Fog settles around the trotting horses of the Survey Corps, the hooves hit the damp ground of the of the dirt within the walls. They neigh with the anticipation at the thought of the fresh grass beyond the wall.

I carefully observe the playing field we've been granted, Erwin to my left, Hange to my right, and Cadets of all shapes and sizes follow behind us, their lives rest in our hands once we pass through the gates.

We continue to ride in an order through Wall Rose and Maria until we finally make it. Giant gates loom over us, the only path in and out of the walls. "I'm starting to feel a little nervous Levy Lee." Says Hange coming closer to me.

I let out an exasperated grunt, "Shitty glasses you better not mess up, if I die because of your dumb decisions, I'll haunt you for life, I swear."

Hange chuckles nervously scratching her head and sending me a shy smile, "I'll be a good girl Levi."

The first gate opens, there is a vast dark area inside where the soldiers are to safely wait for the first gate to close, the titans to be drawn away and then a second gate to the green fields of freedom to open.

During my second expedition we had been stuck here for an hour because an aberrant Titan refused to move. Now we steadily move within the dark confines of the area and stop just enough to not hit the gate.

Once the soldiers are in, it eerily slides shut behind us, the locking systems grind together and we are submerged in complete darkness. All that can be heard is breathing and horses who are stomping around, anxious without their sight.

I don't know how long we are in the confined space, but it feels like years before the gate in front of us shuffles with some noises and finally up to reveal greenness.

The horses trot out of the area emerging into the brightness, my first instinct is to observe the area, so far it seems clear. We ride a few minutes out coming to a quickened gallop rather than a full trot.

"Take formations." says commander Erwin, I go around him soaring out to the left side just until Erwin isn't within ear shot, my squad follows so we are covering the left flank. I assume Hange has done the same with the right and Erwin and taken guard in the front of the center, with the two supplies carts being in the middle of the formation.

The road is long, and every now and then a Titan appears smiling in a eerie way and reaching for my soldiers, a red flare get's sent up and we all move, soldiers take turns bringing down Titans.

This continues for hours until we finally reach a regrouping point. A field of wild flowers never seen before, the flowers look uncrushed and fresh. Upon arrival Hange is the first to jump from her stead with Moblit in toe carrying containers and what not.

I ride over to Erwin whom is on his horse talking with about 10 cadets.

"If you guys patrol in the 'Franklin' pattern, we should all be safe, don't forget to take your rations along with you, and if danger is near, send a red flare." The cadets nod turning towards one of the supplies carts and galloping off.

"Erwin." I call. He looks at me with a big smile.

"How are you feeling Levi, did you eat yet?" He asks riding closer to me to we are practically next to each other.

"I'm not feeling all that hungry, but I'm fine, just wondering how we are going to camp?"

Erwin chuckles softly which ticks me off. Don't worry Levi, I'll worry about that once we get to the next safest destination, please don't worry to much." Erwin rides he closer putting his mouth close to my ear, "Stop worrying please, It's not your fault if anyone dies, this is our job as the Survey Corps, I wouldn't of ranked you as Captain if you weren't special." He says and backs away.

With a lingering smile he rides to where Hange is happily collecting flower seeds and explaining the theory of photosynthesis to Moblit.

I let out a sigh sliding down from my horse and grabbing the reins to lead it to a green spot where other horses are munching gladly.

Walking to a supplies cart I kick up some grass puffing out a bit of air, I can't seem to get my heart under control when I know there is danger all around me. It feels as if the Titans are surrounding me, they're looking at me, their next meal, but they are also so far away it seems.

To live in a world surrounded by monsters. "Here you go Captain Levi." Says a young scrawny male handing me a ration, his hair is red and his eyes are blue, he sends me a smile, "Thank you, Leon, I think it is?" Leon nods flashing me a smile.

I nod back less enthusiastic and walk away. The thing about this world, is the Titans aren't the only the monsters.

I tear back the wrapper of my ration making a beeline for Hange, Erwin, Moblit, and Eld. They are huddled around picking flowers of various sizes, pressing some of them between plastic, plucking live samples, conserving seeds in pouches, etc.

I sit down my back facing them, eyes observing the areas and the cadets that are riding back and forth guarding our position when people plop down on either side of me. Turning a bit, I see one is Mikasa and the other is Armin.

"This field is so beautiful, right Captain?" Armin asks looking at me with wide blue eyes like the sky.

I shrug, "It's a new scene, I've never been out this far." I say turning my eyes to survey a group of soldiers who are mapping the area's we have passed and the one we are in.

Mikasa moves so her back is to mine, but not touching or I'd kill her. "I didn't know flowers came in so many colors and sizes." She says quietly.

Armin laughs reaching behind me to touch Mikasa, I sigh once more rotating my shoulders and preparing to stand.

"Wait Captain," Armin says looking me in the eyes.

"What do you want kid." I kneel down to him, but I don't sit again.

"I wanted to tell you, Mikasa and I will stand behind you, and fight for you no matter what." Mikasa turns to me, her eyes are calculating but they look earnest like Armin's.

I nod firmly standing to my full height and resting my hands on my hips, "It's nice to here that come from you." I say and walk away towards my horse, and just in time.

"Prepare to move out." Erwin says from the field of flowers they had been observing, Hange groans saying something about not having enough time, but Erwin pulls her up from the dirt by her jacket and drags her to the supplies cart with the rations anyhow.

I round onto my horse securing my straps and sipping a bit of water from my pouch as I wait for the other soldiers to prep for the rest of the ride.

The sun is at it's highest point in sky when everyone is finally back into formation. Hange is loudly munching down her ration, Erwin is doing last minute preparations to ensure everyone and their horses are hydrated, and I am still fucking waiting to get on a move.

The formation starts as a slow walk, but it soon goes into a quick paced gallop, the formation spreading out to what it was in the beginning.

We ride like this until we see large buildings, from afar they are sturdy and they seem to be tall, way bigger than the average 15- Meter Titan, but smaller than the Colossal.

I can feel the weary glances of the soldiers on my back as I try to keep my cool. I glance to Erwin his face in calm as he survey's the area around us.

6 minutes we are closer to the buildings, Erwin and his squad have taken off into a trot to survey the structures for danger while me and Hange group together reforming a two squadron formation.

We make it there as Erwin and the team come to meet us. "The area is safe, camp will be set in one of the five buildings, the higher the better. The horses can be fastened around the house, we will leave from the building an hour before the sun rises as to avoid any Titans that may have taken camp around here. And please remember we are not safe, danger is everywhere." Erwin goes off leaving me and Hange to handle the rest of the situation.

"Alright," I look around to a red house, it's the most sturdy looking one with it's door still closed, I point to it, "Everyone will camp in there, straps and gear stay ready, unless you're willing to risk your life." I say. Cadets nod their heads and start to make their way towards the building.

I survey the area quickly, this is dangerous being trapped in a building, but we really don't have any other options, I just have to trust Erwin.

(1581 Words)

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