet us there. A violent breeze attacked my face, sending a shiver up my spine. My horse huffed beside me, bringing my attention to her, causing me to realise that we were being lifted into the air on a precarious contraption. It was an effective yet terrifying feeling to be suspended in the air, but it was the only way to traverse to the top of the colossal Walls. 

As we neared the top, I noticed the sun hovering above the trees, cascading golden light onto the abandoned houses below. The evening would be upon us soon, signifying that our mission was about to begin. Squad Levi but with Levi, was gathering the last of the supplies we needed before our departure. Levi, Hange and Erwin would be finishing their meeting with some of the higher government and would join us soon. 

Meanwhile, we continued with our typical low-ranking soldier manual labour. I was guiding some horses to be lifted down on the lift when I heard a shout from the other side of the Wall.

"Hey!" Their echoed so loudly that even I from the top of the Wall could decipher what they were saying. "Squad leader Hange! Good luck!"

Their voice was then followed by a whole chorus of voices that reverberated around the Walls. There was a literal buzz in the air as the combined vibrations of their voices. The Scouts looked at each other, staring in disbelief at the encouragement. Levi, Erwin and Hange received the most cheers as they made their way over to us, mounting the lift to come and join us. 

Jean, Connie, and Sasha started to join in, screaming down to the crowd below at the top of their lungs. I couldn't help but join in too. And somehow from all the way up here, I could see Levi visibly flinch at the sound. All I could do was complain about the rift in our relationship and wonder how it had gotten this bad. I missed my friend, my comrade. But most of all, I yearned for something more. This distance between us left me wanting more. Something that I wasn't sure Levi was willing to give me and I knew he was well aware of that. His embrace from last night flashed into my mind. Then his apology. I wish he knew that his just being there was enough for me. He didn't have to change or be anything for me. I solely wanted to be a part of his life, even if that was just as friends. 

If we survived this, I would win him back. I didn't care if that wasn't what he wanted. I would persuade him otherwise.

"How long has it been since we got a proper send-off like this?" An officer commented.

"Who knows? I don't think that we've ever..." Another officer trailed off.

"As long as I'm aware, this is a first," Erwin joined in as he reached the top of the Wall. 

Then, he punched his remaining arm into the sky and erupted in a loud shout. "The operation to retake Wall Maria will start... Now!"

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Midnight was starting to flee as morning was chasing closely behind. Our enthusiasm fuelled on by the shouts of the citizens of the Walls had lessened and weariness starting to kick in. We had decided it wise to dismount our horses and letting them rest from the flat-out cantering we'd been doing previously. Our goal was to get to Shiganshina before dawn and the darkness surrounding us from the moonless night was making our journey hard to navigate. Our torches  were focused solely on the ground so we didn't trip over our own feet. The forest around us was a deathly silence, one that left you on edge. Titans populated this territory and I found myself jumping at every little noise, expecting to see the face of a Titan ready to gobble me up.

"We're not at the foot yet? It's almost dawn," Levi asked the officer next to him.

The officer fumbled with the map from his pocket. "Once we're over this mountain, Shiganshina's right over there," he announced, holding up his torch a little too close to the paper map for my liking. 

"Sorry you're stuck with my horse," Eren apologised to Mikasa in front of me.

"You're supposed to be saving your energy," Mikasa scolded with the reigns of both her and Eren's horses in one hand.

"Yeah, I know," Eren replied with a wounded pride. It was killing his teenage boy pride to let his crush pull along his horse for him when he was more than capable. But we needed all of Eren's strength it what could turn out to be a long and hard battle. I was hoping that wouldn't be the case but with how the plot was starting to thicken, I could sense that a fight was bound to happen.

"She's right. Rest up, Eren," Connie, evidently zoned out, said to him.

"Don't say his name, Connie," I slapped his back to bring him back to reality. I understood his nervousness but we didn't know who was watching us. In this darkness and uncertainty, who knew what Marleyan soldiers could be listening to our every move?

"A-ah, I'm sorry," he spluttered out, realising his mistake.

"Assume this place is swarming with enemies," Jean stated and as if the universe heard him, he erupted into a shout. "Titan on the left! Everyone halt! Light up the area!"

My hand jolted to the left before my brain could register what was happening. The Titan beside us was illuminated. However, it appeared to be still, most likely sleeping.

"It's alright. He's fast asleep. It must not be one of the new types that move at night," Hange reassured and everyone visibly relaxed. That was too close for my own comfort. If that Titan had been awake, it would have been breathing down our necks.

"Let's keep going and leave it be," Hange suggested and with my heart still racing, I followed the crowd further into the darkness.

"I can see the bottom of the hill! There are signs of a trail!" Jean called out, now at the front of the pack.

The blackness faded away as the trail led us out of the forest. Before our eyes was the expanse of abandoned, dangerous land and a path that led us all the way to the hole Reiner had made all those years ago. A sight that felt strange to witness with my own eyes and not through my laptop screen. But it meant that we had successfully made it to Shiganshina.

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Hello everyone, I apologise for vanishing from the face of the Earth! I'm very busy at the moment and will only continue to get busier as the semester goes on. So, I've decided that I'll make my chapters shorter to be able to upload more frequently. I hope that no one minds but I think this should make it easier for me to upload weekly again.

I hope you enjoyed this short transition chapter. Hopefully, I'll see you again soon!

~tigglet10.