In just a moment, the Titan was upon her.

Just... how?

Petra was confused, and terrified.

It was never like this. Never once did everyone died so suddenly. So easily.

So cleanly.

She shouldn't panic. Calm down. Fight. Escape. Pull out the Maneuever Gear and change direction.

Only her heart won't stop racing, she felt like her head was exploding from all the blood pumped up and she just can't focus.

There was no time, even a split second, before her wire was caught and the metal jerked her sideways.

'No... Please, no.'

'I don't want to die.'

'Someone... Someone help me...'

Her voice was a cracked whisper, not even audible to her own ears, but the words were uttered nonetheless.

"Levi-heichou..."

With that, the Female Titan flung her against a tree and all blacked out.

Why does he feels... so irritated?

It's like there are other things he should be doing. Should he have stayed with Erwin?

Or did that brat Eren Jeager do something stupid?

But no, Eren was with his squad. He should be fine.

So why...?

He doesn't want to consider the possibility he dreaded. The possibility that someone will die.

He tsked, finishing his resupply.

He should go back to Erwin, really should. It was an order.

So why can't he bring himself to go that direction?

Levi draw a sharp breath, making a decision. And with a sound of metal cracking wood, he soured up through the branches of the Giant Woods... heading toward where his squad was.

Erwin cast his gaze in the direction of the supply squad.

'Where did Levi go? He should have finished resupplying by now. Really... if he doesn't arrive, any moment now, one of the Titans might turn from the corpse and—

"Arghhhhhh—"

"Erwin-danchou! Titan attacking, sir! They're ignoring the rest of the Female Titan's corpse, four of our soldier have already perished, sir."

He was too late.

Coating his panic with a wall of ice, he said, "Retreat, everyone is to get out of the clearings as soon as possible. Seek narrow-lined areas to restrict their movement and wait for the order to attack. Avoid engaging a group at once."

"Yes, sir!" And the soldier soured off.

...

'What exactly are you doing... Levi?'

"Get out of here, kid." Levi said offhandedly.

Eren gaped in disbelief.

"But, Levi-heichou—"

"That's an order."

With that, Eren's paper-thin temper snapped.

"Everyone died because of that monster and you order me to GET OUT?! DO YOU KNOW HOW IT KILLED GUNTHER-SAN AND PETRA-SAN AND—

"Calm down, you damn brat." The tone was like a bucket of ice.

"NO! HOW CAN I? WHEN EVERYONE—"

"They're alive!" Eren paused at that, staring at the Corporal.

"They are alive. I trust so."

Levi's hands clench around the blades at his side. He stares forward, like when he told Eren to make a decision.

Trust in me and the Survey Corps, or trust yourself.

He had chosen. And he chose them.

He will hold true to that decision.

With a renewed confidence, he saluted and take off, wondering how someone can trust so absolutely and unconditionally.

What he doesn't know was the words going through the Corporal's mind.

'Rather... I hope so.'

'So you choose your squad after all, huh, Levi.' Erwin thought before jerking forward on his maneuever gear, a formation of soldiers behind him.

A group of three titans were following, ranging from 7 to 15 meters classes.

The mindless creatures are gaining on them. But it isn't the time for attacking yet...

Just a bit more...

Crack

The sound of teeth cracking, missing the soldier on the rear end by inches.

Erwin gritted his teeth.

He have no choice but to fight now, does he?

'I hope you made the right choice, Levi...

...for humanity, for mankind... and for yourself.'

Changing direction, he commands.

"ATTACK!"