*

LATER THAT NIGHT

After my meeting with Erwin, Commander Shadis, Flagon and a few more soldiers we were finished for the night. There were a few things Erwin censored from my ears, not wanting me to find out about something. Which soon he asked me to leave the room immediately, coming up with some random excuse.

Things weren't adding up, like he was planning something with the three.

"What's his damn motive?" muttering beneath my breath, I didn't react on time when my body slams into someone else.

Gasping in shock quietly, that person suddenly slams me against the wall, hazel eyes piercing into my own. A whimper leaves my throat, recognising those eyes anywhere. Swallowing thickly, his hands grip tightly before pinning both my arms above my head.

"There you are, you haven't shown any love towards me for the past few days," he sneers, while I try to shove him off. About to knee him he blocks it with his own knee, making me swallow thickly.

He soon touches the patch against my cheek, and notices my bottom lip cracked.

"Damn, looks like you got a beating," He smirks, caressing my cheek gingerly. "Who did this, huh?"

"......."

His eyes grew more angry, the less I spoke.

"Answer me bitch! You have avoided me for the past few days!"

He forcefully grabs both my cheeks, almost digging his nails into my flesh.

"Maybe because I have actual duties, unlike you," I remark quietly, knowing how quiet and dark it was right now. "You just laze around, not taking this job serious enough......"

His eyes fly wide open in response, gritting his teeth trying to hold back.

"Damn woman, you may have a mouth.....but you always step over the line," He sighs, trying to hold back a humorous laugh. Suddenly he releases my cheeks and wrapped his fingers around my neck, tightening his hold, I begin to choke on my air. The sound of the air hitching in my throat echoes quietly, while the cries weren't loud enough for the sound of help.

"You're so strong, why can't you fight back......huh?" he questions me. "Remember you're nothing, worthless......you aren't gifted at all if this is the outcome."

His words stung me like knives, stabbing me constantly in the back.

"No man would love you, you're just a weak, selfless to the point where you don't care about yourself," He chuckles, shaking his head with a sneer leaning forward. "Your body is mine and mine only, no one else can lay a hand on you....whether it be Erwin, Miche, anyone.....so don't think about calling for help, now."

The fear that ran through my body, was constantly gnawing me to the bone. My heart beat was quickening at such a fast rate, I felt unsafe. His touches linger across my skin, his words full of hatred and envy stung. His constant bragging and narcissistic side was his painful qualities, and I felt pathetic.

Suddenly his hands sneaks his way up my shirt, hiking the hem up but I sharply pull my hand away from his grip and slapped his hand off me. Stepping on his foot heavily, he finally releases me making me quickly walk away from him. Yet when I turned the corner his heavy boots stride towards me from behind, feeling him pull my hair forcefully, yanking me back.

Gasping I almost collapse backwards, when he wraps my body in his larger body.

His lips brush against the shell of my ear, "Resist, and I will pull the knife out again,"

The threat was legit, having the marks to prove the dirty deeds he's pulled upon my body. Every scar left a reminder, how I couldn't hurt a man within my regiment. I wanted to portray myself as a role model, not some person who begins quarrels with others.

Nor start violence......

"Peter....please, I don't want to start anything right now," I lowly plead with him, my breath shuddering trying to keep myself composed.

He licks the side of cheek, "So sweet," he hums, ignoring my pleading.

He begins to pull me back forcefully making me stumble over my feet, almost colliding him backwards when he swung me over his shoulder. Gasping from the sudden action, i begin to kick and slam against his back.

"Please Peter, leave me alone?!"

Before he could make another move I hear the sound of footsteps coming this way, making my eyes widen in relief.

"Shit...." he curses, about to walk away with me still in his hold.

Yet I elbow the back of his skull so hard, it was enough for him to black out for a moment releasing me. Almost hitting the ground I manage my footing, quickly walking in the direction where the footsteps were coming from. Swiftly turning the corner I hid behind the stairs that were just nearby, making me hold my breath in.

"Come on Akira, where did'ya go?!"

Covering my mouth, I hear his footsteps receding from where I was.

Within a few minutes waiting it was finally time for me to go do some training, even though it was late out. I couldn't let my guard down especially with him around, making it difficult to sleep. Heading down to the combat training grounds, I pull my hair out for a moment.

My hands tying my hair back up, adjusting it before taking my jacket as well. The cool night air lingers causing chills to run up my skin, as I begin to practice blade practice.

**

Levi's pov:

Sitting up top of the survey corps castle buildings, Isabel and Farlan propped up either side of me. The moon creeps past the clouds, as my eyes linger for a moment listening to Isabel by watching it from afar.

"See? Different, huh?" She smiles widely.

Farlan hums softly.

"That's right, this isn't the underground," He reminds me, trying to reason with me to allow them to join the expedition alongside with me.

We all soon gaze up at the moon yet again, my eyes widen slightly taken back by what reality has brought us. The more my eyes rest upon the moon, the more I thought about her.

"We're never going back down there," Farlan comments, firmly agreeing to his statement.

Isabel nods, "That's right, bro! Haven't we always gotten through things as a trio?" She exclaims. "The titans are no different......let's do this together."

Farlan turns to me, "Levi, have some.....faith in us?"

My eyes widen as my breath hitches in my throat, before quickly turning in deep thought. The overwhelming feelings in what life has brought before us, my eyes soon linger back to the moon. So many stars shining down, along with a shooting star flying by so fast I could've made a wish.

"Alright....." I softly smile. ".....I'll have faith."

"Yes!!!!" Isabel cheers in excitement, while Farlan chuckles in response. "Bro, you are so stubborn!"

"Tch,"

Suddenly Isabel pauses from her excitement, making me slowly turn to her. Her eyes caught sight of something, but when I follow her gaze.....my eyes land upon her. Glancing back to the auburn haired girl, I noticed her smile falter.

"She's helped so much.....hasn't she?"

"Tch, her?" Farlan scoffs, gesturing to the woman just down at the combat training area. Her movements sharp yet so ragged, and judging by her gentle face she looked rather pained and focused. Her body was trembling while she swung her small wooden blade in hand, my eyes linger upon the woman.

"She's just a witch," Farlan comments, bitterly. "A distraction..."

"Don't call her that!" Isabel defends the woman. "Have you already forgotten, she put a lot of effort into our training today."

That's right, our fight came to a draw while she was mostly injured. Impressive.

Noticing her movements back then, they were rather slow and sluggish than before. Yet recalling our fight, she was quite the soldier. I mean not admitting this out loud, but I was curious who taught her how to fight.

Suddenly I saw her lean against the fence post, her body slumping forward looking rather ragged. Not realising it her knees buckle beneath herself, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion, I'm assuming.

"Is she alright?" Isabel questions in alarm, about to stand up.

Sighing deeply, my eyes remain upon her.

"She's fine," Farlan assures her, gesturing for her to sit back down. "I don't understand why she hasn't gone back to the barracks at this time, seriously......she's going to be tired tomorrow."

The more my eyes lay upon the woman, the more I started to grow interested. Not in any other way, just interested in what woman she is. Never and when i mean never, have I ever seen someone else that could fight that could match my level. She's beyond what I expected, especially when I saved her from the beginning. I only helped her because I watched over her, seeing her buy a few apples and gave most of it to a child who had nothing. Who never knew whom the child was too.

This woman from above the underground, used her money for a child.

She even named the young girl, which made me smile. How did I not realise she was part of the survey corps? I want to know more about her, but I doubt it after what were about to do our next move......

*

NEXT DAY - (AKIRA's POV)

The bells chime repeatedly, echoing in the distance.

The flow of the gentle breeze brushed through my locks, while my eyes remain forward on our horses. ODM gear already prepped upon us, the following event lies beyond the gate before us. Being that this is our 23rd expedition, I also appear beneath my tough facade, quite nervous.

I remember when we decided to number our expeditions just after I started out, was just roughly two years since I joined the Survey Corps. We numbered them down, so adding my time along the way...I've joined previously two years more worth the expeditions. Things were at high risk with the financial side of things, judging by the politics and how the royal governing was a while back. I couldn't approve with the way things were going, yet I'm just a mere human who was no better than anyone else.

"Start opening the gate!!!!" Commander Shadis instructs, his voice echoes from ahead of us. "Today we take another step forward! Show me the fruits of your training! And we'll show them the power of humanity!"

Everyone raised their blades and fists in the air in response, voices roaring for determination in finding more than beyond.

The gates finally were opened up with a heavy halt, the dirt cremating from beneath it. The whistling crisp air from the outside world whirled inside, breathing in the fresh aroma of freedom.

My eyes slightly angle back to see Levi, Farlan and Isabel all together nearby Flagon's squad. Seeing them all looking rather curious to the outside world, it made me want to lift a tiny smile upon my lips. Soon I felt Levi's steel eyes glance my way for a moment, before I look away discreetly when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"You alright, sister?" Renji questions, with a hush tone.

Nodding without glancing his way, my hands tighten around the reigns til my knuckles turned white.

"Yeah, I'm alright," I assure him

"The 23rd expedition beyond the walls now begins!" Shadis declares. "Advance!!!"

With the flick of our reigns our horses begin to charge right towards the opened gate, hooves pounding into the stone below we begin to head forward. Maintaining my balance upon my horse, my squad rides alongside me making our way through the gate. The thrill of excitement, being privileged to make ourselves out in the real world was something I enjoyed every month.

Yet, many lives were lost after many missions of hard work.

"Awesome!!!"

The cheery voice lead to the auburn girl not far from behind me and my squad, seeing Isabel's cheeks reddening in adoration and amazement of the world. I couldn't blame her, because I felt the same way on my very first expedition. It's exhilarating, that sense of sovereignty.

Soon my eyes fall upon Levi's face, seeing a different emotion I've never seen before. It was a moment to capture, seeing his eyes slightly lighting up in wonder, taken back by the beauty of the world. A man with only a few words, I"m surprised.

"What're you doing?! Stay alert!" Mia scolds the three, as I remain ahead of the squad with Erwin and Commander Shadis. "We're not tourists. There's no telling when we'll encounter titans!"

Isabel scoffs, with a smirk.

"If any show up, we'll kill 'em off, no problem," Isabel boastfully comments, grinning.

"Stupid! You want to be the first to die?!" Mia scolds her again, as I slow my horse a little. Turning my head, I saw Isabel slightly taken back.

"What's your issue?" the girl grew clueless, as to why she was being scolded.

Turning my head slightly to her, I clear my throat.

"You may think it's easier because you've never seen a titan, but I guarantee you after this.....you will understand why being part of the scouts is hard work," I answer to her, before sending Mia a small smile.

Turning back around, I flick my reigns.

"Besides, do you realise how many outstanding soldiers have been devoured? Too many to count," I add, as I went ahead following with my squad. "I don't have enough fingers in fact to count them, but know this.......it isn't easy....I can give ya that."

The three fall silent after that, as I remain near Flagon, Erwin and Commander Shadis. Hearing from where we are, my head perks up hearing the sounds of heavy footsteps.

"Titans, coming this way!" I inform everyone, causing confusion to the three rookies.

"Wait how does sh--"

"Titan spotted!!!!!" Someone alerts us, causing all the attention upon the enemy. "One fifteen meter one, ahead and to the right!"

My eyes narrow up when I hear the heavy footsteps behind us at well, "Two ten meter titans from the rear as well!"

"They're coming right this way!!!"

The titans bounding their way towards us would definitely be a frightening display towards the newbies, being their first time. Yet it wasn't the time to wimp out, and despite the height differences, I was thankful for trees just nearby.

"They're close, we won't be able to bypass them," Commander Shadis comments. "We fight back! Switch to omni-directional gear!"

Soon a few of the soldiers jumped up from their horses, activating their ODM while I begin to pull out my smoke signal shell.

"Akira!"

Nodding already on top of it, I place the red smoke into the barrel and raised my arm high. Clicking the trigger, I shoot off the red signalling that a titan was spotted, as the red smoke colours the air. Soon as I place my flare shell back into the strap beside my thigh, my attention turns to Erwin who was looking up to the sky. It was rather getting cloudy, which mostly happened on our main expeditions anyway.

Erwin turns to the Commander, making me purse my lips to stay quiet.

"Commander, let's narrow the formation," Erwin suggests to the Commander, making me turn to Erwin suspiciously. "It looks like it will rain."

Suddenly the moment my attention focuses before us with the fifteen meter titan, blood splatters everywhere the moment one of our soldier's was bitten in half. His bottom torso being devoured, while the rest falls colliding into the ground. Jumping high upon my horse, I draw my blades before activating my ODM gear within a split second.

The coolness of the air was crisp and sweet, the scent of rain following along.

Flying high up conserving my tank of gas, I angle my blades dropping them down in my palms swiftly. With a second I spiral down building up the momentum, as the blades slice through the thick flesh with blood spraying like a thick shower of crimson red. The giant beast soon collapses to the ground with a heavy thud, before retreating back to my horse landing gently swiping my blades from the blood.

The steam rises from them, before I insert them back into the canisters.

"Wow!"

"They don't move like the military police!"

Turning to my squad I nod to keep moving along with Erwin and the Commander, which was our current position. Except two large titans were chasing up from the rear still, assuming they weren't annihilated.

Flagon turns around instantly, making me crane my neck to make sure everything is alright. Yet before Flagon could reach the titans, I noticed Levi went on towards the two large titans causing my eyes to widen.

"What the hell does he think he's doing?" I whisper.

Soon the two others followed together behind, not understanding what they were thinking in their own minds. With such confidence on their first expedition, following with a death sentence.......it intrigued me.

The two finally reach over but as my eyes fall upon Levi, he activated his ODM gear and flew high up slicing the nape with swift movements. Yet I noticed that his movements were too fast for a normal soldier, realising he wasn't conserving his tank considerably.

Yet he managed to take down his first titan instantly without a hitch.

Soon Erwin and Commander Shadis guided our horses back to where Flagon's squad is, heading over to see the two others fighting the other titan in which I notice Isabel being grabbed.

My breath hitches about to come to their aid, when Isabel manages to save herself slicing the titan's finger with a determined nature. The sounds of the heavy bodies against the earth, caused it to tremble beneath us. Soon the two manage to take down the titans, making the all the known titans eliminated.

"All targets eliminated!!!" Shadis informs everyone. "Get back into formation! Quickly!"

We reach the trio hearing Isabel cheering with their first kill, but my eyes narrow towards Levi. I arrive towards Flagon's squad, as Mia noticed me parting her lips about to say something, but Flagon beat her.

"Captain Akira, did you....?" Flagon breathes out, taken back by the incredible moves of the three.

My gaze falls away from the two gazing at me, while my eyes fall upon the three.

Soon Erwin finally follows behind heading over to Levi, a stern look flickers within his eyes.

"I'll say this......you moved well, for your first battle," Erwin began, impressed by their work....yet I knew there was gonna be a 'but' in that sentence.

"But you use too much gas. Pay extra attention to that outside the walls."

Farlan went to interject, when Levi held his hand up to stop him.

His dull eyes narrow up upon the blonde man, "You're saying to prioritise conserving our supplies over each other's lives?" He questions, hating the fact his comrades could've been in danger.

"I'm saying you have a lot of wasted movement," Erwin replies, honestly. "Is there some doubt troubling you?"

The tension soon thickens between the two...

Levi's eyes slightly widen realising there is something I'm not informed by, especially with what Erwin is preparing. What's really going on? I notice the heavy intense glare coming from Erwin, as he looks down upon Levi.

"That'll get you killed, and fast," Erwin states, guiding his horse around before heading away leaving the three stunned to even speak another word.

Sharing them an apologetic glance, I guide my horse around with Flagon as well.

Not long small specks of rain hit the side of my sleeve, dampening into a small dark splotch. The rain's scent begins to gather around, growing heavier and the fog begins to thicken around. Waiting for the three to gather back upon their horses, we begin to try and gather our formation.

Yet the more we continued our way through the rain, the visibility was rather poor. It was hard to even sense a titan's presence, only to hear their thundering footsteps only closer than we can anticipate.