XXVI. Mission

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The morning sun cast its golden hues across the landscape as the Survey Corps prepared for their expedition.

Erwin and Roku diligently adjusted the saddles on their horses, a quiet tension hanging in the air.

As they mounted their steeds, the Corps set out, heading toward the dense forest, the chosen battleground for their carefully orchestrated plan.

Within the woods, two scouts stealthily maneuvered, scanning for any signs of Titans.

Captain Zoe and his team swiftly moved to deploy the specially crafted restraining weapons, keen on avoiding any interruption.

Another pair of soldiers perched on elevated branches, vigilant eyes scanning the outskirts of the forest for any encroaching threats.

"Everything is in place. The Special Target Restraining Weapon is ready," Captain Zoe reported to Roku and Erwin, who stood by his side, ready to monitor the titan's pathway, as outlined in the plan.

With a nod from the captain, they advanced with their ODM gear, accompanied by a small group of soldiers. Erwin signaled the beginning of the mission with a burst of green flares that pierced the morning sky.

Nanaba, Miche, and the other soldiers took on their assigned roles, drawing the attention of a titan into the forest. Erwin and Roku waited poised on the specified pathway, eyes trained on the unfolding events.

As the titan approached and ventured into the trap, Roku sensed a subtle unease settling over him. Something felt amiss.

"Soldiers, ready yourselves," Erwin commanded, his voice cutting through the forest's hushed atmosphere.

The titan moved steadily, directed by Nanaba and Miche toward the strategically placed trap. The plan seemed to unfold seamlessly as the restraining weapon sprang into action, immobilizing the titan with precision.

However, Roku's instincts whispered of an anomaly. His suspicions intensified when, abruptly, the titan erupted into a frenzied state, its strength escalating beyond expectation. It resisted the immobilization attempts, defying the calculated control of the restraining device.

The scene unfolded in chaos as the titan's berserk state confounded the Survey Corps. Panic rippled through the soldiers attempting to subdue the uncontrollable creature.

Blades slashed at its limbs, attempting to cripple its movements, but the titan's resilience defied their efforts. Roku, standing amidst the turmoil, observed with a calm demeanor, analyzing the unfolding situation.

The titan's strength surged, and in a sudden burst of raw power, it severed the cables restraining it. The once-bound creature was now free, its ferocity escalating.

While others grappled with the unforeseen predicament, Roku's swift and decisive action came to the forefront. With unparalleled skill, he maneuvered through the chaos, ODM gear propelling him with precision.

In a fraction of a second, Roku closed the distance and swiftly sliced through the titan's nape, severing its nape.

The creature, now devoid of life, collapsed to the forest floor, the tension dissipating with its demise. Silence settled over the scene, broken only by the rustling leaves and the breaths of the stunned Survey Corps members.

Captain Zoe's reproach hung in the air as he confronted Roku about the sudden and decisive kill. "Why did you kill it, Roku?",

"It was going to kill people if I didn't interfere," Roku responded, his tone unwaveringly serious. He approached the captain, lowering his voice to a whisper "Captain..."

The captain pivoted and walked toward Nanaba and Miche's squad, Roku trailing close behind. "You need to be more careful about which titan you lure, okay? This time, aim for a weaker one, around 3 meters in height. We only have one more attempt."

The commander's stern voice cut through the tension. "Everybody to your places. We only have one last chance."

As the team resettled, Erwin stood beside Roku. "Erwin, take care something may be off," Roku said, Erwin though slightly puzzled, recognized the weight behind Roku's words—something profound and significant.

The captain busied himself replacing the damaged weapons, meticulously inspecting each one. After a brief pause, the mission resumed.

Erwin shot another green flare into the sky, signaling the beginning of the final attempt. Miche and Nanaba guided another titan onto the designated pathway, a smaller and seemingly weaker one this time.

The trap was executed flawlessly, immobilizing the titan as planned. The soldiers launched a coordinated assault on its limbs, ensuring complete incapacitation.

The titan fell, and this time, the mission was a success. The joyous cheers of the team filled the forest air as they celebrated their triumph.

"See, Roku? We did it!" Captain Zoe exclaimed, his jubilation evident as he gestured toward the subdued titan.

But in the blink of an eye, everything changed.

Time seemed to slow as Roku, haunted by a familiar feeling, recalled the night he lost his friends.

In the unsettling silence that followed, the titan, free from its restraints, lunged at Captain Zoe. Roku, Erwin, and the other scouts stood frozen as the captain faced imminent danger. The titan's jaws opened wide, poised to devour him. Erwin, shouting in desperation, was barely audible to Roku over the sudden chaos.

Roku's instincts kicked in, fueled by a surge of adrenaline and determination; moved with unparalleled speed.

His blades flashed through the air as he slashed through the titan's neck. But the scene played out in heartbreaking slow-motion—Captain Zoe's body, half-eaten, lying lifeless.

"Captain!" Erwin's anguished cry echoed through the forest.

The shock rippled through the squad as they witnessed the devastating turn of events.

Roku stood over the fallen titan, frustration etched across his face. "Damn it," he muttered to himself, a heavy weight settling upon him.

Erwin, Nanaba, Miche, and Commander Shadis gathered around the captain's lifeless form. In his final moments,

Captain Zoe managed to utter his last words, barely audible, "Hange, I...am sorry." His breath ceased, leaving a profound silence in the wake of his passing.

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End of the Chapter