Attack On Titan- Wings of liberty*

Chapter 57: FINALLY EXPEDITION OUTSIDE THE WALLS



The sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting long shadows across the towering walls as the expedition prepared to depart. Horses were saddled, supplies loaded, and tension hung thick in the air. The cadets, many of them about to experience their first mission outside the walls, whispered nervously among themselves, their faces a mix of excitement and apprehension.

For Levi, the atmosphere was all too familiar. The faces of eager recruits, unaware of the horrors that awaited them, only added to the weight on his shoulders. He had seen too many lives lost—too many dreams crushed.

Before leaving, Levi turned to Farlan, his sharp gaze conveying more than words ever could. "I'm trusting you with this," he said firmly.

Farlan nodded. "You don't have to worry. I'll make sure she's safe."

Levi's eyes flicked to Isabel, who stood nearby, her usual fiery energy subdued. "And you," he added, his tone softer but no less serious. "You're staying here. No arguments."

Isabel opened her mouth to protest, but Levi's expression stopped her cold. "You don't need to protect me," she muttered under her breath, kicking at the dirt.

"It's not about that," Levi said quietly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're needed here. And I need to know that Sana has someone looking out for her."

At that moment, Sana appeared, walking carefully down the steps of their home. Her pregnancy was now undeniable, her hand resting on her rounded belly as she approached. Levi met her halfway, his stern expression softening as he reached out to steady her.

"Levi," she said, her voice steady despite the worry in her eyes. "Take care. And be extra careful outside."

He nodded, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead, then her lips. "I'll come back. You and the kid aren't getting rid of me that easily."

Sana managed a small smile, her hand brushing against his cheek. "I'll hold you to that."

Levi lingered for a moment, his hand resting over hers, before finally stepping away. "Farlan, Isabel—don't let this idiot work in this condition and give her everything to eat at the right time and make sure she doesn't stress out and take proper rest." His tone was a mixture of worry and panic. 

"I will be alright Levi. Don't stress about me. You focus on your expedition." Sana said.

She walked towards him and gave him a warm hug. "I love you Levi. "she whispered.

They all went with Levi to see him off. 

As the gates creaked open, the massive doors groaning under their weight, the sound echoed through the courtyard. The Survey Corps began to move, their formation tight and disciplined. Levi mounted his horse, his expression unreadable as he joined Erwin at the front.

From the steps of the house, Sana watched them go, her heart aching with every step Levi's horse took further away. Isabel stood beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "He'll be fine," she said confidently, though her own worry was evident.

Sana nodded, though her eyes remained fixed on the diminishing figures. "I know. He always is."

------

The gates groaned shut behind them, cutting off the last vestiges of home. For most of the soldiers, this was just another expedition—one of countless ventures into the cruel world beyond the walls. But this time, the stakes were different. Only the captains knew the truth: the mission wasn't about Titans—it was about uncovering what lay beyond the island. 

Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the rest of their batch stood atop the walls, watching in silence as the Survey Corps disappeared into the distance. Their training had prepared them for the harsh reality of the outside world, but the sight of soldiers venturing beyond the walls for the first time stirred something profound within them. 

"I wish I was with them," Eren muttered, his fists clenched. 

Mikasa glanced at him, her expression calm but tinged with worry. "You'll get your chance. But you're not ready yet." 

"Not ready?" Eren snapped, turning to her. "We've been training for this! I've been training for this! What's the point of all of it if we're just going to stand here and watch?" 

Armin placed a hand on Eren's shoulder, his voice soft but firm. "It's not just about strength, Eren. It's about strategy, teamwork, and knowing when to act. That's what they're trying to teach us." 

Eren huffed, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the Survey Corps had vanished. "It just feels like we're wasting time." 

---

### Outside the Walls 

The expedition moved with precision, the formation maintaining its discipline as they ventured deeper into Titan territory. For many of the newer recruits, this was their first time outside the walls, and the weight of the open sky above them was as disorienting as it was awe-inspiring. 

Levi rode near the front, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. His mind, however, was elsewhere—back at home, with Sana. He had barely slept the night before, the memory of her tearful goodbye replaying in his mind. 

Erwin's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Levi. Focus." 

"I'm focused," Levi replied curtly. 

"You can't afford distractions," Erwin said, his tone even but firm. "Not on this mission." 

Levi shot him a sharp look. "I'm here, aren't I? Let's get this over with." 

Erwin didn't press further. He knew Levi's loyalty was unwavering, even if his priorities had shifted since marrying Sana. 

---

### Back at the Training Grounds 

The cadets continued their drills under the watchful eyes of their instructors, the tension from the expedition fueling their determination. Eren threw himself into his training with renewed vigor, each swing of his blade sharper, each maneuver more precise. 

"You're pushing too hard," Mikasa said, her voice carrying a note of concern as she watched him spar. 

"I have to," Eren replied, panting. "If I don't, how am I supposed to make a difference?" 

Armin, sitting nearby with a book in his hands, chimed in. "Making a difference isn't just about fighting, Eren. It's about understanding what we're fighting for." 

---

### The First Titan Encounter 

The sound of distant footsteps rumbled through the air, a forewarning of the danger ahead. The formation tightened, soldiers drawing their blades as they prepared for the inevitable. 

"Two Titans, approaching from the east!" a scout shouted. 

Levi was already in motion, his ODM gear propelling him toward the threat. The first Titan, a mindless fifteen-meter class, swung clumsily as Levi darted around it, his blades cutting deep into its nape with practiced precision. 

The second Titan, slightly smaller but faster, lunged toward the center line. The recruits braced themselves, panic flickering in their eyes, but before it could reach them, Levi's figure appeared in a blur, taking it down with ruthless efficiency. 

"Keep moving!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Don't lose formation!" 

The recruits obeyed, their fear giving way to determination as they pressed onward. 

---

### At Home 

Back at the house, Sana sat by the window, her hands resting on her belly as she watched the sun set. The quiet was unsettling, each passing hour amplifying her worry. 

"Levi and others would have been resting now, right?" she asked softly, glancing at Isabel, who was sprawled on the couch. 

Isabel sat up, her usual bravado dimmed. "Sana don't worry yourself. You are forgetting who he is." 

Sana smiled faintly, but the unease in her heart remained. She turned to Farlan, who was tending to the fireplace. "What about you, Farlan? What do you think?" 

Farlan paused, his expression thoughtful. "Levi's the best there is. But… it's dangerous out there. All we can do is trust him." 

Sana nodded, her gaze drifting back to the horizon. "I just want him to come home safe." 

--- 

Hours into the mission, the formation reached a clearing near the forest. Erwin signaled for a halt, his sharp eyes scanning the area. 

"What is it?" Levi asked, landing beside him. 

"Something feels off," Erwin replied, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. 

The answer came moments later. A deafening roar echoed through the clearing as a massive, abnormal Titan barreled toward them, its speed and size unlike anything they had encountered before. 

"Positions!" Erwin shouted, drawing his blades. 

Levi didn't wait for further orders. He launched himself toward the Titan, his movements precise and lethal. But as he closed in, the Titan suddenly veered, its massive hand swiping through the air with alarming speed. 

Levi barely dodged, landing on a nearby tree. His eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. "It's fast," he muttered. 

The recruits scrambled to follow orders, their fear palpable. Erwin's voice rang out, rallying the troops. "We have to take it down! Stay focused!" 

Levi then again in the second attempt sliced the titan.

The battle was far from over, and the path ahead remained uncertain. But Levi fought with one goal in mind: to survive and return to the family waiting for him in the walls. 

At the edge of the forest, multiple large nets were suspended high above the ground, expertly tied between the trees. Positioned well out of the reach of any titan, these nets provided a secure and safe refuge, especially since the titans were less active at night. The nets swayed gently in the cool evening air, far enough from the ground to ensure that even the most towering of creatures couldn't reach them.

The land beyond the forest was still uncharted, unfamiliar terrain, making it impossible for them to navigate or venture out at night. It was a quiet, almost eerie time, as the vast wilderness stretched out beneath a darkening sky.

With the immediate danger passed, everyone climbed into the nets, settling down for a well-deserved dinner. The canopy of the forest offered a peaceful sanctuary as they shared their meal, the flickering of small campfires below casting a soft glow against the dark silhouettes of the trees.


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