[DISCONTINUED] Entangled in the Strings of Fate ~ Attack on Titan (Levi x OC)

07. Their Last Expedition, His New Resolve

"All squads! Execute the Long Distance Scouting Formation!" Erwin commanded with his right arm stretched to the side.

Red flares were continuing to be fired from different flank. Once the signals had reached the center, the commander immediately fired a green signal to the opposite direction.

"Red flare signal confirmed from the right side!" Aile reported when another red flares came from the right. Erwin nodded and prepared his signal flare.

"Roger, preparing green!" Keith said to him, and Erwin shot the greenish flare to the left side.

"It's the fourteenth time we changed course... I'm glad there wasn't even a single black," Aile thought as she spurred her horse. "...Hmm?"

Aile looked up, spotting a large flock of black clouds was slowly approaching them. "Erwin, do you see that?" The commander beat Aile from saying it.

"Yes." Erwin tightened his grip. "A storm is coming..."

The rain started to pour, and it eventually became harder, blurring Aile's sight and deafening her ears. "Sir, my sense of hearing is severely reduced in this rain!" She reported, but she didn't seem to be heard by her superiors.

"At this rate we're going to lose communication with the other squads!" Keith shouted to Erwin. "Then let's disband the formation!" Erwin replied.

"Goddamit..." Keith cursed when a thunder roared.

"I can't believe it's pouring this hard on our first test run, of all days!" Erwin gritted his teeth while shooting a flare, only to be quickly dissolved by the rain. "Tch, the smoke..."

"We have to keep the flares from getting wet! We can't use them if that happens!" Keith ordered.

Erwin looked up, a thought was disturbing his mind. "...Sir, I'm afraid our scouting ability has been completely disabled."

Upon hearing him, Aile tensed up. She gripped the reins tighter while veiling the flare gun beneath her vest.

"Farlan... Isabel... Levi!" Aile gritted her teeth. "Please, be safe!!"

Meanwhile...

"This is... the mark of titan attack..."

Levi watched in shock at the view before him. Blood splattered here and there, along with lots of soldier corpses scattered everywhere.

"Must be four of five of them..." Levi thought with furrowed brows. "...Hm? Those footprints... They're heading towards--"

Levi widened his eyes in realization. "...the others!!" He abruptly pulled the bridle, resulting the horse to neigh loudly.

"Shit!!" He quickly spurred the horse to the direction he came from. "They won't be able to handle them all... Damn it!" Levi cursed inwardly as the horse took him to where his friends were.

On Aile's side...

"Vanguard soldiers!" Keith bellowed. He stopped along with Erwin, Mike, and Aile when they met with the vanguard soldiers.

"Commander, sir!"

Keith nodded to them. "Let's continue together. The storm looks like it will stop by any moment," he said, glancing to Erwin and the rest. Erwin and Mike nodded in return.

"...I want to see Levi."

Erwin, Mike, and Keith looked at Aile's direction. The girl was looking at her back, gazing at the faraway landscape. "What did you say, Aile?" Erwin inquired.

Aile turned to look at Erwin. "...I'm sorry for being impudent, but..." She looked at Keith. "I'm worried about Squad Flagon. I... I request to go see them."