Chapter 1 – Chance Meeting
Levi
I awake at the usual time. I slowly open my hazy eyes and suck in the moist air. It's still dark in my small room, the sun hardly peeking above the horizon. The ever noisy birds outside are quiet, and even the kitchens have yet to fire up their ovens; another night gone with little sleep to show for it.
The bed creaks noisily as I stand reluctantly, resigned to my fate. Before I have even properly yawned or stretched, I reach down to my bed to complete the first duty of the morning. I neatly fold the corners of my sheets and decorate the tops with my wrinkle-free blanket. Perfection. I shake the sleep from my limbs and try to ignore the feeling of age in my bones.
Sighing, I make my way to the mirror hanging above the small writing desk. I straighten my hair to its usual parting, grunting at the bags under my eyes. The room is adorned by only this desk and the bed, with one small nightstand beside it. I feel a bit claustrophobic, and it always smells musty despite my thorough cleanings. I impatiently await the day we return to our previous headquarters, where the rooms are larger and some even have a private washroom attached. This thought brings me back to focus.
Being late isn't exactly a problem when you never sleep in… I think with great annoyance. Despite that, I decide to start anyway. It was going to be a long day.
The best thing about awakening before anyone else was the solitary use of the showers. Never would I need to deal with the pains of group bathing, constantly avoiding touching anything or anyone for fear of their filth. I had my own corner that I personally cleaned and inspected every morning before stepping under the water. I found the solitude relaxing as the hardly-warm water ran over me. I allowed myself a pleased sigh, and a small smirk, while no one was around to witness it. The soap provided to us is weak, with almost no scent. I always lather twice, once never feeling clean enough for even a normal person's tastes. While the water runs over my newly awakened muscles, I stretch just enough to feel the ache and get my blood running. The water begins to run cold.
I towel off thoroughly; the thought of walking around in a damp uniform bringing back my scowl. The many straps and buckles that once took so long to adorn are now like a second skin.
It takes me only a few minutes before I am staring at a perfectly uniformed soldier in the misty, shabby mirror. I straighten my cravat and exit the showers just as the loud footsteps of dirty subordinates reach the hall.
"Heichou! Beat us again, did you!?" a wiry boy no more than 17 with a shaved head calls after me. His friends laugh as they all stomp into the showers. The hall is wide and echoes the ruckus easily, but the boys don't seem to give it any thought.
I ignore them pointedly and head to the mess hall at the other end of the first floor.
I manage a few minutes of silence during breakfast before the slow trickle of people turns into a flood of conversations and clacking silverware. A few brave souls sit at my table and attempt conversation. Some inquire how I slept, or how I liked this morning's 'slop'. Giving my usual nonchalance an edgy undertone helps to contain the group at my table to a bearable rumble, and I make it through the notions without too much effort.
Why must I listen to this drabble? Does no one else take the day of an expedition seriously!? Damn brats.
Swiftly ignoring conversation and successfully finishing my tea, I clean my tray and hands respectively. I steel my resolve and adorn my best scowl as I walk back down the hall and up the stairs to meet with my Commander. His room is on the third floor of the building, that being the topmost and final floor. The other rooms on this floor were occupied by nothing more than dusty furniture and other household goods not currently needed by The Regiment. Erwin had requested a room on the top floor, but swiftly denied any others the use of the rest. He seemed to enjoy his privacy lately, and I didn't question him. Those of us bearing higher ranks received rooms on the second floor, which were smaller than the third floor but allowed us the privacy that a first floor bunker would not. I don't particularly mind sharing space with others, as long as they are clean; however the chance to avoid conversation would be slim in such a situation. A small part of me is reminded not to take my small and shabby room for granted too often.
The sounds of my footsteps bounce from the walls and I come to a stop just outside the only dusted door. I give pause, and then rap dully on the wood.
As it swings open, the tall frame of my commander fills the void. His blonde hair and blue eyes shine from within the darkened room. "Levi! Have a seat." He says sternly, but maintains a cheery face, acting as if he couldn't hear me approaching in the quiet hall.
I promptly avoid the seat he is gesturing at and instead prop myself against the wall, allowing a fine view of the table in the center of the room. Erwin just smirks and ignores my intolerance.
"Where is everyone?" I ask, not really interested in their whereabouts but wanting to get this lousy briefing over with.
He doesn't look away from the papers on the table; meticulously tracing pathways over the map. "Hange is on cleaning duty for that stint the other evening. I'm not sure where Ness is, most likely in the stables. I didn't bother to call any others. Not important. Today's formation will revolve around two groups." He gestures to the map and his latest sketch of formations. I allow myself to step closer and inspect it.
There are two larger groups consisting of 5 sub groups, each spread in a pointed ark much like birds in flight. I smirk inwardly at his artistic depiction.
Erwin continues, "You will command the right flank; I will left, along with Hange. We will proceed in two groups for easy maneuvering. Smoke flares will be used to maintain proper course. Our mission today is merely reconnaissance and survival. We will observe the Titans in an environment undisturbed by humans. When we are spotted we are to use evasive tactics only. If a situation arises in which the enemy must be engaged, do so with care. I want you with your squad at all times if you can help it, but in the case that you must separate, designate a new leader. In your case, I would recommend Ness. Let's make this a success. Understood?"
I was surprised with this tactic. He seemed more cautious than usual. I can only grunt my agreement as we part ways.
As the bell tolls loudly throughout Shiganshina, I feel my horse walking idly beneath me. I hate the smell of horses, and no matter how often I tend to mine, she always smells of the stable she dwells from. Despite that, I enjoy the animals otherwise. In the few moments I get of peace, I catch myself feeding her sugar cubes and allowing her to lick the grains off of my fingers.
Hange's voice snaps me out of my reverie. "What kind of Titans do you think we can study today!? What sort of faces would they make if I greet them…. THE EXCITEMENT IS TOO MUCH!" Hange's face is contorted in a perverse pleasure, and I think I spot some blood from under their scrunched nose. Suddenly, Hange throws two slender arms with large hands into the air, and almost falls backwards off of the horse; long hair flying in front of thick glasses. "WOAHAHAHAHA!"
"I am surprised your obnoxious voice doesn't chase them all away as soon as we leave the gate." I mutter under my breath. Unfortunately, I am heard regardless and receive a teasing smile from Hange beside me.
Erwin's voice is heard over the crowd.
"LISTEN UP! Today, we will succeed! Let us reach out to Humanity's first victory! FORWARD!"
The troops charge through the gate as soon as it has opened enough to fit us. The sound of hooves and nervous chatter fill my ears as we split into respective groups according to formation. I give a silent nod to Erwin in thanks for taking Hange into his group, and lead my own squad towards the right, Ness sticking close to my right. Recalling the map from the morning, we are to head South-West in an arc towards a known group of tall buildings amidst a scattered forest, and then we are to circle around and head back. The ruins of over 100 years ago still stand, and serve as adequate leverage for 3D maneuvering. The landmark ruin town is still many miles away, but it doesn't take long to get into the rhythm of our formation. We stay parallel with Erwin's group, maintaining a distance of one klick.
Things are progressing smoothly; we travel for about 10 minutes while successfully avoiding many Titans. I take note of a few Titans we pass, idling away peacefully. They peek around rocks and trees, and even into buildings long empty, looking for humans to devour. Worthless creatures. The distance between the two flanks grows greater as we split to move around what was once a small village. At that moment, a soldier on the very right of me, some 10 yards away, fires a red flare. This means a Titan is closing in. Fast.
I send the soldier nearest me towards the flare, instructing him to assist with the defeat of the Titan. I refuse to lose a single soldier while trying to 'avoid' a Titan headed straight to our center. I can see the Titan in my peripherals, but command the remaining troops onwards. Hopefully, the small group and the messenger I sent can handle it.
I hear another thunderous clack, and see that a red flare has again been fired, this time from Erwin's flank, miles to the left. The moment of distraction causes me to drift in that direction for a time, until my group has almost combined with the group immediate left of us. When they spot me, they shoot a wary glance towards us.
"Ignore all flares but those on our side. We cannot split up any further than we are. Concentrate only on the Titans and observe. If they engage, do your best to avoid. Fire flares only in the event that a fight is unavoidable." I have to raise my voice higher than I like, but they nod in agreement and yell a solid, "Understood!"
As I drift back into position, I take note that the group from the right has yet to return from their confrontation. Minutes have passed. Shit.
I instruct the others to continue onward without me, that I will rejoin them once I have confirmed the situation. Slowing my horse, I arch out of formation and head backwards a ways. I find the remains of the Titan, defeated, along with 3 soldiers and a horse; all stuck bloodily to the ground as if crushed. I curse inwardly, and pray the fourth soldier, my messenger from before, made it away safely and not into the bowels of the beast. The steam is suffocating and I turn my head in an attempt to find cleaner air.
Something catches my eye in the distance towards the West. It looks to be one of the horses, but it is unusually far out. I ignore the instinct to leave it and return to my garrison; instead, choosing to pursue it. Something doesn't feel right to me. As I gain speed, thankful for once that my small stature allows me to move faster, I notice something that almost causes me to stop cold in my tracks. Almost.
There is someone RIDING that horse….. Is it the messenger? I strain my eyes as best I can and desperately try to catch up. When I catch a better glimpse, I begin to call out and then stop myself midway. That can't be! They appear to be wearing a cloak, but it bears no insignia…. This cannot be the missing messenger.
Immediately, I am struck with a nervous agitation that I have not felt in years.. Who is this person? Are they friend, or foe?
All I can hear are my own confused thoughts and the thump of my horse's hooves in the dirt. The wind whips at my face, and I can already feel the dust sticking to the sweat of my brow. I duck lower on my horse and urge her to go faster, already approaching her limit.
As I close in behind the horse, it occurs to me that the rider must not notice me. I still have a distance to cover, but my eyesight does not fail me now. The cloak does in fact bear an insignia, but it is so worn and faded on the brown cloth that there would be no way to know what it is. The cloak is much longer than our standard military issue ones, and the color is definitely off. I am riding towards the sun, which now falls to the West as the afternoon moves on. I brace my eyes from the brightness, and spot the horse better. It is dappled, displaying brown and white spots on the rear. Dappled horses are a rare sight for the military, as most of the colored horses have been bred out in the past 100 years. Almost all horses are now solid brown or black. Even Erwin had to fight hard and scheme a great deal to acquire his trademark white horse. Fucking knight in shining armor, isn't he?
The rider and horse are quickly approaching a coming group of trees, and I begin to worry that I will lose them. I won't risk losing track of my own garrison, now a few miles behind me. Against my better instincts, I call out.
"OI! STOP NOW BEFORE I HAVE TO KILL YOU."
A moment passes where it seems the rider hasn't heard me or is ignoring me. I keep my pace and inhale a new breath; ready to scream again. I see the distant head turn, blatant shock written all over their face. It IS a man, but indeed not the messenger. He pulls his horse to a quick stop, and turns it so that he can look my way. Much to my embarrassment, I wasn't thinking he would actually fucking stop what the hell OH SHI-
I collide right into him, our horses crying out and tumbling. I feel the ground come up to meet me with a painful shock to my ribcage; I am vaguely aware of the other man's body next to me. The loud collision of our bodies in the dirt is accompanied by a great billow of dust and debris. There's a great thunderbolt of pain in my side as I sit up, coughing and waving away the sand. I don't have time to worry about being filthy, and I've never minded an injury. My head turns from side to side, searching for the man; before I know what is happening, I feel a pair of arms wrap tightly around my throat and squeeze.
The breath in my throat is immediately caught, and I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks in an instant.
I am trapped.
And not breathing.
AUTHOR NOTES
I hope everyone enjoyed my first chapter! This is my first ever fanfic, and I hope you will support me! Ja~