Chapter 17

   Today was the day of the expedition. Everyone was already right behind the looming gate on their horses. I was positioned near the front with Commander Erwin and Levi since Erik and Lukas weren’t here yet. However, while I was waiting, I overheard some soldiers’ comments about the expedition.

   “Why are we on an expedition? I was supposed to have a break and be with my family right now.”

   “I heard that we’re going to go outside Wall Maria.”

   “That’s crazy! We can’t even get through Wall Maria.”

   “Hey, you see that girl right there? She’s the one who recommended this. I don’t know why they’re listening to her. Why is she so special?”

   “Wasn’t she the girl who was found outside the walls? Maybe she hates us and is trying to kill us all.”

   “She’s so selfish. Look at her! It’s almost like she’s excited for the expedition. She’s excited for us to die.”

   The comments started clashing into each other, turning into a chorus of insults. My mood was instantly ruined and my mind was clouded with contradicting thoughts. Why am I doing this? Papa always used to lie to me so why am I listening to him now? What if there’s nothing out there? My head drooped down, staring at my horse while I was deep in thought. Guilt started gnawing on my conscience, the burden growing in weight.

   I was snapped out of my thoughts when I felt a hand clamp down on my shoulder. Glancing up, I saw a smiling Erik as he happily babbled, “Why’re so gloomy? Today’s the day of the expedition or should I say the beginning of your adventure in search of… something (according to the letter). Cheer up! Maybe this will help! I brought you the future – ”

   “Don’t even,” I interrupted, thinking that he was going to mention love again. Peering over Erik’s shoulder, I saw Lukas and some other people. They weaved through the soldiers and appeared on my other side, opposite to where Erik was. There was a rather petite looking girl with dark brown hair fixed into a bun kindly staring at me while a tall guy with shaggy blonde hair appeared behind her. Lukas gestured towards them and the girl piped, “Hello! I heard your name was Ria? I’m Reive and I’m part of Lukas’s squad! Recently, we haven’t worked together in a squad because of the whole situation with you. I’m looking forward to working with you!”

   “I’m glad to work with you too,” I said.

   Reive nudged the tall guy to speak but he just looked to the side, avoiding me. Then, she whispered something or more like threatened him and then he finally looked at me, saying, “I’m Darion. You better get yourself together for this expedition because I don’t babysit people like you. Oh, and I’m not looking forward to working with beginners like you.”

   I instinctively blurted out, “Well, those are some bad sass lines. Well you better like to work with me because this expedition is centered around me. Nice to meet you, too.”

   Suddenly, the ground roared as the gate lifted up. Once the gate was fully open, Commander Erwin led us out of the walls. After all the soldiers were out and we were a certain distance from the gate, we started splitting up into our positions. Unlike last time, I wasn’t with Lukas but was with his squad. Erik was helping Commander Erwin with his hearing and Lukas and Levi were by Eren. I was positioned at the rear end at the left side and Darion and Reive were only a few ways from me.

   My senses sharpened, being alarmed at the slightest movement or sound like birds flying or leaves rustling. I continued to move while gazing at the scenery: the rubble from houses and a couple of trees. Reive started to ride towards me until she was right next to me and asked, “What’s this ‘thing’ you’re looking for outside the walls?”

   I glanced at her smugly and then averted my eyes while I confessed, “I don’t know. I found a letter but I have to trust it. If I don’t, then I don’t know what to expect anymore – ”

   Unexpectedly, a titan jumped out and caused the ground to create a haze from the dirt. For a couple of moments, there was a brown fog shrouding me and Reive. A mouth clamped right beside me while I heard the titan’s movements. The mist faded and was replaced by steam. Looking up, I saw Darion on top of the titan’s back with his two blades out. The steam originated from the titan’s neck and he sheathed his blades.

   “Why don’t you pay attention instead of talking to each other?” he retorted, maneuvering off the titan onto the ground.

   Then, Reive started up her 3D Maneuver Gear, her face turning serious, and spun behind Darion. A titan almost rammed into the house right by Darion but Reive sliced its neck, using the house as support.  

   “Why don’t you pay attention instead of talking to us? Stay back, I’m leading,” Reive demanded, her innocent face gone and her happy personality shattered. Her eyes narrowed into a glare and she started to ride her horse forward. Darion and I followed her and I asked, “What happened to happy and kind Reive?”

   Darion reluctantly answered, only looking forward, “Reive’s like that. It’s almost as if she has to become a different person to defeat the titans. I think it’s a matter of strength. She wasn’t strong before but once her personality changed when she fought the titans, she became top of her class. Then she moved into Lukas’s squad.”

   “Hmmm, what about you then?” I questioned, curious to learn about him.

   “Shut up, I’m not talking to you. What did you do today?” Darion replied, still avoiding me.

   “It hasn’t been that long since we left the walls! There will still be lots of time for me to do my part,” I pouted while advancing towards the left, following the green flare.

   Darion continued to ignore me only looking ahead. Lukas’s squad has some interesting people. I wonder how he deals with them.

~*~

   The unit was now taking a break and figuring out where to go next. Erik and Mike were on watch for titans while I was roaming about, looking for Lukas. I spotted him and rushed up to him, saying, “Hi, Lukas! You have an interesting squad there. How do you deal with them?”

   Lukas sheepishly scratched his head and replied, “At first I couldn’t deal with them. We weren’t getting along and falling apart as a squad. Communication wasn’t going well and leading people was a bit new to me. Darion always had insults and Reive’s personality clashed with his. But then after a tough fight against the titans, we managed to become closer. During that fight, we all worked together to make it out alive. After that one experience, I think we all realized that we have to get along in order to defeat the titans.”

   I looked at him quizzically, stating, “Darion and Reive don’t seem to get along.”

   “I think fighting or doing what they’re doing right now is their way of communicating. It might not seem like it but they probably care about each other,” Lukas explained.

   All of a sudden, Erik exclaimed, “A horde of titans are approaching!” Mike besides him nodded.

   Commander Erwin announced, “Lukas! Distract the titans with your squad! Soldiers, prepare for combat!”

   The titans appeared and it reminded me of the expedition where we found Erik. Lukas, Reive, and Darion successfully intercepted the titans. I, along with other soldiers, targeted a titan and aimed for its neck. However, the titan suddenly jerked to its right, forcing me to let go and latch onto the roof of a house. It stared at me with lifeless eyes, gazing down upon me with a faint smile. With its slow but large movements, it swatted at me. Luckily, I hooked onto its arm and then while I was flying towards its arm, I hooked onto its back. Making the final attack, I cut a wedge into its neck, causing it to topple. To avoid getting crushed while it was falling, I maneuvered my way to the ground.

   Scanning my surroundings, I saw everyone attacking the titans. It seemed to go well for there were small casualties so far. I saw Mikasa slay two titans that were in front of Eren while he seemed tempted to go into his titan form. Reive was mercilessly killed titans, dodging attacks and taking full advantage of the houses while Darion was slowly impacting powerful attacks on the titans. When I saw Levi, he seemed to be on another level, massacring the titans.

   I flew up onto a house to get a better view and be on a safer level. Then, I saw Sasha slicing a titan’s heels while another crept up from behind.

   “Sasha! Watch out!” I desperately yelled, trying to warn Sasha. She quickly turned around and dodged the titan, latching onto the roof where I was to escape.           

   “Thanks, Ria!” Sasha thanked, while bowing her head.

   “That’s good that you’re thanking me but we don’t have time for that now. Continue fighting!” I commanded like a commander.

   I wonder how long this is going to last.

~*~

   The rampage of the titans finally ended. There were some casualties with a few people dead, missing in action, and many injured. After treating some injuries, we continued to move along. The formation was changed and we were closer together just in case there was another similar attack. There were only a few titans after the attack and most could be avoided. However, there were no houses anymore and just land, having 3D Maneuver Gear lose its effectiveness. Therefore, we tried to engage with the titans as little as possible. If there was a titan, it was usually a highly trained soldier who defeated it like Levi or Lukas’s squad.

   After we covered a lot of distance, Erik pointed at something in the distance. Everyone continued to ride a bit faster to see what it was and it was a house. It was a surprise since there weren’t houses around the area anymore. The more peculiar fact though was that it was a full house and none of it was damaged. The house was untouched by the titans and it was alone in the vast land. Why is this house here?

   However, inside the house, there was an even more startling fact. The first object noticed was a moon and stars carved into wood. It was a charm. I thought I had seen something like it before. In fact I did see it before. It was the same charm that Erik gave me.

~*~

   Yay! The cliffhangers are back! I hope you like them because they will show up a lot. Anyway, the promised action is here even if it’s not that much but things are getting revealed! What’s going on with the house? I would like to thank everyone again for all of the support! I want to thank everyone individually for commenting, voting, or even just reading my story! I really appreciate it and it might sound a bit strange but I guess you could say that it gets rid of a lot of stress. If I’m stressed out from school or something and I get a vote or comment, it lightens up the day and relieves some of the stress! And I would really appreciate it if you could vote for me in the Anime Watty Awards and SnK Watty Awards in January! Well then see you awesome peeps next week! ^.^