After checking for Titans, I zipped my way to the rooftops. Although Titans could spot me there, I could also spot them and leave before I was forced to have contact. Plus, it gave a much better view of the streets below, so searching for a spare gear was much faster. I leapt from rooftop to rooftop, trying to keep away from giant prying eyes. I must have done a poor job as a Titan managed to sneak up behind me. I realised at the last second and dived from the roof, serving the Titan a mouthful of bricks instead. I whirled mid-air and shot a line at its neck while it was still face planting the building.
"You haven't happened to come across a spare 3D maneuver Gear, have you?" I asked. Gas shoved me into a circular motion around the Titan until I finished it off in a clean slice. I landed onto its motionless head and glanced around.
"I'll take your silence as a no then."
It didn't seem as if the commotion triggered any other Titans to come crawling. Using that advantage, I took off and sailed through the nearby streets, eyes darting at my surroundings for a spare Gear. Life dealt me a cruel hand as yet another Titan appeared in my vision. However, what caught my eye was a glean coming from some metal behind the monster. It was a Gear, hanging on the edge of a roof, inviting me to come and take it.
"Invitation accepted." I muttered and took a detour around the giant being. Its eyes followed me and its body began to turn as well.
"Sorry, I don't have time for tag." With that, I shot a line across to the opposite building and accelerated, neatly slashing through the back of the neck. A look at my left sword had me rolling my eyes and I dropped the now blunt blade off from my handle.
"Too hasty, Rina. Calm down."
I pushed off the building as I reached it and snagged the life-saving Gear. To my delight, its gas canisters were almost full. Taking the spare cylinders, I replaced my gas and quickly made my way back to Tatoma.
As I rounded the last corner, a Titan stood on the other end of the street. Its eyes locked onto me and it began to slowly make its way to me.
"Shit." I cursed and increased my speed. I had to get the Gear to Tatoma before it was too late. Glancing down, his face peeked out from the window and his eyes clearly conveyed that he knew of the threat closing in on his location.
"Get it on and then get the hell out of here! Head to the West wall, avoid the Titans as much as you can and don't wait up! I'll be right behind you!" I shouted and threw the Gear through the window. Without time to dwell on the fact whether he could cope with his broken foot, I continued towards the Titan to distract it. Armed with duel swords, I narrowed my eyes at the wide-mouthed creature and began to attack. An enormous arm swiped at me, its hand wide ready to slap me dead. I twisted out of the way, cutting through three fingers in the process. An ear-splitting roar erupted from its mouth, a look of temporary pain contorting its already deformed face. I hooked myself to its shoulder and swiftly ran up its arm. Finally reaching its shoulder, I jumped into the air before spinning around and dragging both swords across its vulnerable skin, carving out a large chunk of its flesh. Hot air once again spit out at me. I coughed in irritation before coughing in shock. Another Titan was ripping our safe house apart, throwing roof tiles and bricks as if they weighed nothing. I froze, hanging onto a chimney for support. Tatoma...was getting away! I shook my head in awe at the retreating human and followed my fellow soldier to the West wall.
"You owe me lunch." I commented as I caught up. He threw me a grin as the Wall grew closer.
"How about I get my foot healed before I think about getting you lunch, huh?"
I shrugged, smiling before sudden loud footsteps had both of us glancing over our shoulders. An Aberrant ran towards us, knocking other Titans out of the way, crushing the street it ran on. I growled in frustration.
"Can this day get any worse?!"
"Let's move it!" Tatoma agreed and we both sped up. With our hooks finally attached up the wall, we reeled ourselves out of harm's way and watched as the abnormal Titan smash into the concrete.
"Ouch."
"That had to hurt." I winced. As I began to fly up the wall, Tatoma's sudden shout caused me to look over at him. Except, he wasn't there anymore and was sliding rapidly down to the awaiting Titan.
"The Gear's malfunctioned! Rina!" he exclaimed in fear and grappled uselessly against the Wall for a foothold. I instantly relaxed my line and scaled the wall over to my comrade. Taking the last sword of the set, I aimed as I ran in a curve towards Tatoma. Once I became too close for comfort to the Titan, I threw the blade into its wide eye, resulting in a gush of blood and an ear shattering scream. I swooped in and grabbed Tatoma before using the gas to shoot us up to safety once again. I shoved Tatoma over the Wall edge into the awaiting arms of the 3 Garrison officers before soaring high into the air for a skilled landing. Tatoma groaned and clutched his broken foot, his adrenaline quickly being flushed out with pain.
"Better get him to a doctor quickly." I recommended, placing a hand on my hip.
"Yes, right away!" the Garrison saluted at me, their fists held tightly over their heart before moving Tatoma away.