The 57th Expedition (4)

Mina's POV

My heart lurched as my sense of foreboding got even stronger. Something tells me that this was the exact moment wherein Squad Levi got annihilated. Ignoring all formalities, I shouted, "Faster! You've shown our location to the enemy!" 

Idiot! Just when I fucking warned them! 

"But what if it's Captain Levi?!" Gunther counters back, infuriating me even more. "Stop being a show-off and follow our orders!" 

"You absolute buffoon!" Ignoring the pale look that Petra gave me, I ragefully continued. "We were ordered to retreat, so it's safe to assume that Captain Levi will meet us at the entrance of this forest. I already warned you that the female titan is loose, so you can't just fucking give out our location!" 

"Stop fighting and watch your language, soldier!" Eld reprimands me, one that I graciously ignore. 

By doing so, I saw it.

By our left is a lone soldier bearing the Survey Corps uniform. 

"Captain Levi?" Gunther mumbles, forcing me to say my next words.

I yelled. "It's not the captain! Everyone get away from her!" 

Seeing her unsheathed blades, I maneuvered myself to Gunther and pushed him downwards just when Annie almost sliced his neck. I clicked my tongue just when I noticed that instead of his neck, his hand had been cut off. He tumbled to the ground just when my eyes connected with her blue ones. 

Anger. It's been a while since I've felt this emotion. 

"Gunther!" Eren made his way toward the fallen man, calling out his name. However, just when he was about to stand, I took it as an opportunity to kick him on his chest, making him fall into the shade of the tree. 

Before he could ask what happened, I kneeled in front of him and used my hair tie to bind his wrist, hoping that it would prevent more blood from gushing out. In addition, I took out my handkerchief and wrapped it around his wound. While doing so, I whisper, "Go the other way and don't use your gear, not until she transforms. If you stay here, you'll die. Prioritize your safety, Gunther. I'll do my best to bring everyone back." 

He looked so confused, not knowing what to do, but when he saw the determination in my eyes, something within his gaze changed. Fortunately for me, he followed my orders and ran in the other direction. 

I'm sure Annie would prioritize her mission of kidnapping Eren, so after noticing Olou pulling Eren's body, I too, joined their escape. 

"Where is he?!" Eld asks me, worry apparent in his gaze.

And so, I answered. "Safe. Stop worrying about him and prioritize our escape!" 

Looking back, I noticed her following our trail, completely ignoring the other man who went in the other direction. She's quite persistent to take Eren, huh?

"Who's there?!" Petra asked as I noticed the panic in her voice. 

"Protect Eren!" Olou was also panicking. "Damn it, what do we do?! Eld, where should we go?!" 

He immediately answers. "There isn't time to reach the horses! Head for HQ as fast as you can!" 

Olou once again spoke, but this time, it was directed at me. "Is this what you were warning us about, Mina? Is she the female titan?!"

I nodded. "Yes, Olou!" 

Petra then mumbles her next words, her anger directed toward the woman who almost killed Gunther. "Damn you… How dare you?!" 

I paled upon seeing her next move. The enraged lass twirled around, her fury directed at the warrior behind us. "Come at me! I'll defeat you, even if it kills me!"

"Wait, Petra!" 

But before I could even manage to hold her down, a thunderous sound captured everyone's attention as intense air pressure attacked us from behind. There was no point in looking behind us to know what just happened. After experiencing this countless times, I know what would happen to its surroundings once a titan shifter transforms. 

The female titan once again appears, fueling the fire which was blazing inside my heart. 

"It's coming!" Eld warns us just when the female titan once again chases us from behind. Her speed certainly increased, showing how desperate she was to succeed in her mission. 

"Damn, how dare you!" Eren flipped around and yelled. "This time, I will defeat it!" 

But just when he was about to bite his hand, Eld intervenes, telling him not to. "The four of us will kill the Female Titan. You will continue to head straight for HQ at top speed!" 

As someone who prioritizes Eren's safety, I wanted to agree. However, by doing so, the three of them will surely die! "Can't we assist Eren once he transforms?"

"That's right!" Eren closed in and pleaded. "I'll fight too!"

"No!" Fucking hell, Eld, please listen to us! "This is the best move… Your power is too risky!" 

"What? Do you doubt us?" Olou intervenes, giving us a stink eye. 

"Do you, Eren? Mina?" I looked down and saw her determined stare, one that always makes my chest tighten. "Do you find it that hard to trust us?" 

After listening to all their bullshit, I snapped. "If we don't allow Eren to help us, then you'll all die! It's not about trust, Petra! It's because we care about you!" 

"I'm disappointed, Mina." 

I trembled, hearing her tone change from rage to despondency. Even more so after seeing Eren succumb to their desire. 

"I believe my squad will be victorious." He speeds up, falling me into deeper despair. "Good luck!"

"Eren…" I bit my lip to contain the emotions that were welling up within me. "No…" 

But unlike my reaction, the three of them smiled. Without wasting any second, they all immediately went back to confront the female titan. I, too, for the love of Ymir, went back to ensure they won't die. I told Gunther that I'll bring them all back, and I can't just go back from my word! 

Eld was the first to engage, attempting to slice the female titan head-on. She tried to grab him, but he maneuvered himself to avoid her touch. I grimaced. Why didn't he go for her blind spot?! Attacking a killing machine head-on will kill you, Eld! 

Now, it was Olou and Petra's turn. With their combined attack, they successfully sliced the female titans' eyes, blinding her in the process. As she was forced to take a defensive stance, the female titan immediately covered her nape using her left hand. It was an opening, one that all of them took. 

However, in my case, I saw it as a trap. It's her way of inviting them in, prompting me to yell my next words. "Stay away from her! Don't engage!" 

But to my dismay, they ignored my statement and proceeded to close in, their eyes determined to kill the female titan. I had no choice but to follow from behind, making sure to consider everything. 

The three of them focused on attacking the muscles found on her shoulders. Slice after slice, her titan flesh being ripped and torn apart, the female titan looked so weak, frail enough to make me realize what her true intentions were. 

Then her arms fell as Eld pulled himself in and shouted the words: "Now the neck!"

No… 

Olou continues, "Shear off the muscles that support its neck!" 

Please…

And lastly, Petra, "And we can strike its weak point!"

Stop!

For one last time, I cried out, "Don't engage!" 

Just when Eld was about to slice her nape, I launched forward and grabbed his whole body, enveloping it inside my arms. But I was too late… Looking back, his left leg has already been bitten as I maneuver us upwards. There is no safe location, no place where I can perform an emergency aid, nor the proper equipment to do so. 

"Eld, stay with me!" Upon landing on a branch that the female titan couldn't reach, I immediately tore the right side of his pants and used it to tie around his torn leg. There was too much blood, too much than what I was expecting! "I'll carry you back, so please, stay with me!" 

Then the ground shook, making me turn around to see the female titan chasing the other members of Squad Levi. 

Despair. I could only watch in horror as the female titan used her foot to stomp someone on the tree trunk. Blood instantly gushed out and was splattered on the tree. 

Eren screamed. Olou was enraged, and my arms could only tremble as the life that I was holding was slowly slipping away. 

Then she attacked, kicking Olou's whole body, leaving him dead on the ground. 

The sound of Eren's transformation didn't even register in my brain, even his heartfelt scream. My hands continued to provide aid to this injured man as I tore another cloth from my pants. 

"M-Mina…" He whispers, jolting me back to reality. "I'm s-sorry for not l-listening,"

"Eld, I'm begging you." After securing his leg, I immediately lifted him and carried him using only my right arm. He's heavy but is someone I can take. "Rest and conserve your energy. I'll bring you to the cart used for wounded soldiers." 

After noticing that Eren was now battling the female titan, and after leaving this place, I went down along with Eld and landed in front of the woman who had become my friend. 

Her beautiful hair that swayed along the passing wind brought a certain peace to her image. I don't know how my eyes currently look, but even I can tell how I presently feel. 

"Petra," I called out to her, praying that she could hear me. "You've… done well. So, please, be at peace up there." 

I turned around, stepped forward, and mumbled, "I'll be right back, okay? I won't," I choked, prompting me to pause for a moment before continuing. "I won't leave you here. It's the least… that I could do." 

So, I pray, dear friend, that you can finally rest in a world where no evil can control your choices. 

Goodbye, Petra. 

*****