Chapter Text
It’s morning, just before daybreak. The encampment is quiet. A thick mist covers the ground, hovering between the trees. Levi’s footfalls creep through the still sleeping camp, disturbing the mist with each step.
He’s as quiet as a ghost, careful not to wake the soldiers in tents all around him. They’ll be up in a few hours, long after Levi has set off. He’s thankful to not have to see the Beast this morning, after sharing such close quarters with the other Titan on the journey to the island. He’d rather not leave camp with the last memory being of Yeager’s hateful sneer.
Levi adjusts his pack over his shoulders. It’s not heavy, filled only with necessary equipment to get him through the next few days. A few cans of field rations, a knife, map of the island, and a medical kit for emergencies. A rifle hangs over his other shoulder—anti-Titan, in case he should need it.
Hopefully, he won’t.
“Levi.”
A voice off in the woods startles him. Levi turns, looking around.
Erwin.
The Titan waits by the edge of the camp, shrouded by the treeline. He looks exhausted—like he’s been up for hours. Levi knows Erwin didn’t come to bed during the night. He sensed the Titan’s unease around the campfire, and when he pulled Erwin’s hand to lead him to their shared tent, the Titan wouldn’t follow.
He can’t blame Erwin, though. The same unease has haunted Levi for days—since they disembarked the ship on Paradis’ shore.
“Good morning.” Erwin greets Levi with a tight smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. He’s still in his uniform, never changed from the night before. Coarse stubble shadows his jaw and dark circles hang under his eyes. He looks exhausted.
He didn’t sleep at all last night, did he?
Levi takes his Titan’s hand, tenderly kissing each knuckle. “You should have slept.” His lips graze over Erwin’s skin with each word.
Erwin hums and turns his hand to cup Levi’s cheek, bringing them closer together. “I wanted to see you before you left.”
“Then you should have come to bed.” Levi twists to press his lips against Erwin’s palm.
Erwin knows better than to stay up fretting all night. They needed their sleep—especially now, on the eve of fulfilling their purpose. Erwin should be well rested. Not out here, pacing the woods, alone in the dark for hours.
“I know, I just…” Erwin trails off. His hand falls from Levi’s cheek to his shoulder, adjusting the strap on his pack.
Levi isn’t in his uniform today. His clothes resemble those of Paradisian civilians. It’s an old-fashioned style that Marley left behind decades ago.
Erwin straightens Levi’s collar, tucking it into his cloak. Levi appreciates the gesture; he must have missed it while dressing under the dim light of his lantern.
Erwin’s touch lingers along Levi’s neck before trailing up into his hair.
“I love you.” It’s spoken sincerely, but with a trace of melancholy that makes Levi’s heart ache.
Levi stretches up onto his toes to kiss away his bonded’s worry. “I love you too.”
They don’t say goodbye. That would be too final.
This isn’t goodbye. They will see each other soon—in just a few short days. When this is all over, they will be together again. Then they can go home.
But Levi must go now. It is his mission—just as much as it is his Titan’s. They both have a purpose to serve, a duty to fulfill.
Still, the troubled look in Erwin’s eyes and the finality of his tone make Levi’s heart clench with worry. There will be danger. Nothing is guaranteed—not even safety. But they’ve trained for this and are well prepared. As long as they stay focused on the task at hand, they will walk away from Paradis with both their lives.
We’ll be all right.
Levi tries to convey the sentiment with his lips. A slow, tender kiss that grows with confidence until they move in perfect unison. When they part, Levi whispers between them.
“I’ll see you soon.”
He squeezes Erwin’s hand once before letting go. When he walks away, he doesn’t look back. Erwin’s face, twisted with worry, is already etched into his mind.
…
Levi treads silently over fallen leaves with his rifle clutched in front of him, on guard. He’s in Titan territory now. Anything can happen at a moment’s notice. He needs to be ready.
The Titans are dormant at night, when deprived from the sunlight. But as the morning sun begins to shine through the thick foliage, speckling the ground with light, Levi’s senses heighten.
There are traces of them here. Footprints on the ground. Snapped tree branches overhead. Any crunching twig, any movement in the brush could be one of them.
Levi swallows and grips the rifle tighter. His finger hovers over the trigger.
Aim for the nape.
He can see the wall now, rising ahead of him through the trees. Shiganshina, the southernmost district nearest to the Paradis port where their ship docked.
The rising sun illuminates the top of the wall, stretching slowly down the rock where it meets the crest on the gate. The walls really are magnificent—in a foreboding sort of way, knowing what’s inside. If only the people on the other side were aware of just what exactly surrounds them.
No.
It’s best that they are ignorant.
Levi crouches low, hiding behind a fallen log at the edge of the treeline. The gate is several meters away at most—a short sprint. It shouldn’t be too difficult.
His eyes stay locked on the gate. He’s right on time. Any moment now…
A bell tolls from the other side of the wall. The gate groans, rumbling the ground beneath Levi’s feet. He can hear the beat of hooves against dirt and the roaring voices along with them.
Surveyors.
Their capes, green like the leaves surrounding him, flap in the wind like wings as they ride. Levi watches them emerge from the gate—from the safety of the walls into the wilderness beyond.
Why would they do it?
Because they wonder about what might be outside the walls?
Fools. If only they knew.
The last rider slips past the gate, following the group.
It’s time to go.
Levi bursts from his hiding spot and rushes for the gate. They’ll close it soon, to keep the Titans out. He doesn’t have a moment to spare.
But as soon as he steps out from the shadows and into the sunlight, the trees behind him split apart with a crack!
A Titan.
Pure—not a shifter. Its eyes are wild like a rabid beast, fixated on its targets. It clambers from the forest on all fours, directly toward the group of riders.
Levi lunges forward, out of the path of the Titan. It doesn’t see him. Its aim locks only on the scouts. A man screams an order. Levi glances over his shoulder, taking just a fraction of a second to look.
The Titan swipes at a rider. A horse flies through the air, crashing into the trees. Bones crunch. Blood splatters the grass.
Levi runs.
The ground rumbles. They’re lowering the gate. His heartbeat pounds frantically as he makes a break for the shortening space between the gate and the dirt beneath it.
Run.
Don’t think.
Just run!
Dirt and rocks crunch underneath him as he slides across the ground, narrowly missing being crushed as the gate crashes shut behind him.
He did it.
He’s inside.
The townsfolk run around him frantically, apparently not having noticed his stunt for fear of the Titan on the other side. Levi pulls himself across the ground and leans up against the wall to avoid being trampled by the terrified crowd. Levi tries to control his breath, forcing his heaving chest to relax.
That was too close.
The Titan was right there, and he didn’t even see it. How did he not see it? It’s a miracle that the Titan ran for the scouts instead of him.
Levi squeezes his eyes shut.
In the sliver just before the gate slammed closed, Levi saw them. The blue and white wings emblazoned on the soldiers’ cloaks as they flew through the air. Graceful like the sea hawks fishing in the ocean, gliding on the wind. Pulled by metal cords with their blades poised to kill.
The scouts.
…
The other side of the walls is not quite as Levi expected, even after months of oversea reconnaissance before setting foot on the island. It’s not that different from Liberio’s Internment Zone. The homes and cobblestone streets are an earlier style, not primitive like Levi once imagined, yet not up-to-date like the modern cities of Marley.
The most shocking thing about life inside the walls are the people.
Are these the devils of Paradis? Levi wonders as he passes a pair of children kicking a rock down an alley. They smile and play, much like the children back home in Liberio.
Levi hesitates on the corner, watching them from under his hood. They are kids. Levi’s seen kids before, of course he has. But these children do not wear identification bands around their arms. They play freely, without a soldier in sight to yell at them to run along home!
The smaller of the two kicks the rock. It slides down the cobblestone toward the second boy, near where Levi hesitates at the mouth of the alley.
“Oh no, no, no!” The boy rushes for the rock but misses at the last minute. He falls to his hands and knees on the ground, watching as the rock slips down a sewer grate and out of sight. “Why did you do that?” he whines.
“I’m sorry—” the other boy catches up with his friend, crouching beside him and peering into the drain. “This game would be easier with a third.”
“Yeah, but we don’t have a third,” the other boy snaps before jumping to his feet. He glances up.
Green eyes meet silver before darting away. “Come on, Armin.” He tugs on his friend's sleeve. “Let’s go.”
The other boy is quick to follow, although tailing slightly behind. Levi watches them run down the alley and disappear around a corner.
What a strange thing to fret about—a game spoiled by losing a rock down a sewer grate. It’s almost as if they have no awareness of the danger just outside the walls. Is this how these people live, oblivious to the world around them?
Well, Levi thinks. Maybe it’s for the best. They’re just kids, after all.
He keeps his head down, careful not to draw unwanted attention to himself until he reaches the canal. There are no automobiles on Paradis, and Levi doesn’t have a horse. Walking to the interior isn’t an option—that would take too long, and he doesn’t have that much time. So instead he pays a few coins and boards a riverboat bound for Trost.
What would have been a several day journey by foot only takes a matter of hours before he arrives at Wall Rose. From there, he boards another boat bound for Mitras.
…
It’s nearing nightfall when Levi docks in the royal capital. It’s easy to hide in the shadows, especially as the evening grows darker. Yet still, as he navigates the streets of Mitras, he can’t help but feel like he’s being watched.
…
There’s an inn not far from the canal.
“I need a name for the room.” The innkeeper plucks a key from a hook on the wall and readies his pencil to the ledger.
“Smith.”
He scribbles the name into the records. “And how many nights will you be staying with us?”
“Just one.”
The innkeeper looks up, giving Levi a once over.
“And your business in Mitras?”
Now why would you need to know that?
“I’m just passing through.” Levi forces a tight smile and passes the man a few coins. “From Shiganshina.”
“A traveler from Shiganshina, how wonderful!” The innkeeper hands over the key. “Enjoy your stay in Mitras, Mr. Smith.”
…
The room is sparsely furnished with a twin bed, nightstand, and a small table in the corner where a lone candle burns next to a water basin. It's a simple accommodation, but all Levi needs for a single night.
Levi sets his pack beside the table and hangs his rifle over the back of the chair. There’s a pub across the street. Levi can hear the music and boisterous crowd. He pushes the curtain aside and peers out the window down to the street below.
He’s been to a pub once—with Erwin, his first illicit night outside of the facility. That memory still holds a dear place in his heart.
They haven’t been to a pub since. Such frivolous activities may be permitted for Titans, but are always off limits to Ackermans.
But some nights, when they are in the privacy of their home and away from Marley's watchful eye, Erwin clears the furniture from the living room floor and pulls Levi into his arms.
There’s no music. No band plays in the corner. Instead, Erwin holds Levi close and hums the melody against his skin as he leads them around the floor with practiced steps.
“Tch.” Levi closes the curtains. They’ll be home in a few weeks, but for the night, Levi is stuck in this lonely little room with only the memory of his Titan to warm his bed.
He double-checks the lock on the door to make sure it’s secure before shedding off his clothes. The water in the basin is cold, but feels like a blessed relief after not having a proper bath since they arrived at the island. He scrubs himself with the towel, wiping away dirt and grime that somehow managed to creep under his clothes during hours of travel.
The candlelight makes his skin glow with a warm hue. Even the scars that cover most of his body fade in the low light—all except Erwin’s initials. Those always stand out clear and strong, no matter how dark the room.
Levi traces over the scarred lines with his fingertips. The bond tugs at his heart, like it’s aware of their separation and the distance between them—an aching homesickness.
It’s okay.
We will be home soon.
…
It’s late in the night when the music and laughter from the pub finally grow quiet. The candle flickers on the bedside table as it burns closer to the end of the wick. It will go out soon, leaving Levi in darkness.
The silence of the night is unsettling. It’s quiet, even in such a large city. Levi isn’t used to sleeping alone anymore. For months he’s slept at his Titan’s side, curled around him in their bed. Now, he would gladly welcome the sound of Erwin’s heavy breathing, even if it keeps him awake all night.
Levi just doesn’t want to be alone. Not tonight.
He’s sure sleep will not come to him, but he tries anyway. Levi closes his eyes and imagines Erwin’s strong heartbeat filling the silence.
“Be safe,” Levi whispers, although no one is around to hear. “I love you.”
…
Levi rolls out of bed before sunrise. His assumption was correct; he did not sleep a wink.
A can of rations makes a quick breakfast. Sardines. Not the most pleasant way to start the day, but necessary for the time being.
He leaves the room key at the front desk and sets off on his way.
He has a map of the island, of the cities inside the walls. But there’s no need to use it right now—Levi only packed it in case of an emergency. Before they left, Erwin made sure Levi knew the plan down to each and every step like the back of his hand, repeating instructions even after official meetings had wrapped up for the day.
“Turn right at the bakery on fifth. Avoid the market, too many prying eyes. Follow this road to the northernmost gate.”
Erwin had pointed to a spot on the map.
“Orvud District.” Levi remembered.
“And the chapel?”
“Here.”
Levi’s finger landed on a spot just outside the district’s wall.
“And the rendezvous point?”
“Here.”
Levi identified it easily, southeast of the chapel on the outskirts of Sina, just before Stohess.
“Very good.”
Levi remembers flushing with pride.
“The capital will be crawling with Military Police,” Erwin had warned. “Keep your head down and you’ll be fine.”
As it turns out, the Military Police don’t seem particularly interested in policing. Levi passes by a group of them gathered in the square. They joke and laugh as if they are still riding off the night’s high. Levi keeps his head down, just as instructed by his Titan. In just a few hours, those smiles will be wiped from their faces.
To them, Levi might appear as just another early-rising civilian.
To Levi, they are oblivious sheep as the wolf walks past.
The shadow of Sina’s northern wall towers in front of him, looming ever closer with each step he takes.
…
Crack!
Lightning strikes when the sun is at its peak, splitting across the cloudless sky. The ground rumbles beneath Levi’s feet with the force of it. The city’s bustling activity around him comes to an abrupt halt. People come out of their homes to gather in the street. They stare up at the sky, their view mostly obstructed by the towering wall.
There you are. Levi thinks as he keeps his head down and slinks through the crowd. Perfect timing.
“What was that?” he hears them murmur among themselves. “Did you see that?”
Their eyes are locked on the sky, hoping to see something—curious.
It will take a few hours for the news to reach Mitras. But Levi already knows what’s happened. Miles away, beyond Sina and Rose, outside Maria, the Beast and Colossal Titans have begun their assault on Shiganshina.
Levi slips through Orvud’s gate like a shadow in fading light.
…
It’s nightfall when Levi reaches the edge of town. He disappears into the treeline toward his destination hidden away deep in the forest outside Orvud District.
A chapel.
Small and unassuming. It’s been vacant for years, or so the people of the walls believe.
But Levi knows that isn’t true. This little stone structure hides the history the Eldian’s of Paradis have forgotten. The real history of their people—not whatever their government spoon feeds them. The chapel isn’t abandoned—and what lies beneath is the only thing standing between protecting this island from the rest of the world.
Candles burn through the stained glass windows. Levi crouches low just under the sill, listening for voices on the other side.
Silence.
They must be hiding in the caves below, alerted to the Titan’s attack just as planned.
Levi staches his pack, carrying with him only his rifle and knife. This isn’t the first time he’s followed Marley’s orders. So he can’t explain the way his hands shake as he takes his weapons.
“Can you do it?”
“I have to.”
Levi takes a deep breath and pushes open the door.
…
There’s a hatch on the floor, just before the altar. It doesn’t take long for Levi to find it. The folded edge of a rug gives it away almost instantly. He was told what to expect in the mission briefings—intelligence gathered from reconnaissance. Beneath the chapel is a vast cathedral of caves.
This is where he will find them, holed up in the midst of Marley’s invasion.
Levi steps lightly down the stairwell, careful not to make a sound. The tunnel opens up around him as he steps into the cavern. Columns of what look like glistening crystal support the ceiling. He reaches the bottom step and takes cover. There are voices now. He can hear them echoing through the cave.
“Why would they attack? What do they want?” a man asks frantically.
“I don’t know,” a woman responds. “But they’re coming.”
“Should we fight back? Defend ourselves?”
Levi cranes his neck to look around the column, careful not to be noticed. He can see the woman. She’s young, perhaps around Levi’s age, give or take a few years. She has long dark hair and glistening purple eyes.
It’s her.
Frieda Reiss.
Levi’s grip tightens around the rifle.
“No,” Frieda says.
“Then what should we do?” A stout man steps into view. He gestures at her wildly, his face reddening in frustration. “If they’re already on their way, we don’t have much time.”
“Get the family away from here. You’ll be safer in Sina. Find Kenn—”
“And leave you behind? You know that man would kill us. And what if the Titans come here? If something were to happen—”
“I can take care of myself.”
“But—”
“Just go, before—” Frieda stops abruptly. Her purple eyes flash up, directly to where Levi peeks out from behind a column. “It’s too late.” She puts a hand on the man’s shoulder and steps around him, toward Levi.
“Hello,” she greets Levi calmly, without a hint of fear despite already having noticed the rifle clutched in his hands.
The man whips around, his eyes immediately locking on Levi. “Who is that—”
“Are you here for me?” Frieda asks, ignoring the man and taking another step forward.
“Frieda, what do you think you’re doing?” The man tries to stop her, but she shakes him off.
“Your name is Ackerman, is it not?”
Ackerman? How could she possibly know that?
Frieda raises her hands placatingly when Levi levels the rifle to her chest. She’s only a few yards away. There’s not a chance he’d miss.
But that’s not why I’m here.
He glances at the red-faced man.
“Ackerman? That’s not—”
“Father, please,” Frieda interrupts. “Let me handle this.” She turns back to Levi. “You can put that down. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Don’t come any closer,” Levi threatens. There’s no trusting the Titan. She could shift at any moment and kill him. Then it would be over. Everything he’s worked for would be ruined.
Can you do it?
I have to.
“I know what you are.” She takes another step forward. Then another. Her purple eyes bore into his, like she can see into his soul. “Ackerman.”
“I said don’t come any closer.”
But the Titan doesn’t listen. She doesn’t stop until her hand wraps around the rifle’s barrel and the metal presses against her chest.
“What are you doing here?” Frieda stares down at him. “Why did you come?”
Levi breaks eye contact for a moment to glance at the man standing behind her. Another voice joins them. Another woman, roughly the same age as the man. She steps out from behind a column and to Levi’s horror, three children follow after her.
“Frieda, what are you doing?” the woman shrieks when she sees Levi. Her arms fly to her children, shielding them. “Kill him!”
A child begins to cry.
“Kill him!” the man shouts. “Kill him now!”
The Titan’s eyes flash.
“Kill him, Frieda!”
Levi’s heart pounds.
“Can you do it?”
“I have to.”
“Kill him—”
…
“Can you do it?” Erwin’s voice is laced with concern as he searches Levi’s eyes.
“Yes,” Levi answers simply, without hesitation. “I have to.”
…
The first shot splatters the ground with blood. A small body falls to a crumpled heap on the floor.
I have to.
“Frieda, help—”
Another shot fires, meeting its mark with deadly accuracy.
I have to.
“Frieda!” The children's screams are ear splitting as they cry for their sister.
Another shot.
More blood stains the floor.
I have to.
Another.
I have to.
The screams fall silent as the last shot echoes off the cavern walls.
I had to do it.
Look, Erwin, I did it.