Hiding

Levi woke up feeling warm and comfortable. He eventually opened his eyes and found himself looking at the clock on the bedside table. His eyes widened. Holy shit! Fourteen hours?! Mind reading must take more out of me than I thou- wait a sec . . . What's this weight over my side? He then realized his hand was resting on the hand of an arm that was draped over his side . . . Not my arm. He then realized that the warmth was from the furnace that was Eren Jaeger, who was spooned behind him and still sound asleep. Holy mother of Sina! When did he come in here? And why is he in here? There are five other bedrooms he could have chosen! And why am I not pissed at him? Ugh! I'm getting fucking soft!

He patted Eren's hand. "Up and at 'em, Jaeger. Time to stop pretending I'm a body pillow."

Eren groaned and hugged Levi tighter. "But y're so c'mf'table."

Levi's eyes widened. "Comfortable? I'm not entirely sure how I should take that."

"Mmmmm." Eren buried his face in Levi's hair.

"Articulate in the morning, aren't you?" Levi snarked. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again. "Care to tell me what you're doing in my room; in my bed?"

"Heard you yell last night," Eren replied, his voice muffled against Levi's head. "When I came in, looked like you were havin' a nightmare. Didn't wanna wake you, so I did the only thing I could."

Well, I do sleep better with him beside me. Damned if I know why, though. "It's been fourteen hours. We need to get up."

This seemed to at last get Eren's attention. "Whoa, really?" He looked at the clock. "Wow. I was more tired than I thought."

Now free from Eren, Levi got up and stretched. He paused in the bathroom doorway. "Eren?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

Eren was grinning from ear to ear.


Levi had barely poured is first cup of coffee for the morning when Erwin came and told him that they needed to talk in private. At this new facility, Erwin had a private office. He closed the door behind them and indicated for Levi to sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Erwin looked very tired as he sat down behind the desk.

"Not going up to the office today, I see," Levi commented. The new headquarters was directly below the Wellington Industries building where Erwin worked during the day. "You look like shit. You've got two black eyes."

Erwin sighed wearily. "This thing with Titan is far bigger and far worse than any of us originally imagined. What initially started off as a global mafia organization has turned out to be an unholy nightmare for all of humanity. We've gone through all of the papers and data that Grisha left. Titan is indeed looking to create a race of 'gods' out of humans. Stronger, faster, more aggressive and worst of all, completely immortal."

"Still no indication who's pulling the strings, huh." It was a statement rather than a question on Levi's part.

"Unfortunately, no," Erwin confirmed. "It gets worse. There's a price on Eren's head; five million, alive. Every villain out there is going to be gunning for him now. Worse still, since right before headquarters was compromised, nineteen Supers have been killed, including two just a couple of hours ago. The evidence points to them being specifically targeted and murdered by Titan."

Levi swallowed hard. "If Northwind hadn't literally fallen into our laps, he'd be one of them. Who's been lost?"

"They got Whiteout. Stretch ended up in Sina General after trying to help her. Sina General is now compromised. Titan got in and injected Stretch with a highly concentrated neurotoxin. He was reportedly dead within seconds. Aegis has simply disappeared. He may be working with Titan, hiding from Titan, or Titan killed him, and no one's found the body."

"How in the hell did they get Whiteout and injure Stretch? The three of them were a formidable team. I never really trusted her, but Whiteout was a skilled and well-trained fighter. She had impressive control of her powers"

"A security camera showed her suddenly freezing solid, then a masked Titan shattered her with a sledgehammer. Hange's theory is that Titan has someone that can manipulate the powers of others, because it was one of Whiteout's attacks that took down Stretch. They probably turned her own power against her." Erwin shuddered. "Something similar happened with Bombardier. His power to create explosions was turned against him and he literally blew apart from the inside out."

"Shit."

"I know. If Hange's theory is correct, then this is a new Super that no one has ever encountered until now. It's terrifying to think Titan has control of it."

Levi frowned. "Here's another theory. What if it's not a Super power, but a form of mind control? What if someone is controlling the Supers and having them kill themselves and others?"

"Equally terrifying, but from what we've seen on the few video recordings available, the Supers are not being controlled. The looks on their faces are too shocked and terrified to be mind control."

"How much goddamned shittier is this all going to get?" Levi demanded in frustration. "How are we supposed to fight against someone who can turn our own powers against us?"

"I don't know, Levi. I just don't know," Erwin replied honestly.

Levi's eyes widened. He doesn't know? He's always got a plan of some kind! How can he come up dry now? He closed his eyes and took in a deep, calming breath. "There must be a way," he finally said calmly. "Titan wants us to believe it's impossible and give up. We can't play into their plans."

"I know, Levi. I don't intend to. But I don't intend to sacrifice lives needlessly in a futile battle either. I need time to think. But what I really asked you in here for was to tell you that I think it's time you started using your biggest trump card."

Levi raised a dubious eyebrow.

"We've never actually discussed it, but I've seen you use it on many occasions when your backed into a corner and desperate. You do things that seem impossible; things that defy logic and explanation. Your ability to use those rings to ignite nothing more than the air around you; that circle of light symbols you used to protect yourself from Bombastic; the way everyone falls silent when you're trying to reason with them or make an important point; using chants to make yourself unseen, though an enemy looks right at you; even your pressure bomb which remains localized instead of spreading out as physics would dictate; you do things that can only be described as magic. If I'm right about this, then it's possible that this is not a normal Super power, but something much deeper. It may be something this new Super of Titan's can't manipulate against you."

Levi took a few moments before he answered, choosing his words carefully. "You're not wrong. The Prophet told me that it's something linked to my soul, not my body like a Super power is. However, the reason I don't use it very often is . . ."

"Is why?" Erwin prompted.

"It's hard to explain. My soul knows how to use it, but I don't," Levi rolled his eyes. "That made no sense. It's hard to describe. Apparently, my soul is very old and lived a number of lifetimes. My soul remembers how to use 'magic', but my mind and my body in this life do not; I never learned. When backed into a corner, as you put it, I must be unconsciously drawing on my soul's memory in order to protect myself or to win a fight. It's not something I have control over. I'm sorry, but that's the best way I can explain it, and I don't think it's something you should rely on."

"The entire world is in danger because of Titan. As much as I hate to put such a burden on you, the fact is that you, Levi, may be the only person in the world capable of stopping them. There's too much at stake here, and we need to use every resource available." Erwin let that sink in a moment before He continued. "I'd like for you to go to the Prophet. Hopefully she will have some insight into your magic abilities that may help you. I also want you to take Eren with you."

Levi closed is eyes and sighed wearily. He looked down into his mug of now tepid coffee with distaste before drinking it all in one go. "Alright. I'll do it. But why should I carry Eren's sorry ass with me?"

"We need to get Eren off Titan's radar. Get him out of Mitras. Tinninvale is the only completely safe place in the world. It's the only place Titan can't get to. It's the only other source of magic I know of. Take Eren with you and keep him safe. Learn everything you can from the Prophet. I'll work together with the others to form a plan. I'll send for you when we have one."

Levi stood to go. "Alright. I'll go tell Eren and have him pack." He left Erwin's office and crossed over to Hange's increasingly messy work area. "It amazes me how quickly you can make any space look like a tornado hit it," he told them.

"Talent, Levi. Pure talent," they quipped. "So, what can I do you for?"

"I gotta get Eren out of Mitras for a while. I need you to map a way out of the city that is least likely to watched by Titan. We can't afford to be seen leaving," Levi told them.

"Which direction?"

"Doesn't matter. Just need to get out beyond the city limits."

Hange leaned over the table and lowered their voice. "Honestly, Levi, I think you need to just use your magic to shield the both of you. I don't think there's anywhere out of Titan's view. You should use the old Deep Earth subway tunnel that was never completed to get out of the city."

"Deep Earth?"

"Yeah. A little over 20 years ago they started to build a high-speed commuter train tunnel deep below the city's service and subway tunnels to connect Mitras and Marley, but they ran out of funds not even a quarter of the way through, so the project was dropped. Too bad, really. It would have cut down on air traffic and pollution."

"Huh. Okay." Levi then frowned.

Hange reached over and placed their hand over his where he leaned on the table. "I know you hate to use magic except as a last resort, but we're desperate right now. Eren's life is at stake. The entire world as we know it depends on Eren not falling into Titan's hands."

"I know," Levi conceded. "That's what Erwin said too. You're right, I don't want to use my best trump card yet, but if I don't, we may lose this war. Thing is, I'm not entirely sure how to use it. I'm just wingin' it here."

Hange giggled. "No pun intended?"

Levi snorted. "Just get me that map."


"We're running away and hiding?!" Eren demanded angrily.

"I'm not too fond of the idea either," Levi replied calmly. But Erwin's right. Tinninvale is the only place in this entire world that Titan can't get to you no matter what. It's shielded by magic, which is one thing Titan doesn't seem to be able to use."

"But-"

"No buts, kid. If Titan get's its filthy hands on you again, it's game over for everyone. Besides, we won't be just hiding. We'll both be training. I need to learn how to properly use and control these magic abilities and the more combat training you can get, the better. We get you off Titan's radar, you and I get training time, and the others can think up a plan of attack without worrying about you falling into Titan's hands."

"Is what Mikasa told me true? Is Titan actively hunting down and murdering Supers?"

Levi paused packing his backpack. "I'm afraid so. Nineteen as of last night. Not sure exactly why either. Something big is coming, though. Whoever is killing these Supers can turn their own powers against them."

"It's worse than we thought."

Levi turned to see Hange standing in the doorway. "Do you ever fucking knock, Four Eyes?"

"You know I don't," they replied. "That Super that can turn everyone's powers against them; there's more than one of them. I just finished compiling the reports from around the globe. Including the 19 in Mitras, a total of 1,782 Supers have been killed in the last 72 hours. Most by having their own powers turned against them and with masked Titans present."

Both Eren's and Levi's eyes widened. "That must mean . . ." Levi started. He wasn't sure it could be true. "They've started 'the purge'."

"The purge?" Eren questioned.

"That's right. You weren't able to finish that book of theirs. It's one of the later stages of returning humanity to its former glory. This is just a theory, mind you, but in order for the renewed humanity to remain pure, all those who are 'tainted' must be purged. Supers, with our unusual powers, must be viewed as tainted," Levi concluded.

"That may be," Hange said thoughtfully. "But that would beg the question as to why there are Supers working for Titan."

"Because they don't know they are the 'tainted'," Levi explained. "And Titan will used anything at its disposal, including the tainted in order to achieve their ultimate goal. Chances are that they already have something in place to eliminate the Supers that are working for them."

Eren shuddered. "Damn, this is scary. It's like some fucked up horror movie, only I can't just shut it off to escape it."

"I think we all feel that way, Eren," Hange agreed. "I'm not sure I want to see how this movie ends. If only we knew what fate held in store for us."

Levi suddenly froze, his eyes losing focus. "Fate . . ."

"Levi?" Eren and Hange both asked.

Levi came out of it. "Not sure. Something about fate triggered something in me. I'll think on it another time. Sooner we get out of Mitras, the better."


It took nearly two hours to get all the way down to the Deep Earth tunnel. To reduce the odds of being found by Titan, they travelled without lights. Levi used an incantation he'd discovered a few days before to allow them to see, though no light be found.

Once they reached Deep Earth, both were awed by how massive the tunnel was. It had been designed to have an upper level with two side by side tracks to allow passenger trains to move in both directions. The lower level was to have two tracks for freight trains. On both sides of the circular tunnel, by each level, were to be the service tunnels. However, they never got any further than drilling 20 miles of the necessary 110 miles, so Levi and Eren entered an empty, cavernous 120-foot diameter tunnel.

They had walked about a mile before Levi decided walking nearly 20 miles was ridiculous. He scanned the area to make sure no one was around. "Eren, stand with your hands straight up over your head, forearms crossed," he instructed.

Eren was confused by the order but did as he was told. He barely stopped himself from letting out a yelp as he was suddenly yanked off the ground, flipped through the air and landed solidly on Levi's back, his wrists securely held in the Super's hands. He found himself wishing he could have seen the spectacular flip and twist Levi had done to pick him up and flip them around so that Eren would be on his back.

Forty minutes later, the end of the tunnel was in sight. There had been no way to remove the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) from the tunnel when construction stopped, so they'd been forced to leave it where it was when it was shut down for the last time. Levi landed at the back of the 873-foot long machine and led them inside. The machine, nicknamed Big Betty Boom, was the largest TBM in the world. Too bad she never got to finish her job, Levi told Eren telepathically.

Especially since they blew 178 million on her, Eren replied.

Levi shook his head in disbelief. What a waste of taxpayer dollars.

At the cutting head, a door opened to the rock surface, where a small six-foot tunnel had been dug up to the surface. They eventually stepped out into a forest in the middle of nowhere about an hour and half after sunset. Levi once again took flight. This time Eren knew what to expect, so was able to appreciate the way the Super flew in from behind him, grabbed his hands, twisted mid-air and flipped Eren onto his back as if it was the easiest thing in the world.

Levi flew close to the ground. They both wore all black clothes, nothing shiny. Levi added a spell to keep them hidden from satellite view and infrared imaging (and hoped that it worked). Their flight lasted for several hours, Levi keeping low to the ground, weaving through forests, skimming across water and fields. Two hours before sunrise, they approached a deep, narrow valley between mountains. They followed the fast-moving river along the bottom. Eren gasped when they passed through the magic barrier. He gasped again when he saw the previously hidden Tinninvale sanctuary ahead.

"I was the same way the first time I saw it," Levi told him. "This is Tinninvale, sanctuary of The Prophet."

Eren's eyes widened impossibly more. "The Prophet lives here?!"

Levi devious smirk was hidden from Eren. "You're in for a lot of shocking revelations today." He flew up the steep side of the valley and landed on the expansive veranda overlooking the entire vale.

Eren looked around in awe, his eyes still wide and his mouth hanging open. "Whooooah," he breathed.

"And this is just the outside."

Eren turned to see Levi holding open one of the elaborately carved French doors. "Um, are you sure we should just walk in like this? Shouldn't we at least knock or something? Is there a doorbell?"

"Just get your ass in here." Levi actually sounded amused. Looked amused too.

Levi strode confidently into the large entry room, stretched his wings, removed his backpack and set it on the floor near the stairs. "Mom? I know your up and I know you're expecting me!"

"Of course, I was expecting you." Kuchel entered from a set of French doors to the left of the entrance. "What kind of prophet would I be if I didn't?"

Eren stood, slack jawed, as the small woman, about Levi's height with long, straight black hair and dark blue eyes approached them. "Y-you're the Prophet?"

"Yes, Eren. I am."

The stunned student was a little slow connecting the dots. "You know my name?"

Kuchel giggled. "Of course, I do."

Suddenly Eren looked back and forth between Kuchel and Levi. "Wait . . . did you call her 'Mom'?"

A definite amused smirk spread across Levi's face as he looked to his mother. "Real genius, this one."

"Be nice, Levi. Eren's been through a lot tonight, and the night is not over yet."

Eren sat down, suddenly feeling totally overwhelmed. "The Prophet is Levi's mother . . . I thought your mother was dead."

"That is what the world believes; for her safety as well as mine," Levi explained.

"Eren?" Another woman entered the room.

Eren looked over at her and jumped up from the chair. "M-m-mom?!" He then fainted dead away, collapsing into an undignified heap on the floor.

Levi just deadpanned at the now prostrate young man. "I'd say he took that well."