Author's note: I wrote this really quickly after seeing some fan art
Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin or any of its characters
A cry rises through a forest; a single call of anguish that wrings itself around trees and stays captured in memories for years to come. Several heads turn in its direction, acknowledging another death.
The Captain emerges from the depths of the trees sometime later. A body broken and ripe with death hangs from his arms – though some would dare say he cradled it.
It is not his own blood that has drenched the stark white crimson.
His face is empty as if it were his own soul that was stolen. He does not acknowledge it, and nor will anyone else.
People not present don't realize. They ask questions and bring forth that which he does not wish to address.
"Where is she?" they ask. "Where is Petra?"
Petra; such a light-hearted spirit. She was the spark in any room, the cheer in any day. But the light was gone now. A life snatched away in seconds, leaving wounds that ran deeper than any blade could.
Normal to any passerby, he appears normal. But to the trained eye that only a few possessed, they can see his heart bleeding. The Titans had plunged through his ribs – snapping them like twigs – and bitten pieces of his heart, leaving him to die.
Levi retches the contents of his entire body in the hopes to alleviate the pain, but the heaving only makes his realize just how empty and alone he truly is. The others turn away for a few seconds of privacy. They'll never understand the real battle.
Back in the castle Levi locks himself in his room. A few subordinates linger near his door. They fear for his life, but are assured that the Captain is okay.
But he's not.
"He is strong," they are told.
But he can't be.
He's slumped on the bed with his head in his hands and tears streaming down his face, finally in the company of only himself. He's washed the blood from his hands yet he still feels it caked on in layers. He feels it staining his bones.
He feels nothing but the cold and agony. It scares him. How can one person feel so much and yet nothing at all? How could he care for someone to the point where he wants to die just to see them again?
The world feels dark, and Levi wants nothing more than to fizzle out and sink into nothing. But two hands cup his face. The hands are cold but soft, welcoming yet distant. He stares up into pure light.
She smiles. He dares not cover his eyes for fear the illusion may die. He reaches out but find his fingers merely graze through the mist. Her face saddens at his desperate attempt. He sulks. She knows he wants to throw everything away and give up. But he mustn't
She envelopes him and takes away his pain. Levi's eyes close and he sighs with relief. The light fades a bit. Her lips are on his cheek and he swears he can feel their warmth. The light dissipates slowly then, and he watches her go. The pain returns, though less so than before. Levi knows he can't give up. He needs to fight. His heart will heal with time. His light hasn't died; she has merely drifted.
Thanks for reading. Reviews are always appreciated so feel free to let me know what you think