𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐄 | eren yeager

28 | Choices and Consequences

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Word Count: 3350

Whatever was left of The Female Titan's body was slowly vaporizing into thin air. Bones were falling to the ground from the otherwise completely meatless body, before they were picked up by smaller titans and chewed on. It was hard to see since the amount of steam was enough to fill everyone's field of vision, but it was enough for Erwin to realise that the situation was bad. But it could be used for the advantage in escaping.

Because sooner or later, The Female Titan would be gone and the pure titans would be after their meat next.

"All troops, pull out!" he ordered from the heights, "Get to your horses while the titans are focused on her remains! We're leaving all the wagons behind! Gather West of The Titan Forest and get back in formation! We're returning to Karanese District!"

"After all my bluster in front of the council, this is what happens... Heavy losses and nothing useful gained," Levi muttered next to him, staring down at the horde of titans below them before turning to look at Erwin, "What will happen to us and Eren when we stroll back through the gate?"

"Think about that after we're home. Right now, we have to concentrate on retreating without further casualties," Erwin replied, "At least for now..." Staring down at the devoured body of The Female Titan, he frowned.

'Hard to see through the steam from the carcass. Could get in the way of our signal flares too...'

Turning around to leave from the branch the two currently stood on, Levi glanced at the blond over his shoulder. "I'm going call my squad over," he spoke, "I just hope they haven't gone too far..."

Before the ravenet could jump down, Erwin raised his hand, "Levi, wait." Turning around to face him, he continued, "Replenish your gas and blades."

"There's no time," Levi muttered, "And I have plenty already... So, why?"

"That's an order. Follow it."

"Yes, sir," the ravenet sighed. He turned his back to Erwin, standing there still for a moment, before briefly glancing at him.

"Erwin... I'm going to trust your judgement."

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A blue line shot up to the sky, followed by multiple other blue flares from all around the forest. Krista looked up at the sky and the blue lines, gasping, "Withdraw...!"

"All troops, fall back!" Nanaba ordered, watching as all the recruits around her sighed in relief, "That means get on your horse and ride home."

"What?" (Y/N) uttered, looking up to the sky, "It's over...?"

"We're going home! Yes!" Connie screamed in joy and relief.

"Looks like we're done here," Gunther spoke up, staring up at the flares with a relieved smile. He turned around on the branch he stood on, his hands forming cups around his mouth to alert the others, "Get back to your horses! Prepare to retreat!"

"You heard him!" Oluo exclaimed, "Let's go see the face of the bastard inside The Female Titan."

Eld hopped off the tree, shooting his wires as the others followed him, although a bit hesitantly. "Come on!" he encouraged.