Levi loosely grasped Kaylee's hand as together they walked down the street in Stohess, only partially aware of the toddler's constant chatter. He tried to convince himself he should be used to this, since he'd had to part from his daughter before and besides, he was a soldier after all. But in his heart he knew it was different.
Back then he had left her fully confident he would return, for even if Erwin's gamble had failed Levi had other plans of escape. He could easily change his identity and hide with his daughter deep within Wall Rose until the Survey Corps was reassembled, and the monarchy would be none the wiser.
But Titans were a whole different matter, and it wasn't just some simple defense of a district either.
Countless soldiers had fallen attempting to reclaim Wall Maria; Levi knew there was a good chance once he left, he would never see Kaylee again.
For even Humanity's Strongest could fall.
Too soon to Levi's taste, they arrived at the house and entered inside. It was larger than the one in Trost, neatly arranged with a row of new toys waiting for Kaylee on the sofa. The toddler squealed in delight and ran over to them.
"I've made the legal arrangements," the captain said to Mr. Ral in a low voice as he handed him a file containing several documents. "If…I don't come back, you will be her guardian. And here…I had this made almost a year ago," he added as he retrieved from his coat a framed portrait, sprayed to keep the paint from fading. Several months before Petra died, they had gone out into town together and Levi hired an artist to paint her portrait. The likeness was perfect.
"Kaylee, I have something for you too." The toddler glanced up from her new toys and walked over to him curiously as he knelt to her level.
"I want you to have this," he said softly as he slipped the large silver ring from his finger, gazing over it one last time. The metal was twisted into a detailed pattern, possibly a clan emblem of long ago. Slowly Levi reached for Kaylee's hand and placed the ring on her palm, closing her fingers around it. Their eyes met as he continued, "No matter what happens, Kaylee, never forget who you are. Never lose hope. And when the time comes and your power is unleashed, use it for the benefit of humanity."
Kaylee gripped the ring in her hand and nodded, as if she understood despite her young age. Levi smiled and hugged her tightly, wishing more than anything he didn't have to leave her. But there was no choice.
Because every day of his life since he joined the Survey Corps, he placed the protection of humanity before his personal desires.
Because he was a soldier.
The feast went reasonably well, apart from the fact that Sasha went food crazy and had to be tied up for the rest of the celebrations, and Eren and Jean got into a fight which Levi had to break up. Once the mess hall was cleaned up, everyone went their separate ways to rest and prepare for the Expedition the next day.
As Levi left the hall, he spotted Mikasa and Armin speaking with Eren near the barracks. Somehow the three reminded him of his old team, back in the Underground. Mikasa, like himself, was headstrong and a powerful fighter, and the self-proclaimed leader of the team. Armin, like Farlan, was cool-headed and analytical, and his strength was in his brain. And Eren, like Isabel, was impulsive and got into trouble easily, but cared more than anyone else about his friends.
As the three sat down on the stone steps of the barracks, Levi leaned against the wall behind them and listened as they spoke of their dreams, fears and hopes.
"After we've taken back Wall Maria…" Mikasa was saying wistfully, "Can we really go back to the old days?"
Levi listened closer. "We can," Eren replied, his voice calm but firm. "But there's no way to go back entirely. Which is why we have to make them pay." There was silence for a few minutes.
"But that's not all," Armin added, a hopeful eagerness ringing through the boy's voice. "There's the ocean too – a great sea of salt merchants wouldn't be able to exhaust even if they spent their whole lives trying. There's more beyond the Walls than Titans. Flaming water. Frozen lands. Fields of sand. I joined the Survey Corps because I wanted to see them, and I will."
"Ah…so that's why." Eren chuckled a little, and Levi heard Armin stand up.
"That's it! Let's go see the ocean!" the blond cried excitedly. "It's water until the end of the horizon! And even fish that can only live in the ocean! You still don't think it's real, do you, Eren? It has to exist! We'll all go see it together!"
"Alright, there's no stopping you. We'll see it – I promise."
"Imagine it – fields of grass, trees taller than these buildings. Some trees even have flowers in them come spring time." Farlan gazed longingly at the patch of starlight shining down on the Underground. "And the moon must be beautiful this time of the month."
Isabel sighed as she kicked her legs up in the air. "Is that true, Levi?" she asked.
Like he often did when in a thoughtful mood, Levi flipped his knife over his hand and ran his thumb along its edge. "I suppose. But there's no point in wishing for something we can't have. You were born in the Underground, Isabel, and you'll die in the Underground – plain and simple."
"Don't be such a grump, aniki. Someday we'll get up there…and then we'll look at the moon every night and fill our house with flowers." She flashed her usual peppy grin and clasped his hand. "Just you wait. We'll all go see them together."
Levi ran his hand through his bangs wearily and was about to head to his quarters when Eren called his name.
"I'll see you guys later," the teenager called to Mikasa and Armin as they entered the barracks. "Are the preparations made for the Expedition tomorrow, Heicho?"
The captain nodded. "We leave at sundown tomorrow; if things go as planned we will reach Shiganshina before dawn." He glanced at Eren questioningly. "Is something troubling you?"
Eren kicked the grass at his feet aimlessly as he walked towards the training grounds, Levi keeping pace. "I just hope I'll be able to harden myself when we get there," he finally replied. "I don't want to let everyone down."
The captain knew if he was in Eren's place, he'd be anxious as well. Being humanity's final hope and having everyone relying on him to succeed… it was a tremendous pressure and responsibility; one that, had fate been kinder to them, would have never been placed on this 15-year-old boy.
"The tests we've run over the past two months proved you're more than capable of hardening yourself effectively. I'm sure you'll be able to do it."
"You say it like it's so simple, but what if it doesn't work? What if we're attacked by Reiner and Bertholdt before I can shift? What if everyone ends up dying because of me again?" The teenager sighed, discouragement evident on his young features. "I…I don't think I'm worth their sacrifice, Heicho."
Levi gripped Eren's shoulders firmly. "Don't say that, Eren. If you keep carrying this guilt, it will weigh you down and destroy you. Do you think my squad regretted sacrificing their lives to protect you?" Just mentioning his last squad sent a pang through his heart, but he ignored it. "They died knowing that their deaths weren't in vain, that thanks to them you would be safe; and so did every other soldier that died for your sake. You're the only chance humanity has left of reclaiming what's ours. When it comes down to it, even the Commander or I would gladly give up our lives for yours."
"Even you, sir? But you have a daughter to think about." The teenager's green eyes met Levi's anxiously. "Would you really choose me over your own flesh and blood?"
The captain hesitated as he gazed towards Stohess District, miles away from where they stood. No, he couldn't afford to think of Kaylee right now, it would cloud his judgment. "I don't know," he admitted after several moments. "I want to be able to return to her when this is all over. But…" at this his eyes lifted to meet Eren's once more, "If giving up my life meant that you would live, bring humanity to victory and find the peace I could never hope to have, I would."
"Heicho…"
On impulse Levi hugged the teenager, cutting off his protest. It didn't quite have the effect he wanted since Eren was taller than him, but after a moment of startled surprise the boy relaxed and leaned into the embrace. "Don't worry about me, alright?" The captain said reassuringly. "Just focus on what you have to do. Who knows, if we're lucky we'll all come back in one piece." He released his hold on Eren and added, "Maybe I'll even come with you to see that ocean Armin's so obsessed with."
"I'd like that." The boy smiled faintly as the two watched the moon peek out through the clouds.
By sundown the next day the Survey Corps was ready to go. The alliance with the Military Police had been made, and the time had come to leave Wall Rose for the first Expedition in several months. There was a sense of excitement in the air, but at the same time trepidation as the soldiers prepared to set off.
Crowds of people in Trost had gathered around the edge of the Wall, cheering on the Survey Corps as if they were heroes. This was something even Levi had never seen; for as long as he could remember the civilians had always held disdain and scorn for the Scouts' apparently worthless efforts.
"Take back Wall Maria for all of us! Humanity's future is in your hands!" The cry spread through the crowd as more people took it up. "Captain Levi! Thank you for saving this city! Please return safely! Be sure to take back the land!"
"Leave it to us!" his squad yelled down at the civilians, bursting into cheers. Levi smiled and glanced up at Erwin, both men feeling a rush of exultation.
"How long has it been since the Survey Corps had such support?" Levi asked. "Has it ever?"
The commander shook his head. "As far as I know, this is the first time." Raising his voice, he turned to face the troops. "The operation to retake Wall Maria begins! All troops – ADVANCE!"
A roar went up from the soldiers as they spurred their horses forward. Quickly Levi mounted along with his squad and prepared to advance. "This is the moment we've been waiting for for months!" he called to his squad. "This is what you've trained for! Show our foes the power of the human race!" His stallion reared on its hind legs and the captain spurred it forward, his squad following close behind as they left the Wall.
This was the moment for war.