[ The Forest for the Trees ] - canonverse
The forest was as silent as the grave, the only sound the wind that howled as it ripped through the branches of the tree canopy. His men were in position, obscuring themselves within the leaves, camouflaged within their own cloaks. The tension was palpable, and Erwin's own anxiety lay thick against his tongue.
Erwin knew without seeing that the titan was headed in their direction, an aberrant by the pace and the even determination in its stride he could hear echoing in the distance. Not far now, by the sound of it. The ground shook, and with it, the trees, and Erwin could tell it was coming from the west, by the vibration of the bough he perched on, that he could feel even through the thick rubber of his boots.
Levi alit beside him, and he made not move to regard him, only stared off to the west to anticipate the oncoming enemy. Hange arrived soon after, and Erwin nodded in consternation, ready. "Watch the western route," he said evenly. "I want Levi's squad attacking from the east. Stick to the formation we discussed. I want this one alive."
Hange nodded and took off to join her squad to the south, and Levi was about to do the same when Erwin spoke. "Wait, Levi," he intoned, frowning as he looked upon his captain. "Be as careful as you can, but don't hesitate to take it down, if you must. There will be others, and I won't risk more sacrifice than is necessary." He straightened and returned his gaze to west, where the shadowed form of the titan appeared at last in the distance. "I trust your decision."