Hi again! I would just like to thank all you people who decided to give this story a try and I am grateful for that opportunity :) The idea that this is getting read by people all around the world is actually mind-blowing haha Note: I do have some sort of plot forming in my head BUT I'm still a newbie to this and I do get writer's block, so if you think you got an idea that I should use further into the story, I'm open to suggestions :D :D
With a stroke of good luck, we managed to make it about three quarters of the way unharmed. Soon, I spotted an intersection of streets up ahead and to my horror, all three entryways had a Titan nearby. The path to the gate required us to go straight ahead but in order to do that, we had to encounter yet another Titan, as well as somehow bypassing two more Titans who waited on the side roads. Although it wasn't my first time handling three Titans, it was my first time defeating three Titans and defending a cart full of corpses plus 2 troops. To make matters worse, the one straight ahead of us ran up and down its street meaninglessly. An Aberrant. I quickly scaled down the buildings and towards the men.
"First, pass me a black smoke round."
They shot me shocked expression before a small canister was placed in my hand.
"Second," I continued, placing the loaded smoke gun into my waistband, "do you guys know of another way to get back to the gate? The intersection ahead is literally crawling with Titans." I leapt onto the above roof and motioned them to take cover for the mean time.
"We could always go back the way we came and then turn at the first left." Called out one of them. I checked the path option from the roof and considered taking that way, until a green smoke round flew up from around there.
"Tch." I chewed my lip. It was too risky to pass through three Titans at once but then, it was also risky to go back and possibly meet up with another Retrieval group. If a Titan managed to block a street, then we could be trapped and then this whole mission would have been a waste of time. To be on the safer side, I held up the smoke gun and fired, a trail of black dust shooting into the air. I took off straight after before the Aberrant became too focused on it. I headed first to the right Titan, coming up to its side. Firing a line across the street, I whizzed past the Titan's back, slashing at the neck simultaneously. One down.
As I came to a rest on the other side, the Titan in front of me smiled widely and began making its way to me slowly. However, a faster pair of footsteps raced towards me. The Aberrant. The abnormal had noticed the black smoke too soon and came at the nearest being to it – me. So now I had two Titans fighting for a piece of me. Drawing them closer, I watched to make sure they passed the intersection. Finally, a stroke of luck, as Brian swung in from behind. I flicked my head to the left and he instantly took the hint and went to escort the cart the rest of the way. I gritted my teeth as the Abberant sprinted closer and took off in the opposite direction, leading them away. The thundering of footsteps reminded me of how fast this one was.
"Pretty fast for a burly one." I muttered and forced myself to go faster. Then I halted in my tracks as a green smoke round flew up from in front. Shit! I couldn't lead the Titans there! There was but one option left.
"Kill them." I shook my head at my unfortunate situation and abruptly changed directions. The Abberant followed suit and smashed into the building I had just landed on. Grabbing the chance, I leapt up and secured a cut on the vulnerable spot. Hot air spat out at me and the Titan body slumped. Then a huge shadow beared down from above and I dived off the neck just as a hand slammed onto the place where I had just stood. The second Titan.
"Relax, you'll get your turn." I assured and sprinted off along the roof. There was a mighty crash as the Titan planted its hand on the tiles and swept it along the same path.
"Shit." I cursed as bits of brick and concrete flew overhead. I jumped off the roof, attached a cable to a nearby tower and retreated to there. The Titan's hand followed me, reaching out in vain. I watched as the Titan stretched out, its fat fingers ever growing closer. Then, a single blue smoke round erupted from the gate. Retreat.
"Maybe another time, Titan." I commented and took off from the other side of the tower. As I swung my way towards the gate, I rounded back to the street and blinked as the Titan I had just farewelled now lay as a pile of ashes and bones. There was a flash of light before Captain Levi took his place by my side again. Together, we shot our way back to the Wall.
"Show off." I mused. The smallest hint of a smile raised his lips.
Miraculously, we all returned alive. The next few hours were the hardest, as each body was identified, noted, and prepared for cremation. i looked away as Tim was carried to the mass furnace.
"I hope to God I never get used to this."
"It's better that you don't." Levi answered quietly. His voice had lost its usual snarkiness and was replaced by something close to…sorrow.
"The more used to it you are, the more people you've seen die."
I glanced over at him as he gazed at the fire. We all stood in silence as the flames were lit. It instantly flared up due to the use of an accelerant and began crackling at the dead. I frowned, quietly breathing through my sorrows. Masses of soldiers joined us, silently farewelling friends, family and loved ones. Quiet sobs, silent tears and grieving expressions spotted around the fire from the survivors.
"Erwin." I stated. The Commander had said the same thing to me once after a bloody Expedition. Levi looked back as confirmation before turning to leave. I gave the burning flames one last look and followed my friend in.