p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" data-p-id="a3f93321742bbc53c743e33ba558c834"Chapter Sixbr style="box-sizing: border-box;" /Promises of War/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="51a9d88a01528fd32e075fcd56dcd807"Both the Commander and Levi looked more than displeased as I rode up. I prepared myself for the worst possible outcome, knowing I was probably gonna receive more than just a slap on the wrist or a scolding. I began to go over counterarguments in my head, thinking of ways to bullshit my way out of receiving an insubordination check on my military record. It was one thing to get a talking-to while on an expedition. But a completely different story if you get an insubordination ruling while out in the field. I didn't need the Premier Zachary breathing down my neck. My father and husband would definitely hear about my little adventure outside the walls for sure if Zachary got involved./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d42b701d153843c26ac7a99698956bc""Lewis, we need to talk." Commander Erwin spoke when I was within earshot. I dismounted Dakota and gave her a comforting pat, mostly to calm my own nerves rather than her own. "Lewis." Commander Erwin called when I didn't turn to face him. I took a deep sigh of preparation before turning to him and Levi. "Sir, let me start by saying that I know what I did was-" I began to plea before Erwin rose his hand up to silence me. "You did what you thought was necessary. And those troops owe you their lives." Erwin replied. I blinked a few times, registering his words to ensure I heard him correctly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="baba4eefc824e9ae09efce2fce3713bc""However," he continued. "The recklessness that you showed not only for yourself, but for the supplies you were in charge of only conveys that you have much to learn. You said yourself that there are certain objectives-" Erwin's eyes hovered to Levi, knowing that the captain did not know of the details of my contract, only that it existed, and he didn't intend to disclose the contents of said contract at that point in time. "That you needed to hold yourself accountable to. But your actions here today displayed a different story. You blindly put yourself at risk, attempting to take on more than your fair share of Titans when you had never been outside the walls before, let alone seen a Titan. Not to mention if the wagon you were in charge of had been damaged beyond repair, we would have lost all that gear, which in turn would have put soldiers at risk if we needed the supplies. We only bring what we need on expeditions, and we have several hundred soldiers accompany us on these missions. We need enough gear to supply us all."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="089919f1324ba964ac6647f61f711f20""I know, sir. And I agree with you. But in that moment of the battle, my thoughts weren't on the what-ifs. My thoughts were on my comrades and the need to protect them in that moment. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do anything to tip the balance, but I had to try." I responded. "So, you took a gamble and ran with it?" Levi asked. "When faced with danger and adversity head on, I live in the here and now, not in the past or future. I needed to save those soldiers. And I don't regret my decision. How could I knowing that what I was able to do saved someone? In the end however, I still felt like I hesitated. So, if you're going to discipline me for my actions, that's fine. I'll take my punishment and view it as a lesson learned for the mistakes I did make. I did what I came out to do today, and that was to ensure I was able to save who I could. I'll mourn those who were lost later at a more convenient time."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="df03059b4d5881383bdf3b489a2424e5"Erwin smiled. "Levi, your thoughts?" he asked, looking down at the captain. "Tch, spoken like a Scout, even if you are a pain in the ass." Levi huffed, earning a sour look from me. "To be perfectly honest, I'm not impressed." Levi continued. "She did do surprisingly well when she went head-on with the Titans, after the initial shock made it seem like she shit herself. Not many first-time goers can say that. But she did do some pretty stupid things too. However, I can't ignore the fact she does have six solo kills on her own, including an Abnormal. Oruo from my squad has six solo kills as well, and he's been with my squad for quite some time now. Not to mention she did manage to operate her ODM gear with only one working grappling hook, which by the way Lewis, you still need that squared away. Get on it before we get back in formation. You should have already handled that by now." Levi pointed to my right side, noticing that I had yet to switch out my damaged ODM gear for a new set./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="67f3062b34bffe725f11ead83fdcb75d""Oh, right. Sorry." I said, feeling like an idiot that I hadn't traded out my gear the moment I had gotten back to Dakota after the initial battle. "Don't be sorry. Be better. We all need to be thinking clearly out here." Levi lectured. "Tch, see what I mean? Lewis really needs to evaluate her time out here and get her head in the game before she loses it physically." Levi told Erwin. "You know I'm right here, sir." I said with a glare. "Oh, I'm well aware. That's why I said it. Maybe you'll catch on if I drill it in enough times." Levi retorted. "Enough, you two." Erwin said. "Abigail, go and switch out your ODM gear and replenish your blades. Have one of the supply members switch off with you and remove the supply wagon from your horse. You'll remain at my side for the remainder of the expedition as my Guardian Angel. And you span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"will/span stay at my side. I think I have decided which squad to put you in." Erwin explained./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d103ea87fc5c3cbf1430094c1b5ffca""Uh, yes sir. Will do." I hesitantly replied before excusing myself. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Oh please, don't put me in Levi's squad. I can't stand that twerp! Anyone but him!/em My stomach turned at the thought. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I swear, if I have to put up with Levi even more than I do now, I'm gonna be sick. I think I'd rather deal with my shitty husband and shitty dad than deal with Levi, and /emspan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"THAT'S /em/spanem style="box-sizing: border-box;"saying a lot./em I did what was ordered of me, and once I was settled back on Dakota, the expedition began again. I was instructed by Commander Erwin to guard his back right flank and reminded to span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"STAY PUT/u/span. Instead of staying meters behind like I had done previously with the wagons, Commander Erwin wanted us to only be five or so feet apart. He wanted to ensure that one, we had good communication between the two of us; and two, that I would stay out of trouble this time. He wanted no chance that I would slip away again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="61fbd32980281097658eb424f31fb170""Alright, Scouts, let's move out!" Erwin's voice boomed as the sound of hooves began to stomp impatiently. He led the way, followed by the ranks of myself, the Section Commanders, and Levi's squad. The battalion followed close behind, spreading out into ranks and casting out like a net. "So,span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;" you're/em/span the one I heard so much about?" Commander Hange called over. The eccentric and lively commander of the bunch beamed with curiosity as she looked at me, her spectacles catching the light of the sun. "Leave her alone, Four-Eyes. She's the Commander's Guardian Angel. She has enough on her plate. Don't distract her." I heard Levi call from her opposite side. "Awww, I'm sure she can multitask! It's not like there's any Titans around! She can manage!" Commander Hange argued as she playfully rolled her eyes at her counterpart./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2206db5e2d9cf514aca80bb3ad01fcf8"She returned her gaze back at me and smiled. "Don't let Levi bother you. He's a hard-ass with everyone, me included." she said, earning a 'tch' from the captain. I smiled. She had always been one of the friendlier commanders, even though she did have her moments of pure insanity, especially when it came to her obsession with the Titans. But despite her quirky antics, Section Commander Hange was a force to be reckoned with. And very few tried her patience. "Erwin, how much further before we hit the city? By my calculations, we should be on top of it by now." Levi called over to the commander./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6021ab2cc5380299514ef70470835f4c""Not too much farther. If we don't run into any trouble, we'll be seeing the dirt road any minute now." Erwin replied. "Lewis, have you been out here before Wall Maria fell? Are you familiar with the area?" Hange asked. I shook my head 'no' and replied, "Uh, no, Section Commander. I've always stayed within either Wall Rose or Wall Sina." "Huh, really?" Hange asked, a little taken aback by my answer. "Heh, what? Are commoners too beneath you, princess?" Levi scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "Hey, it's not like that!" I defended, ignoring the insulting pet name. Erwin looked back at us to see what the ruckus was about./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="23dcaacf9846e29314c752c92227f5b8""Approaching city limits! Switch to ODM gear! Section Commanders, lead your squads! Avoid mass casualties! Dispose of every Titan you see!" Commander Erwin announced as we came upon a large hill that resembled an old trail. Maybe a wagon trail of sorts? em style="box-sizing: border-box;"One of the cities lost when Wall Maria fell... /emI felt a little relieved that the focus was no longer on me, but my heartrate was still heightened due to the ongoing task at hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6f6457ac4b6436f15096f21c82bdee5f"Once we reached the summit, the ruined city was indeed occupied with Titans. While the others launched into the air and began fighting off the cannibals within city limits, myself and Commander Erwin stayed atop the hill and watched with a few others of his immediate entourage. It still impressed me how well-versed the Scouts were when it came to their blade-work. But my heart still ached. No matter how skilled these soldiers were, it never seemed to be enough. "Tell me, Abigail, is this how you pictured the expedition would be?" Erwin asked, seeing my downturned expression./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b99a4944fb06a4dccdbd06d6f1441880""Sir, I had always known I had taken the most destructive path imaginable. My mother and brother also did as well. And we all didn't make the decision lightly." I began. "I knew I would see and experience things that I wouldn't soon forget and that I would probably hate myself later for putting myself through it when I had the option to keep myself ignorant of the ugliness that is going on out here. But I would rather tear my own mind apart than stay ignorant of humanity's only known enemy." I answered, turning to the commander. "Do you fear death, Mrs. Lewis?" Erwin asked. "I think we all fear death in our own little way, sir. Some more than others." I replied. "If we didn't fear death, why else would we be foolish enough to leave the safe haven of the walls and try to uncover the origin of the Titans? Why not leave that truth hidden, and remain as frightened children behind the safety of stone walls?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a90e3477b93ac64a481784d4b6808b6e"The conversation seemed to die down at that last dismal note, and we continued to watch from a distance as the Scouts and Titans continued to battle on in the city below us. It seemed like hours before Erwin decided it was time for us to call the mission as it was: a dismal victory. We had indeed gained the city for ourselves as a possible reclamation post, but for how long? How long before the Titans would come back and take over again? How many Scout lives were lost in the process of gaining that small city? As the commander met up with the section commanders and tallied everyone's accountability numbers, the others gathered the dead and assessed the wounded. Others refueled their gear and others kept watch./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9d1751e450bfa2fe5124aa7a2cf1d533""Here." I offered a Scout, tilting my water jug into his mouth. He laid limply against one of the nearby trees. He had been badly injured during the last ordeal, but he had survived. "Thank you." he muttered, opening his mouth to welcome in some nourishment. "What's your name?" I asked gently after allowing him to drink his fill. "Darren... Darren Willis..." he managed to choke out. "Darren, I'm going to clean your wounds the best I can, okay?" I advised him, which he nodded in understanding. Among having a missing left leg and arm, he had seemed to have been grabbed by a Titan, so his ribs most likely were crushed, possibly causing other unseen injuries. Thankfully, tourniquets had already been applied so I knew that the bleeding was under control and not an issue at the moment. But what concerned me at that very moment was how labored his breathing was starting to become. He was in pain, and we needed to head back to the walls fast so the injured could receive proper medical treatment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="57b05a61dfe6ea6237c752c067662d32"Taking out my handkerchief from my breast pocket, I added some water and gently began cleaning off the grime and blood from the young man's face. And once I did, my heart broke. He was a young kid, maybe sixteen or seventeen years of age. He was a child. "Wha-what's your name?" the Scout asked as I continued to clean off his face. "Abigail." I replied with a gentle smile. "Thank you." he whispered, a cough following his appreciation. "You're welcome. Now rest. You're in for a long recovery. It's best now that you sleep. We'll keep watch over you all." I assured him. It wasn't long before he fell asleep, and I was left to care for an unconscious soldier./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="959f4cd8db74889473a9340b95adede0"I looked out across the area where the rest of the battalion was gathered. Many medical Scouts were attending the wounded while others were loading white-bodied sheets onto wagons. At this point, it felt like one huge joke and we were at the butt-end of it. I had never seen this side of an expedition before, but it felt all too familiar to me. Every time the Scouts came home with less and less alive, and more red-stained body bags./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="accf775269160a73952cc7e022fecd6b"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"So few...So few in numbers remain. How many did we lose this time? How many families will be notified that their loved one will not be returning home? That they were left out here on the battlefield, eaten by a Titan whole that no body remained? How many husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers...How many?/em I stared down at Darren and continued to clean his soiled face and neck. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I swear, I'm bringing you home, Scout. I promise./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="51a9d88a01528fd32e075fcd56dcd807"Both the Commander and Levi looked more than displeased as I rode up. I prepared myself for the worst possible outcome, knowing I was probably gonna receive more than just a slap on the wrist or a scolding. I began to go over counterarguments in my head, thinking of ways to bullshit my way out of receiving an insubordination check on my military record. It was one thing to get a talking-to while on an expedition. But a completely different story if you get an insubordination ruling while out in the field. I didn't need the Premier Zachary breathing down my neck. My father and husband would definitely hear about my little adventure outside the walls for sure if Zachary got involved./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d42b701d153843c26ac7a99698956bc""Lewis, we need to talk." Commander Erwin spoke when I was within earshot. I dismounted Dakota and gave her a comforting pat, mostly to calm my own nerves rather than her own. "Lewis." Commander Erwin called when I didn't turn to face him. I took a deep sigh of preparation before turning to him and Levi. "Sir, let me start by saying that I know what I did was-" I began to plea before Erwin rose his hand up to silence me. "You did what you thought was necessary. And those troops owe you their lives." Erwin replied. I blinked a few times, registering his words to ensure I heard him correctly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="baba4eefc824e9ae09efce2fce3713bc""However," he continued. "The recklessness that you showed not only for yourself, but for the supplies you were in charge of only conveys that you have much to learn. You said yourself that there are certain objectives-" Erwin's eyes hovered to Levi, knowing that the captain did not know of the details of my contract, only that it existed, and he didn't intend to disclose the contents of said contract at that point in time. "That you needed to hold yourself accountable to. But your actions here today displayed a different story. You blindly put yourself at risk, attempting to take on more than your fair share of Titans when you had never been outside the walls before, let alone seen a Titan. Not to mention if the wagon you were in charge of had been damaged beyond repair, we would have lost all that gear, which in turn would have put soldiers at risk if we needed the supplies. We only bring what we need on expeditions, and we have several hundred soldiers accompany us on these missions. We need enough gear to supply us all."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="089919f1324ba964ac6647f61f711f20""I know, sir. And I agree with you. But in that moment of the battle, my thoughts weren't on the what-ifs. My thoughts were on my comrades and the need to protect them in that moment. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do anything to tip the balance, but I had to try." I responded. "So, you took a gamble and ran with it?" Levi asked. "When faced with danger and adversity head on, I live in the here and now, not in the past or future. I needed to save those soldiers. And I don't regret my decision. How could I knowing that what I was able to do saved someone? In the end however, I still felt like I hesitated. So, if you're going to discipline me for my actions, that's fine. I'll take my punishment and view it as a lesson learned for the mistakes I did make. I did what I came out to do today, and that was to ensure I was able to save who I could. I'll mourn those who were lost later at a more convenient time."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="df03059b4d5881383bdf3b489a2424e5"Erwin smiled. "Levi, your thoughts?" he asked, looking down at the captain. "Tch, spoken like a Scout, even if you are a pain in the ass." Levi huffed, earning a sour look from me. "To be perfectly honest, I'm not impressed." Levi continued. "She did do surprisingly well when she went head-on with the Titans, after the initial shock made it seem like she shit herself. Not many first-time goers can say that. But she did do some pretty stupid things too. However, I can't ignore the fact she does have six solo kills on her own, including an Abnormal. Oruo from my squad has six solo kills as well, and he's been with my squad for quite some time now. Not to mention she did manage to operate her ODM gear with only one working grappling hook, which by the way Lewis, you still need that squared away. Get on it before we get back in formation. You should have already handled that by now." Levi pointed to my right side, noticing that I had yet to switch out my damaged ODM gear for a new set./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="67f3062b34bffe725f11ead83fdcb75d""Oh, right. Sorry." I said, feeling like an idiot that I hadn't traded out my gear the moment I had gotten back to Dakota after the initial battle. "Don't be sorry. Be better. We all need to be thinking clearly out here." Levi lectured. "Tch, see what I mean? Lewis really needs to evaluate her time out here and get her head in the game before she loses it physically." Levi told Erwin. "You know I'm right here, sir." I said with a glare. "Oh, I'm well aware. That's why I said it. Maybe you'll catch on if I drill it in enough times." Levi retorted. "Enough, you two." Erwin said. "Abigail, go and switch out your ODM gear and replenish your blades. Have one of the supply members switch off with you and remove the supply wagon from your horse. You'll remain at my side for the remainder of the expedition as my Guardian Angel. And you span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"will/span stay at my side. I think I have decided which squad to put you in." Erwin explained./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d103ea87fc5c3cbf1430094c1b5ffca""Uh, yes sir. Will do." I hesitantly replied before excusing myself. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Oh please, don't put me in Levi's squad. I can't stand that twerp! Anyone but him!/em My stomach turned at the thought. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I swear, if I have to put up with Levi even more than I do now, I'm gonna be sick. I think I'd rather deal with my shitty husband and shitty dad than deal with Levi, and /emspan style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"THAT'S /em/spanem style="box-sizing: border-box;"saying a lot./em I did what was ordered of me, and once I was settled back on Dakota, the expedition began again. I was instructed by Commander Erwin to guard his back right flank and reminded to span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"u style="box-sizing: border-box;"STAY PUT/u/span. Instead of staying meters behind like I had done previously with the wagons, Commander Erwin wanted us to only be five or so feet apart. He wanted to ensure that one, we had good communication between the two of us; and two, that I would stay out of trouble this time. He wanted no chance that I would slip away again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="61fbd32980281097658eb424f31fb170""Alright, Scouts, let's move out!" Erwin's voice boomed as the sound of hooves began to stomp impatiently. He led the way, followed by the ranks of myself, the Section Commanders, and Levi's squad. The battalion followed close behind, spreading out into ranks and casting out like a net. "So,span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"em style="box-sizing: border-box;" you're/em/span the one I heard so much about?" Commander Hange called over. The eccentric and lively commander of the bunch beamed with curiosity as she looked at me, her spectacles catching the light of the sun. "Leave her alone, Four-Eyes. She's the Commander's Guardian Angel. She has enough on her plate. Don't distract her." I heard Levi call from her opposite side. "Awww, I'm sure she can multitask! It's not like there's any Titans around! She can manage!" Commander Hange argued as she playfully rolled her eyes at her counterpart./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2206db5e2d9cf514aca80bb3ad01fcf8"She returned her gaze back at me and smiled. "Don't let Levi bother you. He's a hard-ass with everyone, me included." she said, earning a 'tch' from the captain. I smiled. She had always been one of the friendlier commanders, even though she did have her moments of pure insanity, especially when it came to her obsession with the Titans. But despite her quirky antics, Section Commander Hange was a force to be reckoned with. And very few tried her patience. "Erwin, how much further before we hit the city? By my calculations, we should be on top of it by now." Levi called over to the commander./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6021ab2cc5380299514ef70470835f4c""Not too much farther. If we don't run into any trouble, we'll be seeing the dirt road any minute now." Erwin replied. "Lewis, have you been out here before Wall Maria fell? Are you familiar with the area?" Hange asked. I shook my head 'no' and replied, "Uh, no, Section Commander. I've always stayed within either Wall Rose or Wall Sina." "Huh, really?" Hange asked, a little taken aback by my answer. "Heh, what? Are commoners too beneath you, princess?" Levi scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "Hey, it's not like that!" I defended, ignoring the insulting pet name. Erwin looked back at us to see what the ruckus was about./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="23dcaacf9846e29314c752c92227f5b8""Approaching city limits! Switch to ODM gear! Section Commanders, lead your squads! Avoid mass casualties! Dispose of every Titan you see!" Commander Erwin announced as we came upon a large hill that resembled an old trail. Maybe a wagon trail of sorts? em style="box-sizing: border-box;"One of the cities lost when Wall Maria fell... /emI felt a little relieved that the focus was no longer on me, but my heartrate was still heightened due to the ongoing task at hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6f6457ac4b6436f15096f21c82bdee5f"Once we reached the summit, the ruined city was indeed occupied with Titans. While the others launched into the air and began fighting off the cannibals within city limits, myself and Commander Erwin stayed atop the hill and watched with a few others of his immediate entourage. It still impressed me how well-versed the Scouts were when it came to their blade-work. But my heart still ached. No matter how skilled these soldiers were, it never seemed to be enough. "Tell me, Abigail, is this how you pictured the expedition would be?" Erwin asked, seeing my downturned expression./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b99a4944fb06a4dccdbd06d6f1441880""Sir, I had always known I had taken the most destructive path imaginable. My mother and brother also did as well. And we all didn't make the decision lightly." I began. "I knew I would see and experience things that I wouldn't soon forget and that I would probably hate myself later for putting myself through it when I had the option to keep myself ignorant of the ugliness that is going on out here. But I would rather tear my own mind apart than stay ignorant of humanity's only known enemy." I answered, turning to the commander. "Do you fear death, Mrs. Lewis?" Erwin asked. "I think we all fear death in our own little way, sir. Some more than others." I replied. "If we didn't fear death, why else would we be foolish enough to leave the safe haven of the walls and try to uncover the origin of the Titans? Why not leave that truth hidden, and remain as frightened children behind the safety of stone walls?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a90e3477b93ac64a481784d4b6808b6e"The conversation seemed to die down at that last dismal note, and we continued to watch from a distance as the Scouts and Titans continued to battle on in the city below us. It seemed like hours before Erwin decided it was time for us to call the mission as it was: a dismal victory. We had indeed gained the city for ourselves as a possible reclamation post, but for how long? How long before the Titans would come back and take over again? How many Scout lives were lost in the process of gaining that small city? As the commander met up with the section commanders and tallied everyone's accountability numbers, the others gathered the dead and assessed the wounded. Others refueled their gear and others kept watch./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9d1751e450bfa2fe5124aa7a2cf1d533""Here." I offered a Scout, tilting my water jug into his mouth. He laid limply against one of the nearby trees. He had been badly injured during the last ordeal, but he had survived. "Thank you." he muttered, opening his mouth to welcome in some nourishment. "What's your name?" I asked gently after allowing him to drink his fill. "Darren... Darren Willis..." he managed to choke out. "Darren, I'm going to clean your wounds the best I can, okay?" I advised him, which he nodded in understanding. Among having a missing left leg and arm, he had seemed to have been grabbed by a Titan, so his ribs most likely were crushed, possibly causing other unseen injuries. Thankfully, tourniquets had already been applied so I knew that the bleeding was under control and not an issue at the moment. But what concerned me at that very moment was how labored his breathing was starting to become. He was in pain, and we needed to head back to the walls fast so the injured could receive proper medical treatment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="57b05a61dfe6ea6237c752c067662d32"Taking out my handkerchief from my breast pocket, I added some water and gently began cleaning off the grime and blood from the young man's face. And once I did, my heart broke. He was a young kid, maybe sixteen or seventeen years of age. He was a child. "Wha-what's your name?" the Scout asked as I continued to clean off his face. "Abigail." I replied with a gentle smile. "Thank you." he whispered, a cough following his appreciation. "You're welcome. Now rest. You're in for a long recovery. It's best now that you sleep. We'll keep watch over you all." I assured him. It wasn't long before he fell asleep, and I was left to care for an unconscious soldier./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="959f4cd8db74889473a9340b95adede0"I looked out across the area where the rest of the battalion was gathered. Many medical Scouts were attending the wounded while others were loading white-bodied sheets onto wagons. At this point, it felt like one huge joke and we were at the butt-end of it. I had never seen this side of an expedition before, but it felt all too familiar to me. Every time the Scouts came home with less and less alive, and more red-stained body bags./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="accf775269160a73952cc7e022fecd6b"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"So few...So few in numbers remain. How many did we lose this time? How many families will be notified that their loved one will not be returning home? That they were left out here on the battlefield, eaten by a Titan whole that no body remained? How many husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers...How many?/em I stared down at Darren and continued to clean his soiled face and neck. em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I swear, I'm bringing you home, Scout. I promise./em/p
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