Once everyone had been deemed safe and sound, we piled ourselves onto our horses and carts and began to speed towards the giant Titan. Hanji couldn't help groaning every time we hit a bump and I couldn't help glancing her way every time she did. One of my closest friends had been injured badly but there was nothing I could do for her. Sasha and Conny were attempting to patch her up the best they could with our limited medical supplies, not to mention the moving cart. On the second cart was Jean and Armin, also trying to help ease the pain of any minor injuries that the team sustained. Steve and I remained on our individual horses, cantering alongside. The distant rumbling from the Titan movements could still be heard from our position and its faint glow from up ahead lit up our path. Those of Levi's team who were resting on the carts decided to take turns grabbing some much needed rest, at least until we caught up with the slow moving predator. Shooting the Captain a look, I could instantly tell he himself was drained.
"Take a rest, Levi, otherwise you'll burn yourself out before we even get to the beast." I reprimanded. The stubborn man shook his head and I could see the gears turning in his head.
"Just because it's night, I can't risk being reckless and guess that no Titans will attack us on the way."
I threw my hand out in exasperation.
"Take a look at what we're following, Levi. That thing wouldn't give two shits about squishing another Titan to a pancake. Not to mention it burns everything within a certain distance."
It was true – there were no other Titans in sight. I guess not even they would be suicidal enough to get in the way of that monster Titan.
"Levi, she's right. You need at least a few minutes shut-eye." Hanji wheezed out, smiling weakly. Levi sighed, unable to go against our friend's wishes.
"Fine – if Hazura goes first to let Erwin know we're coming."
I opened my mouth to protest but he instantly shut me up.
"Considering the situation we're in and the fact that thing is heading towards something, Erwin needs all the help he can get. He's probably got troops surrounding Rod Reiss as we speak."
My hands tightened on Streak's reins and my horse immediately glanced back at me.
"Go Hazura, you'll help Erwin more than you can for us at the moment." Hanji encouraged.
I paused, mind running wild. Finally, I whistled sharply, gaining Steve's attention instantly from the other side of our little pack.
"You watch over them – I'm heading out to Commander Erwin first."
He nodded in acknowledgement, sending me a brief salute, tapping his fist to his heart. I did the same in response before looking down at Levi. His eyes watched me like a hawk, the grey irises piercing right through my tough exterior and to the fear I held inside.
"We'll be okay. Go."
Gritting my teeth, I called out before I could change my mind.
"Yah!"
With that final reassurance, I flicked the reins and Streak shot forward as we raced towards the Titan.
As Streak and I rode into the darkness, no longer surrounded by a warm light, a shiver ran down my back as the situation finally settled in my head. Eren and Historia were rescued but at the cost of releasing probably the largest Titan to ever roam the goddamn earth. Even still a fair distance away, I could still see the staggering amount of steam it was releasing, as well as some eerie glow being emitted from the monster.
How the hell could we take this thing down? From what I heard, Bertholdt's Titan was much smaller in size and yet the Corps already struggled with dealing with him. More thoughts whizzed around in my head and soon enough, the glow of a lit torch approached me rapidly.
"Identify yourself!"
"Squadron Leader Rina Hazura!" I answered.
"Leader Hazura!" There was a pause as the soldier caught up to me, a grim look on his face. "You've been given orders to report directly to Commander Erwin, sir! He should right up ahead, at approximately 300 metres!"
"Roger!" With that, I didn't waste any more time, flicking my reins again and we continued on our way.
Nothing got past that Commander. He must've knew that Levi would send someone to meet up with him first. Taking in my new surroundings, the Titan was horrendously big. It's body almost looked like an accordian as it lengthened then contracted, shifting it's way forward. The four limbs were terribly disfigured, seemingly too long for the torso size.
A small army of Survey Corps soldiers followed the Titan from a safe distance, simply observing it, helpless to stop it. Erwin's broad shoulders came into my sight and a sigh of relief came out of me. Surely the Commander had an idea of what to do.
"Erwin!" I called out against the wind. He reacted instantly and glanced over his shoulder. Streak closed the distance easily and I pressed my right fist to my heart.
"Commander Erwin, Squadron Leader Rina Hazura, ready to be of service."
Erwin finished speaking to the soldier he was with before sending him away. His eyebrows were furrowed together, deep frown line on his forehead.
"Where are Levi and the rest?"
"They're on their way here. We have Eren and Historia. I don't have all the details about this Titan so it's probably best for Levi to lay it out for you. Levi sent me here to help out anyway I can."
"I have the Titan surrounded and we're gathering intelligence as we speak. In the meantime, your horse is one of the fastest we have on the scene. The Titan seems to be heading somewhere. Assuming it won't change direction for some time, I need you and a few others to ride out in front and figure out where it'll hit first. I've already got soldier Smith and Rand waiting for your orders. Once they see you pass them and ahead of the pack, they'll be right on your tail."
I nodded.
"We'll be right back."
Giving Streak one more reassuring pat on the neck, I gently kicked the command and we began to ride to the head of the Titan. As I zoomed past, suddenly two other horses were right on my heels.
'Smith and Rand, I'm assuming?" I called.
"Yes sir!"
I eased Streak a tad and the two caught up to flank me. Both seemed to be slighter older than I but with the permanent frown lines, they must have been experienced soldiers at the very least.
"Give me a rundown of the observations we have so far." I ordered.
"Constantly lets out steam and light. Probably has an extremely high internal temperature, which also increases its' external temperature. Everything in its' path is lit on fire. It drags its' body on the ground using all four limbs and has not yet once lifted itself off its' face." Smith rattled off, quick and to the point.
"The body is grossly disproportioned – it probably can't even lift its' face." I muttered. "Any idea where it's heading?"
At this, Rand shook his head and spoke up. "We were heading under Commander Erwin's direction but since the emerging of that Titan, everyone panicked. I doubt anyone can remember what heading we were in."
"Fair enough. Let's get going then. Erwin needs a bearing and if he's going to come up with a plan, we need to know where it's going to strike first."
"Yes sir!"