Petra Ral never thought that anything like this would happen so soon. Of course, she wasn't naïve to think that she was invincible. Just that, she didn't think that this was how her life was going to end. After putting her trust in Eren to hopefully save humankind, she thought that she and her squad would at least see the end of the Titans, even if it took a few more years.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, a voice that sounded suspiciously like Captain Levi was reprimanding her for being so optimistic.

But she couldn't help it. Optimism was something that they all needed. Without it, they would have lost their minds a long time ago to the despair and guilt that was common in every war. It was something that helped them get through every day and helped them survive each battle to see another day.

The hope that someday, humans would finally be free of the Titans and the Walls and could venture the outside world to their heart's content without fear of being devoured by the monsters that lurk outside the Walls.

But as the Female Titan got ready to kick her, she couldn't help but at least hope that the rest of her comrades Erd, Auruo, Gunther and Eren −sweet and kind Eren, whose first expedition outside the walls shouldn't have to be where he lost a comrade− would be able to get away from the traitor and save themselves to get to Captain Levi.

Captain Levi.

She knew her superior would surely blame himself. Just when he had finally opened up to her to talk about his past and hopes for the future, this would happen.

That was one of her regrets. To be the cause of her beloved captain's misery. He would surely think that he doesn't deserve to be happy.

She barely felt her body smash against the trunk of a tree as she heard the shouts of her comrades.

"PETRA!"

I'm sorry, Captain.

Captain Levi of the Scouting Legion never thought that he would be worried for the lives of his subordinates. Of course, he wasn't naïve –never− to think that his squad would always survive each expedition. He knew their capabilities –he hand-picked them for his squad, of course he knew what they were capable of− and he knew that they could survive this.

Ever since he joined the Scouting Legion, he had always put his faith in the decisions made by Erwin Smith. He never questioned his commander's orders and obediently followed them, with the belief that by doing so, he could avoid having regrets, avoid thinking about the what ifs when something goes wrong and avoid blaming himself for the death of each soldier under his command. Erwin's decisions were always made with having the best for humanity in mind. And he never once regretted following them.

But as he heard the shouts of the members of his squad, he couldn't help but think this would be the first time in a long time that he would regret not questioning those orders.

Mikasa Ackerman prided herself in being able to read people. It was something needed in battle, to be able to assess the situation and make quick decisions. But of course, she wasn't a stranger to having her emotions cloud her judgement and get the better of her.

So when she saw the esteemed Captain Levi –Humanity's Strongest− freeze in his tracks after the shouts of people she knew to be the members of the Special Operations Squad reached them, she knew that he was worried.

Despite not seeing any change in his facial expression, she knew.

Because she was feeling the same thing.

If Squad Levi was being attacked, then that meant Eren was in danger.

Eren.

Her family.

She maneuvered her 3DM gear to turn around and go back to save Eren, ignoring Levi's "Where the fuck are you going, Ackerman?", because she knew that it was just a half-hearted attempt to stop her.

Because she knew that he wanted to go back and save his squad as much as she wanted to save Eren.