CHAPTER IX

Captain Levi really was a lifesaver. There's was no other way to put it. He arrived on excellent timing, or soon she'd have passed out after more than thirty hours awake. Something she did not say, but by the somewhat angry gaze she got from him the instant she opened the door, he surely knew it but made no comment about it.

But now, with a bit more than nine hours of nonstop sleep and a proper shower, Elia felt like a new person.

"I'm sorry to have taken so long" she said as soon as she entered the room.

The man was sitting on her bed, his back resting on the wall and one of her father's books open in his hands.

"You should stop apologizing" she heard him say as he turned to the next page and just then looked at her "You sister hasn't showed changes since my arrival. But I imagine you noticed the rhythm of her breathing has slowed down a bit".

"It started the night before" indeed. This was a clear sign on how her body would start shutting down within every day.

"It's always like this" he commented from the same spot. His eyes were on the girl yet his mind went somewhere else, a distant memory "My mother was ill for a long time and although I was only a young brat, I remember well how lost I was to see her like that" Levi didn't know well why he shared this but his instinct told him it was the right thing to do "And now I see you with all that knowledge and desire to make her better, but there's nothing you can actually do"

Elia wasn't sure, but she sensed some anger in those last words. Then heard him sighed dejectedly.

"For a long time, I thought that if we had had a better situation, she might have lived, but this made me realize that in the end, if it's you time, nothing will change it" he thought about how near death he was back then, but his organism resisted "A human's body is really fragile" yeah…sometimes he didn't feel like one. But it was handy to be the way he was, so he embraced it. The problem was everyone dying around.

"A truth that is hard to accept" she muttered, empathizing with his pain. Years may pass but when you love someone, you never stop longing for their presence. Her own mother said so when she shared how lost she'd been when her family died to an epidemic "I'm sorry about your mother, sir".

She saw him looking down, deep in thought and then returned to the book. Elia felt the urge to approach and comfort him somehow, but they weren't exactly friends, so she just gave him time. This was hard enough for her, despite being an adult, so she understood how traumatic the experience was for him as a child… No wonder why he was so hermetic and quiet, and apparently apathetic. Only this gesture towards her sister demonstrated how humane he truly was.

She approached to Ilva in silence, and began changing the position of the tiny, improvised pillows to place under her elbows, lower back, knees, and ankles; not a solution but a way to slower the emergence of bedsores. She'd dedicate herself to cleaning Ilva's mouth and nostrils later; she didn't know if he'd mind but her sister most definitely would.

The second she finished, she decided to show some kindness in gratitude.

"I'll go make some tea" she said now under the doorstep. He had been reading the whole time, but those eyes went deliberately to her at the sound of that word "Would you like to try a new combination?"

"Sounds good to me" he replied, his voice circumspect but those blue-steel eyes were curious.

Elia nodded and left, evaluating what option seemed good. It was around 5AM and the air inside was nippy at that moment, due to the hours of rain from the previous afternoon. I hope he at least covered himself with the blankets I mentioned, she thought to herself and then her expression changed to a bit livelier one. I've got it!

She prepared both cups and was interested to know what he'd say about it. It was no big deal, but still felt nice.

Upon arriving to the room, Elia noticed the book was on the bed, by his side, and his gaze in her sister's direction but he seemed far away from there and was worried about something. But came back to the present when he saw her standing in front of him.

"Be careful, sir. It's quite hot" she said and bend a little to hand him the beverage.

Elia didn't know if she probably caught him off guard or maybe she was hallucinating out of stress, but she could have sworn seeing him wrinkle his nose a little. Perhaps I went too far with the ingredients? she wondered, but let it go right then. He was in his right not to like it, that didn't mean anything. Each person's taste is a mystery, she recalled those words from her father as well as his voice.

"What's this called?" Captain Levi asked, intrigued. Like a child who had been given something he didn't fully understand.

"I think it'd be better if you discovered that on your own" she offered while taking a seat in the chair, trying to hide a tiny smile at this unexpected sort of fun.

The man narrowed his eyes, even more intrigued than before. She saw him looking down at the cup, which by the way he held in a peculiar way. She'd never daresay he was a cute person, but that tiny detail about him certainly was.

The healer took a sip from her own as she discreetly observed him drink his, very slowly. He was tasting it, carefully and trying to figure it out, then decided to take a second sip, longer than the last.

"I'm not sure, but I think there's lemon in here" the man hinted, confident of it after taking the third sip "And it's kinda sweet but not like sugar sweet. It leaves a good taste".

Elia smiled a little and nodded, accepting he was right about the two things despite not knowing what made it sweeter. Then she took another sip herself.

"This is red tea with lemon and honey. You may use black tea as well, but since that one is stronger, the flavor is somewhat different" she explained.

"Taste good" he conceded, almost finishing it and then looked at her once more "Does it have any specific use or is it only for the flavor?"

"It has several benefits but the main two are its refreshing effect, and in a medicinal aspect, it's quite helpful for a cold, because the caffeine inside tea leaves help stimulating the body, to warm up and as a pain reliever. On another hand, lemon helps suppressing toxins and, finally there's honey, which is great when your throat is sore, itches, or is just irritated because it helps as a natural anti-inflammatory" Elia shared with some enthusiasm. For some reason, this felt like back being at school, only this time she seemed to be the teacher.

Levi contemplated her, truly immersed in the subject while assimilating the information she was sharing with him. There was a noteworthy gleam inside those deep gray eyes.

"How long have you been into medicine? the soldier asked, looking at the cup between her hands. He really wanted to know, without understanding his own motivation "The way you talk and that passion for the field sometimes makes you seem older than your looks".

"I couldn't tell when it started" she answered with sincerity, and stared at her sister, remembering those days when she used to attentively watch her mother's way to work and absorb her father's knowledge "I just know that, from a very young age, I liked watching the way my parents assisted people; they were helping to bring back a little joy to the world that way. It's what I thought when I was little" she admitted sheepishly for describing it in such way, but Elia wanted to give an honest answer to that question.

"And why did you choose that path?" the Captain continued, looking at her and then her sister "I wonder because your choice and hers are very different".

"I guess I like being able to help restoring someone's organism, and it's also some sort of inherited gift" she tried to find a direct answer, but it was difficult "Our father was an expert herbalist, just like his own father before him, who also mastered the healing arts. Something our mother learnt from him" she saw the captain slightly tilting his head, somewhat confused "My father's family saved her from an epidemic that took her family's lives. She arrived on her own at their door, malnourished and alone, and our grandparents decided to adopt her" Elia feared she was boring Captain Levi, but the concentration in his face towards hers convinced her otherwise. He actually looked interested and waiting for her to continue talking "That's how they met. They grew up and learned together from him, and then decided working side by side. Which probably led them to something else, emotionally speaking. But ever since I was little, watching them work as a team became one of my favorite memories and I believe that inspired my own choice".

"It's easy to see how proud anyone could be for the path they chose" he muttered, more to himself and a sudden trace of sadness and solitude crossed through his eyes, looking away.

"Not every healer or doctor works to help people, sir. Sadly, we've encountered several who just do it for the profit or social status" she assured, and he was staring at her sister now, thoughtful but attentive to her words "Besides, sometimes life chooses the way for the person" Elia said, honest and certain. She had no idea if he was thinking about his own life or someone else's "Ilva and I were lucky, but that doesn't happen to everyone. Our mother, for example: she had no one when she lost her own mother and sister. So, during the time she had to endure life as an orphan, she went through difficult things to stay alive. Things she probably regretted" once again, the man seemed interested "But she shouldn't have, unless her actions harmed others. So, as you can see, there's an important difference between being forced into something and choose willingly" the healer emphasized "Mom was grateful to the people that saved her, and her decision to help others was completely related to that experience. But things could have been extremely different for her had she not been fostered, and it wouldn't have been her fault. Sometimes there's no way out of misery or duty" she said and felt incredibly aware of herself at the intensity in his gaze but couldn't run from it.

"How old are you exactly?" Levi asked and broke the connection "You don't look older than me and yet you sound like it".

"Twenty-eight years" she responded without hesitation though it caused her some amusement. Most people got offended with such questions, especially women but it was interesting to talk to someone who was so straightforward and didn't follow social rules.

"I see" he took some seconds before continuing "I imagine they must have been proud of both of you" he said, then stood up and walked out of the room, carrying the empty cup and the book under his arm.

Elia couldn't help but notice how sad he seemed. Did I offended him? she wondered. It wasn't the impression she got but she wasn't entirely sure.

She looked at Ilva and checked her vitals before kissing her forehead, feeling considerably lighter after being able to talk about their parents without getting a lump in her throat. Their legacy was a way to feel them close; something she hadn't considered until now.

The healer turned to walk him to the door, unsure on what to say as she watched him putting the book back to its place in her father's library, totally silent. Then he proceeded to put on his coat and placed his hand on the doorknob.

"I must retire for now, but I'll try harder for the next combination" surprisingly, he was promising another visit, but Elia only saw his back "Probably tonight" OK, that told her she wasn't going to fool him again.

"I'll see you then, sir" she voiced that unconscious wish to see him again, more focused in her previous worry "I hope I had not offended you before. I did not mean to".

Elia watched him breathed out before turning his face to his left, in complete calm but still quite serious.

"I told you before, you should stop apologizing" he repeated and opened the door "That works when you've done something wrong, lady"

Elia saw him nodding once and then turned his face to the front. And without saying furthermore, Captain Levi walked out and closed the door behind him.

Damn it! Levi cursed his distraction from a couple hours before, when he arrived at his room but forgot lowering the curtains. He raised his left arm and tried to cover his face in a futile attempt to block the sunlight going inside the place. Once again, he'd fallen asleep on the chair, completely dressed.

The clock marked eleven in the morning, which clearly stated he had woken up much later than usual, but since it was a Saturday and he had nothing scheduled, it didn't really matter. He began to stretch his limbs and elongate for some minutes before heading to the restrooms and go search for something to eat. He needed to see Erwin for two reasons that afternoon.

"I wanna become a member of the scouts and slaughter every titan that crosses my path".

Those words had been repeating on an on in his head from the morning before.

Although he had said he accepted his application to his squad, to keep an eye on him after warning he'd eliminate him if he betrayed them or ended up being incapable to handle that power, it was only a half truth. Because Levi never expected that outcome, nor the berserk determination in that expression when he spoke, but he liked it. A fainthearted fool was the last thing they needed now. And he truly wanted to annihilate the Titans; vengeance was the undeniable desire of his soul and for him, it was enough to know he meant it.

Let's see if the brat has the necessary discipline and stamina for the job, he said to himself as he reached the floor where his friend's office was. Hoping he also met his impeccable hygiene standards.

Levi knocked twice and waited outside the Commander's office, knowing the blond was inside. He saw him pacing in front of his window from the courtyard, before entering to that building.

It wasn't the first time, so he just leaned against the opposite wall and waited patiently. By the time he finally saw him appearing through the door and let him into his office, he saw him returning to his desk and so Levi helped himself and went straight to the corner of the room to get some tea. For a brief moment, the memories of two night before, when he went to the soldier's home for a fifth time, came to his mind but he set them aside and focused on the conversation he was going to have with the Commander, who was concentrated in the multiple notes in sight and over the table.

Levi took a seat in front of him and crossed his legs, resting his left arm on the backrest of his chair to be more comfortable while drinking his beverage in silence, contemplating the fluffy clouds in the sky through the window behind his friend. A completely normal dynamic between them; Erwin didn't get distracted by his presence due to how quiet the Captain could be, and on the other hand, Levi awaited for the news he suspected, his friend probably had. Those big bags under his eyes and the disarranged look of his clothes claimed he probably spent the night right in there and had no sleep at all.

"Yesterday noon, I received confirmation on Darius Zackly to be the one who'll preside over the Yeager's trial" his friend finally spoke, after leaving one of his notes on top of a smaller pile near the corner of his desk "And it will take place within six days".

"Zackly" Levi repeated the name, pondering what this meant as he drank some tea "Well, if it's that old psychopath, then there's a chance for us".

"It all depends" Erwin went to get one cup for himself and came back "If the boy loses control in the middle of the session…" he didn't sound convinced by that scenario, but it was reckless not to consider it.

"You're talking about what Shadis shared with us in the report, about his impulsiveness and occasional stupidity?" the Captain asked, recalling the previous evening, when he received the confidential document. And saw Erwin nodding, thoughtfully.

He had no idea that his friend's predecessor oversaw cadets' training. He thought he'd retired after the way he quit to the Corps; still, it wasn't so bad to know these new generations might be better than the previous ones. The man didn't do a good job as a leader but that didn't mean he was a useless coward. Besides, since Erwin showed no significant reaction about it, neither did he. Except for the fact his report was undoubtedly from a trustworthy source.

"I'm confident everything will be fine... At least during the trial" Levi continued "The brat may have both defects, but he won't lose it because his intentions were clear yesterday. He must be insane for being so enthusiastic about it, but I think he's exactly the kind of idiot who always dreamed of joining us. Even without this crap about his powers" Levi grabbed the document, and then looked back at his friend "He'll be loyal to his own interests".

"Remember we won't be the only ones asking him questions. And, unfortunately, there's that detail about him attacking one of his comrades. The Military Police Brigade will try to influence the whole trial after that. It's the ace up their sleeve" he reminded him.

Levi took his time to drink what was left in his cup before suggesting the idea that crossed his mind. It might not be the safest, but it was better than nothing. He left the empty cup on the table and looked at Erwin right in the eye.

"According to Shadis report, the cadet he attacked matches one of his own friends' name. And as far as we know, nothing can prove whether she has the same ability or not, thus she may become a second target for those idiots" Levi explained and caught that cunning sparkle in the Commander's eyes "The brat will emotionally explode if he thinks she's in danger and we could use that to our advantage. Make a point right in front of every single one inside that room" he finished, in total calm, as if it were nothing.

"The issue is we cannot be certain he won't transform right there" the blond pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

The idea was a good one, but his position forced him to consider if the risk was necessary. Erwin needed to ensure the boy's survival at all costs. His power and the promise to unveil the truth about the Titans was the right call, he was sure about it.

"He won't" the Captain said, no trace of doubt "He's a kid and probably still has those idealistic ideas about not harming innocents. In fact, for all we know, he had the chance to run away but decided to trust his other friend. That's what convinced Pixis, and now he's trusting us, though he won't probably enjoy the experience" he added, remembering the interview "But he won't do anything. I'm sure you noticed he seriously respects us. So, he won't even dare to fail us".

"It's a risky bet, but perhaps our best option" the Commander granted with a tiny scheming smile.

Demonstrating everyone that the boy would endure Levi's brutal beating without repercussions was a clever idea. Erwin knew Zackly was an observant person, not to forget intelligent and pragmatic. Therefore, he supporting to dismember the boy and studying him that way seemed unlikely. Even more once he knew about the key and its implications.

He'd have to make sure the seed of doubt gets to the right people, and he already had something in mind.

Once again, Levi watched his friend diving back into his journal for at least another ten minutes, and so he understood things were settled concerning the trial. Which drove him to address the second reason for his presence there, especially now that there was not much time left.

"Erwin" he called his friend, who stopped and stared at him, waiting "I need you to sign this, please" the Captain took an envelope from the coat's inside pocket and handled it to him. No need for preambles.

Erwin received it and checked the document inside, carefully reading it. He looked up at the man, immutable as ever, but he could see something else was happening aside to the Allied Titan affair. Something Levi evidently didn't want to talk about, and he'd respect it. Nonetheless, it was important; that please hadn't gone unnoticed. Nor the fact that regular documentation for his signature was usually delivered by Petra.

The Commander placed the paper on his desk, signed it and then proceeded to pour some wax right next to it and stamp his seal on it. He folded and placed it inside the same cover before giving it back to the soldier, who was going to mumble something but stopped and then just nodded, showing his gratitude.

Levi didn't look away immediately or that'd be more suspicious to his friend, who either way, always ended up seeing more than he should. And that curiosity in the blue of his eyes was clear, but since Erwin always respected his space, he made no mention about it.

"I'll see you later" he said and got up in his feet to walk himself out. The man stopped for a second and turn for one last thing "It'd be good for you to take a shower and have some sleep. You look crappy, Erwin".

The blond saw the Captain leaving and he couldn't help but snort, a bit amused at his suggestion. He's probably right, he thought, stretched, and then turned to look through his window at the rest of the city.

The idea he came up with about the Yeager lad was clever, and easy to do in order to convince the militia, journalists, the cult and other citizens so they didn't object about Zackly's decision. But if things went sour and the final verdict was to waste the only hope to move forward, he wasn't going to let that happen. That was the reason for his current behavior; it was never easy to plot something that would go against the law. But too much had been sacrificed to get where they were.

x

After leaving that office, he headed back to his own, just to make sure there was nothing pending on his desk; he planned on going there that night, so he'd see his duties fulfilled in time.

For some reason he did not comprehend, and despite the gloom situation they lived, every time he walked out of that place, he brought something positive within him. Actually, their own story helped him understood there was so much more about life for everyone; nobody was entirely happy or sad, and not everything was abandonment, loneliness, or cruelty.

Unfortunately, as much as he repeated himself that the course of things was like this, that the girl's death was soon to happen, he couldn't quiet his own sadness about it.

Over the last days there had been a considerable decrease in her muscular mass, her breathing was getting slower, and the skin was no longer bruised but it got paler. She won't last for too long. The thought caused anxiety, for the soldier and the future she could have had, and also because it bothered him to think about the idea of that woman completely left alone in the world, just like he was when his mother passed away. Age didn't matter; she loved that girl and this wouldn't be easy. Levi knew she would not give up, but he also predicted an important part of herself would die when the soldier did. But even then, she wouldn't stop believing in their cause nor them.

Distracted, Levi breathed out when he reached the stairs, unexpectedly recalling that scent. The echo of that particular moment when she approached him, as anyone would do to pass a cup on his hands, still haunted him. He rarely got nervous about anything, but that night he had to restrain and disguise the unreasonable urge to get closer. Stupid, he scolded himself later. The soldier felt troubled at the similarity with that pig from the other day at the store, who just did without permission, but then he reminded he wasn't looking at her in such way, nor considered her a piece of meat and above all, he kept his distance.

Hours later, he felt relief when he attributed the impulse to that pleasant smell around her. Especially when clean people weren't frequently easy to find. And he was also intrigued on how she managed to have that; he certainly knew way too many soap bars, and none got even close.

But even with all that reasoning, a barely perceptible little voice inside his head remarked Captain Levi that something like this never happened to him. Not as a fully grown man and towards a real person.

I'm sure you've noticed the POVs sometimes changes from one character to the other, but I rather do that instead of writing the same from a different perspective, unless imperative (like the first time they saw each other).

Thanks for reading!

Namárië