RIVAL | Levi Ackerman

xi. A STEP FORWARD

episode 17: female titan - the 57th expedition; part 1

CHAPTER ELEVEN
A STEP FORWARD

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      Walls.

      Thick cages of cement trapped her in from the moment she was born. Without the experience of ever seeing the outside world, slowly losing interest of what it truly was, what lied beyond the barrier, she was a curious woman. The grey border towered over fifty-meters high. Lined with artillery canons instilled on the top. It was a daunting sight that loomed over her head. Though the thought of it was shoved in the back of her head. All her life, Freya considered herself to be lucky to even see the sun, feel the cool air drift on her skin, to be exposed out in the broad daylight. The bright world. Ironically shallow and dark. Ruthless. Vile. The shouts of her superiors was distant. Nothing but muffled voices carping her ears in preeminent announcements. She strained her ears to listen carefully.

      "We've lured away all nearby Titans!"

      Her uniform seemed exceptionally tight on her today, the leather harness almost feeling like it strangled her very body to the bones, losing the pump of blood circulation running as her head felt light. Her chest puffed up and down, though she controlled her breathing to a constant rhythm of inhales and exhales. The sun beating down didn't exactly help, yellow and orange hues kissed the top of her head, blonde hair tied in a low ponytail with her black ribbon. Her Survey Corps jacket was uncomfortable as she blended in the sea of cadets. Blue eyes stared straight ahead. Her skin seared warm.

      "Thirty seconds until the gate is open!" Without realizing it, her fingers began to drum in beat with each tick of passing seconds on her lap, silently counting, waiting. Fifteen seconds in, eventually, she lost it. Mind scrambled, numbers flying straight out of her head. Her hands went clammy. Her tongue occasionally darted out to swipe her bottom lip in parlous apprehension. Enlivened anticipation emitted from the blonde woman. A squad leader from the front lines yelled. "It's time! In mere moments, mankind will advance once again. Show us what you're made of!"

      Cheers of her comrades filled the air. Yells of volatile vanquishing drummed her ears like a boulder rolling against the slope ground, heavy thumps thrashing recklessly. Curled fists and silver blades were all exuberantly raised in the air, an exhibit of spirit laid out for everyone in the small district they found themselves in. Wide eyed gazes from children peered out their home windows to take a peek. The murmurs and whispers of the district folks mixed with their shouts, a stern deviance of their doubt making regard. Freya was all too familiar with those suspecting looks as their were moments away from departing. "Open the gate!"

      The ground rumbled as the large stone gate rose from the ground. From where she was positioned, she couldn't exactly see it. The numerous scouts laid in front of her prevented her from doing so. At least, not for now, knowing that she was seconds away from passing that thick barrier of stone walls.