He's lost men in battle before. It was to expected, taking their lives into consideration. Every time they went outside of those walls, the Corporal came into terms with the fact that probably less than half his men was coming back alive. But they all accepted their fate, knew that they may never come back to their homes, their families. The moment they joined the Scouting Legion, they were digging themselves their own graves.

But somehow, they managed to fool themselves, give just and cause to their deaths. "We're doing this for humanity," they said. And they will claim that, even though they die, they served for the sake of learning more about their worse enemies. The day they became a part of this force was the day they accepted that Death will be following in their footsteps.

"Damn it, Hanji." his voice wavered for a moment yet somehow maintained its usual cold indifference. Pressing a hand to the gaping wounds, a small swore escaped him. He was too focused on stopping the damn bleeding long enough to get her to safety to really think about the sticky substances staining his fingers. Slate hues lifted, falling upon the woman's face as she fucking smiled at him, as if nothing was wrong. "Your research will go to waste if you die here," he spoke, throwing her arm over his shoulder when he felt vibrations resonate from the ground, announcing the approach of another Titan, ".. So don't you dare do it."

Of course it was easier said than done, but Levi did not pay it too much mind. Could not bother to, really. Shooting out the grapples, he heaved Hanji up with an arm wrapped around her waste, jaw locking at the pained hiss she made around a laugh. Just as he was about to throw himself forward so he could swing them to safety and handle the Titan, he felt his body run cold.

"Sorry, Levi—this is it for me," smiling, Hanji leaned in, and with some effort, placed a bloodied kiss to his cheek. Before he got too far off the ground, the Scientist shoved herself out of his arms, leaving him to stare back in shock and surprise, ".. I won't bring you do—wn with me. Hu—Humanity need…s you," her voice barely reached the Corporal's ears, speaking around a pained wheeze when the impact of her hitting the ground probably broke some of her bones.

From this momentum and speed, it was too late for him to turn his direction, a swear soon following as his feet touched whatever remained of one of the standing buildings. Turning back, he instantly let out another hook and threw himself toward Hanji, expression twisting with contempt in time to see a Titan stoop low and pluck his friend off of the ground. Gassing up to move faster, the Corporal drew his blades.

Though slated hues widened, lips parting in silent gasp of horror. Too late, he was too late. Body twisting in a spin, he hacked off of the flesh at the Titan's weak spot, just as the monstrous beast had taken a bite out of the scientist, leaving nothing but her lower half. Scoffing, he landed in a crouch as the Titan's body fell, quick to evaporate away into steam.

Besides him was the still, half-eaten corpse of Hanji Zoe. Head hung forward, his bangs cast a looming shadows over his features. Releasing the dulled blades, he snapped another set into place before turning to his friend. Taking position of a momentary salute, he bent his knees and grappled out of the area to re-join the battle-field.

This was a war. A constant battle between prey and predator. Casualties were expected, death should be anticipated. Levi came to these terms a long time ago-but that did not mean he was numb to it all. But right now-right now was not the time to mourn. There will be plenty of time for that later.

Hanji Zoe died for a good cause; she brought them closer to the key against Titans.