WARNING – IF YOU HAVE NOT READ SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN NO REGRETS THEN BE WARNED THERE IS SPOILORS IN THIS CHAPTER AND FOR THE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Disclaimer – I don't own Shingeki no Kyojin.
Curiosity
Chapter 7
It was liberating. The moment they left the Walls all his anxieties were snatched away along with his breath. There was no end to the horizon. It just kept going with only rolling hills and mountains to disrupt it. He wanted to see what was on the other side of those mountains. He wanted to keep riding until he found the end of the horizon. He never wanted to return to that cage they all called home.
Then he saw a titan.
Lumbering, grinning and grotesquely disproportionate. It was about ten meters tall and was far enough off that it hadn't noticed them yet. And this scouting formation made sure that it didn't. It wasn't until a abnormal came running straight into the formation that they had to fight. Two Scouts went to go and dispose of it but they were hit by its flailing arms. Levi couldn't believe that they had trouble with it. The first rule of killing anything is to take away its movement. The ex-thugs took it down with ease. He distracted it while Isabel and Farlan took out its legs. After that it was easily taken out. Besides that incident everything went smoothly. They made it to the first outpost with few deaths. Amazing, considering the Scouts' track record for deaths on these expeditions.
The outpost was nothing more than an old crumbling castle that has been stocked with supplies from past expeditions. It was filthy as shit but at the moment he was too tired to care. They have rode all day. Out here, they didn't have the luxury of stopping for a break. They couldn't even stop to have lunch, which Isabel ended up choking on what she managed to get into her mouth, partly funny but mostly disgusting. But the fact is, if they stopped they were dead. Simple as that. So everyone was exhausted when night fell and they finally reached the outpost.
They were all tired and all they wanted to do was rest but now was the best chance they had to get the documents from Erwin. Farlan was going to check his bags while Erwin and Hanji were having their talk while Isabel kept the other Scouts busy and Levi was to stall him if he came back before he was done. He was walking quietly down the hall when he heard their soft murmurs. Inching closer he was able to hear what they were saying.
"-good so far. I suspect the next few days are going to be harder, though." That was Erwin, analytical as always. "So… did you observe anything new about the titans?"
"Well nothing too new. But, did you notice our little shadow?" Hanji asked enthusiastically
"I was half expecting him to show up. Why do you think he never attacks us?" what the hell are they talking about?
"I have my theories but there is no telling for sure. For all we know all titans have different levels of understanding the world and the happenings around them. And our little friend just has a higher than average awareness and doesn't feel the need to eat humans. Or he is a new breed of titan. I won't be able to tell unless we capture him. Even then, when it comes to the mind of a titan we can never tell because they can't communicate with us." She sounded disappointed at this last part. He was coming to the conclusion that she is actually insane. An intelligent titan? The very thought made him want to laugh.
"I wonder… "
"What!? What do you think?!" Levi had to cover his ears at that one. The whole outpost had to of heard her exclamation.
"Nothing. I think we should call it a night." And with that Levi backed off enough to not draw suspicion to his being there. Stalling for time was going to be a bitch.
~C~
He was right. Stalling was a bitch. For the most part he just stood there to the entrance to the hall leaning against the wall, not saying a word. Erwin was the one who did all the talking. But even still the man pisses him off to no end. And it turns out that the documents weren't even in his bags. He must be carrying them on his person. Great… this is going to be enjoyable.
Just then, he saw Hanji approaching them from the corner of his eye. This evening was turning out to be just perfect.
"So, how are you three doing? Enjoying the expedition?" she asked
"I'm so~ tired!" Isabel said wearily as she flew out her arms and flopped onto her back. She forgot that she was sitting on the stone floor and hit her head hard enough to make a thud. Her hands flew to her head, her face scrunched up as she groaned in pain. Levi rolled his eyes at her actions. She was such a kid.
Farlan gave a little laugh before answering Hanji with a pleasant smile spread across his lips, "I have to admit that being outside the walls is scary but awing as well. It is beautiful but the titans kinda ruin it. Though I thought they would be attacking us at every turn."
"You know… things use to be much harder." She frowned at the ground for a second, the light from the torches shining off her glasses obscuring her eyes. "We were lucky today. It's all thanks to Erwin's formation. He's been working on it for years and it has just been approved by the higher ups." She looked proud and happy for Erwin's accomplishments. Erwin was cunning to have come up with it. Levi had to give him that no matter how much he may dislike the man.
They talked a little more before Hanji bid them goodnight and left them be. Isabel chatted a bit longer, saying something about wanting to bring something back to Mikasa, before she finally passed out. Sighing, Levi closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
~C~
This was new. He has never seen the humans act like this. Normally they stayed in small groups fairly close together, only separating when his kind tried to attack them. The first part was still the same but the groups where spread out over a distance. And instead of attacking the ones that got close they would change their direction and move away from them. This made it a little hard for him to follow them but as long as he kept his distance and stayed out of sight he could keep up just fine.
He followed them until they stopped at an old ruined building well after the moon and stars lit up the sky. It was larger than the ones that he use to look into back in his old valley and it was made of stone. He was on the verge of collapse and quickly made his way into a nearby forest to sleep. Luckily the sound of the human's and their horses woke him and he didn't have to search for them. They repeated their actions from yesterday and he once again couldn't get too close.
It was nearing midday when he caught the heavy smell of rain in the wind. Glancing around, he spotted dark clouds off in the horizon.
It looked like there was a storm coming.
And the humans were heading straight for it.
~C~
This had to have been the worst thing that could have happened.
They ran straight into a storm.
And no matter what happens they have to keep going. If they were moving they might be able to avoid the titans. But the rain was getting into their eyes and the fog made it impossible to see more than 10 feet in front of them. Their whole strategy for this expedition was gone. They're all sitting ducks out here.
The only plus to this is that it gives them the perfect chance to get those documents and for Levi to kill Erwin. He has to kill him. He was a threat to him and his friends.
Farlan and Isabel wanted to come with him but Levi didn't want to put them in danger by leaving the group. He can handle himself and he prefers that they stay with people who have more experience out here beyond the walls.
He was heading towards the group Erwin was in when he heard a loud guttural groan. He kept a warier eye on where the sound came from as he continued on. Just then several large masses lying on the ground came into his field of vision. Slowing his horse to a stop he took a better look at them.
They were horses.
Dead horses.
Surrounded by the remains of their riders and giant footprints heading in the direction he came from.
Shit!
He pulled on the reins harshly and raced back to his group, praying that he makes it in time.
~C~
His kind had attacked. He knew that they would not let any opportunity to satisfy their hunger go. The fog made everything hazy and he could only see the humans as shadows in the distance. When he moved closer he could tell that they were having trouble seeing for they didn't send up the colored smoke to warn the others of his presents. They were also moving a bit slower than before, making it much easier for him to keep up.
He saw them before the humans did. By the time they knew they were there, his kind had already grabbed one and forced them into its mouth. The rest met the same fate, unable to move properly let alone see.
It just doesn't sit right with him. It was one thing when they could fight back and had a chance to live but they couldn't see anything in all this rain and fog. He must do something. Even if it was to just stall them long enough for the humans to get away. He had to help them!
His decision made and determination burning in his eyes, he ran off after the other titans.
When he caught up with them they were already devouring another group. The humans were trying their best to fight back in this weather but they were doing poorly. A few of them had already been eaten. One of the titans, he thinks the humans called the 10 meters, was trying to grab ahold of a girl that crashed into the back of the other. She was dazed from the hit and was dangling limply on the end of the cords that were imbedded into the titan's back. He ran to it and lunged forward, just barely able to grab onto its legs and caused it to trip.
The sound of squelching flesh was masked by the high pitched scream followed by the splat of something hitting the mud. Glancing up, he saw the titan under him reaching for the girl lying on the ground. He quickly grabbed onto the titans sides and pulled it back. He will not let it get to the human.
~C~
Levi arrived in time to see a titan snatched Farlan out of the air. He struggled and slashed at the titan's hand trying to get free but to no avail. Levi jumped off of his horse and hooked into the titan's shoulder. He raced as fast as he could to help him but just when he cut off the massive hand holding his friend it was too late. The titan had already bit down, cutting him in half at the waist.
Screaming in rage and sorrow, Levi spun around to the back of the titan's neck, his 3DM straps creaking and threatening to break at the speed he was going, and cut a slab out of its nape. He put so much force behind his blow it broke one of his blades, embedding it into its neck. He landed on top of the titan's back as it fell to the ground. He glowered at the mass of steaming flesh below him with disgust and hatred.
Just then he heard a whimper of pain off to his left accompanied with the sound of large bodies moving. Jumping off of the titan, he rushed over to where he saw a lump in the mud. When he came close enough he saw it was Isabel and ran to her side. He dropped to the wet ground beside her and cupped her face in his hands.
"Big brother…" it was soft and filled with pain but it cleared some of the terror from his heart. He looked her over for any injury. She was covered in mud and a little out of it. For a second he thought he had nothing to worry about but when his eyes traveled down her body his heart almost stopped. Her right leg had been severed from the knee down and was bleeding profusely.
Quickly, he reached down and tightened the harness straps circling her right thigh. It will help but he knew that if he doesn't stop the bleeding soon she would die. He looked around for anything that he might be able to use and his eyes caught the glimmer of metal from atop of the evaporating corpse. Maybe, just maybe…
Refusing to lose another friend – no, family member, he rushed back over to the corpse and climbed up its steaming back. He grabbed onto the broken blade, cutting and burning his hand in the process, and pulled with all his strength. It came free suddenly and he toppled into the muddy ground below.
Just then a giant heel slammed down on to the mid-back of the corpse sending boiling blood into the air. He only took a moment to register that he was staring at the backside of a 15 meter titan before it launched itself towards another titan.
Not bothering to riddle this scene out, he scrambled to his feet and raced back over to Isabel. She was staring off to her left, her hand reaching for something that he didn't bother to see. The blood on the blade had already evaporated, leaving the metal hotter than before. Grabbing her leg, he gave a quick warning before he pressed the flat of the blade to her bleeding stump. She screamed out in pain and tried to jerk away but he kept a firm hold on her.
Once the blood had stopped flowing and the blade was cool, he threw it to the side and forced Isabel to look him in the eye.
"Big... brother…"
"Isabel, listen to me. You have to stay awake. Okay." He told her in a gentle voice.
She looked back to her left and said in a hazy voice, "Do you think… Mikasa would… like them?"
Levi followed her eyes to a patch of purple flowers. They were of the riches purples he has ever seen, with five large peddles that was lighter at the tips and darkened towards the center. He has not seen anything remotely similar to them in the walls. Not caring at the moment what they were, he reached over, picked a few and placed them gently in her hand.
"Yes, but you have to hold onto them. So don't go falling asleep." And with that he let out a loud whistle for his horse. Lifting her up into his arms once his horse came; he placed her gently onto its back before mounting it himself. Giving a sharp kick to its sides, they darted off towards the center of the formation where she could be treated properly.
As they passed the two titans, the 10 meter tried to go after them but the 15 meter leapt onto its back and pinned it to the ground. Levi glanced back at the 15 meter titan to see teal eyes that seemed to flicker with relief.
Deeming this interaction to be unimportant at the time, he shook his head and turned back to the task at hand, getting Isabel help.
~C~
He waited a few moments before sighing in relief, his breath mingling with the fog. He was glad that he was able to help at least one of them escape. He let his body relax too much though and the 10 meter beneath him wiggled out of his hold. As soon as it was free it took off after the humans that just left. They haven't gotten too far for he could still see their shadowed figures through the fog.
He lashed his arm out hitting the back of its knee causing it to trip. He got to his feet before it did and quickly got in its path to the humans. He won't let it get them.
The titan stumbled to its feet and mashed its teeth at him. It was angry and wouldn't stop yelling about its hunger. It let out a roar of rage and charged him.
But before it could collide with him it froze. His ear twitched when a low throaty groan met his ears. They both look towards the direction it came from. They were still for a moment before the 10 meter moved. He hunched low expecting it to continue its charge but was surprised when it lumbered off in the direction of the sound not once glancing back to him.
He watched it leave, not knowing what just happened. He stood there a while longer before turning and heading in the direction of the humans, wanting to make sure that they were alright.
~C~
After the storm, it was decided that they would head back. They lost too much supplies and there were too many of them either dead or injured. Though by some stroke of luck the dead where few but it was the only star they could count. It took them about two days to return to the wall and in that time they saw hardly any titans. They took this as a blessing and didn't question it.
Isabel was able to stay awake on the ride to the supply wagons. She fell asleep shortly after they got there though. Levi had been worried the whole journey back. Every time she closed her eyes he was scared that she wouldn't wake up, even though the medics ensured him that she would be fine he just couldn't help it. It didn't help when she found out what happened to Farlan either. She cried, screamed and risked harming herself even more when she tried to get up to find him. She just couldn't believe he was dead. Levi felt so useless. All he could do was stay with her and put on a strong face even though it was killing him inside.
They were in the medical wing at the Scouts headquarters. The last time she woke up she panicked when she didn't see the flowers that she held onto the whole way back. She calmed though when he pointed them out in a glass of water on the bedside table. After she learned of where they were she demanded to see Mikasa so she could give them to her. He refused to leave her side for even a second and asked one of the other Scouts to retrieve Mikasa for him. Now he sits in a chair next to her bed looking down at his hands folded in his lap.
"Big brother…" at the sound of Isabel's voice Levi snapped his head up so fast it made her jump slightly.
"Yes?" he replied softly.
"…Will you…?"
"What?"
She glanced to the side before continuing. "When we were out there, I decided that even if we got the documents I would stay in the Scouts. After hearing the passion and hope they have for what they do I wanted to help. But…" she clutched the sheet that was covering her as she fought back the tears that came to her eyes. "I can't!" she hiccupped a few times before she continued. "…Will you… fight for me?"
"…I was planning on doing that anyways. Those monsters took Farlan away from us. I can't let them get away with that." His tone was resolute. Nothing will change his mind.
~C~
Damn it!
Because of the storm they had to come back early and they didn't make any progress. It doesn't matter that they lost far fewer soldiers; the nobles are going to have a field day. Blackmail be damned, Lobov is going to try his hardest to terminate the Scouting Legion.
All he has done since they got back was pace in his office, trying to think up a plan. He was doing just this when he heard a knock on his door. Not waiting for confirmation to enter, the door swung open. Levi stood there looking the most unkempt he has ever seen him.
He didn't say a word. He just walked over to his simple wooden desk and placed something on it. He then promptly turned on his heels and walked back out, closing the door behind him.
On his desk sat a brooch with Lobov's family crest on it, smeared with blood.
~C~
A/N: I love this chapter. The last part was really fun to write. I wanted to kill this guy off because if it wasn't for him Farlan and Isabel would be alive in the manga. So I went over several different ways on how to convey that Levi killed him and I think this was the best. And I couldn't do it! I couldn't kill Isabel. So she lives in this story.
So… I'm sorry this is a little late. There were family matters and things going on with my college stuff and it all caused me to have a panic attack and those aren't fun. Everything is okay now but I had to take a day and do nothing but watch One Piece and YouTube videos. So yeah! One Piece is a life saver! It makes me smile! :)
Next chapter Armin is going to show up. Yeah! Oh, and just so everyone knows the next chapter takes place the day they came back to Wall Maria. Anyone want to guess what is going to happen?
Reviews
SrgntDrew: It will be a while but Mikasa will run into the titan. And finally Armin is going to show up! This next chapter was going to be the first chapter but one thing lead to another. But the next chapter is the idea that started it all. Thanks for reviewing!
Fish On stick: Thank you for saying that it is well written. I'm trying to improve on my writing skills and it is always nice to get feedback. If there is anything that you see that needs work, please tell me.
Guest (#1): I always enjoy hearing that. :) It makes writing this story worth it. Thank you!
Hercules8: That scene was to show that there was a time skip. But what do you think of what happened in this chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
Guest (#2): Well here it is! The next chapter might be up in two weeks. I say might because I still haven't thought this one out that far. So I need some time to plan.
BlakeM.D: Thank you so much for saying so! I'm so glad that you like it. And don't worry, the next chapter there is going to be more interactions. Far more interactions. From this point on there is only going to be a few chapters where the titan is not in them (as long as I don't break up the chapters like I did with this one), though he will probably be mentioned in them. Thanks for reviewing.
Oh! And look! Look! Look! I got 6 reviews for the last chapter! :D I was sooooo happy to see that!
Thank everyone how has reviewed, followed and/or favorited. They make me smile!
Until next time.
Key
