"Wake up!"
"Mmmh." I groan and pull the blankets over my head as I curl up, not quite ready yet to face whatever the day has in store for me.
"Did you forget that today is the expedition day?"
I shot upright into a sitting position and bumped my head against something, right after follows someone's uncontrollable laughter that beyond doubt belongs to Jonah. "What the hell?" I say confused, my voice hoarse from just waking up.
I rub my forehead and opened my heavy eyelids as I had trouble adjusting to the sudden change in contrast.
When my vision sharpens I see Levi standing beside my bed, his hand also covering his forehead. I'm amazed to see that his scowl can even intensify, I think I've never seen him this irritated before. Jonah sits on the chair at the desk and tries his best not to burst out again. One glance from Levi is enough wipe the grin off his face and the chuckles die on his lips.
"You missed breakfast idiot. You surprise me, oversleeping on such a day." His arms are crossed and he seems dumbfounded by my amazing ability to oversleep yet again, no matter how important the day.
"Be outside in fifteen minutes, we're leaving soon." He said as he waved his hand a single time before closing the door behind him.
Every time I blink I have difficulty opening my eyes again. With a sigh I let myself fall back into bed.
"No!" Jonah's loud voice made me jerk up and if it wasn't for him, I'm certain I would've fallen asleep right now.
"What is it?" I ask irritated but apologise right after. "I'm still half asleep you know."
"That's not good, we're leaving soon."
"I know, I'll be out in a sec." I said as I closed my eyes for a brief second, but immediately fluttered open again. "Wait, we?"
I look over to Jonah who is smiling from ear to ear. "What do you mean we?"
"I convinced Erwin to take me on this expedition. He was persistent that I shouldn't go just yet but in the end he pretty much gave up and granted me permission. So I'll also be joining you today!" He says thrilled.
"Eh? Do you want to die that much?" I wonder. If a commander says I'm not ready to fulfil dangerous tasks or join deadly expeditions, I wouldn't fight him to change his mind. But that's what Jonah is like, something I belief I will never get used to.
"We both have different goals. Let's just not question each other's motives." He wisely says and I agree.
A sudden hard knock on the door caught us both by surprise. "Coming!" I yell, knowing there's an impatient Levi waiting on the other side.
"I'll meet you outside." Jonah says before leaving my room and I quickly change into uniform. Since oversleeping and occasionally missing breakfast is a habit of mine, I secretly keep food in my room. I hastily gobble on a piece of bread and hurried outside.
There are roughly hundred soldiers, everyone already sits on their horses and I think I am the last to leave the building. I notice Petra waving to me and see the rest of the squad including Levi sitting on a horse and holding onto another one. I stride through the crowd of soldiers to Levi and the rest when I hear people whisper about me.
"That is the so promised strong trainee?"
"I bet she doesn't take this seriously."
Honestly they annoy the hell out of me but I decide not to throw in commentary.
Instead, I smile at them. I realise very well that we're all the same boat. If one member of the team doesn't preform well, everyone fails, and this time, failure results in death. Something I still want to defer for now.
The last thing I need is people who will doubt to work with me during critical moments. So I just push all negative feelings away and keep on walking, not giving away my actual feelings.
Levi hands me the bridle and I climb onto the horse. My fake smile immediately fades and when I turn my back to the crowd and look up, Jonah smirks at me. Of course that brat is the one that has to notice.
"Who's squad are you part of?" I ask trying to direct the attention away from me.
"Mike Zacharius. Before Levi they called him humanity's strongest." He says as we now march two by two to the gate.
"Mike... which one is Mike?" I ask glancing around, not sure what I was looking for.
"The tall blonde between Levi and Hanji." He motions backwards. I peer over my shoulder to see the tree of them marching next to each other. Mike looks up and our gaze swiftly met before I quickly look forward again.
So before Levi was in the picture, Mike was named humanity's strongest. I wonder what Levi did in order to take over his title.
"So you're in good hands then?"
He hummed and I observe his ebullient frame. He seems relaxed, like always a smile was plastered onto his face. "You're not scared?" I ask. "Not even for the slightest?"
"Don't tell me... you are?" He asked in disbelief.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't."
I really am tense, fearful or perhaps worried. I can't find the suitable word or point my finger on this feeling. Maybe it's because April and Kay don't know about it. I promised them to never join an expedition, I would avoid it by any means necessary. Yet here I am, on a horse heading towards the gate that separated us from the undeniable danger that lurks on the other side.
I'm fiddling with the bridles along the way and Jonah and I continued in silence till we reached gate.
"Don't you die on me, you're my only friend at Survey Corps." I jokingly warned him but I'm serious as can be and he knows it.
"Same goes for you, but I'm not really worried about that!" He said before we repositioned. He had to go in front with Mike's squad while me and Levi's squad stood between them and Hanji's.
The bells ring and slowly the gate opens, lifting the soil along with it from the earth. A steady wind blows from the gate over us. There's a blinding white light and I can't see anything yet from the other side, the outside world.
"Advance!" I recognised Erwin's voice call out and everyone moved forward. I briefly exchanged glances with Jonah a last time when he looks over his shoulder, he waves again and I smile in return.
A lot of soldiers seem enthusiastic and more than ready to leave the walls. I'm curious to see what the other side looks like, but I have no great desire to enter the Titans territory.
Well then, here goes nothing.
As soon as I pass through the gate I can see kilometres over the horizon without any sight of the walls interrupting it. For a moment I am speechless while I enjoy the beauty of nature that lays before me. I wasn't keen on leaving but I have to say being out here is a different experience. It's incomparable to being inside the walls, somehow it seems serene and quiet. If I didn't know, I would say no danger lurks here.
I look behind me, the enormous walls standing as high as they are. I'm captivated, it feels unreal watching it from the other side. Even after three years of living above I'm still in blithe spirits for making it out of the underground, but for someone like me to be here right now, is like a dream. Or perhaps a nightmare, I'm not sure which one is more accurate.
Erwin pointed his arm to the sides. "Go into long range scouting formation!" He shouts and the soldiers divide into groups like we're supposed to.
I brace myself for all that might happen today. I know the mission is risky and dangerous, many soldiers will die as they always return with thirty percent less. I am determined to make it back in one piece, maybe not without injury but to at least make it back alive is a goal I set and will live up to.
Gunther is by my side, Levi in front with Eld and old man and Petra behind us. Everyone is focused on the foe that might appear any second, whilst I am gazing around, my eyes shifting everywhere and nowhere as I take in the stunning landscape. We are the group at the most outer part of the formation, firing glares and taking out the Titans we encounter is the main task for us.
"It'll be okay." Petra says as she smiles at me.
"Does it really look like I need reassurance?" I wonder.
"It's okay if you want to cry, after all it's your first time! Petra also-"
"Shut it Oluo! You pissed your pants on your first expedition!" Eld smirks.
"Guys! Stop bickering." Ghunter commands and glances over to me. "For the record Jaclyn, I didn't cry or piss my pants."
I can't help but smile at how they interact. They always seem to squabble and annoy the hell out of each other, especially Petra and Oluo, but they are very protective and caring. They are a great team, I've seen so during training.
We've been travelling roughly twenty minutes outside the walls now and still we haven't confronted any Titans. Maybe we can make it to the forest without having to fight.
We are seated in one of the rooms used for classes. Levi sits on the desk with a cup of tea in his hand and Hanji stood in front of the blackboard, ready to inform me about the expedition.
"Wait, before you start. Why is Jonah here?" I ask her, looking over to him.
"He also wanted to attend, I'm not sure why." She says confused just like I am.
He shrugs and smiles, then motions for Hanji to continue.
"Yes! Of course." She starts. "As you know, we have planned two expeditions, this first expeditions' goal is to catch a regular Titan and take it with us within the walls." Ecstatically she informs me.
My mouth literally fell open. "Why would you do such a thing?" I didn't know what to expect and though I thought it was impossible, I'm already dreading this expedition even more now.
"Let me ask you something; to defeat your opponent, what do you do?"
"In what context?"
"Every."
I reiterated the question out loud and took a moment to think. I snap my fingers as I might have an idea what Hanji's goal could be. Her reason to capture a Titan alive.
"To defeat your opponent you must learn about them, their movements, reactions. You find out as much as you can before engaging in a battle. Find a weakness you can exploit." I swiftly glanced over to Levi, that's exactly what I'm doing with him right now.
"I guess that could be a reason when you'll be fighting against those giants." I shrug, not sure if that's what she means.
"Exactly, a smart girl I see!" She says ebullient. "Now you have the knowledge as to why, I'll tell you your positions." She begins serious again.
She points to the drawing on the chalkboard and explains what it is and how it works; the human radar. Apparently designed and created by Erwin himself. She explained how it has decreased the death toll on each expedition. She then taps on an outer dot in the formation at the right. "This is where you and squad Levi are situated. The stronger squads are positioned at the outskirts because that's where the first contact with the Titans will be."
"Oh." I sighed. I guess it can get worse after all. I hoped that since this formation is created to avoid Titans, we wouldn't come in contact with any but of course my squad is in charge of taking them out.
"After you've eliminated the Titans on the way and we enter the forest of giant trees, we then search for a 10- preferably a 15 meter class Titan. So rest assured, the first time it'll be normal one."
"What... are you planning for the second expedition?" I question tentatively.
"The second expedition we'll capture an aberrant." She says with this scary grin. I do admire Hanji though, for being interested in them. Instead of trying to kill them off till the last one has fallen, she's excited about learning their true nature.
I guess that's the Survey Corps for you.
Still the hairs on my arms stand up at the term 'aberrant'. Last time I encountered one it was trying to devour me... and nearly succeeded.
"How are you planning to capture a Titan and bring it back alive?" I can't imagine safely bringing back a Titan without having it escape or kill countless soldiers in the process of capturing it.
"Since the Titans body is quite lightweight for their actual size, we'll be able to get it onto a platform, we then lift it and with horsepower we'll be able to carry it inside the walls." She explains and I listen intently.
"We have a 'target capture weapon', that are barrels loaded with steel tubes, each has coiled wires with arrowheads at both ends. With that we'll surely bring it to a complete standstill. However, capturing the Titan is one thing. On our return to the wall, all the squads will go back into formation, we'll have to protect the Titan by any means. Even if it costs you your live."
"Understood?" She looks me directly in the eye, making sure I got the shit load of information just now locked into my brain.
"Clear as can be." I say as I'm still processing it all.
"One more thing." Oluo interrupts. "You need to realise how little capability you have with the maneuver gear on the way, when there are no trees or buildings around."
I groan as I dry wipe my face. "How is that even possible?" The only Titans I fought were within the fallen wall Maria. The buildings are perfect to work with, but where do you even launch your damn cables at when there's nothing to hold onto on open field.
"Levi is an expert in that area, you're lucky to have him as your captain." Hanji said and turned to Levi who just furrows his brows.
"Bothersome." I whine and let my head fall backwards. Let's just hope we won't encounter any, at least not an aberrant.
"Captain, to the right a 12 meter class Titan running directly at us!" Petra alarmed.
The Titan is sprinting at full speed with its arms hanging clumsily around its body. Again, I'm amazed how much of an eyesore they are.
"There's another in front." Levi says calmly. "I'll take care of that one. Oluo!" He hints and makes brief eye contact with him before he goes off, heading straight for the Titan in front of us.
"Jaclyn, we'll take on the other one!" Oluo insists and my palms are becoming sweaty that instant.
"Isn't that a bit early? I'll go in her place!" Petra offers, saving my ass.
I let out a breath of relief. It's not that I can't fight Titans but I have zero experience on open field, so I'm just fine leaving it to those who do.
"What? You won't fight?" He asked perplexed.
"Let's go Oluo." Petra commands and already leaves as he then followed a horse length behind.
"Jaclyn, shoot your flare!" Eld orders. I search for the right colour, then firing the red smoke round that flies up towards the sky.
I watch them intently; they stand on their stirrups when they near the Titan, both jumping at the same time on their saddle before launching their cables straight into its belly.
I heard a loud bang and dust flew up, followed by a cloud of smoke. When I look closely I see Levi in the distance already returning on his horse.
I then focus back on Petra and Oluo, observing them, but got distracted by a dot in the horizon that was gradually growing larger with every passing second.
"Eld?" I call his name. I stare as I squint my eyes, pointing in the direction of Petra and Oluo. He follows where my finger was pointing at till he saw what I meant.
Without warning he and Gunther went off. "Shoot your black flare! It's an aberrant!" He yells and within an instant they're both gone.
"What! Are you kidding?! How can you tell?" I yell and look for the black smoke round. "Damn it." I say as I cover one ear and fire it. If I had hoped to avoid one thing it is seeing the black smoke linger in the air. I let out a audible sigh, of course it's my squad that has to stumble upon one.
I see Petra flying in the air and cutting the nape of Titan which then with a loud thud fell to the ground. I'm unable to spot any of them anymore as a wall of smoke arose from the lifeless body, completely fading the vision.
Loud bangs what sounded like heavy footsteps become more hearable, and the ground shakes in rhythm with the sound. I glance around and only now realise I'm all by myself.
My eyes are fixated on the wall of smoke and suddenly... a Titan emerges. At least 17 meters high and running straight to me. "Fuck." I breath out and my eyes wide with shock.
I kick my horse and gain more speed but I already see I'm not able to outrun this one. Behind it Eld, Gunther, Petra and Oluo are trying to catch up but its a useless attempt. It's evident that it's faster then any other normal Titan.
I draw my blades. It's been long ago since I've been challenged like this. Guess I'll have to fight it right here, there's no escape.
I won't die, I reassure myself. Whatever happens, I won't die.
I put my hands on the saddle and stand on it. With a deep breath I jump off, launching my cables at the Titan. I hit the leg and the Titan abruptly stopped in its tracks. "What?" I shout confused.
Ah, not this again. Like the time during the graduation test when the Titan suddenly stopped and grabbed me. No need to envision the situation like Levi taught me, I know it's moves this time.
As expected it's immediately reaching down for me. I put on full gas to escape it's deadly grasp and land with my feet on the leg. I jump backwards in the air and while I am facing the world upside down, I notice the other black flares are also fired.
It is like everything goes in slow motion. All of a sudden it seems darker and colder. I turned my head and saw the who knows how much times bigger hand hovering over me, blocking the sun. There's no escape route, nowhere to launch my cables at to get away. The hand is closing in on me, I keep my blades in front of me as if that would have any effect, but I'm ready to attempt to cut my way through. Just when lift my arms, ready to attack, the hand stops moving.
Levi appears and jumps from behind the hand as blood splatters surrounded him in the air. The humongous hand fell to the ground as I did too. Levi cut it completely off? I landed on one foot and it felt like my bones are being crushed due the force. I hunch over and restrain myself from screaming out loud as I bit on my lip.
I look up and see Levi slicing the nape, effortlessly killing the Titan who then fell to the ground as another cloud of dust and smoke arose.
Levi lands near me and waits for our horses to return to him before walking over to me.
"Are you injured?"
I look my body over and focus on any other agony besides my ankle, but I don't feel anything serious worth mentioning. "Just dirty." I swipe the dust off my uniform. The rest also arrives and Eld jumps off his horse.
"Are you okay Jaclyn?" I shouldn't have let you alone." He eyes me with worry and sounds apologetic.
"Don't worry, I'm unharmed. Just surprised... to say at least." I said as my thoughts are still with the Titan. All that had just happened within thirty seconds and I'm still startled.
"You thought you knew it's movements, didn't you?" Levi pulls me up to my feet and I feel a pang of pain run through my ankle.
Accidentally I squeeze his hand as a reaction to the sudden ache. I glance downwards and immediately let his hand go. "Sorry." I mumble as I lean onto my other foot and the discomfort relieves in an instant.
"It reminded me of an aberrant I once fought. This one had similar movements, but I know that no aberrant is the same. Still, I thought I knew what it would do next." I confess as I realise my stupidity now I say it out loud.
"It's only natural to think that. Just don't make the same mistake twice."
I nod and with a careful but steady pace I walk over to the horse and climb on it.
"Thank you, Levi." I say sincere.
He and Eld also climbed back onto their horses. "For what?" He asks and looks over to me.
Isn't it obvious? "Saving me of course." I feel obligated to at least show him some gratitude.
"Why do you sound surprised? Didn't I tell you not to die on my watch. Just keep focusing and don't get yourself killed." He commands at last but he didn't seem annoyed like I had expected.
Indeed, I am surprised in a way. But why? It's only natural that he would do that and they expect me to return the favour any time. I parted my lips to answer. Maybe it is because I still cling on the idea of killing him. The fact that it's the reason that I'm here makes it feel like the whole world is made from glass, one wrong step and everything will shatter in my path.
"Not surprised, just grateful." I said at last and as he turns around, I see the edges of his lips slightly turning. I shake my head and kicked the horse as we all start to move ahead at full speed to catch up with the rest.
The forest of giant trees is finally in sight. We haven't spotted any more Titans on the way, maybe luck will be on our side from now on. But can you say you've been lucky when you've encounter three at the same time?
The formation closes in and all soldiers now gather together, surrounding the supply carts that need to be protected at all cost. Eld ordered me to stay at the back of the formation and while I do, I search through the crowd of people for Jonah. It's nearly impossible with that many faces around you and everyone wearing the exact same uniform.
"Jaclyn!" I hear his voice call out. I glance over to the left and see him waving, coming my way.
"Seen any Titans?" Is the first thing he asks as he's now by my side.
"Three, Levi killed two and Petra and Oluo the other one."
"Amazing! I haven't seen any so far." He frowns and actually looks sad at the realisation.
Amazing? This boy is out of his mind.
"You're crazy, you know that?" I state as a matter of fact.
He shrugs. "I guess... however, you're crazy for comparing them to us, or feeling neutral towards them." He smirks at his own comeback.
"Oh shut up." I say while joining in with his laughter. The smile on my face slowly fading when I sense an unusual, disturbing aura. Like the calm before the storm. Just for a brief moment I nearly forgot we're outside the walls and I let my guard down. Outside in the deadly Titan territory where numerous soldiers have fallen.
"Something is not right." I say cautious of my surroundings. I look left, right and to the front but there are no indications of Titans anywhere near. The forest is now within eyesight and it will take around ten minutes until we'll arrive there.
Suddenly a red flare is fired and the smoke flies right above us. I follow the red smoke as I bended my head all the way to the back till my eyes fall on once again, yet another Titan. I look at it upside down, running with its hands stretched out. It looks so unbalanced, as if it can fall over any second. I lift my head again and when I peer over to Jonah, he already turned.
"I'll go!" He exclaimed and off he went without the slightest hesitation.
"Jonah!" Mike yelled but it fell to deaf ears.
That idiot will get himself killed acting so reckless.
I fought back the urge wanting to help him, but I couldn't. I go in the opposite direction of the forest and went straight after him. "Jonah turn away!" I yell. I know this is going to be just as reckless, but it's worth a try for his sake.
I'm behind him and jump from my horse, over to the Titan who's large hands are ready to grab Jonah. Even Jonah's cool demeanor is now faltering when facing this giant. But who wouldn't? Aside from Levi that is.
Keeping my practice with Levi in mind I hold my blade backwards and the other crossed in front of me. I put on full gas and spin around in mid-air till I reach the arm of the Titan. I cut all the way up to the top untill I reach its face.
I jump forward, ready to penetrate it's eyes with my blade but I freeze when those pupils shift to my direction. My hearts skips a beat but I know I can't hesitate right now, not if I want to live. With ease my blades slide into both eyes as the Titan lets out an deafening scream. I jump back in the air and while the Titan is holding both of its hands over its eyes I take that opportunity to launch my cables and slice the nape before it can cause any more trouble.
I land on the ground next to the Titan. I stand up but forgot my injury and I immediately fall back to the ground. It's honestly the worst timing for an injury like this. I tried to turn it and when I do, sharp pains shot through my ankle.
I'm surrounded by smoke and faintly I hear the steps of a horse nearing. When I look up I see someone standing in front of me, reaching out their hand.
I take it and I when I'm being pulled up I automatically stand on both feet again.
Right... I need to stop doing that because this way I'll damage it even more.
As the smoke slowly clears I realize its Levi. "Not bad." He compliments as we both walk up to my horse. "But why not let Jonah handle it?" He glances over his shoulder to me.
I stop walking when I suddenly think about the conversation I had with Levi not long ago.
"I don't have many people I care that much about. Not within the Survey Corps at least."
That's what I had told him, but I've just proven otherwise. I won't put my life on the line just for anyone, or that's what I thought.
"Come on. We should go." He nudges my shoulder and let the question slip.
"Thank you again."
"Huh?" He turns as he sits on his horse. "Let me tell you something, within the survey corps people expect you to help them out. To offer up your life for theirs, you should expect it from them like it's their job. No need to waste time on showing gratitude."
"Yes, you're probably right. But, I still want to let you know I'm grateful." I smile to him but when I meet his eyes he quickly turns to look onwards.
Confused I'm looking to his back. Don't tell me, he has difficulty accepting something simple as a thank you? I chuckle as I join his side. We both hurry and catch up with the rest. He goes back into position at the front and I find my way back to Jonah again.
"What was that about?" He asks.
"Jonah, I know you want to kill Titans, but going straight for it in open space? Don't be stupid. You'll get yourself killed." I lecture and it feels like I'm playing the role as his guardian.
"Perhaps... but you stole my kill!" He whines with a smile on his face.
"I could kill you right now." I say but he never stops beaming. I risk my live to save his and he's complaining about taking credit. I draw my blade and hit his head with the back of it. "Jeez, Jonah you surprise me."
"I deserved that didn't I?" He strokes the side of his head and apologetic smiles. "Thank you for putting your live on the line for me. I guess I didn't realise, but you really care for me don't you?"
I blink a few times at his sudden serious expression. His happy child like features are gone in an instant and he looks 5 years older. "Don't push it you brat."
But he continues anyway. "You seem pompous at first, but once you break through that defensive wall of yours I realise how warm hearted you are."
"Jonah." I warn him to shut it. Is this supposed to be complimenting?
"When you care about someone, you will go to any length to protect them. I'm not saying I am that person. It's just what I've realised." He then becomes five years younger again as his dimples reveal themselves again. "But I'm serious, thank you! I won't rush to my death like that because that'll mean you will be in danger too."
"Do it because you value your own life, not because of me. Also, you really expect me to save you every time?"
Suddenly the formation splits up in groups and I see that I also need to move forward again.
"I know you will do it again if necessary." He says confident while looking for his own squad. "Don't get yourself killed trying to save others, it'll be the death of you!" He says and before I'm able to part my lips, he's already gone. Speechless I watch him leave and I decide to also meet up with my squad in front.
When I reach them we're at the outskirts of the forest. The trees already seemed huge from a distance, but from right underneath them reality hits. I can't even see the top, that's how high they are. Now I really understand what Hanji meant, this is the perfect playground.
Well then Titans, bring it on.