𝚈/𝚗'𝚜 𝙿𝙾𝚅

After that day, I was able to get back on my own two feet. My body felt better and I didn't have my usual headaches anymore.

I'm assuming I only fainted due to exhaustion. Did I overwork myself that much?

Erwin Smith, the commander of the Survey Corps, stood before us to have the soldiers join his branch.

He explained the future mission of the regiment and even revealed the information about the basement of Eren's old house.

That's odd, way too odd. Why would he reveal such a thing? Could it be to pique their interest? There has to be an ulterior motive.

However, Commander Erwin also told us about the grim future of a soldier in the Survey Corps, in the last 4 years, 60% have died.

He ended his speech and then dismissed those who want to join other divisions.

As many people begin leaving, I stayed put in my spot. Yeah, I've seen how Titans eat people, but that doesn't matter to me.

What matters is that I annihilate the disgusting species that murdered my older sister.

"Goodbye, Y/n. We promised to eat donuts when we grow older. Don't die." Annie reminded, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah." I nodded. I saw a small smile on her face before she left. I can't die yet, but I won't cower in fear, either.

Mikasa, Armin, and other soldiers, including me, saluted. Commander Erwin praised us for overcoming our fears.

"Now then, I accept all of you that remain as new Survey Corps soldiers! This will be a true salute!" he announced.

"Dedicate your hearts!" he saluted as we saluted back. It's quite amusing. How people chose to join the Survey Corps even after seeing...them.

Commander Erwin glanced at me. He flinched at first but quickly turned away. Is there something on my face?

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"Salute!" the man before us ordered. We did as we were told and saluted with our fists on top of where our hearts should be.

"I'm Squad Leader Ness. And this is my favorite horse, Shallot." the man introduced himself and the horse.

"She likes chewing on hair, so watch out if you don't want to go bald." he warned us about the bad habit of his favorite horse.

"Good for you, Connie, you won't have to deal with that." I joked. He gives me an overdramatic and offended gasp.

"Nice to meet you." just as he said that, the horse began to chew on the piece of cloth on top of his head.

He begged for us to stop Shallot, his horse, but we only remained still and watched him get chewed on by a horse.

The training that began the next day, consisted mainly of studying the long-distance scouting formation.

Apparently, this was devised by Commander Erwin, rather than field training.

Strangely enough, despite its detailed nature, Eren's position was nowhere to be seen, but I can understand that.

We never know what is lurking amongst us, recruits. There could be a traitor, someone who plans to sabotage, or others.

"You recruits will be here, between the wagon escort squad and scout support squad." he pointed at a different part on the board.

"You'll be moving with the spare horses and relaying communications." he informed.

Armin, who was sitting next to me, began taking down notes of the important information.

I rested my chin on top of my palm and watched as he diligently took down notes of Squad Leader Ness's lecture.

After a boring but informative day of classes, we headed out. The sun was already setting when we went outside.

"Hey, Y/n, Armin, Mikasa!" we heard. We turned around and saw Eren catching up to us with a grin.

"Eren!" Mikasa exclaimed, relieved to see that Eren was doing well despite what had happened the past week.

"It feels like it's been forever!" Eren mentioned with a smile.

"Eren, did they do anything terrible to you? Like inspecting every bit of your body or causing you mental anguish?" Mikasa grabbed his hand in worry.

"Huh? No, nothing like that." Eren reassured.

"It certainly has felt like it's been forever, hasn't it?" I chuckled.

For some reason, Armin gave me worried glances whenever I make a joke or when I laugh.

Mikasa stated that she will take her revenge on 'Levi' someday. I wonder when that day will come.

Eren then met up with the rest of those who joined the Survey Corps. He is shocked to see that Jean with us.

"Marco's dead." Jean mumbled.

"What...did you say? Did you say Marco's dead?" Eren stammered.

"He just said Marco's dead. Not that I really remember him. Although, no one knows how he died." I shrugged.

"He died alone, without anyone seeing or knowing." Jean added. Everyone seems to be sad.

"Armin, let's go gather up over there. They seemed to be gathering up recruits." I suggested.

"Y/n, how could you be s-so calm...about all of this?" Armin stuttered, staring at me in disbelief.

"Calm? I told you already, didn't I?" I reminded, chuckling a little.

"I don't plan on getting attached to anyone else here. People always leave. That's why I'd rather not get attached." I told him.

"Y/n..." he mumbled my name, staring at me with concern. I try not to get attached.

Cause if one day they end up walking away or abandoning me, it wouldn't hurt just as much as it did.

There's a part in my heart I'll leave guarded. That's the only part I need to push myself to get back up on my feet. To avoid getting hurt.

"Anyways, we should head over there. We don't wanna get yelled at, now do we?" I grabbed Armin's wrist and dragged him over to the soldier yelling for us to come over.

The other cadets, who were talking just a moment ago, we now following right behind us.

Us, former cadets, then don our new uniforms. A green cape with the 'Wings of Freedom' on it.

Our uniform consists of a short, light brown jacket with the badge of the squad on both shoulders, on the front left pocket and the center of the back, a light-colored shirt, a dark brown sash around the waist covering the hips, white pants, and dark brown knee-high leather boots.

"Armin! Armin! What do you think about it? Does it look cool?" I showed off my new cape that was very similar to Armin and the others.

"Y-Yeah, it looks really cool on you." Armin nervously said, averting his gaze from me.

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"You guys are really..." Eren muttered in disbelief, staring at each and every one of us.

"Yes, we'll be participating in the expedition as well." Mikasa confirmed.

"Hey, Eren. I heard, as a Titan, you tried to kill Mikasa and Y/n. Mind explaining yourself?" Jean demanded.

"That's wrong. Eren was trying to kill a fly-" Mikasa tried to come up with an excuse but was interrupted.

"I didn't ask you. Say, Mikasa. That wound on your cheek seems pretty deep. When did you get it?" Jean pointed out.

"It's true. Eren tried to kill Mikasa and me. In other words, Eren wasn't aware he had that power until now and doesn't know how to control it." I explained, wanting to finish this pointless argument.

Seeing how bleak the situation is, Jean states that he wants to know what he is dying for, but in the end, he decides to count on Eren.

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Sometime later, the bell starts ringing as a sign of the gate opening and the beginning of the 57th expedition.

If I recall this correctly, I believe Commander Erwin will be leading the soldiers outside the Wall.

"Let's go, Armin." I ushered. He gave a hesitant nod and followed after me. Mikasa did the same to Eren and they began their bickering behind us.

The Survey Corps departed from Karanes District under Commander Erwin's command.

The main goal of this mission is to find a route to Shiganshina District, where the Titan's secrets are thought to be held.

As we, the Survey Corps, left the old town, Commander Erwin ordered everyone to enter the formation he had devised a month ago.

"Later, Armin." Reiner told the person next to me. During expeditions, we often wear a heavy, green, hip-length hooded cloak with the 'Wings of Freedom' on the back.

"Don't wet yourself even if you run into a Titan!" Jean provoked, but Armin paid no attention to it.

"Right. Same to you." Armin replied, giving him a small glance before staring straight forward.

"See you later, Armin." I bid him farewell as everyone spread out and I continued on my own.

The vanguard will form a semicircle. Although we're spread out, we have to stay within the eyesight of someone on all sides.

I hated this part. All of my friends and I were far away from each other. We were on different sides as well.

Just then, the first red flare signal, from the far right of the formation, is shot up.

The vanguard usually sees the Titans more often, so I'm assuming one of them shot up a red smoke signal.

I grabbed one of the flares in one of the pouches attached to the horse and fired it up to show others that I saw the red smoke signal from earlier.

Soldiers that see it should relay it by firing one of the same colors. That's what we were taught.

After observing the signals to determine the Titan's position, Commander Erwin will fire a green smoke signal.

A green smoke signal is shot up, indicating the formation's new course.

Thus, the entire formation can advance to its destination while avoiding the Titans.

We followed the same procedure over and over again. You see a Titan, shoot a red smoke signal up to inform everyone.

Commander Erwin shoots up a green smoke signal, everyone runs and follows him.

I wonder what Armin is up to...I'm sure Mikasa is perfectly fine and Eren is being guarded by some squad who seemed like elites.

Getting lost in my train of thought, I hadn't noticed the huge sounds of thumping and how the ground was shaking.

Footsteps of a Titan? No, these are different. An abnormal, perhaps?

I closed my eyes and listened to my surroundings.

Right. The footsteps are coming from my right side and are headed...somewhere behind me?

Hold on, think about this rationally, Y/n. Don't you think these footsteps are weird? They don't sound like an average Titan at all.

Listen, Y/n. Pay close attention to the sound of the footsteps. If it's not a normal Titan or an Abnormal, then what do you think they are?

The footsteps...the Titan is running...no wait, it's sprinting?

All I can do now is get away and hide from the Titan, I'll observe it and think about what I can do about the situation.

Remember Y/n, what did those footsteps sound like? Don't they sound similar to someone?

If it isn't a normal Titan and it isn't an Abnormal Titan, then that could only mean...it's an intelligent Titan, just like Eren!

I need to report this to Commander Erwin, I'm sure even he would know what to do. After all, we are working on this secret plan together with a few others.

He visited me back then and we discussed a few things. They consisted of my condition, health, hereditary illnesses, and the thoughts of there being a traitor.

Right now, I can't trust anyone.

Just like the Colossal Titan, Armored Titan, and the Titan who was sprinting earlier, just like Eren, it's being controlled by a human.

Commander Erwin shouldn't be far from where I am positioned right now. I just need to find his location.

After a few minutes of just searching around for Commander Erwin, I finally spotted blond hair.

I made my way over to him and the people who were surrounding him glanced at me as if they were expecting me to say something.

Currently, I can only trust Commander Erwin and my childhood friends. I'm not so sure about Lance Corporal Levi, though. If he were to turn into a Titan, he would be so short.

"Reporting in, a Titan just like Eren had been spotted. I haven't seen it in person but their footsteps and behavior say it all." I informed.

I made sure that only Commander Erwin would be able to hear what I said because I can't trust anyone.

It's too coincidental, don't you think? How the Titan just suddenly appeared on the recruits' first expedition.

It was as if they knew exactly about the plan and based on the footsteps, they seemed to be looking for someone.

Their way of hurrying and frantically searching seemed like they were searching for someone...and I'm sure it's someone important.

"Isn't it weird, Commander Erwin?" my words unintentionally slipped out. He turned to me in curiosity.

"How weird...this Titan decided to show up on the recruits' first expedition. Why didn't they show up last time you went out?" I questioned.

"Could they be searching for someone who just recently joined? Someone important to us after these past few events?" I stared straight forward.

"You remind me a lot about her. That same look in your eyes is very similar to her." he chuckled.

"The Titan you mentioned may be an Abnormal or an intelligent one just like Eren." he said.

"Because I trust you and I know that you don't have any bad intentions, I'm willing to bet on your words." he gave me a nod, telling me that he'll do something about it.

"Oh, yes, what happened to the right flank? I believe you were positioned to be there, along with other soldiers." he raised a brow at me.

Oh my...his eyebrows are thick! How does he do that? They're not just any average thick, they're thick as in...thick thick!

"They're dead. Well, most of them are. I just passed by their bodies earlier. Not sure what happened to the rest." I shrugged.

"Since we're not sure, how about joining my squad for a while?" he offered. I thought about it for a while before taking up his offer.

Soon, we had finally arrived in the forest. Since I was now under Commander Erwin's orders, I have to follow him and his squad.

Only Commander Erwin and I know the reason as to why we're in a forest. Actually, he never said anything to me about the forest.

During that time he visited me, he discussed several things and why there could be a traitor lurking among us.

He asked me who I think the enemy truly was. At that time, I said it could be humans and he let me in on his plan.

My mission on this expedition is to inform him if we spot an Intelligent Titan and I'll have to leave it up to him.

Based on what I said earlier and looking around, I could already tell what the plan was.

We're gonna find a way to get rid of that Titan, right here and now.

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Crouching behind one of the tree trunks, I waited and continued to wait until I was ordered to do my part.

The footsteps are coming closer, Lance Corporal Levi's squad must be making their way past us now.

I could hear the sound of screaming deep within the forest where Lance Corporal Levi's squad should be coming from.

I'm guessing some reinforcements were sent in, only to be brutally killed by the Titan I had mentioned.

To be perfectly honest with you, I have not seen the Titan in person. I only heard the footsteps and narrowed it down to an intelligent Titan, just like Eren.

Despite what I had stated to Commander Erwin, he didn't even flinch at that and even decided to go with what I had just said.

Earlier, he told me that I resembled a lot like, 'her', which I assumed is my older sister since I have been getting a lot of comments regarding that.

Even though she's my older sister, it still makes no sense to depend on the future of mankind for information that isn't even enough.

He must be obsessed with gambling, huh? To be able to trust someone just because they are the younger sister of someone you know is insane, and yet, it's amusing.

The sounds of horses passed by us and that brought me back to reality, reminding me that I am still in the middle of an expedition.

I didn't move yet. Moving without the Commander's order is basically asking for a death wish.

"Fire!" I heard Commander Erwin yell out. I pulled on the trigger and fired under Commander Erwin's command.

Commander Erwin gave us a signal to fire hundreds of grappling hooks at the Titan, successfully trapping it.

The Female Titan is eventually lured into a trap in which her movements are halted by artillery fire armed with harpoons.

This caused the Female Titan to temporarily halt her pursuit since we never know what will happen afterward, I can only say, 'temporarily', for now.

This is the first time I had actually seen the Titan this close. She looks nothing compared to what I had assumed about her.

She had short blond hair, but she kept her head low. She was also covering her nape with her hand.

She seemed to be very aware of her vitals and it appeared like she knew the consequences once we slice it off.

I'm guessing she can run, or even sprint when needed. I believe she accelerated her speed earlier.

There's no doubt about it, this is an Intelligent Titan, a Titan that is being controlled by a human.

"Great thinking, Voland." I heard. I turned to my right to see Commander Erwin landing next to me.

"Thanks, I guess. Commander, I recommend staying up. We never know what might happen." I suggested.

"Also, I believe Lance Corporal Levi would like to speak with you about this situation." I pointed to the man impatiently waiting.

The man I was referring to gave me a short glance before averting his eyes. He seemed...annoyed when he saw me.

He looked like he hated my very presence. No, there was also a hint of pain. It was as if he was covering that pain with annoyance.

I wonder how the Female Titan feels. She can't even scratch even if she gets an itch. That must suck, to be honest.

Moving a muscle is out of the question as well. The more your wounds heal, the stiffer your joints get.

But I wonder...why haven't they gotten the key target out yet?

However, despite the Titan's restricted movements, Lance Corporal Levi and Sir Miche are unable to break through its skin since she had done something with it.

I'm not sure what to refer to the others who are superior to me so I might as well call them Sir until I know what to call them.

The ability to shield a part of the body with tough skin, huh? It's quite similar to the Armored Titan.

Suddenly, the Female Titan let out a loud screech that I'm sure can be heard to the forest outskirts.

I covered my ears with both of my hands in pain. I winced as the screeching got louder.

I've always had sensitive ears. Sensitive ears allow me to hear things better as well.

Having to hear this hurts me more than anyone else in here if I have to be perfectly honest with you.

Soon, the Female Titan's screeching came to a stop. Gosh, she did that just to scare us?

No, wait, this Titan is an Intelligent Titan, just like Eren, that could only mean she has an ulterior motive.

I made my way to Commander Erwin and stood on top of the branch of the tree he was on.

He didn't even glance at me, as if he already knew who was standing on the tree branch with him.

"Commander Erwin, be careful. This Titan is planning something. I'm not entirely sure on what it is, though." I informed him.

"I see. I guess I'll have to bet on tha-" he got cut off when someone stepped on top of the tree branch we were on.

"Erwin, it smells." Sir Miche told him. Did someone fart or something?

"Direction?" Erwin questioned.

"Multiple, from every direction.