As someone who's very capable, this was probably the hardest thing he had ever experienced. Life in the Underground now seemed like a child's play because this war was an absolute hell. He looked over his hands, they were his blood all over. His cursed Ackerman blood. What a blessing in disguise that is at times like this.

He looked over at Mikasa and Armin and he felt it - that indescribable feeling of losing their good friends, their loved ones. The sorrows on their faces were somewhat similar to what he had endured in the past. Inner pain that no treatment can help cure. Usually he would prefer to sit alone at a quiet corner, reminiscing and remembering each one of them in his own way, undiscovered. His feelings, he hid it well.

But today..

Losing Jean and Connie hit him hard. There were not many people he could trust his life with but he found that with his 104th squad. Including Eren. He trusted Eren up till the very end where he understood finally. The decision to stop Eren was his and it was time to let him go, like Eren would have wanted. How many times have he tried to avoid Eren's death? Countless. Countless losses too, all for Eren's sake.

Eren.. might want us to stop him, no? Reiner's words lingered in his mind far too long.

His mind went back to the poor Eldian souls whose lives got robbed. Seeing them hovering on the ground of the earth, as mindless titans - they were as good as dead. No control to fight for their life, no control not to harm others. Like a big fucking joke being thrown on to him. No, to them.

Armin wanted them contained, still clinging on some kind of fucking hopes or miracles - that's the Armin way and Levi respected his Commander's decision. If Hange was alive, she would do the same.

Thanks for looking after us, Hange. It wasn't easy, losing his closest friend but what's new about that?

Armin commanded Pieck, Reiner and Annie not to harm any of the titans so long as they stayed put. Everyone would take turns to watch from the top of the fort. At this point, nobody had the will to kill anyway. They truly understood what Connie had been feeling now.

Levi's brow furrowed, memories came hunting back, he tried to remember what was the last thing he said to them.

Fuck. It was nothing.

With his old squads - he had no choice. They were dead before he could even reach them. Jean and Connie were still fucking breathing when he left. If he could come out with an excuse, time would be it. But that would be a great fucking excuse, isnt it? Can't even spare a fucking second for your people, eh Levi? Always the heartless piece of shit, aren't you? He heard people say that before about him, not that he cared much back then. Perhaps, they've been right all along.

His thoughts drifted towards his fellow fallen comrades. Erwin, Hange, Miche, Eld, Petra, everyone - those that devoted their heart for a cause. They died believing in a life without the walls.

His thoughts were interrupted. It gave him a space to breathe in a way.

"Captain, I-, well .. thank you. I could not have done it without you." it was Mikasa. She was looking rather lifeless, perhaps holding it all in just like he did. She sacrificed the one true person she loved the most and she thanked him for what? He had

"I almost got us killed." another voice came from his back, it was Pieck. "I'm sorry." she looked devastated.

Levi sighed. In yesteryear, his old self would ask them to look ahead, potentially even gave some stupid survival speeh by now but not today. These people understood that already. Furthermore, he was not feeling all heroic. Not contributing as much as he should as an Ackerman.

"No.." he responded, at last. "Could have not done it without any of you as well. We each had a role and we played it through it all and it cost us.. these. And many more lives that we could not save." he looked over at all the titans below.

"Thanks for lending me your strengths. Jean.. Connie." he said quietly. "I just wished I could have said.. something when we left.." he tried to continue but he was at a loss of words.

A teary-eyed Armin came closer to the Captain, putting a hand on his shoulder. Mikasa joined in moments later, in despair mannerism, clinging onto Armin as she let it all out.

The rest of the Marleyan Warriors gathered around as well. Sounds of sobs and tears heard in between comforting words of encouragement. It was an unusual group embrace, one would say. But they needed it. They needed to feel like human beings again. Not as Ackermans, not as Titan Shifters. Just being..human. They fought for it, didn't they?

"Can I join?" it was Falco, who had just landed after doing rounds and came out of his titan form. A kid who had just lost everyone dear to him, yet came out so mentally strong.

All heads turned towards the boy. He was one of the miracles. A flying Titan that no one had expected. Pieck made an opening for him to squeeze in with a smile on her face.

"Be quick, Brat. Getting real stuffy here." spoken in his usual Levi's stern tone but his face showed none of that ruthlessness.

"Captain, that's not very nice. You do still need him, don't you?" Armin chided in and he felt an immediate knot in the stomach.

How could he ever forget. During the battle, he was focused. It was a do or die mission and it was for the survival of humanity. Not just for the Eldians, but for all the innocent people in the world. But now he needed to get back to Paradis. To her.

As Falco got nearer, Levi had both his hands on his shoulders. He knew he looked desperate, but pride aside, he needed him.

"Falco. I know I am not in any position to ask.. But I need you to take me back to the Island. Please?" his voice cracked.

Falco nodded in understanding.

"Anytime, Captain Levi."