Chapter 23: First mission
They start the mission in the first hours of the day, the sun appears shyly and the waking nature is their constant companion on the way to the gate. Levi is riding alone this time. Eren got his own horse but he rides beside him. The last time they took this path in the opposite direction Eren and Levi shared his horse. Just three month, a very short time but much had happened. By watching Eren, Levi can see the changes. His little titan had grown. Not so much in size but he matured during his time in the castle. Due to his work and training with the other soldiers as to the lessons he took with Hanji. Levi also sees the emotional growth. Eren has lost the fear of loneliness for the most parts. He is there in the moment, with the people around him not any longer in the forest, alone and lonely.
Levi is also aware that he himself changed. His constant worry about the boy and his wish to protect him are securely tightened in his body. The child that pierced his walls with ease had made a nest inside of his heart and will never again leave it. The black whole that had been left behind isn't filled or fixed but Eren was able to build a bridge to pass over the dark abyss Levi had been lost in. This creature had found him in the darkness and brought him outside, brought him freedom and hope. Dreams and a future. And Levi is risking all of this for a expedition. He knows they are good prepared, they trained, all of the soldiers are in better form then ever before. Eren is strong and can defend himself from titans and humans, still something inside of Levi wants to wrap the boy inside a blanket and hide him from the world.
Eren looks at him, feeling his staring eyes on him. He smile his smile that shines brighter as the sun and is warmer than any fire could ever be. "Look Levi we reached the city." Eren points out and truth to his words the gates to Shiganshina is right in front of them. The gate is open as always, only a short way to the outside gate and they will pass the wall. The long line of soldiers on horses, with supply cars are all around them. Both Eren and Levi are in the front part, not the first but they will be with the first that leave the wall behind them.
The teams in the front are the once with the best and elite soldiers. The ones that fight if necessary to make a titan free way for them to follow. Of course the same kind of soldiers protect the sides but the front is the one that will get the most titan contact.
"Levi, why do I have to wear my hood again?" Levi looks at Eren, he and a few other soldier that are small in size (like Levi) had pull up their hoods to cover up the fact that they take a child into their group.
"Because you still look like 10 or maybe 11, not much older." Eren puffed into the air.
"Not true, Hanji said I look more like a 13 year old." Of course she did, Levi rolls his eyes.
"Still too young for this. So be quiet and wear the hood. I do it to, without complaining." Levi gives his horse his heals to get a bit closer to Eren, not everyone should listen to them and shielding him from the side was also a good way to prevent someone seeing the child´s face.
"This is the same city we came in the last time, the people look a lot more excited this time." Eren is right. Most town´s people see them off in a more positive way as when they return with the bodies or worse with less soldier an no bodies.
"It´s called Shiganshina." Eren looks at him. "The city, its name is Shiganshina. Most expeditions start from here." In the crowd are children that look at them with excitement, some of them might even dream of join them to go outside the wall. Most of them will never do it.
They come to a stop and wait for the gate to open. Levi sees the excitement in Eren´s eyes. "We go outside again." He grins and gets ready.
"Stay close to me. Don't get lost. We want to return home again. So no unnecessary things brat." Levi also gets ready as the gate starts to open up.
"We will come back together my little human, don't worry." And with that they command their horses to a fast gallop, leaving the city and the wall behind them. Only the open world in front and the dangers of the freedom all around them.
