The wind howled across the open plains, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant tang of blood. The Survey Corps’ expedition had begun at dawn, a disciplined march beyond the walls into the treacherous unknown. You, a member of Levi’s elite squad, rode at the head of your small group, heart pounding with a mix of pride and dread. This was your first time leading others—three recruits, wide-eyed but eager, entrusted to your command. Captain Levi Ackerman had chosen you for this role, his steely gaze conveying both expectation and trust.

“Stay sharp,” Levi had said before the squad split, his voice low but cutting through the morning mist. “The forest is dense. Titans love the shadows. Don’t let your guard down, not even for a second.”

You nodded, gripping the reins of your horse. “Yes, Captain.”

His eyes lingered on you, unreadable but piercing, before he turned his horse toward the open path around the forest. “Meet at the rendezvous point by dusk. Don’t be late.” With that, he led his group away, their cloaks billowing green against the gray sky.

Your group—consisting of Lukas, a wiry scout with a knack for navigation; Clara, a sharpshooter with a nervous laugh; and Tobin, a broad-shouldered recruit eager to prove himself—followed you into the forest. The trees loomed tall, their gnarled branches knitting a canopy that dimmed the sunlight. The air grew heavy, the sounds of hooves muffled by moss and fallen leaves. You scanned the surroundings, blades drawn, every rustle setting your nerves alight.

“Keep formation,” you ordered, voice steady despite the knot in your stomach. “Lukas, eyes on the flanks. Clara, Tobin, stay close.”

The plan was simple: scout the forest’s interior for any titan activity, map a safe route, and rejoin Levi’s group at the rendezvous point. Erwin had emphasized the importance of this expedition—new territory meant new resources, new hope. Failure wasn’t an option.

Hours passed without incident. Lukas marked the trees with subtle notches, ensuring you could retrace your steps. Clara’s chatter eased the tension, though Tobin’s overzealous grip on his blades betrayed his anxiety. You felt the weight of their trust, their lives, pressing against your shoulders. You wouldn’t let them down.

Then it happened.

A tremor shook the ground, faint at first, then growing into a rhythmic quake. Your horse reared, and you tightened your grip, heart racing. “Titans!” you shouted, eyes darting through the trees. The recruits froze, their training warring with instinct.

“Stay calm,” you commanded, forcing authority into your voice. “Gear up. We engage only if necessary.”

The first titan emerged, a ten-meter beast with a grotesque grin, its footsteps splintering trees. Then another, smaller but faster, its eyes glinting with hunger. Two more followed, their lumbering forms crashing through the underbrush. Your blood ran cold as a fifth figure appeared—an abnormal, its movements erratic, head tilted at an unnatural angle as it barreled toward you.

“Fall back!” you yelled, firing a flare to signal danger. “Lukas, lead the way out! Clara, Tobin, cover the rear!”

But panic seized them. Lukas fumbled with his gear, Clara’s hands shook as she aimed her flare gun, and Tobin’s face drained of color. You maneuvered between them and the titans, blades flashing as you sliced the nape of the smallest one. It collapsed with a thunderous crash, but the others closed in.

“Attack!” you roared, grappling with your ODM gear to draw the titans’ attention.

Clara hesitated, eyes wide with fear. “I can't... move...”

Lukas grabbed Clara’s arm, pulling her away. Tobin lingered a moment longer, then turned and fled. You didn’t have time to feel the sting of their abandonment. The abnormal lunged, its jagged teeth snapping inches from your face. You fired your anchors into a tree, soaring upward, but the ten-meter titan’s hand grazed your leg, sending a jolt of pain through you.